Thoughts on my decision- WL vs. AKL

[Razed2behappy]

Hi everyone,

I have to admit that I have been a lurker here for a long while now. I do have to say that I think many of you seem absolutely wonderful and wanted to express that to you all. I have a dilemma I was hoping everyone can help me with. I am planning on popping the question to the one I love this coming trip. I want it to be as perfect as possible. I already had plans at the AKL standard view with Fla resident discount, but upon discovering a picture on the internet that showed a 7-11/citgo station in the background not too far off, it totally did not make me feel like I was being "separated" from the real world like I normally feel when going to disney. I cancelled my reservations there and booked a woods view at the Wilderness Lodge. Was this decision wise? Its been bothering me for the past couple of days. Do you all feel I am overreacting? Thank you all. Very pleased and happy to be posting for the first time. Thanks again.


P.S.- I am a very big Disney nut and know as much as I can about everything Disney. I hope I can help many of you in the future.

-Mel

 

[mickeyfan1]

I would have chosen pool view at AKL over WL, but not for the room, just for the entire peacefull feeling of the AKL. Three weeks ago, about 10:30 at night in the Arusha Rock Overlook, watching the cattle, out of the corner of my eye there was something, I turned and saw a giraffe about 10 feet from me. It was so calm, just eating and being beautiful. There is just no feeling like that at any other resort. I love the lobby of the WL, but the Wisperhing Canyon is a lot of noise for such a magnificent place (IMHO). If you are going to spend a lot of time in your room, then the standard view may not be for you at AKL, but best of luck with the romatic activities. No matter where you stay, it sounds like you will have a very magical trip. I don't think you are over reacting either. THis is a very big and important thing you have planned, you need to be 100% comfortable.

And welcome to the DIS.

So, proposal at WL, wedding at WDW and honeymoon on DCL?

 

[mep319]

I would have chosen AKL over WL as well. It is a quieter, more relaxing resort. I live in PA and I have to say the woods view did nothing for me...I can get that at home. I also think...not that you could count on it....that you would have a better opportunity of getting upgraded at AKL especially if mentioned your special event it at check in...have your girlfriend explore the resort while you handled the horrible "paperwork!" so she doesn't hear! I believe something like 70% of the rooms are savannah views so you are playing better odds than at other resorts for upgrades....But regardless I think it will be a wonderful experence.. WL is wonderful too! Congrats!

 

[Gary M]

We have stayed at AKL twice and WL 15 times. You can't go wrong with either resort, but we do like the atmosphere better at the WL. It is just a matter of taste. We are from Indiana and both resorts are different from what we have here. We take advantage of the nooks and cranies at the WL to relax. With a standard room at the AKL I don't believe you can see the animals from your balcony.

On the 4th and 5th floors at the WL they have a sitting area with stuffed chairs and couches, these are in front of a fireplace.(above main entrance). The WL has a small white sand beach which is a good place to watch the EWP at night. There is a paved, but not lighted path from WL to FW. This is a very nice peaceful walk of about 20 to 30 minutes to FW. You can come back by boat.

Good luck. You will enjoy whichever resort you pick.

 

[Cindy B]

Having just left WL, I 'm not sure what I would do... We think AKL is "too dark".. the lobby and lighting is just not the same... we have good vision, and I still left like I was stumbling around (and that was in a Florida sunny afternoon)

Given I have never seen a room besides pictures.. but just from impressions of the lobby.. we probably wouldn't do AKL


Animal Kingdom is our least favorite park, and animals are either take it or leave it for us.


We just left WL, although pretty, the transportation was horrible.

If given the choice, I would pick neither.

 

[*Fantasia*]

What was it about the WL transportation? Can you elaborate please. We are planning to stay there in the future and transportation is important to us. Thank you.

 

[Muushka]

How romantic!

I have stayed at both resorts. Given my choice for most romantic, I would have to choose WL. As was mentioned above there are several places that are very private and romantic. Yes Whispering Canyons is very loud, but late at night, when most people are asleep, the Lodge takes on an entirely different flavor. We once stayed up till 12 and began really enjoying exploring the lodge. It is so quiet and peaceful.

There are also beautiful porches overlooking the pool/lake area.

And a nice beach. I could go on and on........

 

[>>^..^<<]

Are you going to be proposing in your room?? If so then WL woods would be better than AKL standard...

If you are proposing at dinner somewhere or in the park at fireworks..etc.. then I vote AKL.

WL does nothing for me, however in the fall winter with Xmas decorations & fireplaces it is a very cozy resort.

AKL is exotic and unique & very special..if you love african animals you will be amazied at the giraffes and herds of tiny tompson gazelle.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

>>^..^<<

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
What was it about the WL transportation? Can you elaborate please. We are planning to stay there in the future and transportation is important to us. Thank you.

Busses were poor, and boat was ok. If WL didnt have to share busses it would be better.. Downtown Disney busses were horrible, and leaving AK to WL took over an hour -- (we drove it in our car about 15 minutes!)

Bring a rental car.. if we didn't have our own car (we drove down), it would have been a mess.

And we do take public transportation every day for commutes, so we were expecting waits..

 

[mep319]

I have to agree with in regards to the transporation at WL. Of all the deluxes we have stayed I feel it ranks last. Sharing the boat and buses with the campground can and is a nightmare. The rides seemed so long....

I'm surprised the recommendation that the woods view at WL is romantic...we stayed 1/03 and found nothing romantic about looking at tall pine trees....I guess it is just a different opinion!

 

[Peter Pirate]

WL transportation sucks and the AKL's dedicated bus service is the best of the bus transportation...

Both hotels are romantic in feel but IMO the AKL gets you away better than WL.

As for seeing the outside world from the AKL, I must say this is a real stretch. It is true that there are areas from which ordinary signage or lights can be seen (the landscaping hasn't yet covered the view - but it will), but these anomolies are few and the offending view is miles off.

If animals aren't your thing, stay at the WL...For all other reasons the AKL is superior, IMO...

 

[Razed2behappy]

Wow talk about choices!..hehe. I have weighed everything very heavily. There was one thing that my GF mentioned which was another reason I decided to go WL. She wanted to do those water mouse boats, and, well, to be quite honest... so do I!! Sounds like alot of fun. I do not believe AKL has a marina, so that was another thing I looed at. I have dinner set up at the California Grill the first night we are there. I got priority seating for 7:45 pm, fireworks start at 8:00pm that night. When the fireworks begin(and the lights dim), I am going to start telling her what she means to me and then pop the question. I am trying to get as close to the Magic Kingdom as possible.

In regards to transportation, I too, have have heard that it is questionable sometimes. I thought that if I need to go to Epcot, I will take the Contemporary ferry and end up taking the monorail to the park. To get to the other parks, I also plan to take the monorail to the TTC and just end up taking my bus from there. You do not realize how hard it is to try to keep every detail from the significant other...hehe.

I am going to try to take as many pictures as possible. I most definitely will give a trip report when I get back!

I wanted to thank everyone so far that have given me advice and making it that much more difficult to decide...hehehe.

 

[Micca]

They are both top notch resorts. You'll be fine at either one, but I would give the nod to AKL.

 

[kda]

Congratulations! Please don't be scared off by the number of quite negative comments about WL. Guess I'm very sensitive and protective of our favorite resort (we even bought DVC there). We have always felt it is serene, lovely, and exactly our style. We also like variety, and do stay at other resorts and enjoy them very much. AKL reminds us of WL, but certainly has it's own wonderful features that make it exceptional. Either resort is special. Have dinner at AKL one night and see what you think!

This thread is an excellent example of the huge variety of tastes and opinions of DIS members. It's my belief that it's impossible for any of us to know what you and your fiance-to-be would enjoy, so remember that we're just expressing our thoughts. Take what you need, and leave the rest behind.

We love the water mice, too, and the ones at the Bay Lake resorts are the fastest. We also love taking the boats to MK and CR, just to be out on the lake.

In all our WL trips, we've only had a couple of isolated long waits for the boat and the bus, so we have nothing to complain about. We've had exactly the same transportation experiences at every resort we've ever stayed at --- just a few long waits. It sort of sounds like transportation woes fluctuate and move around.

Hope your trip is magical!

 

[>>^..^<<]

HI there...

Your 7:45pm PS for the 8pm fireworks is cutting it VERY VERY CLOSE!

Be at the restaurant EARLY... it is very likely you will get a coaster to wait with and not be seated right away. You could go out on the observation deck area and watch though - if there is a problem with your table.

They pipe the music in and it is a great view of the castle changing colours... have fun.. hope she says "YES!"

>>^..^<<

 

[KelliR]

Your reasoning for selecting WL is very sound. I did enjoy my stay there very much.

If you are still in the mood for opinions ... I highly recommend AKL concierge! We just stayed there and it was FANTASTIC! I would bet they would do something special for your *engagement* (I am thinking positively!). The lodge is relaxing and beautiful and just sitting on the balcony looking at the animals is a real treat. Enjoying the concierge lounge was wonderful.

If you stay with WL the boat to the Contemporary for dinner is nice. And the watermouse boats are great! And I do want to say how right <<^..^>> is ... arrive early for your Cali Grille reservation ... just to be safe.

I know you will have a very magical and memorable trip!!!

 

[Razed2behappy]

Thanks everyone for all the input.. I really do appreciate it. The funny thing is, I already know she is going to say yes. Someone in her family I believe, told her something, because a few days ago she asked me..."So, anything special you want to ask me at Disney?" I, of course, acted quite naive. My response was "I have no idea what you are talking about honey"

I will most definitely be at the Cali Grill early by about 7:15 since I figured it was going to be busy. I hope the fact that I made the ressies on a Monday helps out the crowd issue. We are actually staying there from Fri-Mon (POR) then from Mon-Wed (WL or AKL) <--whichever I finally decide on..hehe.

I never knew so many people had differing opinons on both resorts. They both look beautiful. I guess that pic that I saw of the AKL with the gas station in the background just really gave me a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[KelliR]

I've stayed at the AKL twice and have visited about 6 times (Boma is one of my family's favorite restaurants) and I just don't ever remember feeling like the outside world intrudes. I have only seen the savannahs and the pool and lovely views.

 

[Razed2behappy]

Thanks Kelli it seems that I am being a bit over-picky about "being separated from the real world". I am really liking the way AKL is sounding.

 

[KelliR]

I know it is a tough decision when you can't actually inspect the resorts where you want to stay! But I strongly believe that wherever you decide to stay the most important thing is the company you are with!!! With your plans ... you are making memories that will last a lifetime, no matter where you stay!