Animal Kingdom Lodge or Port Orleans About This Page:

[grc1]

We plan on visiting WDW in a few months, with a 3 year old. We are thinking of staying at either the AKL or PO for 5 days. What are the pors and cons of these two resorts. Thank you for your help.

[Stitch]

my DW and I have stayed at PO, and are staying at AKL in Nov. The pool at PO is wonderful. I think it really depends on what you want out of a resort. AKL is further away from most of the parks (except AK, of course ). So for convience to and from parks, I think PO is a winner. AKL, however has 30 acres of savannah around the resort, with giraffes, etc running around. AKL also has storytellers from Africa every night telling stories from their homelands, which I think kids would enjoy. It is a really tough call, PO (the French Quarter) can be romantic, but that's not what a 3 year old is looking for ,and relaxing after a day at the parks. AKL sounds out of this world, and also sounds very relaxing after a day running around.
I'm not sure about the food at PO (they've changed thing since our visit), nor at AKL (haven't been yet!)

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[Wondcat]

What a cute dragon! who is he?

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Guess this is Richard & me getting ready for our trip!
Bring Figment back!
Pat

Upcoming visits: November 30-December 4, 2001, Port Orleans! Woo Hoo!

[Werlyboys]

We stayed at PO(French Quarter) last november. We have a 6 and 3 year old. Our 3 year old loved the pool and slide. The parents are allowed to go down the slide with the child and in our case we stood at the bottom of the slide. Another thing PO has is the boat ride to Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney has the Rainforest Cafe and the lego Store and playland which our 3 year old loved. The bus trips to the parks was quite short. We had one bus that took us into Dixie landings but all of the others skiped Dixie landing and went right to the parks. If you have any other questions email me Mlwerly@aol.com

[denwol]

The dragon is Mushu, from the Mulan movie. Which explains why Mushu1 is using his picture....

[tigger536]

I haven't stayed at either resort, but I think the AKL sounds awesome! I want to stay there someday. PO sounds good,too.

I think I would choose the AKL though because it is new and the "private savannah" surrounding the resort sounds really cool. It is also supposed to have a great pool.

Whichever you choose, I'm sure you will have a great time. Keep us posted as to which you decide on and give us a trip report when you're back!

Jacquelyn

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"Everybody has a laughing place"

Contemporary Resort 1993
Off Site 1994,2000
Coronado Springs 1999
Grand Floridian 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

[Dave Marx]

There is a huge difference in rates between the two resorts, if that's a consideration for you.

DAK Lodge (as Disney cast refers to it - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge) has yet to be seen by the public, so it's hard to make firm recommendations. However, it does have many things going for it, especially if your child likes animals. First, of course, is the ability to watch the animals from your room and many overlooks throughout the resort. The resort also will have a very exciting pool area - not as fanciful as the pool at Port Orleans, but very neat nonetheless. If your child were a little older (4) you could also take advantage of the Simba's Clubhouse childcare program, and take off for a grownups night out. Of course, with the money you save on a room at Port Orleans you could use an in-room sitter every night of your stay and still be ahead of the game.

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Co-Author, PassPorter Walt Disney World 2001
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/

[Fortissimo]

Welcome to the boards, grc1!

Isn't it hard to decide where to stay? There are so many wonderful resorts to pick from.

There is probably a price difference between AKL and PO, depending on when you are going and what specials are being offered. So, you have a few choices: First, you could save money by staying at PO. The money you save by staying at PO means more money to spend in the parks.

Second, are you set on staying for 5 days? If not, by staying at PO and saving money, you might be able to lengthen your stay a day or two.

Third, you could resort hop. Start at PO and half way through your trip hop over to AKL. This would give you a taste of both resorts.

Finally, if I had to make this difficult decision, I would pick AKL. Our next trip (unless we win the lottery) isn't until July 2004. I am already saving for AKL with the Savannah view. To me it will be worth every cent to be able to wake up at WDW, walk out onto a balcony and view the animals.

Where ever you decide to stay, you will have a wonderful time. After all, it is WDW, isn't it?