GF or AKL?

[Mickey_k]

I'm planning a vacation for the girls of the family. My DH and DS (13) went to Universal in October and now it's Myself and my DD's (6, 10,& 16) turn for a vacation. We will be going at the end of April for 4 nights and I am torn between to resorts. Should we go to AKL or GF? I have never stayed at either and they both sound great! Since our family of 6 usually gets two rooms we can afford to stay at these deluxes this trip since we only need one room! Thanks for any help you can give me! Although I don't think we can go wrong with either!

 

[scanne]

I've stayed at both resorts and I think you will like the location and size of the rooms better at the GF. Besides, if you're going with your daughters and if you can splurge on a lagoon view room, there is absolutely nothing like waking up and stepping out on your balcony and seeing the castle! Magical!

The rooms at AKL are nice but dark and small and the location left something to be desired. I'd definitely go with the GF.

Have fun!

 

[*DiSnEyGuRlIe267*]

Personally I dont like the GF at all I have stayed their once in the tower, and I really didnt care for it at all. Although the AKL rooms are dark I find it as a fun place, and at night when you can sit in frount of the fire in the rocking chairs. The only reason I would pick the GF is because of the monorail and thats it. If you are going to spend that money I would pick the AKL. Have a great trip!

1995- YC & WL
1995- COR
1996-POLY
1997-YC
1997-POLY
1998- COR
1999-BC & BWV
1999- GF TOWER
2000-POLY
2000-POR
2001-AKL
2001-BC

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The Grand Floridian all the way! Though the AKL is a very nice resort, the place is away from everything. I was able to see a deluxe savanna view room, and I thought it was small (friends of mine were staying there the same time I was at the GF).

The GF's rooms are large, bright, and airy! Plus, there are no bad views! All rooms have 1 king, 2 queens (rooms on the top floor), or 2 queens and a daybed (most rooms are this way). Their standard rooms come in 3 themes, Alice in Wonderland, Floral, or Swan. They all have great Disney touches to them!

 

[Patio]

I'd pick GF because of the monorail and location. I stayed at AKL in Dec. and while it was a beautiful resort, I visited GF and it is truly breathtaking.

 

[jaret]

Animal kingdom lodge is only near Animal kingdom.The GF is near so much more!With a 6yr old you will probably spend alot of time at the magic kingdom and it is soo close to GF.If you stay at AKL you will be on the bus alot longer,which is fine on the way to the park but it gets to be a bit much when you are on your way back to the resort for a break.

 

[josierac]

If you want to see some great pictures of the GF check out this site and click through the Grand Adventure part 1 thru????

This is a site that is still adding info on the GF so keep checking back for the updates http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/toast/toast.asp?sub=show&action=topics&fid=10

 

[kbeverina]

Having stayed at both in December, I would probably choose the Grand Floridian for a short stay with my daughters.

 

[GoofyDisney]

We are choosing the AKL for our next trip. We travel a lot and stay at a lot of hotels. Our DD is quite used to the hotel experience. However, when deciding between the GF and AKL for our upcoming trip, while I wanted to stay at the GF, my DH pointed out that our DD would enjoy the AKL so much more. She is still talking about all the animals she saw right outside our room in Oct. There were many times we were reluctant to leave our hotel room because we were mesmerized by the animals.

And I would put GF right up there with the nicest resorts we have stayed in...including the Del Coronado, which the GF is modeled after. However, to my DD it was just another hotel.

And at the AKL, the rooms are darker than other resorts. But at night, when you are out on your balcony, you can look around the resort and it looks like hundreds of campfires burning.

As for us, we are passing on the GF this time in favor of the AKL. I realize that the view of the castle from your room is spectacular, but what other hotel in the world are you going to take your children to, that has free-roaming, African animals at all hours of the day and night. I could have watched the giraffes for hours! They were so close to us and they were amazing!!!!!!

Have a great time no matter which resort you choose!!

 

[Mickey_k]

Thanks everyone! I am still not sure but I think I might be leaning toward the GF! I know either place we stay will be wonderful!

 

[ead79]

I have stayed at both the AKL and GF. As a matter of fact, these are my 2 favorite WDW resorts. I guess what it really comes down to is your personal taste. The decor of the two is very different. For a girls only trip I am inclined to recommend the GF, but if you or your DDs are not into feminine decor, then the AKL might be a better choice. The GF does have a few benefits over the AKL, such as a stocked mini-bar in the room (it has tons of candy and non-alcoholic beverages too--though the price is definitely steep), bathrobes, and the monorail. Hope this helps!

 

[Janet2k]

Mickey_k, I have stayed at both resorts. My favorite resort, however, is the AKL (followed by the BW).

I stayed at the AKL with my husband, teenaged son, and daughter last Easter. That is when I fell in love with the place. For my holiday stay, I just had to share that resort with everyone who was vacationing with me (parents and sister's family). Even though the GF is my husband's favorite resort, he thought everyone should try the AKL, and thus I booked reservations there. Needless to say, the AKL was a hit with my family and everyone had a wonderful stay.

Now, that is me. That is not you. Only you know what is in your heart. If you have always wanted to stay at the GF, then by all means stay there. However, if you are torn, then try to decide where you think your daughters would like to stay.

I can tell you that my little daughter adores the AKL's kids' club -- Simba's Cubhouse -- and begs (yes, begs) to stay there each vacation (she even convinced my nephew to attend Simba's with her one evening and they had a ball). She also loves the AKL's pool area. They have wonderful activities there during the day for the kids (arts & crafts, pool games, etc). And rocking in the rocking chairs out by the fire pit during the evening, oh, it is the best way to relax and chat with the other resort guests. Storytelling out there in the evening is excellent, too.

Look deep into your heart and the hearts of your family and decide what you really want to do. And don't worry, the other resort (the one that you don't pick this time) will be waiting for you during your next visit.

My on-line photo album is here (I have photos of the GF and AKL's rooms): Janet2k's on-line photo albums

 

[ducklite]

I've stayed at both resorts. Both are wonderful in their own right. There is a marked price difference between the two. For the price of a standard room at the GF you can get a concierge room at the AKL. This will also save you on breakfast and evening snacks, which with three girls can really add up.

The GF is much more convenient, however the transportation at the AKL was fine during our stay. You simply feel more "away from it all".

Both offer some great dining options, there are no character meals at the AKL. Instead there is storytelling at night.

A savannah view room at the AKL is an unbelievable experience, a room at the GF with a castle view is as well. It's a lot harder (and more expensive) to get a direct castle view than it is to get a savannah view.

The GF feels more formal to me. The AKL exudes a feeling of warmth that gathers you in and doesn't want to let you leave.

The GF is a much brighter property. The rooms are defintely larger. The bathroom are especially. The theming although extremely different, is equally well done in both resorts. But...where else can you have giraffe and zebra grazing right outside your balcony?

I don't really have an answer for you. I think it comes down to what I said earlier. You're almost guaranteed a great view at the AKL, not so at the GF. If you can get a concierge room at the AKL for the same or less than the standard room at the GF, go for it! That's one choice that wouldn't be hard to make.

Anne

 

[Jubaby]

If I were going on a "girls only" trip, I think I'd stay at the GF. I can't get DH to stay there, because he thinks it's to "fancy and frilly" for him.

 

[Mickey_k]

Thanks! I think I will go with GF only because My DS and DH said that they would like to stay at AKL and so we will probably save AKL for a trip the entire family will go on! Everyone has been such a big help! Thanks very much!

 

[soccer mom]

Although AKL is a little isolated, I think that is part of its charm. If you walked out on your balcony and saw a castle, you couldn't feel like you are really in Africa. I couldn't wait to see the animals but wasn't impressed with the pictures or location of the resort until I got there. Pictures don't do it justice. It is a wonderful resort and you have to "feel" it for yourself to really understand it.

Bus transportation everywhere is great! You don't have to share your buses with any other resort.

I vote for AKL!

 

[ContempoSMT]

Easy, the Grand Floridian. It is such a nice hotel with excellent rooms. It is roomy and spacious and comfortable. The pool is huge, the arcade is good, and it is on the monorail. I give it a 99 out of 100