Animal Kingdom Lodge v Port Orleans Riverside

[Logan]

Aghhh!!!

I've got the feedback from Dibbers, done some research and was virtually decided on POR.

Then I happened to check a holiday site and discovered that I could get AKL for just £200 more for 7 nights, still £200 cheaper than Disney!

What are Dibbers views on AKL v POR? It does seem to be wonderfully themed and have the feeling of being on Safari, something I've always dreamed of.

Just a bit concerned about the apparent isolation, though with dedicated buses I'd imagine it may not take too long to reach the Parks.

Dining is a concern too. While it has great restaurants, I wonder are they a bit pricy? I'm sure we would eat there sometimes, but not every day. POR appealed because of the convenience to Downtown Disney, especially by boat.

We will be hiring a car of course, but is AKL far by road from Parks, DTD, cheaper eating places like Crossroads and other attractions and amenities?

Welcome feedback as always! :p:

[Goofyish]

Our last trip we did 11 nights at POR and then moved to AKL for the last 3 nights (we got very good AP discounts, so even with the 3 nights at AKL, the cost was still less then 14 nights at POR :) ).

We loved both resorts. AKL has fantastic themeing and if you get savannah view rooms it's great sitting on your balcony watching the animals.

POR is our fav. resort. It's got lovely landscaping and never feels crowded, even when we were there in August.

The food court at POR is much better than the one at AKL, which is quite small.
Boma in AKL is a nice restaurant, and good value as it's an all-you-can eat buffet.
Didn't try Jiko as there wasn't much on the menu I fancied.

We found no difference in the bus service from POR or AKL. If anything the POR bus service was slightly better. The journey from AKL to MK is a long one though.

[cockayh]

Tough one, They are both wonderful hotels, but if I were you I would go for AKL, just because that sounds like a great price (I'm sure that it should normally be a lot more expensive than POR).
You're right the AKL is probably the furthest Disney hotel from DTD and the crossroads, but you can always head to the 192 in a matter of minutes using the Sherberth road shortcut to get to less expensive restaurants.

[rhondaridge]

Would you mind letting us know who you were getting the fab price from as I need to book AKL too.

[Ear_Poppin]

Obviously AKL is a deluxe hotel and POR is a moderate.I am a strong advocate of moving hotels as I like the change of scenery, resort activities etc. If you pack light it is just brilliant to do!

Look at my signature for an idea of the amount we have stayed in in one holiday!

So where is all of this leading ? LOL :D

Why not stay at both ? 4 days at POR then 3 days at AKL. The food Court at AKL is small but it does cheaper food just like the value and moderate resorts !

POR has a great boat ride to Downtown Disney. AKL has wonderful theming.I am gradually working my way round all the Disney Hotels !

Denise

:D

[loadsapixiedust]

I'm with Denise as we did 4 nights at POFQ and 3 nights at AKL on the last trip, and it was just great. We felt we had got the best of both resorts as they are very different.
If you want to do lots of park hopping and going out of the resort to eat, I'd go for PO. The boat to DTD is a real bonus. If you want to relax and really enjoy some time in the resort I'd go for AKL. The pool there is just fabulous!
AKL has Boma which is lovely and also a decent food court, The Mara for less expensive dining.
We found the bus service excellent from both resorts. If anything AKL is better as they don't share buses and there is only one stop in the resort (POR and POFQ share and there are lots of stops at POR).

[BevS97]

I like them both, but I don't know that I would want to spend 7 nights at AKL - it quite a big hotel and depending on your room you can have a long walk to get out (to your car, the bus, the pool etc) we thought 3 nights was just about right.

On the food aspect, as well as the 2 nice restaurants, it also has a food court, the Mara - this is a lot smaller than the mods food court but it does give you some cheaper options.

[mart]

The AKL lodge is about 25-30 mins by car from crossroads.
A good source for a comparison of door to door commuting times between disney hotels and parks by your own car and the disney system is The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger.

[Logan]

Good advice as always! May consider splitting as suggested.

By the way, someone asked where I got these good prices - British Airways. Beats any other site that has been suggested for any hotel hands down. Don't know how they do it, but well worth checking out.