Bummed about change to AKL from WL

[DadOf2Princesses]

Welp, the SWA bookings finally became available beyond 9/12. I think I may have screwed us up. This'll be our first visit since '92 and first at a resort. I'll be going with DW, DD6, DD3 and Nana and maybe Papa. After reading all these great posts about the WL and doing some research, my DW fell in love with the WL.

We booked 2 Std Rms ($169/nt) at WL from 9/24-10/1. But since we'll be taking our 1st grader out of school, we were pondering whether 10/1 - 10/8 might be better since my DD would get an extra day of wind down due to the holiday on 10/10.

When the SWA fares became available I looked and saw that the arrival and departure times that were available at the cheapest fare ($79 ea way) were much better on the 10/1 - 10/8 week. So I first called Disney and confirmed they had 2 Woods View rooms at WL for $195/nt, but before switching I called Nana/Papa to see if they would be ok with the increase. They said yes, so I went and book the SWA fares, then called Disney and the Woods view rooms unmagically became booked before I could switch. They only had Courtyard views at $230/nt (which is too much). I called back 3 times, just to be sure the CM wasn't clueless. At this point I have a dilemma since my air is 10/1 - 10/8 and my stay is 9/24 - 10/1. They did have the Std View at AKL for $169 so I reluctantly switched. But my DW is really bummed and I am too since we really like WL.

Is there any chance that 2 WL rooms (woods view or lower) would be canceled? How frequently should I call back?
The CM suggested calling in 14 days since some people book and don't send their deposit.

Or should I really be bummed? I keep telling myself AKL is going to be tons of fun too! The kids will love the animals... but the proximity to MK and the WL itself have me hoping to get back to WL somehow.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[hockey mom]

Have you thought about renting points on the villa side. We did this last October. We paid $320/night for a 2 bedroom villa. It was great.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Keep calling. You might have had a bad CM b/c I seriously doubt all the rooms are booked already! Even if they are there are often cancellations so call often and good luck!

Throwing pixie dust your way!!! *******

 

[zipDdoodah]

I would call back and check again on WL. I know September and October are slower times there, so I'm not sure why the rooms would be all booked up for then. Either way, I'm sure you have lots of fun though. I am dying to try AKL after staying at WL many times, and I've heard such great things about AKL. Don't give up just yet, but I'm sure AKL will be fun too if you can't get what you're looking for at WL. Good luck!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

We stayed at the Villas of Wilderness Lodge during the first part of our November trip. I really loved them. However, when we moved over to the AKL for the last few days of our trip, I was in awe and wished we had stayed at AKL for more nights.

It's an incredible place and you will not be disappointed. Boma is one of the best restaurants at WDW and viewing the animals is such a treat. When checking in, ask for an upgrade to Savannah view and most of the time you will get it. I keep getting out of bed all night to peek out at the animals!
Love, Love, LOVED it!

 

[timandlesley]

I would just give a call every day. I did and on about day 11 out of no where it opened up. I was trying to book WL with a code and every day there was nothing available so I just called every day and magically one day there was a room available. You never know, there are probably some people who are in your situation and booked WL and are trying for another deluxe resort and if those cancel they will switch out of WL and then there would be something for your family. If not I have heard GREAT things about AKL though, I think you'll be happy at either place.

Lesley

 

[mm lover in Ia]

AKL is a very beautiful resort you never know you may actually enjoy it.

 

[Tinks]

Oh my goodness! I haven't read the other responses, but I have an opinion! I've stayed at both resorts with my kids, and I think you will love the AKL! The resort is much nicer. The pool is larger, the food court area is larger, the restaurants are better, and you have the savannah! The only thing I could think of to be worried about would be relying on Disney bus transportation to all the parks, but we've used it from the AKL and didn't have a problem.

I really wouldn't worry too much. I think you will like the AKL. But if you are too worried, then keep checking. I bet something will open for you at WL.

 

[Gary M]

I would call back daily for the WL. I have been in this type of position before and have gotten the room I wanted. I was told nothing was available and finally got an AP room discount.

You might check http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index for reservations.

I have stayed at both AKL and WL, but like WL better. You can't go wrong with either, it's just what theme you like the best.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We have stayed at both WL and AKL and loved both resorts! The AKL lobby is gorgeous and it's such a pleasure to stroll the grounds. Either hotel, you can't go wrong!

 

[leighe]

I'd call every morning - you know people change or cancel reservations everyday.

However, if you don't get to change, I think you'll really enjoy AKL. It's my favorite Disney resort. The animals, the theming, decor, food. pool - you really feel like you are in another world. It's so relaxing and beautiful.

Have a great time!

 

[BostonRob]

I think you'll really enjoy AKL. It's my favorite Disney resort. The animals, the theming, decor, food. pool - you really feel like you are in another world. It's so relaxing and beautiful.

Have a great time!

I really is relaxing and beautiful. I'd suggest you give it a chance.

THe WL has almost a cult following here in the DIS. People love it. My wife and I also fell in love with it over the internet. But when whe had a chance to get a better room for less at the AKL we took it. We had a great time - no regrets.

No doubt the WL is gorgeous and all, but I honestly think a huge percent of the love people have for the WL is based on it being the cheapest Magic Kingdom resort. And yes, it would be great to just hop on a boat and be in the MK. But aside from the MK boat, the transpostation options from the two resorts are idenical - take a bus everywhere else. And since there is so much more to a Disney vacation than just the MK, I think you do yourself a disservice if you base your hotel choice entirely on its proxitiy to the MK.

I say give the AKL a try. And regardless of where you stay, I also suggest you rent a car. Busses stink.

 

[vpack05]

I was JUST in your boat this a.m. I've been trying for 5 days to switch from Contemporary to AKL (convinced best place for kids!). I finally had to split my stay between the two, but atleast I got the majority at AKL. Maybe you can't get all the days at WL right now, but maybe you could get days 2-5 or days 3-5. Then you can add on as they come available.

Hope this helps!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Did you know this?

3 January 2005: Award for Animal Kingdom Lodge

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Editors and writers voting in Fodor's Travel Publications "Fodor's Choice Hotels 2005" named Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge among the "Top 20 Hotels of the World." Honors went to hotels from Montreal to Maui and from Italy to Belize in the second year of the recognition program.

Picked from among thousands of selections, the 20 hotels were chosen as unique, unusual and not-to-be-missed experiences, said Fodor's Travel Publications publisher Tim Jarrell. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge won in "The Kids Will Love It, Too" category.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge features African art and artifacts, South African-inspired cuisine and guestroom views to savannahs teeming with exotic wildlife.

 

[DadOf2Princesses]

Thanks everyone! I like all the suggestions.
I'm going to try to get a split stay. Wow! Fodors Top 20!
Makes me feel better about switching.

 

[Connor&Cody'sMom]

You may really like AKL. We stayed there on our last visit. We also visited WL to eat at Whispering Canyon. We looked around WL, and we all agreed we liked AKL better. I realize everyone has different taste, but that is how we felt.

 

[sandyneck]

I agree with everyone else, keep calling, that being said, the same thing happened to us on one of our trips. We love WL, but my husband wanted to try something different. I was so bummed out when he booked us at AKL. What an idiot I was!! AKL turned out to be my all time favorite resort. WL is nice, but AKL casts a spell over you, that is why you hear all us AKL fanatics talk about the smell of the lobby in such a dazed way! We love it so much, we have not even gone to the parks the last two times we went, we just stayed at the resort. We did not find it difficult to get to the parks at all. You will love either resort!

 

[sandyneck]

P>S> Keep checking SWA too, they are notorious for having prices lower and raise many times. If you really want WL you may be able to change your flight. They don't charge any fees to do it, so it is worth keeping an eye out

 

[sandyneck]

Dadof2Princesses, if I am reading correctly you are from RI. I just checked SW and they do have availability on 9/24-10/1 for $79.00. If you really want WL, call SW and change your dates if that is still possible. Like I said, they will not charge you to change them. Hope this helps.

 

[DadOf2Princesses]

I called yesterday - no dice. Then I called again today and I'm back at the WL!
2 Woods View rooms AAA discount $195/nt each. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm going to have to go check out AKL and see whats cookin there. Thanks again everyone! We're psyched!