Busses at WL vs AKL

[Disfamwa]

For people that have stayed at WL and AKL, how do you find the busses to Epcot, Hollywood studios, and Animal Kingdom at these two resorts? It seems like AKL is closer and might have the advantage?

We are considering adding on some SAP and Copper Creek and AKL are the two resorts we are considering. We like to do split stays and our MK portion of the trip would be at VGF. For the other three parks, I want to like the resort if we were to get “stuck” there at 7 months and I think I would like both of these resorts because of their heavy theming, lobbies, and restaurants. I really like the location and theming of BWV, but don’t want to buy there with the shorter expiration (I would try to switch to there at 7 months sometimes).

 

[davidhr]

The wilderness lodge shares buses for most of the day with the contemporary. I personally don’t mind it, but find the buses at AKL to be more efficient even when stopping at Kidani and Jambo.

As you mention, for Epcot/HS, AKL is a bit closer.

 

[eticketplease]

Sorry this is about the add-on as we drive to those parks. However you mentioned SAP and getting stuck.

SAP would be CCV as the dues are lower ($1 less right now) and is good for 2 years after your VGF for combining points at 7 months where AKL ends 7 years earlier.

Not sure of Family size but if it is getting stuck I would choose AKL as if you have a family of 5 your minimum accommodation is a bedroom where as CCV your minimum would be a two bedroom since both studios and 1 bedrooms only sleep 4.

 

[Skippyboo]

I found the shared buses at WL annoying at times. In the morning, they aren’t shared but if you go later then they are shared. Tried to go to HS later in the evening but the bus had to go to Contemporary get 2 scooters off the bus. So time I got to HS, had like 30 minutes before park close.

 

[Disfamwa]

Sorry this is about the add-on as we drive to those parks. However you mentioned SAP and getting stuck.

SAP would be CCV as the dues are lower ($1 less right now) and is good for 2 years after your VGF for combining points at 7 months where AKL ends 7 years earlier.

Not sure of Family size but if it is getting stuck I would choose AKL as if you have a family of 5 your minimum accommodation is a bedroom where as CCV your minimum would be a two bedroom since both studios and 1 bedrooms only sleep 4.

Thank you! That’s a good point about room size. We are a family of 4, but I definitely can imagine scenarios in the future where it could be an issue.

 

[Disfamwa]

The wilderness lodge shares buses for most of the day with the contemporary. I personally don’t mind it, but find the buses at AKL to be more efficient even when stopping at Kidani and Jambo.

As you mention, for Epcot/HS, AKL is a bit closer.

Thank you for this info!

 

[RanDIZ]

For people that have stayed at WL and AKL, how do you find the busses to Epcot, Hollywood studios, and Animal Kingdom at these two resorts? It seems like AKL is closer and might have the advantage?

We are considering adding on some SAP and Copper Creek and AKL are the two resorts we are considering. We like to do split stays and our MK portion of the trip would be at VGF. For the other three parks, I want to like the resort if we were to get “stuck” there at 7 months and I think I would like both of these resorts because of their heavy theming, lobbies, and restaurants. I really like the location and theming of BWV, but don’t want to buy there with the shorter expiration (I would try to switch to there at 7 months sometimes).

I own at both so either is a great place to stay. But to the question of buses, AKV seems to be the better of the 2 for EP and HS.

Getting stuck there is only a positive. The theming at these 2 resorts blows away most others around Orlando. I always say you could pick up AKV and place it anywhere around the country and it’d be a top destination. Best restaurants on property IMO. CCV is the best around Xmas time but AKV is a close 2nd. We usually split stay the two and love it!

 

[CastAStone]

I agree with all of the above. If I was using time to the non-MK parks as a tiebreaker, there’s no doubt in my mind AKV beats WL.

I thought the WL buses were among the most obnoxious I’ve had at Disney with the CR routing.

 

[kes601]

We found the buses at AKL to be just about the best we have found. WL was fine, but as others said....sharing with Contemporary adds a good chunk of time to the transportation time.

ETA: They (WL) do not share with Contemporary in the mornings and don't share going to/from Epcot or MK (since CR has the monorail)

 

[Disfamwa]

I own at both so either is a great place to stay. But to the question of buses, AKV seems to be the better of the 2 for EP and HS.

Getting stuck there is only a positive. The theming at these 2 resorts blows away most others around Orlando. I always say you could pick up AKV and place it anywhere around the country and it’d be a top destination. Best restaurants on property IMO. CCV is the best around Xmas time but AKV is a close 2nd. We usually split stay the two and love it!

Thank you so much! Sounds like AKL is the way to go for us!