58 days to go, staying at Riverside but wishing Animal Kingdom Lodge

[MIKETFROMRI]

Well 58 days to go for our 10 night vacation. We have booked Riverside which is beautiful, but keep hopes alive that when (if) passholder rates come out for summer that Animal kingdom Lodge will be offered. I took a sampling of what AKL passholder rate was for spring and was about $200 dollars more that what we are paying right now for Riverside. Id jump at that so wishing! We have never satyed at AKL . Stayed at bout 80% of resorts but never there. PLEASE tell me we will not be dissapointed....

 

[minniemickeyfan]

Riverside is great! I think the meal options are wonderful and I love how we can share pools with Fr Qtr We would love to stay at AKL as we never have but Riverside is the best I think for the options and what u pay. Don't forget the boat ride to DD You wont be disappointed ! Have a great time!

 

[minniemickeyfan]

We will be there during that same time!

 

[PUSH]

POR is a beautiful resort. Best food court in Disney, IMO. The lobby is beautiful, and the gift shop is pretty big. The bar area is nice, and there is a nice sit down restaurant just a couple of steps away from it. There is a pretty big arcade, if you care about that. The main pool is nice, as are the several other pools scattered around.

The best part of the resort, IMO, is the river. It's just gorgeous, especially at night. The rooms are great, too. I've only stayed in the mansion rooms, but neither one looks bad. Oh, and don't forget about the boat ride to DTD. It's a pretty relaxing ride, plus it's free!

In other words, you picked a great resort. I've stayed there 4 or 5 times and am staying there again later this year!

 

[luv]

POR has lots of pretty green landscaping. Best food court in WDW, IMO. Lots of little pools. It's a very pleasant place.

It's a great place to walk, if you didn't get enough of that in the parks, lol. You can walk to POFQ, if you want. The river is so pretty.

Its not a hotel. It doesn't have hotel amenities. But for a big motel place, it is truly very nice. You won't miss other stuff if you decide to be happy with where you are. It's not you're slumming.

 

[bethymouse]

You will enjoy PORS! There is a carriage ride. The grounds are gorgeous! Lovely pool! The boat launch to DTD is the greatest part! Have fun! Try AKL next time you go! Perhaps look for a "bounce back" offer of either free dining or 30% off room rate. It's usually left on your table and you call and reserve your next vacation before you leave! ENJOY!

 

[ParentsOf4]

How about splitting your stay? Do the first 7 nights at POR and the last 3 nights at AKL.

Having done split stays several times, there are a few things to consider:

• Disney will help with the hotel transfer; just let them know what you are doing.
• It's a great way to experience the quality without paying for it the entire trip.
• It becomes something to really look forward to towards the end of the trip; kind of eases the "we have only 3 days left" feeling towards the end.
• For the tail end of the trip, the theme parks aren't as strong of a draw after you've spent several days in them. (Still a draw though!) Staying at a nice resort at the backend of a trip means you can enjoy the resort more without feeling the constant pull of the theme parks.
• Always stay at the nicer resort at the tail end; it can be a bit of a shock to "downgrade" during a trip. (Although POR is a beautiful resort.)

 

[mrdisman]

Not at all AKL is beautiful

 

[RonAnnArbor]

There are many of us here who used to stay only at Deluxes, but once the Port Orleans bug bites you, you might not ever want to stay at a Deluxe again -- my choice is now POFQ, where I have stayed 25 of my last 30 visits -- the other 3 being POR and 2 at WL.

 

[NewfieFan]

Well 58 days to go for our 10 night vacation. We have booked Riverside which is beautiful, but keep hopes alive that when (if) passholder rates come out for summer that Animal kingdom Lodge will be offered. I took a sampling of what AKL passholder rate was for spring and was about $200 dollars more that what we are paying right now for Riverside. Id jump at that so wishing! We have never satyed at AKL . Stayed at bout 80% of resorts but never there. PLEASE tell me we will not be dissapointed....

Do you mean disappointed with AKL? If so... NOT. AT. ALL.

Kidani is our home away from home and we have stayed regular room at AKL (Jambo House) as well. We just adore AKL. The theming is top notch, some of the best restaurants (hop over to Kidani and try Sanaa if you haven't already), and the animals. What other resort has an attraction just outside your window? We could spend hours watching the animals and talking to the animal guides and workers. The only downside to AKL is you find yourself having to decide if you want to hang at your resort or go to the parks. Some of our best memories have been at the resort on recent trips. We prefer Kidani over Jambo but the main lodge is beautiful and is the heart of the resort.

 

[bluejasmine]

KNOW how you feel! We normally stay Poly CL or GF CL but I lost my job this yr so for now we are booked at POFQ but probably will need to downgrade to ASMU! Im sad but at the sme time very grateful we get to go at all!