Split stay: WL & AKL? Opinions, please.

[TWOOD]

This will be my new DH's 1st trip to WDW!!! It'll be our 1st "family vacation" - him, my DD(13), & me, so it's got to be truly magical. DD & I have been about 21 times ... It's this Dec., so WL is a definite - love those Christmas decorations & he'll love the rustic decor (TX football coach). DD & I have never stayed @ AKL & both DH & DD love animals, so I'm thinking that would be neat & new to ALL of us. However, are they too similar in theme? It may be a while before we get back & I want him to have as much of the "Disney experience" as I can throw at him in 8 nights without overwhelming him. What do you think? I was considering an Epcot resort, but YC is the only one he'd possibly like, but I know the 5 bus stops will drive him nuts - it has taken 7 years to convince him to come to WDW... help!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

TWOOD

The ALK & WL are very similar in theme, I would pick one of the EPCOT resorts, then only do MGM & EPCOT. While you're at WL do the MK and AK after you move just do the other two parks. Hope you understand what I'm trying to say....that way no great need for the bus service at any of the EPCOT Resorts.

Have a Magical Trip!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Definetly do AKL. You will all love it. This our absolute favorite resort!!!!

 

[leighe]

I would do GF for fab Christmas Decorations and the AKL!

 

[TWOOD]

How about Poly & AKL? What's the Poly like at Christmas? We've only spent 1 night there in all our trips, so it would be kind of "new" to my DD & me, too. Any more suggestions? Anyone think WL & AKL would be a good idea at Christmas time? The trip is scheduled for 12/18-12/26 & we want the split to be 4 nights each. Thanks!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Originally posted by TWOOD
How about Poly & AKL? What's the Poly like at Christmas? We've only spent 1 night there in all our trips, so it would be kind of "new" to my DD & me, too. Any more suggestions? Anyone think WL & AKL would be a good idea at Christmas time? The trip is scheduled for 12/18-12/26 & we want the split to be 4 nights each. Thanks!

That sounds like a good combination. I have not stayed at the Poly - our first stay there will be this June - but many on the boards have spoken well of it. If I had to choose between WL and AKL the choice would have to be AKL, hands down. In fact, we stayed there over last New Years Eve. It was a wonderful week and fully lived up to our expectations.

Here are some of the reasons why I would choose AKL vs. WL.

WL - shares bus service with Fort Wilderness.
AKL - Doesn't share bus service with any other resort.

WL - Smallest rooms of any deluxe, on average.
AKL - Somewhat bigger rooms.

WL - Decent counter service (Roaring Forks), ok mid-level (Whispering Canyon), good full service (Artist Point).
AKL - Very good c/s (Mara), Excellent mid-level (Boma !!) , and excellent full service (Jiko).

With discounts, the least expensive room at AKL will often be less than the least expensive room at WL. For our NYE trip we were lucky to get AKL at an a.p. rate of $109/night , holiday season ! To put this in perspective, someone booking the All-Stars at the same time without a discount paid $5 more than me.

Plus, just to be wandering around the pool and see four giraffes feeding only about twenty yards from you is just soo darn cool !

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I think WL and AKL are great choices! What a special trip it's going to be for you all. Enjoy it!

 

[Okiemom]

What discounts did you find to get the AKL for 109.00?

 

[Janet2k]

TWOOD, I agree with TigrLvsPooh -- the WL and AKL are great choices. My family will actually be splitting our upcoming WDW stay amongst those two resorts, so I'm actually putting my money where my mouth is for a change. Even though both of those resorts were designed by the same person, they are as different as night and day (at least in my humble opinion they are).

No matter where you decide to stay, have a magical vacation.

 

[hightown]

I've done both in mid-later November. For me, from Colorado, the mountain lodge theme is pretty ho-hum. WL is nice but didn't hit me as WOW.

AKL did WOW me and I really liked their Christmas decorations. I also thought since we were not sharing buses with other resorts that the bus transportation was great. They came promt and weren't crowded. So far, it's the one resort that I really want to go back to! I thought the cast members were great there too. If cost is a factor, I think you get the most value for your dollar here than at any of the higher priced delux hotels.

I'm also interested in how you got a rate of 109 so far in advance or is that an estimate? I haven't made a November ressie yet but AKL is calling!

Sharon

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Mom & I are doing AKL/WL in May & can't wait. I can let you know how it went if you like?

Allison

 

[johnvree]

We are splitting our stay between the AKL and the Poly this May. They seemed like a good combo since they have much different themes and restaurants. We are spending less time at the AKL because it seems more isolated and the Poly has such great transportation options. We are going to hit AK while at the AKL and then the other three parks while we are at the Poly.

I was at the Poly around Christmas time. It was many years ago (like 15-20). The decorations don't stand out in my mind. But don't read into that too much. I was 17 and probably not into that kind of stuff yet.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I think you have a great Christmas vacation planned! Enjoy!

 

[johnsonet]

Hi. I just got home from my Disney stay - we did the exact same switch and I HIGHLY recommend them. The two resorts complement one another beautifully and aside from both having "lodge" in their names, both having lots of WOOD, and both having spectacular lobbies, they are NOTHING alike so have no fear about that!! You will LOVE both resorts!

 

[JohnathanS]

The first year AKL opened, we did a "split stay" between it and WL and had a great time! Although the design of the two is very similar, they offer very different experiences. Both have a wonderful "wow" factor and incredible theming...the best of the Disney resorts IMO.

Still, you do sacrifice the advantage of location for the theming; the Epcot resorts or monorail resorts offer great proximity to the parks, so take that into consideration and weigh what is most important to you. But if this is not a concern, both WL and AKL score a 10 on the magic factor!!