Which Resort AKV or WL

[sammi6]

We have to choose which studio to stay in for our upcoming trip. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Lodge nor have we ever stayed in a Studio we have always done 1 bedrooms, but since it is just the 2 of us for this trip we decided to try. We have to choose between a Deluxe Studio Savannah View at AKV or a Deluxe Studio at Wilderness Lodge. Please give your opinions.

 

[chalee94]

i prefer AKV for the animals and dining options. if there are no little ones wanting to hit MK every day, that's where i would pick.

 

[jennib5426]

We just did Deluxe studio AKL Jumbo house in October and it was nice. We walked over to Kidani to check it out and I am glad I choose Jambo house. Jumbo had a more lively feel to it and much better dinning options..
The water slide at Kadani was pretty great though..

 

[drusba]

Just note that "deluxe" is just a name they added to all rooms last year except for the small number of AKV value point cost rooms (which are smaller than others). So there is really nothing below "deluxe" rooms other than those.

VWL gives you fairly quick access via boat to MK. It is an excellent resort. However, the VWL portion of it itself has no restaurant and only a quiet pool; you have to walk over (not far) to WL for anything else. The WL lobby (not VWL) is perhaps the most impressive of the lobbies but AKV Jambo is also very impressive

AKV has three restaurants in the Jambo building and one in Kidani. I prefer it to VWL and particularly would like it for just two adults as the choice between the two. In fact, I would get a Jambo studio in that situation and not Kidani (you choose which building when reserving and building is guaranteed) because you get closer to three restaurants (it is a half mile front door to front door between buildings) and if you have savanna view ask for room along zebra trail (good views of animals and room faces west and thus gets sun coming in only in evening when it is not overwhelming). The Jambo pool is larger than Kidani and has far more shaded areas that you can get seats in. Bus service is actually better at AKL because you make only two stops at AKL (Kidani and Jambo) while at VWL, you share with other resorts.

 

[sammi6]

Thanks guys, I just called and made it for AKL, but I was only able to get Kidani with a Savanah View, Jambo was gone.

 

[drusba]

If Kidani, highly recommend you put in request "close to lobby" which would put you close to lobby, pool, restaurant, bus stop, community hall, store, and would give you Sunset Savanna view. Sunset is largest savanna over which most rooms at Kidani look and has giraffes. Pembe to the N/NW of the resort does not haved giraffes. If you do not request close to lobby you highly risk ending up far from lobby and far from lobby at Kidani is practically an overnight trip to the end of the north wing; it is over 1/4 mile.

 

[sammi6]

Drusba, thanks for the advice I called and requested it, they of course reminded me that there is no guarantee, but they would put it in the notes:-(

 

[crabbie1]

Stayed in Kidani in october and lovveeeeeeed this resort.Preferred it to jambo as quieter.Had floor 5 and our room was 4 rooms from the elevator so really close to the main lobby. The rooms are spread out but we would of been happy anywhere.Just asked for a high floor in zebra trail.
Stayed at SSR before this and there was really no comparison. Renting points again this year but cannot book till the 7 month window for november and have asked for VWL(Simpy because we I like the look of the resort and the big lobby )but if not have asked for AKLV again but jambo house as I like to try different areas. I did prefer the pool at kidani and the general feel of the resort was quieter.Jambo's lobby had the wow factor.You will not be disappointed.If I could upload some pics I would show you the view from our room.Woke up to girafes,zebras,bison antelopes and ostriches.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Good choice. AKV was a much for us with our DD4, but I would LOVE to go back with just DW. Kidani was very relaxing. Didn't have a Savannah view so I'm jealous.


BTW, here is a panorama of the open area. Taken from one of the viewing areas near the lobby.

 

[TinkHappy]

We LOVE VWL. It is just a boat ride to MK. For us, AKL just seemed so far from everything. But, both resorts are just beautiful!

 

[Disney Dreams]

View from the lobby of Jambo House

View from our Savannah room's balcony at Jambo House. We saw zebra, giraffe, ankola cattle, gazelle, wildebeest, and birds.

Yes, LOL, I have a thing for giraffes. I could have stood on our balcony all day and watched them!

How many animals can you see here? (Also taken from our balcony.)

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I have had two trips to AKV-K so far and prefer it over Jambo. For us we like the "distant" feel of the resort. Jambo is bustling and busy and after a day a the parks the quiet soothing lobby at Kidani is perfect. There are lots of things to see and do there.

The bus system to the PARKS will pick you up first at Kidani, then they stop at Jambo. So many times Jambo folks have to stand if the bus is full. I guess that is a plus for Kidani. The DTD stops at Jambo first.

You can take any park bus to Jambo for a meal, then get on the DTD bus to head back to Kidani. Or you can walk it, there is also a small shuttle that will take you back and forth.

Mara is a little difficult to find at Jambo. When you enter the lobby take the elevator down or stairs down to the right, you will pass by Boma and go out the outside doors. Follow the path outside to get to Mara. It can be very confusing trying to find it by looking at the map in the lobby.

Have a great time and tell our "pets" we said "hello".

 

[Td1290]

We stayed at Kidani Savannah room this past summer and loved it, out favorite resort by far. In comparison to Wilderness, there is so much to see at the resort. There is nothing like seeing a giraffe outside your window. Wilderness Lodge was nice, the boat ride felt like forever so the location didn't seem like a bonus to me.

 

[phelps]

I think you will love AKL. So much going on there, especially the animal sighting. You will love the grounds, restraunts and pools. Have a great trip.

 

[Adman]

We're just back from an AKL trip, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed it--only complaint being the LONG waits for buses. Had a super savannah view and saw lots of animals (I'd prepped everyone for possible disappointment, just in case, but we were pleasantly surprised.)

WL is better, of course, for it's central location and it's still a lot of fun.

Oh, and the food is spectacular at AKL. Can't forget that!