Wilderness Lodge vs Animal Kingdom Lodge

[runner110]

I'm surprised that I'm asking this, since people come to me constantly for WDW advice, but I have decision paralysis on where to stay. Some background - we (wife, two boys - 8 and 9 - and me) are going in mid May. In the last two years, we've stayed at POFQ, POR, CB and offsite at Floridays. Floridays was our last trip (August), and we loved it - a 3br condo for the same price as a WDW moderate. But we missed the Disney immersion factor. We really liked POFQ, thought CB and POR were too big, particularly if you rely on Disney transportation, and had serious (ie., trip-ruining) noise issues at POR. Plus, the small moderate beds are rough.

For this upcoming trip POFQ is our first choice, but it's booked on those weeks that AirTran offers $62 flights. So we're considering AKL or WL. We've been to Boma a few times, and really like the look of AKL, but the ferry boat from WL to MK is sure appealing (we'll probably spend more time at MK than any other park).

Thoughts?

[Drince88]

Since you're planning on taking advantage of the special, I'd verify that both of them have availability in the room category of choice.

Assuming they're both available - The boat would be nice - but the animals right there would be great for your boys, too. Since you have decision paralysis - see if the boys can agree and let them decide. If they can't agree, flip a coin.

I don't think either would be a bad decision.

[stan4d_steph]

I have never stayed at Wilderness Lodge, but I love Animal Kingdom Lodge. I stayed in a savanna view room and it was fantastic. The dining options there are great too. I love Boma and I have a good friend who has been to Jiko and had raves, so I'm planning a visit on my next trip.

[mom22gls]

We have stayed at both places, and enjoyed both. We liked the pool at the WL better than the AKL. In May, swimming will probably be a good non-park activity, so that is a consideration. The boat ride is also a lot of fun for the kids. The WL is also closer to the MK, which will probably be the park you visit most. On the other hand, seeing the animals is very cool, and the AKL has more interactive things to engage children. They can go to the observation area, and a knowledgable CM will tell them about the animals. They often have arts and crafts set up, and storytelling. I'd also give an edge to the Mara, the quick service restaurant at AKL, over Roaring Forks, at the WL, although that wasn't bad, either.

I'm also thinking coin toss, you can't go wrong with either.

[GusMan]

Personally, I love both of the places. But there is a deciding factor, if you ask me..
If you think that you are going to want to do things around the resort, then AKL cannot be beat. Like it was said above, there are many interactive things going on as well as many animal viewing areas. The thing is that if you dont think that you will be around the resort during the day, then you will miss out on many of those things. In fact, many times we wished that we had purposely planned non-park days specifically so that we can do things at the lodge.

WL also has some great activities throughout the day, but I think the ones at AKL are more interactive for the kids. Just my opinion.

So, there is your toss up question... doing things at the lodge vs location.

But seriously, you can't go wrong either way.