Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom

[believe]

I have become the Disney expert on my floor at work, even though I have only been there a handful of times...it is the board that makes me so informed. Don't let me down now. Which would you say is better...and why if you have specific reasons, Animal Kindgom or Wilderness Lodge?

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[CamColt]

I voted for AKL but that just because of my personal tastes. Ive never stayed at either but I have visited both.
Theres something about going to Florida and staying at a place like the WL that doesnt seem right to me. Im sure I would have no problem staying at it if it were in the mountains, or Canada, something like that, but for Florida, I dont think I could do it. It is very nice in general though.
As for AKL,Im not a big animal person and the AFrica theme didnt really appeal to me either. I never thought I would like AKL at all, but I did want to check it out. Well we walked into that lobby and I was just WOWed! I was very impressed by it. I would actually consider staying there sometime for part of a trip and thats something I never thought I would say.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I voted for AKL. (and yes, I have stayed at both AKL and WL)

I think AKL just has that WOW factor to it. You walk into the lobby and you are just assualted by these wonderful views, textures, and smells. You do that one thing that everyone hates in disney. you just stop dead in your tracks and gawk at what's around you.

and that's before you even see the pool/savannahs.

The WL, IMO, is something you could easily find in the USA...you'll never find anything like the AKL anywhere else. That's what I think makes is special.

 

[WishingStar]

I voted both are equal. I have stayed at AKL and visited WL many times. IMO they both are awesome.

 

[princessariel]

We have stayed at both resorts. I voted for Wilderness Lodge even though we enjoyed both.

We love Wilderness Lodge because of the comfortable feeling we get while staying there. It's hard to explain but it's a "welcome home" feeling when we walk through the doors. The pool is great to relax in. The Whispering Canyon Cafe is a fun place to eat with good food. We like the fact that you can board a boat for the MK instead of always taking a bus.

We like Animal Kingdom Lodge and even when we aren't staying there, we make sure we dine at Boma. We love the food there. To view the animals from the verandah is a special treat too.

To be honest, I think it's a matter of personal taste. I think both resorts are awesome and either one will help you have a Magical vacation.

 

[ead79]

I have stayed at both (WL in Dec. 2000 and AKL in Dec. 2001 and May 2002), and I prefer the Animal Kingdom Lodge. There is just something wonderfully exotic about the resort. Plus, I love the lobby (though the WL has a fantastic lobby as well)--you can smell the delicious aromas from the restaurants drifting up into the lobby. The huge glass window that looks out from the lobby onto the savannah is breathtaking. Also, I think that the theme is executed perfectly in every little detail. If you have a savannah view room, there is just something so incredible about waking up and seeing animals just outside your balcony (and I'm not even a major animal lover).

 

[Rajah]

I have a *REALLY* hard time picking. I've stayed at both and can't pick my favorite really. Both are really relaxing, both have wonderful grounds, both are beautifully themed. WL has a more "home-like" feel for me, and AKL has a more exotic feel, it really depends on which I'm in the mood for. I'd stay at both again in a heartbeat!

 

[raidermatt]

Have visited both, but haven't stayed at either. Similar architecture.

I voted for WL due to location and transportation options.

 

[castlegazer]

Oooo, this is tough question. I LOVED AKL. We went and spent a half day just wandering around, eating at Boma, and generally checking the place out last week. I fell so in love that I vowed that I would stay there next trip. The theming and architecture is fabulous. The animals are an after thought in that you can see them, but its not right in your face. I loved the pool and the way tere were nooks and shrub buffer from the pool to the lounging areas. I loved the library and firepit areas inside the lodge and the outdoor lounge areas outside. The walks were gorgeous and the staff were so helpful.

Now the WL we visited last year and I have to say that it is not as relaxing, however, I really like the look of the lodge, the location - both the boat ride to MK and the walk to FtW, and I really like the restaurants too. I like the pool a lot and the views from the rooms to me is better than AKL because I like the woods view better than barren "savannah".

You can generally get a better deal at AKL so that will probably be where we end up staying, but I don't think I can pick one over the other.

 

[WendyZ]

I know this won't help, but their a complete toss up! I LOVE them both!!! Guess it would come down to an african or cowboy theme. Had a wonderful time at each!

 

[Micca]

I voted AKL, but WL is very nice too

 

[grinningghost]

I visited both on our last trip, to try and decide which one I'd like to stay at better. Wow, what a tough decision!

I think the lobby of AKL put me into such a state of awe that it has to win. Although the WL's access to watercraft was also a draw. We enjoyed renting a pontoon boat there, and would definitely do it again.

 

[Brer_Papa]

Stayed at both.....love 'em both...

what a tough decision!

I agree the ultimate decision would be based on personal preference...

If I remember right....both resorts were designed by the same man.....I wonder which he would pick?....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Visited both, stayed at neither, voted WL. More homey, better transportation, American 'feel'.

 

[Beanie]

This is a tough question because I love both of these places!! The first time we stayed at WL, I fell in love with the place and it was always my favorite until we stayed at AKL.

AKL is now my absolute favorite place to stay! I love waking up to the Giraffe and Zebra outside the windows! I picked AKL!

 

[piratesmate]

We've stayed at both & love both for different reasons. Overall I'd choose AKL over WL - we just didn't get enough of it in 10 days! We loved the artwork, the food & the theming is totally exotic & unique! (We almost didn't stay there as we thought it was too "out there" for us. )

However, we really missed being on the boat loop over by the MK.

 

[Dodie]

I voted for VWL because:

1. It's just my personal favorite (my own taste);
2. The proximity to the MK (one of my favorite parks) vs. AK (my least favorite park).