AKL vs. WL transportation

[benson11]

I am considering staying at AKL or WL next July. Transportation is probably the most important issue. I know WL has the boat to MK but I've heard the busses to the other parks are not so great. I've also heard that AKL has good bus transportation. So I was wondering what you think overall about transportation for these 2 parks. Especially at the end of the night when the parks are closing. Thanks for your help.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi... AKL transportation is excellent.

I stayed there for 9 nights last year and 3 nights this year so I feel I have a pretty fair experience to judge by.

The longest wait we had was from MGM returning after Fantasmic and that was a good 20-30minute wait.

Other than that... the service is timely, 5 - 10 minute wait for all parks... the bus is not shared with other resorts. Occasionally there is an extra stop (ie) Typhoon Lagoon on the way to Downtown Disney or Blizzard Beach onthe way to MGM.

I have had only a couple of experieces with WL transportation (going for a meal.. etc) It was fine as well.. but I did not use it regularily.

>>^..^<<

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome!!

There is a very large thread about WL transportation. It's been pretty well "beaten up". Chip & Dale posted a very good analysis. (He's an actual WDW bus driver and very helpful). You shouldn't have to go to far back to find it.

We are staying at WL, leaving in 10 days.

Beside the transportation, WL is on a lake, AKL had no lake. An important selling point to our family.

Good luck,

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Kimberle

Beside the transportation, WL is on a lake, AKL had no lake.

An important selling point to our family.

LOL Kimberle.... way to promote WL

Let me try now.... AKL has a savana with African animals... and WL has, well... otters?



>>^..^<<

 

[FloridaCat]

If being close to the action is important to your family, then AKL If being secluded from the parks that offers a more relaxing atmosphere, and then WL should be the choice. I live within an hour of WDW and don’t have to stay on site at all, but we enjoy WL for it’s themeing of the Great NW and an authentic Lodge. We will be heading down in a few days just for a weekend getaway and probably no parks or a short visit to one. No other resort, we have checked out, would fill this criteria for us.

Kimberle makes a good point, the lake is a PLUS, it's nice to jump on one of the Launches and take a ride. We will most likely take a boat over to FW for dinner at one our favorate places to eat and then go to the Campfire Sing Along. They are showing Toy Story II that night and I have not seen it.

As far as transportation, we had no problem with it, but if your in a rush then maybe somewhere else would suit you better. The majority of our trips to WDW is ingle day and driving and fighting the raffic is a bore. I would not base where I intend to stay on transpotation.

 

[MinnieGi]

We've stayed at both hotels and hands down AKL has the better overall transportation. There is no sharing with other resorts and buses seem to be constantly arriving. Our waits were never long coming or going to a park, most were in fact in the 5 minute range. Now the WL boat to MK is very nice and we did enjoy it alot. However our visits to other parks seemed like quite a hassle with WL's bus routes.

 

[benson11]

Thanks for the help. How would you rate the transportion from both of these lodges to just the MK. I know WL has the boat launch so that must be nice and easy, but without sharing the bus route with another resort, how much of a hassle is it getting back and forth to the MK from AKL. Thanks.

 

[Kimberle]

>>^..^<<

Gotta have someplace to dump my dh (errhhh, fine an activity for him to do a/k/a rent watermice) while dd & I run up his credit cards!!

Don't think I'd get him back if I dumped him into the mouth of a Lion!

 

[CEDmom]

One nice thing we found with the WL transportation is that the boat launch to MK then gives you the option of getting the monorail to Epcot. The boat/monorail combo was a big hit with DD. Also, if you have a child in a stroller it's really easy to wheel on/off the MK boat and on/off the monorail rather than folding up for a bus.

 

[FloridaCat]

"Gotta have someplace to dump my dh (errhhh, fine an activity for him to do a/k/a rent watermice) while dd & I run up his credit cards!! "
"
Don't think I'd get him back if I dumped him into the mouth of a Lion! "

That cracked me up, LOL
Have a special day.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Both AKL and WL are excellent resorts, and both have decent transportation. WL has more transportation options - you have the boat to the MK, as well as the option of going to the TTC (via bus) and catching the Monorail to MK or Epcot.

AKL has buses only to all 4 theme parks, and DTD. It also does not share.

WL shares with either Fort Wilderness or Grand Floridian, depending on time and destination. However, it is the first stop both coming and going, and contrary to popular belief, Fort Wilderness is NOT out of the way.

I think you will be happy with either one of these resorts. What I might recommend is setting transportation aside, and make the decision based on the Resort itself.

 

[benson11]

Thanks again for all the help. The main reason transportation is a top priority for me is that I have 4 kids and all under 12 so being able to come and go to the parks with ease would leave me with 1 less thing to be concerned with.