Wilderness Lodge vs. Animal Kingdom Lodge

[boomhauer]

I'm sure this poll has been done before. Wanted to see some recent responses though. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge in December and LOVED it. We visited Animal Kingdom Lodge and thought it was beautiful. We love Animal Kingdom, so proximity is a plus, but distance from other parks is a minus. Regardless, I thought about mixing things up a bit and staying there. Which do you prefer and why?

 

[grannyminnie]

I'm with you...love both of 'em but the convenience to MK is the dealmaker for us.

 

[Lamandpercy]

I'm torn as I love both but I score WL slightly higher. This is because I love the wildlife around there, we saw hummingbirds, an armadillo, deer, loads of butterflies and the ever-present bunnies. I do love watching the animals at AKL but there is something special about seeing creatures in their natural habitat that have chosen WL as their home. The walk to Fort Wilderness was also lovely and we got our own private deer viewing on the way!

Closeness to MK is also a big bonus, especially when EMH last till 2am. We had a studio at WL our last visit and I loved the decor, very cosy (in August!).

I do prefer the pool at AKL but the distance from the parks can be a minus.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

This was a tough decision. I've stayed at each resort and I would go back to either without a second thought.

I voted for AKL for 2 reasons...the smells in the lobby from the food cooking in Boma and the ability to view the animals from your room. Where else can you get that?

 

[Vickie46]

We stayed at both on our last visit and for sure WL... I didn't care for how long it took to get to other parks .. plus I thought it was strange how you took one elevator from the lobby to another floor and then got off that elevator to grab another one to get to your room... too much here and there for me.. I like WL so so much better! AKL is nice though.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

AKL is closer to the parks than WL, except for MK.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We stayed at AKL in 2006 and WL in 2007. We like AKL better. We thought the layout of Roaring Forks was kind of odd - it got really crowded and the crowds didn't flow very well because the registers are in a corner. Mara seems larger and has more room.

The transportation from WL just about drove me over the edge. Nothing was direct except the boat to MK, and that wasn't direct if you timed it wrong. Going to the other parks meant shared buses and no accurate way to gauge travel time. It took us an hour to get to DTD. Coming back from DTD we ended up taking a bus to the Contemporary and then the boat to WL. It was bad enough that I wrote to Disney when we got home.

Other than the transportation we liked WL, we just like AKL better.

 

[britterbell]

I think AKL is the best hotel on the Walt Disney World property! I went there in September of 2007 and it was great. It was very nice, clean, and family friendly. There are activities to do that teach about Africa and its culture. Every night there is a story told around the outdoor fire. We are going back there in September again because we LOVED it soooooo much. I have been to the Wilderness Lodge but I think AKL is a little bit better. I would definitely stay @ th WL if AKL was full. I think that all the hotels are great though and I love staying on property.

 

[boomhauer]

Some of these posts are really giving me something to think about. We hit the MK more than any other park, so the boat transportation is a HUGE factor. We also rent a car, so driving isn't really an issue. And to be honest, my 1st post doesn't really state it correctly. I have NO quams about driving on Disney Property. I actually kind of enjoy it. And this sounds really weird, but I like the idea of being close to the All Stars. They have the friendliest bar I've been at in Disney, so that'd be nice to have a short ride over to.

We're staying for 13 nights. I've thought about doing a split stay, but it's alot of work moving stuff from resort to resort like that.

ETA - I think I'm gonna switch it up. Do 6 nights at AKL and 7 at WL. I've always felt like it was splitting the vacation up, but we'll be there long enough that I think we'll be fine with it. Plus, I have to imagine Disney would help out with moving our luggage.

 

[GovieMom]

AKL for me ... absolutely amazing. And by the way Boom, I'd still love to know what kind of job you have that you can post on here all day every day, and get to go to WDW as often and for as long as you do! (still GWE)
Happy New Year!

 

[lilyv]

AKL for me ... absolutely amazing. And by the way Boom, I'd still love to know what kind of job you have that you can post on here all day every day, and get to go to WDW as often and for as long as you do! (still green)
Happy New Year!

I was just wondering the same thing!!
All the best to Boom....I do learn more about WDW from his posts.

 

[Lamandpercy]

Moving resorts is no problem, we do it every stay, last time we moved 5 times! Ring bell services from your room and tell them you want your luggage moving to WL. They will come and take it, just keep what you need for the day in the parks then go and check out. Enjoy your day in the park and go to WL whenever you are ready.

Go check in at WL and ring bell services from your room, they'll bring your luggage up to you. If you are staying on property your parking will be free but you may have to change your parking pass when you check in at WL. We are hoping to stay at both as I love both resorts.

 

[Lamandpercy]

Moving resorts is no problem, we do it every stay, last time we moved 5 times! Ring bell services from your room and tell them you want your luggage moving to WL. They will come and take it, just keep what you need for the day in the parks then go and check out. Enjoy your day in the park and go to WL whenever you are ready.

Go check in at WL and ring bell services from your room, they'll bring your luggage up to you. If you are staying on property your parking will be free but you may have to change your parking pass when you check in at WL. We are hoping to stay at both as I love both resorts.

 

[Lamandpercy]

Moving resorts is no problem, we do it every stay, last time we moved 5 times! Ring bell services from your room and tell them you want your luggage moving to WL. They will come and take it, just keep what you need for the day in the parks then go and check out. Enjoy your day in the park and go to WL whenever you are ready.

Go check in at WL and ring bell services from your room, they'll bring your luggage up to you. If you are staying on property your parking will be free but you may have to change your parking pass when you check in at WL. We are hoping to stay at both as I love both resorts.

It posted twice! Stupid broadband.

 

[keishashadow]

While we do it every trip, i do think moving/split stays are an issue (especially for those who have to do the packing up )

my vote is for WL (no surprise there lol); imo the most relaxing/quiet/coolest-temp wise during the summer. Cannot beat the proximity to MK, since we spend most of our time there.

We find ourselves going less over the years to AK park, other than safari/everest & wilderness trail nothing that gets us excited ; do think it's far flung as to transportation.

Worst case scenario i can recall to AK or Epcot was 30 min due to long stop @ campground for pickup during mid day a few years ago. If you have a car & are willing to drive, suggest you do - esp. to AK

 

[marivaid]

Split stay is the way to go !! Especially for a long trip like this.

I like AKL better, because of the animals, Boma, and the fact that buses are direct. I only took the bus once at WL, but it took forever to get to Downtown Disney since the bus stopped at the GF first.

 

[boomhauer]

Well, I just tried to change my reservation - Woman was VERY rude and completely unhelpful. She said I'd have to cancel my entire 1st reservation at WL, and rebook 2 seperate reservations. When she quoted me the new price for AKL, I informed her that I had paid off the entire balance already. Her response - "Why?"

She went on to say it would be very complicated and would involve crediting back my credit card and recharging it.

Oh well. Guess that's not gonna happen.

 

[marivaid]

Well, I just tried to change my reservation - Woman was VERY rude and completely unhelpful. She said I'd have to cancel my entire 1st reservation at WL, and rebook 2 seperate reservations. When she quoted me the new price for AKL, I informed her that I had paid off the entire balance already. Her response - "Why?"

She went on to say it would be very complicated and would involve crediting back my credit card and recharging it.

Oh well. Guess that's not gonna happen.

Shoot You might want to try calling early in the morning and see if you can get someone nicer.
But I've split ressies before and if you paid your balance in full already yeah they'll need to credit your CC and recharge.

Can you modify your WL ressie (shorten the stay), get the extra money back, and once you get it book the AKL part ?

 

[marivaid]

sorry double post

 

[boomhauer]

Spoke to a very nice CM who got it done for me. Was able to transfer the funds from 1st ressie to the 2nd - No problem.

Cool - I'm excited about this!