AKL the cheapest??

[disneymore2]

Does any one know why AKL and FW are the least expensive of the Deluxe Resorts? If I looked at it right, the rack rates for the least expensive rooms for the deluxe resorts are the FW and AKL. Is it simply because of location??

We are staying at our first deluxe next month and I keep checking codes (Room only and FL resident). The AKL rate is always less expensive then other Deluxes (Beach Club, Contemporary) I have always thought the Contemporary would be the coolest hotel, but it would almost be twice as much as the AK over the 3 day weekend, plus that would be in the Garden Rooms not the Tower (which I would prefer). Anyways, why is the AKL cheaper??

 

[mickeystoontown]

I believe that you are referring to AKL and Wilderness Lodge, not Fort Wilderness. Lots of folks get those two mixed up.

From what I have read, the standard rooms at the AKL and WL are the smallest of the deluxe resorts. I believe they are 340 square feet in size.
These two deluxe resorts are not on the monorail system.

Wilderness Lodge is located near the Magic Kingdom. You can reach the Magic Kingdom by boat or by bus. The other theme parks can be reached by bus.

The AKL is located near the Animal Kingdom and the transportation to and from other theme parks is by bus only.

The monorail resorts of Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian are more expensive because of their location and the amenities they offer.

 

[grimley1968]

I think you may be confusing FW with WL, which is a separate resort. The only thing FW has that is comparably priced to any of the deluxe resorts is the cabins.

Having said that, AKL seem to be the cheapest because of the lack of non-bus transportation to a park. All the other deluxes, even WL which costs the same as AKL, have at least one form of non-bus direct transportation to at least one park, and sometimes two parks, such as the Poly and the EPCOT resorts.

The only reason I can see that WL costs the same as AKL is that they only have the boats to MK, and are not on the monorail.

 

[disneymore2]

You are right I meant WL not FW. Well I get the Monorail Resorts, but even all the Epcot Resorts are less expensive, although I understand they are close to the Boardwalk, Epcot, and MGM. I didn't realize the size of the rooms, but that makes sense. However, the ameneties of the deluxe resorts are very similar correct??

 

[grimley1968]

You are right I meant WL not FW. Well I get the Monorail Resorts, but even all the Epcot Resorts are less expensive, although I understand they are close to the Boardwalk, Epcot, and MGM. I didn't realize the size of the rooms, but that makes sense. However, the ameneties of the deluxe resorts are very similar correct??

The EPCOT area resorts are MORE expensive than AKL.

Aside from varying room sizes, all the deluxes offer very similar amenities. Of course, only AKL offers views of exotic animals out some rooms.

Any deluxe resort will generally offer:

- Good transportation. Even though AKL uses buses everywhere, I've read the buses to/from there are quick and usually direct.
- Balcony or patio. There are some rooms in some resorts that don't have anything but a railing, but I'd bet at least 75-80% of deluxe rooms have some sort of patio or balcony.
- At least one nice table service restaurant. Some have two.
- More elaborate pools, with slides, etc. But the moderates pretty much offer this as well.
- More elaborately themed common areas and lobbies than moderates and values.

 

[disneymore2]

Sorry I meant to say the Epcot Resorts are more expensive.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I know a family of 5 cannot stay in a regular room at the WL, and I think now that the DVC has taken over a couple of floors at AKL, this may be the case there as well. Families of 5 would have to get a 2 BR DVC rather than a room.
Robin M.

 

[islandtimect]

We are staying at our first deluxe next month and I keep checking codes (Room only and FL resident). The AKL rate is always less expensive then other Deluxes (Beach Club, Contemporary) I have always thought the Contemporary would be the coolest hotel, but it would almost be twice as much as the AK over the 3 day weekend, plus that would be in the Garden Rooms not the Tower (which I would prefer). Anyways, why is the AKL cheaper??

We just returned from the Grand Floridian and toured AKL, Contemporary, Polynesian and WL for possible future stays. IMO, Contemporary looks warn and is in need of updating and a good cleaning. Common area decor and carpets are faded and need replacing. Bathrooms look dated and weren't well maintained. There's a new building going up at Contemporary, so that area isn't very deluxe looking. We also wanted a monorail hotel and was very glad to have stayed at GF over Contemporary, even with the price difference. Rest assured, AKL is a deluxe hotel. It may be cheaper because it takes longer to get everywhere but AK park. It's a bit of a walk from the rooms to the bus area, and you may wait 20 minutes to get a bus to where you want to go. Even so, we LOVED this hotel and bought a DVC there. The decor, grounds, pool and kiddie areas are beautiful. And the new villas will be the biggest to date, with 2 bathrooms for a one bedroom unit.