AKL or WL help me decide - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

Disneygirl 792 · 01-10-2013, 10:52 AM

Thank you so much for all the replies...DH and I have a lot to think about. I knew I could count on my fellow DISers

disnmooner2013 · 01-10-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneygirl 792

Hi all. Dh and I have been thinking of going to WDW in May but can't seem to decide on a resort. We like both the AKL and WL and will be the first time staying at either. We were thinking about the standard room. Can my fellow DISers help us out?

If you are not going to stay in a savannah view room at AKL then definitely stay at WL.

blue65829 · 01-10-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfk4

I've stayed at both resorts, and while I enjoyed AKL I wouldn't stay there again. AKL felt a little like a penitentiary to me. At night large stadium lights illuminate the savannah, and the fences made things feel a little claustrophobic. The Wilderness Lodge, on the other hand, feels much more open.

.

this is it exactly! I felt trapped at AKL. Of course there are worse places to be trapped

pepe of ohio · 01-10-2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue65829

this is it exactly! I felt trapped at AKL. Of course there are worse places to be trapped

No, there are better places to be trapped... AKL did nothing for us but it was a forced stay before getting our nights at the Poly... Just an on property day filler , good thing we couldn't wait to leave!!

grimley1968 · 01-10-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepe of ohio

No, there are better places to be trapped... AKL did nothing for us but it was a forced stay before getting our nights at the Poly... Just an on property day filler , good thing we couldn't wait to leave!!

This is true, but even though AKL is not my favorite WDW resort, it sure beats the heck out of the Econolodge on I-Drive, if I had to be trapped somewhere.

02AggieGirl · 01-10-2013, 03:39 PM

My favorite resort is WL! I've never stayed at AKL but have been over there to eat at Boma and it was nice. I guess it just depends what you are wanting in your vacation.

Momofone92 · 01-11-2013, 05:16 PM

We have stayed at both

AKL has Dr. Pepper which, in my opinion, makes it win

However my daughter, who is 9, loves WL best. She thinks the boat is the best thing ever. She likes the pool better. I like the food better at AKL. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either

tjherring · 01-12-2013, 04:38 PM

Funny, I posted this exact question in another Disney chat group that I belong to. I got 38 responses and it was split right down the middle! I have researched this question inside and out and have settled on WL, mostly for transportation reasons and proximity to the Magic Kingdom where we'll spend most of our time. AK is our least favourite park, which didn't help the case for AKL either. What I've learned in a nutshell is that neither resort for you will probably emerge as the clear cut winner - both are awesome

. One other thing that you may find interesting is the idea of a split stay, seems to be a growing trend and I strongly considered this when I was having trouble deciding between the 2....and still might!

disneybliss2 · 01-12-2013, 05:50 PM

Wow, I'm surprised to see so many fans of WL here and not as many for AKL. We LOVED our stay at AKL. For us, it was the beauty of having both Disney and a little piece of Africa on our vacation. I certainly never felt trapped or caged in as others have said, so it's all in your opinion. We thought it was beautiful, quiet, and amazingly detailed. We had a pool view which was perfect. We thought it was better than the standard view because it was much less expensive than the savanna view, and we were surprised by how many viewing spots there were of the animals in and out of the resort so we didn't miss the savanna view (or the long trek to those rooms in the back of the resort) one bit. We also like the restaurants at AKL better. I was greatly concerned about the transportation taking a long time from AKL to the parks, but it ended up being reliable and quick. No problems at all. It is a tad farther from MK, but maybe only by 10 min. compared to other resorts. I think in the end, I would consider which theme appeals to you more and which restaurants. Since we're from Arkansas, the whole wilderness, lodge, and forest animal theme does absolutely nothing for us. Way too similar to our own surroundings so it doesn't make the vacation as special for us. Good luck deciding!

pepe of ohio · 01-12-2013, 06:55 PM

Location, location, location.... Rather be close to "A" park....AKL... Not so much and we skip AK every trip!

01-10-2013, 10:52 AM	#16
Disneygirl 792 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 126	Thank you so much for all the replies...DH and I have a lot to think about. I knew I could count on my fellow DISers __________________

01-10-2013, 03:39 PM	#21
02AggieGirl Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aggieland Posts: 495	My favorite resort is WL! I've never stayed at AKL but have been over there to eat at Boma and it was nice. I guess it just depends what you are wanting in your vacation. __________________ DH & Me DD9 DD7 DD 4.5

01-12-2013, 06:55 PM	#25
pepe of ohio DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hubbard, Ohio, northeast Ohio 7 miles from Pa. border Posts: 5,726	Location, location, location.... Rather be close to "A" park....AKL... Not so much and we skip AK every trip! __________________ "May you live as long as you want and never want for as long as you live". DIS Dads Club Member

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01-11-2013, 05:16 PM	#22
Momofone92 Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 57	We have stayed at both AKL has Dr. Pepper which, in my opinion, makes it win However my daughter, who is 9, loves WL best. She thinks the boat is the best thing ever. She likes the pool better. I like the food better at AKL. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either

01-12-2013, 04:38 PM	#23
tjherring Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick Posts: 4	Funny, I posted this exact question in another Disney chat group that I belong to. I got 38 responses and it was split right down the middle! I have researched this question inside and out and have settled on WL, mostly for transportation reasons and proximity to the Magic Kingdom where we'll spend most of our time. AK is our least favourite park, which didn't help the case for AKL either. What I've learned in a nutshell is that neither resort for you will probably emerge as the clear cut winner - both are awesome . One other thing that you may find interesting is the idea of a split stay, seems to be a growing trend and I strongly considered this when I was having trouble deciding between the 2....and still might!

01-12-2013, 05:50 PM	#24
disneybliss2 DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,536	Wow, I'm surprised to see so many fans of WL here and not as many for AKL. We LOVED our stay at AKL. For us, it was the beauty of having both Disney and a little piece of Africa on our vacation. I certainly never felt trapped or caged in as others have said, so it's all in your opinion. We thought it was beautiful, quiet, and amazingly detailed. We had a pool view which was perfect. We thought it was better than the standard view because it was much less expensive than the savanna view, and we were surprised by how many viewing spots there were of the animals in and out of the resort so we didn't miss the savanna view (or the long trek to those rooms in the back of the resort) one bit. We also like the restaurants at AKL better. I was greatly concerned about the transportation taking a long time from AKL to the parks, but it ended up being reliable and quick. No problems at all. It is a tad farther from MK, but maybe only by 10 min. compared to other resorts. I think in the end, I would consider which theme appeals to you more and which restaurants. Since we're from Arkansas, the whole wilderness, lodge, and forest animal theme does absolutely nothing for us. Way too similar to our own surroundings so it doesn't make the vacation as special for us. Good luck deciding!