What am I going to do??

[Christinaxo]

Hello All!

My inability to settle on a resort for our upcoming trip is really starting to wreck my nerves! First I had POFQ booked (small resort size) then POR (great reviews, mansion rooms-fave mod theme) then WL (close proximity to MK-cheaper than other deluxes in area) and as of right now we are booked back at POR because, well just cause I guess? With all the great choices I cannot make up my mind! Especially now that I saw AKL! Oh em gee why did I never even look into it as an option?! Right now there is 30% off (more than any of my other options) on the standard view rooms. I know the recommendation is savannah is the only way to go but that discount is pretty great savings for a DELUXE resort experience! The pool looks great for my little one and I think my little animal lovers would LOVE it! But my only concern is how "far" it seems to be from everywhere else except AK. Would this be a good place to stay for first timers like us? We are going in August so rope drop and early mornings in the parks are our plans than back to the resort for pool time/relaxing then back later to parks! Have a few before park opening ADRS but for the later days in our stay. Staying for 9 days, no car. Its our first trip to WDW, celebrating a 10 yr anni, a college graduation and DD 4th birthday! Just want something special Any advice?

 

[spiceycat]

akl is lovely - stay there mostly when don't really need to get to the parks.

it is a great place. so might go with what you have POR or POFQ - they are centrally locality - so MK, Epcot and Studios are pretty close - now AK is pretty far - but being close to 3 of 4 is good.

first trip are hard - but you have to kept in mind your budget as well.

how about most of your days at POR then spend the last day at AKL - so if you are doing the DDP it won't really mess it up. and that day just stay at or near the resort and really enjoy it.

 

[Christinaxo]

akl is lovely - stay there mostly when don't really need to get to the parks.

it is a great place. so might go with what you have POR or POFQ - they are centrally locality - so MK, Epcot and Studios are pretty close - now AK is pretty far - but being close to 3 of 4 is good.

first trip are hard - but you have to kept in mind your budget as well.

how about most of your days at POR then spend the last day at AKL - so if you are doing the DDP it won't really mess it up. and that day just stay at or near the resort and really enjoy it.

I was kind of figuring that (about staying there when parks aren't the MAIN part of the trip). It definitely fits in the budget, and if I don't do AKL I will stick with POR, I like how small POFQ is but the theme at POR is much more appealing to us. And because we are taking an "off" day and then slowing down the pace after our first couple of days, I think we want to stay put in one place and enjoy it. Thank you for the advice!

 

[MEK]

I have stayed at every resort that you mentioned. I honestly don't know why people complain about the distance of AK from the rest of the parks. It may be a couple minutes further to the MK, but really? Its certainly not enough to impact your trip. It looks further on a map, but the road system is designed to get you there in the most efficient manner.

If you are staying 10 nights, have you ever considered a split stay. That way you could stay at POR for 5 nights and AK for 5 nights. The first resort will transfer your luggage to the second resort while you head off to the parks.

I personally love AK because I think its has (1) the best restaurants on property (2) two beautiful pools to enjoy (3) a 24/7 amazing theme with awesome music (4) great authentic artwork in both of the resorts (4) a stunning lobby (5) great access to the animals even when you don't stay savannah (6) beautiful rooms.

You are over thinking this too much. Pick a resort(s), stick with it/them, and use the other resorts on your Disney bucket list.

Enjoy!

 

[Christinaxo]

I have stayed at every resort that you mentioned. I honestly don't know why people complain about the distance of AK from the rest of the parks. It may be a couple minutes further to the MK, but really? Its certainly not enough to impact your trip. It looks further on a map, but the road system is designed to get you there in the most efficient manner.

If you are staying 10 nights, have you ever considered a split stay. That way you could stay at POR for 5 nights and AK for 5 nights. The first resort will transfer your luggage to the second resort while you head off to the parks.

I personally love AK because I think its has (1) the best restaurants on property (2) two beautiful pools to enjoy (3) a 24/7 amazing theme with awesome music (4) great authentic artwork in both of the resorts (4) a stunning lobby (5) great access to the animals even when you don't stay savannah (6) beautiful rooms.

You are over thinking this too much. Pick a resort(s), stick with it/them, and use put the other resorts on your Disney bucket list.

Enjoy!

You hit the nail on the head with that one! I tend to over analyze everything to the absolute extreme (which is why the DISboards have been amazing, DF gets tired of all of my "planning strategizing" lol) Sorry! but unfortunately split stays arent something we are interested in at this time. (At least something DF is interested in lol) But that was an option I initially looked into! But you are absolutely right! This will hopefully be just the beginning so I need to pick one and not look back! That pool at AKL tho was so pretty and I like the rooms. It might be worth the extra couple minutes on the bus honestly

 

[Mousemommy1]

I wouldn't think twice about the "distance" on the bus. AKL is gorgeous. We visited there several times on our last trip and took the bus to and from various parks to be an idea of the ride time that people always complain about. It wasn't bad at all. I'm glad we did that, because now we know.

AKL is right out by POP and AoA, and you don't their these same complaints about their locations. It's baffling.

If you like AKL you should stay there!

 

[Wood Nymph]

You hit the nail on the head with that one! I tend to over analyze everything to the absolute extreme (which is why the DISboards have been amazing, DF gets tired of all of my "planning strategizing" lol) Sorry! but unfortunately split stays arent something we are interested in at this time. (At least something DF is interested in lol) But that was an option I initially looked into! But you are absolutely right! This will hopefully be just the beginning so I need to pick one and not look back! That pool at AKL tho was so pretty and I like the rooms. It might be worth the extra couple minutes on the bus honestly

Deluxe resorts are usually nicer places to stay than moderates or values. If you like the theme of the AKL and you can get a really good rate for AKL, then I would stay there. You will get a full balcony at AKL, something only deluxe resorts offer.

POR is a nice resort, too. Just pick one, stick with it, and spend the rest of your time planning what you want to do in the parks.

 

[eliza61]

While I did love AKL (we did the villas) I did think it was far from the other resorts.
That being said, I would go there again I would just make sure I had a car.

AKL is gorgeous and if you get the savannah view it is a treat to see the animals. I go in August and loved ending a warm summer day on our balcony.

I've never stayed at a moderate.

 

[cheer25mom]

If it makes any difference it was less than 10 min by car from POR to AKL. They are not all tha far apart so you will only be adding 5-10 min to your travel times, which wouldn't make any difference to us personally.

 

[rcraw45425]

I'll be the unpopular voice here, we found AKL a lot longer bus ride than any other resort we've stayed at. Didn't do it for us, although we thought we would love it. Highly prefer WL in that same price category. More dining options via boats to MK resorts and MK as well.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'll be the unpopular voice here, we found AKL a lot longer bus ride than any other resort we've stayed at. Didn't do it for us, although we thought we would love it. Highly prefer WL in that same price category. More dining options via boats to MK resorts and MK as well.

I do agree that I would pick WL over AKL.

WL is our absolute favorite!!!

 

[rcraw45425]

I do agree that I would pick WL over AKL.

WL is our absolute favorite!!!

Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely place to visit and Sanaa is a favorite for hubby and I. We thought our teens would like the resort so we booked two connecting rooms and they brought a friend. The general consensus after we returned home was they didn't like the bus rides and hated not having quick access to a park (a la WL and monorail loop resorts and MK and EPCOT resorts and EPCOT and HS) , and the dining options didn't cut it for not so picky teens. Now if you don't plan on going to a park........

 

[Pakey]

I've stayed at AKL/AKV 3 times. While further away than other deluxe resorts I would pick it in a heartbeat over POR (where I have also stayed).

 

[chasgoose]

I would pick AKL. It may be slightly further away but unlike POR you don't share a bus with other resorts/have multiple bus stops so it kind of evens out. Also at a deluxe resort you will have interior hallways and balconies, unlike the moderate resorts which are set up motel-style, making it a far nicer place to relax when you come back to relax at your resort in the middle of the day.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello All!

My inability to settle on a resort for our upcoming trip is really starting to wreck my nerves! First I had POFQ booked (small resort size) then POR (great reviews, mansion rooms-fave mod theme) then WL (close proximity to MK-cheaper than other deluxes in area) and as of right now we are booked back at POR because, well just cause I guess? With all the great choices I cannot make up my mind! Especially now that I saw AKL! Oh em gee why did I never even look into it as an option?! Right now there is 30% off (more than any of my other options) on the standard view rooms. I know the recommendation is savannah is the only way to go but that discount is pretty great savings for a DELUXE resort experience! The pool looks great for my little one and I think my little animal lovers would LOVE it! But my only concern is how "far" it seems to be from everywhere else except AK. Would this be a good place to stay for first timers like us? We are going in August so rope drop and early mornings in the parks are our plans than back to the resort for pool time/relaxing then back later to parks! Have a few before park opening ADRS but for the later days in our stay. Staying for 9 days, no car. Its our first trip to WDW, celebrating a 10 yr anni, a college graduation and DD 4th birthday! Just want something special Any advice?

Out of the 4 resorts you've mentioned, we've stayed at AKL and WL and we like both equally. WL is convenient to MK as it's a quick boat ride away, but I agree with MEK that the buses at AKL are not bad at all. We didn't find it to take anymore than about 5 extra minutes (if that) to get to the parks than any other resorts we've stayed at. AKL is a beautiful resort and it since it is kind of away from everything, it's quiet and relaxing, IMO. Also, the rooms at AKL and WL are slightly larger than the moderates. With all of that said, I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose, but if AKL is really where you want to stay, I'd book it. As has been mentioned, the pool is great, the atmosphere is beautiful, and there are great CS and TS options. Good luck .

 

[Christinaxo]

Thanks for all the awesome input guys! It is greatly appreciated!!! I think that if the distance from the parks is the worse thing about it, it would be really worth it for us. I really like the idea of staying deluxe for our first trip and AKL looks like it will feel very "vacation-y" if that makes sense! Lol And while I liked WL the MOST at first I actually like the theme at AKL better (my kids are animal lovers!) So now to talk to DF and see what we agree on! He will most likely say "Just make up your mind already! Who cares we will be in Disney regardless!" lol thanks again guys!

 

[lmhall2000]

First stay? Absolutely book cheapest room at the resort, you may get lucky and upgraded to Savannah, but honestly...we rarely had time to enjoy the view and when we did, no animals! . Your child will love the theming and transportation only becomes an issuewhen you have stayed at a monorail resort...so enjoy this first visit! You will be thrilled with AKL!

 

[mmmears]

AKL is an amazing resort -- very well-themed, and as you said, "vacation-y." We've stayed there many times and always love it there. Yes, it's a bus ride from all the parks, but so are most of the WDW resorts. WL will definitely make it easier on you coming to/from the MK, but that's it. It's not any more convenient to the other parks. To find a more convenient resort, you'd have to go way up in $$$ (and I don't think it's necessary).

I would go with your gut feeling and stay at AKL (since it sounds like you looked into it and think you will like it there) unless you plan to spend most of your days at the MK -- in that case, I would go with the convenience of the WL. They are both lovely resorts...

And it's WDW -- I don't think you can go wrong picking between those two.

 

[kreckl]

Animal Kingdom is the best! It's our home resort, and even though we almost always do split stays, it's always one of our choices.
A few reasons:
-interior hallways! This is a big plus for us, because sometimes you just need to get out of your room. If the weather is bad its especially important.
-amazing theming. Seriously, its just beautiful. It sounds beautiful ( distant drumming and other music), it smells great ( restaurants and fire pits), and is so beautiful everywhere you look.
-there's always something happening both in and outside. Whether you have a few extra minutes before dinner, or somebody wants to shower and get ready in peace- you can walk outside with the kids and easily have fun for a half hour or more. There is no need to walk across a huge property complex. They have story tellers around the fire pit, marshmallows at night at the fire near savannas, night vision goggles, an inside room with speakers from Africa ( we once spent two hours listening to a guy who worked there tell of African tours, how they built the thatched roof over the carport, etc...Actually, all of the workers are great to talk to.)
- great restaurants . Boma is our favorite in all of Disney. And Mara down near the pool has decent food too.
-the pool is perfect for little ones. Although we like SAB, I need a place where I can see my son as he runs around the pool and slide. Its pretty open there. The slide isnt huge or tunneled, either, which imo is best for little ones.
-the rides to parks are ok. Youll be on the bus for 15 minutes or so, but there are only 2 stops ( Jambo and Kidani) as opposed to some resorts which stop 4-5 times before you heard to the parks.
-imo, Jambo is better with kids. There are more food options and the lobby has more action. We've gone over to the Kidani pool, which is nice and has a great water play area. But- its spread out, and you cant see your kids when they head up to go on the slide. We once "lost"my son for 10 terrifying minutes when he went up there. ( He didnt come down after a few minutes, so I went looking- not too concerned ( he was 7). Then I got very worried because there is a bathroom up there-changing rooms- and I realized he could be anywhere with anyone. Turns out he was sitting off to the side at the top of the slide part letting other kids go ahead of him. But there wasnt a lifeguard up there, and he couldn't hear me...) Anyway, Jambo's pool slide is very visible...
-we did choose to grab a cab back to the hotel on a couple of busy, rainy nights- but otherwise the bus was fine.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

AKL is our favorite deluxe--even if you "just" get a standard view. There are lots of public viewing areas to see the animals from. As far as the distance, I never found the travel time to be that bad. The buses aren't shared with other resorts so the timin seems to be the same as traveling from other resorts to Animal Kingdom.

We have stayed there several times and we still enjoy the unique feel of this resort...watching the animals....etc.

If you keep coming back to this as an option I would say go for it.