Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge

I love both of these resorts for such different reasons.

WL is so grand, and it sounds silly but I love the hotel's soundtrack! Aaron Copeland is one of my favorite composers. I also really like the fact that there's a dedicated jogging trail through the wooded area between WL and FW.

AKL is an amazing resort and I really like the authenticity they've put into the decor and activities. And there's something amazing about sitting on the balcony drinking wine and watching a giraffe gracefully make its way across the savanna.

I think they're both very similar in offerings. Rooms are practically identical, food offerings are on a par with each other, both have activities. And they both feel "set apart" from the rest of WDW.

WL has a marina and quicker access to the MK, which is usually a favorite park. And AKL has animals and the African flavor, which some people really enjoy. I guess WL is a bit closer to other parks as well.

I'm not so sure I agree with this. AKL has more "rustic" and "carved" feel to the rooms, whereas WL has a northwest and "arts and craft"-movement type of decor. They are very different.

And certainly the food is wildly different as well. Jiko certainly is nothing like Artist Point, not in decor, and not in food. And let's not even compare Whispering Canyon to Boma. Just one look at the flat breads and the various humus to go with them would blow away any skillet dishes at Whispering Canyon.

So yes, I would say that there's no comparision. AKL is my most favorite resort in all of WDW.

Zz.

You can see from my avatar that I'm a WL fan! But I've also stayed at AKL and really like both a lot.

I think AKL is a no-go unless you're in a savanna view room. The lodge itself is great, but it's that view that you're really paying for.

WL just feels cozy to us. When we pull up to that incredible building, we feel like we're home. There are just some resorts that really hold that "disney magic" for some people, and that's it. We love the quick access to the MK, too!

Especially since from what we heard from CM's last month, the new table service at the villas, Sanaa, is going to be amazing! We didn't hear too much about the menu, which we are expect to be on par with Jiko, but the architecture/decor should be great!

I like WL too, but AKL is just breathtaking.

Did you get to see concept art for the decor? Will it be bright like Cali Grill or dark like Jiko?

We are making a reservation for Sanaa for late June as soon as they let DVC members start making dinner reservation on the 16th of this month.

Zz.

When is Sanaa officially opening? I thought Kidani wasn't until August

I'm not sure I totally agree. I think Artist Point and Jiko are largely offsetting and while Boma is a bit more my cup of tea than Whispering Canyon, I certainly wouldn't say the whole preference is that clear cut.

No idea! Unfortunately we didn't get to see any concept art, we only talked to a CM who said it is going to be beautiful! And I'm sure it will be!



Kidani Village is opening in May, so I would assume Sanaa would be around the same time?

ADR booking opened up to DVS members (only) on February 16th, and I think I recall folks discussing the restaurant opening in May/June.


Just to add my $.02 to the WL/AKL conversation, I think both are incredible resorts that offer that "Disney" themed feel that I know we all love.

AKL was the first of the two I'd stayed in, and I was addicted! But as soon as I step foot into WL, I fell in love.

Both are grand and offer wonderful accommodations, but WL feels like home to me.

I was about to kind of restart this conversation, but I figured I might do it in here. These resorts are somewhat similarly priced, at least if you don't get a Savanna view. While I really enjoy both of them, I always feel like the AKL is "nicer." I feel like WL's big plus is being close to Magic Kingdom. Do you guys agree or is it just that AKL is newer?

Having just visited both on my recent trip (but have not stayed at either), I'd have to say if I were picking one, it would be AKL, hands down. I did not care for WL AT ALL. I don't know why. Perhaps it seemed too much like home, with the lodge theme (I know it's modeled on the Pacific Northwest, but upstate NY and VT have similar styles in the mountain regions). But it seemed very dark to me and I didn't like the fast food restaurant at all. Eveything I've heard about Whispering Canyon tells me I would hate that restaurant (too loud).

I really liked everything about AKL--the decor, the dining, the friendliness of staff I encountered, the grounds, the animals, everything. The only thing I don't like about it is its distance from everything else. (Except Animal Kingdom, of course.)

That's my two cents' worth.

SF's point is definitely valid. Part of the appeal of the WL to me is the fact that that kind of design is a novelty down here. I also feel like WL has been taking a beating online lately. Everyone's been saying it's the "least deluxe" of the deluxes, which may be true, but it's also priced significantly lower. I really enjoy WL's design and theme. I think it has more "character" than say Yacht&Beach or Boardwalk. They all have their merits though and WL definitely has small rooms.

Absolutely!
We love both resorts as well, and both have a totally different feel. AKL doesn't feel as "Disney" a WL- I think with the Water Pageant and that you can see the MK Fireworks may have something to do with that. In AKL- you can truly forget where you are for a bit too, b/c it is so far away from the parks as well.