port orleans riverside or animal kingdom lodge

[susie]

hi, we are having to change our hotel for our trip in october, we have the choice of port orleans riverside or the animal kingdom lodge, there is only £195.00 difference so we dont know which one to choose, we dont have a car so will rely on transport so any help would be greatly appreciated, this is our first stay using transport so we dont know how well it works, thanks susie

[crux]

If it was me, for £195 I'd choose AKL - but as we've already stayed at POR a few times, my choice would be based on trying something new.

POR is the best moderate resort at WDW (IMHO), close to Downtown, Magic Kiingdom and EPCOT so reasonably quick bus trips - also there is a boat to Downtown. At AKL you are only close to AK and Blizzard Beach, so trips to anywhere else will take a while. The AKL hotel is well themed, Boma resturant is fantastic and you can see some animals from the hotel.

There are a couple of things to note at AKL: There is some building work for the new DVC Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, which MAY cause some noise/disruption. Also, we're found that when visiting AKL after dark in September/October you really do need some bug spray - the bus stops outside the hotel seemed to be the breeding grounds for the whole of WDW.

Even if I'd not stayed at POR before, I think I would still choose to stay at AKL for so little price difference.

Ian

[Andre]

Even though I am a big POR fan (and you would have a great time there if you do decide that way) for just £195 extra for two weeks then I think I'd go for AKL as it's a more upmarket hotel, the animal viewing is great and it's got two very good restaurants. Can you ask for a savannah view room at that price? As has been said, it's a bit remote though so transportation might be more of an issue - POR is definitely better in that respect.

Andre

[Rafi Cat]

We have stayed at both resorts and AKL wins hands down for me !!


No disrespect to POR as its the most beautiful setting and nothing nicer than sitting next to the lake drinking hot chocolate :D

however AKL is in a different league.

The theming of the place is FANTASTIC and if you could request an ARUSHA savannah view you will not be disappointed!! Something so special about sitting on your balcony watching the animals in the moonlight.
Also if you have kids they love the animal spotting.

Room:


http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m283/Raficat/SA400092.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m283/Raficat/SA400096.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m283/Raficat/SA400117.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m283/Raficat/SA400129.jpg

As for transport we had use of a car so didnt use it Im afraid...POR is nearer to things but I dont think they compare for theming in my opinion :D

[Clare]

For the price difference I'd stay at AKL rather than POR. However, the only 'downside' to AKL seems to be (I haven't stayed there but visited in May) the bus journey to the parks as it's out in the sticks, we took the bus from DTD to AKL and it seemed to take forever, although I'm sure if you had a car it would be easier. With POR you're closer to all the parks and have the boat ride to DTD.

[TinkTatoo]

I wasn't that keen on AKL but for only £195 more I'd pick it over POR. The pool at AKL was great so that would swing it for me

[Hal]

As you are without transport would it be possible to see how much extra it would cost to switch instead to Boardwalk Inn or Yacht and Beach Club as the location (walking distance to Epcot and MGM, and able to use the monorail to MK) is just so much better?

Most people on this board prefer POFQ to POR, as POR is too spread out. AKL is just stunning, but is the furthest away from, anything.

[susie]

thanks for all your replys, the budget wont stretch to any of the deluxe resorts i am afraid, the building work and the transport worrys me about the akl, but it does look lovely, such a hard choice!! thanks again susie

[Andre]

You won't be disappointed by either choice I assure you. POR is lovely, beautifully themed and a joy to explore, but it's not in any way as plush as AKL. AKL is a single large building, more like a deluxe in the way that the rooms are accessed from indoors via a corridor, whereas POR has smaller accommodation buildings and rooms are accessed from outside walkways and you have to walk over to the main building - but it's a lovely walk though!

The size thing is misunderstood by the way; yes POR is a big resort, but that's only a problem if you stay in a room on the other side of the site! Just request a room near to the main building and it's all very conveniently laid out for you. And even if they don't offer you a good location (they'll show you on a map when you check in) then just get them to allocate you a closer one.

I still say you'll get a lot of extra hotel at AKL though - two nice restuarants, a gorgeous lobby, the animals, etc. If that's just £195, I think I'd risk the building work issues (which is at one end of the hotel, and won't be going on at night anyway).

But you'll be happy with either, honest.

Andre

[LizzyBear]

For that much more i'd go for AKL, £195 more is a bargain :grin:

[MrB]

AKL for £195 more - got to be good. However it is far out if you do not have a car although the WDW bus service is good.

How much time will you spend at the hotel? We enjoyed AKL but were only in the room for sleep in the main.

[travelmam]

I would stay at the POR thats not because we are staying there in August its because you could put the £195.00 to something else like theme park tickets, aslso POR is in a good location. :grin: with plenty of ways to get to places.