Compare & Contrast WL & AKL

[rt2dz]

Compare & Contrast WL & AKL​

Just got back from a 10 day stay at Wilderness Lodge and thought I’d do a comparison and contrast between WL and Animal Kingdom Lodge (having just stayed there a few months ago) since so many people debate between the two—same price and similar types of resorts. Please keep in mind much of this has to do with what rooms we had and our other personal experiences. Some of this might mean nothing to other people.

Parking—It felt as though parking was more plentiful at AKL. I don’t know if this was because it was a bigger lot, the set-up of the lot, or if there were just more spaces when we were at AKL. I do know that handicap/stroller access was easier at AKL. It was a major hike around the steps to WL, but a straight shot up with AKL.

Themeing—The first impression at both is good. Both lobbies are pretty much the same. AKL seems to have more detail to its resort though. More things to look at, more of interest. It’s just a more unique themeing. It’s not that WL is bad; it’s just something you can get in dozens of hotels & resorts nation wide.

Rooms, general—Both rooms are set up pretty much the same way. However, there is more space/storage at AKL. The armoire is shorter at AKL making using the top to put things more practical. The chest-of-drawers at AKL also is a bit wider and taller giving you more room. There are also some hooks on the back of the AKL bathroom door and a shelf above the vanity counter top. In addition, at AKL there is a pull out mirror. The same space goes a lot farther at AKL. I also had more outlets more conveniently placed at AKL. This may or may not be a big deal. We didn’t really find it a hindrance, just a little less convenient. I also thought that the rooms were in need of a good paint job at WL. It really felt a little run down. At WL we were right down the hall from elevators, vending machines, ice machines, close to laundry facilities, Roaring Forks Café, & right by the pool. It was a bit more of a hike from our room at AKL.

Rooms, view—We had a savannah view at AKL that had giraffes outside out window at all times. Other animals came and went. It was really breathtaking. We had a woods view at WL, which was also wonderful (as an understatement). We were in room 5018 and looked over the otter pond & bay lake (obscure view of electrical pageant) and we saw the monorail & the castle with fireworks from our balcony. The view could not have better. The balcony at WL was completely private, you could have walked out there naked and no one would have known. At AKL you could see many other people around you and hear them well, definitely not the place where you’d have a romantic dinner for two.

Resort transportation—AKL is far out there. However, when you take the buses, it really isn’t that bad. They have their own line and you save time by not having to make other stops. WL the bus service seemed extremely slow. You had to go many other places and the buses to certain places (i.e., Animal Kingdom) only ran about every 30 minutes. However, you cannot beat the boat service. The large boats that ran to Ft. Wilderness and MK allowed you to just roll on large double strollers. The smaller boats that ran to other resorts required you folding up whatever stroller you might be carrying. I really loved that boat service. At both resorts, we do have our own car, so bus transportation really isn’t a huge issue for us. At AKL we drove mostly ourselves, and found the drive to be easy and quick. We really only took the buses when we had early PS at AK.

Staff/CMs—The staff at AKL seemed friendlier to us. I found the AKL staff to be more helpful. I wasn’t impressed with mousekeeping at either resort. Although, a couple of days into our stay at WL, we did start getting better mousekeeping service. Both resorts had maintaince issues. We only had to call once and we received immediate service & an apology at WL. At AKL, we took several phone calls and never an apology.

Pools—I don’t find anything really worth mentioning about the resort pools either way. There is zero entry at AKL, but other than that, they are both just basic pools. But this isn’t where we really spend a lot of time. Our kids can go swimming just about any day of the week, and they don’t have much of a desire to be in the pool at Disney.

Restaurants—I liked Mara much more over Roaring Forks. They seemed to have more choices available. I also think Boma rated over Whispering Canyon Café. The service at Boma was much better and the food a little less ordinary, although nothing outrageously different. There just wasn’t anything special about Whispering Canyon Café. It can be a fun restaurant, but it can also be a bit annoying at the same time—and very repetitive. I really just thought it was another dime a dozen type of restaurant.

This is all I can think of. Anything else, just ask. I don’t really think you can wrong at either resort. Both are wonderful. I don’t regret staying at WL, am quite glad we did. Just next time, if it boils down to the two, we’ll be staying at AKL. We all (even the kids) preferred it.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I've stayed at AKL and only walked around at WL, and I prefer AKL. Its seems Disney improved on some things at WL when they built AKL. And AKL is newer so everything looks fresh, althougth I think WL is getting its first rehab soon.

What kind of maintanance issues did you have w/your rooms. We had no issues w/mousekeeping at AKL.

We love Boma and the Mara, too. Did you try the Tamboori chicken pizza or any of the "african" salads there? I thought everything was good there. Glad you had a great time! -Steph

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I love both resorts, althouth WL is still my favorite, just because of location (I love to boat to MK, or to FW or to The CR where you can take the monorail to GF, Poly or TTC and go to Epcot.)

I agree that both resort lobbies are similar...but if someone gave me an all expense paid trip to Africa or to the Pacific Northwest, i would choose the Pacific Northwest.

I agree with your restauarant comparisons. Mara and Boma have MUCH BETTER food than RF or WCC. I do love Artists Point...but I love Jiko more!

And I do love the pool more at AKL.

I like the view better at WL...looking out to the pool and to Bay Lake just seems more special. I booked a pool view at AKL and was upgraded to Savannah. I kind of wish I would have kept the pool view. I know I am in the minority here, but the savannah view did not thrill me as much as a CY view at WL!

Bottom line...i will definitely stay at BOTH these resorts again. I think next time we stay at AKL, it will be a trip where we just want to soak up the resort and don't care about getting to the parks. We have our car when there, so it is not an issue, but there is so much to do at AKL...the kids activities are great, pool is awesome and the best food at WDW.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I love both resorts. After our most recent visit (last week) to AKL with young kids I feel its worth mentioning a couple of other notable points about each resort to parents of young children. AKL has a larger and better playground. It's also well-shaded. The playground at WL is in full sun, is very small, and is on the beach. My 2 yo kept wanting to run into the water. Afterwards both kids complained of all the sand in their shorts.

At AKL, small children can look at the animals from behind a fence, balcony, or window. This held my children's attention for about 2 minutes. They can also swim. While there are a number of planned activities for children throughout the day, we never seemed to time things to participate in them. At WL, you can also take a boat to FW and all that this resort offers. At WL, you can also ride bikes, walk on the nature trail, and rent boats.

Being only a short boat ride to MK is a big perk at WL. We spent far more time than I had anticipated in this park.

 

[eeyore45]

question about buses at AKL -

when you are at a park... mgm, Epcot, AK... where is the bus pickup/drop off location? compared to WL??

tia

 

[AngieInOH]

Thanks for the comparisons. I'm still debating over the two. Lots of useful info here but still hasn't swayed me one way or another! They both seem comparable, I will have to factor in my 5 yr old son. WL: close to MK AKL: great play area and animals. Decisions Decisions!

Keep the comparisons coming!!

 

[randyl]

Great post!!!

We are arriving at the AKL tomorrow morning. After having stayed at WL so many times, I can't wait to do my own comparison.

 

[rt2dz]

There were a couple of things I forgot to include in my comparison and contrast. Sorry it has taken me so long, but we were out of town.

Playgrounds--The playground at WL was great for our 15 month old. Both our boys loved the beach and playing on it. But the playground itself was WAY too "little" for our 4 year old. He outgrew it by the time he was two. My 4 yo did enjoy the playground at AKL better. Plus it was better lighted and he could play at night. Our younger son was too young (7 months) to play at the AKL playground while we were there.

Laundry Facilities--I think both were lacking. They were clean, but the washers at AKL didn't really do the job. Our older son had his only accident (being potty trained at age 2) at AKL, and even though we washed right way (everything), the smell still lingered. The washers were much better at WL, however, there driers didn't dry our clothes. And yes, I did check the lint trap & clean it first.

Extra activities--AKL, while they didn't have anything for the baby at the time, he would have had choices while we were there this last time. The WL had things that interested DS4, but nothing for our 15month DS. Choices of things to do did abound at both resorts.


In response to questions: All the resorts drop off/pick up roughly at the same place at the parks. In the dining section, I've posted more detailed restraurant reviews.