Moving up to Deluxe

[Stacy_C]

I vote for AKL. Also, consider renting points from a DVC member to keep the cost down.

 

[pinkxray]

Unless I had a young child and planned to spend all of my time at MK, I would chose AKL. It was amazing! Even my non Disney liking DH said it was awesome. We had a rental car and drove to the parks, they never seemed any further than when staying at Pop. We did take the bus once or twice and had no problems, short waits and the drives didn't seem bad to me.

I didn't love the limited selection at Mara but we are picky eaters, however we could find something for the few times we ate there (usually ate at the parks)

WL is also beautiful and I loved sitting in the hot tub at night, looking back at the lodge lit up. I liked Roaring Forks a bit better than Mara but as I said we like simple choices.

Either place would be a great option, but there is something magical about waking up, looking out your window and seeing 3-4 giraffes eating there breakfast. I am usually someone who wants to be in the parks open-close while DH/DD like to hang out at the pool/room. AKL had so much to offer that I didn't mind spendng more time at the resort than normal. I could go back to AKL and not even go to the parks.

 

[jujube]

Both are wonderful. If I had to choose, it would depend on my plans. The travel time does not bother me because 90% of the time, we take taxis. Thinking about it, I would have to give an edge to AKL but only with a savanah view. Waking up and watching the animals is a fantastic way to start a Disney day.

 

[ppony]

We've stayed at both and after one stay at AKL we nought into DVC there and LOVE IT. It's truly unlike anything you'd EVER visit on this continent. WL is nice, but it's a log cabin-type lodge. Both resorts were designed by the same architect, but AKL is beyond anything you've seen. If you want a truly unique experience, go for the AKL. Our family and kids LOVE it. And Kidani's pool water/park type area is AWESOME.

 

[AshleeH]

I've stayed at both and each are very nice resorts, but I prefer Animal Kingdom. The layout of the Wilderness Lodge rooms (we stay in the suites) is a little odd shaped which gave it a slightly cramped feel to it. I also liked the balcony at Animal Kingdom since it was wider (not to mention the view of the animals vs. the view of your neighbors).