Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Port Orleans Riverside

[Average Joes]

I think once you factor in the internal bus system at POR it is a wash driving time vs. AKL to MK. Don't worry about driving time so much. Think about how long you have to wait to get on a bus when comparing AKL and PO. I have nothing backing this but I would bet that generally AKL is better. That was the case when we went. I would not hesitate to pay $50/night more for AKL.

 

[stinkpickle]

We just did a split stay at AKV-Kidani and POR last month. The bus experiences were similar. Kidani picked up and dropped off before Jambo. French Quarter picked up and dropped off before Riverside.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I just hope that there are seats available on the buses at Jambo in the mornings to the parks.

 

[mevelandry]

I've tried both. And while POR is my favorite Moderate and AKL my least favorite Deluxe, I would still pick AKL, mainly because the resort is smaller/more comfortable/better soundproofing... But because they have two of the best restaurants (Boma has an amazing breakfast buffet ... And Jiko is outstanding!) Also I'm not a fan of Sanaa's food but the theme is fantastic.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

I just hope that there are seats available on the buses at Jambo in the mornings to the parks.

When we stayed at Jambo last month, the busses picked up at Jambo first and then went to kidani for Hollywood studios, Epcot, and AK. From the parks to the hotel, we dropped at kidani and then Jambo. We did not share with kidani when going to MK. And at MK there is a separate bus stop for Kidani and Jambo.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

When we stayed at Jambo last month, the busses picked up at Jambo first and then went to kidani for Hollywood studios, Epcot, and AK. From the parks to the hotel, we dropped at kidani and then Jambo. We did not share with kidani when going to MK. And at MK there is a separate bus stop for Kidani and Jambo.

This is really the only issue that I am slightly concerned about with staying at the AKL. I want to be able to get a seat on the busses because of longer travel times to three of the four parks.

 

[Gehrig1B]

This is really the only issue that I am slightly concerned about with staying at the AKL. I want to be able to get a seat on the busses because of longer travel times to three of the four parks.

We stayed at AKL during a very busy time in March (Spring Break) and we always had seats when leaving Jambo House... There were times when Jambo was first and other times when it was after Kidani best I can remember.

 

[DekrRini]

I just hope that there are seats available on the buses at Jambo in the mornings to the parks.

I just got back a couple weeks ago and they always had separate buses for Kidani and Jambo House in the mornings. I stayed at Kidani so I don't know how packed the buses were at Jambo, but they were never full from Kidani.

I've stayed at Kidani 3-4 times now and my experience has been that in the afternoons and evenings the bus picks up at Kidani first then Jambo. On the return from the parks, it's Kidani and then Jambo. One time the bus did go to Jambo first on the way back from the park, but it is not the norm.

The first year I stayed at Kidani, they did share buses in the morning and it did get crowded, but every trip since has been separate buses for the two. Afternoons and evenings share.

For $50 a night, I'd definitely pick AKL. It's an awesome resort.