AKL or WL?

[freshstart19]

I have booked a savannah club room at AKL because of a free dining plan. Have never stayed at a deluxe. Concerned how far we are from Mk. Has anyone stayed at both AKL and Wilderness? I've wanted to stay on the savannah but am doing the sunrise savannah tour so wondering if it's worth being so far from MK.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both AKL and WL and prefer WL for the close proximity to MK. But with that said, it isn't bad getting around from AKL, IMO. AKL is kind of out there and away from everything, but we didn't find the buses to be bad at all. It's definitely not as convenient for getting to MK as the WL is, but the buses only service AKL and Kidani, so there's no sharing with any other resort. I'm sure you'll have a great trip. We've never stayed CL at AKL, but the savannah views are awesome .

 

[Goofy4]

Once a bus is headed to it's final destination there won't be more than a 10 minute difference between the various resorts and parks (unless you have to pass through Downtown Disney). Disney knows which routes have more stops, so they *try* to keep more buses on the route (especially for the Deluxe hotels).

Both WL and AKL are awesome.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

We have stayed at both resorts. AKL is our all time favorite, but we did really enjoy WL. They actually had the same architect, so the design is very similar. We find AKL more relaxing in general. The pool is much larger at AKL, and much more spread out lounge chairs. Alot of shady spots also. There are two hot tubs, and they are both shaded and secluded as opposed to the one at WL, which is right out in the sunlight. There is a nice beach area at WL, and they show movies at night and roast smores around a fire pit. We really love the food choices at AKL better. Of course the animals are very cool at the lodge, and the CM's tell wonderful stories around the fire at night. WL has the great proximity to MK by boat which is great, but we found the buses to be more efficient at AKL, as they make fewer stops at other hotels. There are more recreational activities at WL, such as boat and bicycle rentals. And there is a nice path over to Fort Wilderness for horseback riding. I don't think I made your choice any easier. As you can see, both resorts are fantastic and offer many different choices. You really have to decide which things are most important to you. I hope some of the things I mentioned help you in your decision. If you have any more questions about either resort, ask away! Jane

 

[freshstart19]

Ok, so now I'm really torn! We will probably have a car which will make getting to our dinners easier. Have ADRs at Jiko, Chef Mickey's and Ohana.

Figured we'd drive to the other parks but take the bus to MK. I had thought their we're more kid activities at Akl.

 

[kapoof]

Wl
Pros:close to mk, love the 5minute bus ride. Artist point, really cool lobby.

Cons: ugly ugly rooms, shares buses with fw and cr and gf at times.

Akl

Pros: awesome lobby, the savannah, really a unique resort, cute rooms, the food at all three places to are very good. Way more deluxe feeling than wl.

Con: shares buses with akv, is more remote but some will find it relaxing.

 

[padawans]

I like Wl for the proximety to Mk and the monorail resorts, but as previous poster said the rooms are dark, ugly and need a rehab. They also have the worst beds I have slept in at WDW. Akl rooms are nicer, and they have a better pool. I like Akl better, but I prefer Wl location. I guess you have to decide whats more important location or a better room.

 

[minnie mum]

As a PP stated, there's really no more than a 10 min. difference in transportation times to MK. On the other hand, you'll have a really short commute to AK. And you only share the bus with AKV. WL shares the bus with the other monorail resorts, so trips to the other parks can be lengthy.

I have never selected a resort based on transportation considerations. Pick the resort that appeals to your heart and go with it.

 

[ppony]

I'm a lover of AKL for a hundred reasons. I've stayed at both. Trying to not just give blind/biased recommendations, I'll ask the OP, how many days will you be visiting each park? If you'll be doing more than 2 days at MK then maybe WL is the best choice. OR you could split your stay. Other than proximity to MK, IMO, that's where the WL perks end. Getting to and from parks from AKL is really easy and honestly time is negligible. You're next door to MK at WL and you're next door to AK at AKL. Both take similar time to get to EPCOT and HS.
Both resorts were designed by the same archietect but only one of the gives you the feeling that you won't get ANYWHERE else on this continent... like walking into a foreign land. Though WL is a "Disney-fied" log cabin/resort, it's still a log cabin-look and feel. Something you can see easily in this country.

If you rent a car too, AKL is so close to some off site eating and grocery shopping, it's AWESOME!

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for all the replies! I was excited about getting a savannah room to begin with. Thinking my DD22 will enjoy AKL more. DD9 will be happy anywhere! I'll save WL for next time!

 

[Jaymie]

We've stayed at both and I preferred AKL. We had a car but didn't use it much. I really didn't notice that the bus ride was much longer to MK than any other resort. Our busses were almost never packed, we always had a seat. The playground at AKL is really close to the pool, whereas at WL you have to go down to the beach for the playgound.

We really can't go wrong with either resort though. Enjoy whatever you choose!!

 

[ocalla]

While we have never stayed at either resort, we have visited and dined at both. I have to tell you WL is very nice inside the lobby especially during the winter holiday months, BUT AKL is beautiful!!! I was completely surprised. It made me want to stay there one day. I didn't want to leave.

Sanaa was a fantastic restaurant, the animals, the pool area was beaufitul...I think it would be a great choice.

 

[freshstart19]

Great info! So, is Sanaa better for DD9 than Jiko?

 

[minnie mum]

Great info! So, is Sanaa better for DD9 than Jiko?

Absolutely. Jiko is one of the more sophisticated of the signature restaurants, so I think he would be bored out of his skull. Sanna, on the other hand is a more family oriented place. Book it for an ADR before sunset and he may get glimpses of the animals through the windows.

 

[Karabee]

It looks like you're sticking with the AKL. Good choice! We stayed at WL last time and it was by far the most disappointing hotel in DW I've ever stayed at. We got to AKL for dinner one evening and wished we had gone with our first choice of AKL. Enjoy!!

 

[glocon]

We have stayed at AKL, but not WL. I here WL is a great resort, and have eaten there, but LOVED AKL. Definitely would go savanah view also. You can request a bunkbed room also if that would make your sleeping arrangements more comfy. The other bed would be queen size. There are lots of activities at WKL all day long, both in the resort and by the pool. The activities are listed on a board near check in. Have a great trip!

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for the bunkbed suggestion. DD9 is a squirmed so DD22 might sleep better!

 

[pepe of ohio]

AKL once and WL over 10+ stays....posted many a time on this issue...WL being the best.....we like location over anything else.....AKL location was awful....decor of rooms very drab, staff unfriendly and food not to our liking...and not interested in the African theme....as for Savannah rooms, we had one....very very few animals and other then a dirty field and people pen...not a pleasant view.....

Do as you must and what you feel is best but AKL was not for us, we'll never return....WL on the other had and never ceased to amaze us, even after all our stays.....transportation, dining, housekeeping, room amenities and decor and proximity to the MK have never let us down.....we've stayed at almost all the deluxes except the Boardwalk many of times but keep returning to the WL because of such wonderful service and ambiance it provides....nothing drab or run down or in need of a refurb.......

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for the additional reply. We may now have to add a 5th person so staying at AKL may not be the right thing to do....