Flame suit on...I won't be going back to WL

[bicker]

Our biggest issue I think was the awful veiw (or lack there of) that we received. That compliant will always be associated with this room (and all the 4090's rooms). ... Maybe it was the price we paid for the room, then given an awful room was what soured us?

That sounds very plausible. WDW is very expensive, and that's often a shock for many guests -- often so much so that it is hard for them to reconcile what they received for what they paid, even though what they received complied with what they had been promised. Call it buyers' remorse, if you wish, but it is a very common occurrence in consumer markets when there is extremely high demand.

 

[ticketwm35]

After reading everybody complain about WL I'm worried about staying there.I have reservation for Aug.We went there 2years ago and walked around and it looked real nice now I'm worried about my stay.We have a woods view room.I could have gone to another resort but thought that this one was cool looking.There will be 2 adults and 2 Kids.If I change where would you guys look into.The kids like to swim.They are ages 13&14.Give me some options.

Ticketwm35

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

By letting the people on this board know that the conditions of the rooms are sub-par, we can all vote with our pocket books, so to say, which will send a much more powerful message to the hotel's management.

I think you are overestimating the power of the DIS... at last count, from the front page, the DIS has 69,895 members, of which only a certain percentage are even interested in the WL - you may convince some of them.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, for those of you getting discouraged by those who find the WL unacceptable, you should read the WL FAQ and read all of the great things said there.

I am sure that there are plenty of people out there ready and willing to visit the WL and even pay rack rate - as I am one of them - although I am usually lucky enough to find a discount, thanks to these great boards.

I have heard these complaints about almost every onsite Disney property, and hopefully, someday, I will visit each and every one - no matter what these boards say!

 

[Pointdisney]

I am sorry you didn't have a great experience at the WL. For those of you worried about staying there after reading this, I would definitely think twice about canceling! My DH and I have been staying at the VWL since we bought into DVC 4 years ago, twice a year. While I understand, the villlas aren't the regular rooms, we do enjoy it there immensely! I did stay in a regular room in the hotel one time and I will say that I, too thought it was small and ours was really far from the elevators. That being said, the resort is breathtaking and the atmosphere is truly relaxing. The music played all throughout in addition to every detail makes it a really great place to stay! We love it and like others have said, give it a try before you knock it! Different strokes for different folks. We, however give the resort overall a thumbs up!

 

[dkrause716]

After reading everybody complain about WL I'm worried about staying there.I have reservation for Aug.We went there 2years ago and walked around and it looked real nice now I'm worried about my stay.We have a woods view room.I could have gone to another resort but thought that this one was cool looking.There will be 2 adults and 2 Kids.If I change where would you guys look into.The kids like to swim.They are ages 13&14.Give me some options.

Ticketwm35

We stayed at Wl last year and then moved to the BC for the 2nd part of our stay. The BC was nice and I liked the location but we just loved the WL! So much so that we are staying there this July for our entire stay. We have 2 woods view rooms booked this year. Last year we had a standard room booked and were upgraded to courtyard view. Our room was lovely, clean and not small. I did not notice any difference in the size of the BC room vs WL but maybe that was just me. We did not have a balcony at the BC, just enough room to open the door and put our feet out. So to me, the WL seemed even bigger.

Everyone has different expectations, tolerances, likes and dislikes. I think you should see for yourself what you think of the WL. If you don't like something, let management know and give them opportunity to make you happier. Thats what I would do.


Yes Disney resorts cost alot of money but in my opinion ( and we have traveled quite a bit) nobody does it like Disney!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[dpic]

After reading everybody complain about WL I'm worried about staying there.I have reservation for Aug.We went there 2years ago and walked around and it looked real nice now I'm worried about my stay.We have a woods view room.I could have gone to another resort but thought that this one was cool looking.There will be 2 adults and 2 Kids.If I change where would you guys look into.The kids like to swim.They are ages 13&14.Give me some options.

Ticketwm35

Your best option is to keep your ressie at WL. If you're around here long enough--and believe everything you read--you won't eat the food at any restaurant, see any show, sleep in any bed, ride any ride, jump in any pool, view a single parade, or enjoy yourselves in any way because there is NOTHING at WDW that hasn't been complained about multiple times (pardon the double negative). No matter how good a resort, restaurant, show, attraction, or person, everybody and everything has off days, and there's always someone willing to share the story.

So, please don't change our mind because of complaints about a resort. I don't believe anyone was being dishonest, however, everyone perceives things differently. If you liked what you saw on your brief visit, go to WL and enjoy. We are heading back for our third stay this Dec. Is the WL perfect? No. Is it great to stay at WDW? Absolutely.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Your best option is to keep your ressie at WL. If you're around here long enough--and believe everything you read--you won't eat the food at any restaurant, see any show, sleep in any bed, ride any ride, jump in any pool, view a single parade, or enjoy yourselves in any way because there is NOTHING at WDW that hasn't been complained about multiple times (pardon the double negative). No matter how good a resort, restaurant, show, attraction, or person, everybody and everything has off days, and there's always someone willing to share the story.

So, please don't change our mind because of complaints about a resort. I don't believe anyone was being dishonest, however, everyone perceives things differently. If you liked what you saw on your brief visit, go to WL and enjoy. We are heading back for our third stay this Dec. Is the WL perfect? No. Is it great to stay at WDW? Absolutely.

Ain't that the truth?!

We loved our stay at WL - my only complaint: We coudln't stay longer! Rate was great, room was big and airy and bright, everything was clean and in perfect condition, even the bedspread looked brandnew. Great service, great amenities, SUPER quick transportation by boat, we adored it!

OP, I'm sorry you had a less than wonderful stay but hope it didn't ruin your vacation overall

 

[Jinnyboom]

Yikes ... hoping I don't get flamed ... I felt this way about the WL way back in December 2002...doesn't sound like things have improved.

 

[missypie]

Just back from the World. After checking out of the CR we drove over to the WL to look around. Beautiful theming...it has a real "away from it all" feel. but I do have to admit that as I looked around I noticed that there were some rooms that had a really really terrible view. If I ever stay there, I'll pay for an upgrade to get a good view.

 

[Ziggie]

We were invited to the Grand Opening of WL back in 1994. It was wonderful! But, having said that, I too have noticed a decline in the general upkeep of the lodge.

It's a shame you couldn't have experienced it when it was new. Although, the view of your room would've been the same.

 

[SnackyStacky]

You didn't mention how the rest of your trip went. Hope you had a great time despite an unfortunate room!

 

[FirstNo]

People often say this on these resort boards, but I don't get your point. Even if management had made this guest's stay more pleasant with a room change, the overall issue of WL needing a re-hab would remain. By letting the people on this board know that the conditions of the rooms are sub-par, we can all vote with our pocket books, so to say, which will send a much more powerful message to the hotel's management.

What message? It's Disney....people will still come and stay there. They've proven that with every rate hike and every time the place is sold out for Xmas. But, for argument's sake, let's pretend that the hotel's business is hurting. Okay....why? They haven't had any complaints on any thing so, how are they going to know what it is that's keeping the guests away if the guests don't talk (or write) about what they don't like?

Another thing I've noticed, some people don't like to complain face to face. Either they are shy or they make the best of a less than favorable situation so as not to put a damper on their excitement about their Disney trip. IMO, this does not excuse the hotel management from responsibility. A cleaning person is in that room every day, and maintenance should be inspecting those rooms on a regular basis to replace bulbs and identify areas for repair.

While I understand some have issues complaining to people in person, they should have NO problem writing out their thoughts and snail mail or emailing it to management; especially if they did it HERE. If it's been posted here, then obviously the guest doesn't have an issue complaining on 'paper'.

And, as I brought up previously, you're assuming that the housekeepers are actually doing their jobs as they should. Any one who works for a living can see for themselves that many of their fellow employees don't do their jobs as they should and management doesn't do a darn thing about it. Maybe the housekeeper doesn't speak English well and doesn't know (or care) about conveying that the wallpaper is peeling. Again, just throwing things out there for the sake of argument.

There have been many posts on this thread stating that the WL rooms are in need of rehab, and since it's highly unlikely all of these posters stayed in the exact same room, this must be a hotel-wide problem that the management in undoubtedly aware of. My guess would be that they are letting the rooms go, before a big overhaul. Thanks to the OP's post, we all know of the situation, and can plan accordingly.

I'll say that I do not read each and every thread and I don't doubt what you wrote. I don't believe the WL has had a major rehab since she opened. But, I will say I was there almost two weeks ago on a tour and things looked just fine. We saw two rooms in the main building (these were guest rooms and not show rooms...as some of the resorts have) and one in the DVC section. But, I'll write it again, you're paying a lot of money to stay there. You owe it to yourself and to the company you're giving your money to to open up and complain about things that are truly wrong. They aren't psychic (although many guests feel they should be) and management has better things to do than to go around checking every single room every day. If something is wrong, they need to know about it so they can ensure it gets fixed. Who knows? If the guest had spoken to the proper people, perhaps he/she would have been told a rehab is in the works and could have given everyone here the dates! It's just not fair to you, the guest; to any guest coming in behind you or to the company itself. Maybe I'm more sensitive to it having worked in the industry....

 

[FirstNo]

After reading everybody complain about WL I'm worried about staying there.I have reservation for Aug.We went there 2years ago and walked around and it looked real nice now I'm worried about my stay.We have a woods view room.I could have gone to another resort but thought that this one was cool looking.There will be 2 adults and 2 Kids.If I change where would you guys look into.The kids like to swim.They are ages 13&14.Give me some options.

Ticketwm35

I wouldn't change your resv. Not every one's expectations are the same. Things that would highly annoy one guest wouldn't even rate on the radar of another. And, you really can't base your thoughts on just ONE experience. Any one can have a bad stay or a bad meal any where. For ME, I've learned that if I've had one bad (not horrible....just bad) experience at a place, I give it another chance at a different time. More often than not, that original experience was just a freak of nature. If you've never been there, go. Give yourself a chance to enjoy it.

 

[BostonRob]

This is a very important point. I'm not sure I'd put it so bluntly, but yes, silence does imply assent, so if you don't raise any concerns about the service you are receiving, at the time you're receiving it, while your service provider could actually do something to address any concerns you have and thereby satisfy you, then you're tacitly communicating to your service provider that "all is well -- we're satisfied with what we're receiving."

There is some truth to this, but it is a much easier philosophy to preach than to practice. Some people live to complain - some people charge head-on at every battle. But most of us have better things to do while on vacation.

The fact is that when you check into your room at WDW, you just came off of months of anticipation, days of packing, hours (or days) of uncomfortable travel, possibly a long wait to check in, and possibly a wait of hours to get your room. In most cases you are either eager to get to the parks or to relax by the pool or to get some sleep. But initiating a complaint and possibly waiting for the complaint to be rectified (which could easily take up more of your time and patience) is generally the LAST thing somebody wants to do to begin their vacation.

You are absolutely 100% true that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And complaining here doesn't do anybody good. But the business that pleases me the first time and gets things right without complaints will always receive my return business. I can't say the same about a business that screws up, whether they make things right or not.

 

[BostonRob]

But, I'll write it again, you're paying a lot of money to stay there. You owe it to yourself and to the company you're giving your money to to open up and complain about things that are truly wrong. They aren't psychic (although many guests feel they should be) and management has better things to do than to go around checking every single room every day.

I'll write it again too, and in plainer english - THEY SHOULD GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. Yes, people pay a lot of money to stay their. You say they owe it to themself to compliain - I say the hotel owes it to the guest to proactively have presentable rooms.

The management has better things to do? Like what? What does a hotel have besides rooms? Seems to me like that's their business. If the manager can't inspect rooms personally (and I don't buy that, by the way), than they can be sure that their employees who do see the rooms on a daily basis are communicating their condition, proactively.

If the room is as described by the OP, then people should be fired. Lets start with the manager who doesn't have time to inspect every room personally.

 

[Ziggie]

But initiating a complaint and possibly waiting for the complaint to be rectified (which could easily take up more of your time and patience) is generally the LAST thing somebody wants to do to begin their vacation.

Very true. Starting out with a confrontation (no matter how small) can leave a bad taste in your mouth.. and put a damper on your entire day

 

[Ziggie]

.....

 

[Disney_Queen34]

We love the Wilderness Lodge because we love nature. With that said, I do think it's understandable that a resort or two will show wear. It seems like they do a full resort "clean-up" one at a time. POFQ was just done which is why many people are so happy with it right now. Wilderness Lodge is still a great resort, it just needs it's turn for sprucing up.

Every WDW resort isn't for everyone, just like the CR isn't the resort for me! Glad you shared your experience.!

 

[FirstNo]

I'll write it again too, and in plainer english - THEY SHOULD GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. Yes, people pay a lot of money to stay their. You say they owe it to themself to compliain - I say the hotel owes it to the guest to proactively have presentable rooms.

From other posters on the board, apparently, they do have presentable rooms. No one is perfect and things aren't going to be right all the time. That's the way life is. Disney strives for perfection and they do all they can to ensure they are, but they aren't perfect nor are the CMs working for them. And I have little doubt that had the WL been made aware of how the OP felt, they would have bent over backwards to ensure their vacation, from that point on, was as perfect as they could have made it.

The management has better things to do? Like what? What does a hotel have besides rooms? Seems to me like that's their business. If the manager can't inspect rooms personally (and I don't buy that, by the way), than they can be sure that their employees who do see the rooms on a daily basis are communicating their condition, proactively.

What does a hotel have besides rooms?!?! Restaurants? Pools? Shops/Stores? Arcades? Places to rent items for your enjoyment (i.e. bikes, boats, etc)? Beaches? Entertainment venues? Some have meeting space. Some have spas. Some have places to drop your kids off to be babysat. All have employees and other guests to be taken care of.

What does management do? Go to meetings, do scheduling, take care of any issues BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION, make time to speak with their employees, go over reports and budgeting, do evaluations, etc etc.

While it is ultimately management's responsibility to ensure things are being done properly, no, they don't have the time to be the ones cleaning the rooms and/or walking into all 1500 or 2000 of them to give the white glove treatment ever day or cook the food or sweep the halls and what not. That's what the underlings are for.

If the room is as described by the OP, then people should be fired. Lets start with the manager who doesn't have time to inspect every room personally.

As I stated before (when the original poster stated he/she hesitated to complain because someone may be fired), if people who have been trained and counseled on how they should be performing their jobs aren't doing it, then yes, they should be fired and get someone in there who will do it correctly.

Maybe management is aware of the state of some of the rooms. Maybe they're next on the list to be rehabbed once CR is done. Who knows? And, why fault the management? They have a budget they have to work on. Isn't the ultimate blame placed on whatever part of Disney issues the budgets? Maybe they aren't giving the WL the money they need to rehab; esp since the CR is starting theirs and they're still trying to finish the other half of PC. If you don't communicate you won't find any thing out or get any thing accomplished.

 

[Ziggie]

We love the Wilderness Lodge because we love nature. With that said, I do think it's understandable that a resort or two will show wear. It seems like they do a full resort "clean-up" one at a time. POFQ was just done which is why many people are so happy with it right now. Wilderness Lodge is still a great resort, it just needs it's turn for sprucing up.

Every WDW resort isn't for everyone, just like the CR isn't the resort for me! Glad you shared your experience.!

Agreed. However, then I believe a "price adjustment" is in order. If the hotel is starting to show serious wear and tear, then room rates should be lowered.