Pofq or AKL for adults only trip

imobsessedwithdisney · Mar 30, 2019

Hi, I am torn between staying at French quarter or Animal Kingdom Lodge. The kids are staying at home and we are hoping to go for six days in May. To stay at a standard room at animal Kingdom is about $600 more then staying at French quarter. We are only going to do one park day and the rest of the time just chill doing non-park activities such as brunch at California Grill, lots of pool time, and definitely a trip or two to jellyrolls. We were also hoping to check out the Edison one night. Which hotel would you go for?

k5xs · Mar 30, 2019

If you were into wildlife and had a Savanna room, I’d go with AKL. But given you said standard room, and given your emphasis for chilling in quiet, I’d go with POFQ. Plus it’s a little more centrally located, and the boat ride to Disney Springs is way cool.

(We are not pool people, so we’ve never tried the AKL pool. But the POFQ pool seems more kid-focused (with its big thing-a-majig), so I don’t know how suited it is for adult lounging.)

Disneylover99 · Mar 30, 2019

It depends on what you're looking for......

AKL
African inspired music around the resort
Animals to view
Balcony
Lots of dining options

POFQ
Jazz music around the resort
Quiet, laid back
Boat to DS
Horse drawn carriage rides
Cheaper

POFQ doesn't really strike me as a couples pool with it's theming, but I do like that the hot tub is a bit removed from the pool area. It's small, but not full of kids like the ones right beside a pool. I'm not exactly sure of the layout of the AK pool, but it always seems crowded and loud when I walk by.

I'd pick POFQ just because I love the theming and I'm just not into the theming at AKL. I'm sure many others feel the exact opposite though, so think about what you might prefer.

VAfamily1998 · Mar 30, 2019

I would do AKL. The pool at POFQ seems very young child (maybe 6 and under) focused to me. The lounge at AKL (Victoria Falls) is one of my favorites.

Belle'sFan · Mar 30, 2019

We have stayed at AKL, POQFQ, and WL -by far the most relaxing more "adult" resort is WL. The hot tub at POFQ is way too small and not near the pool - we never had a chance to use it as it was always full. The pool at POFQ is also more kid themed. The hot tub and pool at AKL are very large and nice -much better than POFQ. The WL has 2 pools, both fantastic, and 2 hot tubs -the surroundings are very relaxing. If you are spending a lot fo time at the resort, especially for pool time, I would pick AKL from your two options. But check out WL -that wold be our #1.

JoJoGirl · Mar 30, 2019

They both are great choices! However, for the trip you describe, I would give a slight edge to POFQ, and use some of the $$ you saved for a day trip to AKL and a leisurely romantic meal at Jiko. Or maybe two day trips, with a meal at Sanaa or Boma thrown in. That savings is nothing to be sneezed at. You can have 3-4 (or more) excellent couples meals plus drinks and Uber to/from for $600.

POFQ also gets the edge due to the boat to Disney Springs. It is soooo much more pleasant, relaxing, and beautiful, and just plain easy than the bus from AK. Since you are planning only one park day, easy access to DS will add so many fun adult options, both in terms of activities and dining.

I do agree with the others that the pool at POFQ is a little meh, but you would also have access to the pool at POR, which is more extensive and has a pretty good pool bar. :drinking1

It’s an easy and pleasant walk or boat ride down the river. Oh, and Yeeha Bob plays at the River Roost at POR, which makes for a fun evening also.

I LOVE AKL too and will be staying there my next trip because it was only $25 more a night than POFQ after discounts, $75 for my whole trip. But POFQ by far is my favorite moderate, especially for a couples trip. Whatever you choose, you will have a magical time!

glocon · Mar 30, 2019

Vote goes to PO for me also. If you don’t have a savanna view at AKL, I would just do PO. They are both beautiful, but I think the main draw at AKL is the animals. There are plenty of places to view the animals except for a savanna view balcony, but it’s just more peaceful and easier to have your own balcony. With the boats to DS at PO, you can do a a lot with the $600 you save by staying at PO.

RamblingMad · Mar 30, 2019

Given the current prices, I opt to stay off property now. I feel like I get a better value for my money. I checked on Expedia, and I can stay at the Ritz and Four Seasons for less than the rack rate at AKL in May. Did you find some really good deals? I checked Costco travel, and I did find a good deal at the Waldorf that Pete mentioned in one of his videos this week for a good price.

I haven't looked at the rates on WDW hotels in a long time, so I was shocked when I saw the rates today. It's cheaper for me to go to Hawaii than it is for me to stay at the Poly at WDW. Mind blown.

What is the attraction of those two resorts? You could always get transportation to them for meals.

What kind of experience do you want to have?

JennyDrake · Mar 30, 2019

Another vote for POFQ!

MaryKM · Mar 30, 2019

Okay, I'm going to be the contrarian and vote for AKL! We have stayed at POFQ and really loved it but to me, it feels very family friendly. The food court area, the pool, the theming all feels very family friendly. Yes, it is more quiet than most other moderates, and yes, the boat to DS is super tranquil and nice. You could absolutely find a few nice getaway spots with your hubs (outdoor tables at Sassagoula, a walk along the water towards POR, maybe a water view room??) but I feel AKL is teeming with so many details that make it special! You'll have your own balcony to sit on and relax- sip coffee, cocktails, whatever... The lounge/bar is super great, there are so many little viewing areas where you can sit and watch the savanna activities, you can do a night time savanna ride, the poolside bar is great for adults, the pool is not as juvenile (at Jambo), the hot tub is tucked away... there are places to stroll around, and you can walk to Kidani for another experience of sights/sounds. I also think the resort dining is very good at AKL - far better than POFQ. Jiko, Boma, and Sannaa are delicious! And... you have a standard room, yes, but you could very well end up with a view of the savanna! In our first stay in a standard view, we opened the drapes and were greeted by a pair of giraffes. So, I go AKL!

Haley R · Mar 31, 2019

I would pick pofq. We’ve stayed standard at akl and it just wasn’t our cup of tea. We prefer the smaller size at pofq and we like the theming a lot more there. It’s so quaint and quiet. We’ve never had a noise issue at pofq. We also don’t like the interior hallways as much as the exterior ones. If you’re going to Disney springs you could take the boat from pofq. The pool at pofq isn’t super exciting for adults but you can walk over to POR and use any of their pools. Their quiet pools are basic but relaxing since there are fewer people in them.

I know this is where most people will disagree with us, but we hate the small food court at akl and your only other options are very expensive, table service meals. With pofq, you can just hop on the boat and eat at ds if you want or could eat over at por.

Eeyore daily · Mar 31, 2019

Another vote for AKL. To me the theming is so unique and not something you can get anywhere else in the states whereas FQ you can actually go to New Orleans. Plus at Port Orleans they had small alligator statues which are clearly geared towards making it more kid friendly. AKL has all the different lounges for you to relax in and you’re excluded from the world pretty much, allowing you to reconnect. There’s also a spa on property to help with relaxing.

skorpie · Mar 31, 2019

My husband and I are leaving for DVC at Kidani Village in 12 days. We plan to do two short days in parks (Flower and Garden festival and try FoP) between the days but are staying for four days. We are looking forward to relaxing and going to some great dinners-many of them at AKL. Husband doesn't do the pools but I do. We were also lucky enough to get reservations at Cali Grill Brunch and Storybook Diner at Wilderness Lodge.

BalooFan · Mar 31, 2019

I also vote for AKL. Previous posters have presented a lot of good reasons. If you aren’t focusing on parks, you will likely be spending more time at the resort than the average guest. At POFQ, there are limited public area options for hanging out, (a few benches in the lobby), whereas AKL has animal overlooks and a beautiful, comfortable lobby if you want to spend time at the resort, but not necessarily in your room. I was recently at POFQ during not-so-great weather and my resort time was limited to my room and the food court. Blah! I think the quick service restaurant at AKL is smaller than the one at POFQ, but in my opinion the food is much better at AKL. If I’m not staying at AKL, I usually make a trip there anyway to have a meal, visit the gift shop, go to the overlook, and soak in the ambiance of the lobby.

Wild4Walt · Mar 31, 2019

I've stayed at both - most recently AKL in September for my honeymoon. We loved it - the resort has so much to offer, that we didn't realize, that we were sorry we hadn't planned a resort only day for the full day. The only drawback was we took Disney buses everywhere and it really is quite a drive from the resort to anywhere but AK. Room size was nice and we had a savannah view room so the balcony was great to have.

I much prefer the location at POFQ - close to everything and easy to get to just about all the parks/resort areas. The pool area is smaller as it's a smaller resort BUT you can also share the pool area with the sister resort at POR. POR has a great pool bar area.

Twoboysnmygirl · Apr 1, 2019

AKL, especially if you are only doing 1 park day. My dh and I did 3 nights and are doing it again in September and last time I had to force myself to go to the parks, the hotel was so lovely to spend time at and the balcony with a drink at sunset was so nice. No balcony at POFQ. We used it a lot more than I thought, but we had savanna view, no idea if the extra 600 includes that. Have you considered renting points? We rent dvc points at AKL for about the same price as staying at a mod, so you could possibly save on that 600.

PollyannaMom · Apr 1, 2019

imobsessedwithdisney said:
Hi, I am torn between staying at French quarter or Animal Kingdom Lodge. The kids are staying at home and we are hoping to go for six days in May. To stay at a standard room at animal Kingdom is about $600 more then staying at French quarter. We are only going to do one park day and the rest of the time just chill doing non-park activities such as brunch at California Grill, lots of pool time, and definitely a trip or two to jellyrolls. We were also hoping to check out the Edison one night. Which hotel would you go for?

I love both!! In fact, we just did a split stay at those exact resorts in December. Is that an option for you? - Three days at POFQ for the boat to DS and then three at AKL for the animals sounds great to me!

jasmine91 · Apr 9, 2019

Both are my favorite resorts, but, with no kids, I think I would go with AKL and do Boma for breakfast every single day!

KidaniZen · Apr 9, 2019

AKL hands down. Fiance and I always travel alone and love the resort for it's chill, quietness. There are two pools ( you can use the one at Kidani too I think IIRC). POFQ is too loud and busy. Also, the pool is very kid oriented. AKL also has amazing restaurants and bars.

AKL is my vote.

soccermom54 · Apr 10, 2019

Now that it is just DH and I going to WDW, we choose to stay at FQ most of the time. It is small, quiet, relaxed and the boat to DS is a big plus for us. After a day in the parks, we really enjoy the boat ride to DS and a nice dinner and drinks. The carriage ride is very romantic and the resort is beautiful at night. We do not use the pool so I cannot speak to that.

Pofq or AKL for adults only trip

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