Will I regret staying at the Wilderness Lodge?

[MaryJaneP]

Is the main concourse in the CR closed during the renos or just the rooms? It would make a huge difference for our crew if we were kept out of the building entirely (or nearly entirely). Just trying to state that the Garden Wing is great, maybe not as decorated, but absolutely memorable in a positive way.

 

[Tuvalu]

I was planning on using the boat transfer to travel to the Contemporary from the Wilderness for some meals (Chef Mickey and California Grill). Is it a long commute between resorts?

The resort boat line (WL>CR>FW) is not currently operating. While it may resume in time for your trip, plan on alternate transportation for your CR meals.

 

[Tuvalu]

Is the main concourse in the CR closed during the renos or just the rooms? It would make a huge difference for our crew if we were kept out of the building entirely (or nearly entirely). Just trying to state that the Garden Wing is great, maybe not as decorated, but absolutely memorable in a positive way.

Just the rooms. Everything else is open.

 

[Tuvalu]

About how long does it take to commute from MK to the Wilderness? I heard that it is about a 10-15 minute walk from MK to the Contemporary.

It depends. If a boat/bus is at the stop when you arrive, boat will have you at the Lodge in about ten minutes. Bus is even faster at five minutes. But you could wait up to 20 minutes for a bus/boat to arrive.

 

[ShookieJones]

About how long does it take to commute from MK to the Wilderness? I heard that it is about a 10-15 minute walk from MK to the Contemporary.

The boat ride itself is between 10 - 15 min tops. The wait to get on depends on time of day, etc Our kids are adults now and the wait isn’t an issue nor is the need to take breaks etc

 

[MissViv]

I have stayed at both and LOVE Contemporary. If you can get it for the same price, you can't beat the convenience. They could open the monorail to Epcot also which would be a plus.

I have stayed in Garden Rooms and Tower Fireworks Rooms and for the price, I would pick Garden. The rooms are HUGE and with the 2 little ones you could use the extra room. Lots of options for dining and the walk to MK can't be beat especially pushing a stroller.

WL is beautiful but my vote would be for Contemporary. LOVE the monorail going through but this brings back memories of my first trip to DW when it first opened.

 

[AmesTARDIS]

I loved my stay in both for many of the reasons mentioned above. Like you, I am not a fan of the decor at the Contemporary. But, I did love the location. The Garden Wing was not too far of a walk to the main building. It was, in fact, pretty quick. But that is subjective. I really enjoyed the walk from Contemporary to MK. The WL is beautiful, and the pools are great, and it is a little more quiet. There are always trade-offs in these decisions. If proximity is more important, Contemporary is the way to go. Good luck!

 

[nickys]

We have been staying at WL since it's first year in 1995. Have visited other resorts but this is home to us. It is remote from monorail but has great walking to campgrounds; you can also take a launch to MK or Hoop de Doo at WR.

Worth noting that the walking path from WL to Fort Wilderness Camping Grounds is closed and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. This is because although construction on the new Reflections Resort has stopped, the land is still a building site, albeit tied up a bit, and therefore deemed unsafe.

The boats around Bay Lake are not running at the moment. And Hoop De Doo is not running either. There is a bus from WL to FW.

The boat to MK is running.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I am planning on going to Disney World in June with at 1 1/2 year old and a 4 year old for 6 nights. I am planning on staying at all 4 parks with an extra day at MK. I was planning on staying at the Wilderness Lodge but found a good deal at the Contemporary Garden Wing that would make the room prices the same. I am not really a fan of the theming of the Contemporary and would definitely prefer the Wilderness theme and pools. It seems like transportation options are better at the Contemporary. Is the transportation much worse at the Wilderness? About to fully commit to the wilderness but don't want to regret it.

Personally, I love the Wilderness Lodge. As for transportation I like that you have a boat to the MK.

 

[Skibum1970]

I was planning on using the boat transfer to travel to the Contemporary from the Wilderness for some meals (Chef Mickey and California Grill). Is it a long commute between resorts?

Currently, the boats are not operating between the Contemporary and the Wilderness Lodge but that could change by June. The only advantage for Contemporary is that you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. However, it may not be a walk that you want to attempt with younger children (not quite half a mile, I think). Plus, the only other way to get to the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary is to take the monorail resort beam which is about a 20 minute ride (maybe a little longer).

I have always enjoyed both resorts but would lean towards the Wilderness Lodge, if I were you. Plus, the Wilderness Lodge has the wonderful theming and a great kids area at the pool. It is really a great place to stay. I had no issues with using the buses to get to/from the parks. Currently, the actual Lodge is not open to guests but that could be changing as well. I don't fully know the reopening plan for the resorts. The DVC rooms at the Wilderness Lodge are the only ones available right now but, again, I don't know about June.

 

[Skibum1970]

Worth noting that the walking path from WL to Fort Wilderness Camping Grounds is closed and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. This is because although construction on the new Reflections Resort has stopped, the land is still a building site, albeit tied up a bit, and therefore deemed unsafe.

The boats around Bay Lake are not running at the moment. And Hoop De Doo is not running either. There is a bus from WL to FW.

The boat to MK is running.

Dang, I didn't read far enough and you beat me to the punch, so to speak.

 

[ilovelabs2021]

Currently, the boats are not operating between the Contemporary and the Wilderness Lodge but that could change by June. The only advantage for Contemporary is that you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. However, it may not be a walk that you want to attempt with younger children (not quite half a mile, I think). Plus, the only other way to get to the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary is to take the monorail resort beam which is about a 20 minute ride (maybe a little longer).

I have always enjoyed both resorts but would lean towards the Wilderness Lodge, if I were you. Plus, the Wilderness Lodge has the wonderful theming and a great kids area at the pool. It is really a great place to stay. I had no issues with using the buses to get to/from the parks. Currently, the actual Lodge is not open to guests but that could be changing as well. I don't fully know the reopening plan for the resorts. The DVC rooms at the Wilderness Lodge are the only ones available right now but, again, I don't know about June.

WL opens June 6th.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We've stayed at WL and BLT and hands down would choose WL over BLT / Contemp any day. The resort is small and quiet and just a short boat ride to MK. We never had any issues with the buses. We found the lines were shorter for WL than Contemp / BLT when returning from the parks. Usually you can take the monorail from Epcot to TTC and then transfer to go to Contemp but the Epcot to TTC monorail isn't running (not sure it will be for your trip) With WL only being open for DVC rooms, at the moment, it shouldn't be too crowded! the theming at WL is second to none!

 

[pixie225]

We had booked WL (which we loved the 5+ times we have stayed there- bunk bed rooms overlooking pool for 2 kids). Loved the ambience of the lodge. My kids loved the boat ride to MK. Just be aware - thunderstorms are pretty common, and the boats shut down until the storm is a few miles away coming and going. We are staying at the Contemporary for our May 1 trip - Garden wing garden view room. WL was not available for booking then, so we decided to try the CR, and are looking forward to it. Love walking, so that won't bother us at all.

 

[OceanBlue]

Wilderness Lodge is one of the most beautiful resorts on property. The pool area is fun and lovely, and the dining options are varied and good. Personally I think your kids would have a better time at WL.

I like the Contemporary as well, but overall, I think it's inferior to WL. Riding the monorail to-from is my favorite part of that hotel. (And snagging a room with a view of the fireworks, but you won't get that in the garden wing anyway.)

With a 1 1/2 year old and a 4 year old, are you considering returning to your hotel mid-day for nap time? (Having gone to WDW with a 2 year old and also with the same child as a 5 year old fairly recently, I would recommend it. WDW is SO overstimulating for kids. My daughter really needed some downtime. I'm sure it's double the struggle with two.) If so, I could understand why the monorail access would be valuable, especially if the route to Epcot is available at that time. (Honestly from Magic Kingdom, I would rather just walk than monorail.) You can take a stroller on the monorail without folding it up (leaving sleeping kiddos still snoozing). I believe the same is still true of the boat, so that would be a benefit on the MK days.

You have to collapse strollers on boats to Grand Floridian, not sure if WL uses a bigger boat. I had to take all our bags out of the stroller and tired baby.

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

LOVE WL! Stayed there a few years ago and it instantly became one of my favorite resorts.

 

[wlodge_man]

I think my head exploded when I read the OP's thread title....

My vote is the Lodge - obviously.

 

[Hcalvert]

I am so excited that I am finally staying at the WL (CCV more accurately) this June as my trip last June was cancelled due to the closure and we were to stay at CCV then. We also had BLT cancelled last June and just haven't had an opportunity to rebook there yet.

 

[Dog Ate Mouse]

Honestly far as staying at either resort is a personal preference. For the Mrs., and I, we love the theme of the Wilderness lodge and just feel so relaxed, tucked away and safe. Pool is great, Bike and boats to rent, Fishing excursion that we love and enjoy, getting on the boat to go to the Magic Kingdom. We also take the buses too and find no issues at all. It all comes down to your over all guest experience and what really makes you happy. You have two great Resorts with different theme's. Again it all comes down to what you want.

Now when we make our decision at which resort to stay at, we consider the theme, food and gift shop and how easy is it to move around and so on. Bus transportation or boat or monorail never really comes into thought. When you stay for 9 to 10 days, we do not rush anymore and simply enjoy the entire experience.

 

[aliceismad]

You have to collapse strollers on boats to Grand Floridian, not sure if WL uses a bigger boat. I had to take all our bags out of the stroller and tired baby.

Good to know. Thank you!