Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Wilderness Lodge About This Page:

[AKLRULZ]

Boy, it seems like there have been a ton of folks who have recently stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and have come back chanting my AKL RULZ mantra. So, since we recently had the infamous Dole Whip vs Mickey Bar debate (Dole Whips crush Mickey bars, btw) how about a good old fashioned AKL vs WL debate?! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Which is best?!

Signed,
Never paid attention when they taught kids not to play with matches! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

Passed up a 50% off savannah view room (CM discount) at AKL to stay at WL for Christmas (did get AP discount, but not 50%!). Does that answer your question? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

WL is the BEST!!!!

[LoveWL]

I'm with you, Tikibird. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE WL [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] We went over to see AKL this trip -- reading these boards made me curious -- and agree that it is beautiful, but WL has completely stolen my heart. All that wood, the log ceilings, the beautiful inlaid floors, Whispering Canyon, Artist Point, the waterfall, being so close to the "action" and yet only a restful boatride away to the peaceful atmosphere of the great northwest....I wish there were a way to bottle the feelings I have while staying at WL, so I could dip into it during the more stressful times of the year.

WL is my "happy place", and DH and I feel truly blessed to now have VWL as our DVC home resort.

[Joy J]

Okay, Steve, now you've gone and done it - thrown such a huge temptation my way. [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] For those of you who've been reading my trip report, "Battle of the Lodges," you'll know that I very recently stayed at both these resorts and I've been saving my announcement of the winner in my opinion until my report is completely finished. I still have about three installments left to write so I guess I better really hurry up and finish them off so I can participate in this great debate. Oh, I'm so severely tempted though! Well, this much I can say: they're both absolutely fantastic resorts and I wouldn't hesitate to stay again at either one of them.

Joy

[Cameron's mom]

It's WL for me. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
1. the woods-I [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] trees
2. the ambiance of the lobby with the music, roaring fire and gurgling stream.
3. the view of Bay Lake
4. the walk to the boat-that takes you on a relaxing boat ride to MK
5. The hot tub
6. The ducks that swim in the pond.
7. The number of rooms,small in comparison to other resorts=much fewer people waiting for busses
8. My refillable mug- [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] the logo

[goofy4goofy]

AKL!!!! It's by far my favorite. Wilderness Lodge is pretty and it's got some perks..but I love looking out on my balcony and seeing giraffe and zebra munching on grass or leaves. There is nothing like it. I think the pool is far superior at AKL, and The Mara kicks Roaring Forks butt. There is so much to see and do at AKL, I would never have to leave the resort (it's a vacation in itself).

Kelly

[pflamingo]

Stayed at both. AKL was very nice (and smelled delicious), but...

WE LOVE WL!!!!

Boat ride, trees, Roaring Forks, lobby, 4th floor fireplace w/ big comfy chairs, spas... Ooooh, I want to go back!!!

[TiggGrrrl]

While I have yet to stay at AKL, I have to say hands down WL [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

Long before we ever stayed there, every trip since it was built we have visited the lobby just to take it in. Not once have I ever failed to have my breath taken away when entering that place. Joseph and I gone there and just sat in a rocking chair and listened to the water flow and watched the fire crack. When we finally stayed there last Nov/Dec, I was in tears as we checked in and couldn't believe it when we finally got to go through those golden elevator doors!

We have visited AKL several times and really appreciate it's beauty, but I'm not as taken with it as I am with WL.

[CRCrazy]

I need to stay with the AKL RULZ bunch.

We haven't stayed at the Wilderness Lodge yet - it's standard rooms only sleep 4, and our family of five needs a deluxe, or jr. suite.

DH has been willing to spring for the concierge level at AKL to do the Sunrise Safari, and we fell in love. There is something about this resort - you are totally immersed in the African savannah - the animals, the artwork, the music, the smells - you are truly in another world.
Wilderness Lodge is beautiful, but just too much like home for me.

We also get too nostalgic for the Contemporary when we are at a Magic Kingdom resort - we'd miss being on the monorail, and seeing the beautiful castle all lit up~

[joyjoy]

Animal Kingdom Lodge all the way!
WL is very nice, but AKL has better music, cool artwork, authentic CMs (better outfits, too), GIRAFFES, Chef TJ and Boma, spectacular savannah views, Fresca, an amazing pool, a ginormous mask in the lobby, bird lights in Jiko and daybeds on the fifth floor. I love the smell, the lighting, the special programs (Medallion rubbings! Yeah!), and the lucky wooden door. The gift shop totally rocks, and the elevators are wicked fast.

Shall I go on? [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

[Pooh1219]

No fair! We leave in 21 days for our first stay at AKL, so I can't truly answer in this poll. Having stayed at WL, all I can say is I absolutely loved it, but I think I'm going to also love AKL. Only time will tell.

[Mypasttimes]

i must say AKL has us under its spell...we are only a few days from heading back....for the second time this year...
Till next I post,
PEG

[DrDolphin]

Oh no - I have to choose?? OK I have not stayed at either resort YET -- I will be at AKL in 12 count 'em 12 days and at WL for the marathon in January..... OK with that said - I have visited both resorts, walked around both resorts, eaten at both resorts -- and I CAN NOT CHOOSE!!! The are both fantastic. Ask me again in Janauary after I have stayed at both and I will let you know -- although I did just buy a new pair of binoculars for the AKL trip in 12 (yep I said 12) days!!!!

[tinkerbella]

We stayed at AKL in August and had the best time ever. The pool is just phenomenal, and nothing quite beats that lobby...AKL rules! Its the kind of place that you wish you could stay at all day...if only you didn't HAVE to go to the parks!! We didn't like Boma, although so many people do, but we thoroughly enjoyed The Mara's food and prices.
We'd go back in a minute!

[Swazie]

Haven't stayed at AKL, just dined and toured it.

Am a DVC owner at WL (but not home resort) and have stayed once.

They are both wonders unto themselves . . but WL rules. You simply cannot beat the boat ride to MK. It's like BCV and BWV . . . the walk to Epcot or the boat ride (or walk) to MGM.

If Disney ever decides to finally build that fourth resort between the Poly and Contem . . . I sure hope it's a DVC resort because I'll be the first in line.

WL at Christmas is the absolute best! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]