AKL vs. WL

[christa112]

My dream resort is AKL, just not in our budget.

 

[tiger4me2]

The rooms at both WL & AKL are same size just decorated different. If you want to see the animals at AKL from your room you must get a savanah view. They do have viewing areas. Keep in mind early next year on the Sunset Savanah no aminals due to contructions. Stayed at both but prefer WL but each to their own

 

[twinklebug]

AKL has much nicer rooms IMHO - But I'm in love with WL's grounds. My kids are the opposite and prefer AKL.

We love WL's boat to MK/FW & CR, very handy if you feel like 'exploring' and not to hard to get over to the monorail.
AKL has dedicated bus service, meaning you DON'T SHARE with other resorts. VERY important, VERY nice! Of course with the opening of DVC next year the buses will make an additional stop, but I'm hopeful they'll add more buses.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our visits and stays, AKL 1, WL 10+. Did not care at all for AKL, we had Savannah view and for what we saw, 1 long horn steer, few small deer and a couple of giraffe only at feeding time, was not worth it. there's nowhere to walk outside the resort, anywhere in the evening to do or go is a bus ride and while we were there for 3 nights, bus were few and far in between. So basically, once the sun goes down, its either your room or the pool, just too remote.

WL, like this resort alot namely for location. There's so much to see and do in the area, boat to FW, boat to CR to catch monorail to 3 other resorts, alot of dining, great theming and pool and the boat to MK is a nice ride and we never had any major problems with the buses there. Walking trails galore, walk to FW is a great hike, around the resort walks are cool too and the pool at night and 2 hot tubs makes everyone happy. With the lakes, boats, lights of the other resorts it just seems like you're in the thick of things staying at WL.

 

[SandrainNC]

We were at AKL in 2006 and just stayed at WL in June. I have to pick AKL. We liked WL just fine, but we prefer the theming at AKL. The boat between WL and MK was fine except after Wishes. That took forever, but everything pretty much does (except walking to the Contemporary ). We could have taken the boat to TTC and driven our car back faster for sure if we had been in the parking lot. Our second day at MK we took our car. Anyway, both are beautiful and we wouldn't hesitate to stay at either.

Sandra

 

[Jenvenza]

My dream resort if AKL. I would love to stay there!

 

[mef78]

Ooh!! Neck and Neck. I've stayed at and love both. AKL is amazing for the animals, but not worth it without a savanna view room, imho. WL is great no matter what your view, so it'd be my choice for a less expensive vacation.

If you're at either, I'd suggest renting a car.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

WL is our favorite resort. We took the bus over to AKL to have dinner at Boma, and it took forever to get there. AKL is so remote, I would definately either rent a car or allow lots of travel time. In our many stays at WL, we have never had any transportation issues with buses or boats.

 

[Alexander]

Wilderness Lodge hands-down!

Two pools, electric water pageant every night, abiliby to rent boats and bikes, boat to MK, boat to Contemporary, walking/biking and boats to Fort Wilderness.

AKL is okay, but very remote, there is only one pool and it is always crowded, there is absolutely nothing to do there except see the animals. And...they tend to show up when they are being fed. So much for realistic savanna!

 

[kaysmommie]

I love the theme at AKL as well as the CS restaurant is better and bigger too. the pool is zero entry and you don't have to share buses. The lobbies are sort of Similar though. I would stay at AKL but DH doesn't like animals or the african theme . We eat there almost every trip and I really like it. We took buses on a few occasions and I thought they excellent as far as waiting time and no crowds at all. Also AKL doesn't share buses. they have lots of kids activities too. The only thing WL has over AKL is the Lake but we don't usually rent boats anyway and ou can do that at any resort. Have fun whichever you choose.

 

[twinklebug]

Wilderness Lodge hands-down!

Two pools, electric water pageant every night, abiliby to rent boats and bikes, boat to MK, boat to Contemporary, walking/biking and boats to Fort Wilderness.

AKL is okay, but very remote, there is only one pool and it is always crowded, there is absolutely nothing to do there except see the animals. And...they tend to show up when they are being fed. So much for realistic savanna!

I won't turn this into a pool debate, but the OP should consider that the second pool at WL is for the villas only unless the main pool is closed for refurbishment. It's great if you're staying on DVC points.

Also note, if planning on staying on points, with the opening, the new DVC building at AKV will also have it's own pool... at least we hope it will be ready by opening.

 

[auntie]

The second pool is NOT just for the villas. We have been to the WL MANY times, and guests from both resorts are permitted to use both pools.

 

[Buzz2001]

Akl!!

 

[BraveMom3]

The poll results really reflects my feelings - I'm really split between the two. Loyalty swings me toward WL because that was the first resort I stayed at with my first child and have there there for part of our trip ever since. However, we stayed at AKV this past June and really liked it, too. Although their architecture is similar, there are distinct differences.

From WL you are very close to MK, Fort Wilderness, Polynesian. They have bikes and boats to rent, you may walk to Fort Wilderness, the resort is very compact and easy to navigate from any location, Roaring Forks has a wide variety of offerings.

AKL has the live animals, beautiful decor, larger pool, only used bus once so can't speak to that.

We'll probably be staying at both when we return next June.

 

[Alexander]

I won't turn this into a pool debate, but the OP should consider that the second pool at WL is for the villas only unless the main pool is closed for refurbishment. It's great if you're staying on DVC points.

Also note, if planning on staying on points, with the opening, the new DVC building at AKV will also have it's own pool... at least we hope it will be ready by opening.

No, the pool is not just for the villas.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We stayed at WL and liked it, but the transportation was spotty. The boat ride to MK is nice, but can get crowded. The buses were just okay.

We've not stayed at AKL, but we've eated at Boma and walked around the resort. I think it's wonderful and hope to stay there next time we go.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I picked the WL.
I would check out the WL faq thread.

 

[Doc CW]

AKL is overall in my opinion the better resort b/c of what it offers good food, huge pool, fitness center, and of course the animals. The only downer for AKL is how far away it is from everything else except AK it takes awhile to get from AKL to MK it took us approximately 20 minutes per bus ride, but otherwise I think its the best resort in WDW

 

[Goofy'slady]

Next year we're going in May and as part of my oldest daughter's 5th grade graduation we let her pick the deluxe resort we'd be staying at during our split resort stay and after looking at both resorts online both of our girls picked Wilderness Lodge over Animal Kingdom. Our girls might have been a little bias in their decision becasue we had just visited WL this past May so it was fresh in their minds where as we've never visited AL. My hubby was hoping for AK because he really wated to stay with the Animals. Personally I'm glad my girls picked WL, when I think of a Disney resort I think WL fits the bill to a T!

T.