Just stayed at WL and AKL

[loriwvu]

We just got back from 5 nights at WL and 3 nights at AKL. This was my first time back to WDW in 20 years. The WL is breathtakingly beautiful and the theming is wonderful. However, I would NEVER stay there again. Even with the codes I feel it is overpriced for what you get. The foodcourt is way too small to accomodate the number of people staying there. (the lodge was quite full when we were there). The pool area, while undeniably gorgeous, is also way too small for the number of guests there.

We had two connecting rooms on the the 3rd floor. They were not quiet at all!! Toilets flushing sounds constantly especially at 6:00 AM. Chair scraping sounds from the balconies and rude people running the halls and whistling and yelling at all hours. We were amazed how inconsiderate other guests were!!

Our 3 night stay at AKL with a Savannah View was much more relaxing and quiet. The rooms were much quieter and the guests were much more considerate. We love the pool area and the Mara food court was much larger and could handle the number of guests much easier. In my opinion the AKL is much more of a luxury resort than the WL. If WL is considered a luxury resort by WDW standards I couldn't imagine staying at a moderate or Value!! Give me the Marriott any day!

Lori

 

[corvair]

Lori,, thanks for your report. We stayed at WL last summer.. we will be at AKL in 13 days... I thought WL was OK,, but I aslo felt that the pool was to small for the resort.. How does the AKL pool compare.. did you use the hottubs?? How about the slides... did you use them... thanks.. I am really looking forward to the AKL... thanks..amy

 

[susy]

Okay, now I really want to change back to GF!!! My DH wants the WL for Thanksgiving , so that's where we are booked. I LOVE AKL!!!!! I was dreaming last night that I was there! You know, we were there over Labor Day weekend and the resort was supposed to be full, but you could never tell it! I have a few questions.

-what view did you have?

-did you use the buses?

-how was the boat to MK?

-did you eat at AP or WC?

I stayed at CSR and felt like it was a deluxe resort that was just missing its balconies. I was really impressed with the details.
Perhaps because WL has a country like theme, it just doesn't feel luxurious to some? I hope I am not dissapointed. We actually do for once have the money for GF, but I know DH will not want to change!

 

[Millipore]

We just got back from nine days at WL and we LOVED IT!!! We did manage to get a concierge upgrade so we didn't have to deal with the food court so I can't comment on that.

The pool is not large but there is the another pool located at the Villas which was virtually empty every time we walked by.

The boat to MK is great. The bus service seemed to be the same as what we have experienced at CBR and CSR.

We did a dinner at WC and had a great time. It is really aimed at kids under 12 - they will enjoy it.

We also checked out AKL and did not like it - seemed to be too dark and too spread out. So I think alot is just a matter of taste.

 

[scanne]

Millipore,

Was your upgrade to concierge complimentary or did you pay to upgrade? How are the balconies on the 7th floor? Are they enclosed or do they have railings? If you paid to upgrade, how much was it per night (if you don't mind sharing)? Thanks!

 

[Millipore]

I requested an upgrade

enclosed

$55 per night over a $124 base rate

(for more info see my thread "Just back from WL concierge upgrade")

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

We are staying for seven days at AKL in July. The family was split on what to do. We have stayed at WL two other times and loved it, but... the pool was so crowded you could not move most days and the food court was so small you had long lines to refil your drink sometimes.

The boat to the MK was perfect. We have a mentally handicap nephew in a wheelchair and it was nice to use the boat and then the monorail helped a lot. The bus was usually long because only every other bus was handicap.

When we asked my BIL and SIL if they would like to go with us this year, it was decided Josh would stay home and we told them if they wanted to stay at WL, they could but we were not.

We had reservations for POR, which we love, until the FT package came out and our daughter really wanted to stay at AKL so we upgraded. We are all looking forward to staying there.

Kathy

 

[loriwvu]

At the WL we had a view of the pool at the Villas. We had connecting rooms on the the third floor 3136 and 3138. I didn't like the bus transportation because we had to pick up people at FW or the GF. (if I was staying at the GF I wouldn't like this either..by the time we picked them up they all had to stand).
The boat to MK was okay but we usually had to wait a little while for that.
We LOVED Whispering Canyon because our kids thought it was so much fun. We actually ate their twice. The food was good too. We skipped AP because we knew with a 1 and 4 year old we couldn't truly enjoy the wonderful meal there.

Have fun.

Lori

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

We felt the same way!!!

We stayed 5 nights at WL and 3 nights at AKL this past March/April and will NEVER stay at WL again. While I feel the resort itself is beautiful and I enjoyed Whispering Canyon thats just not enough to make me stay their again. We felt the CM's were not very nice at WL.

At AKL we found the CM's their outstanding (!!!) from the front desk to the bartenders and mousekeeping. We ejoyed Boma and Mara. We didn't have enough time to make it to Jiko- next time. I'm not sure if the pool is larger or if it's just layed out better. Yipee for AKL!

 

[tnkrbell]

We were just at the Wl May 4th I have stayed several times and loved it! But.. This trip was different I dont know if it was because of all the people being offered the hotel because of others being closed or what but the pool was sooooo crowded we had to use the quite pool which also was very crowded!
The hotel seemed dirty and had a fish smell. We left and went to AKL which was much nicer! But Very big!!! It was a big walk from our room to the pool!