what do you love about the Wilderness Lodge?

[lissiesmum]

I will be traveling in the summer with DD4 and looking for a MK area resort. I am thinking of either Contemporary Garden Wing or Wilderness Lodge. I just don't get excited about the WL though, and I know it is a favorite for many many people and was hoping you could share with me what you/your kids love. I know the fireplace is a big draw, but we'll be there in summer. How is the pool waterslide? The boat ride to the MK? How long does it take to get there? If you want to go to Epcot, can you take a boat to MK then take the monorail there? Do you use the Fort Wilderness facilities, like the campfire movies at night? Could you spend a day just hanging around the resort? Thanks so much for your help, I want to feel that WL magic like the rest of you

 

[eliza61]

I will be traveling in the summer with DD4 and looking for a MK area resort. I am thinking of either Contemporary Garden Wing or Wilderness Lodge. I just don't get excited about the WL though, and I know it is a favorite for many many people and was hoping you could share with me what you/your kids love. I know the fireplace is a big draw, but we'll be there in summer. How is the pool waterslide? The boat ride to the MK? How long does it take to get there? If you want to go to Epcot, can you take a boat to MK then take the monorail there? Do you use the Fort Wilderness facilities, like the campfire movies at night? Could you spend a day just hanging around the resort? Thanks so much for your help, I want to feel that WL magic like the rest of you

We love the WL in the summer. After a hot day in the parks, WL is cool & shady and peaceful.
The boat ride to MK will take you 10 minutes TOPS. It is a leisurely ride.
Yes, you can take the boat to the monorail and then hop the monorail over to epcot. WL also has direct buses to the parks. I've never waited more than 20 minutes for one (but that's not a long time IMO).
You can see the movies at night at FT. Wilderness, although I've never done it. You also have the electric water parade at night.
My kids loved the pool but it is smaller than the contemps pool. Every time we went to the pool there were cm hosting games for the kids that were a lot of fun. There is also a quiet pool

 

[DisLUV]

For me it is the atmosphere. I love the feel of the lodge after a long day in the parks. It is especially great during the christmas holidays. I have stayed at the CR in the tower on the MK side and it was AWSOME but I still enjoy the lodge more!

 

[Jaymie]

We'll be there for the first time in 9 days and I'm interested in why everyone loves it so much too. I'd like to hear about the slide at the pool too. We were at POR in July and my son loved the slide. He's only 3 but he's a daredevil. I'm hoping he'll be allowed on the slide at WL too.

 

[LilGMom]

WL is our absolute favorite! As soon as we walk into the gorgeous and inviting lobby we sigh a sigh of relief and can feel any stresses that we brought with us leave. The colors are warm and inviting, the atmosphere is homey and we've never had a bad experience (minus a misbehaving son ) at WL or VWL. We also love the convience of taking a nice little boat ride to the MK.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Subscribing!

 

[PrincessBride07]

I love the National parks, especially in places like the Rockies, Yosemite, and Denali. The WL reminds me of places like that. Though I might not be able to step out of the lodge to see buffalo or elk, the MK isn't bad . It is kinda like having two great worlds put into one.

 

[CANDICE]

I had the same feelings about WL before my first visit (New Year's 2006). My DH wanted to stay there due to the fact that he is an outdoorsman and it kinda fit into his personality...I wanted to stay at the GF, but it was just entirely too expensive. So, I gave in and stayed at WL and it was WONDERFUL. The theming was great but not too outdoors...I really felt like I was in an upscale mountain home. We are going back in 2009/2010 for the week between Christmas and New Year's and I can tell you that I am excited about staying at the WL again. We did spend some time in the game room and had fun there as well as the pool and hot tubs. Maybe we'll venture out some day and stay somewhere else, but for now it is WL for us. You really can't beat the value of this resort. Low rates for deluxe amenities. (Low compared to GF, BC, YC, BW, etc)

 

[tgropp]

The best part of staying at the Wilderness Lodge is grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening, going to floor 4 or 5 at the front of the hotel, and curling up in the big leather chairs and couches beside the small fireplaces and watching the world go by down in the lobby. Also at the rear of the hotel lobby going out on the balconies (floors 4 -6) and getting a view of the courtyard, pool the lake and discovery Island is soooooo relaxing.

 

[Smile4Me]

Glad to hear so many people love it! I can't wait to stay there in Sept! And thats only another 7 months....aaaahh!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We love it because it feels upscale without feeling "stuffy". You can hang out in one of the big leather chairs in the lobby and put your feet up without feeling like someone will look at you funny. We love the fact that everything is under one roof and we don't have to walk to a "main" building for food or coffee. We love the pool area, my dd is 8 and we're headed for our 5th stay at the Lodge after trying out a couple of other resorts. My dd told us after our stay at CSR "This trip didn't feel like Disney World, it just felt like a regular hotel. When are we going back home to the WL?" That said it all to us, and we can't wait to be back there in May.

 

[lissiesmum]

thank you all for your replies, I am beginning to feel those warm fuzzies! Could someone tell me if the pool has one of those walk in areas (I think it's called zero entry)? I think I am really starting to warm up to the WL. I like the close proximity to MK, but, at night it seems like there is plenty to do whether you walk over to Fort Wilderness and see a campfire movie under the stars, or watch the Electrical Water Pageant, or take the boat over to the Contemporary for dinner or move on from there over to the Poly. Which brings me to another question, if you were to make your way over to the Poly for the Spirit of Aloha show, is that the best way to get there, and how long would it take to get there? Also, one last question...is Fort Wilderness close enough to walk to, or is there some kind of internal bus system that has to take you out there? Thanks again for your replies!

 

[jakenzie32]

There is not a zero entry into the pool as far as I recall. There is a kiddie pool. The slide is a typical slide, I didn't think it was any better than the one at The Caribbean. I did not get to relax in the leather chairs b/c I was with my 3 and 4 yr. old children. We requested a room with a castle view, which we received. The Unofficial Guide has a suggestion of rooms to request. My dd thought this was particularily amazing, to be able to see the castle out her bedroom window. We also enjoyed the fireworks from our balcony. The light parade is not spectacular, but something worth doing if you are just hanging out anyway. You can see it from the pier. During one of our resort days we walked to Fort Wilderness Campground. There is a service road with a paved trail next to it. Once at Fort Wildernss we took the kids through the petting zoo and for a pony ride (remember to bring a few bucks with you for the pony ride) You also can walk through the horse stable and see the amazing Cleidsdale? sp? horses. The walk is fine for adults, but we took strollers for the kids. You also may want to carry some liquid refreshments. I don't think I would make the walk at night as it is quite secluded and gets dark. The creatures in the forest (crocs etc.) would freak me out more than anything. Another plus of staying at the Lodge are the two restaurants.

Possible downsides-The quick service (counter)had an adequate, but limited menu compared to the food court venues at some of the other hotels. My dh and I also bumped our knees quite a few times on the wood corners of the high beds, this was just annoying. I also thought the room would be a little larger. I don't know if the balcony is counted as room space, but our room at The Caribbean seemed just as big.

We enjoyed our stay, but when we spend that much on a room again we will probably try Animal Kingdom prior to returning (but the beds look the same as the Lodge, ouch). In the past we have stayed at the mods, but this summer we will be doing PoP.

 

[DizneyNutz]

thank you all for your replies, I am beginning to feel those warm fuzzies! Could someone tell me if the pool has one of those walk in areas (I think it's called zero entry)? I think I am really starting to warm up to the WL. I like the close proximity to MK, but, at night it seems like there is plenty to do whether you walk over to Fort Wilderness and see a campfire movie under the stars, or watch the Electrical Water Pageant, or take the boat over to the Contemporary for dinner or move on from there over to the Poly. Which brings me to another question, if you were to make your way over to the Poly for the Spirit of Aloha show, is that the best way to get there, and how long would it take to get there? Also, one last question...is Fort Wilderness close enough to walk to, or is there some kind of internal bus system that has to take you out there? Thanks again for your replies!

FW is close enough to walk, but I would suggest the boat ride to FW instead (especially at night time) since it is unlighted.

 

[lissiesmum]

thanks for answering all my questions! I have a lot to think about and of course am nowhere near picking a resort yet...back to the drawing board

 

[danielle782001]

1) Roaring Forks is an excellent cafe... tons of hot and cold choices for all hours of the day
2) Atmosphere is relaxing and beautiful
3) Boat to MK and Friendship boat (we used that to get to Chef Mickey and Hoop Dee Doo)
4) Walking/biking distance to FW
5) Beach playground
6) Pool area is wonderful
7) Whispering Canyon is one of our favorite table-service on property
8) Wagon rides to FW
9) The pool/water fall feature that starts in the lobby is amazing
10) The lobby is something you must see! Truly breath-taking
11) Rooms with a view of the lake and/ woods
*not a fan of the rooms overlooking the pool (too loud)
12) Water parade at night

13) Most important.... it feels like our second home. We are just comfortable there!

 

[DizneyNutz]

The Poly is the only good resort to walk to the TTC where you can get on the monorail to Epcot. The CR, Poly and GF are all on the monorail loop for the MK. So if wanting to go to Epcot, unless staying at the Poly, you will have to get off of one monorail and board another to get to Epcot. You can do this from the WL by taking the boat to the CR and switching monorail at the TTC, but it is probably quicker to take the bus to Epcot.

 

[Chereya]

We requested a room with a castle view, which we received. The Unofficial Guide has a suggestion of rooms to request. My dd thought this was particularily amazing, to be able to see the castle out her bedroom window. We also enjoyed the fireworks from our balcony.

What room type do you need to book to request a castle or MK view?

Chereya

 

[Treacle44]

We recently stayed at VWL, BCV and SSR and out of them all VWL won. There's just something so homely and welcoming about the place. Just felt so relaxed and happy there . The structure is just so breathtaking, there are interesting things to look at everywhere.

The pool isn't as wonderful as some of the other resorts (obviously Stormalomg Bay was amazing) but it's still v nice. The restaurant options are pretty good there too.

We used the boat once and it was fine, took longer going than coming bakc though. The bus was superfast to Mk though, we used it a lot.

x

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

You know, if you don't feel the love, I don't see a reason to try to sell yourself on WL. Everyone has their own tastes, know what I mean? Personally, the Contemporary and Poly hold no appeal to me (except for the monorail location).

Anyway, it was love at first sight when I saw the Wilderness Lodge picture in a travel brochure. The moment I walked into the lobby, my jaw just dropped.

I love the isolation. I feel like I'm a million miles from the hustle and bustle of Disney. For me, it is just a nice place to relax and unwind. I also like that it is all under one roof. No walking outside in inclement weather to get a snack. The walkway from the bus depot is covered as well ... WL was my first stay on Disney Property, so I suppose it does have the sentimental thing going for it as well.