AKL vs. WL? I'm trying to decide

[10drum]

We will be going to wdw near the end of July, and have stayed BC/YC, poly, CSR, & POR on previous trips.

We'd like to know about pools, service, location, grounds, and most of all transportation, at AKL & WL.

 

[mirlow]

We just got back from a great stay at both of these resorts. I personally think of the WL as our Winter retreat and could not imagine staying there in the summer, I like a more tropical feel in the summer.
I prefer the pool at the AKL because it is like a big watering hole and there are animals close by. I also enjoy it because my younger kids aren't the best of swimmers and because it is zero entry they can go to their comfort zone and I don't have to hold them the whole time. My 8 yr old prefers the water slide at the WL while my 5 yr old likes the one at AKL. When we stayed at the WL on this trip we were closer to the quite pool and we did enjoy that very much.
Transportation at both resorts was fine. The only major wait was after the MK closed for the night there were a ton of people waiting for the boat to the WL and it wasn't moving at all so we decided to take the monorail to the TTC and then take a bus back to the resort.
One thing I enjoy about staying at the WL is that you can walk or ride bikes over to FW. I believe you can also rent the mouse boats from there as well. You do feel like you are where the action is at the WL. It's also nice having that secluded feeling at the AKL.
I like the Maura and Boma's a lot. WCC is always a hoot.
Any other specific questions?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

10drum,

Hope the following information helps.

WELCOME HOME
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<center>Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas Resort</center>
The Wilderness Lodge and Villas are nestled in a dense forest of pines on Bay Lake, accessible by waterway from the Magic Kingdom. The Lodge and Villas were inspired by the U.S. National Park lodges built in the 1900s.
Wilderness Lodge and the Villas offer varying accommodations, ranging from 350-1072 sq. feet. The Lodge houses 728 guest rooms and suites, with some encircling the cavernous lobby but most in the two wings. The cozy Lodge rooms are outfitted with pine furniture and quilted bedspreads. Most Lodge rooms have two queen beds, but some offer a bunk bed in place of the second bed. The Villas feature 136 studios, one-and two-bedroom suites, each with a kitchenette or full kitchen, VCR, and washer and dryer.

Questions Asked at Wilderness Lodge:
What are the advantages to staying at the WL?
Located in the Magic Kingdom Resort area, the WL is a themed resort unto itself. Many folks feel they could stay at the Lodge their entire trip and still have had relaxing vacation with their money well spent.
Is there a Wall Safe located in the rooms?
The rooms do have a small safe in the closet to store valuables. It's big enough for your plane tickets, cash/travelers checks and maybe some jewelry, but not much more. For storing larger valuables inquire at the front
What time does the geyser erupt?
The geyser erupts every hour on the hour from 7:00a.m. until 10:00p.m.
Are there towels available at the pool?
Towels are available at the pool by the pool bar. They are also located by Hidden Springs Pool at the Villas
What time is the Electrical Water Pageant?
The Electrical Water Pageant is nightly at 9:35p.m. on Bay Lake. (Note: May be canceled due to inclement weather.)
What about shopping?
The large Wilderness Lodge Mercantile in the Lodge carries Disney themed clothing, sundries, camera supplies, postage stamps, beer & wine, foodstuffs, newspapers, and souvenirs.
Are tours of Disney's Wilderness Lodge available?
A unique tour, called the "Wonders of the Lodge," is offered to guest on various days beginning at 9:00a.m. This guided tour provides an informative look at the history of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, including its distinctive construction, theming and artwork. Please call the Front Desk for the schedule of the tour days and availability. (Guest should meet in the Lobby of Wilderness Lodge.)
What activities are available at WL for children?
On select days Wilderness lodge has programs for children: Duck Races on Upper Silver Creek, Pool Games, Fireside Storytelling, (Meet in your pajamas at the Mercantile Fireplace) Beach Games, Penny Toss & Duck Rings.
Daily Activities: Open Crafts and Games in Cub's Den (free)
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
*For good rainy day activities, ask for a Kid's activity/coloring book at the bell station or a list of Hidden Mickeys at Guest services. You can also get a list of the resort's music at the Mercantile shop.
Explore the resort:
Indian artifacts, historic paintings, and survey maps are displayed. Follow Silver Creek from it's indoor origin as a Hot Spring and onward outside as a bubbling brook and waterfall, eventually making it's way to Bay Lake.
Flag family:
Ask about becoming a Flag family. Each morning a family is selected to go on the Lodge roof to help raise the flag! This is popular, so inquire at check-in for a better chance.


TRANSPORTATION
You can take a direct boat to the Magic Kingdom. Boats also ferry you to Ft Wilderness and the Contemporary. Buses take you directly to EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and the water parks.* To reach other resorts, go to the Magic Kingdom (daytime) or Downtown Disney (evening), and then transfer to a resort bus. Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge share many of their bus routes, so travel to and from Fort Wilderness is quite convenient.* Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge are the only Resorts that have a bus to TTC this boat goes to TTC to provide guest with another option to reach MK, some guest may have trouble boarding the boats with ECV's due to varying water levels of Bay Lake, so travel to any of the Monorail resorts is also convenient. Note If you would like to take the bus to TTC you may then board the Monorail to EPCOT this is just an option.

RECREATION
Pools:
All pools are outdoor and heated
One Main feature pool with a slide (Silver Creek Springs Pool)
Silver Creek Pool Hours Lifeguard/Slide
9:00a.m.-10:00p.m.
One quiet pool located at Villas, Hidden Springs Pool (No lifeguard on duty)
Kiddie pool
Three Jacuzzis (Two next to Silver Creek Springs Pool one at Villas next to Hidden Springs Pool)
For your safety and enjoyment, diaper-age children are required to wear swim piapers or rubber pants when using and pool at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. Swim diapers are available at the Mercantile for your conveience.
Health Club:
Sturdy Branches Health Club:
Full range of cardio and strength equipment, free weights
Massage Treatments offered. In room massage by appointment.
Sauna room
Personal Training by appointment
Located in The Villas at Wilderness Lodge (next door)
Bay Lake Beach:
For sunbathing
Arcade:
Buttons and Bells Games Arcade available for the kids
Playground:
Playground available
*Watercraft Rentals:
Water mice, sailboats, pontoon boats, canopy boats and water-skiing
*Bike Rentals:
Bikes are available to rent
Fishing:
Hook a fun-filled fishing trip for the entire family. Bass Fishing Excursions and Children's Fishing Excursions for bluegill (ages 6-12 years) are available on Bay Lake and Seven seas Lagoon. Trips are two hours long and depart from Wilderness Lodge Marina. Fishing guide and equipment provided for up to 5 guest per boat. (Catch-and-release basis only)
Jogging:
Jogging path extends about a mile to Ft. Wilderness.
Kids Activities:
Game room, kiddie pool, and Cub's Den themed baby-sitting service for kids ages 4-12.

Teton Boat & Bike Rental
Explore the Seven Seas lagoon, Bay Lake and the wilderness trails.
Bike Rental 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Boat Rental 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Speciality Cruises available to view the Magic Kingdom Fireworks. Call WDW-PLAY for reservations

*Recreation Family Plans:
Plan includes the Water Mouse, Pontoon Boats, Canopy Boats, Sailboats and Bicycles, (Cruises and Surry Biles NOT included)
Captain Plan: 4 hours of rental per Group $115 plus tax
Family Plan: Length of Stay Plan (Weekly Rate for Use of Equipment Listed Above) $199.00 plus
tax (Up to 5 Guests per Plan)

 

[Terk-1]

This is my FAVORITE deluxe resort. I love the fact that it is small and compact, so it does not feel like you are walking miles to get anywhere. My family stayed at AKL a few years ago and said it was ok, but enjoyed WL much better.

 

[Kimberle]

My choice is WL. We loved our stay!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by 10drum
We will be going to wdw near the end of July, and have stayed BC/YC, poly, CSR, & POR on previous trips.

We'd like to know about pools, service, location, grounds, and most of all transportation, at AKL & WL.

What type of vacation are you planning? Do you have small children and plan to spend most of your time at the MK? If the answer is yes then I would go with the WL. If you have older children or are looking for an adult relaxation type of trip then I would go with the AKL.

We have never stayed at the WL but we have stayed at the AKL four times and we truely love the resort.

 

[10drum]

Thanks to all who replied. How does the bus service compare between WL & AKL?

 

[candleonwater]

When I first started reading this thread, I got nervous. I haven't stayed at either, but I have a trip booked for AKL... and we've upgraded to Savannah view. My boss just got back from WL and it is his favorite resort... but mostly because he's not a fan of the buses, and he discovered this trip that it's a short walk from WL to the monorail so he could get to EPCOT.

For me and my daughter, the parks aren't too much an issue, since we're just using this trip as some much needed down time prior to our cruise, so we may not even leave the resort much... we may even SWIM (gasp! - not something we usually do at WDW).

 

[10drum]

Candelonwater, You don't swim? Wow, that is one of the main reasons our family love WDW resorts, for the pools, they are so nice. I don't swim much, I just like being around the pool.

Tiffany, Our children are teenagers, and they pretty much go their own way till supper time. Sometimes our pathes cross at the pool, they know I'm usually around the pool bar, in the afternoon.

Still like to know how AKL & WL busses compare.

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by 10drum
Thanks to all who replied. How does the bus service compare between WL & AKL?

Haven't stayed at AKL. They only have buses. From what I glean, they are excellent.

WL has boat as well as bus transportation.
2 Boat routes: The larger (can roll stroller on), goes WL/FW/MK. Our trips averaged around 10 minutes to/from MK.
Smaller boat: goes WL/CR/FW. You must fold strollers. It was so nice and easy to get to Trails End (FW) or Concourse Steakhouse (CR). You can also get to GF easily. Boat to CR, then monorail to GF.

WL also has a bus to TTC, making it easy to catch the monorail to Epcot or walk to the Poly's resturants. (or boat to CR & monorail).

WL has buses everywhere else (Epcot/MGM/AK/BB/TL/DTD). Our experience was excellent during our trip. Since WL is close to Epcot, the further items (like TL) took a bit longer (abt 20 min's).

The times's I'm giving you don't include wait. We rarely waited more than 5 minutes for either a boat or bus.

 

[Sabor]

The bus service to AKL is better.
You may have a longer ride on the bus but I find the wait time to very minimal.
Pool at AKL better.
Food at AKL better.
Rooms at AKL better.

Not to Dis the WL but I feel it is more of a sub Deluxe , better than a moderate but not quite up to the Deluxe standards.

 

[TJA]

Hi, we've recently stayed at both WL and AKL. You asked about the:

~pools....AKL has a zero-depth entry and WL does not. Otherwise, they both have a fun slide and are large pools with plenty of places to lay in the sun.

~service....we had great service at both resorts, except the AKL CM at checkin gave us a room very far from the elevators when we specifically asked her for a room close to the elevators.

~location....we like WL's location better as we spend most time at MK.

~grounds....both grounds were landscaped beautifully. I believe both resorts had the same architect, so they are designed similarly. Though AKL is more spread-out and WL is one building.

~transportation....we love the boat transportation at WL simply because we spend most park time at MK. The WL bus service was good, but you have to share with other resorts. The bus service at AKL is great because you don't share with other resorts.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by 10drum
Candelonwater, You don't swim? Wow, that is one of the main reasons our family love WDW resorts, for the pools, they are so nice. I don't swim much, I just like being around the pool.

Tiffany, Our children are teenagers, and they pretty much go their own way till supper time. Sometimes our pathes cross at the pool, they know I'm usually around the pool bar, in the afternoon.

Still like to know how AKL & WL busses compare.

I would go with AKL then.

Transportation compare.

AKL direct buses from there to your destanation. You do not share with any other resorts.

Four trips at the AKL and have never had any issues.

 

[candleonwater]

10drum - it's not a matter of NOT swimming, but rather, we tend to go down in December, and last year it was rather cold! My daughter kept pointing out that the pool was heated, only I had to point out that part of your body has to remain out of the water.... well, I gave in, and FROZE! Also, we tend to be SO busy during the day that when we get back to the hotel we collapse!

 

[10drum]

Thanks for the transportation update. Shared bus service is the only thing we don't like about the yc/bc. We will probably choose AKL if we can't get a good rate at a good location deluxe.

candleonwater,
I've wondered about swimming in Dec. when I see Florida temp in the 60's or 70's. We've gone mostly in May, and I'm glad to have hot weather after a long cold winter in Illinois.

We went in August once and really liked it, even though it was hot, we'd swim(hang by the pool) till the afternoon storm would start brewing, then head to parks w/ponchos.

 

[candleonwater]

Re the BC/YC... that's our favorite resort (so far) and this last trip, the only time we used the buses... was to go to MK first thing in the AM... the rest of the time, we would walk through EPCOT to get there... wonderful thing! That's one of the reasons I'm not really planning much park time this trip - we'll have to bus everywhere!

 

[jwwi]

My vote is for WL. If your kids tend to spend alot of alone time, there is so much to do at WL. I just returned from my trip today and we had a wonderful time at the lodge. I will post more on WL thread.

 

[allyn]

WL vs AKL is a tough call. we love them both. personally, i enjoy the wilderness theme of WL slightly better than animals (my wife might think differently). the restaurants at AKL, particularly the snack bar, are very inconveniently located. the snack bar at WL (roaring fork) is in a better location, especially if you are in the north wing, then it is perfect. also, i like the pool at WL much better, the pool at AKL is boring.

with that said, i think either resort would make for an excellent stay.