Need advice - Fort Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge

[mlggator]

New here and could use some of your expert advice. I grew up with Disney World and love it, but when we were going all the time, there was just the contemporary hotel and the polynesian. As I got into my teens and early adulthood all the new hotels began to spring up and I did get a chance to check some out a bit. So its been a long time since I booked a Disney World vacation.
Now I live in San Diego and frequent Disneyland, but still long for DW. So we are going this summer. I am thinking of staying in either the Fort Wilderness Lodge (which I loved the last I saw it over 10 years ago) or maybe the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I wanted to get some opinions of the two lodges.

I am wondering about location and ease of getting around DW, how new and clean it is or appears to be, and size of the rooms. Also, is it worth it to getting the bunk beds? We are a family of 4 with two small kids ages 2 and 5.

Are there any other hotels that you would recommend over these (I can't not afford more $$ than these hotels, so it would have to be moderate level).

Thanks,
Michele

 

[nbodyhome]

Hi!

It's the Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness isn't far away (20 minute walk), and that is another option in a cabin.

Both the AKL and WL are similar. They were designed by the same person, they have similarly sized rooms. The WL is recently refurbished, but I've stayed at the AKL in the past year and was very happy with my room there.

Standard rooms can be harder to come by, and won't offer the bunk option. Once you get to the Courtyard view room at the AKL, then I'd personally end up staying instead at the Polynesian or Contemporary, for the larger rooms.

The AKL is near Animal Kingdom, has animals, and is a nice resort. The Wilderness Lodge is across from the MK - which I really enjoy, with the water pageant that happens every night. The location will be your biggest difference between the two resorts, plus you get animals at the AKL, obviously.

The cabins are nice as well, but a little more rustic (which I like, but not everyone does). Don't discount the moderates - those are nice as well (and I like the Pop Century for a value).

 

[britterbell]

Hello,

Well, both of the hotels are great. The Wilderness Lodge (WL) is like a huge nature reserve. I've never stayed there but have visited it and it is beautiful. They have a restaurant there called Whispering Canyon Cafe. The food is outstanding.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) is like being in an African Wildlife Reserve. I have stayed there and it was one word... AWESOME. You learn a lot about Africa and its culture. It is definitely good for families with kids, teens, and adults!

I think that the place you should stay is the one whose theme you would like to experience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

WL and AKL have nearly identical footprints. Only the decor is different. WL is very similar to Grand Californian (but different in the style of architecture) with dark wood, high ceiling in the lobby, big fireplace.

The Wing Rooms at the Contemporary Resort are also less expensive deluxe resort rooms and are very big. No bunks, but walking distance to the MK. You get a view of the lake or the gardens and not MK, but we liked it.

AKL is rather isolated from the rest of the resort, but the bus transportation is rather good to the rest of the resort. WL has boat transportation to MK, bus to Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and AK. Both have good restaurants and smaller counter service areas (not full blown food courts like the value or moderates).

 

[Skroops]

IMO, I'd book the AKL savannah view over the WL, but I'd book the WL standard view over the AKL pool view or standard view.
They are both such beautiful resorts. I would love to stay at both of them again.
The biggest advantage of the WL is the location and boat ride to MK. We stayed in the WLV's with a view of the parking lot, and we have stayed at WL with the view of the water. Although watching the light parade on the water was fun, I wouldn't pay for that view again. The parking lot view was just as nice of stay.
We had an upgrade from standard view to water view at AKL in July, and I would have preferred a parking lot view because of the noise from the pool area! I learned that I won't stay at AKL unless we have a savannah view, because that is just too great.
All in all, you can't go wrong with either resort.