Gf for $199, POR for ~$90 or AKL for $109?

[Tara]

We have a ressie at GF for Dec 7-11 for $199 +tax. I was thinking of cancelling it and making one at PO-R to get the ~$90 code rate. However, I just got a "we've missed you!" email from WDW with a special offer for AKL for $109 +tax during that time.

Does AKL really make up in atmosphere for what it lacks in central location? What about food courts -- how does AKL compare to PO-R? What about transportation -- better at AKL than PO-R?

(Keep in mind I've stayed at GF and PO-R back when it was still DxL.)

Opinions?

 

[daannzzz]

The AKL location seems to be a personal thing. Some people say it is to far out there and far away from everything. If you took the bus or monorail from the GF to Epcot it is probably about the same time from AKL to Epcot. MK is closer obviously.
I Loved the AKL alot and it is on the edge of Disney Property but the travelt time from the lodge is only 3-5 minutes longer than if you were at PO or WL. You may find that it is fine or not. It is something you should try if you have some curiosity.
I thought the fast food place (Mara) was on par with POFQ and a bit less interesting than POR. It was mostly good though a bit slow at the cash registers sometimes.
I have stayed at all 3 (GF, AKL, POR) and like them all alot. I would assume the price you got at AKL is not a savannah view. I would personally only stay there if I had a view of the savannah. You could be upgraded though for no charge. $199 is an awfully nice price at GF!!!!

 

[shannonandtom]

I would keep you GF ressie. Who knows when we will ever see that price again. Normally, for the GF, you would be spending well over $300. Besides, you can't beat being on the monorail!! Especially how the buses have been lately.

Tom...

 

[4greatboys]

Did they give you a special code for the $109 ALK. When I called about the $109 rates they said all the rooms were gone.

 

[Tara]

This had a code that I haven't seen anywhere else, plus a PIN number that I would need to make a ressie.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I have received those postcards before, they are great! It's probably standard view, but you might be able to talk your way into savannah for the same price, or a little bit more.

I like the GF too, but I think it's good to try new resorts.

 

[milmore104]

I would say do you want to stay at AKL first? If so go for it seeing you have already stayed at the other 2 resorts then why not try someting new for that price. You would be saving money! And you'd get to experience AKL. I have always wanted to stay there. And when the CBR closing came on I jumped at the chance to stay there. I would never have stayed ther otherwise. It goes against all my grain to spend that kind of money for a room that were in maybe 6 hours a day to sleep! If you can find it somewhere in the resort boards Tikiman has the best photos around of the AKL his photos alone will sell you on the resort! Let us know what you decide on!

 

[wishIworkedforDisney]

daannzzz,
Curious, you say you can get an upgrade to a savanah view room at no
extra charge? How do you do this? We are staying at AKL in Dec. We had
a savanah view and then changed it to a standard. Now I'm reading all these threads where some feel staying in a standard view room just isn't worth staying at AKL. Would LOVE to get the savanah view room w/out any increased cost (well not too uch anyway - lol). Should I call before we arrive and see if there is an upgrade, or do we just ask when we check in? Any information you can provide on asking for an upgrade would be great. I'm getting very depressed every time I read that standard view rooms aren't worth staying there. Plus, I already had the savanah room and called weeks later to change. Did I make a mistake?! Want the upgrade now - any suggestions???

 

[milmore104]

wishiworkedfordisney,
I think you ahve to wait till you get there to ask about the upgrade. But I wouldn't worry about it to much. You will still be able to see animals from the viewing areas. I believe a standard view is anything that is not the savannah or pool! I don't know when your going but if it's during a value season I think you will get an upgrade to sav. if there not booked. Just remember you'll still be at AKL and at WDW. You will still be able to see animals and the resort will be nice than that of an AllStar so I wouldn't wait to much time regretting your decision.

 

[daannzzz]

hen we went I booked a deluxe savannah view room. It was expensive but I wanted a bigger room and the furniture layout. From what I have read, alot of people have booked the $109 standard view room and were automatically upgraded without asking. I don't think it happens everytime. I am a fairly shy person and would probably never ask for a free upgrade.
The rooms at the AKL are my favorite decore and the lodge is beautiful but it is my opinion that the point of staying at the lodge is to go out on you balcony and watch the animals, not the busses and cars. Yes you can leave your room and go to the overlooks to see the animals but it was awesome to wake up at dawn and just throw on some sweats or swim shorts and watch the animals wake up, or to come back from the parks and be tired but grab a shower and grab a soda and go out on the balcony for an hour. You absolutly can have a fine time in a standard room if you mentally prepare for it. It is such an interesting place to stay.

 

[jaguar9748]

Have never stayed at GF, but have visited often. It sure is a beautiful hotel, but expensive. Stayed at the AKL in a standard room. Loved the AKL and the animals, but aside from the animals, the pool and the game room there are few things to do. And, as mentioned, at AKL you feel like you are far away! This being said, I would stay at POR. Having stayed in quite a few resorts, we keep returning to POR. This is a great resort with good rooms, good food at a fairly decent price, boat to Downtown Disney, good bus service, caring staff and a good bus ride to all places (AK would be the longest).

Having said this, stay where YOU want to stay! If you've always wanted to stay at the GF, go for it! It's a good rate and doesn't happen often!