Disney Peeps: Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Wilderness Lodge

[stinkyfeet]

We are going the first or second week in December with 5 and 7 year old girls and can't decide on which resort to stay at.  I'd love some help with pros/cons if you have any.

Thanks so much!

[alleinesein]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the most affordable of the Luxury resorts. Its only drawback is that it is only close to one park- Animal Kingdom. If you want to spend most of your time at the Magic Kingdom you would be better off spending the extra $ to stay at the Wilderness Lodge since its a MK resort.

AKL Pros- More bang for your buck. Animals.
AKL Cons- farther away from everything in WDW. Less food options. You will need a car unless you want to spend 20-30 minutes each way getting to and from the parks

WL Pros- Close to MK. Lots of dining options in the area at the other MK resorts
WL Cons- It will cost more than AKL.

[beeks]

I would pick Animal Kingdom Lodge myself. The theming is amazing, they will love the animals, and the rooms and resort is very colorful. The pool is excellent, too. I like Wilderness Lodge and it is nice having the boat to Magic Kingdom, but I always felt it was less kid friendly. We never mind the bus rides to the parks, but it is further away from a couple of the parks.

[stinkyfeet]

Thanks so much!!! I appreciate the feedback.

[sunny]

we have stayed at both.

FOR SURE animal kingdom lodge.

actually, kidani village (vs. jambo house) if you can swing it. we use disney vacation club member points from dvc-rental.com to stay in a studio at kidani village and it's awesome. 

kidani village is smaller than jambo house and has a nice pool and splash park area. they have drum circle at night. hello, stand on your balcony and watch zebras, giraffes, etc! 

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wilderness lodge to be honest felt like the shining to me with it's neverending carpeted hallways with no windows. it really set the wrong tone!! the rooms were meh and the pool is one big pool. whereas the hallways are long at animal kingdom, you have windows with animals outside it is fun to ride the boat from wilderness lodge as part of the transportation to the parks, but personally I am animal kingdom all the way!