Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge? About This Page:

[kpac04]

Same thing! Single mom, 4 kids under 11, which lodge would offer more for them? Any and all advice greatly appreciated!

K.

[StephanieS]

Wow, that's a tough one. I've only been to the AKL and it was amazing, but with 4 young children, I would probably pick the Wilderness Lodge since is so close to the MK. -Steph

[kpac04]

I think we've decided to split our time between AKL and WL. Now the question becomes which one first!! LOL...

We're only planning to visit Epcot, no other parks (maybe Typhoon Lagoon). So now the question is which park first??

K.

[Stephanie P.]

When we go back next year, we're going to split our stay at those 2 lodges as well. I think we're going to go to AKL first for 4 nights and then do WL for 4 nights.

Did you say that you are only going to Epcot and Typhoon Lagoon? How are you going to get 4 kids under 11 to not plan a coupe and go to the MK!

[eliza]

i SPLIT A STAY B/W THE 2 RESORTS THIS sPRING Break. We had an amazing time! I loved WL. We stayed there first. We had stayed at AKL before and I loved ending our trip there. Because of the animals and the fabulous activities they have for children, I would save AKL for last. WL is awesome. It will be a fantastic way to begin the Magic!! You can't go wrong either way...Great Split

[Joy J]

If you're planning on spending most of your time at Epcot, then you will find travelling to Epcot from Wilderness Lodge to be particularly easy if you use a little tip we latched onto from a C.M. during our stay. Just take the bus from WL to the TTC (it's right across the road from WL so it's only about a two to three minute bus ride and the buses run really frequently.) Then hop on the monorail and zip off to Epcot. It's a very quick, pleasurable way to get there and I always find the view from the monorail as you're entering Epcot to be breathtaking.

Joy

[tinkercubfan]

Joy,

Thanks for the tip. We couldn't decide between the two but finally chose WL because we have a 2 year old and are getting a JR Suite. I've been worried about transportation and that little tip really helped. <font color="purple"> </font>

[Aimee W]

I like WL just for the closeness of more restaurants and loved the boat to MK and the contemporary!!

[mattjs]

They're both really fun. Slight edge to AKL on theme. Agree with Aimee though that WL has nice proximity to lots of restaurants (you can so easily get to Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian).



Both have great pools, though I liked the AKL pool a little more (it's bigger). AKl has the animals. If you're little guys are thrilled with animals you can't beat it.



Then again, WL has the erupting geyser. Whispering Canyon is a fun spot for lunch/dinner. You can take a direct boat to Magic Kingdom (in less than 10 minutes). You can boat to Contemporary (Chef Mickey) in less than 5 minutes.



If you were only doing one with four kids under 11, I'd lean WL. Since you're splitting though, you'll be happy at both.



Another thought though. If you're settled on going to Epcot, and maybe Typhoon Lagoon only, maybe consider Yacht &amp; Beach Club or Boardwalk Inn. The Y&amp;BC Stormalong Bay pool is the best of all the resorts, and Boardwalk Inn has a great pool too. And as far as convenience to both Epcot &amp; TL, there's no better. Walk to Epcot, and short ride to Typhoon.



Swan Dolphin is another option in the Epcot area (right between Y&amp;BC and Boardwalk). And while it isn't quite as "Disney" (themewise) as the others it's still an awfully nice place, and had an extensive rehab recently. Ratewise it's less expensive than the fairly pricey Y&amp;BC, and Boardwalk Inn, but gives you the same location with the same convenience to Epcot &amp; Typhoon. And you're right on the Boardwalk area with lots of restaurants, the ESPN Zone etc.

[Happymommy]

Thank you so much for that tip, I really love taking the monorail, that's awesome!!! What is TTC though? I haven't been to WDW in 14 years and am out of the loop.

Dina

[LisaJ]

Ticket and Transportation Center = TTC