[Goofy3]

We are looking at going to Disney again in December as a birthday/Christmas present for wife and daughter. We have narrowed our resorts down to AKL with a Savannah room and the WL.

We are staying for 6 nights with a seven day hopper with dining plan. After putting all of the numbers in the difference is about $700 more to stay at AKL. If you guys were spending your money to do this vacation, would you rather stay at AKL or WL? Will AKL be decorated as nice for Christmas as WL will be?

Thanks in advance for all of the feedback!

[cinderbella]

Why dont you split it! 3 nights at one and 3 nights at the other if you can't make up your mind??
I personally would go with WL....although I did see a Travel CHannel special on AKL at Christmastime and It was beautiful!

[DisneyTeacher]

I love WL so I have to go with that choice. You just can't beat the decor of the resort, plus it is just a boat ride away from MK.

[bali]

Ah, the AKL vs. WL debate! I'll always vote for AKL, because it is truly amazing to wake up and be able to watch giraffes eating the leaves off the trees outside your window. There's nowhere else in the country where you're able to experience that. In addition, the resort itself is incredible and the staff are the finest I've ever encountered at WDW.

[vet51]

We've stayed at both the WL and the AKL, and prefer the WL. We stayed at the AKL last Dec and although the lodge was decorated nicely it was a madhouse. The walls must be very thin as on at least 3 of our 6 nights there I was awakened at about 3 am by a screaming child and on one of those nights the child was accompanied by a yelling adult. It was nice too see the animals (mostly giraffes) outside in thew morning but we all agreed that the WL is much more relaxing and you can see the giraffes at the park or go to the AKL for dinner and stroll the grounds afterward. I just booked a 5 night stay for my son and I for Sept 27 at the WL and we'll go to the Boma for dinner on the 28th to visit the AKL.

[slist]

I love WL having stayed at other resorts this is my families favorite.
My son get upset if we don't stay here/.

[Dana]

I can't understand why the AKL is $700 more. They are the same prices when you book standard rooms unless you are pricing the WL as a standard and the AKL as Savannah. I have stayed at both...AKL twice actually. You can't go wrong at either resort, but I think I would go AKL. It's the animals that make me chose that one. The WL is breath taking, but the AKL breath taking + animals. I also think the transportation at the AKL is better than WL.

[bali]

I agree that transportation at AKL is excellent.

[EmpressJenny]

Wait to book until mousesavers.com to come out with their discounts for later this year, then I think you will find that the AKL is cheaper. I've never stayed at WL, but have stayed at AKL and cannot recommend it enough. If you're going in December BEFORE peak season, you should be able to get a great rate. I've mentioned it in other threads, but I got a savanna view at AKL for 7 nights for $900. And that was before I was an AP holder. Wait for a discount code.

[Goofy3]

Can you use a discount code if you go with the magic your way package?
And yes, we are comparing a standard room at WL to the Savannah view at AKL. I don't see any point of staying at AKL if I can't wake up and see animals from the balcony!

Reading through the reviews & info on Allearsnet, I'm really leaning towards AKL! Sounds like it's awesome!

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by Goofy3

Can you use a discount code if you go with the magic your way package?
And yes, we are comparing a standard room at WL to the Savannah view at AKL. I don't see any point of staying at AKL if I can't wake up and see animals from the balcony!

Reading through the reviews & info on Allearsnet, I'm really leaning towards AKL! Sounds like it's awesome!

No..you have to either have an Annual Pass to take advantage of discount codes...and sometimes they have general public discount codes...but those would be for room only reservations and would not include tickets or the dining plan...just the room. However, the chances of a general pass discount coming out anytime soon are slim and none

[EmpressJenny]

I agree with you, there was no way I was going to pay for deluxe at AKL unless I woke up to the giraffes, too, I mean, that's the whole point, isn't it? Fortunately, the discount was only offered for savanna view, not standard.

As far as using it together with MYW, I don't know, someone else will have to answer that. I'm still really confused as to the whole MYW thing - I don't know anything about it really.

[EmpressJenny]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

No..you have to either have an Annual Pass to take advantage of discount codes...and sometimes they have general public discount codes...but those would be for room only reservations and would not include tickets or the dining plan...just the room. However, the chances of a general pass discount coming out anytime soon are slim and none

I didn't have an annual pass last year when I booked AKL, but it was room-only. However, I didn't see any disadvantage to that.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by EmpressJenny

I didn't have an annual pass last year when I booked AKL, but it was room-only. However, I didn't see any disadvantage to that.

There's not any really.....however, if Goofy buys the package..and then a general discount code comes out..he could't apply it towards his package. He could keep the package or cancel it and start all over.

We used to GP code last yr too for POP and bought the tickets in advance over the internet and saved a bundle...it's just a waiting game really.

[Metalfan]

I prefer WL. AKL is great, but you can't beat being a simple boat ride from MK! PLus it's absolutely gorgeous!