bethymouse
Well-Known Member
IMHO you must try AKL at least once. It's an adventure.
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Is AKL The Best Deluxe For Value.?
- Thread starter real mad hatter
- Start date
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
IMO, I don't know yet if it is a better value over say OKW, SSR, or WL. I stayed at AKL for 3d/2n at the end of one of our summer vacations in 2012. I am staying at WL over Thanksgiving and I should be able to compare the two better in terms of room and lobby and activities. I can compare both resorts in terms of dining since I have eaten at the TS and QS restaurants at both properties. Have actually dined at BOMA 4 times in 3 years....
AKL has Mara for QS, and Sanaa (Indian) , Boma (buffet) and Jiko (signature) for TS venues. Of the 4 I have eaten at 3 (not tried Jiko yet) Mara is okay. Sanaa serves some of the best Indian fare I have eaten and where I live has several really good Indian restaurants ...and Boma is a WONDERFUL buffet.
WL has Roaring Forks for QS and Whispering Canyon for a TS and Artist Point for signature. Roaring Forks is pretty good variety of food for all appetites. Ranks behind Captain Cooks and Gasparilla in my mind. Whispering Canyon for dinner was lots of food, kind of carnivores delight. It was an okay TS, but during a 12 day stay at WDW, I only opted to eat there once. Have not tried breakfast there but I have ressies for it coming up so I will let you know how it fares for breakfast. And I am not into salmon or game so haven't tried Artist Point.
The advantage to WL since I think the food compared to AKL is lower quality (IMHO) is you are a boat ride from some really good food at the POLY or GF or even MK.
AKL takes a bit of time to get to alternative dining options.
The pool at AKL is wonderful. As @bethymouse stated you should try AKL once and if this is your last voyage to the world, I would say GO FOR IT!!!
AKL has Mara for QS, and Sanaa (Indian) , Boma (buffet) and Jiko (signature) for TS venues. Of the 4 I have eaten at 3 (not tried Jiko yet) Mara is okay. Sanaa serves some of the best Indian fare I have eaten and where I live has several really good Indian restaurants ...and Boma is a WONDERFUL buffet.
WL has Roaring Forks for QS and Whispering Canyon for a TS and Artist Point for signature. Roaring Forks is pretty good variety of food for all appetites. Ranks behind Captain Cooks and Gasparilla in my mind. Whispering Canyon for dinner was lots of food, kind of carnivores delight. It was an okay TS, but during a 12 day stay at WDW, I only opted to eat there once. Have not tried breakfast there but I have ressies for it coming up so I will let you know how it fares for breakfast. And I am not into salmon or game so haven't tried Artist Point.
The advantage to WL since I think the food compared to AKL is lower quality (IMHO) is you are a boat ride from some really good food at the POLY or GF or even MK.
AKL takes a bit of time to get to alternative dining options.
The pool at AKL is wonderful. As @bethymouse stated you should try AKL once and if this is your last voyage to the world, I would say GO FOR IT!!!
wdwtopten
Well-Known Member
The AKL has 3 great restaurants, so that is something that I have to include when I have any discussion about the AKL.
AKL is pretty far out there, but unless you go back and forth from your room to the parks many times a day, it shouldn't be an issue. Also, AKL is a resort everyone should try at least once. The animals and overall theme are so unique you just have to experience them for yourself.
As far as DVC points go, I would say that the AKL is the best value.
AKL is pretty far out there, but unless you go back and forth from your room to the parks many times a day, it shouldn't be an issue. Also, AKL is a resort everyone should try at least once. The animals and overall theme are so unique you just have to experience them for yourself.
As far as DVC points go, I would say that the AKL is the best value.
Sparkle81
Well-Known Member
Weirdly when I booked our trip for next year, it was the other way around! I still really want to stay at AKL one day, but DH was happy as he had his heart set on WL anyway.Ok..Unfortunately WL is a lot dearer than AKL..And I mean lots more..$$$$$$$....
SagamoreBeach
Well-Known Member
I adore the AKL. It's my favorite, even with those small room.
It isn't for everyone, though. If you think you won't like it, you might not.
WL has a very impressive lobby, too. They are nearly identical hotels with different themes. If WL is calling you, go!
Are the rooms really that much smaller?
-Tony
wdwtopten
Well-Known Member
Here is a chart of how large all the DVC rooms are, if that helps.
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/grand-floridian/news/2291-dvc-villa-square-footage-by-resort
luv
Well-Known Member
I don't know the square footage - consult your Unofficial Guide, lol - but Yes, they seem pretty small to me. I'm a big fan of space and even with the smaller rooms, I'd still pick AKL almost every time.
WL has the same, smaller rooms, so when deciding between the two, room size is not a factor.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
@real mad hatter , I've stayed at AKL/Jambo & AKL/Kidani. I know many say that the location is sooooo far removed from the rest of WDW that it's not worth it. I can honestly say that the thing I love MOST about the AKL resorts is the feeling of immersion. You're at WDW but then you're also in this whole other world unto itself. It's a second level of vacation while on vacation. For me, the resort alone is a destination. There's so much right there. You may not *want* to go to the parks every moment of every day. The resort offers so much all on it's own. For me, that's a whole other level of value for the dollar spent. So many other resorts are nice resorts but their biggest draw is what they're close to or proximity to other destinations. AKL doesn't need that. It's worth it to just be there, parks and other destinations optional. That's just me. After a busy day of parks, sore feet, head still abuzz with all the noise it's been processing for hours and hours it's kinda nice to have that peaceful escape. The shifting of gears to a different world is not a bad thing. It's actually very nice. To me it's like being worn out from a long day of work then coming home to cozy peacefulness. Plenty of fun to be had still but it's not in your face if you don't want it to be. It's so hard to explain.
Just by the numbers you presented, I'd think the move to AKL would be an excellent value just for the difference in dining plans. Quick service vs. regular. I'd go AKL. I love BOTH the resorts there.
Just by the numbers you presented, I'd think the move to AKL would be an excellent value just for the difference in dining plans. Quick service vs. regular. I'd go AKL. I love BOTH the resorts there.
luv
Well-Known Member
Yes!!! You nailed it! It feels far removed, even though it really isn't.
Now that they've built so much, the monorail resorts all feel kind of busy and the view isn't as peaceful - it's more cluttered. The Boardwalk is a busy place. GREAT location and I like all those hotels, but you don't feel isolated from the hubbub of Disney World.
WL and AKL both retain a sense of calm and relaxation...but AKL, IMO, does it even better.
willtravel
Well-Known Member
It looks like the square footage starting at 314 sq ft. is the same as moderate Port Orleans French Quarter.
Skibum1970
Well-Known Member
I've noticed that the WL is also not typically discounted as much as it was in the past. I think that its popularity has increased and thus Disney has cut back the discounts and increased the price (the ol' double whammy). For the mod's, PORS is also not discounted as much as Caribbean.
Wow...Cheers for that insight..It seems to have opened up a new idea to me...A resort within a resort, kinda thing..I know where your coming from..Cheers again...