POFQ vs AKL for a Solo trip

[aubriee]

I currently have POFQ booked for Sept 1st-8th under a Bounceback deal for $927.00 ($398.00 off rack rate price). If I use the AP discount I can get a pool view at AKL for the same time frame for $1437.00 (so $774.00 off rack rate). The POFQ trip is paid in full, so all I'd have to pay now is the price difference. Is AKL worth $510.00 more than POFQ for seven nights/eight days? The money would not be a problem, I just don't know if I want to spend it. I do spend quite a bit of time at the resort, usually coming back mid day to read, swim, and nap. I love POFQ's boat to DTD and how small the resort is, but I also love Boma and Jiko at AKL. I like the atmosphere at both. I'd be solo this trip.

edited: Oh one thing I forgot to mention is that I also have another trip booked with my husband for Oct 27th-Nov 4th and will be doing a split stay, with six nights at POFQ and two nights at Royal Pacific Resort over at Universal, because my husband loves POFQ.

 

[rlduvall]

I love solo trips. That being said, when I go solo I always try to stay in a resort that has interior doors; just feels a little safer. And I'm a big fan of balconies. While I think POFQ is a great resort, AKL is my absolute favorite. So I guess you can figure out my answer.

 

[shannonstar]

I would choose POFQ. I would use the money for other things. I like POFQ though b/c it's smaller and love NOLA.

I am staying at AKV for the first time this Thanksgiving though, so my answer may change after that.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

I would suggest AKL, largely because you say you will be going to POFQ with your husband on another trip. It's nice to try something different. I also think if you spend a fair amount of time at the resort, then you will get the value out of the extra cost of AKL. I would suggest though that if you do stay at AKL, and don't want to spend the extra for savannah view, then I would get a regular view room and not pay the extra for pool view. It seems like a lot of the "view" of the pool view rooms are gradually getting blocked out by trees anyway, and it would be cheaper and just as convenient to book standard view and request near the pool. There are tons of common areas to view the animals as well.

 

[vettegirl]

My vote would be for the AKL for the interior doorways and the resort is just so darn lovely! Have a great time.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I voted for POFQ because its my favorite resort and I am also going solo in September and staying there! AKL looks really beautiful though, and may very well be worth it. I'd love to stay there, it just seems so far away from everything.

 

[Disneyhenry]

I love AKL, just beautiful,have fun!

 

[cjsm&d]

I currently have POFQ booked for Sept 1st-8th under a Bounceback deal for $927.00 ($398.00 off rack rate price). If I use the AP discount I can get a pool view at AKL for the same time frame for $1437.00 (so $774.00 off rack rate). The POFQ trip is paid in full, so all I'd have to pay now is the price difference. Is AKL worth $510.00 more than POFQ for seven nights/eight days? The money would not be a problem, I just don't know if I want to spend it. I do spend quite a bit of time at the resort, usually coming back mid day to read, swim, and nap. I love POFQ's boat to DTD and how small the resort is, but I also love Boma and Jiko at AKL. I like the atmosphere at both. I'd be solo this trip.

edited: Oh one thing I forgot to mention is that I also have another trip booked with my husband for Oct 27th-Nov 4th and will be doing a split stay, with six nights at POFQ and two nights at Royal Pacific Resort over at Universal, because my husband loves POFQ.

For me, I'd take POFQ at the same price! I actually prefer the resort.

Everything is close by and if I'm solo I'd want to spend some time at DTD. I'd be bored at AKL after a day (Though it's beautiful, DW and DS were ready to move on after a couple of days when we stayed there), and I find the distance to most places takes longer (except AK). If I want to eat at Boma or Jiko I'd just hop over there once.

 

[MYD714]

I voted AKL for the following reasons:
1. It's my favorite...
2. you'll be staying at POFQ later
3. AKL atmosphere. AKL is very relaxing and you've stated that you'll be spending time at the resort.
4. AKL pool view rooms are conveniently located near the restaurants, pool, shop, and buses. You may find that the convenient location helps to offset the size of the resort---I know I feel that way; we always book pool view at AKL for this reason.

We had the same tough decision to make. We decided to spend the extra money and stay at AKL rather than a moderate for our upcoming trip. It put quite a dent in my pocket, but I know I'll be glad that I splurged once I get there.

Good luck deciding!

 

[aubriee]

I would suggest AKL, largely because you say you will be going to POFQ with your husband on another trip. It's nice to try something different. I also think if you spend a fair amount of time at the resort, then you will get the value out of the extra cost of AKL. I would suggest though that if you do stay at AKL, and don't want to spend the extra for savannah view, then I would get a regular view room and not pay the extra for pool view. It seems like a lot of the "view" of the pool view rooms are gradually getting blocked out by trees anyway, and it would be cheaper and just as convenient to book standard view and request near the pool. There are tons of common areas to view the animals as well.

Thanks everyone, but at the moment the poll looks almost tied. If I do go with AKL, for only $10.00 more/night it will be in a pool view room. I don't want to take a chance of overlooking a parking lot or the bus stop in a standard room. I know they have standard rooms in other areas, but with my luck I'd be the one to get the worst standard room overlooking a dumpster with the parking lot in the background.

 

[rosiep]

I love both resorts but honestly if money isn't an issue I'd go with AKL. Especially since you'll be spending a lot of time at the resort. I love Mara's QS dining out of all the deluse QS places, and AKL's lobby is stunningly beautiful and peaceful.

Whatever you decide...hope you have a great time!

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I was just going to say that I would DEFINITELY ask for a pool view at AKL. My best room ever at AKL was a pool view. Once, I did have a standard view that overlooked the road, and it wasn't nearly as nice for enjoying the balcony. The pool view at AKL is always lush vegetation or a gorgeous pool. The thing that made that one pool view room so special was that we were only a few feet from the dramatic lobby. Ask for a room near the lobby! It is heavenly in every single way imaginable. I think that trip might have been my best Disney trip ever, and I have trip number 15 coming up next month.

I voted AKL. I love both resorts, but AKL is really special. For a solo trip, I would take time to enjoy the lobby and all of the alcoves throughout the resort for animal viewing. I really do feel as though I am in another world when I visit AKL. The theming cannot be matched. It appeals to all five of your senses. Oh, stay AKL! Please! I want you to have as wonderful of a time as I did!

 

[Kathy Z]

I didn't vote because I've only stayed at AKL and not POFQ. But we have POFQ booked for next Feb. so you can see that it appeals to me.

We splurged for a Savannah View room our first trip at AKL which I loved. The next trip we chose pool view for the same reasons you are considering that category. We were on the 4th floor but still found it noisy at times during the day due to the kids having fun at the pool. This didn't really bother us but I included this tip in the trip report I wrote to caution families that might plan a mid day nap. All our deluxe stays in recent years (2009 to present) have been booked with great discounts.

I love the food options at AKL but look forward to finally spending some time dining at DTD with the easy transportation from POFQ.

 

[lurkernj]

Since you said money isn't an issue, I voted AKL.

 

[aubriee]

Just bumping for more opinions! Still can't decide. I like both.

 

[djblu883]

I'd save my money! After all you just need a bed for your head basically. You won't be there inside the resort much. We stayed at AKL once, was nice but for what we paid to make it worth our while we would have needed to stay there and have the family just hang out for all the resort activities to make it worth it really and we had no desire to do that....I booked Caribbean Beach Recently becasue it looks so pretty....then decided I'd save my money and stat at the new AOA so I could see all the NEW tech stuff lol...I think at some point I'd like to stay in them all!
Basically do what makes YOU feel good!!!

 

[NHKristy76]

I'm not really a fan of POR but AKL is amazing! If money isn't an issue, I'd go there!

One question though... Would you like a roommate?!

 

[raven69david]

AKL for sure, but I'm biased as this is our "home" resort. I'd book standard view and get the free upgrade since you're going during Value season when the resort is nowhere near capacity. We always do Value season stays at AKL and have always booked a standard view room. 100% of the time we've been automatically upgraded to a Savanna view room. You've already stated that you're nervous about booking standard and actually getting the room you requested, however your chances are better than average during the time-frame you're going. All you need to do is ask while checking in if you've got any upgrades available? If not, simply ask for the upgrade to pool-view and pay the difference from the funds you saved by booking Standard View.

 

[Singinglizzie]

I have stayed at every category at AKL (standard, pool, Savannah) at Kidani and Jambo and can say honestly that I had a great stay at each one. If cost isn't an issue and you are planning POR next trip - go with AKL! It's a beautiful resort, with so much attention in all the details and museum quality art everywhere. I love the restaurants and the pools are great too. It's the one WDW resort I would stay at (which I have) without feeling the need to go to any of the theme parks! While you are there, treat yourself to the Dine with an Animal Specialist Lunch, which is around $50 PP. You will get to meet some of the caretakers and will get loads of information on the animals care plus will get an appreciation for all that is involved in running a hotel operation with animals. Also do the kids activities where you get "beads". They make lovely jewelry and are a great soveniers. There are lots of places to sit and read a book. I've stayed there solo and felt completely safe. Tip, at Jambo on the ends of the stairwells, you can get close-up photos of many of the animals. There is also a great bar at Jambo. Take advantage of your time alone and give AKL a go. Lucky you!!!

 

[dtstampz]

I haven't stayed at either resort (yet!), but I voted for AKL. Since you are getting a
decent percent off rack rate, and you are already staying at POFQ later on,
I'd say go for it!
Especially if you think you won't be doing as many trips in the future....
Our fall trip is a split with AKL/CSR, and I'm really pleased to be staying at AKL for the
first time thanks to a good room only discount. What ever you decide, have a great trip.