WL oR AKL

[buzz1fan]

I know it has been asked before. But which do you prefer? The Animals are not a big deal for us, mainly the pool. Which has the better pool? We are only going to the Magic Kingdom, so i know it is quicker from the WL, but is the hotel itself better? Having a clean updated room is nice for us. We have little ones, so napping will have us being in the room more.

 

[EnnEss]

I know it has been asked before. But which do you prefer? The Animals are not a big deal for us, mainly the pool. Which has the better pool? We are only going to the Magic Kingdom, so i know it is quicker from the WL, but is the hotel itself better? Having a clean updated room is nice for us. We have little ones, so napping will have us being in the room more.

WL is right beside MK, and for that reason alone you should select it if you are going to no other parks.

 

[AKLforever]

WL is right beside MK, and for that reason alone you should select it if you are going to no other parks.

WHat? Thats no reason to select it, sheesh. if it were, no one would stay at AKL, come on now.

AKL is way better for many reasons. AND, it might be 10 minutes more for the bus trip then WL, but the resort beats Wl hands down in every way you can think of. If your not into animals, thats fine, the pool is bigger, and never crowded. The places to eat are much better. Theres a lot to AKL , you really need to give it a try. I stayed at AKL for the 1st time 4 years ago. I made the mistake of trying to book one month in advance, lol, and wanted to be a cheapo and stay at a value resort. But at that time, they were all booked.
So, I tried the moderate ones, and they were all booked, so I asked the lady I was planning with at disney what was left? And she said there are rooms at all the deluxe resorts. So, I asked her to recommend something because I didnt know anything about them, she said AKL, and I said sure, why not.
My wife and I were thinking this was going to be bad, a resort with animals which Im sure will attract kids by the ton, and I wasnt looking forward to it at all. But when I got there, I was more impressed with it then any of the Sandals all inclusive resorts in the caribbean. We will never stay in another resort unless they come out with a pirate themed resort, then maybe, after we visit it and check it out and like it, will we stay somewhere other then AKL.

 

[buzz1fan]

Anyone else? The pool is a good feature for us, we are only staying 2 nights, and one of the days is just a pool day.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at AKL but have stayed at WL 2 times and are going back for our third stay in December. We LOVE the WL....but since I can't compare the 2, I can tell you the WL is a GREAT resort and we love the pool The pools are a big deal for us since we spend lots of time swimming and hanging out at the resort as well If you choose the WL, I don't think you'll be disappointed

 

[EnnEss]

WHat? Thats no reason to select it, sheesh. if it were, no one would stay at AKL, come on now.

The OP is only going to MK. There are lots of reasons to do both which come down to personal preference, but in this case, the OP is only going to MK, makes it a fairly easy decision unless you want to do AKL, then the question wuoldn't be posted I don't think.

The pools are fairly similar. If you're doing an entire day at the resort though, AKL will have more to offer with the animals, camp fire stories and so on.

I love both resorts.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've stayed once at AKL, not to our liking, long halls to get to your room. food is not to our liking nor was the lobby interesting in our opinion. We had a Savannah view and looking out at a people pen and the few animals we saw over a 3 day stay was not worth the money, the giraffe were nice but they only came around during the feeding time, other than that, a few deer, long horned steer and birds. Then the rest of the time its just a trampled forest setting, not romantic, cozy or interesting. We done it once, cured that itch.

WL is very interesting, lobby, walking trails, boats to FW and MK and CR to get on the monorail. The pool theming is ideal and the last 8 or so stays at WDW have been at WL. We spend alot of time at the MK and the boat ride is quick and interesting, we like it alot. We also spend alot of time at the resort and the food choices are good, food court is also good and we like eating at Trails End over in FW, best buffets on property. We never miss the EWP each evening. Sitting on the balcony, overlooking the pool with a drink beats looking at a dark forest any day. Others prefer AKL, more power to them but for our buck its location and WL is the ticket.

 

[Kae]

We have stayed at WL twice & AKL 0nce. And for trip youare describing I would pick AKL. There is so much to do at AKL. We did like the pool area at AKL little better. We love both WL & AKL

Kae

 

[Herewecomeagain]

Having stayed at both, no doubt, AKL. The pool is soooo…much nicer. We requested a room closest to the main lobby as we had younger children at the time. Surprisingly, did not hear much traffic in the halls. AKL for sure…
______________________

07/2008 POFQ, 07/2008 ASMo, 2007 Off Site, 2007 Off Site, 2006 PC, 2005 CBR, 2005 Off Site, 2004 Off Site, 2003 WL, 2002 ASMo, 2002 Off Site, 2001 AKL, 2000 Off Site, 1999 AS Sport, 1998 POR, 1997 Off Site, 1995 ASM, 1991 Off Site, 1990 Off Site, 1988 Off Site, 1985 Off Site, 1983 Off Site, 1982 Off Site, 1981 Off Site, 1980 Off Site, 1974 FW, 1972 Off Site.

 

[boomhauer]

If you're only going to the MK, then stayhing at AKL quite frankly makes no sense from a convenience factor.

We stayed at WL and fell in love with it. In fact, upon visiting WL for the 1st time, we fell in love with it. Upon visiting AKL, we didn't care for it as much. I felt more like I was driving through Arizona than Africa. Of course, once you get inside, it's very nice. Just way too far removed from the rest of the World. Not so much in distance, but it just feels that way. WL sits right on Bay Lake. It's just a bike ride from Fort Wilderness.

 

[wintergreen]

Just one more thought. We love both of these resorts. However, with little ones, the pool at AKL is probably better, as it has a zero entry feature (slopes down like a beach). VWL pool does not have this, and as a result is not so great for little ones (although it may be better for adults and older kids, as the AKL pool is very shallow all over). We like the food choices at AKL better, but like the general theming and location of VWL better.

 

[buzz1fan]

Thanks for all of the advice. I need to make my mind up this week. I understand that WL is much closer to MK, but on the other had since we have an entire day to enjoy the pool that is also important. I did notice only a bunk bed room is availabe at WL when we go. Are those rooms smaller?

 

[Lovetherodent]

My kids were 8 and 12 when we stayed AKL. They found the pool a bit tame (rather shallow and not much of a water slide), but I think it would be great for little ones. It has zero entry, it IS rather shallow, and because of its size, it never feels crowded.

We had bunks at AKL, but we requested them. It was great as my kids can fight about anything and everything. This way, at least, each had her own bed. Are yours too small for bunks? They do free up some floor space.

We have not stayed in WL. Dh doesn't want to go to Florida and find "lodge" theming. I've heard the pool is great, but small.

 

[buzz1fan]

For the bunk beds, my 4 yr old can sleep on the bottom, our 13 month old will be in a pack in play.

 

[wer14631]

We have stayed at both resorts. I agree with earlier post that AKL is superior in every way. Pool, dining options, theming ... And though WL is closer to MK, it is not on the monorail line. I would think that direct bus ride from AKL to MK is not much longer than boat ride, or shared bus ride, from WL. Also, if you are not into animals, request the AKL pool view. This guarantees a location close to food, pool, lobby and bus stops.