Help Me Decide: AKL and which Mod?

[MEM]

DH thinks we can swing a few days at AKL during our upcoming trip in August, as long as we spend most of our time at a Moderate. We have already stayed at POFQ and I am hearing good things about POR recently. DH's main concern is the size of the resort and the bus service.

With regard to Values, DH will never stay at another AllStars and thinks PC is in the same category of quality, even though its brand new.

BTW, we are annual pass holders, with children 7 and 9. We usually spend 10-12 days at WDW at the end of August through Labor Day.

 

[Bstanley]

I've always liked POR (I liked Dixie Landings better , although my boys preferred CSR.

CSR has the better pool and the AC/Htg system is buried in the wall so the room is quieter, but the Food Court uses an oddball pricing scheme that bugs me and POR is more centrally located.

Both are quite large and spread out compared to POFQ.

Have Fun!
-bruce

 

[Buzz2001]

We love CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info. The food court at CSR is not your average food court and is the reason for higher prices. Bigger portions and better food

 

[DisOrBust]

If I remember right..AP rates for mods at the end of aug was around 84 and standard view at akl was 109. Just a thought....

 

[MEM]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Yes, the thought did occur to me to stay at AKL the entire time, assuming a standard view AP rate of $109. However, DH said without a savannah view, there is no point in staying at AKL! We have eaten there, so he knows how beautiful the resort is. I might try standard view for the first half and savannah view for the second. Might try throwing in a few concierge nights too, to qualify for Sunrise Safari. I can dream, can't I?

Well, I still have time to work on DH. I hope the recent posts about the noise levels at AKL are just temporary.

 

[ROBNLEZ]

We stayed at AKL in May and I would stay there again even with just a standard view. There were so many great parts of the resort and their were so many places to view animals that I think it is worth it. My kids loved the pool, we all loved the food. The bus service from AKL is the BEST, much better than a moderate. There is always a chance of being upgraded of Savannah view.

 

[tink2]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't consider AKL without a huge discount. We were there Thanksgiving week- got an upgrade due to POFQ closing. It is beautiful. We had a savannah view and it is truly special. The bus service is the best ever. However, all that being said: it was very noisy- heard people up and down the halls all night- not screaming, just talking. The walls seem to be paper-thin. Check-in was a nightmare due to unknowledgable CMs- I knew more about the resort than the one checking us in! I asked for bed rails and never got them the first night- after calling back. It has its pros and cons. I loved the one building and covered walk to food court. I loved the animals and bus service. However, after staying here, CSR, POR, and POFQ: my family likes POFQ the best. AKL is nice, but for the money- I'd choose POFQ. The rooms are about the same size anyhow. Now, another thing to consider is what kind of vacationers we are. We are at the parks before it opens and leave after the night show- not going back to the hotel for a break. So, we don't spend much time there. That also makes a big difference!
I don't want to rain on your parade- if I had an AP and could get that kind of rate- I would do it! Good luck and say hello to the giraffes for us!

 

[tink2]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't consider AKL without a huge discount. We were there Thanksgiving week- got an upgrade due to POFQ closing. It is beautiful. We had a savannah view and it is truly special. The bus service is the best ever. However, all that being said: it was very noisy- heard people up and down the halls all night- not screaming, just talking. The walls seem to be paper-thin. Check-in was a nightmare due to unknowledgable CMs- I knew more about the resort than the one checking us in! I asked for bed rails and never got them the first night- after calling back. It has its pros and cons. I loved the one building and covered walk to food court. I loved the animals and bus service. However, after staying here, CSR, POR, and POFQ: my family likes POFQ the best. AKL is nice, but for the money- I'd choose POFQ. The rooms are about the same size anyhow. Now, another thing to consider is what kind of vacationers we are. We are at the parks before it opens and leave after the night show- not going back to the hotel for a break. So, we don't spend much time there. That also makes a big difference!
I don't want to rain on your parade- if I had an AP and could get that kind of rate- I would do it! Good luck and say hello to the giraffes for us!
As far as moderates- we love POFQ and really like POR, it's just more spread out. CSR is extremly spread out. Just do your homework and request a good location that works for your family.