Wilderness & Animal Kingdom Lodges

[fineview]

My wife and I just returned from an 8 day stay at Coronado Springs and were at both WL and AKL in the evening for dinner (Whispering Canyon Cafe was mediocre at best; Boma has to be the best buffet on property). Our impression of both resort lobbies was that, while impressive, they were overly dark and really rather depressing and we both agreed that at least as far as the public areas we much preferred CS. We've stayed at the Polynesian several times and while the lobby area is somewhat dark, at least the darkness ther is relieved by the plantings in the center of the lobby. We have been to WL in the day and had the same "too dark" feeling then. Are we alone in this?

 

[JulesMom]

WL is my favorite lobby! I love the totem pole and huge fireplace.

But, that's why they make different styles.

People like different things

 

[justhat]

I haven't stayed at either of these (AKL is 7 nights!!!!) but I did stay at the Grand Californian in DL this past March and it is similarly themed, with a woodsy northern California redwoods feel, and the loby was also very dark. In fact, when you came in from outside it had that same effect like when you turn off the lights in a room at night. But I think it created the perfect atmosphere for this hotel and we thought it looked great. I think you really have to like that more rustic look though, which I do, and if not you'll view it just as dark and brown.