WL or AKL?? Savannah or Courtyard ??

[Soccer Princess]

Should we choose AKL or WL ?
AKL Standard ($109) or WL standard ($114) ?
OR
AKL Savannah ($154) or WL courtyard ($140) ?

Please choose for both.

We would like the food better at WL, but I'm weary about the transportation there. Any thoughts on rooms, atmoshpere, location, amenities, etc.. Planning for late Jan. if that makes a difference.

Thanks so much !

 

[mars315]

Well, I have never stayed at the WL, but we did just came back from a 4 day stay at AKL savannah view. It was absolutely fabulous. The hotel is beautiful, the staff is great, the valets top-notch. We drove our own car, so I cannot speak of the transportation. If you stay at AKL, definitely pay the extra for savannah view. Yes, you CAN see the animals from the common overlooks, but the coolest thing every morning, every time we went back to the room for even a minute, and every night was looking out the window to see what animals were hanging out outside. In the morning I would get my coffee, then sit on the balcony to animal watch while everyone else got ready. In the evenings we would have a beer or glass of wine and relax on the balcony before going out for dinner.

Regarding food, The Mara has a great selection of quick-grab items, as well as some great African-inspired items. The chicken was wonderful. But there is also chicken fingers just like everywhere else. We really liked Boma, both for breakfast and dinner.

If you stay at AKL, you will most likely have a great time. If that $154 rate is WITH tax, that's a great deal.

Michelle

 

[weloveminnie]

It would be the best to choose WL standard.

 

[megrod74]

Haven't stayed at WL, but last year we stayed at AKL pool view, which was nice, but our friends had a savannah view and we were so jealous! For the next trip we splurged on the savannah view because it doesn't seem worth it to pay for deluxe and not be a part of what makes that resort so special. We used a disney club discount. You might be able to book standard and get an upgrade, that's what happened to us last year.

 

[kerrynic78]

This past May we split a stay between AKL Savannah (we were upgraded from a standard) and WL where we had a view of the lake and the pool. We liked AKL much better and were upset that we split the stay, we wanted to stay at the AKL the whole trip! The WL is beautiful, but there was just something about the AKL that was amazing. I found the staff to be more helpful, we preferred the pool at AKL and Boma was so good we ate there 3 times. WL was great because of having the lake right there and it is so close to Magic Kingdom, but we just really loved AKL and plan on staying there for all of our future trips. Whatever you decide, they are both wonderful hotels.

 

[JuliaEeyore]

My vote's for AKL Savannah view. We just returned and had an AMAZING visit.

You can always travel to the WL for the food our favorite restaurant happens to be Artist Point. But the experience with the animals outside your window is too darn cool at AKL. Too good to pass up.

And just a note, I know a lot of people complain about AKL transportation. I was concerned based on what I read here... well, we had a PERFECT experience. We never waited more than 5 minutes to go anywhere. Very quick and easy. But I know that's hit or miss based on when you go!

HTH!

Julia

 

[ead79]

I would choose the AKL savannah view. I have stayed at both the AKL (savannah view) and the WL (courtyard view), and I think the AKL is really a super resort. The theme is just amazing, and it's incredible to see animals right outside your balcony. I will warn you that the AKL is not going to be a lot different than the WL transportation-wise. The AKL is a quick bus ride to AKL, but a longer bus ride to all other Disney destinations. Hope this helps!

 

[3princesses]

We too, split our stay last year between the AKL savannah view and WL courtyard view, and all 5 of us preferred AKL. Both resorts are beautiful, but we all enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff at AKL. My DDs favorite park is the MK, so the boat ride from WL was nice, but the AKL was still the favored resort. Though we were glad we experienced both resorts, if I could only choose one, I would have to say AKL. We just visited again in August and booked a standard at AKL ane were upgraded to a savannah. It was a wonderful "girls only" trip!