AKL or WL Club Level?

[Epcotgal]

Any reviews to help us decide? TIA!

 

[mickeynut1]

WL CL is great as the food offerings are good and the CMs are top notch . I can't speak for AKL CL as we've never stayed CL there, but we are considering it for a few nights in July 2013 as I've read nothing but great things about it .

 

[Seahunt]

Have you checked the Club Level FAQ thread yet? Lots of pics and info there:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2582311

DH & I have stayed at both, and loved both, I'd say just about equally. But they both have such different atmospheres that it's really going to depend on your personal taste. Sorry I'm not much help here huh

Since both choices are so nice, maybe start with the basics - would you rather go on an African safari or to a lodge out West? Will you have children with you, and which theme would they like better? For example if you have animal lovers, the AKL will be heaven to them.

Good luck with your decision! Either way, I bet you'll be happy with your choice

 

[LBAK]

I have stayed at both and prefer WL Club level. I just returned from AKL CL on Saturday and I wasn't too impressed by the staff. The Sunrise Safari however was awesome. The food was great at both but I think the staff was much friendlier and more helpful at WL.
I loved AKL but I don't think their CL was worth the money. I also liked that everything was on the same floor at WL, but that's just my opinion.
That said the best Club Level I've experienced was at the Poly.

 

[Epcotgal]

Thanks for your replies. We've done both BC and Poly Club Level. Have stayed at WL but not Club Level. Decisions, decisions. Keep the opinions coming. I appreciate them very much!

 

[OhThePain]

While we have not stayed WL-CL, I have heard nothing but great things about it. If I was going to base the decision purely on the CL offerings, I would probably choose them.

However, we have stayed CL at AKL. The service was great. Chris was always on top of things and Marshall helped us out big time in getting us a room after our flight home was cancelled due to a freak snow/wind storm up the East Coast. Everyone else up in the lounge was always friendly and ready to help you with anything. We would head back for a late afternoon break which would consist of afternoon tea up in the lounge, relaxing and looking out over the savannah, a shower, and some beer and hors d'ourves before heading out for the evening. There was no better way to be at Disney and yet relax and feel like you are thousands of miles away.

Another great perk of staying CL at AKL was the Sunrise Safari. You meet the group early in the lounge where you check in and get scanned in (you need to use park admission for it). Then you head over to AKL where you ride KS, only much more in depth and much longer. The early morning is a great time to ride KS because most of the animals were out that you don't always get to see like to jaguars, hogs and even the lions. After the Safari you have a really nice private buffet breakfast at Pizzafari. It runs about $65 per person but was worth it.

All guests at AKL/Kidani (ages 8 and up I believe) have the option of doing the Wanyama Safari as well. This is a really intimate safari (max of 12 guests) out on the lodges of the resort. You get a really up close and personal view of the animals (a giraffe stuck its head into our safari vehicle) and are guided by a CM who actually works with the animals on the savannah. After the safari around the savannahs you then head to Jiko for an awesome feast. This runs about $190 per person but was totally well worth it.

So, while yes we haven't stayed at WL, my vote has to go to AKL-CL. Between the service at AKL-CL (the IPO was great to work with as well), the experiences that are available to you and just the overall atmosphere of the resort, it's a home run.

 

[Jedimike]

I stayed AKL CL last December and LOVED it. The theming is fantastic! However, since then, I've stayed CR and GF CL's and have to say that I don't think one CL is better or worse than another (my favorite staff was at the CR Atrium Club). That being said, I much prefered the location of the CR, so of your two choices, I would lean towards WL due to its proximity to MK and the monorail resorts.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I would choose WL... Boat to MK is a big plus... AKL is so far from everything...

 

[OhThePain]

I would choose WL... Boat to MK is a big plus... AKL is so far from everything...

A lot of people say this, but I disagree. AKL is just as far from MK as WL is to AK (AKL to MK was hardly more than an 18 minute bus ride). Both are relatively the same distance from EC and DHS.

 

[chabs]

Having stayed at both recently and putting hotel theming differences and location aside, we prefer the WL CL over AK CL because:

WL lounge is more spread out/seems to have more seats (there was no place to sit many times at breakfast at the AK)

AK lounge was loud-I can't tell you how many times somebody was pounding on a drum in the lobby below us. It got to be outright annoying at times.

WL has "less weird" food-according to the kids and the adults thought the food selection was better at the WL in general

WL lounge is more convenient (on the same floor) AK-we had quite a walk from the long hallwall and then up the elevator to the lounge.

Employees at the WL are much friendlier than AK if you care about that kind of thing.