AK or WL best for 5 and 3 year old?

[TexasMomof2]

We are planning a trip to DW in January and trying to decide between these two resorts. I see that AK has a LOT of rooms and didn't know if that made things a lot more crowded, there, or if that has anything to do with where I want to go since everything will be crowded

I would like to be somewhere that if we want to go back to the room for a nap, it's not too bad.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

 

[honey11dog]

It depends on which parks you will be at the most. I am assuming the Magic Kingdom. If so, I would recommend WL because you can take an easy boat ride back to the resort and not have to fight the crowds on the monorail or buses.

 

[chefthor420]

Go to an All Star resort, save the money and spend more in the park.

 

[QueenGoblin]

Well, we haven't stayed at either, but we have stayed at FW and we will be staying at AKL for our January trip. The boat from MK to FW is very nice, but timing is everything. If you just miss it, it might be a while before the next one comes. And it makes a triangle between FW, MK and WL so on on leg of the trip you will have to wait through a trip to FW. A bus might be faster, but the boat is much more fun.

We chose AKL for our next trip because there are supposedly lots of activities for kids...parades in the lobby, storytelling, flamingo feedings, viewing the animals with night vision goggles. Our DD loves zebras and likes to sit with a drink and just observe the zebras at our little local zoo, so we think she will get a kick out of being able to view the animals from the hotel. I have heard that the bus service is very good and there is little to no "bus sharing" so you have a direct shot between AKL and wherever you are going. They are building a new DVC at AKL right now, so there might be some evidence of construction if that is a consideration for you.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. We considered WL for the proximity to MK, but went with AKL because we though DD would enjoy the theming and activities more. Have fun!

 

[QueenGoblin]

Go to an All Star resort, save the money and spend more in the park.

Haha! That's what we are doing for the first 4 days b/c you can't beat that deal and typically we are just at the resort to sleep. We are staying at AKL for 3 nights during this trip because DH is running the Goofy challenge and we figure we might need to spend more time just relaxing around the resort..so the resort cost is part of our entertainment budget.

 

[ksumn1]

I would reccomend the AKL. We stayed ther last June and it was great. It's like being transported to Africa. The music is just so upbeat and cheerful. Book a Savannah view room, and the kids can watch the animals from the balcony. We could see giraffes from our room. My 4 year old would have just stayed and watched the animals all day. Bus service is pretty good, but it is a fairly decent walk from the bus stop to your room, plus the bus ride back to the resort so keep that in mind. If you really plan on relaxing at the reort AKL, if you need to be closer to the parks so you can run back to the room often I'd pick the WL. There are fun things at both but I think the AKL is just more fun.

 

[Wendi2000]

I haven't stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, but the Animal Kingdom Lodge is fabulous!!! My son loves the animals... and the pool! I highly recommend it - especially with kids.

 

[bzzymom]

We stayed at AKL in Jan 2 years ago with DS who was 7 and DD who was 11 months. DS loved the resort and the kids activities. It is farther away from MK, but it wasn't that bad at all. I have never stayed at WL so I can't comment on it except that it is beautiful and I have heard good reports from friends who have stayed there.

 

[TatenEly]

*Theme is unbeatable!
*Food Options (Mare,Boma,Jinko..we tried each one and very good)
*Zero entry pool for small kids is a bonus
*The bus system was good...a little long to get to anyplace other than AK but it worked great for us and our 7&5 year olds at the time.
*Tons of kids activities throughout the day

I have not stayed at WL but I hear wonderful things about it...I just know that AKL was really a great fit for our family.

Either choice is a winner!

 

[TylerAggie]

I am also a Texas Mom of two, DD5 and DS2. I just booked our vacation and I was also debating between these two resorts. I eventually chose the Wilderness Lodge based on its location and our itinerary. We plan on spending about 60% of our trip at MK, with three of our ADR's being at MK and one at Chef Mickeys, which is also only a boat ride away. I am sure you can't go wrong with either resort.

 

[kahluacream]

I'm going to put my vote in for the WL... Both resorts are incredible, but young children will probably want to spend the most days at the MK. The WL is sooooo convenient to MK, a leisurely boat ride which drops you off steps from the park's entrance or a super quick bus ride. Being in the MK area will let you frequent the monorail and its resorts with more ease, which is great for little ones. You can take a boat directly from your resort for Chef Mickey's, dine at the FUN Whispering Canyon Cafe, and have easy access to Fort Wilderness for pony rides, hay rides, campfire sing-along with Chip and Dale, and free movies. Little kids would also enjoy watching the Electric Water Pageant from the beach at the WL.

We stayed at WL with kids 2 and 5 (at the time), and they loved it! Unless your kids are obsessed with animals, I would definitely recommend the location at WL!

 

[all4fun]

We have enjoyed both resorts. We're from the NW which is what the WL is themed after and ds really enjoyed the resort (he was three at the time), especially the big fountain/spring in the main lobby that is actually the start of the stream that feeds into the pool. For some reason that was a big attraction for him. Like the pp said, it's an easy boat ride to MK which is a favorite park for the younger kids. Since part of your stay is going to be at the All Stars, if you won't have a car you might just be sick of taking the bus at that point so that might be a consideration as well.

You might want to go to the resorts forum and see what people are saying about AKL right now. As a pp mentioned, Disney Vacation Club is in process of building a DVC resort there now so that might factor into your decision. Having said that there's something about walking out on your own balcony (or any of the public areas that face the Savannah) and seeing all these beautiful Giraffes and other animals that are not indigenous to our continent. Definitely something you don't see every day.

hth!

 

[TexasMomof2]

Well, so now I find out that we qualify to stay at Shades of Green. No Disney "magic atmosphere" apparently from what I've read on the boards, but the price is sooooo low compared to the deluxe resorts and the rooms are bigger.

What a dilemma (if only all life's problems were like this ). So now we are adding this one in the mix too.

I just looked at the DVD we got from Disney and the WL looks awesome. Unfortunately, I can't get the AAA discount on the standard rooms on the dates we are looking at. UGH.

Elizabeth