AKL/WL or POR?

[Summer-Caitlin]

Okay seems like a strange choice really but originally I planned to stay at POR. Stayed at POFQ before and really loved it so thought POR would be worth a go, loved the boat to DTD and the location. However I also really like AKL for the restaurants and pure beauty of the resort and my budget can just about stretch to WL so am throwing that one in as well.

So which do you think is the better option? It will be me my husband and my 2 year 8 month son. We are looking to go from Nov 14th to Dec 5th 2013, so 3 whole weeks. I am from the UK so we get free dining just now for those dates but it expires tonight so am unsure if I should just book, or wait and hope it gets extended. We also will be relying on the transport as we don't drive.

 

[Disneyhenry]

With a child that age, they would love AKL, but WL is beautiful during Christmas. Boat ride to MK would be cool

 

[vassar36]

If you are staying for 3 weeks, why not try all 3? But end your trip with WL, b/c the Christmas decorations will be in full swing then. I have stayed at 2 of the 3(not POR and own at WL). All 3 are great. However, with a son that age, I suspect that you most likely will be spending a lot of days at MK and WL is a boat ride away, plus you have easier access to all the other resorts (Poly, GF Contemporary, and the Fort)(with boat to MK or Contemporary and then monorail) Staying at WL will allow you to see the water parade each night and can head over to the Fort on boat or bike. It also has a wild west/ national parks type theme that some kids really love.

AKL is wonderful too, and I hear it has a wonderful Christmas tree. It is a lovely resort, it just feels "far" away from the MK. But when we were there buses came quickly for the most part. AKL is very nice once you are at the resort, and you are close to AK.

You'll be good with whatever you decide though, they are all great resorts.

As far as booking question, you can always book now and cancel later if it doesn't work, but the free dining might not come up again...

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Could you possibly do a split stay with the dining plan? If not, I would choose AKL.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Apparently I cannot do a spit stay with the DDP. I would have to buy 3 seperate park tickets if I did this and that would really be costly. I did think of a doing a 3 way split and would have done if this was a possibility. I am leaning towards WL because you are right in that I would likely spend most of my time at MK and although WL isn't on the monorail system, it isn't far from one and we do like the restaurants around all the other resorts in the MK area. I didn't think about the parade but that would be really nice.

I did think Joshua would love AKL for the animals but I wouldn't be going for a Savannah view, just a standard but he does seem to really like animals and he is only 15 months just now. However he could see loads at AK when we go.

I guess POR isn't in the running now, lol.

Still not sure, the only thing putting me off AKL is the location and knowing where we tend to eat and spend the majority of our time (MK and Epcot) then I am definitely thinking WL...for now...

 

[Samar]

I did think Joshua would love AKL for the animals but I wouldn't be going for a Savannah view, just a standard but he does seem to really like animals and he is only 15 months just now. However he could see loads at AK when we go.

There are spots where you can see the animals at AKL so you all can easily walk around to these viewing spots I just can't say enough good things about AKL (we stayed in Jambo).

As far as it being far from the parks, it didn't bother us too much. It's quite a peaceful ride overall and worth it. That's just my 2 cents