You don't always get a good view. Here is what we had for a view at Wilderness Lodge.
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The problem with this view is that we requested a HIGH floor with maybe a view of the MK. This was the LOWEST floor available all the way in the front corner of the lobby. Almost like they intentionally gave us the exact opposite of what we asked for. I know requests aren't guaranteed, but probably 90% of the rooms on the west side would have had at least a little view of MK fireworks. We had NOTHING. We won't be going back to WL.
Any floor lower than 5th on the north side (facing MK) has the exact view you had (even with the tree removal for the cabins) since the new trees that have been replanted are already growing and filling in.
You are right, whether justifiably so or not I do feel wronged. I wanted this trip to be special because it will probably the last trip for all four generations of our family, and the request was noted on the reservation over a year in advance by the cast member who helped with the two room reservation.
Sadly, the length of time you’ve had a room request on your reservation does not increase your odds of getting it (though I agree it should.) We’ve had that happen to us (most recently in May) and whenever we have brought it to the attention of the CMs all we get is an apology, the refrain of “requests are not guaranteed” and an offer to check availability....which might reveal a room in that area will open in a couple days, but we’d incur the hassle of moving.
Having to fulfill a two-room location request is even more challenging for room assigners, especially if there is a need for connecting rooms with interior doors, as not all rooms connect.
Yes, I did pay extra for what was supposed to be an upgrade over the "standard view" rooms at WL. I guess what was most irritating was that extra cost over POR where we usually stay was about $1,200 for this trip and it was a total waste of money in my opinion.
The room categories from low to high when you booked over a year ago were standard, woods, courtyard, club level. Standard rooms face the parking lot or rooftops. You booked woods view and were given what you paid for.
We didn't stay there because of the park view, but we requested a room that had view of the MK fireworks because 80% of the rooms in the class of room we had booked had that view and the grandkids would have really enjoyed that.
Your 80% statistic is too high. Lower floors on the end of the building nearest the boat dock/Bay Lake cannot see fireworks because of the trees on the island. The entire 7th floor is club level and a few of those rooms have no view of MK at all and only offer a partial fireworks view.
I even heard from a CM at the front desk that they are going to start calling these "fireworks view" rooms and of course they will then charge extra for them. Doesn't really matter at this point because we will most likely never go back to WL. FYI we had problems with housekeeping not delivering enough towels or soaps too.
Current room categories are now standard, nature, courtyard, nature fireworks, club level. You are correct that rooms with a view of the fireworks now cost extra.
I hope you contacted housekeeping about your lack of towels and soap. Our requests for additional items have always been promptly met.
You weren’t “stupid” for choosing a Deluxe over a Moderate. Like a lot of us, you set your hopes/expectations too high and therefore felt you “wasted” money when you did not receive what you wanted. I get that....I’ve been there myself. But the reality is you got to experience things at WL that you wouldn’t have at POR (boat to MK and higher quality sheets, towels and TP for example.) Besides, your grandkids are going to remember the great fun they had with their grandparents, not the fact they did not get to see fireworks from their room.
