Disney's Wilderness Lodge Review

[HHMcG]

you didn't list my biggest 'con' - their standard rooms do not accommodate a party of 5. This would be a family favorite if we could just stay there for a 'reasonable' price.

 

[Alex Coleman]

you didn't list my biggest 'con' - their standard rooms do not accommodate a party of 5. This would be a family favorite if we could just stay there for a 'reasonable' price.

That is a great note!

 

[LSUmiss]

When I've stayed at WL, I found the boat transportation to/from the Magic Kingdom very convenient and pleasant. There is also boat transportation between WL and the Contemporary, which facilitates you to dine there or transfer to the monorail for other destinations.

The amount of bugs varies with the time of year, and can be worse some years than others. Last November I saw lots of bugs at the docks of the Contemporary and at WL, but at other times there may be fewer bugs. I wouldn't assume there are always as many bugs as there were last November.

Nice photos.

Are there boats & buses to Mk?

 

[danikoski]

Are there boats & buses to Mk?

Yes. And the bus ride is usually like 5 minutes, and boat is 10-15 minutes. Love the boat ride. And if you want to, you can boat to Contemporary and walk to MK or take the monorail.

 

[LSUmiss]

Yes. And the bus ride is usually like 5 minutes, and boat is 10-15 minutes. Love the boat ride. And if you want to, you can boat to Contemporary and walk to MK or take the monorail.

Great thanks! We are planning on staying there in Nov.

 

[danikoski]

I love WL. You didn't mention my husband's two favorite things there, the Electrical Light Water Pageant and Territory Lounge. He absolutely loved both, to the point I'm not sure we can stay anywhere else.
My mom and I loved the boat. I also love the lobby. It is jaw dropping yet homey. I have curled up and sat at that fireplace in the morning and at night with coffee or hot chocolate. It feels like home to me.

 

[danikoski]

Great thanks! We are planning on staying there in Nov.

There's also a boat to Fort Wilderness. We've taken it to go see Hoop Dee Do Revue. I also hear Trails End over there is a great buffet... haven't gotten to try that yet.

 

[rer1972]

BRV is one of our home resorts, and our favorite. We love to just hang around the different areas of the lobby. The upstairs fireplaces with great seating, the seats out by the large windows with views of Bay Lake, or relaxing near the fire in the Carolwood Pacific Room.

Also love the boat rides to and from MK. It's the only way we travel to MK when we stay at BRV.

We have experienced bus sharing with Fort Wilderness, but it's not much of an issue. Buses tend to run about the same at most other Deluxe type resorts from our experiences.

 

[morrismhs]

Love WL!!! Artist Point is a must every trip. Can't wait to return in September.

 

[pens4821]

Thanks for the detailed review! Its really helpful. We are going to be staying here the first time in August. We've actually never been on the inside, but we love the look of the outside. After going back and forth, we decided to give it a shot. We've done CR and loved it (also all stars and aoa) but figured this won't break the bank quite as much. Since we are going in the summer, we thought we'd like the laid back wilderness feel of the lodge. We are hoping to spend more time at the resort than we usually do (since we aren't going to be in the parks all day because of the humidity).

Speaking of summer, are the boats covered/air conditioned? It doesn't look like it from your picture. We will probably take the bus to MK anyway, but that would make the boat a for sure no. I think it'd be quite warm in the summer high heat of the day.

We are on the fence about WCC. We are thinking of going for the platter, but we really aren't into the messing with you while you're eating. We are very traditional when it comes to meals. We always eat together as a family at the dinner table (and I have my entire life), and it's not really a time for antics for us. Not that we are uptight, we definitely laugh and have a good time even when eating, but we'd rather just sit, eat our meal, and be left alone. Thats family time for us. We still may do it though.

 

[Seth Paridon]

Are there boats & buses to Mk?

Yes there are. The boat is, by far, the better ride. It takes a bit longer, but is enjoyable and relaxing.

 

[LSUmiss]

Yes there are. The boat is, by far, the better ride. It takes a bit longer, but is enjoyable and relaxing.

Thanks!

 

[joyjoy]

Great review, Alex! We're staying her for the first time this September. 11 days, can't wait!

 

[Sue M]

Thanks for the detailed review! Its really helpful. We are going to be staying here the first time in August. We've actually never been on the inside, but we love the look of the outside. After going back and forth, we decided to give it a shot. We've done CR and loved it (also all stars and aoa) but figured this won't break the bank quite as much. Since we are going in the summer, we thought we'd like the laid back wilderness feel of the lodge. We are hoping to spend more time at the resort than we usually do (since we aren't going to be in the parks all day because of the humidity).

Speaking of summer, are the boats covered/air conditioned? It doesn't look like it from your picture. We will probably take the bus to MK anyway, but that would make the boat a for sure no. I think it'd be quite warm in the summer high heat of the day.

We are on the fence about WCC. We are thinking of going for the platter, but we really aren't into the messing with you while you're eating. We are very traditional when it comes to meals. We always eat together as a family at the dinner table (and I have my entire life), and it's not really a time for antics for us. Not that we are uptight, we definitely laugh and have a good time even when eating, but we'd rather just sit, eat our meal, and be left alone. Thats family time for us. We still may do it though.

Yes one of the boats is a cabin cruiser type of boat and the other is an open air smaller boat. They alternate. The enclosed boat can handle scooters, wheel chairs and strollers without folding up.
I don’t know why OP made no mention of the boat transportation to MK, you don’t have to take a bus to all parks.
There is another resort boat that loops around connecting WL, CR & Ft W. it’s my top fav thing about WL.

Another favourite thing I enjoy doing at WL is taking the walking path over to Ft W. a very pleasant 15ish min stroll. I’ve seen deer while walking. Always hope to see an Armadillo but no luck. The path goes to the horse barn and near by Trails End & Hoopdedoo.

In the past I’ve had good transportation at WL, but I was at wdw Nov 2017 too, at Pop and we had terrible bus issues there too, and also from other resorts we visited. I think the problem was resort wide, not WL in particular. I heard lots of people complaining. In all my trips transportation in general during this trip was hands down the worst.

Being in WDW late Nov we visited all the resorts to check out the Christmas decorations. WL was spectacular. Didn’t notice any bugs but I was there during the day. Maybe they came out at night. I heard during the fall after the September hurricane WDW had bug problems.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

In early November last year there were lots of bugs at the boat docks, especially in the late afternoon and towards dusk.

 

[Sue M]

In early November last year there were lots of bugs at the boat docks, especially in the late afternoon and towards dusk.

Maybe by late November they were gone. We took boat from MK to WL, and to Ft W for dinner ADRs and didn’t encounter anything of the buggy kind good thing! Can’t have been pleasant.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Maybe by late November they were gone.

Very well could have been. Perhaps it got too cold for them.

 

[danikoski]

Thanks for the detailed review! Its really helpful. We are going to be staying here the first time in August. We've actually never been on the inside, but we love the look of the outside. After going back and forth, we decided to give it a shot. We've done CR and loved it (also all stars and aoa) but figured this won't break the bank quite as much. Since we are going in the summer, we thought we'd like the laid back wilderness feel of the lodge. We are hoping to spend more time at the resort than we usually do (since we aren't going to be in the parks all day because of the humidity).

Speaking of summer, are the boats covered/air conditioned? It doesn't look like it from your picture. We will probably take the bus to MK anyway, but that would make the boat a for sure no. I think it'd be quite warm in the summer high heat of the day.

We are on the fence about WCC. We are thinking of going for the platter, but we really aren't into the messing with you while you're eating. We are very traditional when it comes to meals. We always eat together as a family at the dinner table (and I have my entire life), and it's not really a time for antics for us. Not that we are uptight, we definitely laugh and have a good time even when eating, but we'd rather just sit, eat our meal, and be left alone. Thats family time for us. We still may do it though.

The boats aren't air conditioned (neither are the boats at Epcot and between Epcot and DHS). However, even on a 90 degree day, it wasn't unpleasant...although it was in January, so humidity wasn't high.

You can decline the shenanigans at WCC...they have a coaster on the table you can flip over to indicate you want to eat in peace. Also, if you pick a non busy time for meals, like early dinner or late dinner, it isn't too raucous. Or, if you like that kind of food, I'd hop on the boat over to Trails End in Ft. Wilderness for the buffet.

 

[danikoski]

In early November last year there were lots of bugs at the boat docks, especially in the late afternoon and towards dusk.

I believe the bad bug issue was directly related to hurricanes, specifically Irma. There were many reports last fall that bugs were worse than usual at WDW.

That being said, my mom and I were at WL in February 2017, and had a room facing MK, but also facing the Otter Pond. We had bugs at night. Not horrible, but definitely more than I had normally seen at WDW. I was also paranoid at the time because I was trying to get pregnant and vector born diseases had me a bit anxious. However, Disney kindly provided bug spray and we sprayed it on the balcony and it helped. I think a citronella air freshener thing would have worked to. You also probably wouldn't have issues facing the courtyard/pool, but those rooms are more expensive. My husband and I didn't in January 2015. We actually left the door cracked to listen to the waterfall in the courtyard.

 

[DIS_AWC]

Speaking of summer, are the boats covered/air conditioned? It doesn't look like it from your picture. We will probably take the bus to MK anyway, but that would make the boat a for sure no. I think it'd be quite warm in the summer high heat of the day.

We stayed at WL the first week of September a few years ago and it was HOT (likely the same as when you will go in August) and we loved the boat to and from MK. We were pretty much hot and sweaty all the time on that trip, but the boat was comfortable and enjoyable and a nice break from all of the buses we took to and from the other parks. The boat was actually one of the reasons we chose to stay at WL again on our upcoming trip. The only time we took the bus from WL to MK was when we had a PPO breakfast one morning.