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

[ckmommy]

Stayed at WL this past week. Was expecting so much more. While the lobby was very neat, the rest of the resort did not impress me. Our standard view room that we piad rack rate for was in a terrible loction--no view and right above the lobby. The room itself was very narrow and in NEED of repair. Chipped paint, wallpaper peeling, counters chipped beyond repair, chairs worn through to the wood.

The pool, boat ride and grounds were very nice. I do think that CSR, FQ and POR had better pools and slides though.

We really considered moving resorts, but we were only there a short time, but I do not think I will be returning.

This was our last vacation for only one room, so the value resorts will be our next place to stay.

 

[FirstNo]

Stayed at WL this past week. Was expecting so much more. While the lobby was very neat, the rest of the resort did not impress me. Our standard view room that we piad rack rate for was in a terrible loction--no view and right above the lobby. The room itself was very narrow and in NEED of repair. Chipped paint, wallpaper peeling, counters chipped beyond repair, chairs worn through to the wood.

The pool, boat ride and grounds were very nice. I do think that CSR, FQ and POR had better pools and slides though.

We really considered moving resorts, but we were only there a short time, but I do not think I will be returning.

This was our last vacation for only one room, so the value resorts will be our next place to stay.

Did you contact the front desk and asked to be moved? Did you ask to speak to a manager so you could show him/her the sad state the room was in?

 

[TwingleMum]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your stay more. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DemonLlama]

I'm sorry you weren't impressed with the room. We felt like this a bit, especially with the bathroom, which is getting very run down (tile, funky colors in the grout, and peeling wallpaper).

Of course, we got a great rate and a woods view over the otter pond, with a view of the monorail and the castle far off through the woods. So we were willing to overlook the bathroom and worn carpet in the room. I can certainly see without these things and for a lot more $$ I would not have felt the warm fuzzies for the place.

And we are trying the POFQ on our next visit!

Oh, and a shameless plug for votes on the Community Board (not for me, but for your participation): what would you want to be bribed with? Lots of Gifts called the 12 Days of Disney, a trip for a Make A Wish child, or a week's trip for you to WDW? Vote now!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=828973

 

[goodferry]

oh my gosh, how dare you not like one of the WDW resorts?????
I just didn't want you to feel bad for putting that flame suit on and not getting flamed.
Sorry the resort was not what you expected, I hope you had a great trip anyway, and thanks for the report

 

[sfbank]

ckmommy--No flames from me. We stayed there last June and I have to agree with you. I was a little disappointed as well. The check in was just not as magical as our first trip in 2002 at the Boardwalk. I felt like we were bugging the gentleman that was checking us in. We had a courtyard view and it was nice but the room was dark. The resort itself is nice and the lobby is gorgeous but I just felt too away from everything. I live in a small town and love going to cities so maybe that is why the Boardwalk appeals to me more. I was homesick for it our last visit but I will get that cured in December! To each his own. That is why there are so many different choices!

 

[chyam]

I have to agree with you........I loved the WL for years but the last 2 visits really disappointed me....I love the woodsy feel, the pool and the ducks, being on the water and the nature trail. But the rooms are getting in desperate need of some attention. On my last visit, they decided to clean the windows of the Artists Point restaurant with a pressure cleaner at midnight! and Yes I did complain I was offered a late check out....la de da! It was right below my balcony. My last stay I stayed at POFQ and have already booked several more days in Oct. I may try the WL again especially at Christmas but right now I am over it.

 

[PamNC]

We tried it about 3 years ago and unless we just couldn't afford to go any other way and were able to snag an AP rate of about $124...we won't return. The lobby and the grounds are quite impressive indeed. But, I agree...the rooms didn't impress me at all. They are no bigger than the mods and they are so dark. The pool is small. Not impressed with it - but it is a beautiful resort on the surface. The CMs didn't seem to be as Disney-esque as the other mods we've stayed at (YC, BC, CR, GF, Poly, Swan). And, we thought the boat transporation was major slooooooow. We did like the trail to Fort Wilderness and the geyser is a nice touch!

PamNC

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No flames.

Not every resort is for every person. We loved the resort. It is dark, yes...but it is all for creating the lodge feel. I know they are going for woodsy--but what is said about the woods view (facing MK) is that lovely view of......the mousekeeping area with all the utility trucks and such--and the back end of the kitches for WC and AP. I think that is a design flaw.

We will go back--but we would never pay rack rate...just doesn't seem worth it to pay full price for it. We were there for Hurricane Frances and enjoyed ourselves (aside from that hurricane part). We've been upgraded on all visits--so we have definitely felt the magic.

I do agree the rooms are small.

 

[FINFAN]

No flames from me...heck, I'll give you a fire extinguisher! We had a less than favorable experience there as well, over Christmas no less! However we had a great rate of $121 woods view (but the woods part was debatable) so it was easier to deal with the hmmm, not quite our cup of tea feel. I do however, think WDW did a great job of having you feel like you are not in the tropics...so that was cool. I agree it is beautiful in the lobby areas and the grounds, but other than that, we were kinda wishing we were back at the ASMU or CR, but we were heading back to the Dolphin for the 2nd 1/2 of our split-stay...always a fab time there...great room/service/upgrade/service/location/service/view/did I mention service? I think we would visit back to WL for a meal and enjoy the atmosphere, but just not to stay there again.


PAM

 

[skiwee1]

I have to agree with you too. I thought the lobby was the only thing great about the WL. The rooms were too small and kind of run down. pool too crowded, and transportation horrible. I won't be going back there either.

 

[AngieInOH]

Yikes! All set on WL and then I read this thread!! Don't worry my plans have already changed about a dozen times so a dozen more won't hurt anything!

I thought I might have read all of the Deluxes are going to be going through renovations this year. Is WL on the list? If not, it sounds like it should be!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i love the WL we were there sept 2004
we got a pin code room 137 inc tax cy view it was great the lobby food grounds
but i will say the rooms are quite small and it was only me and my mom
i would definetly not do my DH and sons tere i would have to get a deluxe room ir suite

 

[Mousemom]

Now I'm really confused. We are planning a stay at WL in December. My SIL and her family are planning their frist trip to WDW with us and we thought that the WL would be a good choice. The boat to MK was one of the reasons we wanted to stay here as well as we heard it was decorated really well for Christmas. Now I'm wondering if the AKL would be a better choice. We have stayed at the AKL before and loved it and we know the rooms are newer. We live in the PNW and are used to lodge type hotels and have stayed in them while skiing. So the AKL would be new and different for my SIL and family. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[NCombs]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That's the good thing about so many different resorts with varying themes-you can find what suits you.

I have heard wonderful things about every resort and I have also heard the not so great stuff. It's good to hear both sides.

 

[vegasnw]

No flames here either. I love this resort but respect your views on the room you had and I'm sorry you didn't have the vacation you had planned on.

For everyone who has reservations and are now thinking about moving over a post remember this party had one room, they didn't stay in every room at the resort and although their trip wasn't as good as some in the past that doesn't mean the resort isn't a great place to stay, it just wasn't a great place to stay for them on their last trip.

The Wilderness Lodge isn't for everyone just like the other resorts are not for everyone. Experience the resort for yourself, it is a great place to stay.

 

[bicker]

One critical point that I think was briefly touched on earlier. It is essential that guests make their dissatisfaction known immediately to the manager. A company cannot make things right if they don't know there is anything wrong until it is too late to fix it.

 

[ckmommy]

Ok, I was afraid to come back to this post. I really hate to post things that are not positive.

Thanks for not flaming me!!

I am glad that others have felt the way my family did as well.

I did not go to a manager and complain. My DH worked with another guy who used to work for WDW as an engineer. He told DH that if WDW received a complaint, someone was always held accountable for the mistake and very possibly fired. Ever since hearing that, I have not complained. I may not have enjoyed this resort, but not enough for someone to be fired.

I have to agree with others that my take on this resort, is just one person's opinion. I only stayed in one room, but it really was not to my liking.

One other thing I liked about this resort was how short a walk it was to the boat. This being compared to CR South wing walk to the monorail.

I hope others have a better stay than we did. I have been at too many resorts now, and come to expect different things than other who have not been to other WDW resorts.

 

[n2mm]

No flames here either...so take that suit off!

I've never been wowed with the WL. It's a nice resort, but it's just a place to stay. We always stay there or another delux when we can get a great rate during value season. I like the location. My hubby likes this one, while I'm more of a CR fan myself. I enjoy WC, but hate roaring forks. I agree about the slide too. We were going to stay there in July, but decided to ask our 11 year old grandson to join us. I then quickly switched to the BC. The slide is too babyish for an 11 year old and with the addition of the villas, the resort can get quite crowded. We still visit WC even when we don't stay there. We all agree that Disney offers us so many choices, we are bound to be happy somewhere, even if it's 2 rooms connecting at Pop Century! It's just too bad you paid rack rate to find out this resort wasn't for you.

 

[susy]

Different resorts for different people! At the Beach club we had a HORRENDOUS view and it did put damper on things. We had a great room at the WL and loved it!!!!!