From All-Stars to Animal Kingdom Lodge -Will I miss anything?

[Chaps]

I stayed at All-Star Music 2 years ago and loved it! It's nothing fancy, but it was a fun vibe, the food was decent, the pool was fun, rooms were basic but clean big enough.

For our trip in September (taking 3 newbies with me!) I suggested the All-Stars again so we booked at All-Star Movies. However, we just recently cancelled that and have chosen to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I know, quite the leap. But now instead of everyone being excited for just the parks, we're all excited for the resort too!

Will I miss ANYTHING from All-Stars? I worry AKL might not be a "fun" and "vibrant"? Or is this an upgrade in every aspect of the resort?

 

[mickeynut1]

I stayed at All-Star Music 2 years ago and loved it! It's nothing fancy, but it was a fun vibe, the food was decent, the pool was fun, rooms were basic but clean big enough.

For our trip in September (taking 3 newbies with me!) I suggested the All-Stars again so we booked at All-Star Movies. However, we just recently cancelled that and have chosen to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I know, quite the leap. But now instead of everyone being excited for just the parks, we're all excited for the resort too!

Will I miss ANYTHING from All-Stars? I worry AKL might not be a "fun" and "vibrant"? Or is this an upgrade in every aspect of the resort?

AKL is an amazing resort!! We've never stayed at any of the values and you can't really compare a value to a deluxe, but we loved AKL. I'm sure you are going to love it and not regret staying there. The resort has interior corridors, Mara is great for CS meals, the 2 TS restaurants are great (one of them being a signature), the pool is fun, and it's nice being able to view the animals from several places around the resort. Have a great trip and enjoy AKL .

 

[minnie mum]

AKL is an amazing resort!! We've never stayed at any of the values and you can't really compare a value to a deluxe, but we loved AKL. I'm sure you are going to love it and not regret staying there. The resort has interior corridors, Mara is great for CS meals, the 2 TS restaurants are great (one of them being a signature), the pool is fun, and it's nice being able to view the animals from several places around the resort. Have a great trip and enjoy AKL .

What (s)he said

 

[Harlemgirl720]

You wont miss a thing. You may never want to go back to a value.

 

[NightStar]

It will ruin you (in a good way)! I had only stayed at moderates up until our trip in December. My fiancé upgraded us from POR to WL. I wasn’t happy about the price difference but let me tell you, when I arrived at WL I was blown away. All your worries will fly out the window once you walk into AKLs lobby. You will never want to stay at another value or moderate again. We are now DVC members and are staying at AKL on our upcoming trip. I can't wait!

 

[figment_jii]

AKL is an amazing resort!!

I completely agree! I stayed at AKL in March and it was an amazing resort. The rooms are very nice. Depending on what view you reserved, you might see animals from your room (that was great fun because they're out all day and night). There are lots of activities around the resort (I really liked the night vision viewing of animals). Have lots of fun!

 

[Sparkly]

You'll love it! Beautiful resort.

First Disney resort we stayed at (OK, Kidani was) and it spoilt me for offsite and the values LOL.

 

[puertorican00676]

Its awesome! Remember our arrival day just hanging at the resort watching all the african arts displayed in the resort and also watching the animals from our room and from the different viewing areas! The pool we did not used but has a slide and it looked fun! You will not miss the values!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We had 4 happy stays at POP before we decided to treat ourselves to AKL on our last trip.
As others have mentioned - we will never go back to a Value again.
AKL is honestly a vacation within a vacation.... After our AKL stay we actually came home relaxed! LOVED it.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

AKL is am amazing resort (quite possibly my favorite) - truly - it is different from All Stars certainly - so go with AKL in mind and ENJOY!!!

AKL -
warm African vibe - music, shop, restaurants, pool area - just sitting in the lobby is an experience in itself
Animals, Animals, Animals - how many places seriously can you have that? not many
great CMs to talk to about their home countries
many people comment that it is dark - I happen to love this feature - very relaxing in very sunny Florida

AKL is gorgeous - enjoy!! I thought it was definitely worth every penny and I don't think that way about every deluxe resort.

 

[disneymayz]

As I agree that AKL is awesome I have to say that for Quick Service I prefer values. They have more choices. But as someone mentioned they do have TS. The pool,water play area is fun at AKL

 

[lroger01]

I haven't stayed ad AKL yet. But I did stay at All Star Sports on my first trip and Port Orleans - Riverside on my second trip 2 years later. ASSp has a very Disney vibe to it. The palm trees, giant icons, and bright colors made me feel I was in a theme park without the rides.

Riverside was a very enjoyable trip. The resort was beautiful and I'm glad we chose to stay there. That said though, I've only stayed at values since and don't plan to change that (unless I can snag a stay at Wilderness Lodge). I just found that the look and feel of the values seems more like Disney. The moderate was well themed, but without the bright Disney icons and Florida palm trees it just didn't feel the same.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay at AKL, just be aware that it may not be the same as what you had before - good and fun, just not the same.

 

[Chaps]

Thanks for the remarks everyone!

We're very excited to see AKL! As someone mentioned, the hotel now is something to get excited about as well...a vacation within a vacation!

Does anyone know how long the shuttle rides are from AKL to MK and AKL to DD?

 

[AmyB2006]

Will I miss ANYTHING from All-Stars? I worry AKL might not be a "fun" and "vibrant"? Or is this an upgrade in every aspect of the resort?

Are you kidding? LOL You won't even look back.

AKL is soooo much fun. I love it. I loved the whole atmosphere of the resort itself.

 

[Cappy81]

Thanks for the remarks everyone!

We're very excited to see AKL! As someone mentioned, the hotel now is something to get excited about as well...a vacation within a vacation!

Does anyone know how long the shuttle rides are from AKL to MK and AKL to DD?

Not sure about DD but to AK is about 5-10 min. and to MK about 20 min. Not bad at all as you don't share buses with any other resorts. I know some people feels AKL is far removed from everything but transportation was a non-issue for us when we stayed there.

 

[Cappy81]

Are you kidding? LOL You won't even look back.

AKL is soooo much fun. I love it. I loved the whole atmosphere of the resort itself.