What to choose...?

[scoobygirl39541]

We're planning a trip in December and can't decide which resort to choose this time. We narrowed it down to 3.

This is for 5 days/6 nights, 2 adults with the regular dining plan.

We just got back from AKL (savanna view), using the stats about, roughly cost $3500.

Now here are our narrowed down choices for 2014...

$3200 - AKL (Arusha View)
$3000 - AKL (Savanna View)
$2800 - WL (Woods View)
$2700 - AKL (Pool View)
$2100 - POFQ (Pool View)

We've stayed at AKL several times and love it. We've never stayed WL and eventually want to give it a try. POFQ is sort of our "go-to" resort when looking for a cheaper trip. The questions I have are, what's the best value listed? Is the Arusha View significantly better than the regular savanna? Would you think its worth the extra money? Since we were just at AKL, I normally wouldn't consider doing it 2 years in a row, but the price difference between years seems worth considering. And then there's always WL, which we've never been to! And you just can't beat $1050 a piece for POFQ! Oh the choices lol

 

[WDWoptmist]

I would stay at WL if you never have, especially during Christmas time the lobby is a sight to see! And nothing against AKL it is amazing but it is pretty much out of the way of everything so staying at WL could give you that convenience factor for your next trip! Have fun wherever you stay!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I would stay at WL if you never have, especially during Christmas time the lobby is a sight to see! And nothing against AKL it is amazing but it is pretty much out of the way of everything so staying at WL could give you that convenience factor for your next trip! Have fun wherever you stay!!!!

This^^^^^^^!!!!
WL is our resort choice at Christmas time. Stunningly beautiful and the Lodge theming fits so well with this time of year (we stayed the 15th-21st this year.)

We stayed at AKL this summer with a regular savanna view and found it superior to the Arusha view. Had giraffes and zebras and more animals than we ever saw with our Arusha view. Arusha not worth the premium, IMHO.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I don't really understand the Arusha mark up. Another vote for Wilderness Lodge. Save some money, try something new, and enjoy the boat to MK. Then there's Artist Point...

 

[jlsHouston]

I stayed 4 nights at WL this past Thanksgiving. It is a beautiful resort, the decorations were gorgeous. I found WL a more peaceful resort than I did AKL. I have only stayed at AKL once for a couple of days end of trip over the summer, pool view. I think the pool at AKL is much bigger than the one at WL. Riding the boat to MK and over to the CONT and the Campground was nice too. Kids LOVED LOVED LOVED the s'more night with Chip&Dale at the Campground and you are only a boat ride away.

 

[rt06]

I liked AKL, but not enough to ever stay there again. I had the Arusha view and would estimate the actual total time spent on my balcony looking at the animals to be about 30 minutes. You can get much better photo ops by Arusha Rock, which is available to everyone. That also kills the exclusivity aspect Disney tries to sell you.

My party didn't care much for Boma dinner. The kids settled for the spaghetti and meatballs. Not exactly flavors of Africa. As a person that eats anything, I wasn't impressed. With this in mind, I didn't even entertain the thought of the other two restaurants. The kids were too picky. Which is unfair to Disney as a critique. Mara was good. Ate there often. But again, kids. So my review of dining is incomplete. But I will say that if we had a Whispering Canyon at our resort, fuhgeddaboudit. I already know I'm going back there. And the kids love it. That's a plus for WL.

Then there's the distance. You have to be at the bus stop an hour early to make your ADR at MK or EP. Thumbs down.

Absolute positives are theme, lobby, and pool. A shame they're closing pools at the designated times. That was probably the best part of AKL.

My recommendation? Try something new.

 

[luv]

Wilderness Lodge. It's a good place to stay at Christmas and you said you want to try it.

Value? I don't know. That's a subjective thing and only you can really decide that!