AKL or WL club level?

[leeann32]

I have never stayed club level but would love to try it with the 35% off code. Animal kingdom and Wilderness are the most affordable! We've never stayed at either resort so I have no idea which one to choose? Bus transportation doesn't bother us, and we're getting married and celebrating our honeymoon at Disney!

 

[mickeynut1]

It's been awhile since we've done WL CL (2004), but I remember it being great and we would definitely do it again . The food area has been redone and the pics I've seen of the refurbed area look awesome. But with that said, I have read rave reviews about AKL CL. We stayed at AKL for 2 nights last December and I tried (without success) for a CL room with my pin code as I have heard nothing but excellent reviews on CL there. Hopefully one of these days we'll try it. Good luck deciding, but I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I haven't stayed Club Level at either resort, however I have stayed a few times in a non Club Level room at the Wilderness Lodge and I would recommend it because of their theme and overall location.

 

[OhThePain]

We just got back from 8 nights AKL-CL (and 3 nights non-CL) and I have nothing but great things to say about our experience. All the CMs were fantastic with extra kudos to Chris and Marshall. My now-fiance and I had a lot of fun talking with Chris who was very helpful with a lot of things. Marshall was very helpful in helping us book a room after getting snowed-in due to the storm in the Northeast the day we were supposed to come home. He was also a HUGE help in getting us our luggage back from ME, which was in our room before we got back from dinner (we had checked our luggage real early due to a CP breakfast ADR and we didn't find out the flight was canceled until 10 minutes before ME was to pick us up at 4:15 that afternoon).

Plus, when you stay CL at AKL you get to expereince the Sunrise Safari (which is only available to AKL-CL guests) which takes you on KS at AK (the ride was about 70 minutes or so opposed to the 18 minutes the average guest rides it) and then you get a buffet breakfast at Pizzafari. It was a pretty cool experience that runs about $65 a person. If you decide on AKL, you can also do the Wanyama Safari (available to all AKL guests) which takes you on a safari around the savannahs of the lodge and then to a fantastic feast at Jiko. That will run you about $190 per person but is totally well worth it. The animals really get up close (a giraffe stuck its head into our safari truck). We made it to the lodge for afternoon tea on many days of our stay, then we usually stopped off for the offerings that come out at 5 before heading out to dinner. We also made it to the dessert offerings at night a couple of times, which was a sweet way to end the day. All the offerings were tasty.

The resort itself is beautiful. Even if you end up not staying there, I suggest you book dinner at either Jiko, Boma or Sanaa (at Kidani) just to take a look around. There are a ton of places to view the savannahs from and you'll get a savannah view as a CL guest. The night vision goggles are awesome to look through (this past visit I was looking up at the sky and using my google skymap app, which the CM got a kick out of).

Long long long story short, I can't say enough positive things about our CL experience at AKL.

Also, I forgot to mention the AKL-IPO. They were great in helping me out with some things. First, Easter Sunday was my 180 mark, and we really wanted the Wanyama for our first night. At 6:15 AM, I got a confirmation e-mail saying that we were all set for the Wanyama. I was not expecting them to be on top of things like that. They also helped me by getting a basket and flowers from Memories By Betsy in our room for when we arrived (I proposed to my now-fiance with help from the basket). We were still waiting for our room at about 2:45, when I spoke to a CM in the lounge about the situation with planning to propose before we went to the safari that night (which we had to meet at 3:45, so time was running out). The CM (and I forget her name unfortunately) did what she could to get us into a room quickly. I told her about the basket and impending proposal and she told me she had already spoken to a member of the IPO, who knew all about it, and they arranged to run the basket to the room just before we were told the room was ready.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Animal Kingdom Lodge named World's Best Family Hotel for 2011! World's Best!

Animal Kingdom Lodge receives Four Diamond status! Four Diamond Status!

Four Diamond is described as ~ Refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.

Other Notable Distinguished Awards Received:

~ Concierge.com Editors' Pick
~ Fodor's Choice
~ Frommer's Exceptional
~ Animal Kingdom Lodge is also ranked #3 for Best Orlando-Walt Disney World Hotels ~ U.S. News Rankings 2011
(Grand Floridian is ranked #1 with the Waldorf Astoria Orlando ranked as #2)



I think AKL is an incredible value! We had a fabulous stay at AKL CL this summer! The hotel is both exotic and gorgeous -- it was like taking two vacations in one! The Jambo House zero entry pool is huge and just amazing. We loved the lively atmosphere at night. There are plenty of public viewing areas for the animals both from inside and outside the resort. You also have access to the Kidani Village pool and areas. We never made over to Kidani Village - that's how much we loved Jambo House. We barely scraped the surface of this amazing resort and we look forward to going back.

Four Diamond ~ These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.

Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Walt Disney World Swan
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
Disney's Beach Club Villas
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort

Three Diamond ~ These establishments appeal to the traveler with comprehensive needs. Properties are multifaceted with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside
Disney's Boardwalk Villas
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Old Key West Resort
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Two Diamond ~ These establishments appeal to the traveler seeking more than the basic accommodations. There are modest enhancements to the overall physical attributes, design elements, and amenities of the facility typically at a moderate price.

Disney's Pop Century Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Disney's All Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

 

[dragonfly57005]

WL. Beautiful and more convenient for getting places.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We stayed AKL CL and it was incredible because of the Sunrise Safari, totally worth the money and getting up early for BUT I prefer the location to the WL