WBC versus Silver Lake

[artemis4]

We really enjoyed our trip last month, and we are considering another next fall. While WBC was fabulous, I noticed that we can book at Silver Lake as well. Silver Lake is less expensive for us, and we could do two weeks there for just under $100 more than one week at WBC.

Does anyone here know how do the two resorts compare in room size, style, and updates, as well as resort amenities? We are good with either for proximity to the Disney parks.

 

[Keacc]

We stayed at WBC last November and loved it. We will be at Silver Lake this year from Nov 3rd-10th. I will post a trip report with comparisons when we get back.

 

[artemis4]

We stayed at WBC last November and loved it. We will be at Silver Lake this year from Nov 3rd-10th. I will post a trip report with comparisons when we get back.

Thank you. I really appreciate it. The reviews on tripadvisor are always so mixed, that I take them with a grain of salt.

 

[nancy155]

I am interested as well. We stayed at WBC in July and loved it and the location was amazing. We are booked with Silver Lake for Thanksgiving week, then back to WBC for March.

I have been researching Silver Lake and it appears to be a very nice resort and location appears nice as well, however maybe not as central as WBC..

I look forward to the review.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

We stayed at Silver Lake through the military time share program. The location was great and the hotel was really nice. We were in a 1BR. My only complaint was that the coffee table wasn't toddler friendly (it's removable glass and the kids kept trying to take it off). It's such a quick hop onto Disney property, but it is close to Animal Kingdom so still 10 minutes to the rest of the parks probably. I really enjoyed our stay though.

 

[nancy155]

Thank you for your report of Silver Lake.. Sounds like we will have a great time. How could we not tho! We are at DISNEY!!!! And during time of Christmas Decorations!

 

[artemis4]

Yes, thank you. I'll still look forward to the reports from those going soon, but we are seriously considering a two week stay now, either both at Silver Lake or a split stay at WBC and another property.

Fingers crossed that I can get DH to agree and work the discounts to make it happen. Budget planning spreadsheets, oh how I live thee!

 

[Keacc]

We checked in at Silver Lake yesterday around 4:45pm. Friendly staff and quick checkin. You have to go over to another desk to get your parking pass and they ask you about attending their presentation. I said no and that was it. We got a renovated 2 bdrm unit on the first floor in the 700 building. Beautiful unit that is much bigger than WBC. Nice sized screened in patio. Standing charcoal grill right outside (WBC has gas grills). This resort is small compared to WBC or Vistana. Plenty of parking. Pools are huge. lots of equipment in the workout room. Easy access to many restaurants: Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, Logans Roadhouse, Longhorn Steak House, Miller's Ale House and many more. It is so much less congested in this area. You can also get groceries at Publix, Target or Walmart close by. So far it's

 

[nancy155]

We checked in at Silver Lake yesterday around 4:45pm. Friendly staff and quick checkin. You have to go over to another desk to get your parking pass and they ask you about attending their presentation. I said no and that was it. We got a renovated 2 bdrm unit on the first floor in the 700 building. Beautiful unit that is much bigger than WBC. Nice sized screened in patio. Standing charcoal grill right outside (WBC has gas grills). This resort is small compared to WBC or Vistana. Plenty of parking. Pools are huge. lots of equipment in the workout room. Easy access to many restaurants: Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, Logans Roadhouse, Longhorn Steak House, Miller's Ale House and many more. It is so much less congested in this area. You can also get groceries at Publix, Target or Walmart close by. So far it's

Thank you! We check in on Friday November 16th. I have always wanted to try Bonefish Grill, I have heard so much about it.

 

[haPevraftr]

We checked in at Silver Lake yesterday around 4:45pm. Friendly staff and quick checkin. You have to go over to another desk to get your parking pass and they ask you about attending their presentation. I said no and that was it. We got a renovated 2 bdrm unit on the first floor in the 700 building. Beautiful unit that is much bigger than WBC. Nice sized screened in patio. Standing charcoal grill right outside (WBC has gas grills). This resort is small compared to WBC or Vistana. Plenty of parking. Pools are huge. lots of equipment in the workout room. Easy access to many restaurants: Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, Logans Roadhouse, Longhorn Steak House, Miller's Ale House and many more. It is so much less congested in this area. You can also get groceries at Publix, Target or Walmart close by. So far it's

Thank you for taking the time to post. We are staying at WBC over NYE and Silver Lake on spring break. There is so much info available for WBC but not much about Silver Lake. Looking forward to a full report when you get back. Thanks so much.

 

[danda22]

We checked in at Silver Lake yesterday around 4:45pm. Friendly staff and quick checkin. You have to go over to another desk to get your parking pass and they ask you about attending their presentation. I said no and that was it. We got a renovated 2 bdrm unit on the first floor in the 700 building. Beautiful unit that is much bigger than WBC. Nice sized screened in patio. Standing charcoal grill right outside (WBC has gas grills). This resort is small compared to WBC or Vistana. Plenty of parking. Pools are huge. lots of equipment in the workout room. Easy access to many restaurants: Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, Logans Roadhouse, Longhorn Steak House, Miller's Ale House and many more. It is so much less congested in this area. You can also get groceries at Publix, Target or Walmart close by. So far it's

oh thank you for the update!! we have reservations there for 5/31-6/7/13! we are booked in a 1 bedroom, full kitchen. We will have a 10 & 11 yr old with us that will be sleeping on the pull out sofa (hey, we had to cut those costs somewhere and they don't care lol ) Any chance you can tell me just how stocked the kitchen really is? (crockpot, toaster???)... I know it's a vacation but we are still on a budget

 

[nancy155]

Keacc:
I hope you had a wonderful time! We leave on Friday morning for Silver Lake Resort. Can you tell me regarding laundry detergent and kitchen supplies? Thanks! We are really looking forward to trying Silver Lake.. Might be the hidden gem we are looking for!

 

[mamatohaleybug]

Does Silver Lake offer free wi-fi in the rooms?

 

[Keacc]

Everything was great at this resort. We didn't do any of their activities but some people we met did and had fun.
Unit: Service for 8, basic pots and pans, 4 slice toaster, blender, paper towels, extra garbage bags, 2 dish washer tablets, 1 load of laundry detergent, ask for more and they will bring it. They bring clean towels on Wednesday. No free wifi in unit, but go to activity center, lobby or by the pool and it's free. Plenty of parking (not like WBC).

This is our new favorite resort!

 

[mamatohaleybug]

Thanks for the review and answering my question!

 

[nancy155]

We are here at Silver Lake right now. We usually try and exchange at WBC, however were unable to obtain a week during Thanksgiving this year. I am SO PLEASED!!! The location in my opinion is better than WBC as you are right at AK pretty much and so easy to get anywhere and easy to find your way back. I seemed to always get turned around when trying to find our way back to WBC.. It is easy to get to Disney Parks, easy to get to restaurants on 192.. as property boarders each! Will be planning to stay here again and I believe we have found a hidden Gem of a resort! Should be Gold Crown... They offer "free" midweek housekeeping and will give you additional supplies as needed at no extra charge. They do charge a fee for internet services, and I was willing to pay the fee and this Internet was more reliable than WBC, just my opinion. This does not mean we won't stay at WBC again as I do like that you can see the fireworks from property etc.

Both properties have their pluses and minuses I would not hesitate to stay at either property, closest to on site as one can get!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards Nancy

 

[haPevraftr]

We are here at Silver Lake right now. We usually try and exchange at WBC, however were unable to obtain a week during Thanksgiving this year. I am SO PLEASED!!! The location in my opinion is better than WBC as you are right at AK pretty much and so easy to get anywhere and easy to find your way back. I seemed to always get turned around when trying to find our way back to WBC.. It is easy to get to Disney Parks, easy to get to restaurants on 192.. as property boarders each! Will be planning to stay here again and I believe we have found a hidden Gem of a resort! Should be Gold Crown... They offer "free" midweek housekeeping and will give you additional supplies as needed at no extra charge. They do charge a fee for internet services, and I was willing to pay the fee and this Internet was more reliable than WBC, just my opinion. This does not mean we won't stay at WBC again as I do like that you can see the fireworks from property etc.

Both properties have their pluses and minuses I would not hesitate to stay at either property, closest to on site as one can get!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards Nancy

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this! We have upçoming trips planned at both locations. So excited to be staying at 2 great resorts and saving so much money at the same time (by not staying onsite during holiday seasons)

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

We'll be at Silver Lake in early Feb., for our 30th anniversary, wth our 3 children and their families. Looking forward to it!

Can you tell me, is there a zero-entry pool for the toddlers? Or a kiddie pool?

Thanks.

 

[Disney Ella]

Some of the recent TripAdvisor reviews mention that the walls are very thin at Silver Lake. Did any of you notice this?

 

[nancy155]

Some of the recent TripAdvisor reviews mention that the walls are very thin at Silver Lake. Did any of you notice this?

I never heard our neighbors once. Was quite quiet and some day's we did not leave the resort until around 10:30 am. Occassionally we did hear those above us. I think they had little kiddos who liked to run around and pull the dining chairs in and out from under the table. But it was not unbearable.