AKL or WL?

[megs1313]

I just don't know what to do! I can stay at AKL with the summer discount for 9 night for as much as it's going to cost me to stay at WL without the discount for 6 nights. I really have never considered AKL because AK is our least favorite park. I'm travelling in June with two kids (7 and 5) and my husband. Our original plan was to stay at WL with free dining (the TS/QS option, we had a pin for) for 6 nights and then stay at a value for the remaining 3 nights of the trip. But then the discount came out and I could stay at one place for all 9 nights, but we wouldn't have free dining. Thoughts? I'm so confused!

 

[monami7]

AKL Is amazing! I would take the extra 3 days in a second!

 

[tb1972]

I love AKL - the lobby is gorgeous! My kids ages 7 and 9 love the pool and all the activities at the resort (feeding flamingoes, decorating cookies, pool games, etc). I'd pick AKL without a doubt.

 

[tvsdisney]

We LOVE AK too...it's really beautiful and I'd stay there again in a second. It is further from the MK though if you spend most of your time there

 

[pigletto]

We chose AKL over WL this trip. To be honest I've never really wanted to stay at WL. We go to a lodge in the Adirondacks every year that is just like it. So it kind of feels weird to be in the same type of theme in Florida.
We like AK but it is probably our least favourite of the 4 parks. It doesn't matter though.. AKL is beautiful!

 

[anjalee6]

We have stayed at both multiple times. I use to love WL the best.....until we went to AKL forvthe first time. It's our favorite. We love the pool over WL, we like the restaurant options better, and we love the theming. It is farther away, but really only to the MK. Other than that, it's really not that far away from the other parks. I say, if nothing else, it would be nice for you guys to not have to change resorts.

 

[mmmears]

We love AKL -- it's such a fun resort. And so unique. Also there are lots of activities offered during the day and into the evenings. And the pools and water play area are really fun.

It sounds like you don't really want to switch resorts, so I would pick AKL.

 

[Karabee]

I have to agree with all the PPs and say AKL. I absolutely love it there. I stayed last at WL and was underwhelmed. I love the Pacific Northwest feel but the actual resort, other than the boat to MK, seemed to lack something. AKL feels so open and exciting. The restaurants are great, the pool is large, and there are animals all around you! People might say it's "far" from things but I've never had a problem. Plus, its the same amount of time to EPCOT and HS as WL. Enjoy!

 

[princesskayla]

I would go with WL and free dining. However, if possible, I would try to stay at the value resort for 3 days first - then when you upgrade it will feel so much nicer. Also, not having to worry about paying for the meals is such a plus for us. I will never stay onsite without the dining plan again. My family wasn't a fan of AKL. We even switched midtrip back to our favorite WL.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We have stayed at both and prefer WL. The rooms are the SAME size at both but we really liked the boat option instead of the bus ALL of the time. We also preferred the WL atmosphere more.
I would NEVER recommend getting a standard-view room at AKL. We had an awful view and didn't really see too much from the viewing areas either. I would stay at a moderate before I would stay at AKL again.

 

[wide receiver]

Our two favorite resorts! I think I would stay at WL with free dining. Free dining is so fun and a easy no brainer. WL is very comfortable. I rented a bike a few days even though we were there in Aug and it was terribly hot! I agree with PP you should try to stay at the Value before the deluxe....and if you can stay at a mod instead. Enjoy you have two wonderful choices!

 

[MissionMouse]

We have stayed at both and while we enjoyed our stays their not in our top 5 deluxe resorts. It is also important to consider all the factors behind and driving a Disney vacation. Price and length of stay are to imporant factors too. WL and AKL tend to be the lower priced deluxes. AKL often takes hits in reviews for its location, not in proxmity of another resort/restaurants, lacking of water recreation found at the other deluxes and abilty to walk or take a boat/monorail to a park. After that it has solid performance, but the other items I just mentioned may be the source of the discount. Overall, it comes down to your own personal preference which may require you to step back and think about what is important and what defines a good Disney experience for your family.

 

[danceintherain]

I guess for me it would depend on the food. Are you buying the dining plan with your AKL stay, or is it the same cost as Free Dining at WL without food?

If it came down to one trip with food, and one trip without I would pick the one with food included. Basically, I would consider all my expenses, and choose the least expensive option, unless of course a "splurge" one way or the other was in the budget.

 

[megs1313]

Thanks for all the input! I should have been more descriptive with the two options:

1. WL for 7d, 6n with free plus dining (1 TS, 1QS, 1 snack), 9 days of park tickets
2. AKL Club level (so a savanna view) 9d, 8n. no dining, no tickets.

The two options are within $100 of eachother. We had the premium dining the last time we went and to be brutally honest, I wasn't a fan. The real plus is the character meals, but I figure we will still do at least two of those even if we don't get the dining plan. We will do QS and eat from the club level lounge otherwise. We're driving, so we'll be able to avoid the buses to Epcot and DHS. DHS is our favorite park. My understanding is that travelling to MK will be the most frustrating part of choosing AKL over WL. I'm not sure what to do even now. The idea of AKL club level is very enticing, but having the dining is so convenient in terms of budgeting. I also have to factor in that I will have to buy tickets separately. Lots to think about! Thanks, everyone!

 

[mmmears]

We love AKL CL -- the lounge is really nice, the IPO office will help make all your reservations, and the food is great. Also, you can book the Sunrise Safari at AK which is amazing!!! If you do CL, breakfast is so easy since you just go to the lounge and help yourself. That said, it sounds like it's a more expensive option for you. I would take the CL for 9 nights over the non-CL for 7, but everyone's different.

In going to the MK from AKL, we have taken the bus and a taxi. The buses at AKL are pretty good since you don't go to lots of resorts on the way to the parks. And it's not all that far from DHS (seemed to me much closer than when we stayed on the monorail).

Only you can decide, though. The dining plan doesn't work for my family, so packages with it don't appeal to me. But if you like it, then the WL with the dining plan may be a better option...

 

[megs1313]

we went ahead and pulled the trigger on AKL CL. The resort itself just appealed to me more and since we anticipate spending a significant amount of time at the resort this go 'round, I placed extra emphasis on that. I'm so excited! Thanks for all the input!