Help---WL or AKL?????

[Valgoof]

I cant decide where to stay. We usually stay value or offsite, so this will be a splurge. They seem to be about the same price, except if we go with AKL I might do savannah view. Seeing animals from my balcony would be a big part of the appeal for me. Trip will probably be the last week of Feb 2013. We don't have kids and we care about the pools or really any resort activities. We are pretty much park commando people. Main focus would be the room itself, general feel of the resort and the QS option (mainly breakfast). We will probably eat at both Boma and WCC for dinner, so that's not a factor. Our favorite park is DHS so location doesnt really play into this choice either. I have never visited either resort, but both look amazing in the pictures I have seen. Just want some opinions on which one you like or where you would choose to stay again if you have done both. Thanks!!

 

[gabzee]

We really love the AKL. We have stayed at both; however, we keep coming back to AKL between the two. AKL has Mara (CS) as well as Boma for breakfast. It has a great atmosphere and the animals are an added benefit! Both are great resorts but I would lean towards AKL. I would check out these two links:
AKL Information Thread

Wilderness Lodge Information Thread

Both resorts are great. These links will provide you with tons of more pictures, information, opinions.

 

[Karabee]

Absolutely AKL. I know many people love WL, but I stayed there last and never again. Check in was horrible, the rooms were dated, and we had a lovely view of someones boxers that had fallen from a balcony onto the roof that we looked onto from our balcony (yes, I called when we got back to inform them about all that and more). I know each hotel has its good and bad things, and anything can happen at any hotel, but all of these turned me off. I'm all for a "woodsy" look to a place, I enjoy it and understand that dark does not mean dingy. However, the dark rooms were not only just dark, they were also old. I even thought the furnature in the lobby looked less than nice in terms of wear and tear. WL will be done with a refurb of the rooms by the time you go there though - so perhaps this will all be moot.
I've stayed in alot of Disney hotels, and this was by far the most disappointed I have been. The one thing going for it was the boat to DTD which was nice.
That being said, we had dinner reservations at AKL and walked in and both said "this is where we should stay again". I just love the atmosphere there. That also has a "darker" look to it, but it just seems fresher. We also ended up spending a chunk of time there drinking some amazing wines and walking around the beautiful grounds. I also don't feel that it's "far from everything" since AK is right there, and it's about the same timing to Epcot and HS as the WL.
I think each person is going to have their own opinion and of course, not everyone will agree. But I would much rather spend the same amount to stay at AKL than WL.

 

[Valgoof]

Thanks for the opinions and information! What view did you have at AKL? I dont normally care about view but do you think it is worth it to do the savannah view? I know this is going to be personal preference. I think for me it is going to be worth it since that just seems to be part of what I think of for that resort. Ok I guess I answered that question for myself. Would still love opinions!

 

[gabzee]

We have stayed at a pool view (only stayed there since there was no savannah view available when we booked) and savannah view. I would stay in a savannah view since I think it is nice to look out at the animals from the balcony. However, if you stayed in a pool view due to the cheaper costs then you can still view the animals throughout the resort grounds.

 

[Havana]

I have stayed at both, and would say AKL has the Wow factor. It is incredible.
We have stayed in a Savannah and a Standard View(of the parking lot). Either way, it's a great place to stay!

 

[TaraPA]

Ditto on what everyone else has said. Definitely AKL! While I've not been a guest at WL, I've visited it, eaten there & seen a friend's room before. I was not impressed with any of it, a scratched it off my "Disney Resort Bucket List" LOL! Now if a great discount came along I wouln't pass up WL, but if I had the same rate & had to pick, AKL hands down.

 

[Goofy4]

If you just want to relax or have a book to read, WL's courtyard and fireplaces can't beat. In your case, sounds like AKL is the way to go.

 

[Karabee]

I had a Savannah view and still talk about. I literally spent my mornings watching the animals. I was there with my parents and sister and it's a resort we all loved and remembered fondly.

 

[ktlm]

I've stayed at both. You can't go wrong with either, but with 2 adults no kids I would hands down pick the AKL Savannah view. It is my favorite room we have ever stayed in at WDW. (We have stayed at POR, WL, Poly, GF, and AKL). I loved sitting on the balcony in the mornings, drinking orange juice and watching giraffe's looking at me. We stayed there pre-kid. Now with DD, we always stay closer to MK, because with strollers, llittle kid etc., it is easier to be a little closer to MK and to have boats and monorails where you don't have to fold strollers. I'm waiting for the day when DD is old enough that we will stay at AKL Savannah view again!

 

[NLD]

Have stayed at both and loved both, but for different reasons. Here's how I'd break them down...

Interior / decor: AKL

Location: WL

Gift shop: AKL

Relaxing outside: WL

Quick-service: AKL

Transportation: WL

Ambiance: AKL

Pools: WL (Bay Lake as part of the view!)


So there you go. Not so easy to pick which I like better! However, since you specifically mentioned the room decor being important to you, and the quick-service..... for you, I'd pick AKL. Mara gives you a few African-inspired dishes for non-traditional QS fare. The rooms and interior feel more up-to-date. And the ambiance with that music at AKL is just wonderful.

 

[KatMark]

We stayed at AKL last year and fell in love...so much so that we are going back in 2013 for our 30th wedding anniversary). We have not stayed at WL...does not appeal to me for various reasons.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and they are both awesome resorts as both have great CS places as well as TS . My choice, however, would be WL for the close proximity to the monorail resorts for dining and shopping. Plus, the WL is under going a total refurbishment starting in April. As a pp stated, the WL lobby is a great place to relax, read a book, or just take in the atmosphere while sitting in front of the huge fireplace . With all of that said, AKL is also a beautiful resort. We've stayed pool view and savannah view and both are great. It is great going out on the balcony watching the animals roam around the savannah, but our pool view was just as nice. Good luck deciding, but you really can't go wrong with either resort and I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which one you choose .

 

[carly chloe]

Does anyone know if the rooms at WL will be refurbed before August?

 

[Valgoof]

Thanks everyone! Looks like AKL is going to win. NLD--thanks for that breakdown. It helps to see it like that. Sounds like AKL is the resort for us. Now to save the $$ and wait the 300+ days till the trip!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Does anyone know if the rooms at WL will be refurbed before August?

Some of them might be. A year long refurb is set to begin in April.

 

[mggeary]

This is the deciding factor for me. I know WL buses to non-MK parks usually stop at FW or GF. How much time does this add and how do the buses compare to AKL?

 

[Karabee]

The buses to AKL were never an issue when we've stayed there, or even just gone for a visit. We always had a bus come within 10 minutes or so. The WL buses were also always on time, but they did share with GF last time I was there. We were usually the first ones to be picked up, then head over to GF, then to the park. On the flip side, we were the first to be dropped off after the parks. I say this added on about 10 -15 minutes, depending on time of day. When we were there we never shared our WL bus with FW, only GF.