Afraid to leave the lodge

[Jasminetigger]

For the past three years we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. Booked again this year in June. I would like to try a new resort, but dh and dd's don't want to stay anywhere but Wilderness Lodge. Has anyone ventured out to a new resort and then been disappointed that they did so. I would hate to talk family into trying new resort and then it be a dissapointment. Any suggestions on resort that might be similar to layout at the Wilderness Lodge. We like the fact that we don't have to walk far to get to anything within the reort.

 

[ihearttink]

I am trying a new resort this year. We have been hooked on the BC, but I thought it was time to try something different. We're staying at the BW in May. Who knows, we might like it better.

 

[WDWFAN9]

well, AKL was designed by the same architect as WL, and has several similarities. Have you thought of splitting your stay between WL and another resort? That way you won't be stuck if you don't like your choice. You might also try visiting different resorts on your next stay to see how you like them. Looking at pictures on the internet helps, but actually visiting the resorts will give you a much better feel.

 

[chimera]

WL is our favorite!

We have the luxury of going to WDW frequently, but when we go, if we're thinking of trying a new hotel, we go check it out first. We had eaten at the restaurants and sat in front of the fire at WL several times before we actually stayed there. We've eaten at AKL twice and never stayed there. If you want to do WL this time, take some time to check out another hotel like AKL to see what you think.

 

[Nolcrest]

Yes, I was sorry when I went to CBR from POR. I made ressies for this July at CSR and got cold feet that I would once again miss POR so I switched my ressies to POR. I didn't want to have regrets for 2 Disney vacations. I really do want to try CSR but just have to go back to POR. I'll try CSR for dinner this time.

My 2 favorite resorts are WL and POR.

 

[cindy21494]

I agree with WDWFAN9, if you want to try another resort but are afraid to, split your stay. We did that this past trip. I love AKL, but DH wanted to try something new. We decided to try CBR. I really didn't care for it that much, but DH thought it was OK. If you do split your stay, try the new one first. That way if you don't like it you can always transfer to WL or at least have the WL to look forward to. I have never stayed at WL (we are trying it this August ) but I would have to say that AKL is the most like WL based on pictures i've seen. Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

 

[Taratink]

I understand! We just tried the Lodge for the first time and I absolutely loved it. It felt like home to me. I also love the look of the AK. Good luck! I think Pats idea of splitting up the trip is the way to go.
Tara

 

[ptrbryant]

We, too, have stayed at WL 3 times in the past 3 years---for each trip we've taken to WDW. My DH and DS also are very resistent to the idea of ANY other resort, so I feel a lot of pressure that if we stay somewhere else and it's not as good, they'll be really cross!
I was thinking of a spilt-stay with either AKL, CBR or POR, but am getting cold feet. I'm trying to mix things up, but have the feeling we may just stay with our favorite.

Karla B.

 

[zipDdoodah]

We've got the same problem. We keep trying to book at other hotels but end up switching back to WL before our trip. Next year for sure we are either going to stay at AKL or CR. The lodge is hard to leave!

 

[soccer mom]

We have stayed at seven different resorts and have never been disappointed. We do have a couple of favorites and we have a few that we have no desire to try, but we have never been disappointed. On one occasion we were even pleasantly surprise. The Poly is one resort I never had a desire to stay at. Thought it looked dated and never really cared for an island themeing, but once we stayed there we were sold! It now runs a very close second to AKL. WL is third on our list, but love it too! You'll never know until you try!

 

[AspiringCindy]

We too usually stay at WL, because we absolutely love the hotel...but we do venture out to see and experience other resorts! I must say that if you do decide to try another resort, it would probably be best to stay with a deluxe(if you like WL). All the deluxe hotels have a special something about them...whether it is the theming, the proximity to the parks etc. While we loved BC for it easy access to MGM & Epcot and the assortment of restaurants and Poly for its theming and easy monorail acess, WL still holds our heart! There definitely is a certain warmth to the hotel that makes me feel HOME!

 

[Mari annie]

Having stayed at the all the hotels at WDW, I can say I haven't had a bad experience in over 20 years!
Maybe a sink dripped (I asked to be moved)
But wether you stay in luxury or value the resorts offer something for everyone!

I was in the Hospitality Industry and I had/have a mindset on how things should be and when things don't match up to my expectations I let the front desk people know about it. Don't expect the Pop to be exactly like the Grand Floridian, accomodations.bedding. They won't be.
But the managment team will be the same. Each hotel treats each guest (wether its a comp guest or a paying guest) the same.
Believe me.
If something appears to be not right-dripping faucets, dirty carpets, dirty sheets, these are health concerns and should be reported.
But a little wear and tear that's time and the hotel staff cannot redo your room just for you. Remember you aren't at home, but the staff at any hotel will go out of their way to make sure your vacation is worry free and frustration free, smiles go a along way, believe me!
Enjoy your trips!

Your DH enjoys the WL, it's personality.
Every resort offers something unique.
When on your next trip, take the bus or your car and check out some hotels, the hotels love the idea, go to the front desk and ask them to show you a room or two in the hotel you are choosing to stay or thinking of staying, if rooms are avail. they will. Disney loves the idea of guests wanting to come back time and time again!
I encourage you all to get out there and check what each hotel has to offer, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Have fun enjoy your trips!!
one more day to see MICKEY!!!

 

[newholidayx2]

I originally reserved the VWL for 6nights in Aug. Added on 3nights at Riverside to start our vacation.
Then I switched VWL to BCV. I then had to change Riverside to Wilderness Lodge. (DS LOVES the lodge and it IS our 2nd "home")
We'll always either stay at the Lodge, villas or at the least a day trip (like we did in 02 when we didnt know we were going to WDW and of course WL was completely filled)

I also added on 5nights at Pop before WL.

 

[NBFUN]

My whole family for years always stayed at Wilderness Lodge and we loved it. Once the AKL opened up a couple of us got together and pitched this to the rest of the family, it took some time to convince, but we decided to give it a try. Since then we have stayed at AKL three times and love every moment of it. We all actually prefer AKL to the Wilderness Lodge after we stayed there. Give it a try, I think your family will be pleasantly surprised.

Have a great trip!

 

[mel64]

We have stayed at the WL for the past 4 years and we LOVE IT. This year I got the bright idea of switching, so we split our stay between WL and AKL.
I did not like the AKL at all. The lobby is beautiful, but it seemed very dark and drab and the CMs seemed unhappy to be there. I really like walking into the bright WL with all of the cheery sounds and VERY friendly CMs. I know a lot of people love the AKL so I would suggest giving it a very good check out before you stay there.

 

[Northern Lights]

I chuckled at this thread b/c it reminded me so much of our upcoming vacation - which was planned on a whim to be in addition to our annual trip in September. We were all set to try the WL but in the end we just couldn't switch from the Tower. The view, convenience and larger room/bathroom were factors that swayed us from trying something new.

We do plan to check out the WL on this next trip though.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

My whole family for years always stayed at Wilderness Lodge and we loved it. Once the AKL opened up a couple of us got together and pitched this to the rest of the family, it took some time to convince, but we decided to give it a try. Since then we have stayed at AKL three times and love every moment of it. We all actually prefer AKL to the Wilderness Lodge after we stayed there. Give it a try, I think your family will be pleasantly surprised.

Have a great trip!

We had the same experience. Before AKL opened, we always stayed at WL and just loved it! Swore we would never leave. After AKL opened and my wife's inherent love for African mammals, we decided to give AKL a shot and haven't left it for years. We stay there everytime we go now. The feel of the resort is similar to WL but feels bigger and more grand, IMO. We like AKL's Jiko restaurant over WL's Artist Point. It's a bit more upscale. Plus, the animals in the backyard, I mean, come on!! Can't beat it! If you decide to stay at WL, you really should have no regrets. It's such a great resort and an old favorite in our hearts.

 

[Brina]

We have not done it yet, so I may live to regret it but our plan for this year is to do a split stay at AKL and GF. We really loved CR, and especially the walkway to MK.