Just back from 8 days at the Wilderness Lodge

riogirl

riogirl

Active Member

Well we made it back to Philly (barely) hours before Hurricane Irene hit! We spent 8 days at the Wilderness Lodge, our first time at the Lodge, and we really liked it a lot-not in love like many of you out there, but I give it a 8.5 out of 10.

The grounds were beautiful, lobby amazing, pool very nice, but way too small for the size of resort. We did get a seat every day but I cannot imagine during peak season how hard it is to get a seat there. The Roaring Fork was good for our breakfast most mornings and ok for a quick sandwich at lunch but again too small for the size of resort. I was just glad we weren't there during the real crowds!

The room was ok...we were upgraded for free to a woods view from a standard that we paid for and that was very nice. We overlooked the villas and walkway to bus, very close to elevator and lobby. The room was immaculate and didn't look run down. Just needed to brighten up a bit. I know its the theme, but if they changed the comforter to a brighter color that would be really a nice change. We took them off and just by doing that the room opened up! Lighting in the bathroom was a little dim, but it was clean as ever and that was good enough for me! The Mousekeeping was great too!

The transportation was a little bit of an annoyance this trip. We were at a very convenient location BUT the time it took to get to many places was a little ridiculous! The boat to Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary was the best! We rarely waited longer than 15 minutes. The buses were ok too but the amount of transfers to get places was a little much and the pick ups at other resorts slowed us down too. If we didn't give ourselves 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get to another resort for dining reservations, we wouldn't have made it. Example: it took us over an hour to get to the Beach Club for dinner, the route we took was bus to Magic Kingdom then waited a long time for bus to Beach Club which then stopped at Yacht Club first.
Also to get to Epcot World Showcase for dinner...took us 2 hours! Boat to Contempo, monorail to TTC, monorail to Epcot (we took the monorail to get a chance to ride it to Epcot) then to walk from the front entrance to Italy was ridiculous! (We had the intention for being in the park and going to dinner from inside but the heat was too much to walk around during the day.)

Overall we had a wonderful vacation - parks were spotless, CMs were extra happy and friendly and the magic is still there..cannot wait to go back!
 
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Mukta

Mukta

Well-Known Member
I understand what you are saying about bus transportation. I almost never go resort to resort for that reason. It is easier to go to a park and eat at the resort restaurant for dinner.

Also to get to Epcot World Showcase for dinner...took us 2 hours! Boat to Contempo, monorail to TTC, monorail to Epcot (we took the monorail to get a chance to ride it to Epcot) then to walk from the front entrance to Italy was ridiculous! (We had the intention for being in the park and going to dinner from inside but the heat was too much to walk around during the day.)
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Yeah, I would have just eaten there on my Epcot day or taken the bus to Epcot. That is a long trip!
 
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BigRedDad

BigRedDad

Well-Known Member
Not taking away from anything, but people often complain about resort to resort transportation. With the amount we spend on a Disney vacation, we are willing to spend 2 hours riding boats, buses, monorails, or whatever to get to a meal. All the while, a $10-$15 cab ride would have us there in 15 minutes.

My trip to WL cost $3000. I would not spend 2 hours doing transportation hopping over $10-$15 cab ride. It simply is not worth the time loss.
 
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B

BeanSz

Member
riogirl said:

If we didn't give ourselves 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get to another resort for dining reservations, we wouldn't have made it.!
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I know it adds some cost, but we often end up using cabs a bit from the resorts especially going to other resorts for dinner. Sometimes when we leave the park at night, we even grab a cab back to the resort rather than hopping on a overfilled bus.
 
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mickeysshoes

mickeysshoes

Well-Known Member
We cab it all the time. we will take Disney boat, bus or whatever to the resort but always take a cab back. And we also will take a cab from the park late at night or like leaving AK right after the parade and we could not get on the bus and were not waiting in the heat for the next one. I fully agree that the our time is more valuable. I will add about $150 for our spending budget just to cover cabs!
 
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sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
More cab hoppers here! :wave:

Resort to resort or anything early in the morning regardless of location we believed in taking the cabs. Last trip we drove and it was fabulous having our car. We drove most everywhere. We have TiW so valet parking is free (+small tip). Worth it!

Glad to hear nice reviews about WL. We'll be there real soon for our first stay there!
 
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riogirl

riogirl

Active Member
Original Poster
Didn't even think about a cab...probably because I never saw one! LOL...That would have made a lot a sense...I am not complaining though...our vacation was wonderful and the Lodge great! Now I just know more for next trip and how to plan our meals and for sure catch a cab when going to a farther resort!
 
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Pooh Lover

Pooh Lover

Well-Known Member
We will be staying at the WL in a few weeks and, while the transporation is loads better than POR, we expect to take cabs to AKL, Beach Club and possibly the Polynesian, depending on what time we leave 'Ohana. We just started taking cabs a few years ago and regret not doing so earlier. Like others have said, between having spent a small fortune on your vacation and being dog tired or frustrated, spend the money and enjoy your vacation and the extra time you will have by taking a cab when necessary.
 
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Scuttle

Scuttle

Well-Known Member
lisak09 said:
I,ve booked Wilderness Lodge for August 2012:). Its so far away but i can't wait!
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It's a great resort. Only issue is the rooms sizes if you have a family of 4-5, but for couples it's perfect. Me and my girlfriend usually stay here for low prices and because we love it, but next trip is to the Grand Floridian! Finally get to stay at the GF, can't wait.
 
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worldfanatic

worldfanatic

Well-Known Member
riogirl said:
pool very nice, but way too small for the size of resort.
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That's really my only complaint with the Wilderness Lodge.
Not so much for the poolchairs (which I rarely use), but the pool itself. It's way, way, way too small.
Fortunately the Villas pool (although smaller) is much less crowded and available to all.
 
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D

desertrat

New Member
I always budget in cab money. We normally spend about 150.00 on cabs because we like to eat at the other resorts. We also like adult beverages so driving is not an option. I can't imagine taking the bus system resort to resort.That would probably ruin my vacation. I am glad you had a good time.
 
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mickeysshoes

mickeysshoes

Well-Known Member
riogirl said:
Didn't even think about a cab...probably because I never saw one! LOL...That would have made a lot a sense...I am not complaining though...our vacation was wonderful and the Lodge great! Now I just know more for next trip and how to plan our meals and for sure catch a cab when going to a farther resort!
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At the resorts the cabs sit in the back part of the parking lots so they cant be seen. Just ask the CM outside and they hail one for you!! Easy as pie!! If at Downtown Disney they are (looking out into the parking lot) to the right of the bus depot. They only place a cab does not make a lot of since is from or to the MK. TTC is the drop off and pick up location.
 
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sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
mickeysshoes said:
At the resorts the cabs sit in the back part of the parking lots so they cant be seen. Just ask the CM outside and they hail one for you!! Easy as pie!! If at Downtown Disney they are (looking out into the parking lot) to the right of the bus depot. They only place a cab does not make a lot of since is from or to the MK. TTC is the drop off and pick up location.
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For MK early breakfasts we take a cab to the Contemporary then walk the path. I know you're not supposed to just hop out on a curb but we've done this just past the guard shack a few times instead of driving up to the door. Hubby hands off the cash to the driver while the rest of us are quickly jumping out. Don't tell the driver you want the MK because, like mickeysshoes said, you'll end up at the TTC which isn't very helpful. :wave:
 
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N

ncdisneyfan

New Member
We have never used a cab either.....question...are there cabs waiting at each resort or do you have to call for one. Also we always have a group of 8 in our family, so obviously a regular cab will not work. Do they have vans & what do they cost to run between resorts?
 
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