? for Wilderness Lodge LOVERS!

[blondemom]

Hi, all. While I appreciate everyone's opinions, after all we are all different, I would really like to hear what people love about the Wilderness Lodge. You see, I left the decision as to where to stay on property to my now 7-year old son. WL won hands down. He loved the look of it, the stream running through the lobby, and the cozy feeling it projects. Tell me, Wilderness Lodge fans, what keeps bringing you back? I've read the negatives, but I'm a positive person. It's my vacation, and I'm not going to let things I consider trivial ruin my week.

Thanks in advance. By the way, my first visit to the Lodge will be in August. I'm married with two boys (7 and 2).

 

[Jasminetigger]

We will soon be going back for the third time. My family just loves the Lodge. The lobby is breathtaking. We like the boat ride to MK. I hear they now haves buses to MK too. The grounds are beautiful. The architecture is amazing. The CM's are always nice. My DD's 7 and 12 love Whispering Canyon Cafe. The pool and slide are a favorite of my kids. The geyser goes off every hour and is fun to watch. You can see MK fireworks from some of the rooms. The lobby is my favorite. The chairs in front of the fireplace are one of my favorite places to sit. I think you have made a great choice. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[DVC Jen]

It's beauty.

I have never seen anything like it.

The second you walk into the lobby and see the majesty to the moment you realize the music that is playing is making you feel excited and relaxed all at the same time.

The very first time my family walked through those doors and into the lobby we knew we were home.

It is a deluxe resort with a casual air. It is just the perfect fit for us.

Another BIG plus is the fact that with the exception of the villas the entire resort is self contained. If it is pouring rain you don't have to worry about going outside to fill your mugs or get a meal, go to the mercantile, the arcade or just wander around.

Then there are the other little pluses.. being flag family, the hidden mickey hunt.. being so close to the Magic Kingdom yet feeling like you are anywhere BUT Florida.

 

[nickandalexmom]

I know some people have said you could see the fireworks from some of the rooms. Can you see them from any of the public areas as well (i.e., pool, etc)
Thanks.

 

[LakeAriel]

A couple of years after buying at VWL I bought a vacation home in the Pocono's in PA. I was inspired by the Villa's. I love the woods and nature and the hand carved touchs at WL are beautiful! When you leave and enter the parks it is as though you are in a different hemisphere.
It also is smaller then some others which I prefer. I've grown up close enough to the ocean not to lean toward the "beach feel", but everyone is different. If you want a boardwalk atmosphere by all means go to the YC, BC, or Boardwalk. Tropical Polynesian etc. I'll be "home" on Sunday!!!!!!!

 

[dpic]

Other than it's beautiful themeing that others have mentioned, we love it because it's under one roof--admittedly one big roof, but it's still one roof. This is nice because everything is relatively close to your room. When the kids go swimming, it's not three buildings over. It's not a long hike to the mug refilling, or the bus stop. None of the rooms are more than a five minute walk from anything.

Next, we love the location. While it is not on the monorail, it's a very pleasant boat ride to MK. Also, if you want to visit any of the monorail resorts, there is a boat specifically for CR where you can hop the monorail. Now, in all honesty, sometimes the boats can take awhile because they are shared with FW. For example, if you are going to MK in the afternoon, the boat will pick you up then you go to FW then to MK. It adds a few minutes. If we have just missed the MK boat, often we'll take the CR boat then walk from there.

Lastly, we love WL because of the price. WL is "deluxe lite" (as is AKL). WL is much less expensive the any of the monorail resorts (unless you get a good code for a wing room at CR). Their rooms are somewhat smaller than the other deluxes and some say the concierge isn't as extensive as the other deluxes. Neither of these issues bothers us. The rooms aren't any smaller than 90% of the hotels we've stayed at and we don't do concierge.

It's nice to hear you don't go out of your way to find things that bother you. We're the same way. We have found WL to be a great resort. We have thought about staying at one of the monorail resorts because the transportation convenience would be nice (we're MK people). However, the price and beauty of WL keep drawing us back. With children your age, WL would be great. Take in a meal at WCC--they'll love the horse races. Also, make sure to take advantage of the monorail resorts. We love O'hana and watching the fireworks from the Poly beach. Have a great vacation!

Edit: One more thing to mention. Use the WL's Bear Den childcare for the children and take in dinner at the California Grill for a special night out. Make your PS 90 days out for about 45 minutes prior to Wishes fireworks. This would be one of the highlights for your trip.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Everyone who has WL questions should head over to the WLFAQ thread...we are a group who LOVE to answer WL questions and LOVE to tell why "our" resort is the best!!

LOL

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=658804

 

[crow11ad]

Ahhh the lodge. The fire. The stream. The beach. The pool. Whispering Canyon. Where to pick a fav. Just make sure you rent a sea racer and drive right by MK. It's great.

 

[SeaSpray]

This is my favorite picture of the Wilderness Lodge and the scene that I can't wait to see when we stay there in July! (It's the WL all lit up at night, as seen from the pool/lake area):

Some other reasons why we've chosen to stay there for part of our trip:

Everything is all in one building
DH has always wanted to stay there (he likes the theme)
Gorgeous 7-story open lobby
Proximity to the MK

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I am getting goosebumps reading this thread!

we were staying at CSR a few years ago (which is a great resort, we would stay there again with no problem.) When we walked into the lobby of WL both DH and I were in awe. We were not prepared for the beauty and splendor of that lobby!

I love the boats. Like the above poster said...the boat ride is so pleasant. And you can get to CR and hop on the monorail. we also like taking the boat to FW and taking a "non park" day to do the petting zoo, pony rides, campfire with Chip and Dale (free for resort guests!)

WC has a great breakfast...$9.69 all you can eat! The sausage and gravy is awesome! I do find some of the antics a bit obnoxious after awhile...but your kids will love it!

I also love the Territory Lounge. mmm, they make a martini with blue cheese stuffed olives...I can taste them right now! We always have one night where we put DD6 into the Cub's Den so we can have drinks at TL, and sometimes dinner at the fantatstic AP...and sneak upstairs for some "alone time."

Sit by the fireplace and sip a hot chocolate...so cozy!

This really is the greatest resort, IMHO! have fun! Your DS made a great choice!

 

[Steffi]

WL is my very favorite resort. Here are some of the reasons why:

I love pulling up and having the bellman say, "Welcome home."

I love the piped in cricket sounds around the entrance.

I love the 'charging-west' music as soon as you step into the lobby.

I love the smell.

The lobby is breathtakingly beautiful. I spend more time in the lobby than in my room. I love the fireplace, the stream, the bridge. The lobby is the heartbeat of this resort.

I love all of the cozy little nooks around the resort, overlooking different parts of the place.

I love WCC, especially for breakfast.

I love the walk to the boat dock early in the morning.

I love the boat ride, whether it's heading for FW, Contemporary, or MK.

I love the peaceful walk over to FW.

I love the beach early in the morning or late at night.

I love being able to find a lounge chair near the pool, but still in the shade.

I love the arts & crafts for the kids at the Cub's Den, even if my DD is almost too old for that stuff. It's just a neat thing to have for the kids.

I just love the place! I hope you will, too.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I've only stayed there once, but I liked:

- The gasp you make when you enter for the first time - the lobby is beautiful.

- The great pictures I took of my kids on the deck right off the back of the lobby on the rockers with the waterfall behind.

- the boat ride to MK

- WCC and a quick boat ride to Trails End, which I liked even better - and it was cheaper.

- easy access to the petting zoo and pony rides at WC

- playground on the beach

- a room on the 5th floor with a woods view where we could watch Wishes without leaving the room

- quick ride down the elevator to get to Roaring Forks food court to refill my mug and get a snack.

 

[tubachick]

I just have to say we LOVE The WL.

The first time we walked in for our honeymoon..... we were breathless. After that it kept on getting better. Service from the CM's was incredible.... the views the lake, the boat ride, the resturants..... I could go on forever... and we were only there twice.... our next trip with the whole family (12) will be at the WL too!!!

Great choice.

 

[wdwfanva]

Can't really add anything to previous post but Amen !!!! My DW and I simply LOVE the lodge, we'll be back on Friday!!!!!! It simply put feels like home as soon as you step into the lobby!!!!!!

 

[Bracho]

I have to second what wdwfanva has said... what else has to be said. The Wilderness Lodge has a magic all it's own, a feeling if you will. At night time after a day in the parks standing in lines, being stepped on by the folks in the line and the overload on your senses.. you need a place that can help you relax and the Wilderness Lodge offers that. Walking around the property at night is truely a great experience if you take the time to stop and slow it down a bit... from the sounds of the waterfall and rushing water, to the sounds of the crickets as you walk towards the boat launch, to the huge fireplace and a rocker to sit and just relax... but while you're there make sure you stop by and give humphrey a rub in front of the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile, you'll find him on the Disney Character Totem pole...

 

[rcraw45425]

Don't forget the geyser taht erupts every hour! We stayed there last October for half our trip, then moved to the Poly. I'm not bashing the Poly but it was not our cup of tea. WL felt comfortable, kids met several great pin trading CM's that were so sweet. The manager actually let each of my girls pick a pin from his lanyard without trading to introduce tehm to pin trading. Great guy. We enjoyed WC, but it is a bit boisterous. Our 7 year old said she's taking ear plugs for the next visit. As you look at our signature you can see that we have made several trips to WDW. We are headed back to the GF for DD7's birthday in 2.5 weeks. She asked to stay there again since neither of them remember that trip, 2 & 4 at teh time. When asked where she wanted to stay for HER 10th birthday, older DD said WL! Th etheming is so neat, reminds you of Lincoln Logs. We did not feel that it was shabby/in need of refurbishment, but we are not nit picky people. We feel the same way about CR even though lots of DIS'ers would disagree. I can honestly say that we have not had a truly aweful experience at any Disney property, just some trips have not been as magical as others. WL was a magical part of that trip!

 

[pattyT]

I ditto pretty much everything everyone else said but must add in -
that I LOVE renting mouseboats right there.
Courtview room with the sliders open so you can hear the waterfall in the middle of the night.
and #1 I LOVE sneaking out of the room at 6am while everyone is sleeping and walking around the quiet lodge, getting my coffee - adding a hot chocolate to it (think Mocha here) and hitting the jacuzzi and pool while noone else is around (besides an occasional cm picking up) The view of the lodge all lit up, the sound of the waterfall without chatter, the sun rising over the lake and then the first gyser erruption at 7 - what a way to start a day!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I am also a "Lodge Lover" here is my list

I do love the way the MK is right there when I wake up looking at me .
I love the way i can lay in bed and see the fireworks
I love the Concierge staff there , they really go out of thier way for you .
I love the way the smokehouse smells.
I love walking in the woods and spotting deer.
I love the way my nephews eyes lit up when I took him to stay there the 1st time , the lobby is just WONDERFUL ! ( he was 3 and he still talks about it )
I love the way you can walk around in your slippers in the hall and feel like you are at home .
I love the little towel animals they make and leave all around your room.
I love the little mints on your pillow at night that have the WL logo on them .
I LOVE THE WL !!!!!!

 

[blondemom]

I really wanted to thank everyone for their posts. It is so wonderful to read them all and get goosebumps on my arms from the feeling behind the messages.

I'm so looking forward to our magical trip in August. It sounds perfect for my family!

 

[wirki]

I have to agree with what everyone has said. Our family Loves WL/ I am not sure we could get DD3 to stay anywhere else. In February when we got to our room, I just cried. It felt like home. I hope you love it as much as the rest of us!!

Debbie