WL or AKL?

[tbuot]

Help me decide...

We are going to WDW in July. We will be travelling with our two boys ages 4 and 7 and my two parents in their 60's.

I know WL is closer in all things considered which would you choose and why???

Currently we have ressies at French Quarter but now that codes are starting to come out for late summer we are considering moving over to a deluxe. We will be at WDW for 4 nights. Should we stay and save $ or move up? Is it worth it for a short stay??

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Between WL and AKL I would choose WL. It's an easy trip to the MK and you will probably be spending a lot of time there. I liked the AKL and seeing the animals was neat, but I thought the rooms were too dark and I like the theming of WL better (I'm from Oregon, so maybe that's why). I go back and visit AKL every time I'm at WDW so I like the resort (I see the animals and eat at Boma), but don't think I'll ever stay there again.

I don't know about POFQ. I hope to stay there in September, assuming AP rates come out. I would like to stay at WL that trip, but it will be only me with my 4yo and I can't justify the difference in cost for only 2 of us (I'll be back 1 or 2 other times before my AP expires--I've already been once, so need to watch the $).

T&B

 

[mep319]

Stayed at both and I would choose AKL over WL anyday! AKL is a wonderful, beautiful resort. The transportation is much better than WL...I find that boat to be very overrated. I didn't find the rooms that dark at AKL...at WL your looking at the woods...I can get that at home! Where else can you see African animals from your room??? I also think WL is showing its age. It needs to be redone. AKL still seems new and appealing to me. I'd definately recommend AKL!

Just thought I would add my Dd is 7. And this is by far her favorite place to stay. She liked the pool better at AKL. She is a very good swimmer for her age and found the one at WL "boring." She is also a good eater and had loved both resturants at AKL.

 

[NeedsNEscape]

We've stayed at both WL and AKL. Both places were really nice. We liked the animals at AKL a lot and it is a quick ride to the Animal Kingdom. However, I think that boys 4 and 7 and parents in 60s would like WL better. My kids liked the restaurants at WL better than at AKL. DH and I loved the African-themed food at Boma, but my two sons couldn't find anything to eat there besides the macaroni and cheese. They liked the BBQ at WL. The pool at WL was more interesting to them too and the water view is pretty relaxing, too. I think there were more places to sit around at WL then there were at AKL. The option of taking the boat rather than always waiting on the bus is pretty nice too.

However, if you stay at WL this time, you will just have to go back and stay at AKL another time. It is really interesting to watch the animals from the various porches and verandahs at AKL.

 

[Disneyfun1]

My vote is for the WL. I just love the WL. Its really fun to take a boat to MK in the morning. The lobby in WL is just spectacular. We stayed at the AKL once, and while it is nice and i would go back, given the choice i would easily pick the WL first. There is just something magical about staying there for me.

 

[Terk-1]

My nephews have stayed in both, but still talk about the Wilderness Lodge. It is a beautiful resort and very compact, so it does not take very long to get anywhere around. There is a boat to both the Magic Kingdom & Contemporary. On my last stay, I found the bus transportation to be fine. They loved the pool and the Hidden Mickey's.

This is a great resort and I think your kids would love it!!

 

[litlpixie]

It's really a matter of taste w/ all of these resorts, you know? You might love both or hate both, or like me.....Adored AKL, but would never stay at WL again even if they made me share a room with Mel Gibson . Good Luck choosing!!

 

[Kimberle]

I would pick WL. It's much closer to AKL. The boat to MK is wonderful. My dd loved it! We also loved the very quick (5 minute) ride to either CR or FW.

I haven't stayed at AKL. My dd wants to try it because of the animals. I'm hesitant because it is so far away and you cannot easily (with no transfers) access other resorts.

 

[mep319]

I'm telling you that is how we felt initially too. We are a go go go kind of family and we were nervous to try it. But we loved it! And the tranpostation is the BEST! Best transporation I've ever had at any of the WDW resorts...it maybe "just a bus" but it was very efficient. Never had to wait....and as much as we loved WL the first 2 times we went. It was a huge disappointment when we split a stay w/ our first at AKL...we haven't and won't go back to WL.

 

[xmatt0926x]

dont think twice about it. The WL is the only choice. Both hotels are very nice and they were designed by the same people, so theysomewhat have a similar look as far as the style of the lobby. I think if I had never stayed at WL, I would have been blown away by AKL, but since I did stay at WL first, nothing else has been as overwhelming since then. I like the layout better at WL too and the transportation is fine. The boat ride is excellent to magic kingdom. Also, if you stay at WL you can walk or catch the boat to Fort Wilderness where they have the hayrides, petting zoo, and a great Buffet. Im not going to down AKL at all. I think either one is going to be the trip of a lifetime, but whenever I stay at a different disney resort, I always compare it to WL standards. Its the one hotel that has been truly unforgettable for my family.

 

[jade1]

Were in the same boat. Just booked 4 rooms at WL ($134 woods view) for August over AKL ($135 pool view or $114 parking lot), mostly because it is just for the weekend (after 5 nights BWV BW View) and plan to do a lot of MK to end the trip. AKL Savannah would have been great to but not for $195.

 

[tbuot]

Thanks for all your help...

Is there a food court/cheaper food at either of these two resorts or only the sit-downs?

 

[maggie1]

litlpixie - what did you not like about the WL - just curious as it is one of 2 possibles for us and we are always looking for opinions, good and bad. Thanks!

 

[purplebelle]

This is kind of a funny question, but does AKL stink at all b/c of the animals? I've never stayed or seen the place so I don't know exactly how close you get to the animals, but Disney always stresses how close to the animal magic guests are.

 

[mep319]

No. My husband has severe asthma and allergies so it did cross our minds but we never smelled any "animal" smell. In the lobby you do smell the grill from Jiko...which is wonderful!

 

[jade1]

WL has a food court. I dont think AKL does but I am not sure. This is a big deal with teenagers.

 

[mep319]

AKL has a food court as well...it is called Mara