Which would you choose OKW, Animal Kingdom Lodge, or POFQ

[Karenpowley]

Hi everyone,

Waiting patiently for the 21st to book for next year first 6 nights at Disney...but really don't know where to stay...if we choose POFQ then we would upgrade dining plan...have stayed at OKW before but in a 1 bed and loved it...but there is only DH, DD (15) and myself so would go for a studio (but have we been spoilt). Have any of you you stayed at any of the above and what are your thoughts on them please.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi,
Will you have a car? If you've stayed at OKW before you will know its very spread out and can be a long walk. I love AKL personally, it is classed as a deluxe resort (POFQ is classed as moderate). You also have Boma, Yiko and Sanaa great table service restaurants handy. On top of the usual resort activities you have all the animals - If staying there I would def get a savanna view. its so relaxing sitting out on your veranda. Hope that helps a bit

 

[saintrob]

AKL like a shot! We've stayed at POFQ several times and used to love it although our last stay wasn't anywhere near as good as in previous years. The resort is compact and easy to get around however. AKL is fabulous. There's the added bonus of the animals, fabulous CMs and great theming throughout the resort. The restaurants are great too.

I've not stayed at OKW - only popped over for a visit but it just didn't do it for me but each to their own.

 

[Elise79]

I'd go for POFQ if you are having a room - it will be the cheapest option and they have a decent food court.

If you will have a one bed villa it would be OKW every time. But that would be considerably more.

Personally, AKL doesn't float our boat. We are just not keen on the place and hate the location as it is on the wrong side of property for us.

 

[loves to dive]

I've stayed at all three but our AKL stay was actually AKV in a one bedroom so I'm not sure how to compare apples to apples on that one. Oh, and I stayed at POR instead POFQ but they are actually almost the same resort. So my take:

If budget is an issue, I'd go POFQ, all three of your options are going to require either buses or driving so you are basically on the same foot with that. I stayed in a studio in OKW and while it was bigger than the studios as other villas, you know the resort is big and spread out. Unless you are on Peninsula Road, you are going to ride the bus around the entire resort. I was on Peninsula Road at the first stop so I sat on my balcony in the mornings drinking my coffee, when the bus I wanted stopped at my stop, I got whatever I was taking to the parks and walked across the street to the main bus stop, which is the last stop. Prevented me having to ride around the entire resort. Coming back I just got off at my stop since it was the first. I wasn't crazy about my breakfast options there since I don't eat in my room even when I have a one bedroom and a full kitchen. At AKL the buses were consistent and we really had no problems with them, they do stop at Jambo House first, which is where we were staying but I don't remember any issue with the people not being able to get on at Kidani. If budget is not the issue, I'd go with AKL, it's a beautiful resort and a destination in and of itself.

 

[wayneg]

If staying at AKL it would have to be a savannah view for me, we booked a std room and got free upgrade thankfully. I wouldn't stay there without the view.
OKW stayed at 4 or 5 times, love the resort.
Never stayed at POFQ, once booked it but cancelled as I changed to AKL for same price (£70/night, those were the days)
Saying that I wouldn't pay todays prices for any
You can't go wrong with any IMO.

 

[Karenpowley]

AKL like a shot! We've stayed at POFQ several times and used to love it although our last stay wasn't anywhere near as good as in previous years. The resort is compact and easy to get around however. AKL is fabulous. There's the added bonus of the animals, fabulous CMs and great theming throughout the resort. The restaurants are great too.
Thanks! That's really helped with you having stayed at both...I will probably decide on 21st.

If staying at AKL it would have to be a savannah view for me, we booked a std room and got free upgrade thankfully. I wouldn't stay there without the view.
OKW stayed at 4 or 5 times, love the resort.
Never stayed at POFQ, once booked it but cancelled as I changed to AKL for same price (£70/night, those were the days)
Saying that I wouldn't pay todays prices for any
You can't go wrong with any IMO.

We loved OKW too Wayne, but think we may be disappointed if we went for a studio instead of a 1 bed which we had before...but can't justify the extra money really seeing how we've stayed there before.
Wow! How did you manage to get AKL for the same price? Would love a Savannah room, but again will have to see how much extra...and do love he restaurants there.
Sorry what's IMO?

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I am due to stay in POFQ for the second time later this year. We love it due to it's smaller size, all rooms are within an easy walking distance of the pool, boats, buses & main building area. We also loved the theming!

Although, if our budget could stretch, we would stay in AKL - definitely a dream for us!

 

[clareyfairymouse]

I'd probably only book AKL if I had a Savannah view room & if I had enough time on the trip to enjoy it.
If you are planning to be up and out hitting the parks you might not get the chance to make the most of AKL. Always worth a trip for Boma though
I really like the ease of the Port Orleans resorts, ease to get around and good bus access to the parks.
Have a look at the prices when they are released next week and see if that helps you decide.

 

[Jon84]

I'd probably book AKL if I had a Savannah room. Great food options there too, just gotta plan a bit more for Disney Transport timings

 

[Karenpowley]

Thanks guys - not sure if we can stretch to a Savanah room... So maybe might go with POFQ this time as we will be out and about most of the time - will definately have a look at both prices though - you never know!

 

[Jon84]

Thanks guys - not sure if we can stretch to a Savanah room... So maybe might go with POFQ this time as we will be out and about most of the time - will definately have a look at both prices though - you never know!

You really never know. We managed to upgrade 2 weeks at Wilderness Lodge to 2 weeks at Beach Club for £10 extra

 

[disneyholic family]

same as Wayne said, if AKL it would have to be with a Savannah view

 

[wayneg]

I think it was an Annual Pass rate we got.
"Sorry what's IMO?" In my opinion

 

[bex7583]

Akl is our dream resort but totally out of budget for our family of 5

So I would go for that if it's within reach, however as long as I got to visit I would be happy with any resort

 

[scoobydooby2016]

I've stayed at all three standard room at AKL and that was fine. There are lots of places to view the animals. I have done OKW on a one bes villa. Loved the accommodation but didn't like the resort one bit. I like POFQ but much prefer POR. Of your choices it would be a no brained for me. AKL and I wouldn't pay extra for the animal viewing personally. It's a beautiful hotel and as long as you know the buses take a bit longer then you will be fine. It's the most efficient and frequent bus service I have experienced.

 

[Karenpowley]

I've stayed at all three standard room at AKL and that was fine. There are lots of places to view the animals. I have done OKW on a one bes villa. Loved the accommodation but didn't like the resort one bit. I like POFQ but much prefer POR. Of your choices it would be a no brained for me. AKL and I wouldn't pay extra for the animal viewing personally. It's a beautiful hotel and as long as you know the buses take a bit longer then you will be fine. It's the most efficient and frequent bus service I have experienced.

Well that's really thrown a spanner in the works! Am really drawn to AKL but Savannah would be out of our budget...can I ask do you mean the buses just take longer to get to the parks, or there's not as many of them for AKL? Also can I ask why you prefer POR to POFQ - haven't been to either so don't really know the difference. Thanks

 

[Jon84]

can I ask do you mean the buses just take longer to get to the parks, or there's not as many of them for AKL?

The distances are greater this website is great to gauge your travel times: http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/twiz.aspx#.VxS3vvkrIdV

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

All nice resorts so you can't really loose but I would select a resort near Disney Springs. Both OKW and POFQ have boats and buses to DS. This is a really nice bonus with all those stores and restaurants. OKW I don't like that they don't have a sit down quick service unlike SSR or POFQ. So my vote is POFQ with the boat to The Springs, great themeing and excellant food court. I do like AK but we found it a little remote.

 

[Karenpowley]

The distances are greater this website is great to gauge your travel times: http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/twiz.aspx#.VxS3vvkrIdV

Great! Thank you, great link/website

All nice resorts so you can't really loose but I would select a resort near Disney Springs. Both OKW and POFQ have boats and buses to DS. This is a really nice bonus with all those stores and restaurants. OKW I don't like that they don't have a sit down quick service unlike SSR or POFQ. So my vote is POFQ with the boat to The Springs, great themeing and excellant food court. I do like AK but we found it a little remote.

That's really helped too - thank you!