Back from WL...want to share nice experience!

[wildernesslodgelover]

Had ANOTHER great stay at WL! That place is awesome! Got upgraded from a woods view to a killer courtyard view...looked straight out to the pool and the lake. Had drinks one night at TL...the dirty martini w/blue cheese stuffed olives is to die for! Had a phenomenal dinner at AP...got the chef's selection for $47 that included soup,( smoky portobello) salad(blue cheese, pears, endive) entree (Beef tenderloin with these awesome goat cheese dumplings) and desser (COFFE BREAD PUDDING ALONG WITH COFFEE CREME BRULEE.). We ate twice at WCC...that all you care to eat breakfast is a relative bargain for Disney! Mmm...biscuits with sausage gravy...need I say more?

The first day we sat my the pool while DD6 swam. I drank 2 lumberjacks...a rum and fruit juice concoction...so good! We absolutely love this hotel and cannot wait to go back!

One happy note I wanted to share...on the first day I lost my jacket (velour looking, zip up, hooded) on the monorail leaving Ohana's (great dinner) to go to MK for EMH (what a great deal that is! So great to ride the rides with no lines!) Well, I was bummed cuz I had planned to use that jacket all week long. On the last day I took a chance and called lost and found and THEY HAD IT!

Also, on Friday I was running from the boat to the lobby of the CR and I dropped my DD's snow white crown. we were on our way to the Perfectly Princess Tea Party and it was raining. Anyway, the crown was borrowed and they don't make that crown anymore...but I called the CR and someone turned it in to L&F! isn't that great! There IS something magical about WDW...as far as I am concerned!

 

[cdrn1]

Thanks for your post. Having just made our reservations for our first-ever stay at WL, I am soaking up every bit of info that I can find. Did you use the kiddy pool at all? What were your transportation experiences? Did you take advantage of the grounds at all, i.e. bike ride, walks, beach etc.? Thanks for any and all info you can give me.

 

[ktink]

We have also booked our first stay at WL!!! I am so thankful everytime I see new posts about WL. This will be our second time to WDW and we are upgrading from Pop to WL!! Can't wait, but Labor Day seems so far away.

 

[brando5111]

We are heading to WL in a couple of weeks...what was your room number? Is it an inner courtyard view?

We cannot wait to stay there - always stay at the mods (once at AKL too)...but my husband is very excited as this is his favorite resort.

 

[Pokprincess]

We are booking for the WL for first time.. this will be our 6th year in a row with the kids to DW. We have been on the boards nightly checking out everyone's comments on WL.. since we have not done that one before. We like to try new things everytime. Thanks

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Well, I am just plain old JEALOUS you all are going so soon. I need to start planning another trip so I have it to look forward to. I swear, I almost start crying thinking of the WL! I miss it so much and it truly is our favorite! AKl is a close second...

brando-our room was 5041. When I was told we were upgraded to inner courtyard view I politely asked if they had anything in the "bear face," that are the rooms above the lobby, straight up, that face the pool and then look straight out to the lake. I like that because you get a great view of the Electric Water Parade that goes by nightly at 9:35. Anyway...this room was not in the "bear face" but rather down a hall a little further. I don't know how to explain it, but the halls kind of "jut out" at certain points. If you look at a map of the WL you will see what I mean. So it DID face straight out to the lake, with a superb view of the pool area. I would not recommend anything on the 6th floor because MOST of those rooms have a solid balcony as opposed to a balcony with slats...so you must stand to see over it. I's rather have a woods view w/ a slat balcony that a courtyard with a solid balcony.

cdrn-We love the pool there. I am glad the weather warmed up a bit so we could swim. My DH sat in the hot tub which is right next to the small, round kiddie pool. I kind of think that is dumb design, cuz people relaxing with other grown ups in the hot tubs (there are two hot tubs, side by side) have to listen to the shrieks of kids at the kiddie pool only a few feet away. But it was fine when we were there becuase the crowds were low and like I said, it was still a bit cool so not many children swimming.--I meant to take the walk to FW (about a mile...it is a beautiful trail) and I keep telling my DH we MUST go bike riding and also go to FW and do the petting zoo and pony rides. We did not get over there this trip...although we try to make a point to do it every time we go to WL. I highly recommend taking a "non park" day and just enjoying the lodge and nearby FW. We did not take any buses...we love the boat! You can take the boat straight over to MK...the ride is beautiful and enjoyable. OR...you can ride a different boat to CR, then take the momorail to MK OR...take the monorail to the TTC and transfer to another monorail and go to Epcot! It takes some extra time, but my DD loves the monorail (she calls it the "momma rail!")

I used to really put down the two restaurants at WL..WCC and AP. But I decided they are pretty darn good! The value for the all you care to eat Bfast at WCC (only $9.69) is really a value! I still like the restaurants at AKL much better. Especially the counter service. RF is good, just kind of small and plain. Funny story...one night while we were getting ready to go to a nice dinner (Palio at the Swan) I ran downstairs to get a beer for DH and a wine for me. Well...they are NOT ALLOWED to sell more than one alcoholic drink per person. They were very apologetic, and they agreed it is a dumb rule. (I mean, you can buy a six pack at the mercantile across the lobby.) I was being nice, saying I would just buy one and then get back in line...but I nice women near me heard what was going on. She walked up, put her arm around my shoulder and said, "Ok...that beer is for me. Ok?" So the CM said ok and rand up both items under the understanding that the beer was for the woman and the wine was for me. It was funny!

Oh, one other note. One night we wanted some "mommy/daddy alone time" so we checked DD6 into the Cub's Den...it opens at 4:30 pm and it is $10 an hour and they do get their choice of a dinner if they are in there at dinner time. We had drinks at TL and really took our time. Our DD6 LOVES the kid's clubs at WDW and begs to stay. I highly recommend it!

Ok, I need to drink some more coffee and start my day. thanks for letting me relive my trip a bit!

ktink-savor every moment of your wait til labor day!