Wilderness Lodge OR Animal Kingdom

[kitkat4622]

We are planning what is probably our last trip due to retirement and less fun money available.
We have stayed at ASM, Caribbean Beach and POFQ(3 times) I am thinking of staying deluxe this time and I am going back and forth between Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom,
It's myself and my 23 year old grandson, which would you choose and why? TIA

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Wilderness lodge, it’s amazing and much closer to everything, only a boat ride from MK

 

[Disneylover99]

I really like Wilderness Lodge. So close to MK and very relaxing.

AnimalKingdom Lodge is beautiful but I‘m really not a fan of seeing animals at my resort. Lol. Plus, the music around the resort has the heavy drumbeats. It gives me a headache. Not relaxing for me.

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

We would choose the Wilderness Lodge because it's closer to more of the transportation conveniences. From the WL you can catch a boat to the MK and from there grab the Monorail to EPCOT or to the Poly/GF/Contemporary if the mood strikes you. I've always felt more immersed in the magic when staying at the WL.

The AKL is very nice for getting away from the hustle and bustle. And maybe that's more what you're looking for in a resort. Both are very nice with unique things to offer.

Enjoy your retirement!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Wilderness Lodge for all the reasons mentioned! Love the location! Enjoy!

 

[CarolynFH]

I love AKL, but if it were going to be my last visit to WDW, and I wanted to spend a lot of time in the parks, I'd pick WL too. It's gorgeous and more convenient to the parks than AKL is.

 

[Anthony1971]

WL and AKL are similar in design both are very well themed.
I do not get into the transportation or closer to as in the end there is just little to no time savings unless you are planning on spending most days at X park. The only park that will take longer to get to from AK is MK and AK will take equal amount of time from WL. HS and EPCOT are closer to AK than WL but you are talking a few extra minutes at best.
WL is a more relaxing resort than AK Jambo house as there is less people visting the main lobby it also has 2 good QS -semi QS places to eat as well as a good TS. The pool is OK but the slide is on the boring side. There is also a DVC side with a very relaxing small train room that has a small fireplace and nice big chairs to sit. Find a chair early as many have the same idea. The water Parade does stop here as well and you can see the higher MK fireworks from what is left of the beach.
AKL you can see animals in many areas even if you don't have a standard view room. The QS is very good Boma is by far the best Buffet on property and Jiko is very good but is expensive. There are many places off the main lobby places that a rarely used as well as on the main hallways. The pool is HUGE but the slide is on the boring side, you do however have access to Kidani viallge which has good slide but the pool is smaller. Kidani aslo has Sanaa which is also a very good TS. It is very easy to spend days at AKL without going to the parks... You can see animals did I say that yet bad weather is great viewing time we have seen some amazing things. -- I will warn you will not see animals from a Balcony all the time as the animals are free roaming and the do feed them in different areas at different times. Depending in your room location you can ask one of the guides at the main viewing area for the most active times on that Savanna.

Which would I choose that depends on Which one I stayed at the prior year. I have stayed at AKL at least 8 times and WL 5 not including this year which will make it 6. The last time i stayed at one of the 2 --with a few breaks in between for some other resorts-- was AKL this year it is WL so that is my answer which will not help. But I will say when we took my parents and or my wife's parents (we own DVC) AKL was always a huge hit as they spent a good amount of time at the resort.

 

[CynBeth]

WL!

 

[kitkat4622]

Thank you everyone for all the great responses

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Wilderness lodge!

-Boat ride to MK
-Best quick service (Geyser Point and Roaring Fork). Actually, better dining overall
-Better bus transportation than AK
-Better pools
-More relaxing resort

 

[sky13]

I was recently making this decision (WL and AKL available for my dates, price within around $10 of each other/night) and chose WL. (Well for full disclosure I booked WL CCV via Disney, because by the time I had decided and got around to booking WL had sold out of Standard View rooms, but WL CCV was still around the same price).

Reasons
- Like the theming of WL better
- Like the idea of a boat to MK
- Everything I've read about AKL says to get a Savannah View, but that bumps up the cost of the room by quite a bit. Whereas the view doesn't seem quite as important at WL?

 

[RoseGold]

If money is a factor, I'd choose neither and would do something like AoA or Swan.

The deluxe are beautiful hotels, but as hotels, they would be laughed out of the room in the category with other $800/night hotels. I'd rather book economy flights and cheap nights at Swan than spend that kind of money on the hotel. The Swan swings a lot, and you can plan for cheap nights in retirement.

 

[disny_luvr]

Definitely Wilderness Lodge! We love the resort and location! We never stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge but have visited there to eat and it is far from everything. That alone makes me not want to stay there.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

AKL is incredible and there is absolutely nothing like it. I have stayed at both. If you can get a good Savannah view, its completely worth trying at least once.

Yes, WL is closer to everything, but that is mainly staying at the MK side of things. It really isn't that bad traveling from AKL. IMO the lobby is better, the vibe is completely out of this world. The pool is incredible. The food is better than WL, and it truly feels like you are in another country.

If I had to choose 1 to try between the two, I would choose AKL.

 

[kitkat4622]

thank you all for the feedback. I discussed this with my traveling companion and he wants to stay at POFQ which he is very comfortable with. so he is saving me money and we are going back to the "home" we really love. again thank you

 

[leebee]

I know you've decided... but I was going to say AKL. For me, first choice is ALWAYS AKL, partial savanna view! HOWEVER... DD28 and I leave in 19 days for POFQ, so allow me to say- another great resort choice!! ENJOY!