Will WL disappoint us after AKL???

[wendyl]

I would like to know your opinions. We just returned from an awesome vacation and LOVED AKL so much. OUr last day, we did some resort hopping, and decided to stay at WL for our next trip next fall. I really liked this resort from our quick visit--but I wonder if it will measure up to the AKL. I really loved waking up and getting my coffee and watching the animals eat. I loved strolling around the pool area in the afternoon with my frozen drink in my hand and seeing 3 Giraffes RIGHT UP CLOSE eating out of a tree.

I wonder if WL can compare!! I know a vacation is mostly what you make of it--but opinions from those who have stayed there are helpful--anyone stayed at both????

 

[Shells9]

Wendyl-
I'm so glad you asked, we're considering WL for an upcoming stay and were wondering the same thing! I'll be curious to see what everyone's response is!

 

[cvemom]

wnndyl...I was glad you spoke so highly of the AKL. We're headed there tomorrow for the first time. This will be trip number 24 . We've stayed at many of the other resorts but decided on something completely new this trip. Can't wait to get there. Will let you know what we thought.

 

[miko]

Having stayed at both several times I don't think the WL will disapoint you. The rooms are about same size, in my opinion Restaurants at AKL are a little beter than WL. WL has great theming, of course AKL has the savanah, especially if you choose room with view. I might get some arguments here but bus transportation is about equal from my experiences. The WL has boat transportation to MK. WL also has lots of shade and trails, and is right on lake. I prefer pool at WL.
AKL and WL are probably two of our favorites, WL especially at Christmas time. Ideally you would split your stay, we now almost always change resorts when we stay more than 4 nights.
Hope this helps.

 

[RobinMarie]

WL has more transportation options than AKL. You'll also be able to walk around more at WL - even over to Fort Wilderness if you wanted. I loved AKL but wanted to be able to move around more.

Other resorts are a boat ride OR bus ride away hence more dining options.

I think you'll like it if you appreciated the architecture and lighting of AKL.

 

[johnsonet]

Hello.
I stayed at AKL-concierge level - and my next visit started at WL and ended at AKL. I absolutely LOVED WL! In fact, while there I decided I would never stay anywhere else Of course, you can see by my countdown clock that I have not stuck to that BUT I know you will not be disappointed.
AKL is amazing - I can't wait to go back there. But WL is fabulous and completely different. It is stunning and relaxing and has the friendliest CMs I've EVER encountered
Enjoy

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

We have stayed at both resorts and love both for different reasons. We like the pool area and food court better at AKL. If you have small children WL is perfect. It is compact and you can always have an eye on them.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. It took fighting to get them to change to AKL and when we did they don't want to stay anywhere else now.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[ADisneygirl]

We stayed at AKL last summer and loved it. We leave Monday for our first trip to WL. We have not seen it yet except for photos. I am sure it will be great. I'll post when we return and let you know.

 

[jarestel]

Well, you're not going to see giraffes at the WL, so if this is what made your AKL vacation special, you'll probably be disappointed. If you take an early morning stroll to Fort Wilderness from the Lodge, you are likely to see a variety of wildlife along the way though. ( deer, rabbits, peacocks, etc ). The WL is a terrific place to stay but it's very different from the AKL. Try it out and see what you think.

 

[720L]

We want to stay at WL also, but when I read NathansGrandma's post that she liked the food court better at AKL......that makes me nervous because I thought AKL's food court was not good. Is WL food court smaller than AKL? Less selection?

 

[kathy carleton]

WL is fabulous!! Have no reservations! We love AKL and have stayed there 4 times, but WL is our fave too! there is so much to do at WL- bike ride to Fort wilderness, petting zoo, electrical parade at night. And the boat ride to MK can't be beat. We love it, we usually do WL in the fall as the decor of the resort fits so well with that time of year. We have stayed there Christmas of '03 and Thanksgiving of '02. I do not think you will be sorry. Also, I think you can stay there cheaper than AKL, cause we will only stay in Sav. view at AKL, and woods view at WL is just fine- if you do it, ask for Fireworks view. enjoy!!

 

[Kimberle]

*LOL* Our family loved loved loved WL. Our 5yo wants to stay at AKL, but we're wondering your question in reverse! Will AKL "disapoint us" after WL!

We loved that WL is all under 1 roof, and pretty compact. It's not more than a few minutes walk to anywhere. We loved the pool areas, the hot tubs, the view from the beach, renting watermice, accessability to many other resort resturants, to name a few. It is so easy to hop on the small boat to go to Concourse Steakhouse or Trails End. The boat ride to MK is so refreshing on a hot day!

I guess it all boils down to what you "need" on your vacation as to whether or not you'll be disapointed.

 

[Terk-1]

The Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite resorts on property. I love the fact that it is compact and small, so no matter where your room is, it's a quick walk to everything within the resort. It's so rustic and the lobby is amazing. I could sit in it for hours and just soak everything in. The pool is fun and there are 2 hot tubs at the Lodge. There is another pool & hot tub at the Villas. There is a boat to the Magic Kingdom and one to the Contemporary and buses to everywhere else. I did not run into many delays with the buses last November/December.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

To be honest, I think you may be a little disappointed. I like WL, but I LOVE AKL. I would miss the animals. I would miss Boma, Jiko and Mara (much better than WL restaurants). I would miss the AKL transportation, which does not share with other resorts (WL shares with FW). I would miss the AKL pool (much bigger than WL and zero depth entry).

WL's only winning point for me is that you can take a boat ride to MK. Otherwise, AKL wins hands down.

I'm sure you will enjoy your WL stay. It is a nice resort. Just be prepared for the differences.

 

[TJA]

We have stayed at both resorts and I highly doubt WL could disappoint you. It is a stunning resort with beautiful grounds. You can rent bikes and boats at WL and there is a beach area as well. You can take a boat to MK from WL. Those are things you cannot do at AKL. The only thing AKL has that no other resort has is the animals. Also, we did like the food better at AKL, but everyone has different tastes...

 

[wendyl]

These responses are great and just what I was looking for. It will be nice to stay closer to MK and other resorts.

Another questions: If you go out at night at WL can you see the fireworks at MK?? Where do you need to be to see them from the resort--down by the beach--in a hotel balcony, etc...

I am really excited about going now---if only it wasn't NEXT year.

 

[BensMom]

Hey,

Stayed at WL for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas in 12/03, which was perfect because it was 40 degrees, and that fireplace was wonderful! Stayed for a week at AKL in May and again this past weekend. AKL is much newer and, in my opinion, WL shows a bit of its age and things are needing to be replaced/redone. Don't get me wrong, WL is beautiful. The restaurant set up is a bit different. There is no buffet like Boma. But the restaurant there is cool for breakfast, etc. The Mara equivalent is much smaller (forget its name), but Artist Point is beautiful. Never ate there, but I ate at Jiko, and I found it a bit too upscale for young kids (I have a 5 year old boy). The plus is that you can take the boat over to MK versus the long bus ride from AKL to anywhere. Hope this helps.

 

[Gary M]

We have stayed at AKL twice and WL 18 times. While we liked the AKL, we enjoyed the WL much more.