AKL vs. WL

[Joy]

Which is a better resort?....in terms transportation (time to get to each park), scenery, dinning and room?
Thanks!

[SorcererMickey]

Transportation - Definitely WL. It's one of the MK resorts so it's very close to it and the TTC where you can transfer to other areas. AKL is very far away from the rest of the WDW areas, which goes with the theming and the story of the resort of being in Africa, in a world to itself.

http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/mk-resorts-01.jpg

Scenery - Depends on the experience you would like to have. The general consensus here at the Boards seems to be AKL is the favorite. My preference is WL. I like the American Lodge experience more than African Safari.

http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/wl-01.jpg

http://www.disneyguest.com/images/boards/akl.jpg

AKL is designed to maximize the views of the Savannah and the animals that roam throughout the day

Dinning and Room - Same as the scenery, it depends on what kind of experience you would like to have. AKL restaurants serve very exotic and rich foods. I like them all, I'm not a picky eater so I enjoy trying out new culinary experiences. Room designs follow the flavor of the resort's design, rustic but very elegant.

WL's room design are typical of the American Lodge style, rustic furniture, deep woodsy colors. I personally prefer them over AKL's. Restaurants are very good also, specially Artist Point.

[Joy]

Thanks SorcererMickey,
I heard that buses from WL may stop at other resorts before getting to the parks hence taking longer time to get to the parks, is this true?

Do buses at AKL also share with other resorts?

[Keith]

Thanks SorcererMickey,
I heard that buses from WL may stop at other resorts before geeting to the parks hence taking longer time to get to the parks, is this true?


I prefer WL too but AKL is a great place to stay if you haven't tried it. I'd choose WL first then stay at AKL as well to get the best of both worlds :)

The WL busses are starting to be a REAL pain. They used to share with different resorts but now they share with the Grand Floridian which is a serious diversion sometimes because they have to go all the way down, then back again to get to some places. I think the worst was downtown disney one day, it took an absolute age to get there.

Nevertheless, I LOVE wl and not even that would put me off, but I wish they'd rethink the bus sharing with the GF.


Do buses at AKL also share with other resorts?

nope

[mickeycrazy]

We enjoyed both resorts, but I have to say that AKL was our favorite. We loved the exotic themeing and it definitely surrounds you in everyway. I

t was nice having the boat to MK as an option at WL but I agree that the busses everywhere else got annoying since we had to share. Once good thing was that the bus stops at WL first so you are the first to be picked up and dropped off.

We didn't mind the busses at AKL at all. Since we didn't share with any other resort, as soon as you get on a bus (which came very regularly) you would go straight to the park. AKL was a place that we looked forward going back to from the parks. It is a very transporting experience.

[Joy]

They both look so good!
...but I think I am gonna go with the AKL this time.
We only have 2 and 1/2 days in WDW....not too thrilled about the idea of sharing buses with other resort(s)....

[Mickeymac]

Joy, the bussing at AKL is direct, resort to park and back. I have found that the bussing situation is much better at AKL than at WL, which as you mentioned, does share with other resorts. The only thing I like better, however, is the fun little ferry that goes to the MK.