AKL or WL

[danielmorgan03]

We have 3 and 5 year old kids and I am torn between AKL and WL club level... I want the convenience of the WL to MK but the theming of AKL is great. I believe the pool is better at WL....

Any thoughts from the pros?

 

[NYMomof4]

I've stayed at both, with AKL most recent for a Dec. 07 stay. The AKL pool is huge-much bigger and from past experiences, it seemed less crowded as a result. Both have slides. I visited last with my DS6 and DS12 and AKL had several daily activities for kids--crafts, a parade with the kids playing instruments, cultural activiites etc... There was a lot for kids to do all day long and my kids loved it.

We liked WL for the easy access to MK and the kids liked the beach area to play in the sand. The pool seemed crowded when we went last May, and it was harder to find a pool spot later in the day. The theming is great here too, though.

You can't go wrong at either, but my kids gave the vote for AKL when I asked.

 

[Kimberle]

I have stayed at both. With little ones, I'd pick WL as it is much closer to MK. Your kids will love the boat rides. AKL just has buses.

 

[DizOz]

We have also stayed at both. Most recently in December at WL with our 2 DD aged 5 and 8. The girls loved the WL especially the boat rides to MK and the pool. They spent most afternoons by the pool after a day in the parks.

 

[danielmorgan03]

Thanks for the replies. We were booked for AKL club level because it was initially cheaper than WL club level. Now the prices are the same. The only let down is that we will not be able to go on the sunrise safari.... such is life. At least these are my problems instead something that is of consequence.

 

[boomhauer]

We've stayed at WL before and loved it. We were going to stay at AKL in July, but switched back to WL. We visited AKL in December, and while it was nice, it didn't hit me like WL. Plus, with the exception of AK, you're secluded from everything. WL is gorgeous anyways, but with the Magic Kingdom right there and Bay Lake outside, it wins our vote.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

I would vote for AKL as I think the kids would be most antsy while having to sit in the room. Atleast at AKL they can stare off the balcony at the animals, its almost like being in a theme park attraction. WL is wonderful too, but I think the themeing for that is more adult oriented and less likely to inspire the little ones. AKL also has a little path outside where you can walk with the kids and look at the animals, but it also has castmembers who will answer questions and little signs with fun facts about the animals, so your kids might even get some education.

 

[bsbrady]

I've stayed at both. With little ones, I would pick WL. Its proximity to the MK is a huge convenience. You just get on the boat and u r there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Expect for seeing the animals at the Animal Kingdom Lodge I would say both Resorts are designed the same way, however I would choose the Wilderness Lodge. My reason is being close to the Magic Kingdom and I think the Animal Kingdom Lodge location is to far away from everything else in WDW.

 

[LilGMom]

We've stayed at both and with little kids WL wins over AKL. I think the pool at AKL is better (has zero entry which is great with little ones) and yes you can see the animals if you have the right room but if you have a standard room you might only be able to see the birds, squirrels, etc. that are near the parking lot. Not too much wildlife on the other side of the building. AKL also feels a bit more 'removed' from things because of its location.

WL is a beautiful resort, still has a good pool, has the added convenience of being a short boat ride to MK, can take a short boat ride or bike ride to FWC to do a pony ride or see the large horses, and did I mention that it is beautiful? And WCC can be a fun place to eat with kids.

We are staying at AKL for our next trip only because the FL/AP rate was much better than the FL/AP rate at WL.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

My reason is being close to the Magic Kingdom and I think the Animal Kingdom Lodge location is to far away from everything else in WDW.

People always say this and I don't understand it. On the map, all of WDW is confined in that one area except the MK. In my opinion, the MK and its resorts are the ones away from everything else.

If you stay near the MK, its a long bus ride to EPCOT, DHS and AK. If you stay near the other 3 parks, its only a long bus ride to MK.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

People always say this and I don't understand it. On the map, all of WDW is confined in that one area except the MK. In my opinion, the MK and its resorts are the ones away from everything else.

If you stay near the MK, its a long bus ride to EPCOT, DHS and AK. If you stay near the other 3 parks, its only a long bus ride to MK.

The way I see it the Magic Kingdom Resorts are located right around each other, where as the Animal Kingdom Lodge is located past the Animal Kingdom with nothing else around it.

Expect for the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness where you take a bus, if you stay at any of the Monorail Resorts you just take the Monorail from the TTC to Epcot and the buses to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom don't take long once they picked up all the guests at the other Resorts.

 

[hondel]

The Wilderness Lodge!!!!!!!!!!!! We have stayed at the Lodge 2 times and love it, the only reason we are not staying there this time is because the DD would like to try a different resort. But please stay at WL!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fionasmommy]

We've done both and my DD much prefers WL. The resorts are similar but we found AKL to be MUCH more spread out. At AKL we were so far from everything that going to the food court, pool, and even the bus pretty much required a canteen and a walking stick.

We found the bus rides to be long - particularly to the MK. That alone would make me hesitate to stay there again. We also had longer waits for the buses than we've ever had at any other resort. I found that surprising as I'd always read glowing reviews of AKL buses here on the DIS.

I do agree that they do a lot of fun things for the kids. When we were there they had a $5 kids activity each day. My DD made an ornament and painted a magnet. I also liked the selections in the food court - I just didn't like having to get myself there!

WL has a great pool, WCC which kids love, bunk bed rooms, the boat to the MK, and they also have free kids activities. Off hand I recall a pinata pull and chalk drawing last July 4th. You can also walk or get the boat over to FW for the movie and marshmallow roast in the evening!

 

[bsbrady]

Fionasmommy, when were you at the AKL, I mean was it the busy season or low season.

 

[GatorLady]

WL works great for us. We spend the most time at MK and Epcot. So being a boat ride away from MK is a real plus.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

When we were looking at booking our trip for next month, we went back and forth between AKL and WL. DH wanted a Savannah room view at AKL which is the only way I would've stayed there anyhow. However this is what it came down for us:

*The WL was actually cheaper than the AKL by almost $400. For us that was almost $400 more spending money in our pockets. However that was NOT the biggest reason we chose WL over AKL. It's better outlined in the reasons below.

*We have a 4 yo DS. We knew that we'd be spending the majority of our week long trip between MK & Epcot. We're not going to AK this trip as DS wasn't that enthused about it our last trip. Plus it's hot inside the park and has a lot of walking.

*DS loves the monorail. So we know we can take the boat over to the CR and hop in the monorail there and take it to Epcot. Yeah it might be a few minutes longer than taking the bus, so what.

*The beach and the themed pool at WL was a big sell for us as was watching the water parade (I know there's another name for it but right now I can't think of it).

*Most of our ADR's are for restaurants at monorail resorts near the MK so it just made sense for us to stay in closer proximity to them.

I'm just the opposite of some people. I think the AKL is more geared toward adults than the WL.

Hope this helps you in making your decision between the two.

 

[Cindie-rella]

I would vote for AKL as I think the kids would be most antsy while having to sit in the room. Atleast at AKL they can stare off the balcony at the animals, its almost like being in a theme park attraction. WL is wonderful too, but I think the themeing for that is more adult oriented and less likely to inspire the little ones. AKL also has a little path outside where you can walk with the kids and look at the animals, but it also has castmembers who will answer questions and little signs with fun facts about the animals, so your kids might even get some education.

I agree. AKL is like getting 2 vacations in one. I've visited WL and it really is quite beautiful, however, we live in PA near the Pocono's and have many times rented cabins at the PA Grand Canyon and Pocono region, so for us WL wouldn't feel like we were too far from home. AKL takes us far away. It is just the coolest place we have ever stayed at. It's so awesome waking up and having our coffee on our balcony watching all the African wildlife. The kids will love it ! We're taking our granddaughter there next month for her 1st visit to WDW, she's almost 3. We are doing a split stay this time between AKl and OKW where as we rented points from a DVC member and saved a bunch of $$$. We are actually thinking of buying into DVC at the all new AKL Villa's. I just can't wait to get there !
Oh and by the way, the bus transportation at AKL is very efficient. The pool is great, and the food at BOMA is awesome! Very different than any place on WDW property. My vote definitely goes to AKL !!!

 

[danielmorgan03]

I switched our res over to the WL club level this morning. We are spending about 60% of the park time at MK and 30% at Epcot. We plan on using the boat to get to the Contemporary and hopping on the monorail. My 5 yo son loves the monorail and he will get a kick out of it. The other deciding factor was that the WL went through refurb recently and I could guarantee a club bunk bed room at WL and not at AKL. Thanks for the input.

 

[Fionasmommy]

Fionasmommy, when were you at the AKL, I mean was it the busy season or low season.

Low season - it was the second week in December. I think we checked in on the 9th. We've previously only gone during summer and for MNSSHP so we were amazed and delighted at how much shorter the lines were in the park. It was soooo nice! We also got a fabulous AP deal at both resorts (we did a WL/AKL split stay) - AP room rate and a free $75 dining gift card for each reservation. Can't beat that!