Christmas trip - Wilderness Lodge vs Grand Floridian

[DisDad-]

Have an opportunity to stay at either the Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian for the first week of December. I know both resorts are great places to stay during the holiday season and am trying to decide between the two. Our options are standard view club level at the WL or Main Building at the Grand Floridian. Which would you choose? Thanks

 

[Marionnette]

Have an opportunity to stay at either the Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian for the first week of December. I know both resorts are great places to stay during the holiday season and am trying to decide which to choose. Our options are standard view club level at the WL or Main Building at the Grand Floridian. Which would you choose not considering the cost difference. Thanks

Hands down, the RPC at GF! The lounge overlooks the lobby, so you have a great overhead view of the grandness of the Christmas tree as well as the gingerbread house. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat if it were not for the price. Glad I did it when I did because I don't think I could afford it now.

 

[Capang]

WL. We find it to be the best resort on property. Quiet, beautiful, and at Christmas it can't be beat. Easy access to monorail resorts, FW, and MK.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I stayed WL CL right after Thanksgiving last year so experienced the holiday decor; have stayed at GF RPC (main building) but not over the holidays.

I'm a fan of both and don't think you can really go wrong either way. Both CL lounges overlook the lobby so you'll have a great, festive view of the decorations.

Likely a massive price difference between the two, I suspect.

If it were me, I'd probably go WL CL. WL as a resort appeals to us overall more the GF, but just a bit. But again, I'd gladly do both.

Here are some pics of our WL trip last year that may be helpful:

WL CL Food - November 2016

WL CL Lounge - November 2016

 

[mickeynut1]

That's a tough choice as both resorts and CLs are great, IMO. The WL is our favorite during the holidays, but RPC has a slight edge (for me) over CL at the WL (although the WL runs a very close second). I don't think you can go wrong with either one as they are both great. I would choose the one that the theme/decor appeals to you the most as both are beautiful during the holidays. Good luck and happy planning .

 

[Nancyg56]

I doubt you would go wrong with either. I would choose GF because I prefer that resort, especially in regards to transportation. I agree that if both are within your budget, go for the theme that suits your family the best.

 

[MrsDuck]

WL club level... hands down! The resort is extra gorgeous at Christmastime!

 

[Sue M]

Didn't have to think more than a sec on that one!! Main building at GF RPC. Their CL will spoil you for all the rest. It's amazing. And GF is beautiful during the holidays. Lucky you!!

 

[adisneyaunt]

WL Cl with no second thoughts.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Both are beautiful, but for ease of transportation (which rates HIGH on our list of resort amenities), GF.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've always wanted to do WL at Christmastime.

 

[KBoopaloo]

WL at Christmas time has always been one of my WDW bucket list items and I finally did it a couple of years ago and it did not disappoint. There was something a little extra magical about returning to that gorgeously decorated lodge lobby after a night at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

 

[Ashley Marie]

We actually just switched from WL (not club level... Copper Creek) to
GF (also not CL, just a regular garden view room) last night for the week leading up to Christmas. The rooms were comparable in price. I really wanted to experience WL at Christmas, but we will just visit one day while we are there. We just love everything about the GF. Plus, with two little ones, being able to take the monorail back from MK at night without waking them up to take them out of the stroller is a big deal. (We spend the majority of our time at MK.)

If staying club level in the main building was in my budget, I would absolutely choose that! I wish it was an option for us!

 

[TJA]

If I could vote for just the lobby alone, it would be a tough call. But when factoring in the rooms, I'd have to go with GF main building (RPC). In comparing the rooms, GF has larger rooms and also a daybed (important for our family of 4 with 2 teenager girls!), and also GF has the better balcony (it's large with a nice view, while WL balcony on the CL floor is closed-panel so you need to stand if you want a view). Otherwise, I love GADisneyDad14's pictures and would love to try the renovated CL at WL!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Those are excellent points by @TJA. Small room size and 100% dormer balconies for the CL standard rooms are both BIG knocks on WL for us. Depending on your # of people and balcony preferences, these could be very important for some folks.

 

[Aurora0427]

Have an opportunity to stay at either the Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian for the first week of December. I know both resorts are great places to stay during the holiday season and am trying to decide between the two. Our options are standard view club level at the WL or Main Building at the Grand Floridian. Which would you choose? Thanks

There is no better resort at Christmas than the Grand Floridian. Our December stay there in 2014 was our most magical stay ever. It's hard to describe the magic that is the Grand at Christmas. The orchestra playing carols, the gingerbread house, the incredible decorations, seeing the castle lit up from a distance. The grounds are decorated. It even smells like Christmas. And RPC club in the main building? It doesn't get any better than that. We've stayed at WL- it just doesn't compare.

 

[DrunkJam]

There is no better resort at Christmas than the Grand Floridian. Our December stay there in 2014 was our most magical stay ever. It's hard to describe the magic that is the Grand at Christmas. The orchestra playing carols, the gingerbread house, the incredible decorations, seeing the castle lit up from a distance. The grounds are decorated. It even smells like Christmas. And RPC club in the main building? It doesn't get any better than that. We've stayed at WL- it just doesn't compare.

We stayed in WL for Christmas in 2011. It was lovely. Really Christmassy, and beautiful. This year, we got a super deal on GF, and I am so happy to read this.

 

[Wood Nymph]

If I could vote for just the lobby alone, it would be a tough call. But when factoring in the rooms, I'd have to go with GF main building (RPC). In comparing the rooms, GF has larger rooms and also a daybed (important for our family of 4 with 2 teenager girls!), and also GF has the better balcony (it's large with a nice view, while WL balcony on the CL floor is closed-panel so you need to stand if you want a view). Otherwise, I love GADisneyDad14's pictures and would love to try the renovated CL at WL!

We have stayed at both the GF and WL when they have their Christmas decorations and both are beautiful. But having stayed WL CL I have to agree with you about the GF. I really hate the dormer balconies that they have at WL. The GF CL rooms would be much nicer than the WL rooms.

But as far as transportation goes, we are not fans of the monorail and prefer the transportation options at WL.

 

[buzznina]

Cannot help you with CL, one and done for us. But as for the resort, for our family it would not be close GF by far especially at Christmas.

 

[Aurora0427]

We stayed in WL for Christmas in 2011. It was lovely. Really Christmassy, and beautiful. This year, we got a super deal on GF, and I am so happy to read this.

There is no comparison.... we've stayed at them back to back, and you just can't compare the two. Especially during Christmas.