Animal Kingdom Lodge verses Wilderness Lodge

[mmbrad02]

We are spending two nights at WDW prior to our Disney cruise, in October. I've been all over the place on where I want to stay - started with Coronado Springs, but we have stayed their twice (didn't mind it at all) and I kind of wanted to try something different. Plus, I wasn't sure about pool crowds with the new building. So then I splurged a bit and moved to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We stayed there two nights last June and liked it, but it was rainy during our stay and we didn't get to enjoy the animals much at all. And again, since we had stayed there, I sort of wanted to stay somewhere else. Well, today Wilderness Lodge shows up as an option, for $1 more than AKL (All standard rooms in all these resorts). I went ahead and switched our reservation, but AKL is still an option if I wanted to switch back.

I thought I was sold on WL because 1) we have eaten there but never stayed there and I thought it seemed very nice 2) we can watch the Electric water parade on our first night 3) the food choices appeal to us more and we would likely make an ADR for Whispering Canyon Cafe on our arrival night (it staying at AKL we will do pizza delivery our first night) 4) we could boat over to the monorail and visit the monorail resorts if we wanted (but it's just two nights so probably not).

The kicker is, we are only visiting one park and its Animal Kingdom. So logically it seems like we should go back to AKL? But it's one bus ride over and one bus ride back. It's not like we are bussing back and and forth all week. I guess what I'm thinking overall is I don't think I should let AK park be the big decision maker on our lodging.

So I will pose this to the experts - what is your pick? Or should we scrap both deluxe options, save our money, and move back to Coronado?

 

[sixcats]

You can’t go wrong with either one. Since you have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge before, and will be seeing animals at Animal Kingdom park, I would choose Wilderness Lodge this time.

 

[cwestpvb]

Personally I prefer Wilderness Lodge over AKL, I find it to feel less hectic and I love how its so close to MK and the MK resorts, yet isolated enough that its theme really shines through. I'd say definitely try it out! When it comes to getting to DAK, its going to be a bus either way, and I've never had any issues getting there from WL. I also think WL has some pretty great dining options. Geyser Point is easily one of my favorite places on property, and its so great to be able to sit by Bay Lake for a midday break or after a night at the parks. WL is just so relaxing, and I think it would really complement the cruise! The rooms are showing a bit of age, but they're not bad enough to prevent me from staying there. If possible, try for a Nature View and request one that is facing MK.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Have stayed at both in the last 6 months and Wilderness Lodge is still our first choice. Unlike the previous poster we like a courtyard view of Bay Lake. Quiet and serene with such a beautiful setting.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I wouldn’t let what amounts to less than an hour total spent on a bus during your trip cause you to switch from a resort you really want.

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d definitely pick WL over AKL.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'd do AKL. Funny, because last year we were staying two nights before cruise and planning to do one day at MK, and I had a choice between WL and AKL and chose AKL because that was a hotel we hadn't tried before. We got a minnie van in the morning to make the long transit time to the park more comfortable. It was great!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both a couple of times and love both for different reasons. Since you want to try something new and you've already stayed at AKL, I'd give WL a try.

 

[BalooFan]

AKL is one of my favorites, but it sounds like WL is the resort you prefer. Personally, I make my resort choices based on price (which isn’t an issue with your AKL/WL dilemma) and which resort appeals most to me at the time I book. If my resort is near a park I plan to visit a lot, it’s just a bonus. I say go for WL.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As others have said, I wouldn’t let the bus ride deter you from staying at WL. The resort is gorgeous. I would also encourage you to consider taking a boat to Ft. W while there and possibly going to HDDR or Trails End. It makes for a fun evening.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is what I prefer, but they're both nice.

 

[Lacoccinelle]

Both are amazing, we have stayed several times at each, but I will always pick Wilderness. We just left on Tuesday. We did 5 nights there and 3 at BW. We had a standard room every time and have always been upgraded to nature. You can see the fireworks and the light parade. The two quick services are wonderful. We ended up eating there for dinner two nights and at Whispering Canyon for lunch and breakfast during our stay. The food at Storybook dining was delicious and we loved that, too.

You will love either, but there is just something lovely about WL that other hotels don’t have for us. Have fun.

 

[TCRAIG]

I would stay WL and if possible splurge on MNSSHP party...if not - at least you’re on that ‘side of town’ and can ferry over to watch the fireworks

 

[CynBeth]

WL!

 

[fairygagamother]

AKL & WL are among our favorites! I do love to try new resorts, so in your situation, I’d go with Wilderness. You must check out the little nooks & crannies located on the second ( & maybe 3rd?) floors in the lobby! You’re going to love it!

 

[Wild4Walt]

AKL is one of my favorite resorts but that said, I would do WL this trip. I'm always a fan of trying something new and for me 2 days is perfect for giving a deluxe resort a try.

 

[fuse04]

Have stayed at both, hotel and Villa's and can'y go wrong with either as both are superb. First time at ALK was for 7 nights then split stay with next 7 nights at WL.In the first 7 nights at AKL I thought wow and tried to move the seicnd wekk from WL to AKL without success....lucily because WL was also WOW and is my favoutire deluxe. I don't think the bus journey should be a deciding factor...try WL new experince and monorail/MK is only a boat ride away if you change your plan or want a late night visit to MK,.

 

[Beachmom0317]

I’d do Wilderness Lodge. You can always Uber/Minnie van to animal kingdom on your park day

 

[mmbrad02]

Thanks everyone! We stuck with our Wilderness Lodge reservation. Our Magical Express tags arrived today so it's a done deal

For those of you that suggested MNSSHP, I wish I could adjust our park tickets cause as luck has it, I purchased for the party at the end of our trip.... when we are spending a single night at All Star Music. Oh well, thats just one bus ride too