AKL vs. WL

[kangaand2roos]

Already thinking about a trip next year even though we came back from our vacation about a month ago. We like to try different hotels and I was considering AKL, I've never actually been there so I have not seen it. The thing is we stayed at WL previously and I wasn't a big fan. Too rustic and woodsy (I know that's the point, however I am neither a rustic nor woodsy girl). The rooms were fine, location fine, hotel was pretty but the outdoor setting/theme just not my thing. So that said if I'm not a fan of WL would you say skip the AKL too?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Definitely not! I feel similar about Wilderness Lodge. It was a little too rustic. Not the lobby or the grounds, but I wasn't crazy about the room decor.

The AKL is one of my favorite resorts. It has the incredible grounds, the majestic lobby, AND the rooms are beautiful. It has all three! The rooms don't feel rustic in any way to me. They are upscale and beautifully decorated.

Don't skip it! It really is different.

 

[lbrad]

Remember AKL is further away from EVERYTHING but AK.

I loved AKL ... my children were in awe of the animals whwnever they looked out the windows!!!

Have fun :wave:

 

[Hakunamatata]

Have stayed at both. Like WL better, but I think it's because of he atmosphere (and the music in the lobby). Liked the feeling of seclusion of both.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I share your sentiments about WL. I am neither "outdoorsy" nor "rustic," so it's not the place for me (as nice a place as it is).

However, there's a totally different vibe over at AKL. The decor is very upscale, with an African theme.

I wouldn't stay at WL, but I love AKL.

 

[coachwnh]

we stayed at both on our last trip (this was the second time at WL) we loved both. like you, i was not a fan of WL the first time. absolutely loved it this time around!! that said, AKL was awesome. i heard from so many that the bus rides take forever and that you are so far away from everything. that really isn't all that accurate. we never had an issue and stayed there over the July 4 weekend! in fact, the rides were much shorter and easier than i expected after hearing for so long it would be the opposite. if you do choose AKL, i recommend the savannah view. in addition, for the few extra dollars (less than 200 for our week) take the club level. this is the one resort where its is worth it. the standard club level room includes the savannah view. i hope this helps and you cant go wrong at either resort

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

We had a terrible and I mean REALLY terrible room (Savannah View!) at the AKL, we switched to the Yacht Club because of that. The lampshades above the bedheads for example looked like the chandelliers in the Haunted Mansion and I am really not kidding.
They definitely have a housekeeping problem at the AKL
We had a terrific stay at the Wilderness Lodge in 2007 without any flaws. We love the WL, we would stay there again at any time. Breathtaking lobby, beautiful theming and very kind CMs.
Take the WL.

 

[erider]

Love both

Just got back from WDW and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for 5 nights, Courtyard view. Loved it! Very clean room. Also like the outdoor patio next to Roaring Forks. I also love AKL, but haven't stayed there in about a year and a half so don't know how mousekeeping has been there lately. Both are great, but at WL I love the boat transportation to the MK and being on the lake. I like the AKL better with regards to the swimming pool (bigger) and of course the animals. The room decor at ALK is a little lighter than at WL. I do have the feeling that AKL is a quieter hotel. I don't know if the rooms have better sound proofing, or if there are less kids than at WL because of the WL proximity to the MK. I also think the standard rooms at WL have worse views than the standard rooms at AKL (at WL they can face a backstage area).
There are pro's and cons to both, I always switch between the two since I really can't choose a favorite.

 

[Phonedave]

Personaly I would take VWL over AKV, but that's just me.

Suffice to say, they are different. So maybe that is the answer you were looking for? AKV are not rustic. Then I don't think that VWL are especially rustic either. It's not as if they have outhouses and your water comes from a central tap in the lobby.


-dave

 

[mickeysshoes]

I am not a outdoors person but we love the WL. We have stayed at both and we like the WL much better. Loation is better. That said..you will never know if you will like AKL until you give it a try. I would suggest only staying there is you can afford to get a savananna view. There is nothing better than starting and ending your day watching the animals outside your room. We could tell time by the animals we saw!

 

[Scuttle]

The main question should be: Are you renting a car? Because if you are then the AKL would be fine, but to depend on Disney Transport for an entire stay at AKL could be a potential disaster. If you don't have a car I would HIGHLY recommend WL. Great location for the price you pay.

 

[Princess_Minnie]

First let me say that I am an avid WL fan! (So I am heavily biased). It was the resort we stayed in on my very first Disney trip, so it is so special to me. It is my favorite resort, and I'm not even really an outdoorsy person. No other hotel at Disney has come close to impressing me as much as WL does. And that includes AKL.

We were considering staying there for our next trip, so we took an hour and went there after the AK one day. It was nice. But that's really the only adjective I would use. Nice. The lobby was nice. The theme was nice. But I found it to be dark. I prefer the rich lighting in the WL to the dark wood of AKL. We also drove over to Kidani Village, and I have to say we were NOT impressed. Not at all pretty or inviting from the outside. We tried to see animals but couldn't really find any. The food from the restaurant smelled good. But it was very far away from everything and the landscape outside was kinda swampy.

Overall, I love WL, but I would stay at AKL. But AKL would pretty much just be a place to sleep, not really a resort experience like I have at WL.

 

[CaptainShortty]

My two absolute favorite hotels on property. DAKL has my heart (points to signature) but I love everything about WL too. They are very different but also very much the same. The architecture is very similar although of course DAKL is focused around Africa while WL is much more woodsy. If you have any questions about DAKL, let me know!