POP or AKL?

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

Mom and I are headed on our first cruise aboard the Disney Dream next month with my twin girls (both age 5) and we're spending two nights in WDW after the cruise. We weren't planning on visiting the parks (DD's were there in October of last year, I was there in March of this year, and DM doesn't really care one way or the other)... Anyway, Mom thinks that we're staying at POP and I was ready to book at AKL as a surprise so we can really enjoy the resort, the pool, and all of the children's activities while we have the time to really enjoy it.

So I had my finger on the trigger to book AKL and then for grins and giggles, I checked the price for POP one more time. If I add the cost of 2 nights at POP and 1 day park tickets for each of us, it equals to roughly the same cost as Savanna view at AKL. Now here's my dilemma. I'm the only one who has seen new Fantasyland and I think my girls would absolutely love it! One is obsessed (with a capital O) with Ariel. And the other one has a crush on Gaston (heehee). So it would be so much fun to take them to MK for the day and show Grandma their favorite park

So... if it was YOUR choice, what would YOU do? Would you choose to stay at POP so you could visit MK for a day? Or would you forego the park day and stay at AKL in a Savanna view room?

Thanks in advance for your help! I hate being so indecisive! LOL

 

[pieface]

Pop is a value resort so it is not as beautiful as animal kingdom but you have to go to magic kingdom. Pop is clean and a place to sleep without a doubt I would stay at pop and go to the kingdom.

 

[Blessedwithboys]

You said your one daughter loves Ariel. Why not stay in a LM room (nearly the same price as pop) and do MK!! It is an adorable resort your girls will love it

 

[Guyton dis lover]

Great place to stay. Been there twice and will be there 24,25,26 and 27 May 2013. Great Value resort. AKL is very nice but you pay for it.

 

[Cotillard]

I love, love, love AKL and have never stayed at Pop. BUT I think your idea of going to MK one day to see the new Fantasyland, meet Gaston, experience the Ariel ride - sounds like a great plan.
In this case, I would say go with Pop and a day at the MK. Take advantage of being in the park
(And take lots of pictures of your girls )

 

[GoldieLocks5]

i'd rather have a day at MK and stay at pop vs. 2 days just being in a hotel.... but that's me- I couldn't be at WDW and not go to MK!

 

[brhalstea]

You said your one daughter loves Ariel. Why not stay in a LM room (nearly the same price as pop) and do MK!! It is an adorable resort your girls will love it

I 2nd this idea. We stayed at AOA last year and had a blast!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

I 2nd this idea. We stayed at AOA last year and had a blast!

Love this idea! But I'm using the Travel Agent discounted rate and AoA LM isn't one if the available options for our dates. I'm actually debating now between POP and PO-FQ. Leaning towards FQ as I think DDs would enjoy the water slide and DM would love the boat ride to DTD. And FQ is one of the only resorts I haven't stayed in our toured, so it'll be a new experience for all of us

Now I'm getting excited!

 

[Sue M]

Both POR & FQ are great choices. They both share the boat to DTD.

 

[Disneyhenry]

I have stayed at both and love them both
AKL - the pool, the food, the animals, queen beds, nice bathroom
POP - perfect for wanting to have a fun spot to stay, the large icons are fun, pool are fun but no slide, double beds
Depends on how much you will be using the resort and the rooms

 

[Ilivetogo]

Mom and I are headed on our first cruise aboard the Disney Dream next month with my twin girls (both age 5) and we're spending two nights in WDW after the cruise. We weren't planning on visiting the parks (DD's were there in October of last year, I was there in March of this year, and DM doesn't really care one way or the other)... Anyway, Mom thinks that we're staying at POP and I was ready to book at AKL as a surprise so we can really enjoy the resort, the pool, and all of the children's activities while we have the time to really enjoy it.

So I had my finger on the trigger to book AKL and then for grins and giggles, I checked the price for POP one more time. If I add the cost of 2 nights at POP and 1 day park tickets for each of us, it equals to roughly the same cost as Savanna view at AKL. Now here's my dilemma. I'm the only one who has seen new Fantasyland and I think my girls would absolutely love it! One is obsessed (with a capital O) with Ariel. And the other one has a crush on Gaston (heehee). So it would be so much fun to take them to MK for the day and show Grandma their favorite park

So... if it was YOUR choice, what would YOU do? Would you choose to stay at POP so you could visit MK for a day? Or would you forego the park day and stay at AKL in a Savanna view room?

Thanks in advance for your help! I hate being so indecisive! LOL

I'm tossed. I love both ideas. There's SO much you could do and see at AKL and it's all beautiful, but going to MK is pretty amazing, too! Which to do ....

Guess I'm not much help, huh?

.

 

[Fiveisaparty]

It is a great idea! It is a tough decision. How are your girls about getting cranky after a big trip? My kids were worn out after our cruise. I don't know if they would have been up for the parks. I mean they would have fun been then probably be crankier than manageable in 3 hours if we did the park right after the cruise (staying up late / go, go, go on cruise). What a great trip either way!

 

[FortForever]

Since I can't imagine being in WDW and not going to at least MK, I would go cheap on the resort and visit the park.

Even if I was there last week, (which I was,) I would not skip MK.

 

[AquaDame]

If you weren't doing parks I would stay at AKL, but if you have the opportunity to go to MK with their grandma that seems pretty priceless to me. I would go for the park!

(I have stayed at both POP and AKL, love both!)

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Hmmmm - well once I was there I think I would want to go the the parks - so I would say Pop and MK.

Since AKL is one of my favorite resorts and should not be missed IMO I would just decide to book a future trip and stay at AKL - problem solved! - LOL!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

It is a great idea! It is a tough decision. How are your girls about getting cranky after a big trip? My kids were worn out after our cruise. I don't know if they would have been up for the parks. I mean they would have fun been then probably be crankier than manageable in 3 hours if we did the park right after the cruise (staying up late / go, go, go on cruise). What a great trip either way!

Great point. We're gonna take the day we debarked off the ship and just chill out at the pool and relax. Maybe dinner at DTD or if the girls are tired, we'll stay at the resort. We'll head to MK the next day, hopefully well rested and not so cranky!

I decided to go with PO-FQ and park tickets so we'll get to go to MK, which is what I think the girls would prefer over AKL, if they had to choose just one option. I am so excited, and so are the girls!! My one DD is already talking about riding the LM ride over and over again

Thanks all for your insights, it really did help me make my final decision

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

Hmmmm - well once I was there I think I would want to go the the parks - so I would say Pop and MK.

Since AKL is one of my favorite resorts and should not be missed IMO I would just decide to book a future trip and stay at AKL - problem solved! - LOL!

Excellent idea!!

 

[Cotillard]

POFQ and MK - even better Have a great time!

 

[rteetz]

I absolutely love the POP ive stayed there and its great for a value resort I just love the theme. I Have never stayed at AKL before but have heard much about it and it sounds great as well. But if your only going to be their a short amount of time and want to go to MK i would stay at the POP for two days you dont necessarily need a more deluxe resort.

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