Animal Kingdom or POFQ??

[tng123]

We are booked for POFQ next fall, but was thinking if a room discount comes out for Animal Kingdom, should we switch? The cost wouldn't be much more. This is our first time staying onsite and my parents first time ever at WDW POFQ sounds great as it's a smaller size and has the boat to DTD...yet the pics of AKL look amazing and we would love the restaurants there. The themes of both resorts appeal to us. We will be coming back to the resort for mid-day breaks, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference as far as location (we will be visiting all 4 parks). If you had to choose, which would you go with and why? We will not be returning to WDW for a long time and this will probably be the only visit for my parents.
Thanks!!

 

[shburks]

We are booked for POFQ next fall, but was thinking if a room discount comes out for Animal Kingdom, should we switch? The cost wouldn't be much more. This is our first time staying onsite and my parents first time ever at WDW POFQ sounds great as it's a smaller size and has the boat to DTD...yet the pics of AKL look amazing and we would love the restaurants there. The themes of both resorts appeal to us. We will be coming back to the resort for mid-day breaks, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference as far as location (we will be visiting all 4 parks). If you had to choose, which would you go with and why? We will not be returning to WDW for a long time and this will probably be the only visit for my parents.
Thanks!!

I love AKL BUT the deal breaker for me is the distance to travel to every other park besides AK! Will you have a car? That would make a difference to me. I'd be more willing to stay at AKL if I could drive to some of the parks.

I'm doing my first stay at POFQ next month, but we often visit AKL for meals, animals, etc. and LOVE the look of it.

 

[jimandami]

Having stayed at both, I would choose AKL in a heartbeat. It is just such a beautiful, unique resort and when I am there, I really feel like I am in a different world. We have stayed there twice with our kids and took midday breaks every day, using only the buses. It wasn't a problem for us, but we are generally pretty laid back and our kids treat riding the buses like part of the trip.

 

[OKW Lover]

Big difference between BOFQ and AKL. No doubt in my mind that AKL is the best pick if the price is comparable, especially in a savannah view room. The thrill of walking into your room and looking across to the sliders and the animals outside can't be beat.

 

[Eastern]

AKL is beautiful but I think that POFQ is more convenient travel wise. If you have a car, it would make things a lot easier.

 

[pamkat1820]

I personally would go with AKL if this is going to be your only trip with your parents. I loved waking up to the animals right out our baloney. We stayed at POR in April it's a great resort. But I think AKL is so much better. The transportation to all 4 parks will be buses with both resorts and except DTD you can take the boat from POFQ.
You have to decided what you want more in a resort. If $$ wise it comes out to just about the same I would always choose the deluxe over a moderate.

 

[tng123]

We will not be renting a car and will rely on the bus service for our trip. I'm torn! Does POFQ have the wow factor? Does AKL still feel like you are at Disney? (We want to feel like we are at disney!)

 

[conefrog]

We are considering AKL over POR too. Going to try renting points.

 

[minnie mum]

We will not be renting a car and will rely on the bus service for our trip. I'm torn! Does POFQ have the wow factor? Does AKL still feel like you are at Disney? (We want to feel like we are at disney!)

POFQ is a very nice resort (we are staying there again on our next visit). But I don't think even the most devout resort fan would say that it has a wow factor when compared to AKL. I have to agree with the PPs who vote for AKL. If it is within your budget then go for it. It has to be one of the most unique resorts at WDW and is our favourite deluxe because of its theming. And yes, you still feel like you're at Disney.

Don't let the relative distance to the other parks deter you. Really it's only an extra 10 minutes to MK compared to POFQ. We never found the buses to be an issue for us when we have stayed at AKL.

Whichever you decide on, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Merry Christmas.

 

[rkrushing4]

We have stayed at both resorts. We were just at POFQ in November because I wasn't able to find a deal to return to AKL. If I had a choice and it wasn't a matter of cost I would definitely stay at AKL. The whole atmosphere at AKL is fantastic. Some things we liked were the balcony to sit on in the evenings, separate sink area and animal viewing. I can't think of any negatives for AKL except the food court. If you plan to do food court meals it is very limiting compared to the POFQ. POFQ you also have a short walk to POR for some different options. We never felt it took too long to get anywhere on the buses. I guess we just were at a casual pace so never noticed. We took afternoon breaks each day and had no problems. Both resorts are very Disney feel and you will enjoy.

 

[bababear_50]

We will be staying at AKL in a week and Yes it has the WOW factor and Yes the Disney ambiance also.

Hugs Mel




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[rcraw45425]

staying at AKL next week with a general public code. <$200 per night per room, only about $15 more than the POFQ discounted room. With discounts, you will generally get a better deal with the deluxes, they are averaging 35% for deluxe ad only around 25% on moderates. Stayed at POFQ once and would rather stay home than there again. Not a fan of the moderates.

 

[AuroraRora]

I've stayed at both - POFQ was great but you can't beat AKL

 

[Ccann]

We just stayed in AKL in a standard, we still had animals outside our balcony every afternoon. We loved the resort and the bus transportation was not bad at all. No one else is on our bus except AKV. We even came back every afternoon for a break. The kids loved it. I think my mom would love it. We were there for 8 days and still could have stayed longer. For 15 dollars a night more its worth the switch.

We have also stayed at WL which I love to take the boat to MK. But never have stayed at a mod yet. There is so much to see and do at AKL. I don't know if I could pass up a offer like the one you have.

Good luck, I am sure what ever you decide you will have a wonderful time.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Lucky you, two great choices. I have stayed a both, and liked each one, however if pricing is similiar I wouldn't hesitate to book AKL in a heartbeat. Honestly, I love that place. You will feel like you are on safari. Even a standard room is great, since there are spots all over the resort to see the animals. You will also be able to swim at both Kidani and Jambo pools! And the food court is good, along with Sanaa restaurant, which we enjoy.Unless you are on the DDP, we love Boma, but find it expensive for OOP. Bus transportation is very doable, but one trick that I have done on a couple of trips, is to rent a car just for one or two days from Alamo from the customer car center. They pick you up and drop you off at your resort. Then on those days, I schedule the harder to get to restaurants or eat off-site. Whatever you decide enjoy your trip!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at POFQ, but we loved AKL. I think AKL is definitely worth it, especially since you may not return for awhile and this may be your parent's only trip. The resort is beautiful and the dining options are great. We thought the buses were fine. Since the buses only go to AKL and Kidani, there is no sharing with any other resort so it's not bad getting around, IMO. Good luck deciding, but I would choose AKL in a heartbeat.

 

[creativeamanda]

I've stayed at POFQ, but not at AKL. Given the choice, I don't think I would pass up AKL. Sure, AKL is farther out there, but other than the boat to DTD, POFQ really isn't close to anything. AKL does not share buses, at times POFQ does. You also have several dining choices at AKL, indoor corridors, full balcony, and a wow factor of a lobby.

Just my 0.02.

 

[tng123]

I appreciate all of your responses! This board is so helpful. Fall discounts haven't come out yet, but if they offer the 35% off like they are for Jan-Mar then it I think we would probably switch based on your responses.

I was glad to read some of you went back to the resort for mid-day breaks and it wasn't a hassle doing so. That was one of my concerns.

We wouldn't be able to afford the savannah view rooms, but I think I would book pool view. I was also looking at Wilderness Lodge, for the closeness of MK, but they were only offering 25% off, so it wasn't as good of a deal.

I was trying to find an activities guide for our resort day. What is the story telling in the evenings? Is it every night? Thanks for any info!! I hope I'm not setting myself up for disappointment in that I'll get all excited for AKL, only to not get a discount!

 

[tng123]

We just stayed in AKL in a standard, we still had animals outside our balcony every afternoon. We loved the resort and the bus transportation was not bad at all. No one else is on our bus except AKV. We even came back every afternoon for a break. The kids loved it. I think my mom would love it. We were there for 8 days and still could have stayed longer. For 15 dollars a night more its worth the switch.

We have also stayed at WL which I love to take the boat to MK. But never have stayed at a mod yet. There is so much to see and do at AKL. I don't know if I could pass up a offer like the one you have.

Good luck, I am sure what ever you decide you will have a wonderful time.

Could you let me know which section of the resort you stayed in? (Zebra trail, Giraffe, etc..) - we would either get a standard view or pool view. That's awesome that you still saw some animals!

 

[bababear_50]

I appreciate all of your responses! This board is so helpful. Fall discounts haven't come out yet, but if they offer the 35% off like they are for Jan-Mar then it I think we would probably switch based on your responses.

I was glad to read some of you went back to the resort for mid-day breaks and it wasn't a hassle doing so. That was one of my concerns.

We wouldn't be able to afford the savannah view rooms, but I think I would book pool view. I was also looking at Wilderness Lodge, for the closeness of MK, but they were only offering 25% off, so it wasn't as good of a deal.

I was trying to find an activities guide for our resort day. What is the story telling in the evenings? Is it every night? Thanks for any info!! I hope I'm not setting myself up for disappointment in that I'll get all excited for AKL, only to not get a discount!

This is one of the best sites I've found

Hugs Mel

Link here

http://www.aklresort.com/