Please tell me about the WL rooms

[momtoprincesses]

Currently we are booked at CR for our first family visit in Dec. I will be traveling with DH, DD (turning 5 on trip!), and DD age 2. We picked CR because we like the look of the hotel rooms and we LOVE the proximity to MK, as we will be spending 3 of our 4 days there.

However, I am now considering WL. I have heard it is beautifully decorated at Christmas, the commute to MK isn't terrible since you can take a ferry, and it would save us $1000. The only thing really holding me back from switching is that the rooms in the pictures on the website look less than appealing. I get the whole rustic cabin theme, but the rooms look downright shabby to me. Are they that way in person or are the pictures not really doing them justice?

Any advice you can offer is most appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Currently we are booked at CR for our first family visit in Dec. I will be traveling with DH, DD (turning 5 on trip!), and DD age 2. We picked CR because we like the look of the hotel rooms and we LOVE the proximity to MK, as we will be spending 3 of our 4 days there.

However, I am now considering WL. I have heard it is beautifully decorated at Christmas, the commute to MK isn't terrible since you can take a ferry, and it would save us $1000. The only thing really holding me back from switching is that the rooms in the pictures on the website look less than appealing. I get the whole rustic cabin theme, but the rooms look downright shabby to me. Are they that way in person or are the pictures not really doing them justice?

Any advice you can offer is most appreciated. Thank you!

We stayed there in February and the rooms were very nice, not shabby at all. They recently did a refurbishment to the rooms but the Disney website is still showing the old bedspread. The beds now have the white duvet. You can see pictures of the rooms on the Wilderness Lodge facts thread.

Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~2013~

The rooms are a little smaller than the rooms at the CR, but still roomy enough for a family of four. We were there with our daughter's family, which included a 3 and 5 year old. They loved the pool.

One nice thing about the lodge is that it is compact with everything under one roof. Roaring Forks is a very nice counter service restaurant. And the boats were really convenient.

We are going back in December because we really enjoyed staying at this resort. And we haven't been to Disney at Christmas time in about 20 years. This resort will be perfect for us.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'd tend to agree wit you that the old WL rooms were pretty hideous. But, the new rooms are gorgeous, IMHO. They look like this:

 

[disneymom443]

WL is my favorite place. We went during Christmas and the great room(where in check in) Is so beautiful. When we first came in we were looking up and all around. The Christmas tree is so pretty. And walking down to the buses and the boat are also decorated so pretty.

Now I'm wanting to go back during Christmas.

 

[momtoprincesses]

Thanks so much for the info! I had no idea that the rooms have been refurbished. Much better!

 

[baler31]

While I love WL and the Christmas decor is wonderful, being able to walk to MK with young children is priceless. If you do choose WL keep in mind the ferry is lovely but the bus to MK is much faster. My DH does not like the bus and we beat him every time.

The rooms are quite a bit smaller at WL but the bunk beds are nice for older children. The sinks at the CR are a pain, beautiful but not functional. I don't think you will be unhappy with either but spending 3 days at MK would put me in the CR camp.

 

[momtoprincesses]

While I love WL and the Christmas decor is wonderful, being able to walk to MK with young children is priceless. If you do choose WL keep in mind the ferry is lovely but the bus to MK is much faster. My DH does not like the bus and we beat him every time.

The rooms are quite a bit smaller at WL but the bunk beds are nice for older children. The sinks at the CR are a pain, beautiful but not functional. I don't think you will be unhappy with either but spending 3 days at MK would put me in the CR camp.

This is certainly what I am struggling with. We originally picked CR so we could walk to and from the MK with our girls. But the $1000 savings if we switched to WL is haunting me....

 

[pepe of ohio]

This is certainly what I am struggling with. We originally picked CR so we could walk to and from the MK with our girls. But the $1000 savings if we switched to WL is haunting me....

I'd make the switch... &1000.00 is nothing to sneeze at...

We've stayed at WL over 10 trips , what can I say... Love every aspect of the resort.. So quaint, compact...

We have done the CR, many years ago and for many trips... Cut our teeth there.... We were garden wing people, north.... Back in the 80's, they had the best game room and restaurant... When those left, so did we...

Is the walk to the MK worth $1000.00.... I don't think so... WL, small resort, approx. 800 rooms... Boat ride to the MK and back, very easy to do... And the walk to CR from the MK isn't all that short....

Take the Lodge and pocket the cash!

 

[kapoof]

The 5 minute bus ride to mk is wonderful! I don't care for the rooms although with the refurb is a bit better. But the resort itself is very nice

 

[momtoprincesses]

Take the Lodge and pocket the cash!

This is exactly what DH said!

 

[disd55]

With a $1,000 savings and still very close to MK definitely go for it! I think your daughters would like it better anyways! Kids tend to love the WL with Cub's Den and the playground, beach, pool, and electric water pageant. Not that you can't see that from CR but much better viewing from WL. The rooms are so nice now with the refurbishment. I don't want to seem like I'm saying kids wouldn't like CR, but it just seems to business and office for me. That's just me though. You can also still get views of Wishes fireworks at MK from some WL northside woods view otter pond rooms.

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

I agree to switch to WL. It really is beautiful and I love the CR. My only hesitation would be if DD2 will be in a pack'n'play. Those rooms are smaller than CR and much too small for my taste with anything extra in the room. But if both kids can share a bed, I'd definitely switch!

 

[momtoprincesses]

I just called and made the switch to WL. It sounds like the bus ride and the boat ride to MK, while not as convenient as walking from CR, will not be bad at all. And it saved us over $1100! Thanks for helping me make this decision.

 

[RedOnion]

I just called and made the switch to WL. It sounds like the bus ride and the boat ride to MK, while not as convenient as walking from CR, will not be bad at all. And it saved us over $1100! Thanks for helping me make this decision.

Congratulations: you will LOVE WL! The boat is charming--it also starts running well in advance of rope-drop--and if you really want to get to MK quickly, there is always the bus.

Just imagine how many balloons and chocolate-covered Mickey treats you can buy your girls with $1100!

 

[cleophus12]

You will especially love that $1100 during the holidays.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

The WL is my favorite resort, but I have to admit I haven't stayed in the CR yet!

When I was in a WL room with two queen beds I remember thinking "I'd hate to try and fit four people in this room!" It seemed really tight to me. I'm guessing the bunk bed rooms will seem roomier.

My understanding is the rooms at the CR are much larger.

 

[disd55]

The WL is my favorite resort, but I have to admit I haven't stayed in the CR yet!

When I was in a WL room with two queen beds I remember thinking "I'd hate to try and fit four people in this room!" It seemed really tight to me. I'm guessing the bunk bed rooms will seem roomier.

My understanding is the rooms at the CR are much larger.

Family of 4 here! Stayed at WL and it was very roomy! Didn't even stay with bunk beds because we hate them! It was totally fine. Now, once you get to mods, then it gets a bit cramped. Values, I can only imagine.

 

[momtoprincesses]

Just imagine how many balloons and chocolate-covered Mickey treats you can buy your girls with $1100!

I imagine quite a few! And considering we are celebrating two birthdays while we are there, the extra money will be wonderful!

 

[TinaLala]

We're staying at WL this trip and I cant wait. So much cheaper then other deluxe resorts and not too much more then a moderate.

 

[MSSANDRA]

WL is so special at Christmas. It just feels like Christmas, and while we are not fans of WCC, it does make the whole place smell good. Love being in one big building and we like a room overlooking the lobby. We have NEVER gotten good bus service there. We love the boat to MK, and if you are spending most of your time there, you are good. We were happy with the room, though they are smaller than most deluxe, but also cost less! We have had some good service, and not so good service from CM's here. We had one really bad CM at check in desk but have had great one too!