Wilderness Lodge vs. Animal Kingdom Lodge

[EsmeraldaX]

Hi all,

I'm thinking way ahead at a possible early May trip in 2005. We will have APs so the ability to get or not get AP rates will make or break this trip. If no AP rates come out, or if we can't get them, we aren't going until our October off site time share trip. Hopefully the AP rate Gods will be kind and bestow some upon me.

I'm trying to decide between WL and AKL. I've always wanted to try AKL since I first heard about it. But the more I hear about WL , the more I think we'd like it. (We being two adults).

Can people who have stayed at both give me some ideas as to which would be a better place? We'd be going early May 05, probably for 3-4 nights and we may or may not have a car.

What are the odds that I'll be able to get AP rates at that time?

Thanks!

 

[MickaMaizie]

The nice thing about the WL is how relaxing it is because of its Northwest theme. This is a great way to unwind after your day at the parks. With its creek and waterfall in the courtyard and large lobby we just feel like nothing matters and we can re-energize for the next day at the parks.

 

[kathymc]

we (4 adults) just returned from AKL this sunday and we really enjoyed the hotel. we went to WL one night for dinner and that resort is also very lovely. you probably can't go wrong with either one (I know thats not what you want to hear) but if the AKL with its animals intrigues you - I would go for that.

We were always looking out our balcony or stopping at any of the views to check to see what was going on. It was truly a unique experience and I am so glad we were able to do it once.

cant help you with the AP rates

hey - I was born and raised in Methuen (just jumped the border this summer)

 

[old lost boy]

As I mentioned in another post, if you don't like Wilderness Lodge go see your physician because something is seriously wrong with you.
The only reason I can see to prefer AKL is if you're a major animal lover. IMHO WL has better transportation, better dining, better pool and unbelievable themeing.
If I win the lottery I'm going to rent a room there year round. Are you starting to get the picture?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by old lost boy
As I mentioned in another post, if you don't like Wilderness Lodge go see your physician because something is seriously wrong with you.
The only reason I can see to prefer AKL is if you're a major animal lover. IMHO WL has better transportation, better dining, better pool and unbelievable themeing.
If I win the lottery I'm going to rent a room there year round. Are you starting to get the picture?

LOL! I think you are a WL fan.

I don't know. Eventually, I'm sure i'll check out both places, but it's just not an easy task choosing which to do first.

The only places on site I have ever stayed were CR (when I was a kid traveling with my parents this was the only place we ever stayed and I have no desire to stay there again for a long time, since I can't even count how many times I was there...) and the Poly (stayed there once, it was nice, but the themeing was not really my style...i did love the pool though and I'd stay there again someday if I got good rates) and POR (stayed here several times when it was Dixie Landings and it's my favorite so far).

WL just seems so quiet and serene to come home to after a long day....

 

[Pluto2003]

at least once. We have stayed there twice. Trust me.........we are two adults.......

 

[Dawnflower]

Well, my DH and I consider WL our "home" because it was the first onsite hotel we stayed at and we LOVED it! This trip we are staying at AKL because we haven't ever been there. They where both designed by the same architect so are supposed to be somewhat similar in feel. I really like the boat to MK from WL and we also used the boats to get to PS on the monorail resorts (took the boat to MK and hopped on the monorail) and to EPCOT. If I where you I would pull the name out of a hat! It may be easier!

Since this seems to be such a huge choice for many many Dis'ers maybe they should build a Wilderness Animal Lodge

 

[cdpa4d]

I have stayed at both. Here are the reasons why I would choose AKL over WL in your situation:
1. AKL is newer and more modern. The hotel is about 8 years newer than WL.
2. IMHO the pool at AKL is better.

Those would be the 2 reasons why I would choose AKL. Don't get me wrong, I love WL a bit more, but as one poster wrote before, you have to try AKL at least once.

WL has better transportaion options. It is near MK and if you plan on spending most of your time at MK then you may want to stay at WL. However, if your itinerary dictates time at all parks equally then give AKL a try.

ADP

 

[EsmeraldaX]

This will be a brief, and very laid back trip. If we were going for longer, I'd consider splitting between the two.

Maybe I shoudl wait and see which, if either we can get AP rates for and let fate decide....(of course, maybe rates would be available for both and then I'm back where I started)?

 

[Valera]

We are kind of in the same boat.

We went to WL in July 2004 and loved everything!! I really can't say one word bad about this resort. We truely felt pampered and had some PD sprinkled on us with a double room upgrade to an inner courtyard/bear face room.

We are now considering our Summer 2005 trip and are having a difficult time with the thought of staying anywhere else but WL. However, my DS (10) is a animal freak and would LOVE to see those animals out on the balcony.

We are also considering Swan/Dolphin because he is also a pool lover and we heard the Grotto pool is fabulous.

Oh the choices, this is what makes the wait bearable (the planning is so much fun!!!)

Good luck with your choice, I think either way you will be happy!!

BTW - Check out the photos posted on the AKL board of the Xmas tree, it also shows quite a bit of the room and view.

 

[ckj]

We've (2 adults) stayed at both.
We enjoyed WL a lot and love AKL.

Dining
AKL is a bit more exotic. Jiko and AP are two of our favorite places to eat. The cedar plank salmon and berry cobbler at AP are deliddlyicious.

Transportation
AKL it's a bus everywhere, but we've never had an issue with transportation at either resort. We usually have a rental car, but have never used it to get to a park from either resort.

Rooms
Very similiar. At WL, I do enjoy the northwest theme. Love the Lobby and layout. AKL, lobby is is just as amazing. The resort is large. Rooms at the end of a wing can be a bit of a walk.
You can get some really nice views at WL, but for us it's kinda hard to beat waking up to the animals at AKL just off the balcony.

AP Rate
History says there should be rates for both resorts. We've been able to get ap rates.

Hope this helps.

 

[litlpixie]

Well, unlike old lost boys opinion of me, I do not think there is anything seriously wrong with me (really, I only have minor issues ) Our family of 6 stayed at WL last year and none of us were crazy about it. I mean it was alright, if you like that theme, but it did not thrill us like AKL did. Our Junior suite at WL was fine, no complaints there, but the pool area was crazy crowded, you got in the pool and could just stand there because it seemed like there was 40,000 other people in it. AKL's pool is much bigger and there seemed to be a serenity there that we did not find at WL, and we were at AKL during Easter week. A lot of people LOVE WL, and I hope not to get flamed by what some people may consider "bashing" WL, because I'm not bashing. I think its a matter of taste and comfort levels that differ. Enjoy!!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I am so glad I popped onto this thread! As you can see by my name, I am a HUGE WL fan. But alas...we cannot get FL resident rates there for our stay in Nov. But we COULD get FL res rates for the AKL so we will try it. Although I have not stayed there, i have been there a few times. i will say that I DEFINITELY like the dining at AKL much better. Jiko was probably the best meal we had on property to date. I have only heard great things about Boma and we have ressies for there during this upcoming stay. I do NOT care for the restaurants at WL. I cannot stand Whispering Canyon (Ok, I am ducking, please don't throw anything at me) and to me the Artist's Point really lacks ambiance.

That said, I really, really really like the boat to MK. (at WL.) Also, I like taking the other boat to the Contemporary. Then you can get on the monorail and go elsewhere. I also love the NW theme.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Like the other poster said, I am sure you cannot go wrong either place!

 

[Muushka]

We have also stayed at both resorts. I look at the time of year you are going-May. For me, if it is warm out (which May is pretty warm) I really like WL. I like looking at the coolness of the lake, the green trees and the overall refreshing feel of the resort.

AKL is also a great resort. As was mentioned above, if you are an animal person, go for it. Either way, you will probably be pleased.

 

[flyball]

We've stayed at AKL twice in the last two years and WL before that. We loved the ambience at WL, but were not crazy about the transportation! Funny how experiences can differ, but we waited an awful long time for the busses at WL and always had multiple stops. Busses at AKL are dedicated to that resort; we never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus anywhere, and they're never crowded. I also think that AKL has a much more romantic feel to it. Victoria Falls (the lounge at AKL) is very dimly lit and cozy; there are many cozy nooks and crannies in the lobby as well. Jiko and Boma are both excellent restaurants, offering both exotic and less adventurous cuisine. As others have said, the pool at AKL is much larger than the WL pool and we never felt crowded or overrun by fellow swimmers. Also, there are tons of chairs at the AKL, many tucked in quiet areas around the pool. We also love the AKL pool bar! The only drawback to AKL is that there is no lake and there are no long walking paths around the hotel (beside the ones that lead to the savannah overlooks). We loved AKL because we felt that it was a peaceful respite from the frenetic days at the parks. You really feel like you get two vacations in one!

 

[MauraAndIainsDad]

As you can see from my signature, we stayed at both resorts in 2002. WL was a nice resort but it was not our favorite. The rooms were a bit small and dark and it was a bit noisy. However, AKL quickly became one of our 2 favorites (along with BC). It was newer, the CM's were exceedingly friendly and the views of the animals was exciting. (BTW - don't settle for less than a savannah view room there). My DW usually gets up at least once every night and while at the AKL, she would wander out to the balcony for a few minutes to watch the activity. She loved this even though she isn't that wild about the African theme. Plus, the restaurants are terrific.

 

[chyam]

Originally posted by old lost boy
As I mentioned in another post, if you don't like Wilderness Lodge go see your physician because something is seriously wrong with you.
The only reason I can see to prefer AKL is if you're a major animal lover. IMHO WL has better transportation, better dining, better pool and unbelievable themeing.
If I win the lottery I'm going to rent a room there year round. Are you starting to get the picture?

I have said the very same thing!
I being adult and childless love the WL it is smaller than AK which gives it a much more intimate feel, there are many nooks and crannys to discover, the pool is great, and there is a great nature trail to FW to the petting zoo. It doesn't feel like you are at Disney at all! I love taking the boat to MK. To me although I LOVE animals the AK seems so far and removed although it really isn't
I just prefer the quietness and the beauty of the WL better. It is also nice to be right on the lake and you can watch the water parade from the resort........................Hopefully I will hit the lotto this week, don't know if I can wait til my next visit in Oct and then Dec. The WL is almost an addiction for me as much as these boards are!

 

[PatriciaH]

I don't think you can go wrong with either of them! They are both such beautiful resorts. Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel rates AKL as the best theamed hotel in Florida. I think I would lean a bit towards AKL because I love the art, the restaurants, gift shop and the pool area. The busses run great! Of couse they upgraded us to a 2 bedroom suite the last time we stayed at AKL so that was AMAZING We have a pool view booked for next month. WL has a beautiful lobby, the boat to MK and FW and the path to FW-love it! They also were kind enough to upgrade us to a courtyard view last time.

 

[LargoLori]

We have stayed at both. WL in May 04 and AKL in Dec 03. At AKL we were upgraded to a savannah view. It was awesome seeing the animals from our room. DD8 loved the pool and the slide. She thinks the slide is better at AKL than WL. We ate at Boma and were not impressed. So many people said such wonderful things about it maybe our expectations were too high. The lobby was very impressive and the room wonderful. They also had lots of activities for kids every day. The bus stop is a bit of a walk from the lobby but we didn't mind. We equally enjoyed our stay at WL. We were upgraded to a courtyard view and were just steps away from the pool. The boat to MKL is great. We enjoy Whispering Canyons Cafe much more than Boma. Maybe it's the kid factor. Very interactive at WCC. The lobby was equally impressive. Both resorts are top notch IMO. We were able to get a Fl res discount in May so I'm sure they had AP rates also. I don't think you would be disappointed with either choice.


Lori

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I know you are on a tight schedule in Dec. Could you possibly do a quick run through of each resort? AKL takes less than 5 minutes to get to from the AK. I love the AKL.

We are going to stay at the WL in Dec. I'll let you know when we get back. Everyone seems to really love the WL, so we are looking forward to staying there.

Lori