AKL or WL in February

[Burgermom]

Hi,

My family is heading to WDW this coming February and I am trying to decide if I should keep my reservation for a standard room at WL or change to AKL standard room.
The difference in cost for our 5 night stay is $522 canadian dollars (about $400 US give or take exchange rates).
It's me, DH and DS6 and my son likes the looks of both resorts.

We are planning 2 days at MK and 3 days at the other resorts (one day each at Epcot, HS and AK). Not sure if the proximity to MK from WL is worth $522 nor not. I can't seem to get a good sense of how good/bad the buses form AK are.

My son is also a super picky eater so I'm concerned that he may not like the food at AKL

I worry about how big AKL is; will it be too much walking after a morning in the park?

The last thing on my mind is whether I should be worried about mosquitoes at either resort. I am a magnet; if there is even just one it will find me...not sure if this is an issue in early February and if so if one resort would be worse than the other in this regard.

Sorry for the rambling question but would love some input.

 

[shellyj]

I have not stayed at WL, but we LOVE AKL. I think it's a love it or hate it kind of place.
Stories about the buses seem extreme. Very honestly, we've never had a problem. All resorts are closer to some parks and farther from others. The buses at AKL have served us well. We spend most of our time at MK and have never once wished we were closer. We've had maybe 3 times we felt the wait was excessive, and you'll get that anywhere. Beach Club buses were the worst, in our opinion, followed by SSR which was due to the size of the property, not the buses themselves.

The Mara and Boma both have lots of "normal" food mixed in with their African and Indian dishes.
Here's the menu for Mara https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom-lodge/mara/menus/lunch-and-dinner/
nuggets, hotdogs, flatbread/pizza, lots of recognizable, kid friendly choices.

We usually request a room close to the bus stop. We've never had a walk back to the room that made us unhappy.

I am also a mosquito magnet and I have never had a problem with them anywhere on Disney property.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hi,

My family is heading to WDW this coming February and I am trying to decide if I should keep my reservation for a standard room at WL or change to AKL standard room.
The difference in cost for our 5 night stay is $522 canadian dollars (about $400 US give or take exchange rates).
It's me, DH and DS6 and my son likes the looks of both resorts.

We are planning 2 days at MK and 3 days at the other resorts (one day each at Epcot, HS and AK). Not sure if the proximity to MK from WL is worth $522 nor not. I can't seem to get a good sense of how good/bad the buses form AK are.

My son is also a super picky eater so I'm concerned that he may not like the food at AKL

I worry about how big AKL is; will it be too much walking after a morning in the park?

The last thing on my mind is whether I should be worried about mosquitoes at either resort. I am a magnet; if there is even just one it will find me...not sure if this is an issue in early February and if so if one resort would be worse than the other in this regard.

Sorry for the rambling question but would love some input.

They are both gorgeous resorts. In your case, I would choose AKL. Yes, WL is closer to MK, but, honestly, you could take Minnie Vans to MK, EP and DHS and still come out ahead if you want to avoid the buses (which really aren't that bad and, at AKL, they don't share with another resort! WL shares buses with Ft. W, so when we stay there, we actually uber to all parks except MK).

If you are concerned about walking to your room, you could put a request for "close to lobby" on your reservation.

In terms of food, the Mara and Boma have some standard fare which would probably be fine for a picky eater. Even Sanaa has burgers and pizza on the kids menu.

 

[rwdavis2]

Having stayed at both and liked them I would always pick AKL. It's beautiful and unique.

 

[KenHutch]

You will notice certain similarities in both resorts. They were designed by the same man. The boat ride from WL to MK is fun in the mornings. Does you son like animals? Even with a standard room there are many viewing spots for the savanna animals at AKL.

 

[siestakeys04]

I haven't stayed at AKL but I loved the option of having the boat to get to MK from WL.