The best and worst of the Wilderness Lodge

[TMM]

We are going to WDW from Janury 4 -12, 2006. Right now we are booked 8 nights at the AKL, but now we are thinking of doing 4 nights at WL and then moving to AKL for the last 4 nights.

It is just my husband and me. From pictures, I really like the lobby area of the WL, but not the rooms. I think the rooms at AKL look gorgeous (especially the bathrooms).

Can you guys give me the good, the bad and the ugly of WL. Especially if you have stayed at both the WL and AKL.

Thanks so much!

 

[chipper10]

I have only stayed at the WL. We are going to stay at the AKL in feb for our 1st anniversary. We stayed at the WL for our honeymoon this past February. I love this resort. It is so cozy and romantic. We had a courtyard view, which was just gorgeous. The pool was nice but a little cold. However, the hot tub was perfect. I never felt like the resort was too busy, but then again we were in Feb. The Roaring Forks was okay for a quick bite. The Whispering Canyon was great for a good meal ann the CM's can tell if you are in the mood to play or not. One time the CM had a good time with us and everything. But the next time we went back I was very sick (I think it was from the weather change from IL to FL in February). They seated us in the back. This was nice and quiet. I didn't even had a voice at this time and could barely swallow. And unfortuately the only cold meds all of Disney carries is for Children. So be prepared for this when you go in January. Now I always know to take so Dayquil with me. anyway enough of that tangent......

You will love the WL the theme is amazing. The rooms are nice too. I loved to sit out on the balcony in the mornings and evenings with my new DH and just relax. It's a very peaceful resort. Hope this helps.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

stayed at the WL last year loved it
i dont like akl i find it very dark and like wl better
the themeing is amazing and i loved the balcony

 

[TMM]

Several have said they find WL dark...how funny.

Are there many king bedded rooms? I really don't like having more beds than I need when I stay in a hotel.

 

[llij]

We've stayed at the WL twice and just returned today from our latest stay there. I love the theming of this resort and the lobby is just wonderful. My favorite part of each day was kicking back in one of the chairs in the lobby and just relaxing. We had a courtyard view which was great and we really enjoy eating at Whispering Canyon. The beds were great for me (I am six months pregnant) and I slept better at the WL than I do at home. I'm kicking myself for not asking them what kind of mattress they have!

My only "wishes" for the WL which would make it perfect for us would be to have more food offerings at Roaring Fork and if the rooms were a teensy bit bigger. Those aren't complaints though b/c I love this resort and rank it as one of my favorites. Just a side note: I realize the rooms are smaller than other deluxes (and the same as AKL) and that is why the prices are less expensive.

Anyways, good luck with whatever you choose. We truly enjoyed our stay at the WL and we miss it already!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Loved WL - AKL doesn't appeal to us at all - very dark and we don't care for African theme and decor.

We had a king room at WL - overlooking the pool on the 1st floor. Room was roomy and bright, huge bathroom (handicap so we had a huge shower), not too far of a walk to the lobby, close self parking, and LOVED the boat transporation. It was very close to MK, which was nice because that made it close to Epcot through monorail. I think AKL's location is a big hit to it =(

We also took advantage of the sea raycers one afternoon. Very fun!

I don't think you can go wrong with either - if you love both, split stays are fun and we always split now and find it to be a great way to spend your vacation. Good luck in your decision!

 

[wdwlver]

We've stayed at both and really like each of them. If I had to choose, I like the bathrooms better at AKL, and maybe, just maybe the rooms a tiny bit. But, overall.....if I had to choose one, I'd probably pick WL because I like the location better. If you can split it up, try both!

 

[Troy08]

Have stayed three times at WL. The lobby is amazing-I just love the western themed music that plays in the lobby. Relaxing in the lobby by the giant fire place is a treat in itself. The overall theming of this resort is awesome. Have has both woods and courtyard views(loved the courtyard view) found the room to be fine, and we were four adults!

Whispering Canyon is very good and a lot of fun. I wish the "fast food" Roaring Forks was a little bigger and offered more choices, but really, it was fine.

We did take a break from AK one day and go over to the AKL. Very nice but it just didn;t speak to me. Not that wild about the African theme decor. Though I did think their restaurants were set up better. Their fast food place seemed bigger with more choices then WL. We also went down to the pool area. Nice but WL has a much nicer themed pool area.

Plus at WL you can take the boat right over to the MK. Very handy and quite quick. And you can see Wishes from the front drive/parking area at WL. Definately a plus for me.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

In 2003 we had a split stay scheduled between AKL 1st and then WL. We loved AKL so much that the day before we were to switch over to WL we went to visit WL and asked to see a room. We were not impressed by the rooms at all and went back to AKL and called the front desk to ask if we could continue the remainder of our stay at AKL instead of switching to WL. We were allowed to and LOVED AKL!!!

 

[babybunrab]

We really loved WL for all of the previously stated reasons--room, boat to MK, great room location, AP was very good, etc.

I like that at WL DS could be in the arcade and I could be in the lobby reading. It gave him a sense of independence and I didn't have to stand in the arcade. I don't feel comfortable doing that at, say CSR, since it's much more spread out.

DS also liked the kid's fishing excursion that left from the little boat dock.

My only complaint was Whispering Canyon. I just wasn't a big fan of it and probably wouldn't go back. I loved everything else, though.

 

[mmmagic7754]

There is also a boat to the Contemporary from WL that gives you access to the monorail and some great places to eat.

 

[bicker]

Could someone please confirm this? I've read several messages in recent months that have stated that boats no longer go between the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. If they do run, does anyone know their operating hours?

 

[Tinkerbelles]

I just stayed at the WL and I did use the boat for alot. but now that you mention it. this stay they did not stop at the contem. but did stop at the ft.wilderness.
where as my last trip; to the wl they did stop at the contem!! I never did notice that.

well, worse case. just take boat to MK then walk to the co!! a short walk, approx the same as getting off the boat at contemp to walking to the resort!

 

[MandaPerry]

Everyone's taste is not the same and that's why it's so great there are so many different places to stay at Disney. Have stayed at both WL & AKL - really did not like WL at all - rooms very small and same with the AKL - they both have great lobbies and pools are okay, but overall I'm not fond of either one and because the rooms are so small I have a hard time paying delux rates for either. Love the Poly and CS, & YC is beautiful. All that said, my favorite places to stay are the CSR and POFQ. So I think since everyone has different likes and dislikes - everyone is right!

Manda's Mom

 

[LoveMickey]

I just stayed at the WL and I did use the boat for alot. but now that you mention it. this stay they did not stop at the contem. but did stop at the ft.wilderness.
where as my last trip; to the wl they did stop at the contem!! I never did notice that.

well, worse case. just take boat to MK then walk to the co!! a short walk, approx the same as getting off the boat at contemp to walking to the resort!

Our last time at WL, there were separate boats to Contemporary, the boat to and from MK did not "automatically" stop at Contemporary.

The Boats were shared with Ft. Wilderness.

Do they still have separate boats to Contemporary?

 

[jwfla422]

Although we mostly stay at the S/D, every once in a while we like to break it up with a stay in the MK area. WL is pretty much the only place we stay in that area. We will also stay in the FW cabins if we get a large group of us together (and we stay in cabins by each other which is a blast).

WL is a very cozy place to stay. The rooms are a bit on the smaller side but they are definitely comfy and cozy. We love the atmosphere of the resort. Although it may seem a little secluded it is easily accessible to other areas on property. The boat will take you to MK as well as CR and FW. From CR of course you can hop on the monorail. We love the woodsy feeling and the different activities the WL offers (biking, boating, kids stuff, movies at FW, etc).

We do like to visit the AKL for dinner however I (personally) wouldn't care to stay there just because you have to bus everywhere and that resort is literally secluded. However it does offer a unique atmosphere with the savannah so it all depends on your taste.

If you think you may want to stay at both I would go for it so you can decide for yourself which is to your liking. They both really have a very different atmosphere so it is a tough comparison. (just like comparing WL to the S/D-just totally different). Enjoy, whatever you decide on. Either will be great for that time of year with their fireplaces as you will probably experience some cold fronts (WL is even more exciting to stay at when there's a "chill in the air").

 

[grumpy13]

We have stayed at both WL (5 or more times) and AKL( 3 times). Last Dec. we did a 3 resort split - POR, 5 nights; AKL, savannah view, 3 nights; WL, courtyard view, 5 nights. Incidentally, switching resorts was easy (only cost was tips for porters).
The resorts certainly have similarities (same designer); the lobby of each is beautiful and certainly reflect their theming. IMHO the interior of the rooms are similar; In a less humble opinion, my wife agrees. The rooms in both resorts are rustic, and as many people note, somewhat dark; but I believe this is true to the theming. Guess I am somewhat trying to downplay your choice based on room interiors. Perhaps, the choice is moreso the view from the room. While both resorts are beautiful, to properly reflect my personal bias, WL is by-far my favorite.
While I agree with others about location, boat ride to the Magic Kingdom, etc., a point I haven't noted would be the Christmas decorations. I believe they would still be up as of 1/4. If this is of significance to you, then WL is hands-down the choice.
The neat thing is "the choice"; it is really a fun problem!

 

[PLUTO2]

Does the boat take you directly from WL to CR? We have a reservation at GF and are trying to decide whether to take the boat to MK and catch the monorail or take the boat to CR and catch the monorail. Anyone have experience with this, we are staying at WL for the first time.

 

[bicker]

I've read conflicting messages. Most of the more recent reports I've ready indicate that there is no longer a boat connecting Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary; instead the boat just connects Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and the Magic Kingdom.

 

[disneyholic family]

we've stayed at both.
as other's have noted, there are many similarities (same architect), but we prefer the WL....the AKL lobby is very dark to me...
and i'm not a big fan of the african theme (i live in the area of africa, so i get more than enough of it at home, no need to get ersatz africa in WDW)...

but that's just me....others adore the AKL....everyone has their own taste in what they like...that's why there are so many different WDW resorts ....something for everyone......