AKL or Wilderness lodge

[pjsmice]

We will be going to Disney in June 2004 and we are trying to decide between AKL and the Wilderness Lodge. No matter which we pick we can only afford the standard rooms. Which is better for comfort, food, pools, trasportation etc.? Thanks for your help. Sharon

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We have stayed at both WL and AKL and although we enjoyed our stay at WL we fell in love with AKL. It is our favorite resort now and we are staying there again next year. We had standard view rooms on Ostrich Trail and they were very nice. Very quiet and we were on the lobby floor. The view was of the front of the building but it wasn't bad at all where we were. In my opinion the transportation was the best at AKL over any other Disney resort. The food is good too. The food court type restaurant is called The Marah and my family loved it. And the breakfast buffet at Boma is to die for. Roaring Forks at WL is nice too but we didn't really care for all of the noise at Whispering Canyon family restaurant. The pools at both hotels are very nice. I didn't use the pool at AKL but my family did and they raved about it. The WL pool is absolutely gorgeous. I think you will probably have a fantastic time at either of these awesome resorts.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

... because either way, I think you'll be very, very pleased.

Personally, I favor the Wilderness Lodge. it's probably not as "dramatic" a theme as AKL, but it's so incredibly beautiful and comforting. It could well depend on variables involving the group your traveling with. For example,if you're going to be spending more time at the Magic Kingdom than any other park, it might behoove you - and hey, when's the last time someone used "behoove" in a sentence? - to pick WL, where you can take a boat across the water to the Happiest Place On Earth. If Animal Kingdom is more your cup of tea, well, the AKL is, obviously, much closer.

On the other hand, there have been a lot of mixed reviews about the transportation aspect of the AKL, as it's a bit removed from the other parks. but some folks say that's not a problem at all (and if you're going to have a car, well, it won't matter a bit!).

On the other hand (and hey, how many hads do I get before someone points out I've had to borrow body parts from several people?), AKL is absolutely stunning.

On yet another hand, the WL pool wins - at least in my book - hands down. Not only do you have the pool, but you canwander over to the white sand beach and play some volleyball, or walk around the lakefront...

OK, suddenly, I've VERY glad not to be having to make this decision!

Richard

 

[pjsmice]

Okay Thanks for all the info. Now I can say that I am really more confused then ever!! However I am leaning towards the WL. I like the idea of taking the boat to MK and it really does look beautiful. But on the other hand(ha! ha!) AKL looks just as awsome. Oh well maybe I will just flip a coin!!

 

[Gary M]

We have also stayed at both resorts and both are great. We do favor the WL though.

 

[Campingbuddy]

We were at AKL in early June and it was great! Mousekeeping was great and the bus system was exellent. No sharing buses with other resorts. We had a Savannah view on the third floor which was also great. Food at The AKL is out of this world. AS you can tell we fell in love with this resort.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Dear Sharon,

I just posted a reply about how much I love the AKL a few minutes ago. Here's the link to it:

OllieDannyandMe Replies to Questions about the Animal Kingdom Lodge

Whichever resort you chooose will be fantastic. You've picked the two best resorts in my opinion!

Have a great time!!

 

[disnaholic]

Ok, this is a tough choice, one I went through myself just in the last 2 weeks. It was agonizing trying to decide on weather to do WL or AKL. We stayed at AKL before and it is sooooo wonderful! We did visit WL last December and I fell in love with it also. Flipping the coin sounds like the best idea. You won't be dissapointed with either one. The AKL is so unique and relaxing. It is in a quiet area, but it did not take more than just a few minutes longer to go anywhere from AKL on the Disney transportation bus. Good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

My reply is it depends on which month we go.

Both resorts are beautiful. The pools are great and each has its own special restaurants.

We love the WL in December. The huge Christmas tree in the lobby, rocking in the rocking chairs by the fireplace, sitting in the hot tub at night with hot cocoa in hand gazing at the Lodge are some of my favorites.

I love to go to the AKL in the summer. Somehow the heat just makes this beautiful resort pop out even more. Feels more like we're in Africa and on a safari.

Whichever you choose have a great time!

Renee

 

[currycook]

We have stayed at both and really enjoy both. The only down side to either is the transportation is not as good as some other resorts but we dont mind that at all. Both are great places and distinctively unique. Whatever you pic you cant go wrong. Last time we went we could'nt decide and split our time. If you have never stayed at either one I actually would recommended that you spend at least one night at the other one or split your time between the two. It will add something to the trip and give you the opportunity to decide for youself which you like. Because ultimately you are the one that will decide which you like best.

 

[KJMAX1]

I vote AKL. I have never been there, but I wont be staying at WL again. We went last week of August. I have to say I hated the buses. You have to go to, two other stops before you get your hotel, and heaven forbid you are going to a PS time and you get on a bus that includes a water park! Also, the walk to the hotel rooms from the bus stop is a long walk. Granted we had a view of the MK with the fireworks, but it was a long haul for our 2 yr old. Also, the food at WL seemed to be more expensive than any other place. We were holed up there for 4 days while my husband was really sick, so I can tell you it ended up costing us a lot. One tip though, if you have a milk drinker, and you have medicines that need to be refridgerated, buy milk in the quart size at the gift shop! It was only two dollars or so, compared to the one pint for 1.25. I did like the option of the boat to MK, however, keep in mind that it fills fast and it can be a pain to get a stroller on if everyone else is using the room. Also the covering on the dock isnt very large therefore in the rain you will get soaked. The beach was very cool for our little one. The last day their before we left, we let her play for an hour in the sand on the play equipment. Probably our best day after my husband had gotten sick. I must admit, we do come from the pacific northwest and more trees, or what they deemed as trees, plus the theme, was too much like home for us. I think being in an African theme would be "Disney" to us. I just want a code for March for AKL!!!!

Have fun either way!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Tough choice! We've stayed at both and I can't decide which is my favorite! lol.

Here's some thoughts-

Transportation- a tie because-

WL-
Pro- Boats to MK, CR and FW.
Con-shared busses everywhere else.

AKL-
Pro-They don't have to share busses. When we were there the transportation was excellent, always a seat and never waited longer then 10 minutes for a bus to arrive.

Con- No other form of transportation besides the bus.

Food- AKL is the winner

AKL- The Mara! AKL "food court"I think this place is great. You order your food and then they deliver it to your table inside or out. The place is very big so there's never any trouble finding a seat. There's also Boma a buffet that serves breakfast and dinner and Jiko a sit- down, full service.

WL- The Roaring Forks is much smaller then the Mara and has less of variety. The also have the Whispering Cafe- I liked this place and Artist point for full service.

But AKL wins because of The Mara.

Rooms- A tie. Especially when considering a standard view.

They both have lovely rooms.

Daytime activities- WL wins-

WL- You can rent a variety of boats from water mice to pontoon(sp?) boats to speed boats. I also loved renting bikes and riding over to the FW campground, there's a free petting zoo there and pony rides for around 1.00.

AKL- Animal watching and the pool.

Nightime activities- WL wins

WL- has the Electric water parade every night. I love this! You can get snacks or drinks and sit on the beach or at a table and watch it.

AKL- has story telling at around 7pm and you can observe the animals on the savannahs.

Pools- AKL wins

AKL- Has a very large pool with zero entry! If you have small children or like to lie in the water, this is a great. No pool hopping allowed.

WL- Has a very nice pool, pretty but smaller then the AKL. Also DVC guests can pool hop here(don't know if they do though-lol)

Lobby- Tie. Both have a beautiful lobby.

WL- Has a ceiling high fireplace.
AKL- Has African art, a suspended bridge, little firepit and bridges.

Stores- AKL wins.

AKl- Has a great store with all kinds of neat African items, hand carved animals, instruments, jewelry and Disney stuff.

WL- Store is smaller but still has some great stuff.

So there are my thoughts, I hoped they helped! But I don't think you'll be diappointed with either one, so you can't go wrong!

 

[Disbug]

I like your style! You laid that out beautifully and put much thought into it!

I have recently stayed at the WL and have visited AKL for dinner at BOMA's. The experience's are going to be two different vacations and I would look at your expectations!

1) Planning on spending a lot of time at MK? The WL gets my vote.
2) More time at AK? AKL gets my vote.
3) Want to feel like you are in an exotic, remote, far away place? AKL
3) More in the mood for a Grand Canyon, deep woods, down home type of vacation? WL
4) Want to rent water mice alot and go boating on Bay Lake or 7 Seas Lagoon? WL I believe palmtree girl meant "you can rent water boats....
5) Want to see lots of animals? AKL

Just whittle away at what you want, and you'll come up with the right choice for YOU!

 

[mep319]

WL was our favorite. Stayed there several times! In January I wanted to do something different so we split our stay. 3 nites at AKL...4 nites at WL...needless to say we didn't want to leave AKL! It surpassed WL in our book. It was beautiful, staff was out of this world...transportation was never an issue. The resort is a vacation in its self. Fireside storytelling every nite...free children's activities which my dd enjoyed more than the ones at WL...night goggle strolls to look at the different animals on the savannahs. My DD 6 LOVED it! If your torn you can split a stay like we did...it was really no problem...they transfer your bags and it was very easy. That way YOU can make the decision. Just be sure to do AKL last or you maybe in the same boat we were last time....longing to be back! Guess where we are staying this time all 7 nites!

 

[pjsmice]

Wow! Now I'm leaning towards AKL. The friends we are going with seem to like AKL as well. I was just on the phone talking to my friend and reading your replys. Our kids ages 12 17 and 18 all love animals so we think this might be the one to choose. Plus this is going to be a total surprise for them. They think we are going to the CBR. We have always stayed at the moderate resorts before so this will be a big treat for us. We will be spending 9 nights so we can have time to enjoy the resort.Our friends have never been at all so this should be great. Now I just wish we did'nt have to wait until next June. I am going to reserve the rooms with a AAA discount first and then hope some codes will come out closer to our departure date. Thanks everyone for your comments it was a great help. Sharon

 

[Tesabat]

They think we are going to the CBR. We have always stayed at the moderate resorts before so this will be a big treat for us.

This is EXACTLY what we did last year. My family thought we were staying at CBR...but I had upgraded everyone to AKL without them knowing. It was GREAT. We loved it.

I've stayed at WL twice. We just returned from WL in July. I had wanted to return to AKL....but my family wanted to try WL again. So we booked a lodge view room at WL and ended up spending an afternoon at AKL with the family...and my DH and I did dinner there for an evening out alone at Jikos...

Everyone said - you were right - we should have gone back to AKL. Aaaah....music to my ears!

I really think you will love it! Both are nice...but we just like AKL a bit more.

 

[disnaholic]

They think we are going to the CBR. We have always stayed at the moderate resorts before so this will be a big treat for us

We did this back in December also! My kids thought we were staying at All Stars Music, and when we pulled up to AKL, my DS asked " Mom, why are we at AKL when we are staying at ASMu?"
They were so surprised when I decided to let them in on the secret
AKL was absolutley wonderful! I can not wait to go back, it is my favorite WDW resort!