Opinions needed/POFQ or Animal Kingdom Lodge

[kitkat4622]

I am traveling 12/3-12/8 for my 65th birthday, my 3rd solo trip. I am currently booked at POFQ but for 550 more I can book at Animal Kingdom lodge and always wanted to stay at a delux resort, would you spend the extra money to switch? Pro's and con's please and thank you

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I stayed a few times at both! I like both but if I have the $$, I am staying at AKL. I see it as a vacation within a vacation. First I'd want to ask you if you have ever visited the Lodge. Some people will say its "too dark". Personally I don't feel that way. I see it as the blanket of being immersed in an African cultured enviroment. Do you like the background music you may hear at AK park, you'll hear it here too. Are you interested in animals, that should be part of the highlight staying at AKL- watching the Savanahh. I enjoyed talking to the the hosts inside and out ( this was pre-Covid so Idk if they have returned). There is a hot tub at AKL also- big plus in my book!
I also love AK park and being close to it.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

If AKL is on your bucket list and you're going to pay to stay in a savanna view room, then yes. If you don't plan to book a savanna view room, then I'd say pass. You can easily visit the resort to see all what AKL has to offer, a beautiful lobby, the savanna, activities and great dining and not have to stay there. Beyond that, the rooms are nice but it's truly waking up to animals that makes it so unique. I know there are a few rooms that are technically not savanna view but on the savanna but it's not a guarantee if you request them. I'm not sure which trail they're on but it's worth looking into since I know there's a steep cost differential between the two. It's a beautiful resort but it is a bus ride to all the parks and can be kind of far if you're not used to staying out by AK. The other negative, depending on where you are in the resort, the hallways in Jambo house can feel very, very long and far from the main lobby. It's definitely not huge but it can feel like the resort is never ending. Also, these are the lower priced end for deluxe so the rooms are not much bigger than most mods, I think they're about 30 sq ft larger.

 

[kitkat4622]

I have never stayed at AKL but did visit it on my last solo trip and loved the whole atmosphere. I am not booking a savannah room which is an option for the disneyplus subscriber discount but out of my price range. which I am okay with. I found the whole resort (what I saw of it beautiful) and I am on my 8th trip to Disney since 2014 with this being my 3rd solo trip and I probably won't have the money to do this again, so I am going for it. thank you for the feedback

 

[sipnride]

I have never stayed at AKL but did visit it on my last solo trip and loved the whole atmosphere. I am not booking a savannah room which is an option for the disneyplus subscriber discount but out of my price range. which I am okay with. I found the whole resort (what I saw of it beautiful) and I am on my 8th trip to Disney since 2014 with this being my 3rd solo trip and I probably won't have the money to do this again, so I am going for it. thank you for the feedback

Even a standard room is worth it. There are plenty of places throughout the resort to view animals, it has one of the most amazing art collections at any Disney property (including parks), and all the restaurants are excellent (and Sanaa and Mara are both top notch for eating on a budget). The pools aren't the best so French Quarter might have it beat there but aside from that there's nothing about them that is worth comparing. AKL is an exceptional resort, one of a kind.

 

[CarolynFH]

For a milestone birthday, I certainly would switch, especially if savanna view at AKL. Or even for standard view. The resort is beautiful!

 

[loves to dive]

I'm actually going during the same time range Dec 3 thru 9 and am booked at CSR right now. With my AP discount the switch to AKL isn't horrible but it would be a standard room since I could just stay at BW for the price of a Savannah room. I've stayed there before in a one bedroom that technically wasn't a Savannah view but actually it was. I just can't make myself pull the trigger on the chance of a roof or parking lot view, which is what they say the resort view is now. Now I'm toying with 2 nights at music preferred and 4 nights BW. It would be a lot more than the CSR but I love the epcot resorts.

 

[kitkat4622]

I'm actually going during the same time range Dec 3 thru 9 and am booked at CSR right now. With my AP discount the switch to AKL isn't horrible but it would be a standard room since I could just stay at BW for the price of a Savannah room. I've stayed there before in a one bedroom that technically wasn't a Savannah view but actually it was. I just can't make myself pull the trigger on the chance of a roof or parking lot view, which is what they say the resort view is now. Now I'm toying with 2 nights at music preferred and 4 nights BW. It would be a lot more than the CSR but I love the epcot resorts.

I actually have a water view room booked which says pool view

 

[gottalovepluto]

AKL is beautiful but it is extra walking as the hotel is quite spread out. If that will be an issue I would stay at POFQ.

Have you considered the Tower at CSR? It’s a nice middle ground between deludes & mods. The tower rooms feel like deluxe rooms, the lobby is gorgeous. Tower is especially nice on a solo trip when it doesn’t matter that the sink is in the bathroom (it’s a large bathroom with a lovely walk in shower). The downside to CSR tower is it is the last bus stop before departing to the parks- but if a little walking doesn’t bother, the first pick up bus stop is the room section next to the tower.

 

[PoohHappens]

One thing I don’t see anyone has mentioned is that Christmas Tree at AKL. It is gorgeous! We stayed standard view in 2018 in November. Most magical night of my children’s lives. Our room was on the 3rd floor around the lobby area, not down the halls. We arrived in the evening, kids ate and went for a quick swim and then to bed. There was not a tree or Christmas decorations. Upon coming out the door in the morning there was a massive Christmas tree and swags on all the railings. (I had sneaked out at about 2am and witnessed them putting the tree up, which was my magical moment). Our view was of an extended roof below us and a bit of grass- we didn’t mind. Our view walking out our room door was amazing and our location was great. We loved our stay and the resort.

 

[PoohHappens]

Also at that time there was a photo pass photographer at the tree. My son stopped almost every day to get a new picture.

 

[HopperFan]

I think that is a GREAT value! You are going from the value of moderates without a full array of amenities to the deluxe resort WITH ANIMALS (one of the most unique hotels in this country) and excellent dining! Wander all over, all kinds of cool art, sitting spots, fireplaces. Stunning lobby. Beautiful, lush pool. I can't imagine a better hotel to stay at as a solo.

 

[cdunn03]

If it’s affordable for you do Animal Kingdom. Such a beautiful resort!

 

[Minnie1222]

AKL, of course.

Disclosure: haven't stayed at POFQ so my opinion is 100% biased.

 

[ktink]

I would go with AKL! Regardless of the view, there are places to view the animals. We opted for 2 pool view rooms instead of 1 savannah view. It was well worth it to us. The bus rides can seem a little longer especially towards the end of your stay. But it was no different from when we stayed at GF and rode the bus to AK. I think it's worth the upgrade in many ways.

 

[SharonZ]

I would say AKL if you were booking a Savannah room. Otherwise, I'd stick with POFQ and maybe spend the money on dinner at AKL.

 

[glocon]

If it’s a bucket list item, I’d say do it.
It’s your birthday after all, and you don’t know if you’ll ever have the chance again!
We loved our stay there and would chose AKL over PO anytime.

DO IT!