???? for WL Experts! WL for Teen Boys????

[pixie dust gal!]

Friends and I have made ressies for WL in July. We both have teen boys (16). In trip past, we have stayed on the Epcot side and decided this vacationwe would love to stay at WL. They boys are active and are used to playing water sports (Dolphin) and love the pool slides at BW/BC. We spend a great deal of time at the pool during the day and I guess I am looking for reassurance that they will not be "bored" pool side for 8 days. Should I reconsider my choice?

Thank you for your help!

PDG

 

[eleanor]

You can also rent water mice and bikes at WL. The pool is nice and big, kids seem to enjoy it.

 

[erinch]

My teen boy prefers AKL. The pool at WL is smaller and clogged with lots of smaller children. The lobby at WL plays "western movie theme" music all day long, and that irritated my "alternative music" DS.

He thought chattiing up the AKL CMs from various parts of Africa was really cool.

 

[dudspizza]

The pool is fine for swimming in, but it is not very big and the pool slide is very tame. Teen boys will get bored with the slide quickly.

That said, Wilderness Lodge is a gorgeous resort with lots to do and see. You are also only a boat ride away from Fort Wilderness, MK, and the Contemporary. They could also catch the monorail to TTC, Poly, and GF from the CR. You can't beat the location.

Duds

 

[pixie dust gal!]

oh, nooooooooooo. Just what I feared. We really wanted to stay here, but I do not want to hear " I wish we were at the BW" my entire 8 days. Now I am fretting............

Thank you to you all for your opinions!

PDG

 

[kkozma]

I have to agree that the BW area is more suited to teens. We stayed at WL once and the pool slide is"lame". Took that word from my kids who love the big slides at the water parks and poly pool volcano slide. We have not stayed in the BW area but have considered it as the kids are getting older.
I think the Wl is fine for little ones but rather isolated for the teen set...

 

[patsal]

WL slide is "Lame" my teen ds doesn't use it at all. The pool is very congested with young children. It is a beautiful resort, but the teens might enjoy the BW area better if given a choice. However the closeness to all ofthe other resorts and water mice, etc. may be appealing.

 

[tubachick]

My Step-D (13) and Step-Son (15) like WL because there is hardly ever a wait for water rentals or bike rentals. They are Disney experts, and have gone at least twice a year since forever, and they prefer WL 1st then conteporary, the BW ---- as far as being able to rent water crafts and such, they do enjoy the pool at BW over cont. but when given the choice they choose WL. --- In fact when DH and I got married, they (the step kids) suggested it for our honeymoon.....

 

[HopperFan]

I love WL but I doubt your teen sons will be very happy, I know my DS (16) would not !! Beautiful hotel, but the pool, while just as beautiful, is smaller and the slide tame. We saw mostly young kids while we stayed there. Our last stay at AKL (and we love it too) he said "we will not go again" because the pool is packed with young kids, the slide is very very tame and there were no water or sports activities. He actually went to the room to take a nap he was so bored. I felt terrible. He couldn't even do his daily running without using the parking lot. AND we have never even stayed at the EPCOT resorts with the great activities......so he doesn't even have the experience your kids have of knowing there is great stuff to do. don't tell him!

I have never told anyone I thought they should consider a change, but that is a long trip for two 16 year olds if they are not happy........WL is just not geared for their age.......

 

[MinnieM3]

Our DS16 loves WL, but is not into pools that much, so it's not a factor. he just loves being on the lake, by the boats, little beach, arcade, and the great CM's. He makes tons of new friends whenever he stays.

 

[newholidayx2]

DS13 asked that we return to the WL this summer
So we are staying there for 8nights before 6nights at BCV

 

[katallo]

I think teen boys would be happier at the Boardwalk area. We just returned from a visit to WL with two sixteen year olds. They loved the lodge but every night wanted us to take them to the boardwalk. I agree about the pool at WL. It took us forever to find chairs. We even tried the "quiet" pool. Tons of little children. We stayed at Dolphin last year and everyone loved the fact there were so many pools to choose from.

 

[pixie dust gal!]

Thank you all so much for your opinions! I especially welcomed the thought of those who have teens and have stayed at WL (that's why I love this board - everyone is so willing to take the time to help).

I guess we will be changing our ressies now (hear that Linda?) so that we will have a peaceful vacation.......... or perhaps stay 2 nights at WL for the location to MK and then switch to BW for the remainder of our stay; that may make everyone happy.

Thank you once again...........

PDG