Free Dining & Animal Kingdom Lodge

[Jazzerfan]

My Daughter and I are going to Disney in November (11/9-11/13) and taking advantage of the FD offer. In keeping with a tight budget, we've always stayed at a BUDGET resort, usually AS Music to keep the trip cheap. I was noticing that I can get AKL w/FD for only about $700 more. Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

Feedback please.

 

[bdklein]

My Daughter and I are going to Disney in November (11/9-11/13) and taking advantage of the FD offer. In keeping with a tight budget, we've always stayed at a BUDGET resort, usually AS Music to keep the trip cheap. I was noticing that I can get AKL w/FD for only about $700 more. Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

Feedback please.

No its not.

 

[bdklein]

My Daughter and I are going to Disney in November (11/9-11/13) and taking advantage of the FD offer. In keeping with a tight budget, we've always stayed at a BUDGET resort, usually AS Music to keep the trip cheap. I was noticing that I can get AKL w/FD for only about $700 more. Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

Feedback please.

Yes it is.

 

[chalee94]

Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

no one can answer this but you.

i love AKL. it's much closer than africa and has some of the best theming on property - including giraffes and zebras on the grounds. boma (buffet) and jiko (fine dining) are two of my favorite restaurants on wdw property.

but it's kind of a long way from AKL to the MK. you can't walk or take a boat to a park like you can at deluxes like BC/YC or the contemporary. the theming in the rooms seems too dark for some people. sometimes, the walk down the hallway can seem like a long way.

so it depends on what you value the most...

here's a link for the main AKL thread on the DIS:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2961001

here is another great resource (non-DIS) for AKL/AKV:

http://www.aklresort.com/

and here's a link to a sample activities list.

 

[2kids2luv]

We think it is worth it. We usually stay moderate but upgraded to AKL for our Christmas trip. Even my husband says it will be hard to go back to moderate after staying there. A lot of people complain about the distance to resorts but we never had a problem with the time. AKL is beautiful and if your DD loves animals it is perfect.

 

[mickeynut1]

My Daughter and I are going to Disney in November (11/9-11/13) and taking advantage of the FD offer. In keeping with a tight budget, we've always stayed at a BUDGET resort, usually AS Music to keep the trip cheap. I was noticing that I can get AKL w/FD for only about $700 more. Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

Feedback please.

Worth is subjective as it has a different meaning to everyone and only you can decide whether or not spending the extra $700 is worth it for you. With that said, for us, it would definitely be worth it. Our first onsite stay was at a mod and once we tried a deluxe, we were hooked. If the extra cost is doable, I'd go for it......AKL is a beautiful resort and I don't think you'd regret it. Good luck.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

100% definitely worth it! TRUST ME!!!

 

[Sue M]

For us it would be worth it. But, one thing I'd say is if you book free dining at AKL, when room discounts come out for your dates, do the Disney Math and see which deal is better for you. Free DDP or room % and purchasing the DDP (if you want to go with the DDP). I go with just my oldest daughter, and so far the room discount and buying DDP has been cheaper for 2.

Last year we decided to just take the % and to without DDP. We still ate TS daily all but 2 days, and saved money.

 

[MMS1125]

For the value of the discount I don't think it's worth it. If there's a room discount I'd probably forgo free dining and stay there. With 2 people the savings will probably be greater. For FD to be a good value you need to stay at a moderate or value to really make it a real value over a deluxe. You are paying rack rate for the room

 

[pilferk]

My Daughter and I are going to Disney in November (11/9-11/13) and taking advantage of the FD offer. In keeping with a tight budget, we've always stayed at a BUDGET resort, usually AS Music to keep the trip cheap. I was noticing that I can get AKL w/FD for only about $700 more. Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

Feedback please.

It's hard to spend other people's money (and project what they find "value" in), but (IMHO):

Yes, especially if you are/were staying at AS Music (or any of the All stars).

The one knock that many people have on AKL is that it's a bit more remote than some of the other deluxes. However, if you're used to staying at one of the All Star resorts (or planning to stay there, as you say you are)...you're not going to notice as the commutes are very similar. AKL is probably a little shorter because there's not the sheer number of people that stay at the All Stars. In any event....since transportation is the one knock, and it's basically a wash when compared to the All Stars, it would swing the equation squarely toward AKL, for us.

The theming, the food options, the room sizes, and the amenities at the resort, IMHO, make it worth the upgrade. There is SO much to do around the resort, I think I could make a vacation out of hanging around AKL/AKV and never (OK, maybe not never...but not NEED to) visit the parks and stay pretty occupied.

One thing: It looks like the All stars only include the QSDP, free, while AKL would include the full standard DDP (1 QS, 1 TS, 1 snack per night + refillable mug), free. Maybe that was factored into your calculation (the additional $$ to upgrade the QSDP to standard DDP)..I'm not sure.

 

[buzznina]

Again, only you can really answer this question, but if this is a resort you really want to stay at and can afford it, then I believe you should always give it a try. At least you will know the next time if you think it's worth it I will add that if you spend most of your time at the parks and will not use the extra amenities at AKL, then I do not see how it would be worth it. We have enjoyed our stays at each level and we're not in the category of once you go deluxe you never go back.

 

[bedogged]

My Daughter and I are going to Disney in November (11/9-11/13) and taking advantage of the FD offer. In keeping with a tight budget, we've always stayed at a BUDGET resort, usually AS Music to keep the trip cheap. I was noticing that I can get AKL w/FD for only about $700 more. Is it worth the splurge?

I've never stayed at the AKL, what is it like and would it be worth it?

Feedback please.

I have never stayed at a "BUDGET resort", but I have stayed at AKL. AKL is in my opinion a stunning resort. The lobby is a thing to behold and the CMs are some of the nicest on property. Bus service is just fine. You are a bit far out, but you probably won't notice a difference. The restaurants are great. Honestly, I wouldn't pass up the chance to stay at a Deluxe resort for the $700.00 difference. I think that is a great deal! We paid about that difference in May to upgrade to WL from a MODERATE and thought that was a good deal!

 

[ben1993]

IF you can afford it, it's totally worth it