Please help- WL, AKL or BC

[ktlm]

I could use some help picking a resort. We've stayed at AKL and WL, but it has been a few years. I know I loved them both. We've never stayed at BC. We will be there during holiday decoration time. We will have a 2 year old with us and it will be her 1st Disneyworld experience. Which do you guys think will be best and why? If there is someplace else you think would be best, feel free to throw that in too!

 

[mmmears]

All 3 are such nice resorts. I would say WL because:

1. Holiday time is so beautiful there... I think they have the prettiest decorations since it works so well with the theming of the resort.

2. Little ones really enjoy the MK, and you'd be closer and have better access to it from the WL than the other 2 you mentioned.

3. While we love the pool at the BC (and I think it's fun for toddlers to play in the shallow sandy area), if you're going in December you might not use the pool anyway.

4. While the animals at AKL are a big draw, it's a long bus ride to the MK, and it'll be hard to go back and forth for naps, etc. with a toddler.

I really like all 3 -- I dont think you'll go wrong with any of these.

 

[LadyZolt]

Hmm. How close to two will your two year old be? If just turning two, they'll love seeing the decorations and lights and they will enjoy the rides you take them on, but if they're closer to three, then I think they'll be more into the characters and Magic Kingdom type stuff. If that's the case, then I'd recommend a Magic Kingdom resort because of their convenience to MK.

Of the three you listed, I'd recommend BC for that time of year because of the crowds. It is very convenient to walk back to BC from two of the parks (EPCOT and DHS) and I think the resort itself has fun "beachy" decor. Also, the Cape May Cafe has Goofy along with Chip and Dale for a morning character breakfast, and little kids tend to really enjoy those characters. (The Contemporary has Chef Mickey's, so if you opt for a MK resort, that one would get my vote because my toddlers always loved Chef Mickey's.)

It would be fun that time of year to stroll around the EPCOT resorts, too, to see the decorations (which are all unique and all beautiful.) There's a bus to MK and one for AK, so you could get to those parks, too. You could also take the monorail from EPCOT and go visit the MK resorts, which are also nicely decked out for Christmas.

Of course, no one knows your family like you do. So maybe you can make a list of what you really want to do and decide which resort based on which park(s) you intend to frequent the most. Just keep in mind that if you go during peak holiday season, it will be very crowded and it can be difficult to get around with a toddler and the 10,000 items you have to have because of the baby. LOL! (My DH used to say we had more stuff than Hannibal's army had crossing the Alps!) Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I totally agree with an earlier post. It doesn't get any better than the WL at Christmas time! The decorations are out of this world. I think the whole hotel is lovely, I like the proximity to MK if you're traveling with a little one, and the price is easier to swallow than the BC, I think. While the BC pool is great -- so is the WL, just not nearly as expansive -- you may have little opportunity to use it in December. And, for a two year old, it's not like you'd do more than splash around anyhow. The WL has a nice kiddie pool area, too.

I've never stayed at AKL, but I do love the look and feel of it. On par with WL for price, I'd stay there if the theme really appealed to you. That said, I think Christmas lends itself to the WL, and you'd have a break from the buses (use the boats to MK, CR, etc.) that are the only source of transport at AKL.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[Seahunt]

If there is someplace else you think would be best, feel free to throw that in too!

OK I'll do that, I vote for the GF!

Monorail resort, beautiful decorations including the huge Christmas tree, the orchestra playing Christmas carols and the wonderful Gingerbread house that scents the entire lobby, eat breakfast at the 1900 Park Faire restaurant with Mary Poppins or dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming, afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge and I could go on and on!

And if not the GF, I would vote WL - again for the holiday decorations and that big fireplace and the rocking chairs

Thanks to DisneyNutz photos on the WL FAQ thread :

 

[ktlm]

Oh my gosh- that picture of WL has just about won me over!! It's beautiful! I know the GF is beautiful too, but I don't think we want to spend that much extra. She will be just 2 months short of 3 yrs old. Aside from a few diapers and wipes just in case, we shouldn't have any extra gear. She is crazy about Christmas and Christmas decorations (still talks about them constantly in July) as well as pretty much every Disney character there is. I doubt we will really use the pool since it will will be cooler that time of year and knowing her, she isn't going to leave the park until it closes or she falls asleep and we carry her out. We plan to hit all the parks, but I am guessing she will like MK the most.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with others that the WL is awesome as it beats out all the other resorts when it comes to Christmas decorations, IMO . The BC is also nice during the holidays, although the WL is our favorite as a pp said the decorations just go so well with the WL decor . My first choice would be the WL, followed by the BC, then AKL . WL is also very convenient if you will be spending alot of time at the MK......it's a nice boat ride away . But I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 as they are all beautiful resorts and the holiday decorations will make all of them stand out in their own way . Good luck deciding and have a magical trip .

 

[pepe of ohio]

We feel for location, theming, pool and price, WL can't be beat. Deluxe resort at a cheaper price and holiday decorations are second to none. We enjoy the MK and being a boat ride away is fantastic. Monorail resorts are lovely but to us, over priced, WL is just as close, rooms are smaller but its our favorite, last 10 stays have been there and before the big resort price hikes, we liked the Poly. For your little one, WL is top notched, nice pool, kiddee pool and 2 hot tubs, nice beach and EWP each night and take the boat to FW, horse barn, petting area and good buffet.

 

[proteus]

Too funny. My next two trips are WL and BC (planned). I have been at AKL twice. I vote for WL because of the decor they put up at Christmas.

 

[TJA]

Sounds like WL is the winner for you! BC is our favorite resort, but the pool is the main attraction there (for us), so we'd probably stay elsewhere when the temps were cooler. However, if it's this year you are planning to go, then I'd call to reserve WL right away because it sells out fast during the Christmas holiday. Also, have a back-up plan in mind just in case WL is not available.

 

[ktlm]

Thanks so much everyone - You really helped!! WL it is!

 

[tiger4me2]

Yeah Wl is great time to go during the Christmas season !!

 

[skipperkim]

Oh my gosh- that picture of WL has just about won me over!! It's beautiful! I know the GF is beautiful too, but I don't think we want to spend that much extra. She will be just 2 months short of 3 yrs old. Aside from a few diapers and wipes just in case, we shouldn't have any extra gear. She is crazy about Christmas and Christmas decorations (still talks about them constantly in July) as well as pretty much every Disney character there is. I doubt we will really use the pool since it will will be cooler that time of year and knowing her, she isn't going to leave the park until it closes or she falls asleep and we carry her out. We plan to hit all the parks, but I am guessing she will like MK the most.

You need to make the ressie ASAP. Rooms there are pretty much close to be sold out. I wanted a standard room for my visit just after Thanksgiving. There's none left, just a queen bed with bunk beds. I want a king size bed for DBF and I. I guess I could sleep in one of the bunk beds. He's such a bed hog.

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

I love the BC. It's such a comfortable hotel, has great restaurants, and has (IMO) the best pool in the world.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks so much everyone - You really helped!! WL it is!

I think you made the right choice going with the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[ktlm]

I'm not sure there is a wrong choice at Disney! You guys convinced me the WL just looks and feels like Christmas. Plus, I'm thinking the little one may insist on getting to MK at least once each day to ride Pooh, no matter which park we are at for the day, so it will be nice to be closer to MK. I can't wait!

 

[lopez]

Thanks so much everyone - You really helped!! WL it is!

I was there for 5 nights last December and although It was only the 2nd time I stayed at a Disney resort I fell "head over heels" for this place! I loved the beach they had there to spend some "quiet time" away from the pool area and the boat that takes you to the Magic Kingdom was the "icing on the cake." Also, if you are a smoker like me (filthy habit!) the smoking area is right outside of a side enterance.

When you walk into the lobby for the first time don't be surprised if you jaw drops, it really is spectaclar. Now here we are in a recession, I got laid off from my job and guess where I'm going on Aug 31st for 7 nights? If you guessed the WL you are right! (keep in mind I was just there in Dec 2007!)

I hope you and your family fall in love with this place the way we did!