At Wilderness Lodge NOW and BLT

[Goldilocks07]

Hi All- so like most of you, I was a bit concerned about the construction at WL, we just completed a 3 night stay and now moved to BLT- there was absolutely no noise, I didn't see ANY construction or workers or cranes or even a loose screw. As a matter of fact, I totally forgot about it all the second we pulled up.
We were in room 5524, a 1 bedroom in the villas, with a view of some forest and in the background, a road- so we did see buses and cars but really no big deal. The room had that bizarre layout that I don't love- my friend and I (and the kids found it funny!) were laughing about how many doors there were and entrances into the bathroom area. We went to the pool Sunday, it's so nice! The kids loved it- I picked up one of those magic bars at Roaring Fork fellow dissers recommended I get- it was good! Reminds me of and old kid recipe I had growing up with graham crackers, choc chips, coconut and condensed milk- and of course, the Mickey sprinkles!
As usual, walking into the hotel was breathtaking- my friend had never seen the hotel before and she loved it, as did the kids.
We are SOOOO happy we stayed there. I wouldn't have split my stay had I known!!
Do not hesitate to stay here if it's based on the construction, you don't notice it at all.

If you are comparing rooms to BLT, however, the 1 bedrooms here are WAY nicer and bigger- plus at BLT there's an extra full bathroom which is awesome. As my friend and I both agreed on, is that there is a trade off for either. The nicer rooms are at BLT- no doubt- but a really warm exciting "Disney" feel with lots of details and character, will be at WL.

If you are wondering what we did with transportation, we took the boat to MK, which was lovely. We enjoyed it- but every other time- including leaving the park at 12:30 with 2 asleep kids- we took an uber. We never paid more than $8 to get somewhere and just cutting out all the time and energy and having a driver help you with your stuff, was worth every penny and then some.

We are still here at BLT but we lovvvvved WL! We will be back!

 

[Goldilocks07]

Here's a pic of my DD in the lodge.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I've never stayed at WL and nothing about it appeals to me. I'm not an outdoorsy woodsy person. But everyone is always talking about how awesome it is I feel like I should give it a visit one day for an ADR to check it out.

 

[twodogs]

Can you tell me where the Uber dropped you off for each park? I think they can't go to the park entrances?

 

[TJA]

Thanks for the review!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You were lucky on which side of the VWL building you got. It's about 50-50 on construction view right now.

 

[Cotillard]

Thanks! And great photo of your DD

 

[buzznina]

Question; I heard that the construction closed the boat rental (not sure if bikes were affected), beach, play ground by beach and also moved the outdoor movies indoors Is this still the case? This would definitely impact our stay more then noise or view.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Question; I heard that the construction closed the boat rental (not sure if bikes were affected), beach, play ground by beach and also moved the outdoor movies indoors Is this still the case? This would definitely impact our stay more then noise or view.

All still closed.

 

[buzznina]

All still closed.

Thanks

 

[jon18uk]

Question; I heard that the construction closed the boat rental (not sure if bikes were affected), beach, play ground by beach and also moved the outdoor movies indoors Is this still the case? This would definitely impact our stay more then noise or view.

You can rent bikes from the front desk, but boat rentals are closed and you would have to go to the Contemporary or Fort Wilderness instead.

 

[ariane37]

I've never stayed at WL and nothing about it appeals to me. I'm not an outdoorsy woodsy person. But everyone is always talking about how awesome it is I feel like I should give it a visit one day for an ADR to check it out.

I have to be the farthest from an "outdoorsy-woodsy" person as you can get, and I absolutely adored WL! I'd only been there to eat at WCC and really had no desire to stay there, but kept reading on here about people who loved it, it was their favorite resort and they never wanted to stay anywhere else, etc. So this past Aug. DH and I finally stayed there for 4 nights and just fell in love. Everything about it is beautiful, relaxing, like AKL but with the added bonus of the boat to MK. The geyser, which I really never had interest in, is fun and pretty as is the rest of the property. The lobby is gorgeous. Of course it helped that we had a view of the MK and Wishes I say at least go visit and see what you think; you never know!
OP glad you enjoyed your stay!

 

[Goldilocks07]

Can you tell me where the Uber dropped you off for each park? I think they can't go to the park entrances?

Sorry it took me time to respond- I'm just now back in NYC. DEPRESSING! The last day makes me tear up every time....
Anyway-

So, at Magic Kingdom it's a bit of a pain- you have to go to the Transportation Center to get picked up. When you exit the Monorail, go LEFT to where the taxi's are, and that's where Uber picks you up.
Last night (and I was so tired I came close to crying), the Monorail was down- I walked/jogged to the Contemporary and took an Uber from there to Epcot.

At EPCOT, you get picked up/dropped up RIGHT where the buses drop off. It's a short walk and no big deal. You can't get much closer unless taking the Monorail.

At Animal Kingdom, you get dropped off RIGHT IN FRONT of the entrance, any closer and you would drive right into the security people!

It's so easy- MK is annoying, but it is what it is, there's no driveway or lot for cars, only buses.

If I weren't so rushed all the time, I would probably bus it around and whatever, but I just couldn't handle it. It was me and my friend, we are both single parents and having the guy there to help us, save SOOOO much travel time (which means more Disney fun) and only cost basically less than 2 Mickey bars, it was all worth it. EVERY. PENNY.

 

[Goldilocks07]

Question; I heard that the construction closed the boat rental (not sure if bikes were affected), beach, play ground by beach and also moved the outdoor movies indoors Is this still the case? This would definitely impact our stay more then noise or view.

Yikes I don't have the answers to those questions, I'm sorry! It was chilly out at night and we were at parks, so we were never around for that- and we have 5 year olds so no boat rentals for us either. But, that's an easy post here or just call the resort.

 

[twodogs]

Sorry it took me time to respond- I'm just now back in NYC. DEPRESSING! The last day makes me tear up every time....
Anyway-

So, at Magic Kingdom it's a bit of a pain- you have to go to the Transportation Center to get picked up. When you exit the Monorail, go LEFT to where the taxi's are, and that's where Uber picks you up.
Last night (and I was so tired I came close to crying), the Monorail was down- I walked/jogged to the Contemporary and took an Uber from there to Epcot.

At EPCOT, you get picked up/dropped up RIGHT where the buses drop off. It's a short walk and no big deal. You can't get much closer unless taking the Monorail.

At Animal Kingdom, you get dropped off RIGHT IN FRONT of the entrance, any closer and you would drive right into the security people!

It's so easy- MK is annoying, but it is what it is, there's no driveway or lot for cars, only buses.

If I weren't so rushed all the time, I would probably bus it around and whatever, but I just couldn't handle it. It was me and my friend, we are both single parents and having the guy there to help us, save SOOOO much travel time (which means more Disney fun) and only cost basically less than 2 Mickey bars, it was all worth it. EVERY. PENNY.

THANK YOU! I agree that is a small price to pay for more time in the parks (or in the resort bed at the end of the day!)!!