Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Port Orleans Riverside

[Scooter2376]

We are taking our first trip to WDW next month with our 6-year-old and another family with a 5 and a almost 4-year-old. It was a last minute trip, and there wasn't a lot of resort availability. Two options are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside.

Is there a big difference between the amount of time it will take to get to the parks via bus from Port Orleans vs. AKL or is it a long trek from either resort? FWIW, we plan on going for four days-- two days at MK, one day at HS, half day at AK and half day at Epcot (or maybe just one day at AK).

With that plan, what resort would be better?

Thanks in advance!

 

[msteddom]

Port Orleans will be much closer to the Magic Kingdom, where it looks like you will be spending most of your time. I think the other parks, excluding Animal Kindom, will be a wash.

 

[Scooter2376]

Thanks for the quick response! Not including the wait for the bus, about how long is the bus ride from PO to MK?

 

[msteddom]

It's probably about 10-15 minutes once you leave the resort. The X factor is how many stops you will make inside the resort.

 

[alex9179]

These are approximate times found on themouseforless regarding Riverside

Magic Kingdom – 14 minutes by bus, 29 minutes by car (with transfers)
Epcot – 18 minutes by bus, 20 by car
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 15 minutes by bus, 20 by car
Animal Kingdom – 20 minutes, 20 by car
Disney Springs – 18 minutes by bus, 20 minutes by boat, 12 by car
Blizzard Beach Water Park – 22 minutes by bus, 15 minutes by car
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – 18 minutes by bus, 14 minutes by car

 

[Princess Minnie321]

We just stayed at AKL and this resort is beautiful! We had a great experience with the buses and never waited more then 10-15 minutes for one to arrive. One morning there was a crowd for the MK bus and two showed up together.

The ride to MK was about 20 minutes and we did not share with kidani to go to MK.

The buses picked up at Jambo House first and then Kidani for the rest of the parks and on the way back, we dropped at Kidani first, but the stops were quick.
The ride to:
Ak was about 5 minutes
Hollywood Studios about 10 minutes
Epcot about 15 minutes

 

[Bree]

AKL is absolutely beautiful. If you have never stayed there I would give it a chance. The bussing was never an issue when we were there and it is so PEACEFUL after the hustle and bustle of the parks.

 

[joeybutterfly]

I would personally say port Orleans. The only downside is its so big. If you have a problem walking to the bus this may not be where you want to stay. However which is worse, walking a long way to the bus, or waiting a long time on being on the bus along time?

Animal kingdom obviously wins on theme, however you can get the nice 5 person princess suite in port Orleans for a good price. I'd honestly say animal kingdom is only kinda worth it for a Savanah view which is honestly pretty pricey. If you plan on eating at the animal kingdom resort restaurants, then it's probably worth it. But if the resort has nothing else to offer you than nice views, skip it

 

[KonaKaiTom]

The distances are marginally better from POR than AKL. However, the AKL is, imho, a much nicer resort. At most you are gong to save 10 minutes in each direction -- so, deluxe accommodations or 10 minutes -- that's the question.

Tom

 

[stinkpickle]

...Two options are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside...

That's actually three options, and out of those, I would do French Quarter...especially if you plan to spend a lot of time at the parks.

 

[vinotinto]

I would imagine the bus would take less time from AKL than from POR-Riverside because POR has 4 internal stops and AKL only shares with Kidani, and only some of the time. My experience is that once you are on the road, it's not long. What takes a long time is waiting for people to board/exit.

Now, POFQ, does not have internal stops, so that may be fairly quick.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Have stayed at all of them AKL wins hands down and even with a standard room. You don't need a savannah view to enjoy the animals and you can always request an animal view and may get upgraded. The theming is outstanding and the kids will love it. The transport time is not much different with the exception of visiting Disney Springs. My vote is AKL.

 

[Babsy]

We are taking our first trip to WDW next month with our 6-year-old and another family with a 5 and a almost 4-year-old. It was a last minute trip, and there wasn't a lot of resort availability. Two options are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside.

Is there a big difference between the amount of time it will take to get to the parks via bus from Port Orleans vs. AKL or is it a long trek from either resort? FWIW, we plan on going for four days-- two days at MK, one day at HS, half day at AK and half day at Epcot (or maybe just one day at AK).

With that plan, what resort would be better?

Thanks in advance!

The biggest difference in travel time would be going from AKL to the MK vs POR / POFQ to the MK. You will likely need to allow an extra 5 - 10 minutes each way from the AKL. You will get back a few minutes when going to the AK, but that is only a 1/2 day of your plans.

Another advantage of the PO resorts is the boat ride to Disney Springs, but you do not have plans to take advantage of that.

OTOH
The AKL is a deluxe resort and the PO resorts are moderate resorts. AT the AKL you will have interior hallways to your room. You will have a balcony or patio to use as part of your room. The PO resorts have exterior walkways (motel style) with the door to your room opening to the outside. AKL rooms are slightly larger and more comfortable, IMO, than the PO rooms. The AKL will have multiple dining options including BOMA (buffet), Mara (quick service) and Jiko (upscale table service). POR has a food court and a table service restaurant, POFQ only has a food court for dining. It may impact your decision if any of these amenities are important to you. While the food can be good at POR, the food is delicious at the AKL. The AKL restaurants are a must do for us on every visit to WDW, whether we are staying at the AKL or not.

Personally, for the small increase in cost to stay at the AKL vs PO resorts, I would usually choose the AKL. It is amazing, with a lovely lobby, lots of amenities and activities and savannahs featuring real live animals for you to enjoy. There is a lot of authentic Africa in this wonderful resort. Well worth an extra total of maybe 30 minutes on a bus, spread out over 4 rides. PO resorts are nice and I have happily stayed there, but they don't compare to the AKL, IMO.

 

[kreckl]

Animal Kingdom Lodge- Jambo

 

[Perelandra]

Stayed at POR and visited AKL. If money isn't an issue, then I would always go deluxe. AKL is much nicer.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Wife and I have stayed at both (just got back from POR on the 9th) and if cost is not a factor I would absolutely recommend AKL. POR is a great theme and love wandering and taking in the grounds and decorations/theme at POR, but AKL's theme is fantastic! We had an Arusha Savanna view room, loved viewing the animals in the early morning with a cup of coffee in hand and while waiting for DW to get ready for the day, dinning reservation, etc. Lobby is beautiful, plenty of viewing areas of the savannas outside and in. But either way can't go wrong, you are in Walt Disney World!!!

 

[mya12347]

AKL is my favorite resort , it's a total
Experience but if you plan a long day in the parks choose POR , AKL has to much to offer Resort activities , Savannahs , etc my little one is 6 yrs old and she loves this resort since she is 2 , the resort it self is beautiful that really needs a day a least to enjoy all the amenities , buses are not an issue .

 

[Scooter2376]

Thanks so much for all the helpful feedback! We got a really good deal on AKL so that it's only about $50 more a night than PO would be. I don't really know yet how much time we'll spend at the resort. It depends on the kids' stamina, I guess. If we don't end up spending a lot of time there, we didn't pay that much extra, and if we do, we'll be happy to be in such a nice resort!

Now to check out how to make room requests!

 

[North of Mouse]

Even though I love Port Orleans French Quarter, we are talking Moderate and Deluxe. AKL is very, very nice and would win hands down with me. Getting to the parks would seem about the same to me.

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

I would go with AKL. It's a beautiful resort & it has plenty of stuff for the kiddos.