AKL vs. WL - Which is better with little kids?

[SleepingUgly]

Either "theme" is fine with us, and we have already booked a standard-view room at AKL, but I've been reading so many wonderful things about the WL that I'm tempted to change my mind. And its proximity to MK really makes it a good deal, IMO.

We have two young children -- ages 5 and 2 -- so based on logistics, which would be the better place to stay, taking into consideration the amenities, the location, the kid-friendly factor of the swimming pool and the surroundings, etc.

Also, as I mentioned above, we've already booked a standard-view room at AKL. Which standard-view room is better -- the ones at AKL or the ones at WL?

We do plan on spending quite a bit of time at the resort (at least a few hours each afternoon for naps and swim), and would like to eat at the resort at least a few times. Also, the place needs to be fairly quiet so the kids can rest without too many distractions in the afternoons.

Any thoughts? TIA!

Linda

 

[Kimberle]

I can't answer for AKL, cause I've not stayed there.

But, I will say that WL is wonderful for small kids. Our then 4.5 yo dd loved our stay.
*small resort, very easy to walk around.
*great little kiddie pool, close to the main pool & bar .
*wonderful quiet pool.
*close & easy to MK. Boat ride is fun.
*Sm boat to CR & FW. Blue launch, runs 6:45am - 10pm every night. VERY easy to get to Chef Mickeys, Trails End, Pony rides. (To access the Poly & GF resturants, just boat to CR & hop the monorail.)
*Though I personally have "done" the campfire at FW, others LOVE it with sm kids.
*Brand new bus directly to MK. See Tylers post on the transportation brd. (I love the boats, but some prefer the bus.)
*I *think* that the hurricans thinned out the trees a bit making it able to see the fireworks from WL now. (You might want to check on this with more recent guests.)
*Boats & bikes you can rent.
*Nice playground right on the beach.

It's just a wonderful, relaxing place to stay. We spendt a LOT more time at the resort than we normally do during our stay.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I've stayed at WL with a 2 year old and an infant, and we just visited AKL last week to check it out and eat at Boma with our now 3 and 2 year old. Other than the proximity to MK, I think the advantages are with AKL. Lots of places for the kids to play and roam and look at animals. I like Boma better than Whispering Canyon, although WCC is good. There seemed to be many activities like crafts, storytelling and animal talks at AKL - I don't remember many kid activities at WL. I thought both resorts were beautiful.

I didn't like the kiddie pool at WL - too close to the main pool. I didn't see the pool at AKL but the Mara looked nice.

Another thing I liked about WL is that when we were in the room and needed a snack, it was easy to go down the elevator and get something at Roaring Forks. It's small and doesn't have a great selection, but it's good. It might be a bit farther to travel to the Mara depending on where you stay at AKL.

I thought the bus service from AKL was great when we used it and it only takes about 8-10 minutes to get to MK. DH and I remembered waiting for boats at WL and I don't think the advantage of the boat to MK is that much better than the bus from AKL. I think you'll really like AKL. Enjoy!

We found lots of places to view animals at AKL so I don't think I would spend the extra money for a savannah view - standard view would be fine.

 

[COKOMommy]

I've stayed at both, and while we loved AKL, I think WL is definitely better with little kids -- the boat ride to MK is a neat diversion and the little ones can feed the ducks from the dock. We also found that many of the buses to AKL were super crowded for some reason, but didn't have many problems with the boat service to WL (and we stayed at both resorts during the same week).

 

[jenjersnap]

That's a tough one! AKL is my 4-year-old's favorite resort because he is a huge animal lover. The pool is wonderful, Boma is a favorite restaurant for all of us, the kid's activities are fun, the Mara was a pretty good food court ... Honestly, DS could care less about the parks when he is there! We rent a car when we stay at AKL so I can't tell you about the transportation. He and I stayed at WL last month. We loved the theming, loved being close to MK (no car this time) and the other transportation was good ... but didn't like the pool quite as well (it's beautiful but it has a current on one side that was just a bit too powerful for my little guy but he insisted on being there - very nervous for me!) nor Roaring Forks, the food court. DS loved Whispering Canyon for the shenanigans, but the food wasn't great, IMO. That said, with kids your age, I bet you will be spending quite a bit of time at MK and the proximity alone is a huge advantage.

You can't lose with either. We found both resorts' rooms to be very quiet. However, I haven't stayed standard at either one - was upgraded to savannah at AKL, booked woods view at WL when standard wasn't available. I know that there is a small possibility of an absolutely horrendous standard view room at AKL - pics of it were posted recently, you might want to do a search - with a wall in front of the room so nothing was really visible. With standard view at WL, you can be over the loading dock area and have to listen to the "beep beep" of trucks backing up all night long. We could hear that faintly down aways in a woodsview room and on one of the top floors.

Okay, so my official recommendation: I'd split a stay and do both!

 

[racheltyler]

We stayed at AKL last Aug with our DD-4 and DS-2. They loved AKL!!!! They loved going to see the animals at all the many lookouts, the zero entry pool was great for our 2 year old - not worrying about him running around the edge of a pool, the food court was awesome - lots of selection & Boma was great too. We also love WL although was tough for a whole week on food options there (especially when we weren't in the mood to take transportation for breakfast!). AKL has mickey waffles, eggs, you name it at the food court. Roaring Forks was much more limited. Although recreation options and boat ride to MK are great at WL. Overall, for us, we hardly left AKL when we stayed there, it was so great. When at WL, we were at MK more. We don't like pool there as much though, smaller, more crowded, not zero entry. I think if you prioritize what's most important, you can't go wrong with either choice. Have fun whatever you decide.

 

[tinknsnow]

For me, it all comes down to this: bus transportation from AKL to the MK (both the riding part and the waiting around part) does NOT appeal to me at all. I have three kids six and under.

I love the AKL (been there to eat on every trip) and hope to stay there when my kids are older and the buses (and getting a stroller on one) are not an issue.

We spend just about every day of the trip at the MK, so it's important for me to stay at a MK resort. The boat ride to the MK from the WL is a breeze-- about 8 minutes-- and I can wheel my stroller (with DS inside) directly onboard.

If you don't mind the idea of the bus rides, or if the MK won't be your main park, then I'd call it a draw... theming, food, amenities. Otherwise, stay at the WL!