Moving up to Deluxe

[KimKamMom]

We've always stayed at the value resorts. This year we have decided to treat ourselves to Deluxe. The search is narrowed down to Animal Kingdom vs. Wilderness Lodge. Would love to hear some opinions. Going this April.
It will be myself, husband, and 2 DD's ages 11 and 13 at that time.
Thanks,
Donna

 

[kapoof]

Once you go deluxe, it's hard to go back! Both resorts are nice but the akl is extra special. It is an oasis to come home to after the parks. Great places to eat, boma is very fun. Your kids will love the pool as well as the animals. Wl is nice but not as awesome. It is however a quick bus ride to mk, and the artist point restaurant, is very good. I would lean you towards akl, but if you pick wl, you will have a great trip too!

 

[kchughes]

We stayed at WL last year and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. We actually booked bounceback at AKL, but I figured out that we could add a night, upgrade to deluxe dining and add PH for about 100 bucks less if we tried Coronado Springs this year. Not having stayed at AKL, I have no opinion, but it is a lovely resort when we have gone for dinner. IMHO, if you are not willing to spring for savannah view (which I was not), then I would go to WL. Whatever you choose, it will be awesome. Having stayed value (Pop 3 times) and moderate (CBR, POFQ), the service at a Deluxe is just that much better!

 

[sam_001]

i have stayed at all the value resort now i call akl my second home very nice resort it is just relaxing staying there not like the zoo at the value resort

 

[Goofy4]

They are our 2 most favorite resorts.

If you are making multiple trips to MK I would go with WL. If the animals or restaurants at AKL are more intriguing, then I would go that route. If you would like to relax in front of a fireplace with a book, back to WL.

 

[GrimGrinningVal]

I'll be at AKL Kidani this April! What week are you looking to go? I personally LOVE both Lodges! The Animal Kingdom Lodge is good for animal lovers, and if you want the more isolated feel. I love their buffet restaurant Boma - good choices for even the pickiest eater. Good pool, and a very relaxed atmosphere. Good programs for the kids too, and the shop is neat! The Wilderness Lodge is like my second home.. so familier, easy to get around, great restaurants, nice pool and marina. You have more options to get to other places here.. you are more in the middle of things verses AKL.
It comes down to what kind of atmosphere you want and if you want more or less contact with other resorts and such.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We like the location of the WL. Easy trip to the MK or to the TTC where you can pick up a bus to anywhere. We love the feel of the resort but have had more than a few bad CM experiences there. The bus service can also be spotty.

 

[momtwoboys]

We say AKL!!! Even with a Pool view room it was beautiful! There are plenty of chances to view the animals. The whole resort is just so relaxing. My kids love the pools, and we all love the restaurants. We have stayed there 2x, and the 3rd will be this April, the bus service has never been an issue for us at all. Once on the bus you are a straight shot to the parks, except for the DTD one that stopped at BB.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Personally I would go with Wilderness Lodge because in my opinion they have a much better overall location then the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Plus you are Boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom and they have another Boat which takes you to the Contemporary and Fort Wilderness.

 

[WDW Lover]

If you are going to be spending most of your time in parks - especially the Magic Kingdom - I would say WL... if you have a lot of down time... go for AKL. Even if you aren't staying in a room with a savannah view, there are lots of opportunities to see the animals throughout... and it's usually only steps from your room if you don't have a view. Also, maybe try renting from a DVC member at each of these spots - you can probably get the Savannah view for the same price as a room at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge from a DVC member.

 

[gabzee]

My family and I personally love AKL. It is a FANTASTIC hotel.

 

[Bonniec]

We had some family come in to town over Halloween and paid for our party tickets and us to stay in the Econolodge...super nice of them. But they stayed at AKL and after visiting their room with that savanah view, I about cried when we left, lol.

Haven't beel to WL so can't comment. But just being able to sit on your balcony and watching a giraffe walk by.....AMAZING!! Make sure you get that view though!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and they are both awesome resorts, but our favorite of the two is WL. We love being just a boat ride away from MK as well as the CR, where we can hop on the monorail and visit the Poly and GF. Staying at AKL is great as it's a beautiful resort and we love eating at Boma, but if we had to choose between the two, our choice would be the WL .

 

[Mamu]

Don't think you can go wrong with either, both are beautiful resorts. AKL does have larger rooms with queen beds. We had a bunk bed room over looking Arusha Rock and Savanna.

We did AKL some years ago and loved it, we did have a car though. While many use Disney Transportation here, this is one resort I would not stay at without a car. Some of the bus rides can be long. Sometimes we used the bus. sometimes we drove depending on what park we were visiting that day.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

easywdw.com has a good discussion of all the deluxe resorts and offers a good place to compare the two. My concern with the AKL (and we've not stayed there), would be the distance from the parks. I hate the Disney buses, and it can be an awfully long trip door-to-door (from what I've read up to 45 minutes) from AKL to MK.

 

[pepe of ohio]

AKL once and WL way over 10 stays...and honestly...to us it's location.....we don't want total long bus rides....WL suits us perfectly....boat ride to the MK, boat to FW for some great buffet and boat ride to CR to catch the monorail.....then to EPCOT....all under one roof, very compact resort and only about 750 rooms, compared to other resorts quite small, never feels crowded.....again, location..

AKL, food didn't appeal to us, we had a Savannah view and saw maybe 3 animals during our stay and being out on one of the arms, long walk to pool and food....and total bus usage only.....alot of guests waiting for buses....we won't go back but headed to WL in a couple of weeks..again...when something works, why change it.....we've been to almost all the deluxes over our 45 trips and WL has become a home to us..

 

[momtwoboys]

just another note about views. We LOVE the pool view because the pool area is quite lush and beautiful, its cheaper and most of all you are never waaay out in one of those wings that puts you so far out. We view the animals at the observation areas and through the many glass windows in the halls. The location of the pool view rooms put you an elevator ride away from Mara, the pool, and the lobby/bus stop. We stayed there 2x in April '09, '10 and it never ever took more than 17 minutes to get to the front of the MK by bus. Let us know what you plan on picking and good luck with your choice!

 

[bellanotte10]

I loved AKL when we went in October. We had an Arusha savannah view, and I swear more than half of my pictures of the trip are of the animals that were outside my window. I loved waking up in the morning and checking on the animals. I loved the theme, loved everything and I'm so upset that when i go back next year i can't afford to stay here.

 

[NLD]

Pick one for this trip, and do the other the next trip.

That's what I did.... AKL in September 2010, and WL this month (January 2012).

I will say that AKL blew me away. It's just positively stunning. So WL might have a hard time living up to that! I loved it so much I almost booked it again this time (even though WL was the very first Disney resort I ever had on my radar).

On the other hand, there's something awfully appealing about being on the water and having the chance to take the boat to MK. And WL still has that soaring lobby.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Ducky0615]

We had some family come in to town over Halloween and paid for our party tickets and us to stay in the Econolodge...super nice of them. But they stayed at AKL and after visiting their room with that savanah view, I about cried when we left, lol.

I am glad I was not the only one! I did not want to leave after sitting on my balcony every night in absolute peace and watching the animals walk around or sleeping. If it was up to me, we would be going back to AKL for our 2012 trip but my nephew wants to try the Yacht Club.

That being said, AKL is amazing.. the smell when you walk in, the atmosphere, the closeness of the animals to your balcony. It really makes you feel like you are in another part of the world!