POR or AKL?

[jaiminee krikit]

My family and I are heading to WDW this June (WDW then cruise actually). We were planning on staying at POR, but the discount isn't available for standard rooms for our stay. We could upgrade to a RR, but the price is about the same as the undiscounted standard room. I was playing around the other day and realized we could stay in a standard room at AKL for about $200 more. I'm hoping to stay at AKL in a savannah view room for my birthday in 4 years (keeping my fingers crossed the DH will splurge for me lol). Should we do AKL now, too? I'm looking at pictures and it is gorgeous, but will I be disappointed we don't have a savannah view?
Thanks!

 

[aaarcher86]

The resort is great. We did Savannah view last trip and decided to go with standard from now on. I think you'll enjoy it without Savannah views, and it still gives you something to look forward to for your bday trip.

 

[LaurenT]

Do AKL!!! There are so many spaces in the resort to sit and enjoy the Savannah! You don't need it in your room. The whole resort is just gorgeous. Mara is a great QS, Boma is an amazing buffet and Jiko is my favorite signature on property. The pool is great - you can see the Savannah from a lookout near the pool. Just do it! I'm staying at POFQ in May, but that's because I'm alone and can't justify using my points without my family - AKL is my home resort and I highly recommend it!

 

[disneyfan224]

Another vote for AKL!

 

[mickeynut1]

My family and I are heading to WDW this June (WDW then cruise actually). We were planning on staying at POR, but the discount isn't available for standard rooms for our stay. We could upgrade to a RR, but the price is about the same as the undiscounted standard room. I was playing around the other day and realized we could stay in a standard room at AKL for about $200 more. I'm hoping to stay at AKL in a savannah view room for my birthday in 4 years (keeping my fingers crossed the DH will splurge for me lol). Should we do AKL now, too? I'm looking at pictures and it is gorgeous, but will I be disappointed we don't have a savannah view?
Thanks!

We've never had a standard view but have stayed pool and savanna view and I agree with the pp's that AKL is great regardless of room type. Savanna view is nice, but I enjoyed our pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book that over a savanna view again. There are several animal viewing areas around the resort that a savanna view isn't a necessity for us. If the extra cost is doable, I'd go with AKL. Good luck!

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

We stayed at AKV-Jambo in June. We rented points and ended up having to do 2 nights in a standard view room before we switched over to Savanna view for 4 nights, in order to get our entire stay at AKV. My one request was to be near the lobby. We ended up with a standard room right at the end of the bridge that goes across the lobby and the balcony opened up to one of the enclosures, so we saw lost of animals every day. Our Savanna room wasn't too far away either, but we loved our standard view room even more than our Savanna view room.

 

[katt789]

AKL is one of my absolute favorites, even without the savannah view, there's lots of other places to see the animals around the resorts and they're usually not that crowded. I also really love the food court area there, it's not your standard food and it's delicious.

Keep in mind that AKL is pretty far from all the parks (minus dak of course) I budget more than 30 mins to get to MK.

POR however is SUPER close to everything thanks to the little backroad you can take to the MK area.

When it comes down to it, I'd choose AKL though!

 

[mousestruck]

Absolutely splurge for AKL!!! It is a fabulous resort, even if your room doesn't have a savannah view. There are many common areas to enjoy the view as well as great restaurants, lots of free activities and incredible theming. We booked a standard view room many times before we bought into DVC - and 8 out of 10 times we received a free upgrade to a savannah room. Of course you cannot count on that, but there are many more savannah view rooms than standard rooms - so your chances are greater than at most other resorts. Regardless, I am certain your family will LOVE AKL!

 

[buzznina]

We really like both resorts, but I would try AKL.
I know everyone is saying that there are a bunch of common areas to see the savanna, but its not even close to being the same as just stepping onto your room balcony and seeing them. When we eat our breakfast in the room we can go on the balcony and watch the animals while eating, or when members of your party are getting ready, or if your kids take naps etc. We have been very lucky the 2 times we have stayed at AKL with standard view, we have been upgraded to savanna view rooms We really like AKL, but DW has said she would not like it as much without a savanna view.

 

[Babsy]

Standard view is just fine at AKL. There are lots of viewing areas throughout the resort. I would definitely stay here!