WL or AKL?

[disreport]

Which? I know all the basic pros and cons for each.....just need some swaying one way or the other.

 

[disneysuncat]

I'll start...WL because it's closer to Magic Kingdom. I looove animals, but I loooove the Magic Kingdom, too. It's got a boat, boats are fun. It's got a Northwestern feel that ought to make you feel about 10 degrees cooler mentally. (okay, that's just me.)

Boat to MK and then monorail to Epcot with loads of dining choices, another plus.

 

[proteus]

I'll make my pitch for AKL, I've been there twice, going to WL this summer but I visited it to check out two years ago. I have a feeling both are pretty close
though AKL will be my favorite and this is why:

- Woke up the first morning, went out to the balcony and had breakfast while reading the paper and watching the wildlife directly below. Even though I knew I was in Florida it still felt exotic and transporting.
- Both hotels were designed by the same architect. AKL has a wonderful dark tropical motif. The floors in the lobby are solid Wenge (I think) wood with inlaid brass, the furniture is hand carved and very comfortable. The decorative elements (torches, drum skin sconces, rope bound wooden beams)
are tasteful and captivating.
- I don't know why but the interior of the AKL has the wonderful aroma, I wish I could bottle it up and take it home.
- AKL has one of the largest (if not the largest) collections of African art, it isn't often in Disney that you see a lot of authenticity.
- Just outside the lobby is a firepit around which they tell African folk tales in the late evening, very memorable.
- One of my favorite past times at AKL is to go into the large hot tub furthest away from the hotel. You're surrounded by foliage and at night watching the steam rise...it's like being in a mysterious tropical jungle.
- Restaurant food is out of this world, and even the cheap place has a great stew. Try the apple sorbet at Boma, I've never had a sorbet this good and I've lived all over the world.

In summary AKL was like a vacation from a vacation. Away from the bustle of a day at Disney I could relax so easily, sit by the firepit or lie down on the large comfortable carved sofas.

WL, while similar in design has a more open and familiar feel, less of the exotic and unexpected. Dinner there was fairly good but didn't compare to AKL in my opinion. I do expect there to be more and probably better activities (especially if you have kids) and it will be fun to walk the grounds, AKL has less space outside the hotel. You do have water based transportation at the WL and can also rent boats and see the electric pageant. I guess it is a matter of taste between the two, I prefer the getaway feeling of AKL though I'm sure WL will be a close second.

Let us know what you choose!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I haven't stayed at AKL and would like to just to give it a try but right now WL is better for us. We have a 4 yr old and spend the majority of our time at MK & Epcot. The direct boat to MK is great. We can take a boat to MK, hop on the monorail to TTC and switch to one that goes to Epcot.

The WL is also very quiet and serene. We loved sitting on our balcony (woods view) watching the bunnies run around. It was relaxing.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Wilderness Lodge because of how close they are to the Magic Kingdom and because you can take a boat to the Contemporary, so it's easy to get on the Resort Monorail over there to visit the other Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts.

 

[Veritaserum]

if you are going for convenience, i would say definitely the WL. it is just a short boat ride away from the MK, and being right on bay lake makes it right in a hub of activity. however, if you are going for a unique atmosphere, i would go to AKL. it is very laid back and has a relaxing feel about it. the artifacts that are around the resort and the attention to detail are amazing.

my overall pick would be the AKL!

 

[ransom]

Wilderness Lodge, because it's closer to the magic.

 

[Doc CW]

AKL it has the personal savvanah and you learn and observe other cultures

 

[twinklebug]

I love both resorts, but WL edges out over AKL for it's trees, water & boat service. If Disney transportation time is important to you - go with AKL - dedicated buses win hands down for three of the four parks.

BTW - Do you have kids? If so, how old? Are you VERY interested in the MK, or is it equal with the other parks? How does being on a lake compared to being on the 'savanna' compare to you? ... All very personal questions you know the answer to, not us.

 

[SailingBeagle]

I have stayed in both and prefer the WL for the ease of transportation.

There is nothing like hoping on a boat to get to the MK.

The bus ride seemed so long so nights to the AK.

But I did love watching the animals from my terrace every morning .

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We love both, but AKL has a slight edge for us. Like another poster said, we feel transported...not just like we're at Disney. We always rent a car, so the car ride is nothing. MK holds no special allure for us over the other parks so we don't feel we have to be closer to it. If transportation is a main concern (and your dependent on Disney for it), then I would go with WL though.

 

[raven69david]

WL is closer to MK, but there's no way we'd pick it over AKL. We are in love with AKL. You'll simply have to stay there to understand just how fantastic that resort is. Do 1 night and then go to WL or do a split stay. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[raven69david]

We love both, but AKL has a slight edge for us. Like another poster said, we feel transported...not just like we're at Disney. We always rent a car, so the car ride is nothing. MK holds no special allure for us over the other parks so we don't feel we have to be closer to it. If transportation is a main concern (and your dependent on Disney for it), then I would go with WL though.

Well said!