AKL Deluxe Savanna View or WL Courtyard View?

[CarolinaChick]

We're staying at the GF from 11/14-11-21 and are adding two 'room only' nights before the trip (11/12-11/14). I have reservations at both the WL and AKL. The WL I have Courtyard view booked, one night at the BAT code rate and the other night is rack rate. At AKL I have deluxe savanna view reserved with BAT code for both nights. The AKL is $140 more (includes both nights) than the WL.

We've never stayed or visited either resort so don't know anything about them (except for pictures on the web) and will be traveling with our 2-year old daughter.

Please give me your honest opinions and tell me which resort you would pick and why (and if the AKL is worth the extra money).

Thanks!!!!

 

[dischick4778]

My best friend just got back from AKL and had wonderful things to say about it. She says it is one of the best resorts she has stayed at yet. So I booked it for my SSW trip 11/13-11/18 on the Fall Rates special and got a great price ($850). The only difference is I went for the water view room instead of the savanna view. There is a huge price difference. And I'll still get to see the animals, just not from my room. No big deal to me in order to stay somewhere this nice. Hope this helps.

 

[drdelsol]

AKL. The animals views are very cool. While I enjoy the Wilderness lodge, IMHO the courtyard view isn't that big a deal.

 

[Bstanley]

FYI: The $140 difference is not the $ difference between the WL and AKL - it is for the 'Deluxe' room. The $ difference between a 'standard' Savannah view room at AKL and a WL room would be much less.

The 'deluxe' rooms at AKL are very similar in size to the Polynesian/Contemporary/Yacht & Beach rooms and are substantially larger than the 'standard' rooms at AKL (or any room except a suite at WL). The 'deluxe' rooms also have genuine Queen size beds rather than the 'bigger than a double, but smaller than a queen' beds that the standard rooms have - as well as a daybed so that there is room for 5.

Both the WL and AKL are breathtaking resorts. The similarities are larger than the differences. Personally I enjoy the Boma restaurant and being able to view the 'critters' at AKL more than the close proximity to the MK that the WL offers, but I'm sure we'll go back to WL someday.

If I wanted to be close to the MK - I'd go with the WL, if I didn't care about that - I'd go with the AKL.

Have fun!
-bruce

 

[HopperFan]

Since you are already at GF, then being close to MK is not a necessity. I would try the AKL - it is really an awesome resort. The hotel itself is full of activity and things to do and see.

Did you see if you could get a Standard Savanna view to save some money ? You don't need the extra sleeping spot and they have the same views........could save you the money you are looking to save.

Have also stayed AKL pool view, and for what you are doing - two nights of adventure - I would keep your savanna view !!!

 

[CarolinaChick]

Originally posted by Bstanley
FYI: The $140 difference is not the $ difference between the WL and AKL - it is for the 'Deluxe' room. The $ difference between a 'standard' Savannah view room at AKL and a WL room would be much less.

Thanks for your advice Bruce!
I should have clarified in my original post that the prices (views) I quoted were all that were available to me using the BAT discount codes. I would rather have a regular savanna view room at AKL or just a lodge view room at WL, but they weren't available for the dates I wanted with the code.

Trying to pick between the AKL and the WL is a tough decision, but I guess there's always another vacation to try out another resort! This IS going to be an adventure trip - 2 new resorts (to us) in one trip!!

I appreciate all the advice and opinions that I get from this board!

 

[leighe]

I would definitely go with AKL. We stayed there last spring and loved it! It is so beautiful and we really liked the feeling of being away from it all after a long day in the parks. The animals are fabulous! There is nothing better than looking out of your balcony and onto an African savannah.