Why is AKL the cheapest deluxe?

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I personally love AKL. I prefer it over BC and BW. I guess the overall theme is what I look for. It is pretty hard to compare other hotels to AKL. You cant really compare a balcony that looks over water to one with a Giraffee out front. Transporation was never a problem for any of my stays there. The rooms are smaller than the other deluxes but in no way seemed small. I used my extra savings to book the CL and go on the sunrise safari. I personally would take any savings and stay CL than in a room that is a little bigger or with alternative transportation. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for in a vacation.

 

[DVC Mike]

Wilderness Lodge rooms are also smallish, I know that from Passporter. A standard room at the Lodge (and I think AKL) is no bigger than a room at a Moderate.

Size matters!

Both WL and AKL have std rooms that average 344 sq. feet, while the moderates average about 314 sq feet.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

For some reason it appears that Disney has not released all their rooms for booking yet for almost all of 2008. I am going on a trip in early Dec 2008 and when I check with Disney they only offer 3 options for the WL 1)Club level 2)Courtyard bunkbed 3)Courtyard. I searched other dates throughout the year and it is the same thing. That would explain the price difference. They for some reason are not making the Woods and Standard View rooms available yet. You are probably looking at a standard room at the AK vs a Courtyard or Club level room at WL.

When I look up AKL for my dates they don't have any savannah rooms available, only standard and pool view

If you were able to compare the price for a standard at AKL and WL it would probably come out the same.

Makes no sense to me why they are not making all their rooms available. Some might suggest that they are already completely booked but I find that hard to believe 15 months out.

 

[MarylandPirate]

We prefer WL, best cheap deluxe, close enough to the MK loop for all the action of resort hopping, boat to FW for the best buffet on property. We maybe partial to WL but for the money of the deluxe resorts in the MK area, WL wins.

couldn't have said it better myself! If not staying at a DVC, it's WL all the way. And like pepe said....the Breakfast Buffet at FW is the best value at WDW.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I've always had better luck calling CRO, (407) W-DISNEY, than using the website to find availability. Remember that these two resorts have so many categories because of the bunk bed rooms and the different views. It's hard to compare the rates when you're pricing apples and bananas. Standard rooms are the same price.

Try calling. Good luck!

 

[AnninIowa]

We stayed at AKL this past February and LOVED it!! We had previously stayed at the Beach Club, and actually preferred AKL. We didn't have a problem with the buses at all; in fact, even though the distance may have been further, we felt we had a shorter overall trip because of the dedicated bus service. At the Epcot resorts, 5 resorts share 1 bus. We rarely waited more than a few minutes for a bus at AKL. The theming is beautiful, staff wonderful, food great, and of course, you can't beat the animals!!

 

[Celtics33]

AKL was voted best themed hotel in Florida. No other Disney resort made the top 10.

 

[Anc96]

As other's have said, and you seem to know, AKL is not the cheapest deluxe. WL and ALK standard are the same price. So the reasons why AKL is the "cheapest" don't apply.

AKL is a very unique resort. I don't think any resort can compare to it. But, it may not be for everyone.
We have stayed there a few times, and it's our favorite. When we stayed savannah view we always saw many animals! Last December we could only get a pool view so of course we didn't see animals from our balcony, but AKL has many viewing areas. Some viewing areas have really big rocking chairs, and telescopes to see the animals REALLY up close! The animals are already pretty up close as it is.
They have many activities for children throughout the day. You can pick up an activities schedule when you check in. Just about all the activities are free.
We always rent a car when we go to Disney.. but we also use their transportation on occasion. The busses are wonderful. Never a long wait, we never found them crowded, and because there are no stops at any other resorts.. it was pretty quick! AKL's busses were faster than the busses from the Beach Club where we stayed this summer.
For the price difference you're stating, that alone should sway you towards AKL (unless you can get the standard at WL). I really think you and your kids would LOVE AKL, so if you can't get a standard at WL.. don't think twice and book AKL.

If it turns out you can get a standard at WL, then decide if you family would enjoy a unique resort like AKL.. or a more traditional log cabin like feel (on a grand scheme) like WL.

I don't think you'd regret either choice.

Have a great time

 

[SharonLowe]

For some reason it appears that Disney has not released all their rooms for booking yet for almost all of 2008. I am going on a trip in early Dec 2008 and when I check with Disney they only offer 3 options for the WL 1)Club level 2)Courtyard bunkbed 3)Courtyard. I searched other dates throughout the year and it is the same thing. That would explain the price difference. They for some reason are not making the Woods and Standard View rooms available yet. You are probably looking at a standard room at the AK vs a Courtyard or Club level room at WL.

When I look up AKL for my dates they don't have any savannah rooms available, only standard and pool view

If you were able to compare the price for a standard at AKL and WL it would probably come out the same.

Makes no sense to me why they are not making all their rooms available. Some might suggest that they are already completely booked but I find that hard to believe 15 months out.

Yes, they can be completely booked - people plan 2 years out at times and as soon as 2008 rates were released, people just jumped on them. Travel has bounced back from 9/11, which is also why WDW doesn't have to be as generous with its dining plan. December, even early, is very popular.

 

[CTDis4]

This is why we always say there is a resort for everyone's taste at Disney. Loved AKL - just everything about it...have nothing good to say about WL..that being said after staying at the Poly, CR, POFQ and POR also...CSR is our favorite!!!!!!!!!

 

[bytheblood]

I"m confused b/c WL and AKL are listed on the Disney Website and most travel books as being the same price.

I was going to say something similar. On the WDW official site, the prices are the same for the same time frames when I do it.

Although, Disney is starting to see that WL is one of their more popular resorts, especially during the holidays, so perhaps they will be increasing the prices there.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

I've always had better luck calling CRO, (407) W-DISNEY, than using the website to find availability. Remember that these two resorts have so many categories because of the bunk bed rooms and the different views. It's hard to compare the rates when you're pricing apples and bananas. Standard rooms are the same price.

Try calling. Good luck!

I'm actually *hopefully* going to be booking this for the bounceback promotion being offered currently to guests staying at Pop. I'm hoping this will still be going on when I'm down there, and perhaps they "reserve" some rooms at each hotel specifically for this promotion so that might change whats available as well. I hope the bounceback doesn't require you to stay the same hotel...and hopefully WL has a standard view available...thanks for everyone's input. great info as always!

 

[U2FanHfx]

In my posting I forgot to mention about the bus service as a poster above pointed out. We have stayed at the Epcot/Boardwalk resorts as well and found the 5 stops a bit much, especially when staying at the Boardwalk Inn/Villas. WE have always found the AKL service very good!

Good point previous poster!

Regs,

CJM

 

[rodkenrich]

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[Wendi2000]

This may seem strange, but the transportation at AKL can actually be the most convenient of all of the resorts. Other resorts are closer to MK, Epcot and MGM so the rides are shorter. But the busses at other resorts usually make multiple stops, either within the same resort or among different resorts. By the time you factor in all of the stops and how long it takes people to load and unload, the amount of time it takes to get from the other resorts to the parks can actually be longer than the trip from AKL. The longest bus ride from AKL is the one to MK which is only about 15 minutes.

The biggest problem with the remoteness of AKL is the fact that there is nothing else around. If you want to grab a bite to eat outside of the resort then you have to hop on the bus or drive. At most of the other resorts, there are other options nearby.

I totally agree with you! In fact, one of the selling points of AKL for me is the fabulous transportation. I never feel like it takes a long time, or that we are in a remote location because the buses come so frequently and get us going right away with no stops along the way.

We love the AKL, there is no other place like it. I love the ambiance of the entire resort, just walking into the lobby is breathtaking. The animals are wonderful - we saw tons of them from our room, and if we didn't see them from the room, there were plenty of other viewing locations to see them from. Simply walking down the hallways there are huge windows overlooking the savannahs with benches to sit and relax on - then there are other major viewing spots, and the fantastic night viewing too.

We love the pool and hot tubs, we love the restaurants, we love the environment, we love the marketplace, and we love the CMs.