POFQ...questions and advice WANTED!!!
- Thread starter cambra
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<<Why get what you pay for when you can get more then what you pay for in this case>>
more what? Disney is not "giving away" AKL for free... you are getting deluxe amenities at a deluxe price... but they are only worth paying for if you will use deluxe amenities... health club? w/all the walking at the parks and resort, who needs it? sit down restaurants? plenty elsewhere w/in the 40 sq miles that is disney!
She said she can book the room at AKL for the same prices as POFQ. So I agree with your statement partially, "you are getting deluxe amenities" but you should have said at a moderate price. That is is my point entirely.
more what? Disney is not "giving away" AKL for free... you are getting deluxe amenities at a deluxe price... but they are only worth paying for if you will use deluxe amenities... health club? w/all the walking at the parks and resort, who needs it? sit down restaurants? plenty elsewhere w/in the 40 sq miles that is disney!
She said she can book the room at AKL for the same prices as POFQ. So I agree with your statement partially, "you are getting deluxe amenities" but you should have said at a moderate price. That is is my point entirely.
Cambra,
Don't get me wrong my favorite moderate hands down is POFQ. I would not hesitate to ever stay there. My point was if you can stay at a luxurey resort for the same price as a moderate you should go for it. AKL is a nicer resort. Having said that again if you had to pay the regular price for AKL or even only $50.00 a night more I would probably tell you to stay at POFQ and to then take the money you saved and have a great meal.
Don't get me wrong my favorite moderate hands down is POFQ. I would not hesitate to ever stay there. My point was if you can stay at a luxurey resort for the same price as a moderate you should go for it. AKL is a nicer resort. Having said that again if you had to pay the regular price for AKL or even only $50.00 a night more I would probably tell you to stay at POFQ and to then take the money you saved and have a great meal.
k&a&c'smom
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cambra said:k&a&c'smom! Thanks for such a descript view of AKL...now I don't know what to do!!!!
I am one of those people who feels you should always stick with your first choice...but I do understand the benefits of the deluxe hotel...the only thing that bothers me about AKL is that it seems far from everything and the only way to get anywhere is by bus...we will be driving there...so it seems so silly to me to stay on Disney property...but you have to DRIVE to get anywhere (or bus, as I said...but hubby probably won't do the bus thing).
At POFQ, I understand there is a boat that at least gets you to DTD...and buses other places....oh well...I really am glad I started this thread! Everyone has their favorites...I just don't have one yet!!!!
LOL! Yes, I always have a very hard time making a choice, as there are so many great resorts at WDW!!
I have to say, I've never felt AKL to be too far removed from the parks. It has to be set apart for the animals, and to give it that remote African feel. But, the buses are dedicated to AKL, so there is no stop at other resorts to pick up/drop off, so once you are on your bus you go directly to your destination. At POFQ, as with most WDW resorts, the time to pick up other resort guests has to be figured in the equation. Until our last stay, I would have said we had never had any problems with the buses, but last summer there was a system-wide breakdown of transportation!! We split our stay between AKL & the Dolphin, and we ate at several resorts - everywhere we went, there were bus, boat, monorail problems!
This has been the exception, though, as usually the transportation at WDW is wonderful - park your car, and Mickey does the driving! 
We often drive down, as well, but have never felt the need to drive ourselves while in the World, 'til last July! 
All that being said, it seems your heart is set on trying POFQ. That is wonderful, you shouldn't let the rest of us talk you out of where you really want to stay! That boat ride to DTD is very nice. I've read nothing but good things about POFQ, so go, have a marvelous time, and if your trip is before mine (early Dec.) come back here and report!!
i prefer first floor woth kids we just got back and had building 3 thought it was perfect short walk to lobby/pool/playground/buses....
have stayed at AKL before got a florida ressie deal and i would not stay there and pay full price i just did not feel like it was "LUXURY or DELUXE" it was nice but for teh regular price i did not getthe feeling i get when you stay at Poly/ contemp/WL /yacht and beach/boardwalk...
have stayed at AKL before got a florida ressie deal and i would not stay there and pay full price i just did not feel like it was "LUXURY or DELUXE" it was nice but for teh regular price i did not getthe feeling i get when you stay at Poly/ contemp/WL /yacht and beach/boardwalk...
LiteBrite
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I have stayed at both, and I agree with the posters who say if you can get the same price at AKL, go for it! You may never get a price that good at AKL again - I don't believe it's typical. (I am also a Florida resident, and I've never seen this situation before.)
Don't get me wrong - I loved POFQ, and I'm sure you would love it too. It's just that the AKL, even if you don't have a savannah view room, is so much more luxurious than POFQ. The entire hotel is absolutely stunning. I love the decor in both the public areas and the guest rooms. There are tons of programs for the kids, but even if you don't ever get to any of those, just the upgrade in luxury would be worth it to me.
About the bus service - while it's true that AKL is a little farther from the other parks, I found the bus service to be really good there, and I love the fact that it doesn't share with any other resort. At POFQ you share with POR. You do have the advantage of being the first one on and off the bus, since it goes to POFQ before POR, but you still have to put up with a crowded bus and wait through all those stops at POR before you get on your way to the parks. At AKL, the bus makes one stop only, and then you're off to the parks.
Whatever you decide, you won't go wrong. These are two of my favorite resorts!
Don't get me wrong - I loved POFQ, and I'm sure you would love it too. It's just that the AKL, even if you don't have a savannah view room, is so much more luxurious than POFQ. The entire hotel is absolutely stunning. I love the decor in both the public areas and the guest rooms. There are tons of programs for the kids, but even if you don't ever get to any of those, just the upgrade in luxury would be worth it to me.
About the bus service - while it's true that AKL is a little farther from the other parks, I found the bus service to be really good there, and I love the fact that it doesn't share with any other resort. At POFQ you share with POR. You do have the advantage of being the first one on and off the bus, since it goes to POFQ before POR, but you still have to put up with a crowded bus and wait through all those stops at POR before you get on your way to the parks. At AKL, the bus makes one stop only, and then you're off to the parks.
Whatever you decide, you won't go wrong. These are two of my favorite resorts!
kutchyone said:
the OP said: <<hmmm....I still just don't know....it would cost me the same for a standard view room at AKL as it is for an upgraded room at POFQ...>>
or maybe she's getting a moderate room at deluxe prices
it's not comparing apples to apples because it's upgraded of one and "downgraded" on the other... and if you are going for a standard view at AKL you won't be seeing giraffes off your balcony...
i wouldn't get the upgraded room at POFQ... the resort is so compact that no one area is better than another, i don't understand paying extra for a water view when the courtyards are far prettier, and closer...
You all have been so incredibly helpful in my decision making...but I think I confused some of you so I will try to explain exactly what I can get as a FL resident......
Right now we have reservations at POFQ in early Nov for 3 nites at a rate of $165 a nite!!!! Yes...that's rack rate...not FL resident rate...they didn't have the FL rate available at time of booking...but I took it and agreed to keep calling to try to get the FL rate....I took it because it's where I wanted to be even though I thought that rate was incredibly high for a moderate resort for a FL resident.
In the meantime I decided to search other resorts and came upon AKL...they DO have FL resident rates available and we can stay there in a "standard view" room for a total of $565 for three nites....POFQ will cost us $551.
This is what I meant by they would be the same price...POFQ at rack rate and AKL at FL resident rate....also for $100 more we could get a pool view...but I have heard that many times upgrades are offered....and it doesn't look like AKL is very full at all, and POFQ is completely full...
I hope I have explained well....I know it sounds crazy not to go for the AKL...and part of me wants to because I HATE that POFQ is gonna make me pay rack rate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT>>>>>I love the boat ride thing to DTD...and if we stayed at AKL we would drive to all the parks ourselves....I know hubby wouldn't do the buses...and to me, part of staying in Disney...is to NOT have to drive...otherwise we could stay off property.....and yes, if we stayed at POFQ we would drive as well....but the boat thing might make up for it????!!!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!
You've all been so wonderful for returning to my thread....many thanks!!!
Right now we have reservations at POFQ in early Nov for 3 nites at a rate of $165 a nite!!!! Yes...that's rack rate...not FL resident rate...they didn't have the FL rate available at time of booking...but I took it and agreed to keep calling to try to get the FL rate....I took it because it's where I wanted to be even though I thought that rate was incredibly high for a moderate resort for a FL resident.
In the meantime I decided to search other resorts and came upon AKL...they DO have FL resident rates available and we can stay there in a "standard view" room for a total of $565 for three nites....POFQ will cost us $551.
This is what I meant by they would be the same price...POFQ at rack rate and AKL at FL resident rate....also for $100 more we could get a pool view...but I have heard that many times upgrades are offered....and it doesn't look like AKL is very full at all, and POFQ is completely full...
I hope I have explained well....I know it sounds crazy not to go for the AKL...and part of me wants to because I HATE that POFQ is gonna make me pay rack rate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT>>>>>I love the boat ride thing to DTD...and if we stayed at AKL we would drive to all the parks ourselves....I know hubby wouldn't do the buses...and to me, part of staying in Disney...is to NOT have to drive...otherwise we could stay off property.....and yes, if we stayed at POFQ we would drive as well....but the boat thing might make up for it????!!!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!
You've all been so wonderful for returning to my thread....many thanks!!!
Just to add to my recent post above....had I been able to get the FL resident rate for POFQ, our 3 nite stay would have cost only $381 total!!!!!
If I had gotten that...this thread would NEVER EXIST!!!!!! But since my rate is so high...now I am questioning if I should take the FR rate for AKL.....
If I had gotten that...this thread would NEVER EXIST!!!!!! But since my rate is so high...now I am questioning if I should take the FR rate for AKL.....
Having never stayed at AKL I can only state my opinion on POFQ.
My family loves, loves, loves POFQ. We recently booked our whole entire family (started at 9 people, up to 13 at this time) for a Grand Gathering with everyone staying at POFQ. We did not force our opinion on the rest of the family. They had a chance to look into all the resorts - Value to Deluxe - and choose for themselves. Hands down POFQ won.
I love the quaintness of the resort. Everything is close. There are no long walks to get to the food court, buses, pool or even the boat to DTD. We even enjoyed strolling along the river to get to POR. The theming is fantastic and so vibrant. It was just beautiful. The only real down side is that there is no sitdown dining. You would have to travel to POR (Boatwrights).
Go with your instincts. Don't let pricing be your final deciding factor. Either way------ENJOY YOUR TRIP.
My family loves, loves, loves POFQ. We recently booked our whole entire family (started at 9 people, up to 13 at this time) for a Grand Gathering with everyone staying at POFQ. We did not force our opinion on the rest of the family. They had a chance to look into all the resorts - Value to Deluxe - and choose for themselves. Hands down POFQ won.
I love the quaintness of the resort. Everything is close. There are no long walks to get to the food court, buses, pool or even the boat to DTD. We even enjoyed strolling along the river to get to POR. The theming is fantastic and so vibrant. It was just beautiful. The only real down side is that there is no sitdown dining. You would have to travel to POR (Boatwrights).
Go with your instincts. Don't let pricing be your final deciding factor. Either way------ENJOY YOUR TRIP.
Okay as a florida resident myself here is my opinion....
Take the animal kingdom lodge rate.... you can ALWAYS go back and stay at POFQ for 165.00 you may never again be able to stay at AKL so go for it enjoy the fact that you are at a "deluxe resort" Heck my kids LOVED the slide at AKL.... so go for it and enjoy!
Take the animal kingdom lodge rate.... you can ALWAYS go back and stay at POFQ for 165.00 you may never again be able to stay at AKL so go for it enjoy the fact that you are at a "deluxe resort" Heck my kids LOVED the slide at AKL.... so go for it and enjoy!
having the additional facts that you provided I really stick with my opinion that AKL is the way to go. As others have stated you can always go back and stay at POFQ and I would hope at a much cheaper rate then $165.00 a night. If your going to change your reservation you had better do it soon, while your debating which resort you may not be able to get the good rate at AKL.
Nothing is wrong with taking the bus from AKL. All the rides are nice and not to long.
P.S. Even though I love POFQ I would never pay $165.00 a night to stay there and never have. I am not a Florida resident yet I have always been able to grab some type of discount. You will be able to stay there in the future for way less.
P.S.S. As I said in an earlier post you can take the boat from DTD to POFQ and POR to go on a fact finding mission for your next trip. Boatwrights at POFQ had really great food last time we visited.
Nothing is wrong with taking the bus from AKL. All the rides are nice and not to long.
P.S. Even though I love POFQ I would never pay $165.00 a night to stay there and never have. I am not a Florida resident yet I have always been able to grab some type of discount. You will be able to stay there in the future for way less.
P.S.S. As I said in an earlier post you can take the boat from DTD to POFQ and POR to go on a fact finding mission for your next trip. Boatwrights at POFQ had really great food last time we visited.
LiteBrite
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I also have to restate my opinion that you should go with the AKL, especially under these circumstances. For one thing, although POFQ is beautiful and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, it is not worth $165/night. AKL absolutely is worth $165/night. You can pay rack rate for a moderate any time you want, but you may not always be able to get a great rate like that at AKL, and to me, the most convincing argument of all: the chances that you'll ever have this exact situation again (where you're justified going for the deluxe since it's the same price as the moderate) are very slim.
You keep mentioning that boat ride to DTD from POFQ - that was one of the reasons I settled on POR for our last trip, and we never even got around to doing it. That's not to say that you won't, but if it's that important to you, you could just drive your car over there from the AKL, park at POFQ, and ride the boat. That's totally legal and do-able.
You keep mentioning that boat ride to DTD from POFQ - that was one of the reasons I settled on POR for our last trip, and we never even got around to doing it. That's not to say that you won't, but if it's that important to you, you could just drive your car over there from the AKL, park at POFQ, and ride the boat. That's totally legal and do-able.
Thank you all again, so much, for returning to my thread to give your advice and opinions!
Ruttie...you and I are neighbors! We live in Melbourne...Viera to be exact!
I really am leaning towards AKL now, and you are right, I should jump on it quick....my boys seem more interested in AKL...and after all...this trip is for them...it's their birthday month (Nov).
Seems you should be able to get a FL resident rate at any time...but I guess not!! $165 is an extremely high rate for a Mod resort...I thought...but then again, I have never been there...and if it ends up being our favorite...then perhaps it would be a reasonable rate...who knows???
Another question of mine is: if we do an "equal" switch to AKL...we would have a standard view room...but for $100 total more, we could have a pool view.....the resort seems pretty empty, as I am getting a lot of choices for rooms...so should we stick with the standard view and possibly hope for an upgrade when we get there?? To be honest...it doesn't matter too too too much to us where our view is....except I would hate to be on floor one facing a parking lot...other than that....I would expect others paying full price to have the best views....
Thanks again for all the reading and posting you all are doing to help me!!!! Even thought I still can't decide...this is truly helpful!!!!!!
Ruttie...you and I are neighbors! We live in Melbourne...Viera to be exact!
I really am leaning towards AKL now, and you are right, I should jump on it quick....my boys seem more interested in AKL...and after all...this trip is for them...it's their birthday month (Nov).
Seems you should be able to get a FL resident rate at any time...but I guess not!! $165 is an extremely high rate for a Mod resort...I thought...but then again, I have never been there...and if it ends up being our favorite...then perhaps it would be a reasonable rate...who knows???
Another question of mine is: if we do an "equal" switch to AKL...we would have a standard view room...but for $100 total more, we could have a pool view.....the resort seems pretty empty, as I am getting a lot of choices for rooms...so should we stick with the standard view and possibly hope for an upgrade when we get there?? To be honest...it doesn't matter too too too much to us where our view is....except I would hate to be on floor one facing a parking lot...other than that....I would expect others paying full price to have the best views....
Thanks again for all the reading and posting you all are doing to help me!!!! Even thought I still can't decide...this is truly helpful!!!!!!
bytheblood
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I Love Pofq!!!!
sending you a big HELLLOOOOOOO CAMBRA from the "island"
I would do AKL and wait till you get there they are pretty good about getting an upgrade if you ask if any are avilable we did AKL this summer teh same as you becasue we gota great ressie rate and figured what the heck.... when we got to teh hotel our room was not ready ( i had requested one near the pool since for my boys a pool is no big deal(we have one) but teh SLIDE is a big attraction..... anyway our room was not ready and they said they could give us a svanah room for i think it was 25.00 more but not sure i just wanted to get settled but figured we were gonna get one of those "sucker" rooms where there was a savanah view of a pooh pile or something but we had a great view of Giraffes everyday (but we had a LONGGGG walk to everything including the pool if we ever go aagin I am sticking with my originak plan of a room just close to the lodge and pool.... good luck and hope you enjoy teh day off tomorrow I certainly am since i am a school teacher...
I would do AKL and wait till you get there they are pretty good about getting an upgrade if you ask if any are avilable we did AKL this summer teh same as you becasue we gota great ressie rate and figured what the heck.... when we got to teh hotel our room was not ready ( i had requested one near the pool since for my boys a pool is no big deal(we have one) but teh SLIDE is a big attraction..... anyway our room was not ready and they said they could give us a svanah room for i think it was 25.00 more but not sure i just wanted to get settled but figured we were gonna get one of those "sucker" rooms where there was a savanah view of a pooh pile or something but we had a great view of Giraffes everyday (but we had a LONGGGG walk to everything including the pool if we ever go aagin I am sticking with my originak plan of a room just close to the lodge and pool.... good luck and hope you enjoy teh day off tomorrow I certainly am since i am a school teacher...
ruttie said:
Helloooo Ruttie!!! LOL...we have a pool, too...my hubby is "in the business"...and in fact, as we speak, we are having a HUGE slide installed on our pool,,,but looks like we might have to throw it in the pool if Wilma visits...
Yep, my boys are excited about the day off, as well!
Thanks for the info on AKL...I think we may go for it...most reviews say the bad part is that it's far from everything....I don't know if we would use the buses anyway....but it seems weird to have to drive yourself to a park if you are staying on Disney grounds...but I suppose every resort is that way unless you are staying on a monrail resort??? '
I want this to be a complete Disney vacation and not just a typical Orlando vacation, like we do all the time....
Disneyfan63
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Hi,
I have never stayed at AKL. This upcoming trip's stay at Wilderness Lodge. But if you got AKL for $165, then by all means take it! Otherwise POFQ is outstanding.
Jim
I have never stayed at AKL. This upcoming trip's stay at Wilderness Lodge. But if you got AKL for $165, then by all means take it! Otherwise POFQ is outstanding.
Jim
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