AKL vs POFQ - which to pick?

[Tahariel]

Hey everyone,

need some advice. I am absolutely torn what to book for our next trip.

I'm booking from the UK and we currently have the free dining offer on. Through this, the price for our trip works out almost equally whether we booked POFQ with the upgraded dining (from QS to regular) or get the standard room at AKL with the already included Disney Dining.

We stayed at POFQ last time and loved it! The short distance to all parks and the water taxis to Disney Springs are definite pros. However, I've always heard great things about AKL, and it is a deluxe resort after all. The kind of out-of-the-way location is putting me off a little though, and the fact Savannah view is unaffordable. So would it even be worth it?

Greatful for any advice, reports or tips!

 

[Wood Nymph]

For just about the same price I would take the AKL. The Resort is beautiful and I would think the bus service would be comparable to POFQ.

 

[Doug S]

Check out Touring Plans' room finder. There are a ton of standard rooms that still have what I'd consider to be a savannah view. I'm looking into doing a few nights at AKL on my trip this September and plan to book a standard room and send in a fax request through TP.

I stayed at POFQ last October, but I got a rare discount on it. Definitely the best moderate, but if AKL is the same price I'd go for it instead.

 

[Elleshoodat]

Hey everyone,

need some advice. I am absolutely torn what to book for our next trip.

I'm booking from the UK and we currently have the free dining offer on. Through this, the price for our trip works out almost equally whether we booked POFQ with the upgraded dining (from QS to regular) or get the standard room at AKL with the already included Disney Dining.

We stayed at POFQ last time and loved it! The short distance to all parks and the water taxis to Disney Springs are definite pros. However, I've always heard great things about AKL, and it is a deluxe resort after all. The kind of out-of-the-way location is putting me off a little though, and the fact Savannah view is unaffordable. So would it even be worth it?

Greatful for any advice, reports or tips!

You're asking me to choose between my two favorite resorts, but if pricing is equal, I'm choosing Animal Kingdom Lodge all day, every day.

I don't feel as though it's out of the way (at least not in a far-from-the-parks way; the ambiance definitely makes it feel you're in another world), and there are so many viewing areas at the resort that savanna view isn't necessary (at least not for my family).

You really can't go wrong either way!

 

[stinkpickle]

Flip a coin. BUT...since you've stayed at POFQ before, you might as well try AKL this time.

 

[mcurran]

AKL. It is hands down such a unique hotel to stay at. I loved it!

Of note:
You will notice the qs is smaller than mods. But it's still got lots of yummy stuff (imo zebra domes overrated but try at least once!)

The pool and water slide are awesome

I didn't find a trek to AKV was worth it. But if you're staying a long time they have a different pool and water slide and kid splash area.

Learn to love paper straws. Plastic straws not allowed for animal safety.

Awesome hotel you owe it to yourselves to try it out once. And book now before us Americans book on Monday when our free dining is likely dropping.

 

[Babsy]

AKL definitely!!!! You don't need a savanna view room to see the animals. As Pp said, some standard views will have a partial view of the savannahs. Plus there are lots of public viewing areas. (Or you could book a pool view which can be very pretty for not much more $$.)
Some benefits:
The food at AKL is amazing, you have two really nice pools, the buses are good with only one stop at Kidani and one stop at Jambo House. Everything is under one roof, amazing theming, great activities, lots of ambience, really friendly CM's and a great price for a deluxe resort with interior corridors and balconies!!!!
Did I mention Boma, Jiko, Sanaa and Mara? Yummmm!!! We go to AKl to eat even if we aren't staying there!!!!!!

Don't worry about the buses:
AKL is only about 5 - 10 minutes extra on the bus from the MK. Everywhere else is a comparable distance/travel time to other resorts - Except to the AK, which is far closer at only a 5 min bus ride away.

If you haven't been to the AKL yet, you really should try a stay there. It is definitely one of our favourite resorts!!!

 

[Eastern]

Same price, I would do AKL. I like POFQ though.

 

[Tahariel]

Thank you everyone for your advice

 

[heidijanesmith]

We really liked our AKL stay! We booked a standard view and were upgraded to a pool view. The pool view was very nice, we did not miss seeing the animals from our balcony at all. My mom and step father booked a savannah view room and they liked it as they were in the room quite a bit. AKL is a lovely resort that is amazingly themed and well worth a trip.

I would try AKL since you have not yet and you are interested in it. The bus system is usually really good, just sharing between the two AKL resorts. Makes for a much quicker overall trip.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I have stayed at both, and would definitely choose AKL.

I have even stayed at AKL in both a Savanna room and a standard room. From my standard room I actually saw MORE animals than my savanna room--the "standard" view also had a view of some ugly fencing/buildings, while the savanna was "prettier"--but more animals at the standard.

I didn't really like POFQ personally. I didn't like that the only pool is heavily geared towards very young kids (I didn't go with young kids that trip.) It felt very "motel" like to me. The boat to Disney Springs, while relaxing and tranquil, took a long time.

I loved that AKL has multiple restaurants, and a gorgeous pool. You can view animals from many parts of the resort.

 

[robl45]

I wouldn't stay at AKL if I didn't have savanna. That's the best thing about it. As far as being out of the way. The difference in travel time is really not a big deal. Its like 25 minutes or slightly less to MK and the rest are relatively close by. Its not like there is a huge difference. I personally don't like the paper straws or the dark theming of the place.

 

[Spencer Wright]

AKL... the transportation issue can be annoying, however it is very close to everything but Epcot and Magic Kingdom. The only place that's a real nuisance to get to is Magic Kingdom.

Its also relatively quiet and low key compared to the Port Orleans hotels.

 

[Texans_loyal]

AKL no questions asked.

 

[cheryllarsen]

AKV is our family's favorite!

 

[Jaimie1911]

POFQ is my very favorite resort! However, since they are about the same price, and you've stayed there before, I'd pick AKL. Also one of my favorites! I've had nice partial savanna views when booking standard. We requested through touring plans and had a view of zebra, ostriches, and antelope. The pool is also nicer imo, and the restaurants are amazing! My favorite is Boma for dinner!

 

[mickeymom22]

Love love love these two resorts! Since you have stayed at POFQ before definitely give AKL a chance. Hubby and I stayed at AKL once just us. It was so nice! We requested a king room and when we checked in she explained that our room wasn't "technically" a Savannah view room, but in actuality it was. There was a corral area between us and the animals, but it really wasn't that big. We had great views of the animals! One night the giraffes slept outside our room!

 

[goofyintoronto]

AKL without a doubt! its such a gorgeous resort!! No contest here!

 

[AngieInOH]

Oh geez, about the same price..... AKL!!!

 

[Tahariel]

We really liked our AKL stay! We booked a standard view and were upgraded to a pool view. The pool view was very nice, we did not miss seeing the animals from our balcony at all. My mom and step father booked a savannah view room and they liked it as they were in the room quite a bit. AKL is a lovely resort that is amazingly themed and well worth a trip.

I would try AKL since you have not yet and you are interested in it. The bus system is usually really good, just sharing between the two AKL resorts. Makes for a much quicker overall trip.

Savannah view is sadly, certainly out of the question. The upgrade price is so expensive.
But it seems like most people think overall AKL is still definitely worth it.
A slight shame the bus journeys will be longer, but I believe that deluxe resorts get more frequent busses than value & moderates. So there are two stops then?