Loved AKL, will I love WL as much?

[stargazertechie]

My FI and I were supposed to take our honeymoon in May to AKL. Between the time we booked and what was to be our wedding date, we had 4 deaths in the family (in 6 months). We had paid our trip in full, and despite postponing the wedding, took the trip anyway as we needed to get away from everything for awhile.

We LOVED our 7 night stay at AKL- so much that we are looking into a DVC purchase in the next few years.

We are getting married Labor Day weekend 2011. FI wants a complete surprise of a honeymoon, so I'm planning a 4 day Bahamas cruise (Carnival) that departs the day after our wedding from Orlando, followed by a 10 day stay in Disney.

Since FI wants a surprise, I'm leaning toward either staying at WL, or a split stay at WL/AKL. We stayed pool view at AKL, and if we returned to AKL next year, we would be doing a pool view again. We are rope drop people, followed by a mid-day break (swim/lunch/nap) then back to the parks in the evening, and a dip in the hot tub/pool when we return to the resort at night.

I guess my question is from those who have stayed at both, will we enjoy WL as much as AKL?

 

[domestic goddess]

We have stayed at the WL several times and have visited AKL and we love WL! We are staying at AKV in April 2011 because my DD loves animals and we have to stay savannah view for her. If not for her we would be staying at VWL (we are DVC owners). It is very relaxing and cozy especially after a day at the parks. I think you will both love it.

Have a great trip and congratulations!

 

[Goofy4]

Our last 2 stays were at AKL/Kidani and WL. I think you will like WL, although our room was about to the stage where it could use a refurb. The rest of the place is in excellent shape and the view from the courtyard doesn't have a counterpart at AKL.

The theming at WL doesn't seem to have quite the same fan-base popularity as AKL, but you probably have an idea already if woodsy theme might not be for you. I think the lodge flies a little be under the radar and has all the incredible level of detail that AKL has.

 

[Sammie]

Have you considered Beach club or Boardwalk. The pool at the Beach club is just fabulous and you are so close to Epcot and the Studios.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Wl was built by the same architect that built AKL, so yes, I think you will like it. The themeing of course will be different, but the overall feel of the lodge is grand, like AKL. I have read that the rooms may be due for refurbishment, but I had read that about OKW too, and when we went we found the rooms has some wear and tear, but overall it was a lovely property - hopefully you'll find the same at WL. I believe they have honeymoon rooms that have a king bed with a whirlpool tub?? I think if you are a Disney fan, you will enjoy all that WL has to offer. WL has it's own following, and although I haven't stayed there (yet) it has the boat to MK which makes it quite popular for families. So - sorry to hear about all your losses, enjoy your honeymoon.

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed at both, and love WL too! Different theming, but same soaring lobby, and attention to detail. http://allears.net/acc/g_wl.htm
Rooms were renovated in 2007, and with both our stays, I found our rooms to be in good repair. Not worn at all.

 

[Donut23]

The Wildie was my home for a long-long time. I love the resort so I may not be as fair to other resorts but here goes....

the Wildie was built first - same design team as Animal Kingdom. If you liked Animal Kingdom, you will feel comfortable immediately at the Wildie.

Because you are not surrounded by the animals, there is more "outside" space at the Wildie....more to walk around an enjoy. You can enjoy a walk to Ft. Wilderness for example - sidewalk available.

You REALLY feel away from the hustle and bustle here. The resort overlooks the lake - it's quiet and peaceful.

Find some time to walk around and discover the lodge. There are quiet seating areas overlooking the lobby on floors ABOVE the lobby.....complete with cozy seating and fireplaces roaring (even in August).

Others have said - you travel to MK by boat - different and fun.

The rooms are not a big as the EPCOT resorts or Monorail resorts - but neither is the cost.

To me, the Wildie has a special vibe. You KNOW they had fun designing the resort because there are so many truly special touches.....the bubbling spring which meanders through the resort, the geiser, animal footprints in the concrete sidewalks, landscaping, waterfall.

Have a wonderful time - tell the Wildie I'll be back soon!

 

[fla4fun]

Well, I don't like AKL, but I love WL - so it's possible to like one and not the other. The main reason I don't like AKL is that I love being near a water feature, with boat transportation and a marina. I can make do with the "canal" at PO, and the small "lakes" at Pop, CBR and CSR, but there wasn't anything but the pool at AKL. But that's just me personally - your feelings may be different.

I love WL for all the reasons already mentioned. I like the intimate sitting areas on the upper floors off the lobby. I like the fact that I can be in Florida but not feel like I'm in Florida. I like having so many other resorts within easy reach for dining variety. I like the peaceful atmosphere, especially outdoors. If you've looked at photos and you like what you see, you'll like it even more when you get there.

 

[BBQMommy]

I have not stayed at AKL, but did stay at WL this past February. We loved it. I had wanted to stay there for years and was very happy. It was very, very peaceful and felt removed. It sometimes jarred me when on the launch seeing just how close we actually were to the CR.

My first thought on WL with your comment that you are rope drop people was that you might want to rely on the busses or possibly a car if you have one with you for getting to the parks in time for rope drop. The launch does not always start early and sometimes it is a little late or quite late. Regardless, it was fun and a great way to get a few places.

Condolences on your losses and congratulations on your nuptials -

 

[quinnc19]

I suggest a split stay, since it's your honeymoon. You know you'll love at least half of it!

 

[TxRabbit]

Playing "devil's advocate" here...

If you loved AKL because of ...

the larger zero degree entry pool...
the private feeling hot tub nestled in the shrubery...
the wonderful onsite restaurants...
the feeling that you were "away from it all" back at the resort...

then you may find WL a bit lacking in the magic department.

The pool is decidedly smaller. We had a heat wave when we went (105+ heat index the entire time) so maybe our experience was abnormal regarding pool activity, but we had the hardest time finding lounge chairs and even finding room to swim in the pool.

Also, the hot tubs at WL are right there in plain site of the pool. They are fine. Available. But the atmosphere is very different than at AKL. I remember the AKL hot tubs as being around the corner behind rocks or something, with vegetation all around.

Mara is has more interesting selections than Roaring Forks.
Boma is a better breakfast than Whispering Canyon (better dinner too IMO).
We also prefer Jiko to Artist Point.

WL is somewhat set apart from the Monorail resorts in the MK area. And the lake view is wonderful. To a certain extent this does give it a retreat feeling, however, not nearly to the extent that AKL has.

If none of these are deal breakers...

If you stayed on Giraffe Trail at AKL, and found that handy dandy short cut door from the bus stop and used it, then I suggest that you request a room in the wing that doesn't include the restaurants. Hopefully, you would get toward the end of the building as well.

This wing will be closer to the bus stop (which will be more similar to your AKL experience) and if you are toward the end, you will be close to the boat dock. There are access doors to the pool at the middle of the building and at the end of the building, so you will have that same convenient walk to the pool in such a location.

The boat ride to MK is very nice. I don't know that is faster than the bus, but it is a nice way to travel.

For dining options, WL offers easier transportation to other resorts. CR is just a boat ride away. The other monorail resorts are easy to get to also, just transfer boats at MK. This is a major benefit to staying at WL over AKL.

HTH.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

do a split stay with the WL first then the AKL, that way if you have an issues you know you have the AKL to look forward to!

 

[Barcino]

I was thinking split stay too but i can't do a split stay because I am getting there sept 25 and wth split stay I would not get the free dining. Correct? If not for this - I would!

Anyway - decided - back to AkL we love it so. It's home to us. We drive to WDW so we will fr sure make a point to visit WL. Maybe next time we will do WL - thanks for all the awesome posts! So helpful! YAY I'm so excited!!!