AKL Pool view or WL Woods view??

[mef78]

I'm completely split. Here are the details:

1. We prefer AKL savanna-view over all other rooms, but it's not available.

2. We normally prefer WL woods-view over a standard or pool view room at AKL (hasn't ever been worth it to us to stay in a standard or pool view room as what we really love is the animals outside), BUT

3. WL comes in at $400 more than AKL for several reasons (not of any concern, just suffice to say we will have to spend $400 more for the WL room).

Is the WL room $400 better than the AKL Pool view? Can anyone tell me if you can see animals from the pool view rooms?

Thanks!!

 

[missthec&o]

Talking from reading, not from experience (we'll be at AKL for first time next month), but the animals you'll be seeing from the pool view will be pretty much limited to flamingos. So if you really like flamingos, you're in business. That said, it still looks like a pretty nice pool view. I'd take AKL and keep the $400.

 

[Kae]

WL woods view is one of our favorites also but $400 I would go with AKL. and I do not think you can see any animals from a pool view.

Kae

 

[proteus]

If the choice is seeing a pool vs woods, $400 doesn't warrant the extra expense of woods. Since there are no guarantees of seeing animals with pool view, assume the worst. Theme wise a woods view makes sense since you are staying in a lodge, a pool view at AKL isn't as well connected.

If it were me and I had not been at either, I would stay at AKL. If I had been at AKL, I would go to WL. If I had been at both, I'd stay at AKL. Both are very close in my opinion, if you are uncertain about view look at other factors such as pool, dining, etc.

One trick I have works really well. Flip a coin to decide then weigh your reaction the second you know the result, if you aren't happy it was the other choice.

 

[wdwmike59]

You won't see any animals from your room but it's a short walk out to the viewing areas and it's $400 in your pocket for other things.

 

[danielle782001]

We have stayed at both resorts a couple of times each...We would choose the WL woods view...It may be just us but we would do not want to stay at the AKL if we do not have a savanna view...

Yes, the AKL pool view is nice and it is a short walk to hall windows and outside viewing areas to see the animals...And $400 savings is also always nice...However when you are talking about Deluxe prices $400 is not the big of a difference and should not make or break a location....

We actually do not care for either Jiko or Boma...We do really like Mara for a quick meal....The lodge is nice but African-theming is not really are thing....We are there for the animals and if we cannot see them from our room it is not worth it TO US...The biggest problem we have with AKL is the distance to everything....It is very far from all the action...This is just our feelings and we know many that love the AKL for all that it has to offer....

WL is connected to MK by a short boat ride or super quick bus ride....You feel like you are far from the rest of the world when you are there but you are really so close...We enjoy Roaring Forks and Whispering Canyon very much...And overall we just love the feel of the lodge....Big stone fireplace and rocking chairs are our thing....

Our kids love both lodges and we will choose the AKL for them as long as the love animals and we can get the savanna view....Otherwise we always pick WL as our first choice.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My vote was for the Wilderness Lodge Woods View because I like their location about better then the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I think their theme is better and because they just renovated all their rooms.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I would take AKL over WL anyday. Any view. I have had pool view twice and the giraffes and zebras came down to where you could see them from the room. I just like the overall peacefulness of AKL, seeing the animals at night is just so calming to me.

And since I am a cheapskate, $400.00 would pay for a lot of food and drinks.

ETA - While I do love the WL lobby and grounds, it doesn't seem like Florida to me, and yes AKL isn't FL but AKL takes me somewhere I will never go, and I can go to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite or Yellowstone pretty easily.

 

[mef78]

One trick I have works really well. Flip a coin to decide then weigh your reaction the second you know the result, if you aren't happy it was the other choice.

Very good advice!

 

[Buzz2001]

Akl!

 

[psu1978]

We have stayed at the WL before with a woods view and it is nothing spectacular. It is nice but it is not worth the extra $400. AKL is a great resort and even if you don't have a savannah view there are many places in and around AKL where you can see the animals.

 

[ksc37]

I've stayed at both, and I would save the $400 and stay pool view. The pool view is quite nice, and it's still very easy to find a viewing location for one of the savannas. The woods view at WL is fine, but it's just trees (there are a few rooms that can see the MK through the trees, but the chances of getting one of those rooms are not that great).

The only reason to consider going for the Woods view is if you plan to go back and forth to the Magic Kingdom a lot. The boat service is definitely nice to have. If you plan to visit the other parks a lot, then it's difficult from the WL because you're sharing bus service with the other Magic Kingdom hotels, whereas the AKL buses service only the AKL.