Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom?

[MinnieCandi]

HELP! We have a vacation already planned and paid in full at the Wilderness Lodge (standard room view). I just got a code from my Disney Visa and called Disney to see if the code would apply to the vacation I already have booked. I was told that there were no rooms available at the WL, but that I could change to AK, with a Savanah View and bunkbeds for apx $130 less for the week.

So....

Should I stay at WL in a standard room?

Should I save some money and change to AK? (I was also told by CM that construction would still be going on in November, and if it was really bad, they would change us to another resort).

I know its an upgraded room, but would it really be worth changing?

Thanks for any advice!!!!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

If you really want the location of WL, don't bother changing. For $130 total difference for the week, I wouldn't worry about it. But - we love AKL and would prefer to stay there especially with the savanna view. I guess it depends on why you reserved WL rather than AKL in the first place.

 

[TxTiggergal]

HELP! We have a vacation already planned and paid in full at the Wilderness Lodge (standard room view). I just got a code from my Disney Visa and called Disney to see if the code would apply to the vacation I already have booked. I was told that there were no rooms available at the WL, but that I could change to AK, with a Savanah View and bunkbeds for apx $130 less for the week.

So....

Should I stay at WL in a standard room?

Should I save some money and change to AK? (I was also told by CM that construction would still be going on in November, and if it was really bad, they would change us to another resort).

I know its an upgraded room, but would it really be worth changing?

Thanks for any advice!!!!

We have stayed at the WL in a woods view room and the AKL in a savannah room. We liked them both and for me, it is hard to compare the two. A little like comparing apples and oranges because they are both great resorts, but each provides a different experience. My DH would say AKL, hands down. He thoroughly enjoys the animal viewing. My DD and I would probably lean towards WL because we like its proximity to MK, our favorite park. But DH likes being off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle. So it kinda depends on what you are looking for. The hotels are very similar in layout, room size, etc. as I'm sure you know. So my suggestion would be to try to evaluate what you and your family want to experience. Either way, enjoy!!

 

[AmyAllan&Eve]

I agree with DVCkidsMom. Both resorts are amazing. You cannot go wrong!

I liked the Animal Kingdom Lodge better than the Wilderness Lodge. AKL was a feast for the senses (sights, sounds, smells, tastes), and I LOVED watching the animals. But I almost liked the WL as much. It's beautiful in its own right.

If I was going to be without a car, I might pick WL. If I had young children AND wanted to spend a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom, I would probably pick WL. (Although watching the animals is a delight for young children, too.)

The AKL was incredible. I did not need any theme parks during my stay. I could have spent two weeks never leaving that resort and not been one bit bored (heck, I could have spent two months never leaving that resort and not been bored).

The WL is an amazing place to stay, too, though. And if you are going to be visiting the theme parks a lot, it is probably closer to places you want to be. There is something special about being so close to the Magic Kingdom. I think that was my favorite thing about the WL. It is so close to the MK that you really feel that Disney magic. For me, just looking out over Bay Lake brings back lots of Disney memories from my childhood. And the WL is beautiful inside and out.

Which theme appeals to you more?

When we stayed at AKL, we only paid for a standard view but were given a complimentary bump up to a pool view room. We didn't need the Savannah view, because there were places inside and out to watch the animals every where you turned. But I would not have minded drinking my morning coffee with a giraffe or zebra just a few feet away

One other note, AKL did have excellent bus service, so it's really not a problem staying there without a car. But as I said, the WL is closer to more theme park action.

 

[G8r4evr]

Savannah view for less? I would definitely change!

But I guess it depends how important proximity to MK is to you..because AKL is a little more isolated.

 

[Davey48]

Not bad options...........Can't lose in either pick!!!

 

[simonkodousek]

The WL's location is great. Secluded but right in the middle of everything. However if you don't plan on going to the Magic Kingdom that much, I would pick the AKL. I've always wanted to stay there.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

To my family it's the wilderness Lodge hands down.Why be so far off the parks when you can watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom and the water parade every night.You are a boat ride away from Magic kingdom or take the boat next door to the Contemporary to catch the Monorail to epcot and MGM.The animal kingdom resort is okay but it dont compare.
Petting Zoo or beautiful Views
tiggerguy

 

[raven69david]

A vote for AKL here. We went for the 1st time last year and we were hooked. So much in fact that we're staying there again December, and hope to continue to for many years to come. The resort is awesome and there are tons of things to do there.

From a resort stand point, both lodges are basically identical from the inside. The only difference is the themeing. The AKL may be farther away from everything, but the buses at AKL are quick and efficient as they do not share with any other resorts.

As others have said, you can't go wrong either way so i say go for the one that saves you a few bucks and has a much better view out of the balcony.

 

[Tink6666]

I have stayed at both. We stayed at AKL with a savanah view in 2003. We enjoyed seeing the animals, but were disaapointed not to see more than we did...only had a couple giraffee's outside each morning. Finally saw a couple zebras from a distance. We did not spend a lot of time in the room since this was the first time at WDW for our two girls and we were trying to get everything in on a four day trip. We thought the bus service was slower than other resorts.

We stayed at WL in 2004 and fell in love with it. The bus service and boat service made the difference for us. We tend to go to MK more than the other parks though. We do AK in 1/2 day as my DH has very bad knees and can't walk the vast park withhout his knee swelling up like a volleyball. We liked the option of taking a boat to the Transportation Station and getting on the monorail for Epcot, seemed quicker to take this route back from Epcot after illuminations since the lines for the buses were all long.

Both hotels have been recently remodeled, although AKL would be more recent.

I think it comes down to where in the parks you want to go, if you want to stay close to MK and will be going a lot I would stick with WL.

Just my 2 cents worth....either way they are both nice resorts

 

[Flossbolna]

I would prefer AKL, but as many have pointed out, it really depends on where you will spend most of your time.

I just wanted to add one thing: a standard view room at WL really does not have such great a view. It will either look out over a service area (with possibly quite a bit of traffic in the morning) or over the rooftops of the shop. If you think you will want to spend some time in your room enjoying the view, an Savannah view would be a many times a better view.

 

[Renee1061]

From the sound of it, if you switch to AKL, there is still a possibility that you could be moved due to construction. At that point, there may not be any more availaility at WL, and there's no telling where you may have to stay. If you really want one of those two, I think I would stick with WL.

 

[mport]

We have stayed at both and there are very much the same feel-if you like animals, then AKL otherwise, WL is just the same.