Thanks for the info, think we should be ok in the WL room then, we do travel with a lot of luggage (from the UK for 2 weeks) we did struggle with storage space in the BC so we will have to travel light next time!
Do you know if there are any 'secret' exit/entrances at the WL like there is at the BC. If your at the far end of the resort next to the boat dock for example, can you exit at the end of the corridor or somewhere along that end instead of going all the way back to the middle of the resort then have to walk all the way back past the pool to get to the boat dock (confused myself now!!). Same for the other side near the bus stops, is there an exit near there, or do you have to go in and out by the front and rear main entrances?
We just loved the BC last year and am afraid to stay anywhere else now! But I really want to try the WL, a split stay is prob not going to be an option as DH does not like to move, once he's put his stuff away, that's it for the 2 weeks!!
With my girls ages being so far apart, DD11 loves Epcot that's why we strayed BC last year, it was all about her, next time we go it will be more focused on MK for the youngest DD3 and will prob spend most our time there.
Thanks again.
My husband feels the same way about a split stay, he won't even consider it. The decision of whether or not to stay at BC or WL is hard for us, too, since we like them both.
WL is a great place to stay if you want to spend a lot of time at MK. The boat ride to MK is quick and relaxing. It is a nicer boat than the Friendship boats at the YC were. The boat is more interesting because it goes past the CR and you can see the Poly and GF off in the distance. And then the approach to MK is rather exciting, especially for the kids. I think your 11 year old daughter will enjoy it.
There is also a boat that travels between WL, CR and Fort Wilderness. It is a nice way to get to CR if you want to catch the monorail. We found that this was a good way to get to the monorail resorts for our dinner reservations. There is also a bus to MK which is direct and really fast.
Secret entrances are my specialty.
I was dragging my husband all over WL on the last two trips, looking for shortcuts in and out of the resort. There are some staircases, fire exits really, that open out to the inner courtyard or open to the Hidden Springs pool by the villa. But which ones you use would depend on where your room is located. For example, on our December trip we were in room 3104, which is close to the lobby near the Mercantile shop. It is also close to the bus stop. Straight across the hallway from our room was an exit that took us down to the second floor, which was lobby level. We used this staircase instead of the elevator all the time when we wanted to take the bus or go to the lobby. We also used this exit if we wanted to take a shortcut to get to Roaring Forks. If you look at the room map you'll see that there is another elevator about mid-way down the south wing. That leads to a shortcut to the inner courtyard for the pool, the boat, and the path to the beach.
If you are in the north wing, then you will mostly be using the elevator near Roaring Forks for everything, boats, buses, food, etc, unless you are on a low enough floor to use the stairs. There are some that open up close to the boat dock. But, to answer your question, you won't have to always come all the way back to the lobby to get to your room, unless, of course, your room is overlooking the lobby, then you would go that way.
This wonderful map by GrandCalifornian doesn't show where the exit doors are, but they are located at the ends of each corridor where you see an empty space on the map. For example, there are exit doors between the following rooms:
on the south side:
between 122 and 123 to go to inner courtyard for pool, boat, Roaring Forks, beach, etc
between 120 and 130 - to go to Hidden Springs pool
between 165 and 166 - beach, etc
on north side:
between 043 and 041-that is where Roaring Forks and the ramp to the lobby is located
between 003 and 005 - very close to boat dock
near the lobby:
between 061 and 067 - that exit is right off the lobby, next to Territory Lounge and the top of the ramp
just to the left of 100 is the exit to the bus
The bunk bed room should give you a little more floor space than a room with two queen beds. The WL doesn't have rollaway beds, since the rooms are too small to fit one. I don't find the WL rooms small at all, but they are too small for a roll away bed and they are smaller than the BC rooms.
Super excited!!!
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