We've been to WDW 7 times in the past decade (most of the trips have been during President's week...yikes the crowds!) and have always stayed at a moderate. Although we've stayed at all of the moderates, we tend to prefer POR and CBR. We've started planning our next trip (August) and are thinking about trying the Wilderness Lodge but just can't decide if it's worth the exta money. We tend to leave the room first thing in the morning to hit the food court for a quick breakfast and on to the parks. We often hop from park to park and get back to the resort in the early evening. Since this will be our first summer trip, we're thinking we might want to spend more time in the parks at night and it would be nice to be able to take the boat over to the MK from Wilderness Lodge. We'd love to hear from anyone who went from staying in moderates to the Wildnerness Lodge and what you thought about it. Was it really worth the cost? How do the landscaping and general amenities compare to CBR or POR? Thanks!
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Usually stay in a moderate but thinking Wilderness Lodge for next trip..worth it?
- Thread starter Grumpydoc
- Start date
PixyDust
Member
I stayed there for the first time Dec 28-Jan 3 this year. We stayed for the same reasons you mention - crazy busy time and we knew we would be staying in the parks late and wanted good access. I actually lucked out and paid for a standard room but had a view of the castle from it.
We loved the quick boat ride to Contemporary for breakfast. The pool is amazing. You're a quick ride to and FROM MK. (Which is nice when you just want to get in bed from a long day.) The food court is yummy. And the kids really liked the caricature artist. I also think they have the best gift shop of all the resorts.
We probably won't do it again because I'm a single mom and it was truly a one time experience for me and the kids. But I am so glad we did it.
We loved the quick boat ride to Contemporary for breakfast. The pool is amazing. You're a quick ride to and FROM MK. (Which is nice when you just want to get in bed from a long day.) The food court is yummy. And the kids really liked the caricature artist. I also think they have the best gift shop of all the resorts.
We probably won't do it again because I'm a single mom and it was truly a one time experience for me and the kids. But I am so glad we did it.
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Nemo14
Well-Known Member
We've stayed at most of the values and moderates, but last month had the opportunity to spend a weekend at WL. We absolutely loved it. The restaurants were good, the hot tub was wonderful (we didn't do the pools because it was a bit cool), and it's a short walk to Ft. Wilderness. If you can afford it, I say by all means do it - you won't be disappointed!
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216bruce
Well-Known Member
I've stayed at all the resorts except GF (not my cup of tea-so to speak) and WL is the best and favorite. Great location, amazing theming. Heck, it even smells good . Places to jog, boat ride to MK, great restaurants and beautiful grounds. I can imagine going there and not hitting up the parks, which is the only resort I can say that about (AKL is a close second).
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YankeeMouse
Well-Known Member
If you are going in the summer, it will definitely be a big plus to be staying at WL. You'll want to go back to the resort when the crowds are high and the heat is also high, and recharge to go back in the evening with the late hours. In the summer, definitely worth it.
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I used to stay in the moderates quite a lot even after becoming a travel agent. My favorite moderates are POR and CS. I have stayed at every hotel on property and I have stayed at WL at least 6 times. It's a beautiful resort and if you can afford it go for it!
What I liked at the time when we first stayed at WL is the convenience in getting to the Mk, the theming of the resort with the Geyser and the waterfalls,etc and the whispering canyon cafe.
Good luck in your decision!!
Pam
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wvdisneyfamily
Well-Known Member
The WL is my family's favorite. Here's why.
1. It's a MK resort without the monorail loop price.
2. The rooms are all under one roof.
3. It is tranquil.
4. It is beautiful.
5. The Artist Point is AMAZING.
6. Whispering Canyon Cafe is very good.
7. The pool is very nice.
8. The theme just relaxes you.
9. It has a beauty so unique no other Disney resort even comes to matching it.
10. The Mousekeepers are great.
11. The Lodge has a lot to do.
We love the POR and POFQ. However, as great as they are, the Lodge has a special quality to it that makes the price difference worth it. Stay there at least once.
1. It's a MK resort without the monorail loop price.
2. The rooms are all under one roof.
3. It is tranquil.
4. It is beautiful.
5. The Artist Point is AMAZING.
6. Whispering Canyon Cafe is very good.
7. The pool is very nice.
8. The theme just relaxes you.
9. It has a beauty so unique no other Disney resort even comes to matching it.
10. The Mousekeepers are great.
11. The Lodge has a lot to do.
We love the POR and POFQ. However, as great as they are, the Lodge has a special quality to it that makes the price difference worth it. Stay there at least once.
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Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
I think so. Great location, Three great eateries, good pool, space to walk, marina, boat to MK and monorail hotels. And the third best themed resort.
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slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
Saratoga Springs...and the Treehouses at Saratoga Springs.
Pumbas will tell you otherwise, but that's only because he wants to keep the best part of "Disney's best kept secret"...a secret.
:lookaroun
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DO IT!.
If you can afford it, I say go for it! I am one of those people who spends as little time at the hotel as possible. I really enjoyed the close access to MK and being able to get to EPCOT relatively quickly as well by Monorail.
It's my most favorite hotel! I've stayed at value, moderate, and deluxe - this is the winner.
It's beautiful, friendly, and lots to explore.
Also, since I don't like to spend much time in the resort, that means I never return to my room to change, etc. This last trip was different! Because of the location of the WL and the best transportation experience we've EVER had, we actually went back to the room every day to change! I've NEVER done that before! It was nice because it allowed us to not have to carry a change of clothes, or tons of extra stuff. We could go to the room, change, use the restroom, drop off purchases if we had them, etc and head back out!
Another nice factor was, since we stayed in the parks so late, and we WERE able to hit the room for a quick change [ASM averaged about an hour and half round trip to do this, at WL, 30 min tops!], we often DID take leftovers from sitdown meals back our room. I'm not sure if all rooms have them there, but the mini fridge allowed us to take them as well and snack on them later that night! Money saving tip as well, I suppose!
If you can afford it, I say go for it! I am one of those people who spends as little time at the hotel as possible. I really enjoyed the close access to MK and being able to get to EPCOT relatively quickly as well by Monorail.
It's my most favorite hotel! I've stayed at value, moderate, and deluxe - this is the winner.
It's beautiful, friendly, and lots to explore.
Also, since I don't like to spend much time in the resort, that means I never return to my room to change, etc. This last trip was different! Because of the location of the WL and the best transportation experience we've EVER had, we actually went back to the room every day to change! I've NEVER done that before! It was nice because it allowed us to not have to carry a change of clothes, or tons of extra stuff. We could go to the room, change, use the restroom, drop off purchases if we had them, etc and head back out!
Another nice factor was, since we stayed in the parks so late, and we WERE able to hit the room for a quick change [ASM averaged about an hour and half round trip to do this, at WL, 30 min tops!], we often DID take leftovers from sitdown meals back our room. I'm not sure if all rooms have them there, but the mini fridge allowed us to take them as well and snack on them later that night! Money saving tip as well, I suppose!
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Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
AKL/ Villas = 1
Polly =2 ( its got a monorail and the best public areas and Tonga toast)
And my love for SSR is immeasurable, mainly cause its all negative. The treehouses are nice just a bit dark and isolated.
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mickeysshoes
Well-Known Member
If WL is in your budget then by all means give it a try!! You will not be disapointed. This is our home away from home. Everything about this resort is just about perfect. The first time you walk into the lobby you will fall in love. And I am glad to hear other posters with the same opinion about the gift shop. I also feel this is the best resort gift shop on property. I had to book a cruise as part of our next trip to get my DH to stay at the Boardwalk Inn. (really want to experence the resorts at the boardwalk area for once) Enjoy our stay and have a great trip!
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bgraham34
Well-Known Member
Certainly I think the extra money is worth it to stay at the resort. I always say just the boat ride to the MK is the best part for me especially at night. But if you also don't plan to spend much time at the resort then it may not be worth it. Lounging at the pool is a blast and so relaxing, well at least most of the time.
The thing might be to skip it this year and take the money you were going to spend on it and use it the next trip and add an extra day just to relax at the lodge and or Fort Wilderness.
The thing might be to skip it this year and take the money you were going to spend on it and use it the next trip and add an extra day just to relax at the lodge and or Fort Wilderness.
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Castle Dreamer
Active Member
We always stayed at a moderate until last year when we took advantage of 40% off the deluxe hotels as a special. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge for a few hundred dollars more. When we first got there I wasn't sure it was worth the extra money. But...after a day I was sold. I loved having everything under one roof and being so close to the Magic Kingdom. As another post said, it really is very tranquil and relaxing. I also loved having a balcony. Bus transportation was quick except to Animal Kingdom which is the farthest. My favorite part was taking the boat from the Magic Kingdom at night. It was so beautiful and relaxing. We have another trip booked for November and we are going back to WL.
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1selfsacrifice
New Member
I'm so glad you mentioned Roaring Fork! I was on the CP in 2006 and worked at Roaring Fork. I have a special love for the Lodge! I'm getting married in November and I'm planning a surprise trip for my fiancée for our honeymoon & hoping to stay at WL!
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heartodisney
Active Member
We have stayed in moderates twice and loved it! That being said, we have done our homeworked, gotten VERY lucky and recieved a pin code for our time frame coming up and will very much enjoy our stay this November! There have been some wonderful info give on this thread for you..here is a couple more that I hope will help.
(1) Flag Family, sign up as soon as you check in, this is a very popular item for the resort.
(2) "Wonders of the Lodge" a tour of the lodge on the architecture
(3) Hidden Mickey's, ask when you check in for a check off list at the desk, one website said you recieve a "pin" when you finish, but I have seen people say that they do not
(4) Iron Spike room, a converstion with a train specialist, this room houses some model trains.
(5) I have also read on one site that at certain times of the month, a Native American comes in for a talk also
Good luck, have fun...I hope we have time to do all these things...along with SOME of the other things in WDW!
(1) Flag Family, sign up as soon as you check in, this is a very popular item for the resort.
(2) "Wonders of the Lodge" a tour of the lodge on the architecture
(3) Hidden Mickey's, ask when you check in for a check off list at the desk, one website said you recieve a "pin" when you finish, but I have seen people say that they do not
(4) Iron Spike room, a converstion with a train specialist, this room houses some model trains.
(5) I have also read on one site that at certain times of the month, a Native American comes in for a talk also
Good luck, have fun...I hope we have time to do all these things...along with SOME of the other things in WDW!
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disneygirl76
Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
I would spend the extra money and stay at the Wilderness Lodge. This is a unique resort in that it like being at camp for the kids and it is actually very romantic for the adults. My hubby and I stayed there and we feel in love with it. We actually had our car since we drove to the World (we were only 4 hours away at the time) so we didn't rely too much on the Disney buses and transportation but for what we used, it was not bad. The only draw back - we didn't like Whispering Canyon. Normally, I don't feel out of place dining at the World with no kids. I have never actually felt this way except for at Whispering Canyon. It was very loud and just so much going on and running around. The food was good (we were there for bfast) but the environment we didn't care for.
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