Wilderness Lodge or The Boardwalk

[wsmith1978]

The only resort we've ever stayed at was the Wildnerness Lodge, each year since 2009. Going back again in Feb '12 and this time we're considering the Boardwalk. We're bringing my parents with me (they're in their 60's) and trying to decide if we should stay at WL because we know we love it, or if we should try BW for something different...

Which would you recommend?

 

[mickeysshoes]

The Wilderness Lodge is where we have stayed the most over the past 12 trips and we just love it there. But our last trip (August 2011) we stayed at the Boardwalk and we really like it also. I think the Lodge will remain DH first choice but I think Boardwalk will be my new first choice. Matter of fact later today I am calling to book for Chirstmas 2012:xmas: and will book the Lodge but I am hoping that some time next year a discount for 40% off the Boardwalk is offered so we can go back there. Have to book not with no discount with what we can afford and pray for the help of a discount. What I loved about the Boardwalk was being so close to Epcot and Hollywood Stuidos...and its like being a completely different world. Lot more choise as far a ADR's so close and it saved us on lots of cabs beacuse we tend to eat alot of meals at Epcot and the Boardwalk area!! So I say if it in your budget compared to the Lodge then i would give it a try!! :wave:

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

The only resort we've ever stayed at was the Wildnerness Lodge, each year since 2009. Going back again in Feb '12 and this time we're considering the Boardwalk. We're bringing my parents with me (they're in their 60's) and trying to decide if we should stay at WL because we know we love it, or if we should try BW for something different...

Which would you recommend?

We haven't been at the Boardwalk (but at the WL and loved it!) and we are not planning to stay there ever but we stayed at the Yacht Club a few weeks ago and walked along the boardwalk. Of course it is a matter of taste but I would always prefer the WL to the Boardwalk.

 

[surfsupdon]

BoardWalk is incredible.

After staying so many times at Yacht/BoardWalk, we felt isolated at Wilderness Lodge. The grounds are smaller, and there weren't as many things to do at night.


At Yacht/Beach/BoardWalk, you have all of the shops, shows, entertainment, and restaurants of those 3 Resorts PLUS Swan/Dolphin and World Showcase. It's more fun getting my ice cream from Seashore Sweets and walking the BoardWalk then getting ice cream from Roaring Fork and walking the grounds to my room.


Wilderness Lodge IS very, very nice.....but we much prefer an Epcot Deluxe. More entertainment in the area.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I personally prefer the Boardwalk. While the WL is a beautiful resort, I would rather have the location of Boardwalk and all the nice things that area offers. Given my choice for the lodges, AKL also wins out for me. Architecture and design are both incredible, but AKL really makes me feel that I am in a different world (even if it is a little bit more out of the way).

 

[coachwnh]

we have stayed at both. we love the boat ride to MK from the WL! But you cant beat the walk to epcot or HS from boardwalk. my favorite entrance in all WDW is that back entrance to epcot. you said your parents are in their 60s. if they can walk the half mile or so, no problem. if not, the boat runs between HS and the resort as well as epcot. we NEVER used to boat to either, and we had a 7 and 5 year old at the time. they had no problem making the walk to either park. either way, you cant go wrong, but i'm always up for a change

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I have nothing bad to say about WL, but The Boardwalk is mine & DH's favorite Disney resort. We stayed there for our first anniversary, and it was our best experience anywhere in Disney. We loved the quietness of the resort, especially the pool. Walking along the Boardwalk at night was so romantic. The location is the best part, since you can walk to DHS or Epcot. We loved it!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Boardwalk! And not because I'm trying to keep people away from Wilderness Lodge like Trotsky always is. :lol:

I like Wilderness Lodge fine, but I LOVE Boardwalk! The location is just amazing! It's a great atmosphere on the Boardwalk, so many things happening. Being able to stroll into Epcot is an awesome perk.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

The Boardwalk is my favorite resort. We like the rooms, the amenities, and the proximity to Epcot and -- to a lesser extent -- Hollywood Studios. It's so great to be within walking distance of a theme park and have to rely on the bus system (or a rental car, if you bother with them) a little less.

That said, we've just booked our first stay at the Wilderness Lodge for February. We're looking forward to a little relaxation and seclusion. We'll be back at Boardwalk next year for the Food & Wine Festival, but I think the wintry Wilderness Lodge will be a nice setting for a casually paced, low season trip.

 

[slappy magoo]

I think a lot would depend on where you plan to spend most of your time. If this is a trip with 4 adults, no kids(?), Boardwalk might be better. You'll be within walking distance to Epcot (a boon if you like to eat in the World Showcase restaurants), and a short walk or boat ride to the Studios. And aside from the restaurants and whatever night life still exists at the Boardwalk District, you'll also have the restaurants and lounges of the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin within walking distance.

Wilderness Lodge, as you know, is a little more secluded, but there is a walking path and internal bus shuttle to Fort Wilderness so you have access to THEIR amenities. There are boats to the Contemporary, which puts you on the monorail to Poly & GF (as well as MK naturally). If you're traveling with kids, especially young kids, I'd give the edge to Wildernes Lodge. But if you're not, probably Boardwalk.

 

[wsmith1978]

Thank you so much everyone! It's a tough decision but most of you seem to be recommending the Boardwalk, and for a lot of really great reasons. I will pass this along to everyone involved. I'm leaning towards Boardwalk

 

[captainkidd]

Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite resorts. I've always wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but there's a few things that keep my away:

-No restaurants in hotel. With kids in tow, that's a HUGE minus. You've got the restaurants on the Boardwalk, but nothing especially great for kids.
-Hallways in hotel seem endless. I don't know how, but we ended up walking through the hotel one day and could not believe the distance from some of the rooms to the lobby.
-The Epcot Resort buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney are horrendous.

If none of these things are a factor for you, then go for the Boardwalk if you've never tried it.

 

[bgraham34]

I stayed Boardwalk for the first time in August and I really liked it. I love how you can just walk to Epcot. While WL is my favorite, Boardwalk is someplace everyone should stay at least once.

 

[harryk]

This is a good one that I totally forgot about. Being "food court" type people, it was a pain having to walk to the boardwalk to get breakfast. (It was kind of fun doing it one morning, being on the boardwalk before everyone was out, but became rather tedious after that.) Sadly, I don't even rememeber where to get a cup of coffee in the morning at the Wilderness Lodge.

Roaring Forks has plenty of coffee early in the morning!!:xmas::xmas::xmas:

 

[CamiLyn227]

My vote is for Wilderness Lodge! Love everything about it!:sohappy:

 

[Pete C]

We've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club. For us, the Epcot Resort Area is the most beautiful. However, I understand why people like Wilderness Lodge.

Personally, I don't see why you wouldn't want to try a new Deluxe. Every resort at WDW is unique, and exploring each is part of the fun of going to WDW. I would not stay at the same Deluxe resort twice before experiencing all of them.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We are staying at the WL for the first time on Friday. Though we have never stayed at the Boardwalk either, I think it basically all comes down to where you're going to be spending the most time. If it's MK, then go for the WL... If most of your time will be at DHS and Epcot, go for the Boardwalk. Both properties are beautiful (I have been to both of them) so you can't go wrong with either choice!

 

[slappy magoo]

Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite resorts. I've always wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but there's a few things that keep my away:

-snip-
-Hallways in hotel seem endless. I don't know how, but we ended up walking through the hotel one day and could not believe the distance from some of the rooms to the lobby...

We stayed in the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge on a leg of our honeymoon (actually 7 nights in a VWL studio, 3 nights in a 1BR at BWV). We requested as much privacy as possible, wink wink nudge nudge, so they put us alllllllll the way in the tail end of the Villas. You want to talk distance? Sheesh! And once you got to the end of the corridor, you still had to take the elevator to ground level and use the walkway to the main building.

 

[KaliSplash]

Wilderness Lodge and it's not close! There are NO restaurants IN Boardwalk. Zip. Zero. Yes, there are restaurants you can get to nearby, but nothing there.

Yes, you are in walking distance of Epcot and Disney Studios, but it's quite a walk. And of course, on the walk to Epcot, you are at the BACK of the park when you get there. (which is fine if you are looking for dinner), not so much if you are touring the park in the morning.

And the walk to Studios is quite a journey.

I also prefer the theming of Wilderness Lodge. If you want to stay in the Epcot area, and I understand why people do, head for the Yacht Club or Beach Club.