WL v. AKL...Help!

[Boatingmom]

We;ve been to AKL and are currently booked for WL. The way we feel about AKL is 'Been there, done that". Is WL so similar we'll be disapointed? Any pros to WL ? Should I just save some cash and book a moderate or the Dolphin? PS -We've also stayed at the Poly and found the standard room just that, Standard. BTW, we can't afford the YC or BC this trip because we're following it with a three day cruise.

 

[CoolPool]

If you weren't impressed at either of the Disney hotels you stayed at before then there's not much hope for this trip because the room will be the same as AKL but with a different theme. Does a Pacific Northwest theme appeal to you? It seems the Dophin will be a welcome change given what you've written.

 

[slenderella]

IMHO, maybe you should save some money and stay at a moderate resort. Unless you spend a lot of time in your room. I mean it is just a place to sleep and shower, etc... We like the different resorts and their themes, therefore we try to experience a different one everytime we go. This is just my opinion. Make your own decision from the info you get.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

We have stayed at both the AKL and WL several times and love both. I think they are very different. The rooms are similar, but the feel is very different. The food at the AKL is (IMHO) MUCH better. but the location of the WL is far superior. If you want to check out the HDDR or catch a meal at one of the MK resorts it is very easy. I liked the setting of the WL with the beautiful courtyard and really enjoy the water pagent. I guess what I am trying to say - is to give it a try...I think you'll like it.
Holly

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

The WL has a different theming and feeling to it. I do not think that it is like the AKL. The layout is kind of the same but the atmosphere is different.
I am sure you will like the WL!

Have fun!

 

[MomPOM]

Please don't take offense to this but it seems like hotels aren't a huge deal for you (I wish I could be like that!) so why not save the cash, stay at a mod and do something really cool with the saved money. I can't imagine that WL would be better than AKL since there is so much more to see and do at AKL (hopefully the WL devotees won't jump me for that one) but if you want that level of service with a different atmosphere then try it out. Maybe it will be the one that will wow you!

 

[CoolPool]

Sorry if I was misunderstood but I think the OP was talking about how "standard" the deluxe hotel rooms were. At least that was the impression I took from the OP which might very well be wrong. So the bathroom layout, the beds, the size of the room is going to look pretty much the same as AKL because they are pretty much the same except for theme. So "no," the room will not be appreciatively different except for decor. If the Pacific Northwest theme is more appealing than the African savannah theme, then "yes", the OP might be happier there. Sorry, I did not mean to suggest that the WL was not a fabulous hotel in its own right.

 

[Kimberle]

I have stayed at both. While the room layouts are similar, the resorts couldn't be different. The theming is different, the location, the pools, the background music, the transportation.

I would stay at WL.

We loved both resorts.

 

[Princess Jenny]

I would say book the Mod, we had a 9 day stay at POR and we went to the GF and WL for Dinner Last week and me and my husband both agreed, although they are beautiful, it wouldn't be worth the extra money to us. We were hardly in our room. But if you really plan to use the hotel amenities, then I would go deluxe.

 

[pwrflpills]

I have a similar feeling about AKL. Lots of pros and cons, but the cons are what makes me feel neutral to the place. We rarely saw animals from our SV room and the pricing was hard to swallow, esp. at Boma. $25 dinner buffet...it was good, but ouch! Also, while the bus wait is not too bad, I think I would just prefer to be a little more in the middle of the action than on the fringe of the property. However, I would love to try Jiko in the not too distant future.

I had actually wanted to go to WL over AKL, but it was fiance's choice, so we did AKL. Maybe that didn't help my opinion going in... I think the location would help. Also, I think there's less to be let down by at WL, i.e. our animal view issues. You can enjoy it for what it is, but not necessarily count on it as an attraction.

 

[LilGMom]

The WL will have a different feel to it than the AKL has. And the WL has the added bonus of having the boat to and from MK and Ft. Wilderness. Both resorts are beautiful, both are done in warm earthy colors but definately different feels to each resort. The rooms will be basically the same (same layout, similiar size) but will have a different feel because of the themeing.