WL or AKL

[ticketwm35]

Going in August can't decide on which resort to stay at.We need a place that has the bunk beds which these both do.Now can someone tell me about the good and bad at these places.Also what about the pools will have 2 teenage girls who love to swim.Please help me with this decision.


Ticketwm35

 

[ksc37]

Both are very unique and interesting resorts. I probably like the atmosphere better at the AKL, but prefer the location of the WL.

If you intend to spend much time at the MK, I would go for the WL. The boat is really convenient, and is a nice way to get around. Even though many people find the buses from the AKL to be efficient, we did not have a good experience with them.

I think for teenagers, the pool at the WL might be slightly better. The AKL pool has a zero entry section, which is great for young children, but it takes quite a lot of space to get to an area where even your knees are below water level. The WL has the waterfall for ambience and the hot tub is right next to the main pool. They both have slides, but honestly, I haven't gone down either one to say which is more fun.

The WL has the Electrical Water Pageant in the evenings on Bay Lake, and you can see the MK fireworks (slightly obstructed view) from many of the Woods view rooms.

The AKL has the animals (of course), night vision goggles with which to watch the animals, and the evening story telling by the fire pit.

As for restaurants, the food courts are similar, and restaurants are a little more traditional in the WL. Breakfast is good at Whispering Canyon, and I've heard it's good at Boma as well. I enjoyed dinner at both Artist Point and Boma.

Honestly, you can't go too wrong with either resort.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Both resorts don't guarentee bunk beds, and you may not get them. For our late April trip, We had requested them when we made our reservations at AKL. At check-in, not one available bunk bed room, of course (I never ever get my requests, anyways!). We did get something called a deluxe pool view room, which was slightly larger than a normal room, but still had two queens. But we made do. Everyone had to learn to share!

For teens, I would go for WL, just since it's more near the "action". But WL is harder to book and fills up faster, which could affect what kind of rooms are available. Either way, have fun!!!

 

[iggbees]

we stayed at the akl back in 2002 an loved every minute of it. the location isn't great, like ksc37 said, the closest park is animal kingdom and waiting for a bus to most of the other parks can be a pain (i don't know if they've updated this problem, because we waited for a half an hour sometimes for a bus to downtown disney and magic kingdom). the akl is gorgeous, it is nicer to have a view of the animals, which is something we didn't get, otherwise you have a view of the pool, which can be good in some respects. the pool left a little more to be desired, but the hot tubs were pretty nice and large.

we've never stayed at the wl, but i would like to at some point. we ate at the whispering canyon cafe and it was really great, from what i remember the dinner was family style and we tied our napkin ends and wore them as hats? i think the pool seems much nicer and who wouldn't be interested in watching the geyser? my cousin stayed there the year it opened and they really enjoyed the place.

 

[Minniemom97]

I like WL better, but we like the pool at AKL better. It's bigger and has the zero entry entrance.

Try one, then you can use the excuse to going back to the other to compare the two!

 

[Stitch Inside]

Animals? or Water Activity Access?
We loved the AKL this past trip, but we're not teenagers. If they're into looking at animals and trying new foods, do AKL. But I'd give the edge to WL on the pool. Better views from around the pool and hot tub (i.e. the geyser, lake, and of course the lodge itself). And at WL they can rent boats to take out on the lake. Then there's the trail to Fort Wilderness, boats to MK, FW, and the CR. IMHO WL has more to offer teenagers. And FYI, last time we tried to get a room with bunk beds at WL, they didn't have any. So, they upgraded us to a one bedroom villa.

 

[ticketwm35]

Well I just booked WL got a woods view not sure what the difference is betwen woods and standard view.Did ask for room with bunk bed now we will hope for that request.Hey who know we will take the 1 one bedroom if they offered it to us(lol).I just hope that the kids have a great time there.

Ticketwm35

 

[AngieInOH]

I was wondering the exact same thing. Which is better? My son will be 5 almost 6 when we go. I know both look pretty far away from all of the attractions on the map. We will not have a rental car and I'm worried. If you're patient is the transportation at both resorts sufficient? What if you want to visit different resorts for eating? I'm expecting we will be eating all of our meals on site and am worried about getting to the various restaurants.

 

[mommykds]

Anyone care to comment on which deluxe room (for 5) is better..AKL or WL? And is it worth the extra $$$?

 

[alanc23]

Hi,
Just came back from WL. Haven't stayed at AKL but we did go there one night for dinner. Got there plenty early so we would have a chance to look around; this was my original choice before I decided the lake may be more fun than the animals. Loved Boma, a special buffet restaurant, which is a bit more elegant than the pretty average Whispering Canyon but each to their own. Maybe kids would like the noisy "entertainment" at Whiserping Canyon better? We walked out to the viewing area in back of AKL and were disappointed with the few animals that were there that day, 4 zebras and an antelope. The layout of the hotels is very very similar with mostly the final decorations being different but both have lots of natural log supports. I suppose AKL would be more money if you were going to spring for the animal-viewing rooms. We did meet a number of employees there who were from Africa (South Africa and Namibia).

WL is 10 minutes, ignoring the wait, by boat from MK. And we rented a Boston Whaler one day, could hold 6? people. It gave us a chance to motor around the lake and look at the 3 other hotels there. I guess we are water people so we liked being on the lake. We even went to Epcot by taking a boat to MK and then two monorail trains (MK to Epcot is not a continuous ride) although it did take maybe 40 minutes; we did it as an adventure. And we did the 10? minute hike from WL to Fort Wilderness and then the boat back.

AlanC23

 

[Stitch Inside]

We even went to Epcot by taking a boat to MK and then two monorail trains (MK to Epcot is not a continuous ride) although it did take maybe 40 minutes; we did it as an adventure. And we did the 10? minute hike from WL to Fort Wilderness and then the boat back.

AlanC23

You can cut a few minutes on that EPCOT trip by taking the boat from WL to the Contemporary, and then the first stop from the monorail there is the TTC where you get on the EPCOT monorail.

 

[ticketwm35]

Well we got woods view room.Is this a good choice or should I ask for a differnt view not sure if there is a pool view.What view would i need to see any of the fireworks at DW.Also does the room come with a couch with a sleeper sofa does anyone know?

Ticketwm35

 

[Disney's My Goal]

We stayed at AKL in Jan and LOVED it. We were originally going to try WL in August. We have eaten at Artist Point and found the resort lovely, plus we love to try new resorts in new locations. We got a better AP rate at AKL however and couldn't resist going back. Boma is a great restaurant for both breakfast and dinner and the atmosphere and animals cannot be beat! Although we were originally going to try WL, we are SO EXCITED about returning to AKL!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Well we got woods view room.Is this a good choice or should I ask for a differnt view not sure if there is a pool view.What view would i need to see any of the fireworks at DW.Also does the room come with a couch with a sleeper sofa does anyone know?

Ticketwm35

We had a woods view room. We could barely see the fireworks over the treetops but it was lovely. The balcony is pretty samll though but room enough for 2 or 3 comfortably. We enjoyed sitting out there in the evening. In the morning we could see rabbits grazing in the grassy area below us. I'm glad we took it over the standard view, which I'm sure would have been the parking lot or highway signs. There was no couch or daybed in our woods view room.

 

[HopperFan]

When we returned to AKL with DS as a teen, he asked that we not go back there again. Not that we don't love the hotel, we do !!!! Everyone should visit once. But there really was nothing for him............pool is for the younger set in terms of depth, slide, games, noise.....nothing about it was of interest to him. I think he got in twice to cool off. No water items to rent, no where for him to go run, no biking..............nothing for him to do. I felt really bad when he actually went to the room to nap - very unlike my kid who is very social and active.

I would chose WL. They can lay on the beach, rent stuff, go walking to Ft Wilderness, boat to MK, the pool - while not big - is more sophisticated to me, if that makes sense.

Either one is a great hotel, but if I were basing my choice my my teen, I would choose WL.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

During our 10 day November trip, we stayed at VWL and AKL. I loved them both. It takes a little longer to get to the parks from AKL (except AK, of course) but the ambiance and food (Boma) at AKL is incredible.

My kids loved looking out the balcony and watching the animals!