POP or AKL or WL

[madisonwi]

I have the POP booked for June- but beginning to get nervous that I made the wrong choice. Now I'm thinking of changing to either the AKL or WL- so please help me decide if you've been to any of these before!

1. We want a decent pool for the kids to swim in.
2. We want decent bus service.
3. Hoping for a resort that's not too huge- I know POP is pretty big.
4. Want something the kids enjoy.

Thanks!

 

[Samsma]

I have stayed at each of these, and while WL is our favorite resort, and AK Lodge is very beautiful and unique, we are always just fine at Pop. The only thing that I would hesitate about is the room size. When my husband goes we stay at a Deluxe and when it's just me and the 2 kids we stay at Pop and have just as good a time. The bus service is good, the food court and gift shop are great, and I haven't had any problems with the resort size. We request non-preferred 60's or 50's. The pools are fun too. For the price difference we are just fine at Pop!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We enjoy both AKL & WL. AKL has the zero entry pool, nice slide, but then WL has slide too. Both had great bus service & WL has the boat transportion. Guess it all depends on what parks you're going to visit. We chose WL when we were going to MK & Epcot only, and AKL when we were doing AK, MK, DHS & DTD. There's great threads about both AKL & WL on Disboards. Search through them, they might help - they certainly helped us. Good luck choosing!

DH & I won't do POP again. Three unmagical times was enough for us. If we're staying value it's at ASMu.

 

[PowerBook]

If budget permits - by all means do AKL or WL! The difference is immense between values and deluxes. Now between AKL or WL - I personally would choose AKL. AKL and WL have very similar layouts and pricing but I think the animals at AKL put it over the edge when deciding between the two, despite WL's location. Although it is nice to be able to ride the boat over to MK and the other monorail resorts, I think the children would enjoy the animals more as it is definitely something spectacular to be able to look out at savannas from your balcony. Regarding bus service, I always have a car on my vacations - so I wouldn't really be able to tell you. I do know though, that a downside to AKL is that it is quite far out in relation to WDW property, so bus rides take a while compared to other closer resorts. The pool at AKL and WL are both just okay, both have slides, but AKL does have a zero entry entrance to it (meaning no stairs). The breakfast buffet at AKL's Boma is very good as well as the dinner buffet. As far as theming goes, AKL feels like you are in a different part of the world, and feels like a true exotic escape. Both resorts have just about the same room size and both have AMAZING lobbies. As far as size of the hotel goes, both have about the same layout consisting of two arms that extend out from the lobby, so there is really no difference there. Anyways sorry for the long reply - but bottom line: I would definitely go for AKL or WL if money isn't an issue - and I'm sure whichever you choose from there, you'll enjoy either regardless!

 

[brendaziz]

Well, I love Pop. But it's no deluxe. There's no way around that. You can have a GREAT trip staying there and if that is what your budget allows, then stick w/ pop. BUT if your budget allows one of the others, you can't go wrong with eitehr one- though having stayed at both, I can say that i LOVE animal kingdom. I've stayed there twice. I'm not letting myself stay there for a few more trips at least, but i'm sure i'll end up back there at some point. I have to go there to eat or just walk around every trip though.
I'd say go w/ AKL! Unless u can't afford it- then stick w/ Pop.

 

[Bvcbell]

I say WL. I have stayed at both at here is why I chose (with some thought put into it) to go back to Wl over AKL. I prefer having a beach versus looking at animals. It is more convenient to the majic kingdom with its lovely boat service. It offers a nice electric water parade at 9pm every night. And it has a decent snack bar cafe with a good breakfast selection. Both resort have nice dining options above the snack level. In fact every trip we go to Boma's at Akl as it is one of our favorites. That being said it is a one meal per trip experience. We get the best of both worlds by staying on the beach (albeit a small one) and booking dinner ressies at Akl to veiw the animals and have a nice meal at Boma's! Either way you cannot go wrong!

 

[vanyel]

I've never stayed at any of your choices but want to stay at both WL & AKL.

I was wondering though, if you'd considered the moderates at all? They all have great pools, especially CSR & CBR. If you're concerned about cost at all, mods would be a compromise.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at Pop or AKL....but we LOVE WL .....we've stayed there twice and had great stays both times . The WL is a beautiful resort with a great pool . Plus you have the boat to/from MK and CR if you want to hop the monorail to visit or dine at the Poly or GF . My vote is for the WL. Good luck deciding and have a magical trip .

 

[JackandSally79]

We have stayed at all three and love them all. We don't have kids....but we stayed at AKV with my 7 yr old brother and he loved it. My brother talks about it all the time. If you have kids I say go with AKL.