Is it worth 800 to upgrade to from Moderate to to AKL(standard)

[Club Cooloholic]

I am planning to book our trip this week and it looks like a price difference of about 800 dollars for 7 nights between one of the Moderates or an Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard. I know the view at AKL will be nothing to look at, so for those that have stayed at say POFQ and AKL Standard, is it worth the extra 100 or so a night to upgrade? We will have an infant and nearly 4yr old girl on this trip. Thanks!

 

[real mad hatter]

Your in the same position as me for next year.We stay at moderates but fancy trying WL,but we go for 14 days and it will be about $3000 more..I gotta ask myself one question.How much time will I spend in the resort.

 

[BigRedDad]

It all depends on how much you value your money. To me, it is not worth. For the most part, I am paying for a bed and shower. We use the pools, but they are no better than the pool club we are members of. Our DD just wants to swim, burn off some steam, and play with other kids at a pool. The other thing is that you can participate in almost EVERY activity at the any resort except the pool. For us, it is usually Pop Century.

 

[dreamfinder]

How often are you going to be at the hotel? And what do you do there? Those are the real questions.

AKL is all in one building, and I'd say that the farthest rooms at AKL are about the same distance to the bus stops/CS as the farthest ones at POFQ. I feel the common spaces at AKL are both more comfortable, as well as busier.

AKL obviously has animal viewing, that are easy enough to get to from any room (and even some of the standard view rooms actually have savannah views, but may not be prime locations) with lots of great places to just sit and watch the animals. POFQ has more outdoor spaces. So if your 4yo likes to run in circles on the grass to get tired before taking a nap, POFQ is the better choice, as most of the outdoor areas at AKL are paved, or fairly small.

AKL has 2 TS restaurants in Jambo House, with a 3rd over at Kidani. POFQ has none. The POFQ CS has at least double the options that The Mara does at AKL.

They each have their pluses and minuses, but both are very good resorts.

 

[bgraham34]

To me its all about whether or not you want to depart with the money and are you getting the value for the money. If I meet those two criteria than it works for me.

 

[Marijil]

I would say that the 800 is worth it....we have stayed at both and the akl is severely underrated. If Im reading correctly, you are a family of 4? Thats perfect. If you were 5 the akl would be tight as the rooms are small for deluxe...the restaurants are amazing and the animal viewing is awesome. Both resorts are a bit remote so a car is helpful ....

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

We are splitting our stay between four nights at CSR and four nights at AKL, making the move on our not-in-the-Parks day. On one hand, we don't think we'll be at the resorts very much, but on the other hand, we think we will make an effort to take advantage of the pools at both resorts and spend a little time exploring AKL's zoological and cultural offerings. Our sons will be nine and seven when we go, so they will be at the ages to enjoy and actually learn something. Also, we will be celebrating the hubby's birthday while we're there, so we're willing to plunk down a few more benjamins.

To get back to your situation, it's really up to you whether you think the benefits outweigh the additional costs.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

My two cents: If you have the funds to do it, how about rather than spending them on a room upgrade (that you probably don't spend much time in anyway), put them toward something else like more souveneirs or dining at restaurants you wouldn't ordinarily afford, etc.?

 

[J_Carioca]

As everyone has said, it's a matter of personal taste.
I've stayed at both and they are both good. AK is definitely deluxe compared to French Quarter (I have nothing against FQ but I don't think it's as lavish or as nicely landscaped as some of the other moderates). AK is quite lovely and you really feel like you're somewhere different. Yes, the rooms are small but to me that's not a big deal. Watching a wildebeest as I eat my breakfast is a big deal! As others have said, there are many more food options at AK, but FQ also has things to recommend it as well (such as the boat you can take to Downtown disney).

Honestly, with AK I think it comes down to how much you like animals and are interested in Africa. If the answer is a lot, then splurge on AK. On the other hand, if it's really a question of any moderate vs. any deluxe, maybe save the money and stay at FQ.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Thanks for the great responses. Its funny, if I put it like this "Well it's only $800 mor for the whole week, and your getting a much more lavish place" I think I should go for it, then I say "Well for $800 dollars, you can stay at the moderate and put that extra money to nearly have all your tickets covered" suddenly I want to put on the breaks. We do plan to rent a car once we check in, but it's still a tough call! Maybe I should wait till at least one of my kids like my daughter can appreciate it more.

 

[disneygirl76]

I am planning to book our trip this week and it looks like a price difference of about 800 dollars for 7 nights between one of the Moderates or an Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard. I know the view at AKL will be nothing to look at, so for those that have stayed at say POFQ and AKL Standard, is it worth the extra 100 or so a night to upgrade? We will have an infant and nearly 4yr old girl on this trip. Thanks!

This is a tough call. Normally I would say yes. However, with AKL, you are still relying on the bus system as your mode of transportation. The amenities are great at a Deluxe resort but I not only make this decision based on the amenities but also having multiple forms of transportation to avoid the buses. So this one is tough. I would probably pocket the money and save. Really, normally I would say go Deluxe - but with AKL, I would say save.

 

[minnielaw]

Thanks for the great responses. Its funny, if I put it like this "Well it's only $800 mor for the whole week, and your getting a much more lavish place" I think I should go for it, then I say "Well for $800 dollars, you can stay at the moderate and put that extra money to nearly have all your tickets covered" suddenly I want to put on the breaks. We do plan to rent a car once we check in, but it's still a tough call! Maybe I should wait till at least one of my kids like my daughter can appreciate it more.

I think you should go with your gut and use the extra $800 toward ticket cost. Unless money is little or no object, that's a lot of money that could improve your overall trip....dining, souvenirs, upgrade to Park Hopper, etc.

During my most recent stay in October, we stayed 7 nights at Boardwalk Villas and one night at POFQ. Normally we stay at PORS, but we rented DVC points and were able to upgrade to a Deluxe. The Deluxe was a very nice resort, but much of the appeal was in the location...we could walk to Epcot and DHS. At AKL you will have to drive or use Disney buses. The QS food options are very limited at AKL...while at POFQ you have a food court with lots of options. The rooms at POFQ were renovated about a year ago so they are fresh and clean.

I have to admit that I preferred POFQ for its peace, quiet, beautiful landscaping and food court. Boardwalk had a better location and more activity...but for $800, I would choose POFQ hands down!

 

[thomas998]

I am planning to book our trip this week and it looks like a price difference of about 800 dollars for 7 nights between one of the Moderates or an Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard. I know the view at AKL will be nothing to look at, so for those that have stayed at say POFQ and AKL Standard, is it worth the extra 100 or so a night to upgrade? We will have an infant and nearly 4yr old girl on this trip. Thanks!

Not worth it at all. AKL is really the worst of the deluxe resorts and if they were being honest they would price it as a moderate. Animals are nearly non-existent unless you get up early when the let them out of barns or happen to be there when they heard them into the barns, because the majority of the animals like to go to a place so far away from the hotel that you can't see them... so what's the point?

Also with a stand room your view is going to be bad... so no magic in the view.

If you could stay at a monorail resort for 800 more I would say do it in a heart beat, would even say its worth it for the Wilderness Lodge... but just cant say that for AKL.... maybe I could justify $5 a day more because they do have a better pool, but then I'm not even thinking about the fact that your further away from things which increase your travel time to every place except the Animal Kingdom (which is barely a half day park).

 

[TheMonrailRider]

I originally reserved the POFQ for 6 nites before the sale was announced for our trip april. When they announced the sale my dilemma became do i upgrade to AKL standard view for an extra 400 dollars since our 2.5 DS loves animals or change to PORIV and stay an extra night in a preferred room for an extra 150.00. It was a hard decision but we chose to stay the Extra night because in reality we would have to pray for a free upgrade to savannah, just to be upset if it didnt happen.....figuring i could spend the extra $$ on DS...and now we have another day..good luck, not an easy choice

 

[coachwnh]

I wouldnt, and we have stayed at AKL three times and loved it. If it were a savannah view, then its a no brainer, but not for a standard view. and again, we LOVE the AKL, but for the view!

 

[Stellajack]

I am planning to book our trip this week and it looks like a price difference of about 800 dollars for 7 nights between one of the Moderates or an Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard. I know the view at AKL will be nothing to look at, so for those that have stayed at say POFQ and AKL Standard, is it worth the extra 100 or so a night to upgrade? We will have an infant and nearly 4yr old girl on this trip. Thanks!

I imagine that with an infant and a 4 yo you will be spending more time at the resort than if you were traveling without children. I personally say 'yes', it's worth it. I have stayed at AKL with children and without children and it is an incredible resort. There are observation stations all over that place, so even with a standard view, your 4 yo will be able to watch giraffes graze, etc. There is also a story time at the firepit outside, and children's craft activities inside (or outside depending on the time of year).

I love this resort even though POR is my favorite, this one stands a strong 2nd. If the $$ is not really an obstacle, I would say go for it.

 

[dreamfinder]

Not worth it at all. AKL is really the worst of the deluxe resorts and if they were being honest they would price it as a moderate. Animals are nearly non-existent unless you get up early when the let them out of barns or happen to be there when they heard them into the barns, because the majority of the animals like to go to a place so far away from the hotel that you can't see them... so what's the point?

Really? You must have simply had bad luck. Last week at AKL we had giraffes outside out balcony each morning and night. Most days we would also have zebras and a few other assorted hoofed animals as well at the same time. Not to mention the storks and cranes. Then each time we stopped at the actual savannah views I saw at least 20-30 different animals. And while eating lunch at Sanaa we had 4 giraffes munching outside the window, and a pair of cranes that waltzed through the wire fans meant to keep them away from the building and right up next to the glass. And many of the animals sleep on the savannahs. Each other trip to AKL we have also not had problems seeing animals. Remember that unlike a zoo, the animals are free to wander. So you cannot expect them to sit around in front of your room for your viewing pleasure for hours on end. Simply because they were not outside your window doesn't mean that they weren't out. Often when we cannot see any directly from our window we can walk to the hallway windows and see them, and at the worst walk to the outdoor viewing points and see animals.

 

[BigRedDad]

Another issue with AKL is that there is no great benefit unless you are on a Savannah view room. Even then, you can have one of the worst views in the resort. We were in X251 - X285 rooms. We were facing the Sunset Overlook. All we saw was a very dirty osterich and an ankole cattle tied to a tree. The only time giraffes were there was at sunset when they herded them there. Beyond that, there is no real benefit to the resort. Every other activity there is open to everyone (except the pool). So, just visit and take in all that the resort has to offer. The $800 you save can get you cab rides to and from and several EXCELLENT meals there.

 

[Poofiesdream]

Unless you do the savahnna view, its not worth it

 

[thomas998]

Really? You must have simply had bad luck. Last week at AKL we had giraffes outside out balcony each morning and night. Most days we would also have zebras and a few other assorted hoofed animals as well at the same time. Not to mention the storks and cranes. Then each time we stopped at the actual savannah views I saw at least 20-30 different animals. And while eating lunch at Sanaa we had 4 giraffes munching outside the window, and a pair of cranes that waltzed through the wire fans meant to keep them away from the building and right up next to the glass. And many of the animals sleep on the savannahs. Each other trip to AKL we have also not had problems seeing animals. Remember that unlike a zoo, the animals are free to wander. So you cannot expect them to sit around in front of your room for your viewing pleasure for hours on end. Simply because they were not outside your window doesn't mean that they weren't out. Often when we cannot see any directly from our window we can walk to the hallway windows and see them, and at the worst walk to the outdoor viewing points and see animals.

I can only say from my experience being there in June. The CMs there even told us that when it gets hot the animals liked to go to a particular place where it was supposed to be a bit cooler and that it was too far away for people to see form the Hotel. I can only assume you must have been there when it was cooler.