AKL or WL and why?

[lisaisanurse]

we have a car, so driving is not a huge deal for us, everything is so close, I just don't mind driving and we park at the handicapped spaces (due to brother in w/c), so parking is always great and we do valet at all resorts for dinners....we are on the DXDP, we love to eat all over the parks and the different resorts... CSR is our first choice, AKL and WL are our second choices..we were going to do the BCV or BWV but I can't justify the $1500 to upgrade so our next choices are AKL and WL. AKL~I like Bomas for breakfast but the food for lunch/dinner doesnt appeal to me..how is the food at WL? We do love eating at GF a lot, 1900 park fare, Grand Floridian Cafe and Narcoosees, so the boat ride over to MK and getting onto the monorail would be easy, then we could hop on the monorail and go to MK then to Epcot from there, no? (should just stay at the Grand Floridian but need 2 rooms, doing DXDP and Univeral for 10 days, can't expect Mom and Dad to fork it over for that, lol) Hoping CSR isn't sold out on Monday morning!!

 

[yarlenna]

we have a car, so driving is not a huge deal for us, everything is so close, I just don't mind driving and we park at the handicapped spaces (due to brother in w/c), so parking is always great and we do valet at all resorts for dinners....we are on the DXDP, we love to eat all over the parks and the different resorts... CSR is our first choice, AKL and WL are our second choices..we were going to do the BCV or BWV but I can't justify the $1500 to upgrade so our next choices are AKL and WL. AKL~I like Bomas for breakfast but the food for lunch/dinner doesnt appeal to me..how is the food at WL? We do love eating at GF a lot, 1900 park fare, Grand Floridian Cafe and Narcoosees, so the boat ride over to MK and getting onto the monorail would be easy, then we could hop on the monorail and go to MK then to Epcot from there, no? (should just stay at the Grand Floridian but need 2 rooms, doing DXDP and Univeral for 10 days, can't expect Mom and Dad to fork it over for that, lol) Hoping CSR isn't sold out on Monday morning!!

Wilderness is my favorite in the world. The food is very very good, but I think the food at AKL is better. I will be eating there lots of time during our coming vacation.
If you want to go from the Magic Kingdom to Epoct, you will have to take a monorail to ticket and tranportation and then one to Epoct. It is really neat to come into Epoct by monorail.

 

[MissionMouse]

Between AKL and WL with a person in a WC; I would say WL. The boat to from WL to MK can take a WC and even ECV, unless the lake level is down. WL for location and transportation. In our opinion it is not the best for food when you have the monorail loop close by with superior dining options.

You might consider considering special lodging options if you haven't already or in the past with your brother. See his page for additional info:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disabmobility.htm

http://allears.net/acc/acrooms.htm

 

[carrie1626]

Just offering this:

Don't let the opinion of " AKL is too far away from everything" to stop you from going there. Especially if you have a car.

Sorry, but some people make it out like it's another hour away.
Baloney, adds 10 to possibly 15 minutes to your everyday jaunt and you can make that up when you go to AK park

 

[justcruisin]

There is something priceless about a morning cup of coffee and a giraffe just off your balcony.

WL is great for easy access to MK and we love it when we want to go to the HDDR. AKL is a different sort of trip for us --- more relaxed.

Try to make Boma for dinner, one of the my all time favorite meals EVER.

 

[Wendybird55]

I enjoy both resorts very much...they are both laid out similar with the main lobby area and then the rooms surrounding it - the big difference is the decor.

Both places offer good food choices...WC has more atmoshphere and personality with the wait staff and "silly doings". Artist Point is very good for signatur dining. I haven't been to Jiko, but have heard good things, plus the new restaurant at AK looks good. But, with DXDP and a car you won't be having all your meals at your resort.

When we were at AK it didn't feel as "hectic" as other deluxe resorts. We felt a bit more secluded and subdued which was nice when we were just adults traveling. At the time, since so many people thought is was off the beaten track, you didn't get as many guests "visiting" the resort like they do for the monorail or Epcot resorts.

WL is gorgeous and I would say my favorite resort for atmoshphere. It is a bit more convenient for getting to other resorts for dinning - but again you have a car so don't really have that concern.

We had the same choice this year and went with WL mainly because we're traveling with my 4 year old son and WL is convenient to get to monrail hotel restaurants such as Chef Mickey's and Ohana for breakfast and DS enjoys WC.

Both resorts are wonderful and the dining available in each is good. The only consideration would be if you have young children and plan more days at MK or want more character breakfast meals them WL may be a it more convenient. But then again seeing animals out your window is pretty neat too.
Just go with your gut - either resort won't disappoint.

 

[queenofhartz]

AKL is my favorite resort (if you're staying in a savannah room). WL is also very nice, so you really can't go wrong. For me, AKL has the edge because of the animals. Both have impressive lobbies/common areas, fun pools, and the rooms are the same size. But, at AKL, I actually enjoy hanging out in my room on the balcony just to see the animals. It's relaxing. I'm not too excited about the rooms at WL...they are nice but I'm really just there to rest/shower. Additionally, I'm not sure if they're still doing it, but AKL has a storyteller at night (everyone sits around a big campfire in rocking chairs and listens to stories - it's great), they have a huge African art display which was fun to see, and a kids water-play area that is great for little ones (the water comes up from the ground and out of pipes) I actually like the restaurants at AKL better. Jiko, Sanaa, and Boma are all excellent in my opinion. At WL, Artists Point is wonderful, and Whispering Canyon was fun but the food was meh.

I agree with the poster that said if you're planning on spending a lot of time at MK, WL might have the edge just because it's so convenient to get to the AK from WL by boat. However, we always have a car too, so getting around is typically not a problem no matter where we've stayed. Have a great time!

 

[PrincessAurora]

As you can see from my signature I am a huge Wilderness Lodge fan. It is my home away from home.

Or was.

This past year, the woods views at Wilderness Lodge were sold out and I went to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sure I ate there before but I will say my pool view room was amazing. The rooms were better decorated, the lodge was gorgeous and the animals were amazing.

For my next trip I will be at my new Home Away From Home - Animal Kingdom Lodge. I will still be eating at Artist Point and if AKL is booked, WL will be my second choice but I am sold. AKL.

 

[Heard02]

WL would be my choice of the two. I like the location and the fact that it is on the water.
AKL is nice and I would stay there again but probably only if I had a savannah view.