AKL or WL???

[marciemouse]

We're planning a fall 2010 trip for about 6 of us, all adults except for one 3 year old. One couple hasn't been to Disney in 25 years, and it will also be our newly adopted daughter's first trip. The other 3 of us are veterans. I've visited both the AKL and WL but have never stayed at either. We just got the 40% off deluxe pin, so we're looking at these two since they're still the most affordable. Honestly, neither on would be my first pick (BLT villa!), but they interest my DH and Dad, so... Plus, they are the cheapest deluxe resorts. Not really interested in the FW cabins, family suites, etc. as we'd like more privacy. Would likely get standard view rooms at either. Which resort would you pick and why?

 

[GrumpyBelle]

This is hard to say not knowing the likes and dislikes of your family. Both are beautifully themed resorts and are my 2 personal favorites. Took a tour of BLT villas during our last visit and wasn't impressed--just not my favorite theme. WL offers boat transportation to MK in addition to bus service (if that is a concern). AKL is a newer resort. IMHO you can't go wrong with either.

 

[marciemouse]

I should also add that we will likely have a car, but will still sometimes use WDW transportation so we can split up when we want to.

Can't see spending a ton of time at the pool or eating at TS restaurants either, so...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for the Wilderness Lodge because in my opinion they have a much better overall location and more transportation options.

 

[KatMark]

We've not stayed at either. However, we are planning to do a split stay at the AKL next trip (with the CSR). We have visited numerous times and spent about three hours there just walking around in September before/after our breakfast at Boma. We love everything about the resort and this is our dream resort. The WL holds no appeal to me at all. Don't get me wrong, it is beautifully done, but the theme of the outdoorsy/woodsy theme does not appeal to me, did not enjoy our food the two times we ate there (WCC and the food court), the pool looks very small and we had a run in with a CM that turned me off the resort.

 

[nathanyell]

I was looking into both when I planned my last trip. Since I am traveling with a first timer, I decided on WL because I know we will be spending more time at MK and Epcot. With the 3 year old, I would most likely do WL as well because it is closer to the MK.

AKL is a beautiful resort. If you were staying Savanna View, then I would definitely consider it more.

Hope this helps,

Brian

 

[ktlm]

I've stayed at both, and you can't go wrong with either one. AKL is my favorite (but that is because of the Savannah view which you indicated you would not be doing), BUT with a 3 year old I would definitely pick WL. In fact, I did. We stayed at WL with DD when she was 2 yrs 10 months and again when she was 3. She loved it there. The closeness to MK is great. We loved taking the boat back and forth to MK. We never had to wait long for a boat and it was a fun ride. When DD is older, I plan to stay at AKL again.

 

[PearlySwan]

^^^ As PP have already said, go for the WL. We stayed there last June and it was super easy to get back and forth fom MK using the ferry (nice relaxing ride too). The 3 yr. old might need down time and/or nap and the close proximity to MK will make it simple to take a mid-day break. That's what we did each day we toured with our then 3 yr. old. We'll be staying at AKL next time we go but he probably won't be napping anymore (he rarely does here at home), and if he gets super tired there is always the stroller...

Have fun planning a magical vacation!

 

[grannyminnie]

I vote for the WL also. Unless your group is just ga-ga for animal activity, the WL gives you excellent theming also, and the location beats the AKL. It is close enough to the monorail resorts to be convenient. Even better if you have a car.

 

[wdwfanva]

I chose WL. It is my and my DW's fav plus itis close to the Magic Kingdom. With kids it would probably be best choice if you'll be spending more time at MK . We have stayed at both, loved the aninals at AKL , but it's so far from everything and only bus transpotation to any where you go. Whatever you decide, have a magical trip and tell Mickey I said hello !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. VWL is closer and more convenient to the parks MK and Epcot which for the 3 year old is nice. However, you have a vehicle AND AKL has the animals which I would think would be a huge appeal to the 3 year old also.
What about a split stay between the 2??

 

[Anal Annie]

We really, really, REALLY like both but I voted for WL. It's beautiful, peaceful, relaxing. Lots of character. I chose it because you said it's a fall trip - WL is very much a lodge and has lots of fireplaces & rocking chairs & is very cozy for a fall / winter / early spring trip - it's perfect for that time of year.

 

[IMDORY]

I've stayed at both-loved them both-I give WL the edge though.

WL: overall feel of the lodge-I feel right at home, love the music that is playing all over the resort, the grounds, Artist Point-The entire resort-it is my style

Good things about AKL: Much bigger pool, with a zero entry area, love all the restaurants-and I prefer the Mara at AKL to Roaring Forks at WL. Seeing the animals was SO cool-but if you don't have a savannah view room-you can really only go see them at the public viewing areas-which is fine-but I wouldn't stay at AKL unless I had a savannah view room. I think the playground area at AKL is a bit nicer than at WL

Minuses at AKL (for me)-even though I had a savannah view room, we were high enough up so that we saw all the traffic lights and neon signs there were next to the resort but just off property. That really bothered me. I like to feel like I'm in the middle of nowhere when I'm at a WDW resort. I don't want to be reminded of the outside world. If I was on the other side of the resort this would have never been an issue though.
other minuses-no lake. I like to look out on the lake at WL. Although the pool is big-there is a lot of foliage in the pool area and that made it a little more difficult for me to keep tabs on my son-not the end of the world-I just prefer the openness of the pool area of WL. Also, WL has a beach-can't swim in the lake-but you can sit on the beach-watch the electrical water parade.


Transportation: this is a tough one b/c this is just the nature of the location of AKL. Going to MK seemed like quite a journey. Although we had direct service...just a long ride-I prefer to be closer to MK. No boats-I actually like taking the boats using the monorails at WDW-just seemed like a lot of time on the bus when staying at the AKL

 

[jess20k]

I loved both resorts, but I would give a slight edge to AKL...it was just so breathtaking there, even though we loved WL, if I had to choose one it would be AKL.

 

[Jenna319]

I have WL booked for a week in September w/ free dining bounceback offer. Question: Can you see the fireworks at MK from the WL beach and do they pipe in the music like the Poly does? I stayed at Poly our last trip and I'm trying to get myself excited about staying at WL, but I love Poly sooooo much!!!! Thanks for any info!