POR or AKL

[moxiecola]

We (my wife, three boys aged 8,6 & 1 at time of vacation and myself) are planning a trip for 9 nights in DisneyWorld from 9/28-10/8.

Can anyone tell me the difference between AKL & POR other than one being Deluxe and one Moderate.

I am intersested in hearing things about:
--ease of travel to the Theme Parks
--pool comparisons-both kids love to swim
--overall resort comparisons
--things for the kids to do--playground, arcade, fishing(i know they offer it at POR), hiking, etc...

I have gotten quotes on both resorts and with a AAA quote I can stay at AKL for the same price I would pay through a Disney Travel Ageny.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

We are definitely going, which is the biggest thing, now we just want to pick the best place to stay.

Thanks!!!

 

[HopperFan]

The biggest difference is of course the deluxe vs moderate thing, which means interior vs exterior entrances to your room, balcony vs no balcony (which for that long of a trip would be a plus), plenty to do inside in case of poor weather vs always going outside to get to arcade etc, choice of two sit down vs one, kid's club vs none, spa vs none.

Transportation at either is fine, but AKL has direct transportation that does not share.

Pool comparisons - I would say they are fairly comparable and the slides are very similar except POR is hidden in plants and AKL in the open. AKL does have zero entry and the entire pool is visible, POR has a curve in it. Both have playgrounds close to pool. AKL food court is right at the pool, POR over the bridge. I wouldn't pick based on pool unless you wanted quiet pools, AKL has none. But they have two hidden away hot tubs.

Overall comparison is hard. AKL has the animals and a zillion activities for the kids. But POR has boating options and boat to DTD. I think it depends on what you think you will enjoy.

At AKL ~ My kids enjoyed going all over the hotel pin trading with the CMs, there seemed to be a large number of CMs with pins to trade with. The also have many of the activities hosted by students from countries in Africa. They are very interesting and always willing to talk to you about where they are from.

~ Build an African Bead Necklace by participating in Flamingo Feedings, Animal Tracking, Junior Researcher, Music of the Savanna, and Games with Savanna Guides.

~ Also have: Horticulture activity, Culinary Tour of Africa, Cookie Decorating, Spirit of Africa Art Tour (art exhibited all over hotel), African Folktales around the Firepit, Animal Viewsing with Night Vision (if you have night vision on your video camera it works too), African Safari with Medallion Crayon rubbings, Pool Activities, African Games and Crafts.

The gift shop is great and has all kinds of African items to look at and on one of our stays had teens from Africa actually making beautiful natural art. The restaurants are awesome and BOMA especially would be a good thing to PS on a hotel or quieter day. There are lots of different spaces to view animals from, some with chairs & lenses. The art and artifacts are also spread all over hotel, so it is fun just to explore.

IMO, if you are getting a comparable rate at each I would take AKL. For the length you will be there you will absolutely loved all there is to do. Especially for the age your kids are. Mine now in their teens are "over" the animals and want more of the boating etc that AKL doesn't offer. So glad we did a couple trips with them there while they were younger.

 

[estnh]

We have stayed at both, and AKL is without a doubt the better resort in terms of room quality, restaurants, and amenities.

However, I like the transportation better at POR, just because they have the boat service to Downtown Disney, which is great. Using the boat service lets you connect fairly easily with other resorts by bus from DD. As far as just bus service goes, they are about the same--maybe a slight edge to AKL, as POR busses tend to get packed.

Pool edge goes to POR. They have a great central pool in Ole Man River, and a series of quiet pools. They also can use POFQ dragon pool. There is probably more things to do at POR for kids. Bikes, boats, fishing, swimming, etc. Our family always rents the surrey top bikes and has a blast.

On the other hand, kids LOVE the animals at AKL. Where else can you go out on your balconey in the morning and see a giraffe outside your door?

We love POR, but if all else is equal, we would probably go with AKL.

I am confident that your family would love either one, so you can't make a bad decision!

 

[kimmar067]

....BOTH. Hands down - AKL!!! (Just MHO! )

What I didn't like about POR was that the sink area really did NOT have enough space for all of our toiletries (brushes, lotions, toothpaste, etc.), whereas, AKL had a DOUBLE SINK with adaquate counter space. The beds were larger at AKL [double vs. queen] I DID like the food court at POR [Riverside], but Mara was pretty awesome, too. I definitely loved the AKL pool more than the other one; however POR has 'quiet pools'. Finally, there was WAY TOO MUCH walking from our room at POR to the buses, food court, pools, etc. vs. proximity of AKL's rooms....good luck!