Where should I go, AKL or Wilderness Lodge?

[pocketsout]

Hello

I am from England, and am planning to take my family ( my wife, myself, and 2 boys, 7 and 2 years old) to Disney for Christmas 2008. We originally booked into the Dolphin Hotel, but have decided to spend a bit extra and book into one of the better Disney Hotels. We can't decide between AKL and the Wilderness Lodge. We have been advised that there is some building work going on at AKL.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[drusba]

Since you are asking about the hotels rather than the DVC villas that are also located at those resorts, your inquiry may get better responses on the "Disney Resorts" board of this site rather than this one which is devoted to DVC. Both hotels are very nice. WL is close to Magic Kingdom (a boat ride away) and is therefore also fairly close to other things, including other resorts/hotels around MK. AKL is near AK (a bus ride) but more or less is out by itself away from most everything, but a fairly easy bus ride to the parks. With AKL you get the savannas with animals (non-predators). You will not go wrong with either but if desire is to be close to Magic Kingdom park, WL is the choice. There is currently construction at AK lodge/villas area of the new DVC building but does not really affect anything at AKL except you can see it a distance away from certain portions of the hotel.

 

[stormer]

If your boys like animals they will love AKL. My boys loved seeing the animals every day!

 

[Muushka]

I don't know if you are staying at the DVC section or the regular hotel, but it doesn't really matter (except for the room type). I am extremely biased. But you asked! Wilderness Lodge (especially at the DVC portion) is so Christmas, it just begs for company! At the villas, even the tiles in the bathroom have a Christmas tree and Rudolph! The dining chairs have Christmas tree cut-outs on their backs. But the lodge itself.......ah....the lodge....a big beautiful Christmas tree right in the center. And in the back where the pool is, lots and lots of fir type trees, very woodsy, very Christmassy. And this past Christmas, we strolled around Fort Wilderness to see how Disney Campers decorate! It was great fun!

AKL is also very beautiful at Christmas. But for me, Savannah and Christmas just don't mix.

Disclaimer: All you AKV lovers, you know I am biased! Now it's your turn to sing the AKV Christmas praises!!!

And welcome to the DISboards!

 

[wildernessDad]

Wilderness Lodge is amazing at Xmas. I do not know about Animal Kingdom Lodge personally, but the pictures that I've seen at around that time are very nice.

 

[eliza61]

I think Muushka & I must be sisters in our "star trek alternate reality" lives or as I tell dh, "great minds think alike". As with her, I am extremely biased.

Wilderness lodge has the much deserved reputation of being absolutely stunning at Christmas. It is extremely popular during the holidays because of the decorations, so I would book now! If the animals are not a must have, I would do WL in a heartbeat.

 

[AKLFan3]

AKL is absolutely gorgeous at Christmas. There is a massive tree in the lobby with beautiful ornaments, including African ornaments to match the decor of the lodge. They regularly have Christmas carolers singing in the lobby in the evening, and arts and crafts activities for kids. Several Disney characters showed up in their holiday costumes to pose for pictures with guests around dinner time, and Santa was there as well. They literally "deck the halls" with garland hanging from the walkways on 3 levels of the lodge. I have been to the Wilderness Lodge during Christmas to have dinner and it is pretty. But where else on Disney property can you have holiday entertainment inside the hotel, and then be entertained by animals outside? It is incredibly unique. If you stay at AKL, definitely book a savanna view room. You never know what you will see from your balcony.

 

[Inkmahm]

I have stayed at both hotels- wilderness lodge and animal kingdom lodge- many times. I love them both, which is why we now own both VWL and AKV.
Both are beautiful at Christmas. I'm not sure why VWL has the reputation of being the best as I think AKV is just as good.

I'd pick AKV if your kids like animals.