Decision Making

[kinfo]

I am planning a trip to the World in December 2007 and I can't decide to say at Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge, any advice would help......................thanks

 

[nut4disney]

If you're going to spend a fair amount of time in your room, OR if a brilliant view is important to you, than go with Animal Kingdom w/ a Savannah View so you can see the animals. It's incredible. If you're not going to do a Savannah View at AK, than go with Wilderness Lodge.

 

[ransom]

You can't beat the Wilderness Lodge during Christmas time, IMO. I've never stayed at AKL, though, so maybe those who have stayed at both can offer a comparison.

 

[kinfo]

How is the weather in December at the World? Has anyone gone that can report on the weather this time of year? Were you able to swim or go to a water park this time of year? Thanks for the info! Kinfo

 

[bytheblood]

to the DIS!

You will find lots of info about that particular question here. Do a search (towards right hand corner) on weather December and you will pull back quite a few threads.

One thing is for sure about Florida weather, it is not predictable. It was 85 degrees when I called on the 19th of December to book my next vacation, but it was 39 degrees when we were there on the 19th of December in 2002.


As to resorts, I think you would be happy with either. WL has great Chriatmas decor, but AKL is beautiful as well.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've had the chance to stay at both but AKL only once. Did not like its food, location and room layout. This resort just seemed to remote and in the evenings, without busing someplace, there is nothing to do around the resort. We had Savannah view, a waste to us because the animals were few and far inbetween, only came around when the food truck put browse out, disappointing.

WL on the other hand, is one of our favorites. Its about the same price as AKL but closer to the magic of the MK but cheaper, alot, than the monorail resorts. We can easily take a boat to MK, boat to CR or FW for extra evening touring and from the CR we're on the monorail loop with access to 3 more resorts for shopping, lounging and dining. Layout of the rooms is alot better, easy access to lobby, pool and food court. People say the boat travel to the MK is time consuming but we do not feel hindered by it. Its like another ride, lasts only 15 some minutes and has some great scenery of the lakes, whats not to like, is time that important while on vacation? We normally stay 8-12 nights, plenty of time for everything and then some, including down days, pool time and just plain relaxing.

All in all, both are first rate resorts, priced accordingly, food comparable but to us its, location. We like being in the mix of the MK resorts, a boat from the action, like the EWP at night and do spend alot of evening in Trails End Crocketts Tavern. Won't go wrong either way, you're on WDW property, magical place in the world but we get our jollies from the WL.

 

[TinksMagic54]

The AKL is far away from things. If I had to choose between the two, I would opt for the WL. Having said that....I have to say, I was a bit disappointed in the WL exterior during our visit. While taking the monorail back to our resort, there is a recording that comes on and states the next stop and what is in the vicinity. During the day, you can see the WL from the monorail, but at night it is very dark and un-noticeable. I thought the outisde would be lit up with some lights or something for the holidays, but it was not....maybe a cost cutting measure? Not sure, but it seemed tucked away in the woods and dark from a distance.

 

[WDWFUN]

We just came from staying @ WL during Christmas and it was beautiful. I loved taking the boat to MK at night, it was so peaceful.
We had a MK view room, 4th floor corner room and it was great!

We did have dinner at AKL(Bomas)and though we didn't like the food, we were able to walk around the resort at night and it's beautiful...I would love to stay there one day.

The good thing about AKL is that it doesn't share buses with other resorts. WL shares transportation with Fort Wilderness.

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS! WL get's my vote.