POFQ or GDT or AKL?

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Hi all,

My husband and I are planning to travel to WDW this summer (late July/early August). No kids just a couple in our 30’s. I had stayed at CBR years back and liked it. My husband and I stayed at CSR and loved it a few years back. Now we are trying to decide between POFQ and GDT or AKL. AKL would be a bit pricy for us. To break down the prices for POFQ would be the most reasonable 3 nights/4 days with 3 parks for approximately $1,700. The GDT would be approximately $2,000 and AKL would be approximately $2,400. We do like to spend time in the resort. We usually do mornings go early afternoons in the resort and do the parks from late afternoon until closing. My husband loves the look of POFQ, however the GDT is tempting me since I hear it’s like a deluxe and AKL is tempting me since we have never stayed deluxe.

Thank you!

 

[Smugpugmug]

I would do Grand Destino Tower or AKL. Personally I don't love the motel style rooms since they tend to be really loud and if your room is facing a pool you can definitely hear kids screaming/playing from inside your room. When I stayed at Riverside (French Quarter's sister resort) I found it to be very hard to find pool chairs, something I never had any issue with at any other resort. The main pool areas at both resorts are too small for the amount of guests they have in my opinion.

If you're someone that likes spending time at the resort, GDT and AKL are great. Both have really nice pool areas and with AKL specifically you can watch the savannah. I stayed at GDT pre-Covid and found it to be really nice. Has a more adult vibe so I noticed less families with small kids overall. I didn't love that the tower is the last bus stop so by the time a bus came to your stop it was completely full and would move on.

 

[HopperFan]

Hi all,

My husband and I are planning to travel to WDW this summer (late July/early August). No kids just a couple in our 30’s. I had stayed at CBR years back and liked it. My husband and I stayed at CSR and loved it a few years back. Now we are trying to decide between POFQ and GDT or AKL. AKL would be a bit pricy for us. To break down the prices for POFQ would be the most reasonable 3 nights/4 days with 3 parks for approximately $1,700. The GDT would be approximately $2,000 and AKL would be approximately $2,400. We do like to spend time in the resort. We usually do mornings go early afternoons in the resort and do the parks from late afternoon until closing. My husband loves the look of POFQ, however the GDT is tempting me since I hear it’s like a deluxe and AKL is tempting me since we have never stayed deluxe.

Thank you!

POFQ is the value of the moderates and in my opinion not worth the moderate prices they charge, especially if you loved CSR.

GDT would likely be my pick for two adults ~ love Coronado, it is the deluxe of the moderates and now GDT has really punched that higher. I love Coronado for adults, so many options to really enjoy from landscaping, to lounges, to dining, to views.

Save AKL for later if you have kids, they will LOVE it, from the animals to the watering hole pool. For just adults it is a great place to go dine and animal watch for a bit but we found hanging out there was very much family style. We stayed numerous times with the family but now that we are adults only traveling, we don't find ourselves drawn to go back at those prices.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I would do Grand Destino Tower or AKL. Personally I don't love the motel style rooms since they tend to be really loud and if your room is facing a pool you can definitely hear kids screaming/playing from inside your room. When I stayed at Riverside (French Quarter's sister resort) I found it to be very hard to find pool chairs, something I never had any issue with at any other resort. The main pool areas at both resorts are too small for the amount of guests they have in my opinion.

If you're someone that likes spending time at the resort, GDT and AKL are great. Both have really nice pool areas and with AKL specifically you can watch the savannah. I stayed at GDT pre-Covid and found it to be really nice. Has a more adult vibe so I noticed less families with small kids overall. I didn't love that the tower is the last bus stop so by the time a bus came to your stop it was completely full and would move on.

Thank you. I felt like I wanted to try something new since I’ve already been to CSR, but perhaps GDT will feel new?

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

POFQ is the value of the moderates and in my opinion not worth the moderate prices they charge, especially if you loved CSR.

GDT would likely be my pick for two adults ~ love Coronado, it is the deluxe of the moderates and now GDT has really punched that higher. I love Coronado for adults, so many options to really enjoy from landscaping, to lounges, to dining, to views.

Save AKL for later if you have kids, they will LOVE it, from the animals to the watering hole pool. For just adults it is a great place to go dine and animal watch for a bit but we found hanging out there was very much family style. We stayed numerous times with the family but now that we are adults only traveling, we don't find ourselves drawn to go back at those prices.

Thank you. AKL is a bit pricey for us.

 

[jjb1974]

Rent DVC points for AKL.

 

[Dug720]

I had the debate with myself about them and decided to go with AKL even though it's a bit more for the evening hours.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Thank you. I felt like I wanted to try something new since I’ve already been to CSR, but perhaps GDT will feel new?

It has a way different vibe than the rest of the resort or at least it did to me as I was walking around. The tower has little to no Disney theming to it, which I don't mind but that is a factor as to why adults prefer it over families with kids. Rooms are also quite big despite being a moderate, that surprised me the most.

I also agree with the two posters above. You could rent DVC points if you want though I heard a big downside is that you don't have any wiggle room in rescheduling/cancelling. The Extended Evening hours are also a good perk for deluxe but if cost is the main factor I would pick GDT. It's a really wonderful resort.

 

[CrystalClear82]

Hi all,

My husband and I are planning to travel to WDW this summer (late July/early August). No kids just a couple in our 30’s. I had stayed at CBR years back and liked it. My husband and I stayed at CSR and loved it a few years back. Now we are trying to decide between POFQ and GDT or AKL. AKL would be a bit pricy for us. To break down the prices for POFQ would be the most reasonable 3 nights/4 days with 3 parks for approximately $1,700. The GDT would be approximately $2,000 and AKL would be approximately $2,400. We do like to spend time in the resort. We usually do mornings go early afternoons in the resort and do the parks from late afternoon until closing. My husband loves the look of POFQ, however the GDT is tempting me since I hear it’s like a deluxe and AKL is tempting me since we have never stayed deluxe.

Thank you!

If you're between GDT and AKL, go with AKL.... You may ask why.
If the unpredictable weather of FL decides that it's your day to rain on the parade, you're stuck in your room at GDT. At least at AKL there is a balcony that you can sit on. Also you can take partake in animal watching, walk around the resort and check out all the fun artifacts on display.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

It has a way different vibe than the rest of the resort or at least it did to me as I was walking around. The tower has little to no Disney theming to it, which I don't mind but that is a factor as to why adults prefer it over families with kids. Rooms are also quite big despite being a moderate, that surprised me the most.

I also agree with the two posters above. You could rent DVC points if you want though I heard a big downside is that you don't have any wiggle room in rescheduling/cancelling. The Extended Evening hours are also a good perk for deluxe but if cost is the main factor I would pick GDT. It's a really wonderful resort.

Thank you. I’m not too interested in renting points. I appreciate everyone’s feedback!

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d go with POFQ, especially if it appeals to your husband.
It’s peaceful, quiet. I find it relaxing. Nice boat to DS and quick walk to Riverside.

 

[Sunshine11]

AKL will have a balcony and late hours but if you plan to visit Disney Springs, the boat from FQ is awesome. We love the small footprint at FQ and find it a great mod. One bus stop is nice too!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I’d go with POFQ, especially if it appeals to your husband.
It’s peaceful, quiet. I find it relaxing. Nice boat to DS and quick walk to Riverside.

Thank you!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

If you're between GDT and AKL, go with AKL.... You may ask why.
If the unpredictable weather of FL decides that it's your day to rain on the parade, you're stuck in your room at GDT. At least at AKL there is a balcony that you can sit on. Also you can take partake in animal watching, walk around the resort and check out all the fun artifacts on display.

It does sound pretty cool!

 

[lockets]

Is price a main factor to you or your husband or not really?

 

[cjlong88]

We stayed at AKL at the end of 2021 for the first time and absolutely loved it. No kids…just two adults. Wish our vacation was longer. The entire stay was quiet, the resort is stunning, and the food options were fantastic.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Is price a main factor to you or your husband or not really?

It is a bit. If price was no factor I would definitely stay at Poly lol.

 

[tiana1989]

I’ve stayed at all three in the last year. It all comes down to personal taste as they all have their perks, but for me it’s be a toss-up between AKL and GDT. My fiancé and I did an anniversary trip at AKL last year, and we definitely found it quiet and romantic enough for two adults. We splurged for the savannah view room and LOVED having breakfast and coffee on the balcony in the mornings, but honestly if we went back, there are so many great spots to catch the animals that we would save the money and just do standard. Either way you’ll have a great time there, and the food options are excellent. With that being said, CSR might be my favorite resort, and I wish Disney would do DVC there haha. As others have said, it caters to the convention crowd so GDT feels more deluxe and grown-up. There are so many great food options, and by Disney standards, the restaurants are reasonably priced. It’s just so beautiful and peaceful, and Three Bridges and Dahlia are open until midnight to unwind after a late night at the parks! That, for me, beats out POFQ’s access to the bars at Disney Springs. But POFQ is nice too, and the Mickey beignets are amazing. You really can’t go wrong between those three, so it’s really what vibe y’all want for the trip.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with the above poster. I've stayed at all three, well not POFQ but PORS, and each has its own little benefit. I have stayed at CSR many times, not in the tower because to be honest if I'm paying the price for the tower, I'm staying at Swan/Dolphin for the same price and am able to walk to HS and Epcot. They have a great pool area, many really good food choices and Dolphin has a great bar.

But, I do love CSR and have stayed in both Casitas and Cabanas and loved both, didn't have any problems with the walk to the main area and now with the bridge in the lake it's even easier. AKL is pretty and you can't beat being able to watch the animals. I agree I wouldn't pay for a savannah view, there are plenty of opportunities to see the animals without the upcharge, especially if money is an issue. My only complaint about AKL is it can be noisy because it is very kid friendly and there is only one pool at the main building. I'm a big fan of the quiet pools at CSR, I do love the big pool because mama loves a hot tub but mama doesn't love that there is almost always a bunch of kids in it using it as a swimming pool. I like the food options at CSR better then AKL. I've eaten at all the restaurants at AKL except Boma (I don't like buffets, I can wait on myself at home and I don't eat enough food to justify the cost). While the food was good at Jikos, I've certainly had better service at other places on property and for what you pay, you should get good service. The same with Sanaa, actually the food was just o.k. and we had by far what would probably the worst service we have ever had on property there. It could have been a one off but it wasn't worth the hype for us and unless you are there during the day, you aren't going to see the animals out the window.

As far as renting points, as close as you are now to going, that would be next to impossible and I've found unless you are renting for something bigger than a studio, you aren't saving money. The non-refundable aspect and having to book 7 to 11 months out is a no go for me.

 

[Bostonjetset]

It is a bit. If price was no factor I would definitely stay at Poly lol.

You and me both sister lol

We are booked for CSR in May (non tower) for a mother/adult son trip so I’ll report back. I’m very excited as it seems like a beautiful resort and more upscale than the other moderates.