akl vs por

[canadiancowgirl]

i am in the very early stages of planning a family trip to disney, haven't been in several years, never with kids of my own. i am trying to convert my non disney husband. i have narrowed down resorts to either por or akl. looking for opinions from fellow disboarders- have stayed at por in alligator bayou years ago and loved it- it was great, so quiet and spread out, loved the quiet pools, quite often we were the only ones using them. i also love the transportation options and recreation available onsite. am also considering renting dvc points and staying at akl. my family is very "outdoorsy", my husband would much rather be in the bush than in a city so am looking for a resort where it would be spread out and not too congested with people, fun for kids (ages 3&6) and with a food court that would suit a very non adventurous pallette. looking at going last week of january. any opinions?

 

[hakepb]

AKL is a wonderful resort ... if you plan to spend time at the resort. My youngest still talks about the time we saw animals from the resort (and my last 3 years have been WL, Poly and GFV)
If you are in the parks all day, and expected to open the curtains and see animals outside for a 1 minute viewing in the AM... it won't be so good.

No Deluxe has as much of a food court selection as any value or moderate. I had to adjust by using park QS instead of so much resort QS. But Jambo's Mara is an above average Deluxe QS, and has the standard Mickey waffles/burgers/chicken strips as well as a few very unique options.

Kidani does not have a QS, so that means a walk or shuttle ride to Jambo.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's a hard decision, because those are two of my favorite resorts. And ironically, my DH is similar to yours-very outdoorsy, NOT a city person at all. Frankly, he kind of likes that at POR, he doesn't have to go through a big main lobby to get to his room, but at AKL, he likes being able to sit on his fairly quiet balcony. It probably boils down to money-which can you comfortably afford-AKL is a deluxe resort, much more expensive than POR.

 

[Ceryssa]

POR is going to be quieter, especially at the pools since there are so many. Personally I didn't love it; it's a nice place but I think maybe my expectations were a little high based on how much people rave about it. Plus I've discovered I'm just a deluxe person. So, I'd say AKL but as hakepb said, it probably depends on your schedule. I wouldn't book AKL without planning to spend some downtime there.

Can I ask why you aren't considering Wilderness Lodge or the Cabins at Fort Wilderness? Sounds like those would be right up your husband's alley (although maybe not yours which would explain it being left off the list--but he might enjoy it more and be more likely to go back )

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

POR is going to be quieter, especially at the pools since there are so many. Personally I didn't love it; it's a nice place but I think maybe my expectations were a little high based on how much people rave about it. Plus I've discovered I'm just a deluxe person. So, I'd say AKL but as hakepb said, it probably depends on your schedule. I wouldn't book AKL without planning to spend some downtime there.

Can I ask why you aren't considering Wilderness Lodge or the Cabins at Fort Wilderness? Sounds like those would be right up your husband's alley (although maybe not yours which would explain it being left off the list--but he might enjoy it more and be more likely to go back )

I was wondering the same thing about Wilderness Lodge (my favorite resort)!

We have stayed at AKL and I agree with another post; if you are going to spend enough time to experience the resort I would go with AKL. I love the theme, very good dining choices, night vision binoculars, s'mores and I loved talking with the cast members.
If you are the kind of people that go to the parks from rope drop till fireworks, than I would save some money and go with POR (and wouldn't blame your husband for not being a fan of WDW ). POR is my favorite moderate and the only resort that we have made a return visit to. We were in the mansions the first time and while taking a horse drawn carriage ride through Alligator Bayou we wanted to give that location a try.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think POR will be the least "congested" resort of the two. It is more spread out than AKL (though AKL's hallways can feel long, everything is under one roof there). WL is more "outdoorsy", but has the same set up. You could consider renting points for the new CCV at WL perhaps?

Have you thought about Ft. W? The amenities aren't as great as POR, IMHO, but that's about as "outdoorsy" as you can get at WDW without renting a campsite. Ft. W has a ton of great activities for the kids - sing-a-longs, pony rides, etc - and has a boat that goes to MK.

 

[Danimal]

Loved loved loved AKL. The food options were amazing at the resort. My kids are picky and had no trouble finding things to eat there If you're a ways off from taking your trip, I'd highly recommend looking into renting DVC points for your stay. We stayed a week there last November and it cost us about $1,200 total. Can't beat less than $200 a night for a deluxe resort and your family will love the activities and the savanna.

 

[lborne]

Agree that you should look into Wilderness Lodge or even get a camp site and pitch a tent if you really want the outdoors and save $ too. But between the two you mention, I'd go with AKL. One of my favorite resorts and just seems away from Disney - because it is farther. But you do have longer bus rides which stink - literally, they can be smelly especially returning after a hot summer day in the parks. But I can always find some quiet places at both resorts - just prefer AKL.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I absolutely love both of these resorts. I would say budget should rule--if you can afford the extra, definitely AKL is a treat. Beautiful theme and animals. If you are staying DVC, I would still try to get the Jambo House. Also, love the main pool at AKL--very nice zero-entry. No food court though at AKL, just TS and one QS. If you really want a food court, then POR. Have fun deciding!

 

[canadiancowgirl]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I will definatley add WL to my list of options, but don't really want to camp on my vacation so fw is out lol. I'm sure either option would be great, my biggest concern is the congestion of people (1000 rooms spread out over 10 acres at por or 1000 rooms under the same roof at akl) i'm sure the parks will be busy enough for my husband so it would be nice to have a quiet, more secluded area to relax at the end of the day so leaning more towards por. Thanks again!

 

[disneyvoice]

Absolutely go with AKL!! We just stayed there for the first time a few weeks ago and it is now one of our very favorite resorts! We NEVER felt like AKL was crowded. The pool was never crowded, the walk ways were basically empty, we were the only people at the animal viewing areas every time we went to look (and we stopped at one of the viewing balconies every single morning on the way out to the parks and every single night when we returned. We never had to wait in line at the Mara to order or purchase food and the place was more than half empty when we ate there at both lunch and dinner. My husband actually commented that he thinks AKL is the most relaxing resort but that it also has the most things to do as well as the best restaurants. Seriously. For years I read all these great things about AKL and thought it sounded nice but it wasn't on the top of our list to try. I so wish we had stayed there sooner. It is the quietest of any resort we have stayed at.

 

[Lisann]

Have you talked about it to your husband, in detail? I think if you list the three resorts mentioned here (POR, AKL, WL), and then list the pros of each, and then the cons as you and him see it, one of those resorts might really jump out at him. Maybe the remoteness of AKL and sitting on the balcony watching the animals would be top priority for him...or maybe not. WL might appeal to his wilderness love, ease of transportation, etc. POR might appeal to him for other reasons, etc., etc.

You can't go wrong with any of those resorts.

 

[Sue M]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I will definatley add WL to my list of options, but don't really want to camp on my vacation so fw is out lol. I'm sure either option would be great, my biggest concern is the congestion of people (1000 rooms spread out over 10 acres at por or 1000 rooms under the same roof at akl) i'm sure the parks will be busy enough for my husband so it would be nice to have a quiet, more secluded area to relax at the end of the day so leaning more towards por. Thanks again!

Are you considering renting points at AKL Jambo house or Kidani? One thing to consider is Kidani doesn't have a food court. It would be a 10 min walk. Either resorts have choices for narrow palettes, the usual burgers, fries, nuggets.
One of the nice things AKL or WL is indoor halls, no one is walking outside your windows looking in. And they have balconies. A nice quiet place to relax. I love having my morning coffee out there, and it would give you a place to retreat to after the kids are in bed.

 

[Ceryssa]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I will definatley add WL to my list of options, but don't really want to camp on my vacation so fw is out lol. I'm sure either option would be great, my biggest concern is the congestion of people (1000 rooms spread out over 10 acres at por or 1000 rooms under the same roof at akl) i'm sure the parks will be busy enough for my husband so it would be nice to have a quiet, more secluded area to relax at the end of the day so leaning more towards por. Thanks again!

I wouldn't want to camp either! I don't even camp at home lol. The cabins do look nice though; plus you get a kitchenette and a semi-separated bedroom area if I'm remembering right. Kind of a nice cross between rustic and convenient, plus they're still in the MK area so ease of transportation (although further out than WL so you get that remote, quiet atmosphere). Plus they're moderates so might be less expensive than a deluxe (I don't know offhand exactly what the pricing is on them though). And you've got things like archery and the ranch out there. Might be worth a look!

 

[DisneyDiana]

We used to love POR until we stayed at AKL. There are plenty of quiet places there to escape the crowds. There are lots of quiet overlooks with big wooden rocking chairs where you can just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. There are fabulous dining options and unless you're overlooking the pool your balcony will be nice and quiet too.

 

[rangerxenos]

POR is going to be quieter, especially at the pools since there are so many. Personally I didn't love it; it's a nice place but I think maybe my expectations were a little high based on how much people rave about it. Plus I've discovered I'm just a deluxe person. So, I'd say AKL but as hakepb said, it probably depends on your schedule. I wouldn't book AKL without planning to spend some downtime there.

Can I ask why you aren't considering Wilderness Lodge or the Cabins at Fort Wilderness? Sounds like those would be right up your husband's alley (although maybe not yours which would explain it being left off the list--but he might enjoy it more and be more likely to go back )

I thought I was the only one who wasn't really impressed with POR. It was okay, but I was expecting more after hearing everyone rave about it. And we did not like the food court there at all, food was meh anytime we ate there.

 

[rangerxenos]

As for AKL, DH and I absolutely loved it when we stayed there in 2015. Do be aware that you could potentially have a longer walk back to your room depending upon where you are, but it was so worth it. Awesome pool and hot tubs as well, and Boma is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Disney.

 

[Mopedmom1]

I wouldn't want to camp either! I don't even camp at home lol. The cabins do look nice though; plus you get a kitchenette and a semi-separated bedroom area if I'm remembering right. Kind of a nice cross between rustic and convenient, plus they're still in the MK area so ease of transportation (although further out than WL so you get that remote, quiet atmosphere). Plus they're moderates so might be less expensive than a deluxe (I don't know offhand exactly what the pricing is on them though). And you've got things like archery and the ranch out there. Might be worth a look!

I second this. I considered the Cabins at Fort Wilderness when I couldn't find availability at WL for our upcoming Nov trip.

There is so much to do for the kids, a short boat ride to the MK, and to the WL. One drawback is the size. It is very spread out and can be quite a hike to the various places. You can rent golf carts to help with that, but yet another expense.

I ended up getting a res at WL, split with AKL and YC. If finances don't work out for my all deluxe stay I have a reservation for POFQ for the entire stay. Sounds like we have similar resort requirements!