Where should I go, AKL or Wilderness Lodge?

[pocketsout]

Hello

I am from England, and am planning to take my family ( my wife, myself, and 2 boys, 7 and 2 years old) to Disney for Christmas 2008. We originally booked into the Dolphin Hotel, but have decided to spend a bit extra and book into one of the better Disney Hotels. We can't decide between AKL and the Wilderness Lodge. We have been advised that there is some building work going on at AKL.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Samsma]

I'd do Christmas at the WL. Also it would have easier access to MK. We just got back from WL and it will be hard to stay anywhere else. We had a wonderful time. Such great theming and nice people. Yup, definitely WL!

 

[joenan88]

...because of the ages of your kiddies I would also choose the WL..it has great boat service to the MK and CR. Staying at the WL would enable you quick transportation service to the monorail resorts to enjoy there food and gift shops and hop to the MK via the monorail..on the way back you can take the boat back to the WL. The AK has a fun theme but is not in a good location to jump around for ADR's..just my opinion..have fun

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Another vote for WL at Christmas.

We love both resorts, however, with your timing I would choose WL!

 

[Atchley]

We are staying at WL because of its location to MK. I think it looks like a great resort. But to be honest, I like the interior of AKL better I think. For Christmas I would be with WL. The decorations are breathtaking. I am hoping to stay at both WL and AKL someday.

 

[danielle782001]

We think there is no place more beautiful than the WL at Christmas time. It is so amazing. Location near MK is great and the counter service there is great. If yous stay there, you should take a horse carriage ride from WL to FW. It is wonderful! Also make a dining reservation at the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

AKL is great for kids because they can see the animals... My boys do love it there.... But WL wins hands down at Christmas time.

 

[amycishere]

I loved AKL at Christmas-time!! The tree was HUGE and I LOVE the animals!

 

[hoosll]

Both are great choices, they are resorts that will also help you forget that you are WDW and Florida .... I would say with the age of your kids that WL is the best choice as it is so close to MK but I would definitely suggest that on the day that you go to AK, take a bus out to AKL and walk aound, have a meal, it is a beautiful resort and perhaps in a couple of years when the kids are older ....

 

[Ranger1873]

Hello

I am from England, and am planning to take my family ( my wife, myself, and 2 boys, 7 and 2 years old) to Disney for Christmas 2008. We originally booked into the Dolphin Hotel, but have decided to spend a bit extra and book into one of the better Disney Hotels. We can't decide between AKL and the Wilderness Lodge. We have been advised that there is some building work going on at AKL.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi, we've stayed at both WL and AKL. Both are great choices, but the one we keep returning to is the Wilderness Lodge. You'll enjoy getting the boat to MK from there, the theming(especially at Christmas) and the laid-back atmosphere.

(We're also from the UK)

 

[danny25]

hi we have stayed at both and both are fantastic but the boat ride to MK and the geyser are fantastic, I prefer WL and more in that part of the year, I wish you and your family have a fantasic trip

 

[stacy6552]

Yes there is construction at the AKL. I would stay there however, if your kids are big big animal nuts. With a savannah view you get night vision goggles to see the nocturnal animals.

Otherwise I would stay at the WL, mostly because the location is better, imho. Both resorts have great "wow' factor and you can't really go wrong.

 

[splashmtnman]

We stayed at AKL Dec.06 w/ two kids DD8 DS6 they just loved it. The first night my daughter woke me up at about 3:30am and drug me to the balcony to see two beautiful giraffes just outside our window. We are staying at WL in August. I would add that if you choose AKL you may want to upgrade to a savannah room so that you are facing the animals. I don't think you can go wrong with either but at Christmas and with a two year old maybe WL would be best this time. Good idea from a post to spend part of a day and visit AKL.

 

[skipperkim]

I like both resort, but if I had to pick one if I were you it would be WL. You can roll the stroller on and off the boat. So if the 2 yo is sleeping, he won't be disturbed. One hint, before you leave a park at night you might consider dressing the kids in their pj's. That way the can just be put to bed when you get to your room. Of course, you could just leave them in the clothes they had on at the park too. Some people won't do that because normal clothes aren't flame retardant. At either resort I'd request a queen bed with 2 bunk beds. The kids would love that, assuming the youngest doesn't sleep in a crib anymore.

 

[Disney Ron]

WL is amazing especially at Christmas time. We were there Christmas 2007.
Your kids will love the theming. The decorations are breath taking. Not to mention the entertainment during the holiday season. We saw a choir, and bell ringers. Nothing like experiencing the holiday at WL!! Location is also sooooooooooooooooo much better than AKL.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[jess20k]

That is a tough decision! We just got back from the WL and loved it! It was beautiful! We also took a look around the property at AKL, and really loved it as well. We will be staying at AKL for our next trip, which will be in 2009.

I like to give different resorts a try, otherwise I would go back to WL for my stay. I do like its location better than AKL, especially that it had the nice boat ride to the MK, we really enjoyed that. But, either way, I am sure you will not be disappointed in either.

 

[Tiffany]

Hello

I am from England, and am planning to take my family ( my wife, myself, and 2 boys, 7 and 2 years old) to Disney for Christmas 2008. We originally booked into the Dolphin Hotel, but have decided to spend a bit extra and book into one of the better Disney Hotels. We can't decide between AKL and the Wilderness Lodge. We have been advised that there is some building work going on at AKL.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi,
Just for referrance the AKL and WL are not better then the Swan or Dolphin. In fact the service and amentities as well as location are all better at the S/D. It really depends on what you are looking for from your vacation experiance. If you are looking for convience to the MK and that is where you plan on spending the majority of your time then go with the WL for no other reason then its location to the MK with boat and bus transportation.

If you are looking for a complete resort experiance and spending equal time at the major parks then go with the Swan/Dolphin.

If you want the unique experiance of beting able to view animals from your hotel room's balcony then go with the AKL.

It really comes down to what you are looking for from your vacation experiance.

 

[pocketsout]

Thanks everybody for replying. It looks like WL wins hands down at Christmas.

Can't wait.

 

[danielle782001]

Thanks everybody for replying. It looks like WL wins hands down at Christmas.

Can't wait.

Have a wonderful time!!! I have no doubt that you will!!!

 

[Lamandpercy]

We have stayed in both resorts and each has good and bad points.

AKL good:
Best hot tub on property imho
Animals!!
Very friendly staff who will tell you about the animals
Pool big and quiet usually
Boma does a great breakfast

AKL bad:
Big resort, it can be trek from the lobby back to rooms
Location, takes a while to get to MK on the bus
The only resort I got insect bites at (take some DEET!)

WL good:
Lobby is fabulous as is theming thorughout (although so is AKL)
We saw animals here too - hummingbirds and an armadillo
You can walk the nature trail to Fort Wilderness, we saw a deer and had the trail all to ourselves. There are pony rides, carriage rides and Campfires at Fort Wilderness, there is also a bus back to WL.
Location - easy boat ride to MK.
Can hire boats for a trip round bay lake but might be one for dad and ds 7 while you look after the 2 year old"


WL bad:
Buses can be packed and most are shared with FW. We got a bus to BB water park one morning and were like sardines!
Lobby can be noisy when fun n games are on in Whispering Canyon.
Main pool was very crowded, we liked the quiet pool at the villas which you can use if staying in WL.

We are staying at both this year (August) as it's such a close call between the two for us - we love both resorts. With 2 kids tho I reckon WL would be the better option as you are close to MK. OP suggested you visit AKL and this would certainly be a possibility just get a bus from AK. Whispering Canyon is a fun place to eat, especially for your 7 year old. If your little one doesn't like noise however I would stear clear, its very very noisy!

Whatever you choose you will have a great time I'm sure, I wish I could visit WDW for Christmas!

 

[GailT]

If I was choosing between those 2 hotel I would say WL hands down, I have stayed there many times and it is the perfect choice