Kidani Village vs Wilderness Lodge Villas

[Gatorhead]

Looks like our next trip boils down to one of the villas mentioned above. We'll be looking at a 2 bedroom for me and my wife, our 5 year old son & granny. So tell me which you would choose and why.

Thanks!

[HauntedGabe]

I have stayed in the hotel for both of these. Hands down it would be Wilderness Lodge unless you are just infatuated with animals. As lovely as AKL and Village is, it is way the heck out there from everything. The bus rides to everywhere are long and tidus. Even if you are driving, it is 12 miles to the MK. To me the grounds are nicer at WL and I do love the main lobby at WL. AK lobby is beautiful also but the grounds to me are not. Again unless you love looking at the animals.

We ate dinner at AKL last month and went out the back door of the main lobby and viewed the animals. It was nice and enough for me.

Now the upside of AK Lodge was their pool and their Quick Service. It was great and the best resort QS we have had consistently and variety. Its door leads right to the pool with chairs outside, so it is easy to get a refill for mugs while at pool or a bite to eat too. Great set up. I am not sure if Disney ever put a quick service into Kidani Village???? Originally it did not, something to look into.

[Gatorhead]

Thanks for the info!

So is there quick service at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge? If not how far of a walk is it to the main lobby of Fort Wilderness? And how far from the Villas to the boat access?

[supernova]

I would imagine the walk to Ft Wilderness to be somewhat considerable, though I have never done it myself. There is a nice, though small, quick service area (nothing compared to what the value resorts have, although they need it more than Wilderness Lodge does. The walk to the boat launch is maybe three or four minutes, depenending on your speed. It's back behind the pool and the geyser. Depending on which door you use, you can cut out some of the trip. The best door to walk from if you're looking for a short cut is the one out near Sturdy Branches that links you to the private pool area.

The Wilderness Lodge is a wonderful hotel, though the dining options are miserable. I rarely eat there and I stay there all the time.

[Gatorhead]

I would imagine the walk to Ft Wilderness to be somewhat considerable, though I have never done it myself. There is a nice, though small, quick service area (nothing compared to what the value resorts have, although they need it more than Wilderness Lodge does. The walk to the boat launch is maybe three or four minutes, depenending on your speed. It's back behind the pool and the geyser. Depending on which door you use, you can cut out some of the trip. The best door to walk from if you're looking for a short cut is the one out near Sturdy Branches that links you to the private pool area.

The Wilderness Lodge is a wonderful hotel, though the dining options are miserable. I rarely eat there and I stay there all the time.

Oh yeah, I didn't mean to say walk to Fort Wilderness. That's one walk I don't want to do. There is boat transportation to Fort Wilderness from the Wilderness Lodge though?

So the Wilderness Lodge has quick service available?

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Yes- at Wilderness Lodge there is Roaring Forks. It is really good in my opinion. It gets a bit crowded at super busy times but it is so nice to go outside for breakfast and listen to the waterfall as you eat.

The walk from the main lobby of Wilderness Lodge to the Villas is not bad at all. The entrance to the Villas is just off of where there buses come.

I love WL and would love to stay at the Villas some day.

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

There is boat transportation that does go to Ft. Wilderness. You can also rent a bicycle surrey or maybe even bicycles and ride between the two.

[Gatorhead]

Excellent info! Thanks so much!

Sounds like it will be a Villa at Wilderness Lodge and a huge plus since we'll be there around the Christmas holidays!

[supernova]

I don't much care for the Grand Floridian and it's silly gingerbread house. No place... NO PLACE beats WL for Christmas. The music alone is fantastic, let alone the decore and the overall feel.

[MJMcb]

I have to pick Kidani. I love the museum displays, the savanna views and Sanaa. The night vision goggles and the other activities are terrific

[HauntedGabe]

I have to pick Kidani. I love the museum displays, the savanna views and Sanaa. The night vision goggles and the other activities are terrific

You like AKL???? Well slap me with the stupid stick!

[MJMcb]

You like AKL???? Well slap me with the stupid stick!

I know I know go figure

I have to say I have never stayed at WLV. Thats the one resort I do need to try

[HauntedGabe]

I know I know go figure

I have to say I have never stayed at WLV. Thats the one resort I do need to try

I love WL. I did enjoy AKL I just wish they didn't build it so freak'n far out. If they built it on the flip side of AK it would have helped somewhat.

[JNota0005DakMC]

I don't much care for the Grand Floridian and it's silly gingerbread house. No place... NO PLACE beats WL for Christmas. The music alone is fantastic, let alone the decore and the overall feel.

Mike I'm with you here... my family will see it for the first time later this month...

[MJMcb]

I would choose Kidani

Heres our photo gallery

Kidani Village