AKL vs Swan vs Moderate vs Value

[Jedi5]

Planning our first trip to WDW this coming January. We'll be going around MLK wknd and our plan is to stay at the AKL. It will be myself, my wife, and 2 yr old son.

The more I research I do, the more I read about other resorts. I think I am torn as to where we should stay.

Our first pick was AKL with a Savannah view. We picked this hotel because family stayed here a few years back and really liked it. We thought our son would love the animals so we said why not.

But I'm reading good reviews on the Swan too. Good location. So I've the Swan in the running now.

The more I read the more I see how many here really like moderate and value resorts. So now I'm wondering if I should start looking into these resorts as well.

This trip is about my son and only my son. I want to find a very kid friendly resort, with activities for kids, and a toddler pool if possible. I want to part take in this "Disney expierence" everyone raves about.

Any suggestions?

 

[BlueFairy]

As adults, we loved AKL. But for the price I preferred the Swan/Dolphin for it's proximity to the BW, EPCOT and MGM. So much to see and do nearby. Can't beat that when you have a stroller. The pool is awesome at both. Not sure about toddler pools, since DD was too small to swim. Swan/Dolphin is not as kid oriented as others, but DD loved the huge lobby, the fountains, and all the people. I think they do have kids programs for older children. AKL has the Cub's Den for kids, but I think they must be out of diapers.
Never stayed value. Maybe someday since our buget gets tighter with a growing family.
As for moderates, we do love POFQ almost as much as the deluxes we've stayed at. But when we're there we keep a faster pace, especially since the dining options are limited. It seems like we're always on the go or on a bus. POFQ has a great, but crowded pool. I'm not sure I would enjoy a moderate with a crib or lots of kids since the rooms feel smaller to me. Also, the beds are doubles instead of queens.
WL is next up for us, and I'm sure I'll change my favorite once again.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I give a vote for POFQ. If your son is a toddler there is much less walking involved. It is peaceful and calming. It has a fun pool. I just think it is the best non-monorail resort for little ones. Good Luck!

 

[brentalex]

I would choose either the AKL or one of the monorail resorts. The Swan seems to be much more adult oriented and the Epcot area in general is more adult oriented. The AKL is very kid friendly, your son will love to see the animals and there are activities there for kids. However, the monorail resorts are near the MK and with a 2 year old I would think that is where you will be spending a lot of your time. The Contemporary is close in price to AKL, the other 2 are a bit more expensive. For access to the MK, the location there can't be beat.

 

[ntsammy5]

I give a vote for POFQ.

One other nice thing about POFQ is that you can take the boat to DTD and see Legos store, eat at McDonald's or Rainforest, things a toddler might like in addition to the boat.....

 

[Fionasmommy]

With a child that age, I'd recommend WL or POFQ.

WL lacks animals, but more than makes up for it in fantastic theming, proximity to the MK, great restaurants, and the boat ride to MK. You can also take the path over to Fort Wilderness and check out the animals there!

POFQ is wonderful for kids. It's the smallest moderate (half the size of the others) so everything is nearby and you don't have to worry about hiking to the food court. It also has a great pool for kids and the boat to DTD.

 

[Jedi5]

Thanks again to all for the comments and suggestions.

Wow, planning this is tougher than I thought it was going to be... LOL.

I'm going to look into some of the resorts suggested and go from there.

Thanks again.

 

[rlduvall]

The negative to the Swan is you cannot use Magical Express (if this interests you), nor can you add the Disney Dining Plan. No DDP is the deal breaker for me. Other than that, the Swan looks cool.

I love AKL and I have always enjoyed the moderates (POFQ and POR). Not a big fan of the values. While the moderate rooms are not that much bigger, they are still much nicer and themed better inside and out (other than outside is subjective to most). Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[mom22boys]

AKL is on my list of Resorts I would Like to Stay at Someday, but for now we are avoiding AKL until the construction is done. Am I the only one worried about the construction?

 

[raven69david]

This trip is about my son and only my son. I want to find a very kid friendly resort, with activities for kids, and a toddler pool if possible. I want to part take in this "Disney expierence" everyone raves about.

Based on this paragraph alone, AKL all the way. My DD2 loved AKL on our last visit ( August 2006 - she was 1 then) so much that we're going December 2007 and have already booked for December 2008. It's a fantastic resort for toddlers and he'll have a ball with all the animals outside of the window. We must have spent 95% of the time at the resort outside of our balcony or out back watching the animals up close. Even without kids, we'd still stay there as there's something VERY MAGICAL about that resort, which my family will NEVER forget.