AKL - is it worth it?

[tweenie123]

We usually stay at either POR riverside or CBR - DH and DS want to go to riverside again but we're debating whether to opt for AKL. I've been looking at prices and my logic is that as we don't spend a great deal of time in the room, plus we're off on the cruise at the end of the holiday, we'll stick to POR.
If we stay at AKL it would cost us quite a bit extra than POR to stay in a room with a view of the car park! DH and DS would like a Savannah room and so would I if we win the lottery! So would it be worth going to the AKL in a normal room or sticking with POR?

[Keith]

Its hard to say :/

AKL is one of the better resorts for overall FEEL... it's not just the room, it's the whole experience... the music, the things in the lobby, the cms, the activities for the kids, the late evening animal viewings with night vision monoscopes etc.

so you really do get added value from being at the resort even if your room doesn't overlook the savannah (although many people get free upgrades so you never know!)

I'd say.... if the difference in price is going to stop you doing something else like character dinner or shopping somewhere or whatever, then don't bother. Stick to POR which is great, and do the extra activities... but if it's just a matter of spending a bit more and it won't stop you doing other stuff, do AKL. It's definitely an experience and I believe it's worth it

[wdwgrandma]

:iagree:

What he said!

[Iona]

How long will you be there before you go on the cruise? If it's more than a week how about splitting your stay between the two?

[Scoootch]

The big thing IMO to consider when deciding between POR and AKL (and this really applies to going from any moderate to a deluxe or HAFH resort or even just one catagory to another - value to a moderate or higher) is whether or not you will use any of the extra ammenities or not:unsure:

When you bump up from a moderate to a deluxe resort the price goes up but so do the extra's.

Would you use room service? Turn down service? Valet parking? Do you like to have indoor corridors rather than rooms that open directly outside? With the exception of AKL would you like to be able to either walk to a theme park or be on the monorail line? Would you like to have a choice of more than 1 sit down resturant? Would you want conceirge?

And of course you'll get a great pool with a pool bar, hot tub and water slides (you'll get these at the moderates but not the value resorts).

And with each bump up in catagory you also get a slightly larger room (sometimes room for an extra person - i.e. moderates sleep 4 [POR in the AB section being the ONLY exception or a Jr. suite at CSR] but most deluxes will sleep 5 with 2 queen beds and a day bed.).

So if you wouldn't spend any time in the room except for to sleep but you would spend alot of time at the resort using the pool and extra ammenities it offers and of course you can or are willing to spend the extra $$ than you may really enjoy the bump up to AKL -- BUT....if you know that you'll only be there to sleep, spend most of the time in the parks and wouldn't use any of the extras than I'd say stick with POR and not waste the extra $$.

There are alot of great things at AKL but it's really all in if you'll be able to enjoy what you're paying for:shrug: And only you can decide that. You could always plan to eat at AKL too and spend a little time wandering around the resort one day without having to splurge for a stay:whistle:

So I say if you will get to enjoy it and use any of the extras go for it:thumbs: otherwise a meal and a visit may be the better thing to do.
:wave:

[Huntermom]

One of the good things about standard view at the AKL is that they are not directly over a parking lot. The parking lots are a ways from the hotel. We stayed pool view and if I did it again, I'd get a standard view. It seems standard views are most frequently upgraded.

I really liked the Mara at AKL and felt it was the best counter service in a deluxe. I also appreciate the internal corridors of a deluxe. You can get the atmosphre of the AKL in many places, not only in your room and can view the animals from several places in the lobby and along the halls. I think it is an even better place to stay in cooler weather. We were there in June and you just didn't feel like hanging out by a fire after you came in from the 90 degree heat.

I liked that it was somewhat isolated, but think you do well with a car as it is really quite a hike to most places.

It might be worth it to splurge, even for a day.

Diane

[uscwest]

In this particular instance I would vote for stay at POR and save your money for the cruise. You'd be surprised how much extra money you can use on your cruise. :) Right BevW and Donna? :D

[tweenie123]

We'll be there for nine days before the cruise. Last year we did the four night cruise but this year we're doing the Magic cruise so we're not having as long in the parks. We tend to spend quite a long time out of the rooms and really only use them to sleep in but I do like the sound of AKL. DH likes to sit on the balcony at night and I think would like AKL. He doesn't like Disney at all apart from the Animal Kingdom so I think that maybe AKL would appeal to him.
I think I might just go for it! Thanks for all your help.

[triciacarole]

We went to AKL for a look around and to see the animals, what I did not like was the fact that we were directed right past the pool. If I was a guest there I would hate a constant stream of people walking past me, its not a pretty sight for them either :D

[Joy]

Hey tweenie123,
Which Disney magic cruise are you doing? It looks like our itineraries are very similar!
We will be staying at the AKL for 3 nights(?) then KSC then on Disney magic for the 7 night western cruise!

[tweenie123]

Hi Joy,
Looks like we're doing the AKL first but we're on the Eastern Caribbean Cruise. I really wanted to do the Western but the dates don't fit in with our holiday dates this year.

[tnpoohbear]

My DD and I stayed at AKL the last week of April and we absolutely loved it! We could not afford the savannah view but we did have a pool view and it was great! Certainly worth the money and I would love to stay there again - next time with the Savannah room.