GF vs AKL

[FlaNative05]

Calling all experts who have stayed at both.....even though GF is mor $$...is it worth it?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[kjs1976]

AKL IS AWESOME!!!!!!

We could spend our entire WDW vacation at the resort and still probably not see/do it all!! You can take walking safari tours on Akrusha rock, look at the savannah animals with night vision goggles, have a drink in the swank lounge, enjoy the many tastes and flavors of Boma and Jikn, not to mention the Mara which has a great selection of American fare as well as African inspired dishes, enjoy the zero entry pool and hot tubs which are nestled away in palm and plant barriered nooks, listen to African story telling around the fire pits outside and inside, sit in one of the rocking chairs in one of the public balconies overlooking the savannah and just relax, sit in your private balcony from your room, enjoy a presentation from a CM about his/her African country, learn to speak Afrikans and Swahili from eager Cm's, watch traditonal African dance by the hostesses for Boma as the drummers play on their drums, enjoy the fitness club overlooking the pool, make use of the quiet and pampering spa....I could go one but these are just some of the main reasons why if we could we would stay at AKL each and every time!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Well I have not yet stayed at the AKL, but will be for our honeymoon this May. But when I was a kid we stayed at the GF and it was the worst hotel stay we had ever had. We had things stolen from our room and the front desk was no help whatsoever. They told us it was our fault that we "Left our T-shirts out." We basically had a bunch of stupid stuff like clothes stolen from our room, and they did not lift a finger to help us recover it. It's not like you can lock up a family of 4's entire wardrobe for a weeklong stay up anywhere when you are on vacation. Even as a 10 year old I remember their rudeness to us. It was ridiculous. Since then my husband I visited the GF while staying elsewhere, and we both decided that the decor and theming did absolutely nothign for us. When I look at the GF I am not excited but am bored. Perhaps it is b/c of the bad stay there, but somehow the AKL seems a lot funner than the GF. Also, the price difference is amazing. WHy pay the extra for the GF when the AKL is so much better? You see TONS of AKL lovers on these boards, but I've yet to see many GF lovers.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

While I have nothing against AKL (it's my son's favorite hotel and my second favorite after GF), as you can see by my signature I am absolutely love the Grand Floridian. I think it is worth the price difference because of the location (nothing like being on seven seas lagoon) and all the transportation options (boats back from MK are great, monorail, buses) and the proximity to MK. The zero entry waterfall pool is heavenly...it seems as if the lagoon is coming straight out from the edge of the pool while you are standing in it. The quiet pool and jacuzzi are nice, too...right in the middle of the gorgeous Victorian inspired grounds. I love the beach swing on the sandy beach and watching the sunset from there is so relaxing, as well as watching the fireworks from the dock (or our room) and the electric light parade in the evenings.

If you have kids there are plenty of kids programs (pirate cruises, alice in wonderland's tea party, adventure in cooking, my princess party...) and you can rent water mice (or other boating activites) right on the lagoon. I love the high lobby and the music playing in there as well as the afternoon tea, which is one of my favorite things to do. There is also character dining at GF, both am and pm, a spa, business center (for internet, if necessary), plenty of restaurants, including formal and informal eateries, and large rooms with pretty decor.

AKL is great, too...but very different. Would I give up a stay at GF for AKL? Well, no. But we split stays quite often and usually spend a few days around the animals, too.
I think AKL and GF are the two best deluxe hotels on property--JMHO.

 

[johnsonet]

They are so completely different it is hard to say.
We always stayed at GF until I decided I had to try AKL Concierge after watching the Great Hotels program on it on the Travel Channel. It was amazing. It really holds a special place in my heart. Since staying there we've gone back twice (once concierge and once standard savanna view room). I can't wait to return to AKL>
DD(8) absolutely adores the GF. It is her overall favorite.
The proximity to the Magic Kingdom and the amazing dining options there plus those available via monorail - do make it an incredible Disney resort. I HIGHLY recommend it. But I also highly recommend the AKL. I think it is the best value on property VERY unique and wonderful!
You cannot go wrong with either

 

[peter1706]

We just came back from a split stay at the AKL and GF.

They are both amazing hotels.
Besides what others have said about the GF, I loved eating at the GF's food court and seeing the castle, I loved sitting on the beach having a drink so close to the wedding pavilion, One stop on the monorail going and one stop on the boat coming back from the MK. The friendliest CMs, beautiful grounds, spacious rooms and proximity to the MK make it fantastic
I did love seeing animals all day at the AKL and we did see them all day long, too not just at night or early morning.
The kids loved Simba's Clubhouse and we loved walking around the resort.

I'd stay at both in a second, but The GF wins for us.

 

[MinnieM21]

I vote for the Grand Floridian. The resort is beautiful and the CMs are so friendly and helpful. The decor is turn of the century victorian. The lobby is AMAZING and in afternoon-evening you can sit in the lobby and listen to music. We had a garden view room in Conch Key and had somewhat of a lagoon view. It was wonderful. We had a dormer room which had a vaulted ceiling with a balcony.

All of the locations looked fantastic. There's Sago Cay, Conch Key, the Main Building, Big Pine Key, and Boca Chica. There are two pools, the quiet pool and the themed pool. The Grand Floridian also has a spa where you can get massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, etc.

The restaurants are great; there's Narcoosee's which is right on the lagoon, 1900 Park Fare that has a character breakfast and dinner buffet, Citricos, The Grand Floridian Cafe which we enjoyed, the Garden Viw Afternoon Tea that has the best scones, tea, and pastries! Don't forget about Victoria and Albert's either, I haven't been there myself but it looks like a fantastic place to eat.

I love the Grand Floridian and highly recommend it.

 

[poohluvrs]

If I'm paying top dollar, I want convenience and luxury! At AKL you have to schlep on and off WDW Busses to get anywhere besides the AK park...not how I want to spend a possible 90 minutes of my day (one-way)! GF has the monorail and boat system... Im sure AKL has many wonderful qualities, but GF has my vote,;Though I write this having 2 young kids, if it's an adult only trip for you, then maybe AKL would be a different experience....Hope that helps

 

[Bob NC]

What eloquent replies you have received from this simple question. It's great.

Me....I like visiting the GF and staying at AKL.

 

[vacation disney]

Try AKL Concierge.......its wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[johnsonet]

If I'm paying top dollar, I want convenience and luxury! At AKL you have to schlep on and off WDW Busses to get anywhere besides the AK park...not how I want to spend a possible 90 minutes of my day (one-way)! GF has the monorail and boat system... Im sure AKL has many wonderful qualities, but GF has my vote,;Though I write this having 2 young kids, if it's an adult only trip for you, then maybe AKL would be a different experience....Hope that helps

I agree that the transportation to MK makes GF far more convenient (to MK ) but you must consider the price difference. At GF you really ARE "paying top dollar" where as there are many great rates to be had at AKL. The most basic room at GF during Value Season is currently $349/night. Whereas at AKL it is $199/night.

 

[webray]

We have stayed at both. GF is less than grand. (we have also done concierge at both..GF..still, way less than grand).

While we were doing concierge at AKL, we met another family, who was doing a split stay and had just come from GF concierge..they said GF was not worth it..lol. They loved AKL, as we did, and were sorry they weren't at AKL the whole time.

The decor, castmembers, service all better at AKL. AKL also has wonderful restaurant options. Castmembers are rude at GF, restaurant options aren't all that great. Service from the staff is horrible.

We will never stay at GF again (and yes..we have had a recent stay), while we have stayed at AKL twice in the past 2 months, and will continue to return to AKL.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I love both resorts. We have to stay at GF when my husband comes along. He has a great need to be on the monorail. I think they are both great resorts with superb CMs.

Lori