AKL or WL, which do you like better?

[mom22boys]

We are planning a trip this November and I can't decide between the AKL or WL. I know my two little guys would love the animals at AKL, but we are relying solely on Disney transportation. I am worried that it will be too remote. On the other hand, WL looks very convenient to MK. Any opinions our there? Which resort do you like better?

Thanks!

Oh, and by the way, how dark is AKL really?

 

[madalex]

Never stayed at WL, but I have friends who swear by it and it is located conveniently to the Magic Kingdom.

That being said, we have stayed at AKL and we love it. The animals are great, the overall theming of the place is wonderful, the pool is fabulous. I cannot say enough good things about it.

Also, transportation to all the parks from AKL is by bus. Although you are right about the somewhat remote location, the bus service is very good, so that somewhat longer bus rides has not been a big issue during any of our trips.

 

[Kimberle]

We haven't (yet) stayed at AKL. I'm sure it's lovely.

We have stayed at WL and really loved our stay. The boat to the MK is great. There is now a direct bus to the MK, too. What we especially loved, was the easy access to other MK resorts. There is a small blue boat that goes WL/CR/FW from 6:45 am - 10 pm. (Generally 2 running, 1 clockwise, and 1 counterclockwise.) It's SO EASY to hop over to CR for Chef Mickeys or to FW for the campfire, trails end, or the dinner shows. FW also has pony rides for little ones.

We also really loved that WL is a rather small resort, with everything under 1 roof. Nothing is more than a 5 (or less) minute walk. The pools are great (main, plus quiet, also 3 hot tubs and a kiddie pool). You can rent bikes, regular, surray, etc, plus water mice and other boats. The resort is so pretty.

As for the rooms, they have the same designer and except for the "decorations" are nearly identical.

Good luck deciding.

 

[mom22boys]

Thanks for the info! I love all the details. That really helps! Anyone else have an opion?

Much thanks!

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

Although we haven't stayed at AKL, we opted for the WL on our 1st trip and it was a toss up between the 2. We loved the resort, especially for the close proximity to MK. The boat ride was not long and pulls up right at the entrance, so it is easy to go back and forth to the hotel, if needed. We definately will be back. Depending on your kids ages, they have a very small waterslide in the pool at WL that ends up in the 3.5 foot deep part, my DD 7 loved it. The snack bar was also kid-friendly and I would definately recommend eating at the Roaring Forks one night-it's great for kids!! Have a wonderful trip.

 

[estnh]

We have stayed at both, and would vote for AKL, mostly because of the theming and the animals. WL is beautiful, but the outside theming is basically "pine trees". We're from the north, and see plenty of pine trees in our back yard.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We have stayed at both on several occasions. I love each, however, I would stay at the AKL because of the unique aspects and overall service. Also, we have found the transportation from the AKL to be excellent.

 

[mom22boys]

Glad to hear the transportation is good at AKL! I love to hear all the different opinions! Does anyone know how deep the water is at the pool slide at AKL?

Thanks so much! Disney is already feeling so magical!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Have stayed at AKL, and didn't like it. Shape is like a big "U", with the lobby at the bottom. If your room is at the end of the "U", its a long, long walk back to the lobby where all the entertainment and food is, same for the pool area. With AKL closing at dark, there is not much to do there besides swim and everything else is a long bus ride. Over all, the area is secluded, the lobby is dark, not festive and well lit like the other resorts. As for the animals, in the Savannah, about 5 kinds and thats it, its not a zoo, and you can get bored real quick, looking at the same five and one is like a big horn steer and another is deer. The giraffee are the best but WL, is more decorative, well lit, great pool and a boat ride from the MK or FW. Plus a short hop by boat and you're on the monorail loop of resorts that are deluxe and like a park in themselves. We stay either at the Poly or WL, just about every trip and would not think to go back to AKL. Hope this helps but its only my opinion.

 

[MinnieM3]

WE have stayed several times at both and just LOVE WL. We live in the south about a mile from the beach, so we love the theming. Love the boat and the CM's there are always great. Love all the goings on at Whipsering Canyon. The pool is nice but could be bigger. My kids love the lobby....me too!

AKL is nice, too. A bit more spread out, but still under one roof. My kids loved the pool there and Mara was a nicer fast food area. Boma is GREAT for breakfast. Once we had a non savannah room and once a savannah room. The viewing of animals kinda got old after a couple of days and we just didn't stand there or sit there and watch them that much. We were usually out and about.

Whichever one you choose, DO go to the one you DIDN'T choose and check it out. They are both worth at least a visit! Enjoy your trip!

 

[MinnieM3]

OOoooOOOOoooo my 400th post! YAY! There's my excitement for the day!

 

[mom22boys]

WE have stayed several times at both and just LOVE WL. We live in the south about a mile from the beach, so we love the theming. Love the boat and the CM's there are always great. Love all the goings on at Whipsering Canyon. The pool is nice but could be bigger. My kids love the lobby....me too!

AKL is nice, too. A bit more spread out, but still under one roof. My kids loved the pool there and Mara was a nicer fast food area. Boma is GREAT for breakfast. Once we had a non savannah room and once a savannah room. The viewing of animals kinda got old after a couple of days and we just didn't stand there or sit there and watch them that much. We were usually out and about.

Whichever one you choose, DO go to the one you DIDN'T choose and check it out. They are both worth at least a visit! Enjoy your trip!

I love that suggestion! This will be my first time staying on Disney property since 1981! I was only 8 then and we stayed at CR. My how things have changed!

 

[DisneycrazedX6]

My family stayed at AKL over Christmas. The hotel is very dark,if you use one time use camera's you will not get good pictures,and not very cheery. I really liked the gift shop,the smells of the restaurants and the pool. Our room was a savannah view but we did get tired of looking at the same animals all week. The bus service was good not great. We are trying VWL for our summer trip then I can compare better! Have fun whatever you choose!!!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I prefer AKL, just because I love the animals and the pool area at night. It's so peaceful. However, WL is great, too...particularly because of its proximity to MK and the other MK resorts which are wonderful to explore and dine at. I love AK, but I usually split a stay at AKL with another resort that is closer to either the Epcot area or the MK area or I feel too isolated from the rest of WDW for the entire trip. I would never want to miss a stay at AKL, though. I love the place

 

[#1MMFan]

Just a thought, I love WL - it's my favourite by miles - but they could be doing with expanding Roaring Fork (the counter service restaurant). AKL's version is way ahead of WL's. That said I obviously visited AKL, and altho' the CMs are very friendly I couldn't help feeling there was a lot of concrete around in the pool area. To me it was not nearly as appealing as I had anticipated, and if I stayed there I would definitely miss the amount of water you are 'surrounded' by in WL and at POR when I stayed there. There's something so tranquil about water, plus it gives you more options for recreation.

 

[mom22boys]

They both sound so great! I am wondering if I should do a split stay! Thanks again for all of the info!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I prefer AKL. My children prefer WL. I thought the transportation at the WL was horrible. This was before they added a bus to the MK. It is probably better now. We had no problems at AKL.

Lori

 

[#1MMFan]

To be honest I thought the transportation to MK from WL was the best aspect of the WL transport, so the addition of a bus service to MK is not a major plus in my book at all. Perhaps better DTD service would be appropriate.

 

[sandraB]

We love the AKL!

We have two boys, and they loved the pool! The area around the slide is not deep, maybe 3-4ft. My seven year old loved it. The pool itself is very large, and has a zero entry area for little ones.

The transportation is great....we never used our rental car once!

Waking up to zebras and giraffs is a once in a lifetime experience too....I will never forget the first morning, and waking up to my boys both perched on the top bunk wide eyed in wonder at the animals outside the room!

Have a great trip!

 

[princessvacg]

The bus service at WL was horrible when we were there last July.