Wl or AKL? Which one should I book

[YoCoLifSavr]

Well as I previously posted im looking at booking an additional 2 night stay on top of the 6 nights we are already staying at Disney's Carribean Beach Resort. I have narrowed it down to these 2 resorts. The Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Wilderness Lodge. Im looking for something romantic for my significant other and for it to be something special. I have read the FAQ's on the two resorts and am still having trouble deciding. Any input would be greatly appreciated...

 

[MichelleTO]

My vote would be WL as it has a more secluded atmosphere, being a bit more surrounded by the tall pines, as well I liked it location on the water. Both are nice resorts, I just liked the feel of WL lodge better and Artist Point is a great place for a nice meal. If you like the Up - north Muskoka Resort (or in the US I guess The Berkshires?) woods type feel, this would be the place. I found the AKl a little to far from everything else, although beautiful. The WL also has the bonus of the water launch to the MK and Contemporary.

 

[YoCoLifSavr]

My vote would be WL as it has a more secluded atmosphere, being a bit more surrounded by the tall pines, as well I liked it location on the water. Both are nice resorts, I just liked the feel of WL lodge better and Artist Point is a great place for a nice meal. If you like the Up - north Muskoka Resort (or in the US I guess The Berkshires?) woods type feel, this would be the place. I found the AKl a little to far from everything else, although beautiful. The WL also has the bonus of the water launch to the MK and Contemporary.

What view do you recommend if I choose WL? The courtyard view?

 

[minniechiptink]

Hi The WL is our favorite resort. The woodview upper floors of the north wing, could give you a nice, romantic view of the fireworks from your balcony.
We also find a nighttime walk around the falls very pretty. We have never stayed at the AKL so it is just our WL opinon.

 

[YoCoLifSavr]

well thank you for your input

 

[antkim]

WL!! I have stayed at both resorts and love them both but WL is my pick....hands down! They resemble each other in the "rustic" type feel (same designer) but WL just has something "extra" that I can't seem to put my finger on! I think because AKL is truly alone that I feel a bit "out there". WL is quiet, romantic, serene etc. but in the background you still hear the train whistle, the boat horn and just the "sounds of Disney" that make you smile!

You can't go wrong with either but if I were deciding it would be WL 100%!

Kim

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Well I have stayed at both also and we (my whole family) prefer AKL. WL is nice but AKL is over the top to us. Seeing a giraffe off your balcony is something you can not get at any other hotel unless you are in Africa. I think the "seclusion" adds to the relaxed far away feel. But you are just a short bus ride to the parks. I guess I just dont like the theme of the WL. I can go to a hunting lodge right up the road from my house but I cant drive to Africa. Just my thoughts of course. Everyone has their favorite and AKL is mine. And the smells........oh the smells of the lodge. You feel very far away, I probably didnt help much. LOL. Most people love WL.

 

[auntie]

I've stayed WL many times. Have only visited AKL, have no desire to stay there. I think it's too dark and a bit too removed from things in my opinion. We love that WL is just a water launch ride away from the MK. My husband and I have often taken the launch over simply to stroll Main Street and take in the sights. Also the WL offers the Electric Water Pagent that you will be able to see nightly from the resort. It makes it's rounds to the resorts on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. It's lovely to watch from the marina or beach area. I think the WL is an especially romantic resort with various hideways on each level to sit and snuggle. Personally...the animals might be great, and I love Animal Kingdom. Only I don't want that for the theme of my entire stay. I figure I can visit the animal kingdom without having to stay in it. Just me...others love it. I even prefer the music that is piped through the WL as opposed to that at the AKL.

 

[Beautybelle43]

Honestly, both are just lovely & you won't go wrong with either one!!

Both are luxurious, incredibly romantic, and relaxing. They both have wonderful rooms & great places to eat.

If you are only going for 2 days, I would opt for AKL/Savannah View room. Reason being is, to me, what wins WL over is the closeness & boat ride to MK. What wins AKL over is the animal viewing!! If you are only planning to stay for a few days, I would opt for the animal viewing. Nothing like waking up to giraffes right outside your private balcony!

 

[EltonJohn]

I would stay at Wilderness Lodge, but then again I live near Yellowstone and go visit the Old Faithful Inn every year

 

[Cindie-rella]

I would stay at Wilderness Lodge, but then again I live near Yellowstone and go visit the Old Faithful Inn every year

But if it is alot like a place you always go wouldn't you want something different? We're from PA not far from the Pocono's and we take off for weekend cabin get-aways and that's the reason I probably wouldn't stay at the WL. It is beautiful though, just too much like home.
Now to the OP, my vote obviously would go to the AKL. Very different than any resort you'll ever stay at unless of course you head to Africa. Romantic, to me "yes" it was a very relaxing, romantic stay. There were days we never left the resort. The food to me was incredible. I love trying new and different things and AKL gave us that. It's only a bus ride from the parks, but if you only have 2 days there, well, I say do the parks earlier in the week and spend the last 2 days relaxing and wandering around this resort. Or save your trip to the AK park when your at AKL. It's about a 2 or 3 min bus ride away. You won't be sorry...

 

[darby01_2007]

You can't go wrong with either of them, but if it was me I'd pick AKL.

 

[alldiz]

I would pick WL....place is awesome....very romantic....feels like you are out of the chaos.

AKL is great also.....personally I will stay when construction is over.
When I look out at the savannah and I see the ugly fence and construction....takes me out of the moment.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[LilGMom]

Both are great resorts so I don't think you'd be disappointed in either one. A few things would sway me one way or the other though. If I have little kids or don't have a car I'd probably stay at WL. The boat to MK is great and you can take a boat or walk the trail or ride a surrey bike to FWC which a lot of kids like. If it were just me & my DH with no car, it would be a toss up between the two resorts. I can't comment on the busses because we always have our car but that would play into my decision.

Again, I really don't think you can go wrong at either resort. We have our first stay in almost six years at AKL coming up and I am giddy!!!

 

[SandrainNC]

We have stayed at AKL and loved it! I kept reading about how people think it is too far away. It is 10 minutes from MK by car. We timed it to see what all the fuss was about. We definitely want to stay there again. We have not stayed at WL yet (we will be there this coming June), but we have been there to eat. In just looking around, we preferred AKL only because of the animal theming/African theming. But now we want to stay at WL to try it out. I think both resorts are beautiful and either would be great.

Sandra

 

[boomhauer]

I've stayed WL many times. Have only visited AKL, have no desire to stay there. I think it's too dark and a bit too removed from things in my opinion. We love that WL is just a water launch ride away from the MK. My husband and I have often taken the launch over simply to stroll Main Street and take in the sights. Also the WL offers the Electric Water Pagent that you will be able to see nightly from the resort. It makes it's rounds to the resorts on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. It's lovely to watch from the marina or beach area. I think the WL is an especially romantic resort with various hideways on each level to sit and snuggle. Personally...the animals might be great, and I love Animal Kingdom. Only I don't want that for the theme of my entire stay. I figure I can visit the animal kingdom without having to stay in it. Just me...others love it. I even prefer the music that is piped through the WL as opposed to that at the AKL.

Ditto.

 

[YoCoLifSavr]

Wow thanks for all the input...I have recently browsed the forums and noticed the "Post Pics of Your Rooms" thread. The Boardwalk Inn and the resorts surrounding the boardwalk ie: Beach Club, Yacht Club also look very nice and romantic. Should I consider any of those as well. The boardwalk views lit up at night look intriguing.


PS: Thanks for the tips on the AKL and the construction for Savannah View rooms. That was what I was leaning towards reserving but I too also think that would be an eye sore and take away from the moment

 

[antkim]

BWI and WL are my 2 favorite resorts. The Boardwalk area is a GREAT location for 2 adults...World Showcase it in walking distance (LOVE walking around there at night with DH!) and you also have a dance club, Jellyrolls and the ESPN club right there. Hollywood Studios is also very close by..there is a very nice walkway along the water to get there or you can take a boat.

I guess you may want to consider which park you will go to the most. If MK then stay at WL if Epcot of HS then BWI!!!

 

[YoCoLifSavr]

I guess there is so much to choose from I just need to make a decision and stick to it. I like the Boardwalk views, The Wilderness atmosphere so I just want it to be special for us and to enjoy it at the same time

 

[raven69david]

AKL hands down. We've been there a few times and we love the resort so much that we've stayed there exlusively for the past 3 years since we began staying on-site after DD arrived in 2004.

There are so many things to do at AKL it's too long to list since i'm at work, but the coolest is the night vision viewing at night. It's awesome to use the night vision scope to look at animals on the savanna in the back of the resort. Totally awesome experience. The ambience and atmosphere of the resort is like nothing we've ever experienced.

We've been to WL to check it out and have looked at the rooms and they were ok. WL and AKL are basically the same types of resorts with different themeing. Either choice is a good one, but something truly different and very Disney, i'd go AKL. You really can't go wrong with either resort.