Wilderness Resort

[Tinkwings]

Wilderness Lodge is a lovely themed resort, however for me the room size is comparable to a Disney moderate resort. Because of that I won't recommend the resort. I like to have space when I return to the room at the end of the day and if you are traveling with more than 2 people you are going to feel cramped there.

We never felt cramped with 4.....the former bunk beds helped.....but then again I live in a small home and we basically only sleep and get ready to go to the parks in room, but spend much time outside room IN resort.....which I LOVE LOVE LOVE.....so location location location.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wilderness Lodge is a lovely themed resort, however for me the room size is comparable to a Disney moderate resort. Because of that I won't recommend the resort. I like to have space when I return to the room at the end of the day and if you are traveling with more than 2 people you are going to feel cramped there.

By the numbers, you're correct.

Value: 260 sq. ft.
Moderate: 314 sq. ft.
Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge: 344 sq. ft.
Boardwalk: 370 sq. ft.
Yacht & Beach: 380 sq. ft.
Poly: 415 sq. ft.
Contemporary: 437 sq. ft.
Grand: 440 sq. ft.

However, I wouldn't call any of those rooms "feeling cramped" unless you're going to upgrade to something like a villa, family suite, or a cabin.

 

[ShookieJones]

Big fan of the WL. It's preference. I honestly never thought I would like the Beach Club that much, but we got a great deal one year and ended up getting room VERY close to the International Gateway and that made all the difference in the world that was a great experience.

With that being said, I LOVE the WL. It's #2 for me behind the Poly as far as favorite resorts.

Honestly though it's a vibe thing. It's a beautiful resort, the boat ride to the MK is a plus - Some say slow, but it honestly was never an issue for me.

 

[Tinkwings]

Big fan of the WL. It's preference. I honestly never thought I would like the Beach Club that much, but we got a great deal one year and ended up getting room VERY close to the International Gateway and that made all the difference in the world that was a great experience.

With that being said, I LOVE the WL. It's #2 for me behind the Poly as far as favorite resorts.

Honestly though it's a vibe thing. It's a beautiful resort, the boat ride to the MK is a plus - Some say slow, but it honestly was never an issue for me.

Never stayed at the Poly, but have been thinking on it some.....I need a quiet room....uber light sleeper.....do you by chance know which buildings of the Poly are quieter? I see several variables.....and the upper rooms of the WL away from the dock are pretty quiet from experience....anyhow should pose that question elsewhere.....

 

[ShookieJones]

Never stayed at the Poly, but have been thinking on it some.....I need a quiet room....uber light sleeper.....do you by chance know which buildings of the Poly are quieter? I see several variables.....and the upper rooms of the WL away from the dock are pretty quiet from experience....anyhow should pose that question elsewhere.....

We stayed in Tahiti Longhouse, which I believe has since change to Moorea. It was right next to the TTC which we actually enjoyed because it wasn't that far to the Grand Ceremonial House and allowed us the options to take either the resort loop or regular monorail and easy access to EPCOT. We always rent a car, and that year I think we MAYBE used it twice.

I digress, my point was to say that we were garden facing and one of the very last rooms in the longhouse (closest to the TTC) and the room was super duper quiet.

 

[LAKid53]

Both DVC properties at WL are my home resorts. WL is my preference - lovely resort, lots of activities, fantastic view of Bay Lake from Geyser Point. Two pools. Roaring Forks is probably one of the best QS spots in the resorts. We love Whispering Canyons for breakfast.

The only time I've had an issue with the boat to MK is when weather prevents it running. And being able to take a boat between WL and Ft. Wilderness that also makes a stop at the Contemporary beats waiting for the bus that runs between the two.

Wilderness Lodge is scheduled to be reopened on June 6th - hopefully all the rooms will have been renovated by then. Really like the new rooms, especially closing off the sink area.

 

[Weather_Lady]

We've stayed at both and really enjoyed both, although Wilderness Lodge was much more suited to my family's personal taste in terms of theming and decor. The lobby is particularly magnificent, the resort's footprint is small and easy to navigate, and the CS restaurant (Roaring Fork) puts the limited options at Beach Club to shame.

The only area in which I'd say Beach Club was, hands-down, better than WL (that's right -- I'm not even going to mention Stormalong Bay because my family actually preferred the serenity and openness of the WL pool -- a minority opinion I'm sure, but a true one), is with respect to transportation. While we appreciated the proximity to MK as it was the park we visited most when staying at WL, and we also liked having the option to walk over to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (presently closed) at Fort Wilderness, the bus service to the other parks was just not great. We waited longer for buses there than anywhere else we've ever stayed, although once we were on a bus, the couple extra minutes of commuting time here or there was negligible. Beach Club's walking-distance proximity to two parks is hard to beat in that respect.

 

[wdwfan22]

By the numbers, you're correct.

Value: 260 sq. ft.
Moderate: 314 sq. ft.
Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge: 344 sq. ft.
Boardwalk: 370 sq. ft.
Yacht & Beach: 380 sq. ft.
Poly: 415 sq. ft.
Contemporary: 437 sq. ft.
Grand: 440 sq. ft.

However, I wouldn't call any of those rooms "feeling cramped" unless you're going to upgrade to something like a villa, family suite, or a cabin.

I think it just all comes down to personal preference. We had 3 adults at Wilderness and we cramped. The theming is nice if you love the outdoors, but to us it feels like a moderate resort. The restaurants in my opinion are far better over at Yacht/Beach. Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Cape May (when open) and ale & Compass put anything the Wilderness Lodge has to offer to shame. However if you are a quick service restaurant type (we are not) then you might prefer the Wilderness Lodge. No matter what you choose you are bound to have a great time.

 

[Skibum1970]

By the numbers, you're correct.

Value: 260 sq. ft.
Moderate: 314 sq. ft.
Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge: 344 sq. ft.
Boardwalk: 370 sq. ft.
Yacht & Beach: 380 sq. ft.
Poly: 415 sq. ft.
Contemporary: 437 sq. ft.
Grand: 440 sq. ft.

However, I wouldn't call any of those rooms "feeling cramped" unless you're going to upgrade to something like a villa, family suite, or a cabin.

My wife and I stayed in a studio at Boulder Ridge within the Wilderness Lodge a couple weeks ago and I'll admit that more than two people would be a little tight but not unbearable. Bay Lake Tower was smaller (only 339 sq ft) and felt it. Old Key West did feel quite a bit larger but the increase in square footage was only about 50 sq ft. Still, it had two queen beds which was nice.

Port Orleans FQ felt larger but that is because they do not have the kitchen area that takes up space. So, FQ has two queen size beds versus one at Boulder Ridge. Now, if we're talking about the actual Wilderness Lodge hotel (which is still closed), I would think that those rooms would feel quite roomy because there wouldn't be the kitchenette to contend with.

I have had different bus experiences at Wilderness Lodge. Sometimes, the buses arrived regularly and no complaints. One trip, the buses were spaced out a lot. This most recent trip, the bus ride to/from the Magic Kingdom was wonderful (five to ten minutes) but, if you had just missed the bus, you had a bit of a wait.

 

[pixie225]

We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge our last 6 visits. Always get bunk bed room (2 kids) but never felt cramped. Just be forewarned - if there is a thunderstorm/lightening they shut the boats down, so you could be stuck waiting for transportation.

 

[nickys]

We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge our last 6 visits. Always get bunk bed room (2 kids) but never felt cramped. Just be forewarned - if there is a thunderstorm/lightening they shut the boats down, so you could be stuck waiting for transportation.

Bunk beds are gone in the refurb of rooms nearing completion.