WL or AKL: Help me decide! :)

[Laralyn]

This will be my boyfriend's second trip to WDW. We're going in two weeks, with an AP rate at the AKL. I'm having a last minute debate, because I see there are rooms available at the WL as well. Now I can't decide whether to switch resorts!

Here's some info about the trip:

1) We'll be there for six nights.

2) My boyfriend had an OK time when we went to WDW last year, but I want to make him love it as much as I do. ;-)

3) We stayed at POR and went to the Poly, Contemporary, and GF for meals. Of all of those, he said he liked the decor and space at POR best.

4) We went to Disneyland a few times when we lived in LA. Every time we went into the Grand Californian, he loved it. We didn't stay there, but we had dinner at a restaurant there as a break from the parks.

5) He likes to take pictures, and taking pictures at AK was one of the highlights of last year's trip for him.

6) He doesn't like crowds and after a while, having a lot of kids around starts to wear on him. A hotel that lets him feel like he is "really" on vacation and getting away from the parks and the crowds would help him like WDW more.

So... what do you think? Should I switch or stay with the AKL?

Thanks for any info you can pass along!

 

[Gillian]

I haven't stayed at WL but have stayed at AKL twice. Sitting out on our balcony watching the animals was one of the most peaceful things I've experienced at WDW.

One of our rooms was far away from everything, all the way down at the end of the hall (Zebra Trail) overlooking the savannah on the right side. You could not see any other rooms from there (except to either side), which made it feel very secluded and private. it was in the x541-x566 area looking straight out the end of this little wing.

Both resorts look beautiful and you should be able to find places to "escape!"

 

[kellyf2626]

Do you have a savannah-view room at AKL? If so, I would keep your ressie there. As Gillian said, that is such a great experience that you can't get anywhere else. Also, if your boyfriend loves the AK, he will be very close to it!

I, personally, love the WL. So, if I didn't have a savannah-view, I might switch to the WL. But - either place will be fun. You can retreat to either pool each day to relax and get away from the bustle of the parks. WL has a nice adult restaurant, Artist Point, but AKL has Boma and Jiko. WL has a boat to MK and the CR (which you may want to visit for dinner at Calafornia Grill...very romantic!). So, that is nice. And, you could easily get to dinners at the Poly or GF via the monorail, which may be a little more difficult to get to if you are at AKL. (Try the Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe or dinner at Ohana - both at the Poly!!)

I don't know...hard decision!!

 

[WDWDennis]

I think he will love both of them. The WL is a lot like the GC and is one of my favorites. I also enjoy the AKL, especially sitting around the lobby. I like the decor of the AKL rooms MUCH better than those at the WL. I think the pool is better at the AKL, but there is somthing about the pool at the WL that draws me too it. It's probably my night time swims there. I just love looking at the WL lit up at night.

If you guys are looking for somthing to do outside of the parks, the WL may be a better choice b/c you can rent bikes and ride over to the WC. You can also rent boats on the lake.

I'm sure he will enjoy either place. Good luck and have an awesome trip!