Disney’s AKL verses Disney’s Riviera Resort?

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Hi all,

My husband and I will be traveling to Disney World in April 2025. We are booked on a BB. I was originally booked with RR, but was able to save about $1,000 by switching to AKL. We are adults only. We have stayed there before and really liked it, thoughts on the switch?

Thank you as always!

 

[Dave006]

We have stayed there before and really liked it, thoughts on the switch?

Is it worth $1,000 to you to have only bus transportation at AK? The Rivera has Skyliner access to Epcot and HS, and is much closer to additional dining options. I would be happy to save the 1K and enjoy AK.

Dave

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

As an RR owner, AKL is hands-down my favorite anywhere. My love for animals and those vibes trumps all. Enjoy your stay and the savings!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Is it worth $1,000 to you to have only bus transportation at AK? The Rivera has Skyliner access to Epcot and HS, and is much closer to additional dining options. I would be happy to save the 1K and enjoy AK.

Dave

Thank you! To be honest, we really don’t mind the buses anyway.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

As an RR owner, AKL is hands-down my favorite anywhere. My love for animals and those vibes trumps all. Enjoy your stay and the savings!

Thank you! Animal lover here as well!

 

[OKW Lover]

Sounds like a really good saving. Even if you have to take a bus or drive to the parks it would be worth it to me.

 

[Captain UP]

AKL AND a thousand bucks back???

I would have paid MORE to go from Riv to AKL, so, yeah, you got a great deal here! Haha.

 

[loves to dive]

Like others, AKL without a doubt. Saving money is always good and I'm one of the few who isn't a fan of Riv. I'm also not a fan of the sky liner and really don't mind the buses.

 

[eandt]

Hi all,

My husband and I will be traveling to Disney World in April 2025. We are booked on a BB. I was originally booked with RR, but was able to save about $1,000 by switching to AKL. We are adults only. We have stayed there before and really liked it, thoughts on the switch?

Thank you as always!

I’d pick AKL over Riviera even up, saving $1000 to switch makes it a no brainer … this is our view from our standard studio balcony with our morning coffee last week .. we visited Riviera for a drink at Bar Riva and the place just isn’t our thing

 

[eandt]

Thank you! To be honest, we really don’t mind the buses anyway.

Buses at AKL aren’t bad at all … MK and Dis Springs are the longest of the rides but since you are saving a grr you could take an Uber if it did become an issue

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

You can take Minnie Vans exclusively around WDW and still have about $800 left over.

 

[snacks]

You can take Minnie Vans exclusively around WDW and still have about $800 left over.

$200 is going to get you a maximum of five one way trips around property. I don't see where OP mentions how long their trip is but unless it's very short, or they don't plan on leaving the resort often, $200 isn't going to cover Minnie Vans as the sole source of transportation.

That said, I'm not a fan of Riviera but I am AKL curious

 

[Robber Baron]

$200 is going to get you a maximum of five one way trips around property. I don't see where OP mentions how long their trip is but unless it's very short, or they don't plan on leaving the resort often, $200 isn't going to cover Minnie Vans as the sole source of transportation.

I think the transportation taking a long time from AKL is a red herring.

You hear over and over how long it takes to get from AKL to MK, but, you never hear people talking about how long it takes to get from GF or Poly or CR to AK. It's the same.

Epcot and HS are halfway between the MK resorts and AKL. Its about a 12 minute ride from AKL to MK, and the same from MK resorts to AK.

I like some restaurants at Riviera, but, I have no problem with buses vs Skyliner.

Between the 2 I'd pick AKL every time.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Definitely AKL - we would stay there over Riv anytime. We just love the Lodge, and we're pretty meh on Riv - just our opinion. Add on the significant savings?? We'd definitely change. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Thank you all! We are all set with AKL. Anything new we should know about? We tried Boma last time we went and we ate at The Mara several times.

 

[Robber Baron]

Thank you all! We are all set with AKL. Anything new we should know about? We tried Boma last time we went and we ate at The Mara several times.

Sanaa bar is a great place for an afternoon beverage.

Victoria Falls is a great cocktail lounge in Jambo Very friendly & fun.

I seem to have a running theme here.

 

[MikeOhio]

Thank you all! We are all set with AKL. Anything new we should know about? We tried Boma last time we went and we ate at The Mara several times.

Just be aware the rooms are very old/beat up. They are about to be fully refurbished but not by April. That and the bad transportation options are really the only downsides.

 

[eandt]

Thank you all! We are all set with AKL. Anything new we should know about? We tried Boma last time we went and we ate at The Mara several times.

Jiko is excellent, Victoria Falls is a hidden gem, the bartenders at the pool bar make a great drink ($2 extra for a double), take a bottle of wine (or buy one from the Mara or gift shop) and enjoy on your balcony if you have a view of the savanna or use one of the lookout points with rocking chairs on lobby level and enjoy that view with your wine. R-E-L-A-X

 

[snacks]

I think the transportation taking a long time from AKL is a red herring.

You hear over and over how long it takes to get from AKL to MK, but, you never hear people talking about how long it takes to get from GF or Poly or CR to AK. It's the same.

Epcot and HS are halfway between the MK resorts and AKL. Its about a 12 minute ride from AKL to MK, and the same from MK resorts to AK.

I like some restaurants at Riviera, but, I have no problem with buses vs Skyliner.

Between the 2 I'd pick AKL every time.

I'm not sure why you quoted me but I 100% agree with your point.

My post was quoting someone who stated that for $200 a guest could travel around property in Minnie Vans as a substitute for using buses. Based on my own many trips in Minnie Vans, that statement understates the cost of using the Minnie Van product.
I was not suggesting that the buses are any more of an issue at AKL than at any other WDW Deluxe Resort.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Just be aware the rooms are very old/beat up. They are about to be fully refurbished but not by April. That and the bad transportation options are really the only downsides.

We've stayed at AKL 3 times in the past year, and the rooms we enjoyed were not old and beat up. In need of refurb? Sure, the rooms at all WDW resorts are used hard. AKL rooms still very nice to stay, but i won't be disappointed when they redo them and get the Murphy Beds in place - that will make it even better.