Looking at Deluxe Resorts!!! Which is best?

Happy42082

Happy42082

New Member
We are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Disney next July and are looking to upgrade to a Deluxe Resort. Last year, we stayed at Caribbean Beach and liked it, but are looking for something a little more 'deluxe!'

Right now, we are looking at both the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Just curious to hear what you all have to say about each, and if you have stayed in both, which did you prefer?

Thanks for the help!!! :o
 
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gr1mb0

New Member
Wilderness Lodge is great...

We stayed there for 7 days a few years ago, and I could quite happily have stayed at the Lodge for a week without doing the parks - it felt like a holiday in itself.

The boat is such a relaxed way to travel (hop over to the Contemoprary and monorial everywhere from there) - and plenty to do in a day off from the parks -- WL has its own beach, lounge by the pool, rent a boat, wander over to the campsite to rent a bike and hit the trails.... bliss.

We're coming back to Disney again in February after several years -- and I am so disappointed that now that there are 5 of us, we can't take a room at WL... I just hope Port Orleans Riverside is up to our expectations!
 
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Iakona

Iakona

Member
Happy42082 said:
Thank you for all of your responses!!! All of your input is helping me to narrow down my choice. I am limiting my choices to these two resorts for budget reasons.

I am going to add a couple of more specific questions to my first post. . .

First, many of you mention that one resort is more relaxing than the other. . . to me both themes might lend themself to this type of relaxing atmoshphere. I am curious about which is more of a relaxation destination. I am all about relaxing once the summer is here-- I am a school teacher!

Second, I am a bit concerned about the cleanliness and newness of the two resorts. Our stay at CBR last July was good, but we found that the hotel room could have used some renovation. This is part of the reason why we are considering an upgrade to the deluxe category.

Thanks again for your help!! The more information that I can gather, the easier my decision will be! (hopefully) It seems as if choosing between these two resorts is a close call!
:o
Click to expand...

We stayed in both resorts in January. Our room at AKL was gorgeous and you can't beat the Savannah view. WL has a great theme, but we were very disappointed with the condition of the room. There were a lot of little things (the bathroom fan did not work, paint peeling etc.). A great resort in need of rehab in my opinion.

As for a relaxing atmosphere; I can't think of anything more relaxing than sitting around the outside fire pit at AKL hearing a "bedtime" story from one of the cultural ambassadors or having a drink by the inside fireplace. AKL was very relaxing and do not worry about the distance between AKL and the parks. My biggest internal debate was if I needed a rental car to satisfy my impatience in getting to and from the parks. Ultimately I decided not to rent a car and the transportation was excellent.

We are booked at AKL again in January.
 
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tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
I have never found our room to be in anything but perfect shape when we were there. No peeling paint, chipped furniture or things not working.

Once ,after the hurricanes,there were leaks that was obvious on the ceiling tiles in the hallway one morning and by the time we were finished with breakfast (all you can eat skillet in the WCC) they had been replaced!

The CMs bend over backwards to accommodate your wishes and will even leave extra toiletries without being asked (they saw we had 2 kids).

The WL is the only resort I have ever been in that lends itself to naps on a big leather sofa while the rest of the world carries on. :lol:
This one gentleman was sound asleep and everyone made sure the kids were quiet when they were near him!

The stream that starts in the lobby and goes over the falls outside is a nice touch as is relaxing in front of the huge stone fireplace and sipping a cup of your favorite beverage.
 
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crazycalf

crazycalf

New Member
If you are using disney transportation, the times are not that long for AKL.
WL may be closer to most of the parks but what you have to remember is that they share transportation with other resorts. So the direct ride may be shorter but the time on the bus is about the same.
AKL does not share their transportation with other resorts.

If you have a car, AKL is a little farther away. But it is not that big of a difference.
 
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WDFAN1977

WDFAN1977

New Member
It depends on what you are looking for. I would say that the AKL is only worth staying at if you get a savanah view, which is expensive. If it were my choice I would stay at the WL and just visit the AKL to explore and have dinner.
 
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blackerbys17

blackerbys17

New Member
WL for me!

Well, I've only been back from my trip for less than 2 weeks now. I stayed at the WL for the first time and LOVED it! I did go see the AKL since everybody was raving about it. I didn't have my car with me this time so I hopped on a boat to the MK and then took a bus from there to AKL. Busses only took about 10 minutes to show up at MK for AKL, not too bad at all. And then the trip to AKL was about another 10 minutes but there were no stops at any other resort so that was nice.

I liked AKL, very nice and very well themed. However, I wasn't as impressed by the Savannah as others were. Maybe I missed something? I'm assuming there is only one Savannah to look at, the one in back of the fire pit area. Am I right AKL lovers?

Well, if so, the animals were nice to look at but there weren't that many. About 2-3 giraffes, a few zebras, a couple of big antelope but I can't remember what kind even though a VERY nice CM explained to us what they were called and I think that was about it.

It was a nice place to spend an afternoon, have a meal, and perhaphs sit around the fire with a drink while listening to the story tellers. Aside from that, I would be quite upset if I had spent ALL that money on a Savannah view.

In the end, it all comes down to taste. If you really like zoos or the idea of being on an African safari then the AKL is for you. If you like the idea of "roughing it" at a luxury lodge in the rockies, then the WL is the right choice.

I have to echo what somebody said before. The WL is a vacation all its own. There is so much to do and explore at the WL and its sister resort Fort Wilderness that it is practically impossible to be bored. The only thing I regret is not spending more time at my resort and Fort Wilderness and mind you, we only went to the parks 1 day and had 2 days to lounge about and STILL didn't do everything there was to do at the WL and Fort Wilderness! And by the way, the WL has ferries you can take that go to the Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, or MK. That was one of my favorite parts of my stay there. SO relaxing, especially in the early mornings and late in the evenings, especially 5 or so minutes before Wishes. (By the way, if you pick the WL I had a woods view room and liked it better than the courtyard view of the pool. It was quieter and felt more woodsy!)

I'm going back this December and I can't wait to vegetate in front of that cozy fire and sip hot chocolate from my WL mug...:slurp:

OK, sorry, I'm daydreaming now. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's all up to you and your tastes but my vote is for WL.

Enjoy your trip to the World no matter what!:wave:
 
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