AKL vs. WL: The Battle of the Lodges!

[DznyDreams]

****THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE!
WL wins!!
Thanks to all who shared their opinion!! ****​

See my final post (post # 10).​

Original Post:
I need all you AKL and WL fans to duke it out for me today. Which is better AKL standard view for 7 nights or WL courtyard view for 6 with a resort switch on the 7th day?

DH and I almost feel as if we’ll be mourning the loss of something if we choose AKL. I’ve visited the lobby of AKL before, and I know it is BEAUTIFUL; however, we’ve had our hearts set on WL for months now. It’s just too hard for us to choose, so please weigh in with your opinions ASAP.



Edited to add: If it helps to know, we've only stayed in the WLV before (not the lodge itself), and we've only visited the lobby of the AKL. Keep in mind the room view choices I've listed above. Are there any disadvantages to the AKL standard view vs. the WL courtyard view? What about location, transportation, etc.?

 

[mprewitt]

I love both! Sorry I can't help with your decision.

 

[raven69david]

They're basically the same in design, for the exception of the themeing. Look at pictures of both and you'll see what i mean. If you've already done AKL, then i'd say go to WL. I've never been there and right now wouldn't consider it because we love AKL so much. Don't let people who aren't paying for your trip decide on what YOU should do. Either choice you make will be a great choice. Enjoy your trip.

WL
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Wildreness-Lodge/index.htm

AKL
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/AnimalKingdomLodge1/index.htm

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

If you truly feel all things are equal.....go with WL this time simply due to the construction disruptions that are ongoing at AKL.........as for me..........my signature speaks for itself!

 

[eliza61]

I need all you AKL and WL fans to duke it out for me today. Which is better AKL standard view for 7 nights or WL courtyard view for 6 with a resort switch on the 7th day?

DH and I almost feel as if we’ll be mourning the loss of something if we choose AKL. I’ve visited AKL before, and I know it is BEAUTIFUL; however, we’ve had our hearts set on WL for months now. It’s just too hard for us to choose, so please weigh in with your opinions ASAP.

I'm absolutely the worse person for making decisions. They are both really great resorts and I've enjoyed both views (I had standard view at each resort) I'm going with the wl only because it has the direct boat to the ML.

 

[Ratpack]

They are basically the same resort, except theming and park location. I will say this, since you mentioned you stayed at VWL, you may be disappointed with either since the rooms are smaller than even the studio at the villas. Also, it would be easier to answer if we knew some preferences, such as park you will frequent the most, activities you enjoy and so forth. Each one will have benefits over the other depending on the category looked at. For me though based on just what we do know, I would go with AKL since you didn't mention changing resorts at all with that option.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I hate to encourage anyone else to like the WL because it is already too difficult to get a room there. I personally don't care about view and would like a standard view in December but the WL is just too popular.

I admit I've never stayed at AKL but I don't have any desire to either. Part of the joy of staying at the WL is the boat to the MK as well as the boat to the Contemporary, which allows easy access to the other monorail resorts. AKL seems so far removed from the rest of WDW. I could book a standard at AKL right now with the code, but if I can't stay at the WL I'd rather go moderate and save the money.

 

[DznyDreams]

They are basically the same resort, except theming and park location. I will say this, since you mentioned you stayed at VWL, you may be disappointed with either since the rooms are smaller than even the studio at the villas. Also, it would be easier to answer if we knew some preferences, such as park you will frequent the most, activities you enjoy and so forth. Each one will have benefits over the other depending on the category looked at. For me though based on just what we do know, I would go with AKL since you didn't mention changing resorts at all with that option.

I won't be disappointed with the room size. There's only 3 of us, and we've stayed in moderate resorts in the past as well, so we're okay with smaller. You've hit the nail on the head with the idea of changing resorts. This is the biggest advantage to the AKL, IMO. As far as the park we'll frequent the most, that would probably be MK 1st and Epcot a VERY CLOSE 2nd. Decisions, decisions!! I HATE this part of the planning process! I'm simply too indecisive for this!

 

[soccer mom]

If you've never stayed at AKL, then you should try something new! My kids tried to get us hooked on staying at only AKL. It was the first deluxe we ever stayed at. I wouldn't let them and we have tried a few and want to try all of them. Although AKL remains our favorite, all the the deluxes have something different to offer. I don't think you will be disappointed!

 

[DznyDreams]

. . . I admit I've never stayed at AKL but I don't have any desire to either. Part of the joy of staying at the WL is the boat to the MK as well as the boat to the Contemporary, which allows easy access to the other monorail resorts. AKL seems so far removed from the rest of WDW. I could book a standard at AKL right now with the code, but if I can't stay at the WL I'd rather go moderate and save the money.

You "get me," Stinky Pete! I'm really leaning more toward just dropping this whole AKL thing.....

BUT....keep the thoughts and ideas coming......just in case!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have done both, AKL only once and WL many times. The one time at AKL, we couldn't wait to leave to go to the Poly, Poly didn't have all our nights so we opted to give AKL a try, had Savannah view too. This is our take on AKL, long walks to rooms from lobby, resort is shaped as a wide U shape and if your room is out on an end, long trek to lobby, food court, pool and bus stop. Savannah view, not much for vegatation, some trees and as far as we saw, few animals, very few only at feeding time, waste of money to upgrade. Only other fiasco is the buses, only way out or back is bus, no monorail, boat. So the lines are long, everyone has to go by bus unless they have a car. When AK closes, 5 pm when we were there, there is nothing to do or see unless you bus somewhere.

WL, has the boat and bus and a short boat ride to CR and you have access to the monorail, you can visit 3 other resorts either way or boat to FW for more exploring, shopping and dining. Resorts easier to get around, food more to our taste and the setting is great. We spend alot of time at the resort and in the pool area and WL is devine for this, relaxing. At night again alot of places to go, our fav park is MK and its just a boat ride away. We like all the water, lakes etc and the EWP is a hit with us, never miss it. Best buffet on property is Trails End at FW, again a boat ride and boating to the CR and hopping the monorail to TTC and switching to the EPCOT monorail makes for a great evening excursion.

All in all, its location, location, location. For us and the MK, lights and action of the monorail loop resorts at a cheaper price its WL all the way. Be there is 19 sleeps.

 

[grimley1968]

My siggie should tell you which resorts we like best, but I'll explain why I'd choose WL.

WL and AKL are priced about the same. For the same price as WL, AKL does not offer any kind of non-bus direct transportation to any park, even AK itself. I just have a hard time considering a resort one of the deluxes, if it doesn't offer this. To me, part of the premium I'm paying for at a deluxe resort is for some extra-convenient transportation, besides busing everywhere. A savannah view room at AKL wouldn't even be worth it to me, even if cost as little as a woods view room at WL.

WL has those boats going to MK, which are wonderful. No, they're not the fastest things in the world, but they sure are a nice change of pace from buses, and you get some fantastic scenery along the way to MK you don't ever get via bus.

Besides transportation, we absolutely love WL for its pool, the lobby, the restaurant choices, etc.. The rooms aren't quite as big as, say, at the Poly, but then most other deluxe rooms aren't either.

We check in to WL 49 days, 21 hours and 45 minutes from now, just in case you can't tell I'm excited about it.

 

[TexasErin]

I guess I'm the lone dissenting opinion, but I'd chose the AKL. It is a tie between it and CR for my favorite resort. I love the smell of the spices and fire in the lobby. I love the storytelling at night. The African theming is just awesome and seems a world away. We did a split stay in 2003 starting off with AKL and then switching to WL, and to me it felt like kind of a let down since the AKL was newer and cleaner- however I do realize that WL has had their rooms renovated since then.
However we are staying at WL in a few days for a couple of reasons. 1) I let DD (10) choose this time. And 2) The woods view I booked is a lot cheaper than a savannah view at the AKL- and I would feel like I was really missing out if I didn't have the savannah view.

 

[boomhauer]

I've yet to stay at either. I decided to check them both out in May to decide which one to stay at this December. It was no contest - Wilderness won hands down.

Location
Theming
Recreation
Dining

I walked into WL, and the lobby absolutely took my breath away. It was simply magnificent. I could just picture myself sitting there with a cup of hot cocoa in the winter time.

AKL - Eh. Lobby wasn't imrepssive at all to me. It's nice, but too dark and dreary for my taste.

 

[DznyDreams]

I guess I'm the lone dissenting opinion, but I'd chose the AKL. It is a tie between it and CR for my favorite resort. I love the smell of the spices and fire in the lobby. I love the storytelling at night. The African theming is just awesome and seems a world away. We did a split stay in 2003 starting off with AKL and then switching to WL, and to me it felt like kind of a let down since the AKL was newer and cleaner- however I do realize that WL has had their rooms renovated since then.
However we are staying at WL in a few days for a couple of reasons. 1) I let DD (10) choose this time. And 2) The woods view I booked is a lot cheaper than a savannah view at the AKL- and I would feel like I was really missing out if I didn't have the savannah view.

Howdy, from Van, TX.

And so the plot thickens....

My DD (11) just weighed in with her preference. She chose the WL over AKL because she wouldn't be able to see the animals from a std. view room.

ahem...

BTW, I LOVE the CR too! It's my favorite of all time. I want to stay there this year, but DH said no. He can be a bit more decisive than I am most of the time.

 

[DznyDreams]

I've yet to stay at either. I decided to check them both out in May to decide which one to stay at this December. It was no contest - Wilderness won hands down.

Location
Theming
Recreation
Dining

I walked into WL, and the lobby absolutely took my breath away. It was simply magnificent. I could just picture myself sitting there with a cup of hot cocoa in the winter time.

AKL - Eh. Lobby wasn't imrepssive at all to me. It's nice, but too dark and dreary for my taste.

Okay, boomhauer! You and my DD get the final say in this matter. I wanted to have this decision made by 3:00 PM CST, and it's time to decide. I'm sticking with the WL courtyard view!

Besides, I just noticed there is a 1BR villa available for the 7th night of our WDW stay. I'm calling now to see if I can book that for our final night. We wouldn't have to move very far, and I'd get my very own washer/dryer. (We're cruising on the Wonder for 4 nights beginning Dec 2, so Dec 1 is laundry day. )

EVERYONE!!!!!

 

[grimley1968]

Okay, boomhauer! You and my DD get the final say in this matter. I wanted to have this decision made by 3:00 PM CST, and it's time to decide. I'm sticking with the WL courtyard view!

Besides, I just noticed there is a 1BR villa available for the 7th night of our WDW stay. I'm calling now to see if I can book that for our final night. We wouldn't have to move very far, and I'd get my very own washer/dryer. (We're cruising on the Wonder for 4 nights beginning Dec 2, so Dec 1 is laundry day. )

EVERYONE!!!!!

I'm insanely jealous. That sounds like an awesome plan. Enjoy!