Advice needed: Stay at AKL or WL?

[SorcererDonald16]

Hi everyone! I'm new here (just found the board a couple of days ago and have been reading ever since; this is a fabulous place!). I'm having some major problems figuring out what resort to stay in, so I thought maybe you all could give me some advice.

A little background info: I'm going sometime in May, June, or July. I've stayed on property 4x before, once at Caribbean Beach Resort, once at Coronado Springs Resort, and 2x at Port Orleans Riverside/Dixie Landings. I like CBR, sort of neutral about CSR, and loved POR (I loved the Alligator Bayou side, didn't much care for the Southern Mansions). I was planning on staying at POR again this year, but since the trip is basically one of my college graduation presents, I can also choose from WL or AKL. I've never even seen either one, so I've been reading a lot about them, looking at 100s of photos online, watching everything about them on the DVDs from this year & last, and pouring over y'all's posts. Problem is I still have no idea what to do. I start leaning to one, then read/see something and go back in the middle again, and time to make ressies is ticking away. So I thought maybe y'all could give me some advice based on what I like/dislike, and what I'm concerned about.


I'm a pretty picky eater, although we only eat at the resort the 1st night, so it's not much of an issue.

I'd like to have access to a nice gift shop with plenty of collectibles, mugs, etc. that are moderately affordable, and not just t-shirts and stuffed animals everywhere (ex. I loved POR's gift shop).

Pools aren't an issue since we don't swim.

We're driving, so transportation to & from places isn't an issue.

I like relative quiet when I come back to my resort (all of the mods have been so quiet, so I'm concerned it'll be noisy with the room entrances on indoor hallways, and some of the horror stories I've read about WL's lobby & restaurant Whispering Canyon being so loud).

I'm concerned about how dark both WL & AKL look in photos (I don't like being blinded by white paint and bright lights everywhere, but I also don't want to feel like someone's turned a light out on me).

Either place, we'd only be able to afford standard view. Not a problem at WL, but do those of you who've stayed at AKL in standards feel like you were left out of the experience by not seeing animals from your rooms?

I like water, I like the woods, I love animals, etc.; basically I like nature in general. But I especially love giraffes and zebras.

Both WL & AKL look beautiful, although AKL is definitely not a style of hotel I'm used to in terms of the decor (not to say I wouldn't like it; I'm just not sure if I would like it); I like the way WL looks a little better than AKL.

Distance is my last concern... AKL seems so far away from everything even with a car, whereas WL is really close to MK. But I'm wondering if that's a bit of a drawback. To me, the whole park your car, get on a tram, get to TTC, get on a monorail, and then get in MK was just further making it all like it really was a fantasy world. Feeling like I'm on some other planet is why MK is my favorite park. So, my question is, do you think it takes away any of the magic of MK?

At this point, I'm feeling like maybe I should just stay at POR again since I love it so much because of the theme, food, shop, and the boat to DTD (which I go to at least 4 or so times per trip, but only take the boat 1x), but this may be my one and only chance to stay in a deluxe resort. Advice/tips from anyone who's ever stayed at either place (especially those of who you've stayed at both!) would be greatly appreciated! Or advice from anyone who's even just seen/been in them, since I've never even gotten to see them and am working with photos and videos alone. Thanks!

~Kelly

ETA: resort hopping isn't an option since we have so much stuff that we take to FL and don't want to have to move it around; so it's one resort or the other.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Hi Kelly,

Can you split your stay between AKL and WL?? This way, you can experience both resorts.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Thanks for replying Telly! We're not doing the dining plan even though we'd be staying 7 nights, but we lug so much stuff down to FL that my parents would never want to have to unpack and pack it all up, unpack again, and then pack it all up to go home. They're letting me decide what to do, but resort hopping is the only no-no.

~Kelly

 

[disneymom1]

I have stayed at both hotels. Here's my opinion.

The most important advantage of WL is the location. You say you love MK. If that's the case, WL is really a plus with the very short boat ride to MK. WL is also much more convenient to the hotels on the monorail if you want to eat or shop there. WL also has the lake to sit by or go out on in a boat. There is a very nice trail to the campground that you can bike or walk on. Many of the standard rooms can be noisy since the doors open out to the lobby. I think the gift shops at WL have moore to offer than AKL. The merchandise is less themed than at AKL. We aren't crazy about any of the restaurants at WL. The counter service food is very limited, we found Whispering Canyon very annoying with all of the carrying on and Artist Point is just too darn expensive for our liking. We always rent a car and drive to other restaurants or sometimes eat in the parks.

As far as AKL goes, The animals are of course a plus. You don't have to be in a savannah room to enjoy them since there are many viewing areas, but it is nice to be able to sit on your balcony and view them when you are in your room. This hotel is more spread out than WL, but if you are getting a standard room, it will be near the lobby anyway. I beileve there are also standard rooms that open to the lobby, so you would want to request a room on one of the trails. As long as you are a few rooms away from the lobby you won't hear the lobby noise in your room. The counter service restaurant is much bigger with lots more variety of foods. You can actually get a substantial meal, not just a burger or sandwich. The Boma buffet is very good. I didn't try Jiko. The pool has lots more seating than WL but you say you don't really care about that. The gift shop is very African themed, not to my liking, but maybe to yours. There are a few of the standard rooms that are near the bus stop (the Giraffe Trail) and can be very noisy from the busses and people going by. You should request a room in the Ostrich Trail to avoid this problem. AKL is only a couple of minutes farther away from MK than POR, so if you don't mind the POR travel time, you shouldn't mind the AKL travel time either

We stayed at AKL because we couldn't get a discounted room at WL and we could get one at AKL so the price was much lower at AKL. We enjoyed it as a change of pace, however, because we have kids who love MK and we also enjoy the out-in-the-woods atmosphere, we are going back to WL in April.

 

[mdboyd]

After three visits to the WL, our family is staying at the AKL for the first time in May. I have been reading up on the AKL and I am excited to stay at this resort for the first time. However, I do have a little tinge of sadness about NOT staying at WL. We adore WL, but dh wanted to try something "different."

I have read alot about feeling "too far from the magic" when staying at AKL. Tell me, how far is the bus ride? Are we talking 10-15 minutes on average? Longer? I want to understand what we could expect.

Do you still feel part of the Disney scene or do you feel far removed? I am certain there is an advantage to both.

Tell me what you love about AKL!

Thanks.

 

[weluvpluto]

We went through the same thing last year, we couldn't decide between AKL and WL. We choose WL and we loved it.
If your concerned about the noise in the lobby you could request a room away from the lobby.
One of the things that has stopped me from staying at AKL is how removed it is, not to say we'll never stay there, but I like to be as close as I can afford to MK

 

[sheri236]

we have stayed at wl twice and akl once and honestly loved both resorts. there definitely is magic at akl--don't worry about that!! they have a similar feel--i felt like akl was kind of like wl + animals!! the gift shops are both nice with a great selection of souveniers. while artist point is are absolute favorite rest at wdw, akl has 3 great choices--mara is definitely better than roaring forks. as far as transportation goes, don't let akls location scare you. the bus service was great, we never waited longer than 10 minutes and usually less. we were upgraded from standard to pool view which was very nice and if you love animals, there are plenty of viewing areas if you don't get an upgrade to savannah. we are staying at akl again apr 23-30 and originally booked standard but was offered a great rate with a code so we changed to savannah---so excited!! either choice will be fine--have a great time!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We've stayed at both resorts on several occasions and enjoy both resorts for different reasons.

You have received great advice so I will simply give you my choice.....I would go to AKL!

 

[wld]

Well I'm sure you will get as many opinions as there are people here but since you asked.....
We had always stayed at moderates and we enjoy them all, wasn't crazy about mansions but think we would have loved alligator bayou.
We were excited about our first stay in a deluxe and picked WL but ended up not liking it. Reasons are many but quickly too much like home but fakey, terrible transportation except for the boat (may not matter to you), windows were fogged most of the time looking at the lake, small food court, terrible laudry facilities. We stayed at akl this last time and really loved it. We were there in January and it really didn't feel dark. The lobby feels more intimate instead of loud and echoy like WL. Better choices in the food court and we like Boma. Many areas to view animals in public areas, feels like you are getting away from it all when you drive to the resort.
The truth for us is that we like our moderates as well as the deluxes we have stayed at, but if I wanted the new experience I would try AKL, just don't expect at least these 2 deluxes to be way and above the experience of the moderates. But then we are easy to please and don't need a lot of bells and whistles! We spend most of our time in the parks.

 

[kandeebunny]

WL vote from me, I don't like the location of AKL it just seems so isolated to me!

 

[pinkpiglettlover]

Love WL and stay every year. We too were curious about AKL so in January we decided to take a quick trip to get our fix until our WL trip in August. The same architect designed both hotels, so there are similarities in the lobby. My DD 12 and DS 12 both enjoyed staying there, but kept reminding me the entire trip that "it was not the WL". Glad we tried it, but my vote is also for the WL. Love the boat to the MK and AKL is far removed. We felt like we were in the middle on no where whenever we traveled to any of the parks, except of course AKL which was still normally an 8 minute busride. The restaurants at AKL are awesome, and we will travel back to eat in August, agree with above posts not so crazy about WL restaurants. I am a shopper, and enjoy visiting all the gift shops, you can take the boat to the mk and hop on the monorail and have access to Poly, CR and GF gift shops which is great!!! And WELCOME to the boards, it is addictive!!!!!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for, so I really appreciate it. I'm still undecided, but now I'm leaning a little more to WL. But I can't tell you all how much I appreciate the thoughtful and detailed responses; I feel a lot less overwhelmed and confused now. Y'all are the best!
~Kelly

 

[disneyworld!]

I to have been having this problem....I have stayed at the WL 3 times and LOVE it. I am going May 20 and cannot get a room! so I was forced to do the AKL...!! I do want to do it...I hear the pool is awesome. I just had my heart set on WL

 

[SorcererDonald16]

If anyone else has any more advice, stories to tell about either resort, I'd love to hear it since I'm still making my final decision.
~Kelly

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I've stayed at both (and PO as well, actually) and based on your narrative, I would suggest WL. You mentioned liking the boat to DTD...you will probably like the boat to MK and being on the water at the WL. In addition to the spectacular theming at the WL, you are also near the Contemporary, Polynesian and the Grand Floridian, giving you a lot more dining options. You can even take the monorail from MK to Epcot, then go back to via monorail, and take the boat back to WL if you wanted a change of (bus) pace

For a standard view, I think the WL would most likely have the advantage over AKL, and you'd even be able to watch the MK fireworks from the WL (talk about having the magic in your resort!). The pool is great at WL with a really pretty waterfall and some great jacuzzis near a geyser that goes off every once in awhile. You can even do some boat activities or go over to Fort Wilderness and try some horseback riding or look around the petting zoo. There seem to be a lot more options that would fit your style...and if you like the horse drawn carriage rides at PO, they have them in the WL area as well.

I love AKL but its a personal thing, and it's not for everybody. The primary issue is that it is far from the rest of WDW. As much as I love the property, I'm not sure I'd want to spend an entire trip there so far from 3 of the 4 parks. We usually stay there a few days, go to AK a lot and enjoy the animals and then transfer over to another resort that is near Epcot or MK. If you are staying put, I'd recommend WL

 

[Kimberle]

I'd suggest you check out the 1st page of this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=658804

It will tell you just abt everything you want to know abt WL.

We really loved our stay.

I'd suggest you'd choose the resort that appeals the most to you. Since they have the same designer, the rooms are nearly identical (except for decoration).

 

[Jasminetigger]

Our family just loves Wilderness Lodge. The lobby is absolutely amazing. The rooms are comfortable. We love the boat ride to MK. You can also take the boat to CR and take the monorail from there. Very convenient. The pool is great. The geyser is fun to watch. The grounds are beautiful. Nice walk from the resort to the boat launch. Always seem to see rabbits along that walk. The kids just love it. Never had a problem with transportation. On the MK side of the resort you can see the fireworks from many of the rooms. I can just sit for hours in the lobby in one of the rocking chairs and just take it all in. Can't wait to be back there in June.

 

[littleprincessmom]

We've also stayed at both - Nov. 04 at AKL and Dec. 04 at WL. If you are willing to drive (which we are), the distance at AKL truly is not a problem.

We LOVED both resorts.

That being said, I'm going to have to vote for AKL.

The lobby, pool areas and animals are amazing. You do NOT need a Sav. room to enjoy the animals. IMHO, Jiko and Boma are 2 of the best restaurants on WDW property. AKL has a much better food court and it is open longer (24 hr?) WL's food court closed early (and this was Dec. 17th weekend). WCC and AP were good, but not nearly the food or the experiences we had at Jiko and Boma. The gift shops are similar - AK's is a little bigger with more African offerings.

You truly won't go wrong though with either decision - they are both great choices!