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Wilderness Lodge
- Thread starter dylan0511
- Start date
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
Been getting a lot of questions about the WL lately...there are a few threads going on now. Its great for kids (mine are 15 & 9). The bus isn't too bad...some people don't like them.
You can PM me if you want any specific info. :wave:
BRER STITCH you out there?
:lol:
You can PM me if you want any specific info. :wave:
BRER STITCH you out there?
:lol:
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GoofyFan1
Active Member
The only complaint anyone seemed to have with bus when we stayed at the WL was that we shared it with Fort Wilderness. We didn't see this as a real problem, but it does add more time to your trip.
Tha atmosphere at the WL is great. The kids (8 and 14) loved the pool.
I'm pretty sure you'll love the Wilderness Lodge.
Tha atmosphere at the WL is great. The kids (8 and 14) loved the pool.
I'm pretty sure you'll love the Wilderness Lodge.
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copper
Member
We won't stay there again because of the bus transportation. It takes forever to get anywhere! Although it's a beautiful hotel it has transportation issues. Anytime you get on a bus you have to swing through Fort Wilderness and one time on the way back from AK we stopped at Blizzard Beach! There are only 3 options for food at the hotel Whispering Canyons (theme & family style restaurant that is very noisey and crowded) Artists Point (expensive) and Roaring Fork (fast food). I'll give you an example of what happened to our family one night: We returned after 7:00 pm from one of the parks and we were all hungry. We didn't want fast food so we decided to go to Whispering Canyons. We had no reservation and the wait was rediculous! We said forget it so we tried Artists Pointe (also huge wait). We ended up eating at the fast food place with lots of other people in the same predicament. The problem is that WL is isolated and without your own car you can't get anywhere without it taking at least 1/2 hour. If you stay here make reservations at dinner time just in case. I've stayed at Contemporary, Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club, All Stars Movies & Music (bus service was better here!) Port Orleans and the Dolphin and never had these type of problems before. By the way, we were at WL in the of November 3 2002 not exactly peak time.
I also felt that the rooms weren't that big for a deluxe hotel. We had the bunk bed room and maybe the furniture is just too large for the room but I kept hitting my leg in the end of the bed. We went with my entire family and had 3 rooms. We concider ourselves WDW veterens and were all dissapointed and will not stay here again.
I also felt that the rooms weren't that big for a deluxe hotel. We had the bunk bed room and maybe the furniture is just too large for the room but I kept hitting my leg in the end of the bed. We went with my entire family and had 3 rooms. We concider ourselves WDW veterens and were all dissapointed and will not stay here again.
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DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
Well copper, I agree with you some, and not so much in other ways. True you have to share a bus, when we where there 2 weeks ago the only bus we shared with was GF. I do think some of the busses we were on went to FW also, but since it was farther out it always stopped at WL last and dropped off at VL 1st so it really didn't inconvince me. Most hotels you do need to share busses, or the resort had multiple stops (like all mod and value resorts.)
All busses stop at BB and AK, at all resorts.
The only resort that doesn't seem to share busses at all is AKL.
Being close to MK is nice, but as any other MK resort, you are far away from every other destination. (I like BC better that way, closer to more.)
VWL was nice, I have heard the rooms at WL aren't as good. I would tend to agree after seeing my friends.
I also agree about the food, yes other resorts are close by, but not that close when you are hungry.
All busses stop at BB and AK, at all resorts.
The only resort that doesn't seem to share busses at all is AKL.
Being close to MK is nice, but as any other MK resort, you are far away from every other destination. (I like BC better that way, closer to more.)
VWL was nice, I have heard the rooms at WL aren't as good. I would tend to agree after seeing my friends.
I also agree about the food, yes other resorts are close by, but not that close when you are hungry.
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tigsmom
Well-Known Member
Sorry you had a bad experience. I have to agree that the rooms are smaller than other Deluxes, but we have never had a problem with that (there are 4 of us). The bunkbed rooms are the worst. We have stayed away from them them because they get nothing but bad reviews. We have stayed at the WL during various times of the year and have never had to make PS except the one time we had 9 people in our party.( and when we got there it wasn't very crowded). We tend to avoid the Whispering Canyon at dinner because we really don't care for that type of food. The Lodge is THE most popular family vacation hotel (can't remember the survey's name but I read it in a national magazine). They are a victim of their own success.
As far as needing a car to get around...you could take the boat to the Contemporary & hit the monorail if you want. We don't have any issues with the bus transportation (as far as sharing). If we are in a hurry we take our car.(since we usually drive to WDW we have it handy).
As far as needing a car to get around...you could take the boat to the Contemporary & hit the monorail if you want. We don't have any issues with the bus transportation (as far as sharing). If we are in a hurry we take our car.(since we usually drive to WDW we have it handy).
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Debbie
Well-Known Member
I just stayed there December 12, for three nights. For $140.00 per nite, I feel it wasn't worth it. My room reaked of smoke. The view was beautiful (pool). My room wasn't any larger than the one we just checked out at Dixie Landings. Maybe for $109.00 per nite; it might have been different. Also we had to park in BFE, and after hiking through the beautiful lobby, then down another hilly corridor, then another (past Roaring Forks), then another to our room, we were pooped. The lobby was beautiful, and I like the woodsy theme, but I wouldn't stay there again for the price we paid.
On the other hand; my godmother stayed in the VWL a week before I went. She has been 40+ times, and can afford full rack rates. She said she doesn't want to stay any where else; and she has stayed at them all.
On the other hand; my godmother stayed in the VWL a week before I went. She has been 40+ times, and can afford full rack rates. She said she doesn't want to stay any where else; and she has stayed at them all.
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TXMICKEYFAN
New Member
I only stayed at the WL in oct 2003 and I really enjoyed it. I only stayed 2 days. If you like the outdoorsy type of feel it for sure gives you that. We are staying at the WLV in May and are looking forward to going back. We haven't stayed in the Villa's before and would like to know how they are compared ot the main resort.
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DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
TXMICKEYFAN, after compareing the two during our recent trip (we stayed at Villas, both a studio for 3 days and a one bedroom for 3 days) and our friends stayed in a normal room at WL, we think Villas are much better. But then again any time you get a villa it will be much better, the rooms are soo good. Even a studio is tons better then a normal hotel room. Only draw back if you have more then 2 people, someone has to sleep on the sleeper sofa.
The villas are closer to the main busses, have another quiet pool near it, but you can use the main one. They are a further walk to the boat, and a long walk to roaring forks to get drink refills. ( I have trip report out there, we were their over new years.)
Request one with not a long walk. The basiclly are one long hallway, the lengh of a football feild. Our room was on the 3rd floor, very end. It was a long walk. (I would guess you have longer walks at WL)
All in all our friends had a number of complaints about their room at WL, we had non about VWL.
Have a good trip. Beware, staying in a villa will make you want to join DVC.
The villas are closer to the main busses, have another quiet pool near it, but you can use the main one. They are a further walk to the boat, and a long walk to roaring forks to get drink refills. ( I have trip report out there, we were their over new years.)
Request one with not a long walk. The basiclly are one long hallway, the lengh of a football feild. Our room was on the 3rd floor, very end. It was a long walk. (I would guess you have longer walks at WL)
All in all our friends had a number of complaints about their room at WL, we had non about VWL.
Have a good trip. Beware, staying in a villa will make you want to join DVC.
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WL is fine for a 9 year old. The bus was never a problem to us when we stayed there. Our most recent was the begining of December. There are many other resorts that I would recommend for children though. I usually recommend WL when someone wants to stay at a Deluxe, but doesn't want to totally break the bank, since it's one of the less expensive Deluxes.
I would recommend the Beach Club or the AKL as the first choices of staying at a Deluxe with a child. The Beach Club for the obvious choice of the pool. And the AKL for the animals and it's beautiful theming.
Pam
I would recommend the Beach Club or the AKL as the first choices of staying at a Deluxe with a child. The Beach Club for the obvious choice of the pool. And the AKL for the animals and it's beautiful theming.
Pam
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I just stayed at WL 2 weeks ago (Jan.9-12). This was my first time there and there were 2 of us. We absolutely loved it and would definitely go back. After reading the other mixed comments about bus transportation, etc. I would base your decision on if you are a low or high maintenance person.
I didn't think the bus was any different than any other Disney resort I have stayed at. If I remember correctly, every Disney hotel shares a bus with another resort. You can also take boats to Contemporary and Ft. Wilderness if you want to eat there. The bus takes about 12 minutes to Epcot & MGM. I don't think that's very long considering if you stay over in the Boardwalk area and take a boat, the boats travel at a speed that is slower than my walking pace! If you're in a rush, just leave yourself some extra time which is what going in June is all about anyway.
The rooms are the smallest at WL than at any other Disney deluxe resort, (I read) but how long do you spend in your room anyway? I also didn't think the room seemed any smaller than any Disney room I have stayed in.
We dined at Whispering Canyon, and it is very loud, but entertaining. The food was OK, but I really enjoyed the shouting servers, and all of the children's activities going on and we didn't have kids with us! I think a 9-year old would love it. Anyway, I have never been unhappy with any Disney resort, so maybe I'm not a good spokesperson, but I loved this hotel and wish I was there now!!!!!
I didn't think the bus was any different than any other Disney resort I have stayed at. If I remember correctly, every Disney hotel shares a bus with another resort. You can also take boats to Contemporary and Ft. Wilderness if you want to eat there. The bus takes about 12 minutes to Epcot & MGM. I don't think that's very long considering if you stay over in the Boardwalk area and take a boat, the boats travel at a speed that is slower than my walking pace! If you're in a rush, just leave yourself some extra time which is what going in June is all about anyway.
The rooms are the smallest at WL than at any other Disney deluxe resort, (I read) but how long do you spend in your room anyway? I also didn't think the room seemed any smaller than any Disney room I have stayed in.
We dined at Whispering Canyon, and it is very loud, but entertaining. The food was OK, but I really enjoyed the shouting servers, and all of the children's activities going on and we didn't have kids with us! I think a 9-year old would love it. Anyway, I have never been unhappy with any Disney resort, so maybe I'm not a good spokesperson, but I loved this hotel and wish I was there now!!!!!
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tigsmom
Well-Known Member
They are definately smaller than the Contemporary & the Poly...the only other Resorts we've stayed in. They are able to have a daybed (with room to spare when you walk around) and more "open" space in the rooms. As I stated before that wasn't a problem for us. :wave:
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DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
As mentioned before the standard rooms at WL are the same size as a mod or value resort. As a deluxe resort, WL is one of the most affordable ones (ALK can have some good deals, but rake rates at WL are much lower then any other MK resort or Epcot Deluxe.) You get the benifts of a Deluxe resort, inteir halways, sit down restrants close to MK, but it isn't as high of standard as the monorail resorts (and they are older so rooms tend to be bigger.)
Many people find it to be a good deal that way. Some don't. Don't expect as much from WL as GF, but hey you don't pay that much.
I haven't paid room rates for a while, since joining DVC. When we stayed at Poly early Dec 2001, we got a good deal, I think it was around 180 a night (and keep in mind this was post 911, so they were pushing deals) So I don't hink 140 for WL was all that bad. Heck many of the mod resorts that were 119 a night when we started going in 1996 are up to 200 a night.
Many people find it to be a good deal that way. Some don't. Don't expect as much from WL as GF, but hey you don't pay that much.
I haven't paid room rates for a while, since joining DVC. When we stayed at Poly early Dec 2001, we got a good deal, I think it was around 180 a night (and keep in mind this was post 911, so they were pushing deals) So I don't hink 140 for WL was all that bad. Heck many of the mod resorts that were 119 a night when we started going in 1996 are up to 200 a night.
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Scooter
Well-Known Member
My wife and I have been to the WL several times for visits and meals.
We would not stay there without having the use of our own car.
We fly to Orlando and prefer not to rent a car so we stay at either the Monorail resorts or The Boardwalk area resorts. We can get almost anywhere with ease from these places.
While the Wilderness Lodge is beautifully themed, we felt very isolated and at the mercy of the buses. As someone else pointed out, you can ride a boat to The Contemporary and The MK but then again...you wait..and wait...and wait.
If you have plenty of time..and patience...or your own mode of transportation, then this Resort may be for you.
It's not however, my family's cup of tea.
We would not stay there without having the use of our own car.
We fly to Orlando and prefer not to rent a car so we stay at either the Monorail resorts or The Boardwalk area resorts. We can get almost anywhere with ease from these places.
While the Wilderness Lodge is beautifully themed, we felt very isolated and at the mercy of the buses. As someone else pointed out, you can ride a boat to The Contemporary and The MK but then again...you wait..and wait...and wait.
If you have plenty of time..and patience...or your own mode of transportation, then this Resort may be for you.
It's not however, my family's cup of tea.
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DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
I have stayed at a number of WDW resorts (no value only Mod and Deluxe) and I don't have a problem with WL transportation. I did with OKW, it has a bad layout and just circling the resort and picking up others takes a good 15 to 20 min. That is a problem for me.
I felt the busses at WL were fine, the boats were good. The only problem we had was trying to get back from Con at night and the last boat at 10:00 was full, so they had to go back to MK to take a boat. That was a pain that took an extra 30 min (with 2 pregnant women and 2 todlers that can be a lot of extra effort.) But all and all it was fine.
One hint we did find and use often was taking the bus to TTC and then taking the monorail from there to Epcot. It took no time at all, busses to TTC ran really regualarly and you always get right on a monorail. Plus with strollers you get to ride a great deal of the way with in a more comfortable postion. It worked fine coming home too, we never waited long for a bus.
In my opinon bus transportation to AK is bad at all resorts, and if I had a car I would use it to go there. MGM was fine, and DTD was fine too.
If you are compareing it to Monorail line resorts, remember you will pay more at any of them. You pay for what you get.
Personally BCV is still my favorite resort, but I am not going to knock WL. It has its good points!!!!!!
I felt the busses at WL were fine, the boats were good. The only problem we had was trying to get back from Con at night and the last boat at 10:00 was full, so they had to go back to MK to take a boat. That was a pain that took an extra 30 min (with 2 pregnant women and 2 todlers that can be a lot of extra effort.) But all and all it was fine.
One hint we did find and use often was taking the bus to TTC and then taking the monorail from there to Epcot. It took no time at all, busses to TTC ran really regualarly and you always get right on a monorail. Plus with strollers you get to ride a great deal of the way with in a more comfortable postion. It worked fine coming home too, we never waited long for a bus.
In my opinon bus transportation to AK is bad at all resorts, and if I had a car I would use it to go there. MGM was fine, and DTD was fine too.
If you are compareing it to Monorail line resorts, remember you will pay more at any of them. You pay for what you get.
Personally BCV is still my favorite resort, but I am not going to knock WL. It has its good points!!!!!!
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OK, I often consider myself to be a very impatient person, and I really didn't feel like I ever had an excessive wait for a bus or boat at the Wilderness Lodge or anywhere. There is one downside to the boat if you go in January. The boats to Con & FW are not enclosed and it gets mighty chilly!!!!
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