Great Wolf Lodge

[Donald Razorduck]

When it opened, Disney's Wilderness Lodge was said to be fashioned after the great wilderness lodges of the National Parks, and particularly reminiscent of the Northwest and Yosemite. So, although I do not think that they mentioned a specific lodge, it would seem appropriate that one in Yosemite at Old Faithful might serve as a design reference point.

If you know my posts, including the last sentence jab in the one you quote at Disney's ridiculous prices for its deluxe hotels, you will note that my view of Disney is not always rose-colored. I am usually one wanting them to go back to the detail that they used to put into everything to mix an authentic feel and look with modern needs, which I do feel that they did well at WL. I usually lament their more modern cost-cutting. What I was saying above was simply that the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg looks like it took its design cues from Disney (as an oversized family wilderness lodge) except that some of the characteristics of it were a little more "cheesy" (by which I meant something perhaps more kid-friendly or cheaply made -- sort of like how Chuck E. Cheese compares to the Country Bear Jamboree or scenes in Splash Mountain) than Disney's Wilderness Lodge, which, while in the family-friendly resort of WDW, was designed with a great deal of period and local detail, including planting of specific trees not native to Florida, and with a grand lobby and fine restaurants designed for and serving specialties of the Pacific Northwest (along with the more family-friendly ones, including Whispering Canyon, itself serving food appropriate for the lodge atmosphere). It was simply the attention to detail, even in mimicking the National Parks lodges, for which I was comparing the more kid-friendly
I did, however, note that the GWL out-did Disney on activities for kids and families at the resort itself, although, as others have mentioned it might be interesting to see how this goes in the Orlando market, where people tend to have tickets for a park that take them away from their room and less likely to need activities at the resort. On the other hand, I kind of feel like Orlando is such a broad tourist market that even places like the GWL with find people coming that are not necessarily out to a theme park all day every day. Even the Disney resorts have people who stay back at the room at any given time. And, of course, some families who might prefer the pool for some fun rather than standing in long lines at the theme parks every day. So, in that respect it might have some competition for Disney's water parks, which require more driving, parking, and money -- as opposed to having the water park in your hotel -- where kids can go while, say grandma, relaxes in her room and dad does some shopping. The only way I could see it done better is to tie the GWL with a Bass Pro Shop!

Bass Pro is getting over 300 a night for rooms at The Pyramid in Memphis and it's booked up months in advance. They want the entire Mud Island to redevelop now.

Rooms overlook the store

 

[ford91exploder]

Bass Pro is getting over 300 a night for rooms at The Pyramid in Memphis and it's booked up months in advance. They want the entire Mud Island to redevelop now.

Rooms overlook the store

Yeah people DONT want themed rooms according to the Pixie Dusters they are much happier with rooms which look like a Hilton Garden inn. As they defend the de-theming of the GF and now AKL.

 

[matt9112]

Always a demand for anything "touristy" in Orlando. It's pretty much an all inclusive stay (entertainment wise) so it would be perfect. Nickelodeon Resort is kinda the same concept.


It wouldn't be on the Disney property though.

Side Note: Downtown Orlando will be getting a Wahlburgers soon!

whalburgers is good but not that good. saw his brother cooking up here in hingham. the prices where absurd food was legit though.

 

[slappy magoo]

I don't think its anything against GWL in general, its just if I'm dropping $4000-$6000 on an Orlando vacation the last place you will find me is spending a half day at the hotel waterpark. There is too much other stuff to do and I can go to GWL anytime.

My guess - much like Uni at its inception (before all the expansions including the 2nd park, Harry Potter, etc), GWL is meant to be a sort of add-on for tourists in the area. People won't go to spend their entire week at GWL, but they might opt for a shorter-than-usual WDW or at Uni, followed by a 2 or 3 night stay at GWL. Since GWL's hotel rooms include admission to the water parks (if not food or other amenities), there's an attraction for people who want to keep costs, if not down, at least in check.

I could especially see this working if GWL were to include transportation to/from the airport and to/from Disney hotels. Not necessarily the Disney PARKS, but the HOTELS, to counteract the loss of Disney Magical Express. If GWL had a shuttle to pick you up from your Disney stay, bring you to their hotel, and then also get you back to the airport, it takes a bite out of WDW's intent to keep you 100% on-site from arrival to departure in Orlando. And since it's one lodge, presumably with one central drop/pickup location, it doesn't need a fleet of vehicles like DME does. Heck, they could possibly make do with a small fleet of minivans to get former WDW guests to the lodge, and a few buses for airport runs.

 

[flynnibus]

Anyone who goes from a WDW vacation directly to a GWL stay is going to be greatly disappointed.

 

[EpcoTim]

Anyone who goes from a WDW vacation directly to a GWL stay is going to be greatly disappointed.

Not all the aficionados of waist deep, walk-in toilets.

 

[raven]

whalburgers is good but not that good. saw his brother cooking up here in hingham. the prices where absurd food was legit though.

Yep. When I was in Coney Island last October there was a line outside of Whalburgers. So I walked directly across the street to Nathan's Famous that also had a line but knows how to deal with a crowd and how to feed people.

 

[YozhikRoth]

Yep. When I was in Coney Island last October there was a line outside of Whalburgers. So I walked directly across the street to Nathan's Famous that also had a line but knows how to deal with a crowd and how to feed people.

That made me chuckle, like when a tourist in Little Italy asked me if I knew where the nearest Olive Garden was.

 

[ford91exploder]

That made me chuckle, like when a tourist in Little Italy asked me if I knew where the nearest Olive Garden was.

No choice there - NATHANS!

 

[raven]

No choice there - NATHANS!

When in Rome!

 

[ford91exploder]

When in Rome!

Eat as the Romans do!

 

[Rutt]

Well, they have packages that include food too, but that wasn't what I meant by "all inclusive". I just meant, it was a resort where you can occupy all your time doing various activities -- the water park, the interactive scavenger hunt games, mini-golf, bowling, storytime, spa, 4D rides, etc. the premise being that you don't have to leave the resort to be entertained. Your room cost is comparatively high because it allows access to those activities, but if you were staying there but spending your time going to WDW or Uni, it would kinda defeat the point of spending the money on GWL. At that point, just stay at a cheaper hotel with a nice pool.

I agree that there is plenty to do at GWL, but with the exception of the water park it is all extra on top of their very high prices.I think at first they will do well but not sure it will last.

 

[ford91exploder]

I agree that there is plenty to do at GWL, but with the exception of the water park it is all extra on top of their very high prices.I think at first they will do well but not sure it will last.

Don't think vacation destination, Think Convention destination - for a lot of us conventions were as close to a vacation as we could get so most of us would bring family to the convention hotel. That is the GWL sweet spot.