AKL or WL for Xmas?

[Noelle]

We've decided that we want to go back to WDW for Xmas. We spent last year at POR, which was nice. But this year, we'd like to do something a little different and a little nicer.

With the Holiday rates being as high as they are and combining the fact that we'll probably be there a total of 9 or 10 nights, I'm trying to figure out what would be our best bet.

With the Animal Kingdom, would I really need a Savannah room to enjoy the resort? (I have a 3 year old and 11 year old.)

I guess I'm just stuck on the fence of paying more for a Savannah room (cause I'm thinking we might not really enjoy a standard view) or paying less for a standard view Wilderness Lodge?

Any suggestions or comments? I'd really appreciate your thoughts about Christmas at both resorts.

Thanks!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Noelle,

I just love The Wilderness Lodge at Christmas one of the best, if not the best Resort to be staying at during the holidays, plus this past December they had the sleigh rides at the Lodge. The Christmas Trees, where all so beautiful and the large fireplace just feels like Christmas. Plus if you plan on MVMCP it's just a quick boat ride and you're at the MK.

Both Resorts are great and I know you will enjoy which ever you chose.

 

[currycook]

Both are really nice and have stayed at both on several occasions. If it is during Christmas I would stay at the WL because I like their Christmas decorations better and they have groups like "bell players" come in and do special music in the lobby.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I stayed at AKL in December and really like the decorations. There was a really big Christmas tree in the lobby and it had African themed decorations. There were also smaller Christmas trees by the gift shop and another one by Jiko and Boma. There was also cute chocolate sculpture by Boma (but I'm not sure if that was there specifically for Christmas).

If you don't get a savanah view room, don't worry... there are many places around the resort to look at the animals. Also the animals tend to wander around the savanah, so even if you have a savanah view room, they may not always be directly outside your window.

HTH

 

[katypop]

i love both of these resorts i stayed at WL in dec and the decorations were wonderful, we did visit AKL to see their decorations too , and while nice, WL was definately our favorite.as magicinmyheart said "it just feels like xmas" there. we enjoyed leaving mk after the mvmcp and hopping right on a boat back to wl too.
if you decide on akl though, personally i don't mind a standard room, i don't spend much time in my room anyway. during my spring stay at akl i would grab a coffee and go out to one of the many viewing areas and it was a great experience. i think you will enjoy either one of these resorts
katypop

 

[DisneyMin]

We were there last Christmas,and stayed at AKL. We wanted WL,but it was booked. We ate at WCC,and the lodge was beautiful. Moreso that AKL,imho. We were really disappointed we couldn't stay there. We were also disappointed w/our Savannah view at ALK. It was quite cold,so maybe that was a factor,but we didn't see that many animals outside our window at all. And they had alot of the shrubbery outside covered w/these plastic burlap type things due to the cold. If you decide to stay at ALK,maybe a compromise w/a pool view? that would be prettier than a standard view. But if it were me,,i'd go for WL. Btw,,how was POR? If we can't get WL this xmas,we may try for POR.

 

[Noelle]

DisneyMin,

POR was nice. They had a nice Xmas tree, nothing like the GF. But they did have Santa on the 24th and some seasonal snacks in the food court. I can't remember if it was people playing Bells or Carolers on the 23rd. Many people hung xmas lights around their hotel room windows which kind of added to the Christmas feel of the Plantation Houses. But it was also nice because we took the boat over to Downtown Disney on Xmas Eve and did a little last minute shopping for the kids.

Thanks for your advice on the AKL. I'm so worried that I'll be paying $410 a night for a savannah room and we won't see any animals. Yes, it was REALLY cold last year. We were joking about going into the pool. But with the weather being so cold, we never even tempted it. I don't know if it was unusually cold last year or not. But I would really hate to pay all that money for the animals and not see them.

 

[winniedapooh]

We have stayed at the WL twice during holiday time and loved it ! I can't comment on AKL, except for what I saw on the TRAVEL channel! Good luck deciding.