Which Lodge is better?

[jon18uk]

We can't decide between Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Anyone got opinions?

I like the idea of being able to see animals at AKL, even if we don't pay for Savannah view I think there should be enough to make it worthwhile. My partner likes the look of Wilderness lodge with the stream flowing into the pool and the rock work.
I think food options at AKL seem better too.


OR do we save some cash and stay at POR or POFQ?

 

[Gorechick]

My faves are Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans Riverside. Check out the dedicated threads for each resort for more info.

 

[darrengs]

Without going Savannah view I give the slight nod to Wilderness Lodge, I like the boat to MK it is very relaxing, but you really can't go wrong either way. If you decide not to stay at AKL then I would suggest that you book either breakfast at Boma or a dinner at either Boma or Jikos. This way you can check out the resort and view the savannahs anyway.

 

[Babsy]

If spending most of your time at the MK, then the WL is better. I also like the CL at the WL more than CL at AKL. Otherwise, I like the AKL somewhat more than WL, but perhaps only because the theming is more exotic for us. The WL looks like home - beautiful, but everyday.

It's hard to choose between them. They both have a lot to offer for the price.

 

[POOHsie]

My common-sense answer is to flip a coin and book one for this trip, and the other for next trip. There is always a next trip, right? My slight preference would be Wilderness Lodge because you're not booking AK Savannah View.

The Territory Lounge at WL has nice apps and some entrees from Artist Point (I have read this, can't confirm). Plus WL is only a short boat ride to Contemporary and the other monorail resorts for more dining options, or Ft Wilderness for Trail's End and Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[johnsonet]

I have stayed at both many times (more at AKL). You will have to pick your own favorite, but mine is AKL. Having said that, I've fallen for WL more and more in recent years, and am staying there in July.
WL is a gorgeous resort and has a great atmosphere. You will love it. It has a beach, newly redone pool and a new kids' splash play area. Beautiful grounds. Great CMs. It's also a great place to be if you want a quick ride on the boat or bus over to MK. From AKL, it's more like 20 min. OTOH, if you want to spend a lot of time at AK, then AKL is a quick bus ride.

Is it your first visit to WDW? Are you taking children? How many days will you be staying?
If it's just you and your partner, I would say AKL with a pool view, if not Savanna.

Good luck with your decision.
(definitely do WL or AKL if you can)

 

[GrumpyBelle]

I would still choose AKL. Great feel, lots of places for animal viewing, etc

 

[Bishoparc]

Wilderness Lodge is also our favorite (as well as the cabins at Fort Wilderness.) This may sound crazy but our favorite rooms at WL are actually the ones overlooking the lobby. There are several cozy fireplaces and seating areas on the mid-floor areas at the entrance side of the resort that you can chill out in and they rarely ever have people at them. The DW and I love coming back from the parks and hanging out by the fireplace plus the boat service to MK. AKL was designed by the same designer so they are very similar. Just really depends on what you're going for. We've not tried AKL yet but we do plan on it one day but I'd def. say splurge for the savannah view otherwise you might as well stay at WL.

 

[bumbershoot]

WL. Loved that place.

You can go visit the lobby of AK Jambo and Kidani and see animals for free. (and we disliked staying at both Jambo and Kidani, and barely saw any animals from our windows)

 

[automaticsoap]

AKL. I love the theming and restaurants more than WL.

 

[magicaldisney]

We prefer AKL. Seeing the animals in the evening through night vision binoculars (provided for you), watching them feed the flamingos, watching them feed the vultures, sitting around the fire pit, enjoying and learning about a new culture, are all things you can do without having a savannah view.

 

[mickeynut1]

We can't decide between Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Anyone got opinions?

I like the idea of being able to see animals at AKL, even if we don't pay for Savannah view I think there should be enough to make it worthwhile. My partner likes the look of Wilderness lodge with the stream flowing into the pool and the rock work.
I think food options at AKL seem better too.


OR do we save some cash and stay at POR or POFQ?

We've stayed at both more than once and love them both for different reasons. Like johnsonet posted, if you will be spending a lot of time at MK, the WL is great as it's a quick boat ride; however, AKL is a quick bus ride to AK if some time will be spent there. I don't think you can go wrong with either resort as both have great atmospheres, great pools, and great dining options. Good luck.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Count me in the WL contingent. People will think this is crazy, but I really didn't like the smell of AKL.

Wilderness lodge music soothes the senses.

 

[Sunshine11]

Wilderness Lodge is my choice. Small, two pools, lovely lobby. Can't go wrong!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We also like both resorts, but wind up staying at WL because of the great location and boat transportation options. WL definitely feels more "homey" for us, while AKL is more exotic, and feels like you are in Africa. Some advantages of AKL are the zero entry pool and larger Quick Service food location. We like that from WL we can take a very quick bus ride to MK or have the option of a longer but very pretty boat ride, and also like having the ability to boat to CR or FW. Even the AK bus at AKL takes longer than the MK bus from WL. To the other parks total bus ride times are more comparable, because the WL bus stops to pick up at another resort while AKLs only picks up at Kidani as well, which isn't as far out of the way as the Grand Floridian or Fort Wilderness is from WL.

As for your other question whether POR or POFQ might be a good option, we stayed at POR last trip and enjoyed it. It has a similar quiet rural feel to WL, but lacks the interior hallways and being under one roof. Our opinion is that both are about an equal value, and Disney pricing is about right on and WL is worth the extra but POR is nice for the savings. If you can get any discount on the nicer resort it would definitely be worth the upgrade.

 

[jon18uk]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts . I think we might try Wilderness Lodge if we do upgrade from a moderate.

We would be booking on the UK free dining offer and it looks about £23 more per night for a deluxe, but we've done POR before and could be nice to see something new.

Even if we don't stay at AKL we will definitely go over for dinner at Boma, or maybe try Jiko this trip!

 

[pixi3ness]

I wouldn't discount Sanaa either - AKL truly has great restaurants. Even their QS is delicious (helooooo zebra domes and African stew!).

I own at AKL but I'm absolutely in love with Wilderness Lodge. Both are amazing in their own right.