AKL or WL?

[Mom2Elliot]

I had to extend our vacation based on airfare prices We are starting out at the Beach Club for four nights, then my DH will fly in and we check into a 1 bedroom at BLT for 5 nights. Then we have four nights at the end that we need to move to either AKL or WL. My DH will be leaving us, so it is for myself, DS(12), DD(9) and DS(2). I booked AKL thinking my little one might like the animals. But now I am reconsidering that perhaps we should move over to the WL instead. We will be relaxing at the hotel a lot those last 4 days and the pool doesn't look all that great at the AKL. I am not sure about the food options at AKL either. In either hotel we will just go for a standard room, so it isn't like we will have a savannah room at AKL. On the other hand, we will have just spent 5 days in the MK resort area and the one time I walked through the WL the theming didn't really appeal that much to me. Hmmm! Which would you choose?

 

[kristen1189]

I'm a huge fan of the AKL. The atmosphere was just phenomenal. WL just doesn't have the same appeal as AKL.

 

[c8k6k]

I have stayed at WL, and love it. This August, we'll be trying out AKL. Did you know that guests at AKL can use the AKV Kidani pool? I have read that it's better than the Jambo pool at AKL. My 7 yr old LOVES spending time at the pool, and I'm thinking he might even have a better time at the Kidani pool than WL pool.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Thank you! I didn't know that about the pools. That makes me stay with AKL as it will give us more variety! Thanks again.

 

[KatMark]

Haven't stayed at either, but we can't wait to try the AKL one of these days (the WL holds no interest for us at all for a number of reasons). I would pick the AKL.

 

[MissionMouse]

... I booked AKL thinking my little one might like the animals. But now I am reconsidering that perhaps we should move over to the WL instead. ...pool doesn't look all that great at the AKL. I am not sure about the food options at AKL either. ...so it isn't like we will have a savannah room at AKL. ...one time I walked through the WL the theming didn't really appeal that much to me. Hmmm! Which would you choose?

We have stayed at both resorts. They were both designed by the same architect, so you will find some similar design concepts they share. Neither one is in our top three resorts. Between the two we preferred the AKL for theme and restaurants. When it comes to pools there isn't much difference, but again would prefer the AKL due to the theming. They did change the appearance of the bottom so it no longer looks like a watering hole. When it comes to location we prefer the WL, but for club level its clearly AKL. Personally, if you select the AKL, I would recommend the savanah view rooms or even a pool view over the standard view, if your budget allows.

 

[tallen429]

I've stayed at WL and it's WONDERFUL.
Haven't stayed at AKL but have been there and it's WONDERFUL!
LOL!
Not much help, am I??

You'll have a great time whichever you choose.

 

[sjs314]

I would stick with AKL, the pool is zero entry which will be nice with your lil one, and I heard they have a great childrens play area. Lots of programs for the kiddies if you are planning resort down time not to mention being able to animal watch and at night you can take them out to use the night vison goggles to see the animals. The Mara I felt was nicer and bigger than the Roaring Forks at WL.

 

[danceintherain]

I feel like both would be wonderful options for mostly resort time.
We loved AKL, and I'm sad that we didn't get to do more of the activities while we were there. Don't worry about not having a Savannah View room, there are plenty of public viewing areas with seating, and the interior of your room will be the same no matter what. Now that Kidani has opened, your available activities have increased to the pool and restaurant over there.

Since you're staying at BLT for part of your trip, Wilderness Lodge would give you similar access to activities during the day including the boat to Ft. Wilderness and water rentals.

I think staying with AKL would give you a nicely well rounded trip with stays in all the resort areas.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Thank you everybody! We will stick with AKL! Am trying to justify upgrading to club level now LOL!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

So my DH and I talked it out and decided that doing club level at AKL would make sense for us because we will not be on a dining plan at that point and we would have the Savannah view and could request bunk beds. Just got off the phone and the club level rooms are sold out for our dates (under the pin code we have) BUMMER!! I'll try again though closer to the 45 day payment date! We did upgrade BC to club level though This is going to be one awesome vacation!!

 

[nurse.darcy]

OMG, Animal Kingdom Lodge has a WONDERFUL pool area and the hotel is sooooooo relaxing. The pool has zero entry which is wonderful for the little ones and a fun slide. You can also use the pool at Kidani Village when you are staying at AKL. At Kidani pool area you have a savannah view, a wonderful kids play area and another beautiful pool with a nice slide and a little slide for the little one. . .This is my absolute favorite resort. Just wonderful and relaxing. I actually prefer staying at Jambo House over Kidani, I just love the atmosphere of the lobby. I also love that both pools are open to me when I am there. I got a bunk bed room when I went last summer and my "kids" (two teens) loved the room. We did get a savannah view room and it was great but my friend had a standard view and her view was mostly of trees. Her room was cooler than ours because the sun just graced her balcony. I would stay in the basement here if that is the only room I could get. . .lol.

 

[Goofy4]

At Kidani pool area you have a savannah view.

I'm fortunate to have stayed at WL and AKL/Kidani in the last year; love both of them.

Just wanted to clarify that the pool area does not have a savannah view (if I'm reading that right -- sorry if I'm not).

 

[MareSINY]

I stayed at AKL with a savannah view in January and in WL in April with a free upgrade to CL. I've always found WL to be beautiful and was glad we stayed there BUT I really loved AKL. I found it to be a super relaxed atmosphere, the CMs working there were always friendly and the resort was just so beautiful. I love the music, the smells, the animals. There was nothing about the place I didn't appreciate and grow to love very quickly.

If I had to choose between the two and were mostly planning to hang out around the resort I'd definitely pick AKL.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Wilderness Lodge because in my opinion they have a better theme, overall location and more transportation options.

 

[disney pro]

I'm fortunate to have stayed at WL and AKL/Kidani in the last year; love both of them.

Just wanted to clarify that the pool area does not have a savannah view (if I'm reading that right -- sorry if I'm not).

Actually you can see one of the savannahs down at the pool it is over near the pool bar. It is the savannah that has Okopi on it. Really cool.

OP, if you do end up getting CL you have to do the Sunrise Safari that is only offered to CL guest. You are going to love the AKL, if you have a 40% off code I would up grade to a savannah view, or a pool view at least. If I am not mistaken it is only $10 more a night for pool view over standard and you would get a much better view with a pool view or savannah view.

AKL CM's are some of the best CM's on Disney property, and CL CM's are phenomenal, we stayed Poly CL and AKL CL last year and AKL CM's were the best by far.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

I'm getting excited to try out AKL now! Thanks for everyone's advice. We are currently booked in a Savannah view room, but I'm going to try around the 45 day mark to see if I can get club level with our 40% code! Either way, this is going to be one fun trip!

 

[kathy884]

I think you are making a great choice.

We get out West a lot and have stayed at plenty of National Park lodges, campgrounds, cabins, etc. so don't need the Disney imitation for that. If you live in the US you can do the real thing pretty economically. Wilderness Lodge is, though, a very cute property and has a great location.

We, however, don't have any plans to go to South Africa / Tanzania in the near future (not that it doesn't look cool -- just not in the budget time wise or money wise) and if we did go because of high airfares wouldn't be staying in a game lodge as nice as AKL. The theming at AKL is just sooo cool. I'd pick that.

 

[k's greys]

Great choice, we stayed at WL last fall after spending our previous trips at the AKL...I must say we are heading back to the AKL this fall because the pool area seemed much more relaxing to us. The WL pool seemed loud and crowded. If you are looking to spend more time at the resort the last few days of your trip, you made the right choice, there is so much to do, including the story telling at the fire pit every night, talking to the guides about the animals and the pool area! Have a wonderful trip, AKL has become our fav resort!!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Both resorts are nice, but I like AKL better myself. Both resorts have their fans. For a while WL was very popular onthe DIS. If you aren't focused on going to MK though, I like spending time at AKL. AKL has a number of neat free resort activities for the kids, so DO check them out.

BOth have nice pools, IMO, but the one at WL - to me - seemsa little small for the size of the resort.

I've not stayed at AKL inthe last year, but I understand the new DVC has slowed the transportation down a tad. Still, the new pool is really nice! Also, we though Sanaa was very good. (The bathrooms are Wow! The prettiest on property!)

If you are able to do club level, that would be great! If you are there alone with the kids, I think you'll really appreciate the relative privacy it gives. It's also very handy if you'll be staying at the resort a fair amount.

I suppose the original pool at AKL is not as fancy as some of the other resorts. It doesn't have the cool 'spring' of WL's, but I like it just the same. Maybe it's all the landscaping.