I'm not sure if AKL is the right choice?

[disneyholic family]

we're just back from a stay at the AKL, GF and the WL....
i recommend all three (although the GF will always be my personal favorite)..

both the AKL and WL are beautiful hotels...(designed by the same architect)...
the staff is excellent at both, although i have to say that the AKL CMs were better during our stay....
but as i said the WL CMs were also excellent, just the AKL seemed to have much more staff who were just that much better....

the food in the fast food court at the AKL is also american, so that shouldn't be a problem....besides, how many meals do you eat in your hotel when you're in WDW?....
we were in concierge in all 3 hotels and the concierge breakfast at the AKL was very very american and by far the best of the 3.....

 

[disneyholic family]

by the way, we also timed our AKL concierge stay so that we could go on the sunrise safari, which was excellent...
our guide was one of the top people at AKL and AK.....he designed the savanahs at the AKL and one of the savanahs at the AK....
his breadth of knowledge was amazing...
just going on the sunrise safari was well worth the stay at the AKL concierge...

 

[CBCit]

Although never stayed at either(have stayed at POR,ASSP and PC)visited the AKL on our last vacation and were VERY impressed. It was really beautiful and the friendliest staff.It was just so different then most hotels,even at Disney. Only other place we could say was close is the Atlantis on Paradise Island.So we are hoping for a 4 night stay at AKL in April.

 

[EveWalker]

Can someone tell me a little more about these? Do you have to stay Concierge to participate? I guess they're only offered at certain times and you have to make sure your stay will coincide with when they're offered?

Thanks for helping a newbie!
Eve

 

[ppony]

Well, we've stayed at the WL and had dinner at Bomas last time we were there. We were so impressed with the themeing at the AKL that I just today booked part of our 2005 trip there. Personally, I'm not so adventurous on food so Bomas was a little over the top for me but it was EXCELLENT none-the-less. Plenty to choose from even for the wimps! Hey, there's a reason Pace salsa has a Minnesota Mild!!!! An that leads me to why I personally won't be returning to the WL, it really is beautiful! We had a few not so great experiences there when we stayed and that coupled with the fact that the whole North Woods theme was a little too ordinary to us being from MN. BUT it was lodge done Disney style so it was EXTRA-ordinary! But you get my drift right?

I'm SO glad I booked a Savannah room from what I hear. My hubbin doesn't know about that part of it and I'm keeping it secret until we walk in the room and he SEES what I did! We're also keeping the whole trip a secret from my then to be 5 1/2 year old son. I'm not good with secrets!

Don't regret your choice! I'm sure you'll love it! I'm jealous!
Have a great trip!

 

[chipper10]

Originally posted by disneyfreakk
i have to ask... WHAT do you eat then??

I eat a lot of chesse pizza and grilled cheese
I have just always been really picky.

Nicole

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by EveWalker
Can someone tell me a little more about these? Do you have to stay Concierge to participate? I guess they're only offered at certain times and you have to make sure your stay will coincide with when they're offered?

Thanks for helping a newbie!
Eve

You must be staying in Concierge at AKL to participate in these tours. The Sunrise Safari runs on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at the AK, leaving about 6:30AM, followed up with breakfast at Tusker House. Cost is about $50 per person.

The Sunset Safari operates at the AKL savannah and follows up with dinner at Jiko. More expensive and exclusive. Not sure of the price.

Both are limited in the number of people they take.

 

[SalandJeff]

We've stayed at both resorts and definitely prefer WL. But as others have said, it is a matter of personal taste. Both are beautiful resorts and you will have a wonderful time.

I am not crazy about the restaurants at WL. Boma is wonderful and there is a large variety if you are not an adventurous eater.

I would not worry about your choice. You will have a great time, and now you will have an excuse to go back soon so you can stay at WL!!!

 

[sakana]

I haven't stayed at AKL yet, but am going in 97 days (and 4 h, 33m, 35s as I write this LOL) To answer the question about the Sunset safari, this is what my concierge flyer they mailed me says:

Wanyama Safari Dinner
An exclusive experience for Kilimanjaro Club guests! Available on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. Guests will start their journey in the port-cochere an hour and a half prior to sunset. The adventure will include an exciting safari on the Savannahs at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and conclude with a true African multi-course dining experience at Jiko. Must be 16 and older.

I believe the limit is 8 guests. Cost is 150.00

We're doing the Sunrise Safari, but not the Sunset. We are unbelievably excited about our trip! Can't wait to see the AKL for the first time, and experience the F&W Festival for the first time, too

 

[KEANE]

Originally posted by TDC Nala
They're not really pros and cons, just facts about the resort.

Choose WL if:
1) you prefer the Pacific Northwest theme;
2) you want proximity to the Magic Kingdom;
3) you like your food more straightforward "American;"
4) you have DVC points (stay in the villas);
5) you like water recreation (boats, etc), bicycling, surrey bikes or long walks around the resort;
6) you want a beach at the resort (I don't think swimming is allowed in the lakes);
7) you like your swimming pool water blue rather than green

Choose AKL if:
1) you like the African theme;
2) you want to see real live critters that aren't squirrels or rabbits;
3) you want to try some adventurous food;
4) you like art;
5) you want to take tours of the resort;
6) you don't necessarily like to take long walks on trails;
7) you prefer a larger, zero-entry pool;
8) you like to go to parks other than MK and want a resort that doesn't share buses.

Both resorts have health clubs and kids' clubs. Each has a full-service upscale restaurant, one other restaurant offering (AKL's is the Boma buffet, WL's is the Whispering Canyon which serves an all you can eat skillet plate) and a "snack bar" (AKL's is much larger and crazier than WL's).

TDC,
I don't know if you read my mind but I went on DIS to investigate AKL (going in Nov w/ my 6&9 year olds ) and read your thread. Great info. Inever thought of WL. What can you tell me about other resorts for kids w/ great pools. believe it or not we did Poly last year for our 1st visit and it didn't do it for me.Thanx.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

Originally posted by chipper10
I eat a lot of chesse pizza and grilled cheese
I have just always been really picky.

Nicole

Watch those HDLs/LDLs ...

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Kevin

 

[stinkerbelle]

we split our stay between WL concierge and AKL concierge during our honeymoon last year.

We stayed at WL first, then moved to AKL.

AKL just blew us away. We really got the royal treatment there and it just made the WL pale in comparison.

Being from New England...I can do w/o the "woods" for a bit...hehehe...and what other hotel can you look out your balcony and see a giraffe?

We've done both the Sunrise and Sunset safaris...both WELL WORTH the money...we're doing both again in december!

hands down...AKL

 

[KELLY]

I'm from New England also that is why the AKL caught my eye. I look in my back yard and all I see is a woods view. Thanks for all the input KELLY

 

[magooflorida]

It does sound like AKL is a beautiful resort, and I am also torn between this resort and WL. We will not be spending a ton of time at the resort as we will only be staying for two nights. We will be in the parks a lot. I have heard that that bus rides to the parks are long from the AKL. Does anyone know how much time it takes to get to MK, MGM or Epcot from here? The reason I was leaning towards the WL was because of the shorter distance to the parks!

Therese

 

[mouseRD]

The Passporter guide book has a section on each resort including modes of transportation & estimated time to each resort using these various modes. I believe it was ~ 20 min from AKL to Epcot, probably 15-25 minutes for most resorts.

 

[mouseRD]

It's me again - I think it was only 10 minutes for Blizzard Beach & 5 minutes to AK!

 

[KELLY]

Thanks for all the great advice. KELLY

 

[TDC Nala]

The reason I was leaning towards the WL was because of the shorter distance to the parks!

WL is really only substantially closer to the Magic Kingdom.