Why is AKL the cheapest deluxe?

[StrollPatrolMom]

This may be more rhetorical, or opinion based...but I'm curious...We're probably going to try to book the bounceback deal if its still available when we check in (on the 21st) I'd like to go deluxe next year, and my 1st choice in Wilderness Lodge, but AKL is coming up about 1k less than WL (and I think maybe the standard rooms are gone? since pool view is the only option I'm getting) My DH is gonna have a heart attack (not about the 08 trip, already warned him about that ) but the price tag of WL is steep, 1k less might help "soften the blow" about upgrading from Pop this year to a deluxe. My DH is a meat and potatoes Holiday Inn kind of guy....maybe staring at some Gazelles will help lift his mood

Seriously though, distance/convienence to the parks is kind of high on the list of importance to us since we have 2 little kids...that being said, they'd LOOOVE looking at the animals, and the dining in AKL appeals to me as well...then again the busses from the deluxe resorts are direct?

Help me sort this out!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've stayed there once, 3 nights, couldn't get all the nights at the Poly so we opted to give the AKL a try. Glad it was only for 3 days and at the beginning of our vacation. We did not like the resort. We had Savannah view, not worth the extra, we saw very few animals, only at feeding time, rest of the time you look at a trampled woods. If you're out on the ends of the resort room trails its a long long walk to the lobby and food court. The resorts is remote and when the AK park closes, usually 5 pm, there's nothing to do around the resort compared to the resorts on the monorail loop, like resort hopping without taking a bus to and fro. It just didn't scream Disney.

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.

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

I would say it's definitely the transportation issues that make AKL the cheapest.

We've stayed there several times and love it, though we always either bring our car or rent a car rather than relying on WDW transport. We've always seen lots of animals (except for the one time we stayed in a standard room). Both of the restaurants are fantastic, and the theming of the hotel is amazing. They also have fun talks and activities for the kids. And the gift shop is a lot of fun as well.

We love to order breakfast from room service and sit and watch the animals.

We like Wilderness Lodge as well, it also has great theming, but I think that the AKL is more unique.

 

[Onceler]

Seriously though, distance/convienence to the parks is kind of high on the list of importance to us since we have 2 little kids...that being said, they'd LOOOVE looking at the animals, and the dining in AKL appeals to me as well...then again the busses from the deluxe resorts are direct?

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.

 

[PrincessHeart]

I totally agree with Onceler about the transportation being convenient. We stayed there in Feb 06 and loved it. It was hard to pass up the good price and go with poly this upcoming trip, but we wanted to try something different. I think b/c AKL is seems so remote and has so many more rooms than other deluxes is why it is always more discounted.

 

[Kae]

We just stayed at the AKL in May, we loved it. And we have stayed at WL twice. We did mis being close to MK. I booked a standard room got a Savannah view we had tons of animals all day. The busses were great never had any problems. And there was so much for the kids to do that we wish we would have skipped TL & spend one whole day at AKL. We do prefer the Food court at WL, but after being at Pop the Food court at WL would have been a disapointment also.

Kae

 

[penlanspice]

I have to agree, it's obvious why this hotel is a little cheaper than the other deluxes, long journey times, not much else around etc.
But then look at the plusses - Watching giraffe as you sit on your balcony (we saw tons of animals when we were there last Sept) 2 great resturants, big pool and something that we found really convienient was the short cut just outside to the 192. We always have a car and it can be a trek to get out of disney, but it only takes a few minites to get on the 192. (we eat alot of site so this was great for us). Im sure your little ones would love to watch animals rather than the woods or a pool at WL, and the 1k price difference would sell it for me.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

we have always wondered that too. When we went in May we were paying well over 300 for our WL room yet at AK they were running a special for 200, maybe less?? But we LOVE WL (even tho the price was expensive) and its close to MK via bus or boat or boat to CR to get to Epcot by monorail. We have stayed at Poly which was our fav although its spread out, and my parents stayed at the Garden rooms at CR and they agree WL is a perfect fit our for family. So i'm not sure why AK is less, perhaps because of its far away location? that seems to be the only answer I can come up with!

 

[Princess Amy]

Let's see....

1) It's distance to the parks..besides AK

2) It's the only deluxe that doesn't have a different mode of transportation besides busses. Such as monorail, boat, or walking.

3) It's the only deluxe that doesn't have a body of water around it.

These three things listed is what people will pay a deluxe for.

So with AKL having none of these, I believe that is why it is the cheapest. If they didn't have the animals, would people actually consider it a deluxe to spend money on? Some would say yes, some would say no.

Have not stayed there yet, so I couldn't say.

 

[disneyjunebug]

I've stayed there and it was nice, but not my style. I usually drive to the parks myself, so that I can go back in the mid-day and relax.

For example, I really like the CR, but others don't. And I'm not really fond of the AllStar resorts. The themes are okay, but a little over the top for me. And the rooms are very small.

That being said, if I found a fantastic rate for the AKL, I would take! It's just not my first choice overall.

That's the good thing about Disney.... There is a resort for everyone

 

[dawnedwards]

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

 

[U2FanHfx]

The answer is simply location in my opinion.

With that being said, I think AKL is the most unique theming of ANY hotel and you cannot get that type of experience anywhere else. Most of the other hotels you can find 'similar' throughout the US. We have no desire to stay at WL as we Canadians have lots of 'outdoor' opportunities

Regs,

CJM

 

[sparmeland]

Who would want to stay at a standard view at the AK? I think one of the biggest appeals to AK is that you can see animals from your window. Add in the additional cost of a Savannah view and its really not a lot less then the other deluxe resorts.

 

[corgi_monster]

With the $1,000 you save by staying at AKL, rent a car

 

[TxRabbit]

We stayed AKL pool view in March 2007...our first family trip to WDW. Although we tried to go back in August, we moved to Beach Club, due to construction...so now, having been at AKL and BC within 6 months, I have an opinion on why AKL (and WL, I believe, as another posted stated) is less than BC at least...

The rooms at AKL are smaller than BC, somewhat significantly...and the furnishing at AKL, while beautiful and definitely well themed, are large and so further contribute to the smaller feeling of the rooms.

I think there was a lot more storage space in BC compared to AKL...especially in the bathroom...BC has a large undersink storage area that AKL doesn't...and I think that there are more drawers in BC than AKL for other items.

The BC room furnishing include a desk and a table...it's a cool arrangement...the table fits under the desk and is on wheels, so you can move that table around, put it between the beds, etc...and you effectively have two table height surfaces...also, the tv stand in BC is not an armoir and so it is easier to use that surface also for placing/storing items...

The pool area in AKL is nice...zero entry...a small water slide...pool side bar...hot tub...playground area...but the pool area at YC/BC is OUTSTANDING...that amenity alone could account for the increase in price...

Dining options on site...AKL does have a 2TS credit, a 1TS credit buffet, and a CS restaurant...(I am not comparing quality)...between YC/BC...there is 1 2TS, 1 TS buffet, 1 TS restaurant, and 2 CS places...

Transportation...AKL has buses only...you have boat, bus, and WALKING from BC...

Entertainment proximity...AKL is quite isolated...there is a plethora of options around BC with the Boardwalk...just like real estate...location can make a difference in price...

I don't recall if there were tennis courts at AKL or sand volleyball, but I know there wasn't a quiet pool, which some guests find more appealing...BC has nearby boat rentals, bike rentals, etc...

There are many little things that add up to the difference in price between AKL and a least the YC/BC deluxe resorts...

My analysis is to provide a answer to your question...I am in NO WAY trying to suggest that BC/YC is better than AKL...because they are just different...somethings are definitely more enjoyable at each one more than the other...I am simply trying to point out what characteristics would contribute to other resorts having a higher price tag...

I'll stop now because I tend to talk too much...if you have any specific questions that I might help with, ask away...

 

[ppan77]

DH and I stayed there before we had our ds. We had a savannah vieww/ two double beds. We looked at each other when we got to our room and couldnt believe how small it was. There would be no way I would stay there with small children. Our view was also a joke...we were in a corner and had better views of our neighbors porch..buses took forever also..not near any parks except AK which you can finish in a day easily. Stay somewhere closer to Mk with the kids..we will with our ds.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

This strictly relates to price, not to emotional issues (like animals).

1) First, Disney acknowledges WL-AKL as "First Class" hotels, not truly Deluxe.
2) They are in the Deluxe category only
. . . due to inside room access (hallways)
. . . due to offering a Club Floor
3) The reasons they are less expensive and "First Class" are
. . . smaller overall room square footage
. . . less bathroom size and weaker layout
. . . fewer resort amenities
. . . transportation access
. . . access to other activities (eg, monorail, Boardwalk, etc)

 

[Elmo888]

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

Me, too! Can anyone clear this up?

 

[colleen costello]

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!

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Me, too! Can anyone clear this up?

for the dates we want to go, there is not a standard view room available at WL according to the disney website....I'm assuming the extra money is for pool view I plan to *try* to book a standard view WL room there, but if its not available, then AKL might be our only option for a deluxe...