AKL or WL?

[soonerlpn]

Very early planning stages but have narrowed it down to these two. This will be my now fiancée (then dh) first trip. Which is your fave and why? Is the different types of rooms worth the money or is standard the way to go? Any help is appreciated!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

For AKL, I've stayed there in a pool view room. While it was ok (maybe part of the problem was my pool view room overlooked the hot tub more!) , I was wishing I'd booked a Savanna view room to see the animals while enjoying the balcony.

For WL I adore the Courtyard view rooms. I've stayed in a woods view as well but really preferred the view of the Courtyard to the view of the woods.

Out of the 2 resorts, I like WL better. I felt that the location was better for me since I don't rent a car and use strictly Disney transportation and taxi's. I do love the lobbies at both resorts though.

I've never done standard at any deluxe because everything I've read says those views are of service areas or parking lots. I figure that if I'm spending the money to stay deluxe I want the better views since I do use the balcony.

 

[soonerlpn]

Thanks! Transportation was another question I had. We also will not be renting a car so Disney transportation it is! Loved the idea of doing the boat ride from WL!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and while they are both awesome resorts, our favorite of the two is WL . We love the close proximity to MK and having the boat for alternate transportation once in a while. Plus it's great taking the boat to the CR where we can catch the monorail and shop, dine, or just visit the Poly and GF . I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which one you choose, but if I had to decide between them, I'd go with the WL .

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Wilderness Lodge because I like their theme a little more and I think they have a better overall location.

 

[Kae]

We have stayed at both. Wouldn't do AKL without a savannah view. We felt it was a true resort so much to see & do. We did a half day just at AKL next time it will be be at least a full day. when we stayed at AKL the DVC part was not open yet we had great bus service but I have heard that it is not as good since the DVS opened.

WL we have had a woods view 5th floor right by the boat dock loved that room quiet, didn't have the kids with us that trip it was the farthest room from the bus stop we used the boat to the CR & I would get a coffee then we would bus or Monorail from there.

WL courtyard view was better for the bus stop & again we enjoyed the room. WL is a great place we love the location & the whole vibe of the place-very relaxing.

rooms are the same size.

Kae

 

[soonerlpn]

Looks like WL may be the winner! This is the first time we will be going deluxe so I'm extra excited!!

 

[kaligal]

Except for theme, they're very similar.

I like the theme at AKL much more, so I prefer that. I do like Whispering Canyon more than Boma, though.

 

[Bunnyfeather]

When I go in February on an adult trip, I will be at AKL. Our choice was between AKL and WL, both Club Level. We chose AKL because that way we can do the safari, which is only open to AKL Club guests. If we were taking kids, we would probably do WL for ease of transportation. Both are beautiful resorts with cool theming.

 

[pixarmom]

Hi OP! Looks like you're leaning toward WL, so I'll add my two cents. We've stayed at both and enjoy both. I think it really depends on what is most important to you. In the future, we'd select WL for a parks visit and AKL for a non-parks visit because transportation/location is a huge factor for us when we're going to the parks.

WL positives:
1) Beautiful lobby;
2) Great location on the lagoon;
3) Easy boat transportation to MK and the monorail resorts. It's really a treat to stand out on the dock with coffee in the morning waiting for that first boat, or to have the peaceful ride back from MK at the end of the day;
4) Peaceful setting - I find it more peaceful than AKL, but that's probably because I prefer resorts on or near the water;
5) I also count "no animals" as a positive, but I know many would disagree! 6) For kids, the bunk bed rooms are great fun.

AKL positives:
1) Beautiful lobby;
2) Rooms are in great condition and well-decorated;
3) The AKL and Kidani pools are amazing (second only to SAB, in my opinion - and that's a close second);
4) Jiko is an outstanding restaurant and not as easy to access if you're staying elsewhere;
5) The pool view rooms have great views, are in a great location and cost only a few dollars more than standard view!

Again, even though we wouldn't chose AKL for a parks visit trip, it's otherwise a great resort and we'd absolutely return for a non-parks stay.

 

[MMrules]

I love them both!!!

AKL is amazing b/c of the animals. It is truly a unique resort and is very peaceful, serene and beautiful! My first visit there I booked a standard room and got a free upgrade to savanna (which they seem to do a lot however, if they are full then you may not the upgrade). However, you can see the animals from many parts of the lodge so it isn't necessary. I now own DVC at AKV and just had my first stay there in Sept. I didn't find the buses were bad at all (either trip). There are people who say it is the resort furthest from everything, but according to the WDW map the all-stars look further than AKL. The buses only had 2 stops and I didn't wait more than 10 minutes for a bus either time.

WL is also amazing b/c of the peaceful and tranquil feeling you get when you walk into the lobby. It does have a great location being so close to the MK. I did have to wait for an Epcot bus one time for over 20 minutes but that was a one time thing and I assume I must have just missed the other bus. I chose a courtyard room here when I went. I have heard they do upgrades here too but again, not a guarantee. I have seen photos of some horrible standard views at WL (looking at a roof w/barely any natural light coming in) so I wouldn't chance the standard room view.

I love both resorts and think you will not be disappointed with either choice.

 

[skater]

I've been to both and prefer AKL. I thought it was cleaner and just love the intense theming. DD and I did pool view last year to save a little money and actually enjoyed it. The pool view rooms are close to the lobby and we loved the convenience. Transportation was not a big issue at all for us. I thought it would be, but we had great luck, never waiting very long at all for a bus. And the bus rides just never seemed that long to us . We never even went to the closest park . I like the remote, get away from the parks feeling of AKL. It truly felt like we were a world away. I also love the CM's from all over Africa. I've had amazing conversations with many of them and learned a lot about culture as well as the animals. I just felt that there was always lots more to do at AKL. Lots of secret spots to view animals and just relax. They also have my favorite restaurant in the world there (Boma).

Also, the room was spotless and shiny. Last Sept., DH and I stayed a night at WL and I felt the room was a little run down and old looking. WL is still beautiful with nice hot tubs and the boat ride can't be beat. I just like AKL better!

 

[rbenn81]

AKL hands down for us!!!! But it has to be a savannah view to really get the most out of the resort. It's nice to be able to come back to the room after a long day in the park, and just sit on the balcony and watch the animals in the savannah. Or sit out on the balcony in the morning with a cup of coffee and just watch the animals. Very relaxing. I also like the fact that the resort is away from the majority of things, gives you that chance to enjoy the lodge as if you were out in the remote areas of Africa at an actual game lodge there.

 

[Sue M]

I like both resorts. They were designed by the same architect and aside from theming are similar. Rooms have the same layout, and open lobby. They are beautiful.
We did stay at AKL before Kidani opened, but had good bus service from both resorts.
Love watching the animals at AKL, great pool, and love Boma.

WL has a better location being on the lake, with boat to MK, and a resort boat to CR & FW. Pool is nice, geyser is fun. Has a marina to rent boats and bikes, walking trail over to FW, and we enjoy Whispering Canyon too.

Some people feel the halls are too long at both resorts, but it's personal opinion. I didn't feel that way. And I've been near the end of some halls. If you have mobility problems you can request to be near the lobby.

No wrong choices, both are terrific.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We have stayed at AKL and are staying at WL in 5 days:
I would NEVER recommend getting a standard view at AKL. Our room had a view or red rooftops from our balcony. The only positive would be the animals to me and we didn't even see very many from the public lookouts. It was kinda "zoo-like" to us. No transportation except the buses either. Want be going back again.
We are excited to try WL next week while it is decorated. I have heard it is lovely and that the boat to MK is convenient too.

 

[AJA]

If you'll be in the parks a lot I vote for WL. You have lots of transportation choices with WL. You can take the boat to MK or catch the monorail there. You can also take a friendship boat to the Contemporary and catch the monorail.

AKL is gorgeous and IMO would be best if you want to spend more time relaxing at the resort. I would definitely get a savanna view room.

 

[jiffypop]

Another vote here for AKL. We've stayed at both in the past year, and I was a bit disappointed in WL. It's still very very nice, but I agree with the OP who said the rooms seemed a bit run down. Boat service to MK is great, though, and the pool is as well. (But only slightly nicer than AKL pool)

AKL is stunning. After staying at WL in fall 2010, we went back to AKL for our second time last month. Savannah view rooms are worthwhile, I think-it's lovely to sit on your balcony and look at the animals. I also thought AKL was quieter, but maybe we just lucked out and had quiet neighbors.

As far as bus service goes - we did not have a problem with it either time we stayed at AKL. The longest wait we had was 15 minutes one morning. In fact, I thought the busses were slower at WL, especially since we had to make a few additional stops before reaching the parks.

We also prefer the restaurant choices at AKL over WL - Boma, Jiko and Sanaa next door at Kidani Village.

You cannot go wrong with either one, though. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

AKL, once and WL, over 10 stays.........need I say more....we won't be going back to AKL....location is terrible, same for transportation....the theme didn't impress us nor the food...couldn't wait to be out of there..

WL has become our go to resort....we've done almost all the deluxes in WDW and have ruled them all out for one reason or another except the WL...just based on theme, serenity, location and price....it wins...especially location...being a boat ride from the MK, CR and FW is a huge plus in eliminating alot of bus travel (we never rent a car) though we don't mind using the bus system..another plus is being on the lakes, seems to be cooler with a breeze off the waterand the air feels cleaner (my perspective)...

I've read posts of run down rooms, bad housekeeping and bus service and must say, in the overall of all our times at WL, never run into any of that....rooms have been decent enough, bus service is bus service no matter which resort you're at, any issues with HP is easily cleared up by front desk...dining there is top notch, gift shop is one of the best and the overall feel of the resort and location feels like you're actually out in the Montana forest, so peaceful......