Lost out on WL room and now betwen POR and AKL

[pix13]

I had been debating between WL and POR and decided to go with WL. I was really excited about it because I wanted the convenience to MK. But when I went to book rooms with the promotion were all sold out! Sad...So now it is down to POR or AKL. Price is about the same because AKL has free dining and when I added in food costs to POR, we were at about a $100 difference.

We plan to spend more time at MK than other parks so I am worried about the distance from AKL. But I hear POR has more bus stops and walking to the bus, so I am wondering if AKL will really take any longer to get to MK than POR?

Thoughts? Convenience is important to us, but if the travel time from room to park is about the same given the difference in layout and bus system, AKL seems like a better bet. Still grieving the loss of WL because of proximity to MK, but lucky to be going at all!

 

[yankeesusa]

POR may be the best choice if you don't want to be far away from parks. If you want a great experience with great ambience then akl is your spot. Just remember that on really busy days some have reported long bus wait times. I can't say it has happened to me as we go every year in January to akl and have never had a bus issue. But the bus ride to every park but ak is a little longer than normal. Por also allows 5 guests on the room over the regular 4 also. Good luck deciding. All I can say is I myself choose akl over por due to the amazing feeling you get at akl. It's one of a kind for me and my family.

 

[sbobbio]

The bus has never been an issue for us and we have gone in Jan, May, Oct. The ride is really not that much longer than any other we have ever been on. We actually had much longer rides at Saratoga Springs and Old Key west when several stops are made. It is not cool when the bus finally rolls up and is already full I would go with AKL

 

[GrandCalifornian]

While WL is nice (and has nice short travel times to MK), I wouldn't rule out AKL based on time to MK when comparing it to POR. I bet the travel times to MK are very similar. For similar cost you will be getting a deluxe resort and our experience with the dedicated buses at AKL has been that they were quite good. AKL has interior hallways, is in one building (except for the Kidani Villas), and has the same architect as WL which gives it a very pleasant feel. There's the benefit of seeing the animals too...

You can also keep checking for WL availability as plans do change and things open back up. Either way, enjoy your trip.

 

[Disneyhenry]

They are both great choices, but if you have never stayed at AKL, I think you should pick that one. It is beautiful, with good food choices, lovely pool and relaxing on the balcony looking at the pool or animals is just perfect IMO.

 

[Fionasmommy]

We haven't been to POR, but we have been to both POFQ and AKL, and given the choice I would pick AKL hands down. It's just an amazing resort, unlike anything else on property. The hotel itself is gorgeous, the pool is wonderfully themed, and being so close to the animals is absolutely incredible. We also loved the dining options there - we still go back to Boma on every trip! I don't recall ever having trouble with the bus there, certainly not more than I would expect anywhere else (at park close, etc.).

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Remember that AKL has half the number of rooms that POR has. So from a transportation standpoint, you could end up waiting longer for busses due to crowds. I stayed at POR last summer, but I had a car. So transportation wasn't a problem. That being said, I gave it 3 out of 5 on Tripadvisor.

 

[GoofyWithGlasses]

AKL is gorgeous, we've stayed there several times, and the bus service is always awful, as Jambo House shares buses with Kidani, meaning that buses sometimes turn up completely packed already... If the bus turns up at all.
It's my favourite place to stay, and the dining plan is definetly worth it, but it's just something to bear in mind.

Also: we stayed in Feb and Aug, so it was bad in both low and high season.

 

[mickeynut1]

I had been debating between WL and POR and decided to go with WL. I was really excited about it because I wanted the convenience to MK. But when I went to book rooms with the promotion were all sold out! Sad...So now it is down to POR or AKL. Price is about the same because AKL has free dining and when I added in food costs to POR, we were at about a $100 difference.

We plan to spend more time at MK than other parks so I am worried about the distance from AKL. But I hear POR has more bus stops and walking to the bus, so I am wondering if AKL will really take any longer to get to MK than POR?

Thoughts? Convenience is important to us, but if the travel time from room to park is about the same given the difference in layout and bus system, AKL seems like a better bet. Still grieving the loss of WL because of proximity to MK, but lucky to be going at all!

We've never stayed at POR, but we loved AKL. We have also stayed at WL and we love both WL and AKL for different reasons. AKL is out away from everything, but we found the buses to be great as it didn't take more than about 5 extra minutes to get to the parks compared to other resorts we've stayed at. The buses only go to AKL and Kidani, so there is no sharing with any other resort(s). With that said, I would go with AKL. You can also keep checking to see if something opens up at WL. Good luck.

 

[pix13]

Thanks everyone! I went with AKL. Looking forward to it!

 

[heart goes boOm]

Thanks everyone! I went with AKL. Looking forward to it!

Haha you should! We're gonna be in WL but wanted AKL. I'm gonna miss the pool and the zebra domes and the animals this trip!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Haha you should! We're gonna be in WL but wanted AKL. I'm gonna miss the pool and the zebra domes and the animals this trip!

The other Lodge is just a boat and a bus ride away, and worth the trip.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks everyone! I went with AKL. Looking forward to it!

AKL is a great resort......you're going to love it .

 

[pix13]

Haha you should! We're gonna be in WL but wanted AKL. I'm gonna miss the pool and the zebra domes and the animals this trip!

We should switch!

 

[Princess Katherine]

I think you should pick POR, I've stayed at both and being so far away from MK it's kind of a drag.

Katie