Grand Fl. or Wilderness Lodge

[DisneyMrs]

My husband and I were married in February and stayed at the Grand Floridian. It goes without saying that we loved it. We are now returning in November. We thought the WL looked cool, but I am so afraid I will be disappointed if we don't stay at the GF again.

If you have stayed in both, or are even familiar with both of them, what are your opinions? I have only ever seen WL in pictures on the web, so I cannot really have a concrete comparison.

Thanks SO much in advance!

 

[D&R love Disney]

I think it's like comparing apples and oranges. I love the theme at the WL but I think the rooms at GF are nicer.

 

[jarestel]

If you're already worried about being disappointed, I'd advise you to stay at the GF and avoid all of the stress.

 

[helenk]

I have stayed at both resorts and boy you are really talking apples and oranges. The WL is one building, with the interior hallways, and the GF is of course several buildings as well has the main building. Each building has the interior hallways as well.
The WL is very nice, we enjoyed our stay there, and I would stay there again with no hesitation.
The rooms are much smaller than at the GF, and the colors are darker the themeing is of course really different, it is like a large hunting lodge for lack of a better description. The GF is light and airy and just a different world from the WL.

 

[laurens mom]

While I love the theming at the Wilderness Lodge, the rooms are not up to the standards of the Grand Floridian. I have to say that hands down the Grand Floridian is my favorite Disney resort.

I just spent several days at the Wilderness Lodge in May and while I really love the resort I can take or leave the rooms. The standard rooms are quite a bit smaller than the Grand Floridian's. Not anywhere near as pretty and cheery. But if you and your husband are the type of people that care more about the resort's atmosphere than your room, you'll love the Wilderness Lodge. You'll certainly save quite a bit of money staying there.

 

[Muushka]

How about a 1 bedroom at VWL? King size bed, Jacuzzi, full kitchen........... etc

 

[disneyfor3]

While we haven't stayed in a standard room at the GF or WL, we have stayed concierge at the GF RPC and concierge at the WL. We loved both resorts but I would have to say I give the edge to WL.

GF Pros: Beautiful lobby, great pools, lovely rooms, great concierge food offerings, excellent mousekeeping; very elegant resort; had view of castle; on monorail line

GF Cons: Distant guest self-parking; found the concierge staff accomodating yet not overly friendly; can take a while to take the monorail to Epcot (by this I mean 3 stops to TTC and then transfer to Epcot monorail - one afternoon my husband was coming back from Dive Quest and the monorail broke down - it took him several hours to get back).

WL Pros: Beautiful lobby, nice pool (with a little one we like the kiddie pool and the playground); we love the relaxing boat ride to the MK and the boat ride to FW (where my son loved the pony rides), nicest staff of any resort we have stayed at (GF, Contemp, WL, Poly, and BWI); the concierge staff were so friendly and went out of their way to help us; mousekeeping was excellent here; lower cost to stay here; had view of castle in distance and could watch fireworks; close guest self parking.

WL Cons: No monorail access although we didn't find it hard to get around; we rented a rental car and just drove to Epcot and found the boat to the MK quick; rooms are smaller but we are a family of 3 and actually love the theming of the rooms at the WL.

I think you'll be happy with either choice.

 

[cooldisneymom]

HELLO DisneyMrs!!!!!

I noticed you're in Snellville!!! I live in Buford!!! Just wanted to say hello to a fellow Gwinnetian (we're the only ones that will know what that means!) IMHO as far as your question goes, like everyone says its apples, and oranges. We dearly love the lodge and are staying there again in 10 days, but I know it doesn't compare to what you've experienced at GF. GF reminds me of my favorite movie Somewhere in Time and nothing is more romantic than that. WL has its own warmth and special feeling - more like going home to a comfortable, familiar place. Both have their own special qualities - I've never stayed at GF only eaten there - but after GF I'm afraid you'll be disappointed with WL.

 

[wendyl]

Most of the responses in favor or GF have been because of the size and quality of the room. Look at the difference in price between the two and then decide if your hotel room is worth THAT much more money. If it is--then stay at the GF. If not--try something new.

We had a wonderful stay at the AKL--but are going to try WL next. I, like you, am afraid of trying something new for fear of being disappointed----but you never know until you try.

The difference in money would be enough for me--and you are still staying in a deluxe.

 

[susy]

I have never stayed at the GF, but the WL is one of my favorites. The room is probably my least favorite thing about the resort-but that's it!And I liked it well enough when I saw fireworks from my balcony-very good mousekeeping and turndown (you have to request).

I did recently stay at the BC and while I loved it...did I like it $100 more a night than WL (or AKL)?-No.

 

[2tinksmom]

We always take into consideration what time of year we are going. We stayed WL this past New Year's and will again this November. It just seems like you can almost pretend it's cold outside when you are there! When we go in May, we will stay at the Beach Club, our "summer" resort!
Michele

 

[long4disney]

We have never stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, but have stayed at the Grand Floridian over 10 times. It is our absolute favorite resort to stay at. We did stay at the Polynesian one time and were missing the GF so badly, we switched over to the GF since they had some rooms still available. It is the most relaxing, peaceful resort to stay at, and we always feel like they bend over backwards to accomodate us in whatever we need. I know we will probably never stay at any other resort unless we would have a bad experience on a future trip.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

While i like both, i prefer the WL because the GF just makes me feel out of place...feels to upscale, I found myself worrying about appearances as opposed to enjoying my vacation....the wilderness lodge just felt like a great escape, plenty to see and do, wonderful themeing and all that fun stuff.

Jungle Josh