AKL vs WL resorts

[kisertn]

We are planning to arrive at DW on 2/25 and fly out on 03/05. I am debating with myself about whether to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge or The Wilderness Lodge. I've made the decision to stay at a place that adds to the experience (I had been thinking budget-wise but have change my ways), but I don't want to spend the big bucks on the more expensive resorts.

I want to go to AKL, as does my wife and my 7-year-old daughter. It would seem to be a slam dunk decision. However, AKL is more expensive than WL, so much so that it does give me pause.

Also, I am wrestling with whether I need a car for AKL (or for that matter, at WL).

I was hoping I might solicit some input from people with experience at either lodge (or anyone else with insights). I have read the Unofficial Guide and I have visited allearsnet and mousesavers. I'm just still not certain.

Oh, since we are planning to be there 8 nights, it has occurred to me that I could stay 4 nights at AKL and then 4 nights at WL. But not sure how much trouble it is going to be to transfer from one lodge to the other without our own car.

Thanks,
-Neil

 

[kellyf2626]

I think you will hear a lot of good things about both places...and you can't go wrong at either resort. Both have excellent themeing, rooms, restaurants, etc...

Since both are equally fabulous - I would look at how much money you are saving by staying at the WL. Is is a significant amount? I always compare how many more sit down meals it would equal, how many more souvenirs , etc... I think you will really enjoy WL, and it may be nice to save a bit as well.

Also - WL is in the MK area, while AKL is near AK (obviously!) and has the extra bonus of having animals at the resort. You could potentially book a savannah view room, and wake up to girraffe's grazing outside your room every morning!!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Most of the time the rates at the two are very close. It might be that you were looking at differnt type rooms at the two resorts. Compaire the two same rooms and I think you will see little difference.

This has also been the debate for our family. The first time we compaired the two, both the cheepest deluxes, and choose WL because of transportation issues. It is so easy to get around from there and we love the resort. I have heard of isues with the transportation at ALK but we would still like to try it.

We had freinds that stayed at AKL a few months ago and loved it!!!

Not a lot of help but good luck.

 

[charlie11364]

I've never stayed at WL, but I know that my DDs favorite memory of WDW is the girraffes out the window. When I told her we were going again, her first question was "will we get to see the girraffes?"

 

[rt2dz]

The rates for the same types of rooms are relatively the same. You may have been looking at different seasons if there was a far cry? Or are you comparing a standard at WL to AKL Savannah? Anyhow...

I've stayed at both, with kids. We love WL. It is beautifully themed, we had a great view of the water pagnant, the castle, the otterpond, the fireworks and the monorail from our window (woods view--don't recommend anything else). CM were nice. Maid service good. Loved the boat to MK or to CR and to Hoop De Doo. I can't say enough good things.

But everyone in our family has AKL as the favorite resort. So, as much as we like WL, we ALL prefer AKL. All the same great things, but the boat transportation. The bus transportation is better than most resorts though because it doesn't share its line. I like the theming a little better to. Nothing beats the giraffes outside your window 24 hours a day. My DS3 (at the time) would be so upset to leave the resort to go to the parks it was just that great. I would definetly get a savannah view. But if budget is a serious concern, I'd get a standard view and know the lookouts (plentiful) are just as beautiful and as easy to enjoy the animals at. You have to use them anyhow to enjoy all the animals.

I've never split a stay, just too difficult for my tastes (unpacking and packing). But they will move your luggage for you so you just need to check out in the morning, make arrangements for them to pick up your luggage out of your room and leave for the day, show up to your new resort after check-in, and when you get to your room they'll deliver your luggage.

 

[kisertn]

I decided to go with AKL, and with the Savannah view. The $382/night figure at AKL was for the Savannah view and the $299/night was for the woods view (I think) at WL. But, I joined AAA just so I could get the discount, so the Savannah room is now $342/night, for a total of a $320 discount (less the AAA membership fee).

Still a lot of money, but I want to make this a trip to remember for my little one, as future trips will have us going elsewhere for cultural or natural vacations. I'd come to Disney World every year if it wasn't so darn expensive. But it is, and it eats into funds for trips that introduce my daughter to natural wonders or different cultures (and there is only so much vacation time in a year as well ). So, I decided it was best to make the most of this trip, as it will be awhile before we can come back. I began this planning to go budget all the way but. realizing that we probably won't be back for a long time, if ever, I decided to go whole hog and give my 7-yr old a trip to remember. Thanks to the advice I received here, I have no doubt that she will.

I tell you though, I should go work for NASA after going through the complexity of planning a Disney World vacation - I *feel* like a rocket scientist! LOL

Thanks to everyone here I know I've made the best decisions I could. Thank you! (I'll still be around as we plan dining experiences and strategies - but at least the hotel and air travel are behind me!)

-Neil Kiser
Chicago, IL

 

[gris gris]

Bummer I missed this one! I would have recommended WL only because that's where we stayed on our honeymoon and it was awesome!! Although I've never seen AKL. Anyhow our room was great, the view was great, pool, volcano, boat trips to MK, breakfast was great, the pina coladas were good, etc....we just loved it. Plus, we love log cabins, so it had a great feel for us. But enjoy your trip and your stay with the animals, I'm sure it will be cool!