Has anyone had a negative experience staying at the Wilderness Lodge?

[Majestic]

OH MY GOD! All these wonderfull things I am reading about the lodge!! It's....sniff....sniff...going to bring a .... sniff....sniff....OH FOO!

DF99...great post. I needed the laugh!! You certainly have a great writing talent. Do you use it for somewhere other than the DIS? I could see you doing professional reviews. Honestly!

As for WL, there's not much more that I could say that others haven't already said here. To me, it's the place to be at Disney if one can afford it. It's a great boat ride away from the MK and the CR to the TTC so hops to Epcot are quick too!

Most importantly, we feel welcome there. It's not all business. It's homey. That, to me, is the home away from home feeling we get there. After a long day at the parks, it's really nice and relaxing to sit in the "majestic" lobby and take in the splendor with a glass of wine or a cold beer. Really. Try it one time. You'll thank me.

Fred

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi!
Couples love the WL.
The CR is a good all around Family resort.
You didn't say in your post if kids are involved.
If you don't plan on going back to the WDW area for a while I would go for the view in the tower room ( as painful as it may seem now ) but it took 17 years for us to get a tower room after our first trip to WDW , then after kids the other things just let you appreciate the time on the balcony over looking the lagoon , MK and the other resorts plus the GREAT SUNSETS.
The WL should satify you trip if you take time to TAKE IN the resort ART and STRUCTURE. It is a subtle enviroment resort.
You have to slowly walk , listen and look everwhere!
ENJOY!
" THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[k&a&c'smom]

DF99

I laughed soooo hard!! I'm laughing still, after reading a second time!! As stated before, I love your posts!!

Well - that left cola sprayed all over my monitor

Bambi, you too are hilarious!! Love these boards!!

 

[dreamflight99]

"WOW...YOU GUYS ARE THE TRUE REASON THIS BOARD AND THESE THREADS FEEL SO MUCH LIKE H~O~M~E!"

:happy1: It's the DARNDEST, HAPPIEST, GOOFY-EST, FRIENDLIEST, LOVING place on the NET! Thanks for the ear-to-ear SMILE , and the warmth in my heart! You are all simply...THE BEST!

I'm still jumping-pleased you all enjoyed the HUMOR...invoked on your behalf. It's nice to "LIGHTEN THINGS UP" once in a while.



TTFN... DF99

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by gina2000
We love the common rooms at WL but really didn't like the accomodations. The rooms are dark and a bit small. Small doesn't bother me....but combined with dark made it feel a bit claustrophobic. We also felt the room needed a facelift.

gina2000,

If you are still reading this thread, I just wanted to say that we completely agreed. We stayed at the WL once for one night and were REALLY glad that it was only for one night. We found the rooms to be pretty disappointing even though we did like the lobby and the amenities of the resort.

That said, I encourage you to try a studio on the villa side. You still get the benefits of the wonderful atmosphere, but a larger and brighter room with better amenities (though I do admit to being spoiled by DVC in general.) The opening of the villas turned the WL from a place we really wanted to like but just couldn't to a place we love to stay.

To answer the OP, the location of the contemporary absolutely cannot be beat, period, for proximity to the MK. If you are ok with it taking a little time (depending on your timing, it could be as much as a half hour if you just miss a boat), it's a pleasant ride. The boats ARE smaller than what you are thinking, though, and I think you do need to step down into them (I don't think they are handicap accessible, but I don't remember now). Of course there is always bus service as a backup but if you are going to use the bus to get to the MK, you might as well just stay at a moderate and save the money.

I think it's all about priorities. If LOCATION is your priority (and it was for us the year we planned to spend NYE at the MK) then I would encourage you to look at the contemporary garden wing rooms. One of the wings (i can't remember which, but I'm sure contemporary experts will tell you) is practically halfway to the MK, and the price is probably comparable to the WL. We have stayed in the wings and enjoyed it very much for the super convenient location (and we actually do enjoy the decor at the contemporary, maybe some nostalgia for Walt).

If THEMING is your priority, then WL wins hands down. It is probably the best themed resort on property. Just because you are not staying there doesn't mean you can't visit for dinner if you want to see the decorations (and there is a boat that goes directly between the WL and the Contemporary, if I remember correctly).

You need to figure out what YOUR priorities are, and not listen to the romantic notions of other people. That's why there are so many choices, if everyone liked the same thing, it would be a boring place. Sometimes people become a little... overzealous about the things they enjoy. But I am living proof that you can stay at the WL and not end up a member of the cult they have going here on the DIS.

Good luck deciding!
Lisa

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF did the same thing a while ago for us S/D lovers trying to discourage people from discovering our "secret" resorts! Unfortunately her post in the same genre as your WL one backfired!!! JK, we love having more people discover our love of all things S/D and WDW!!!

AGREED -- This is a wonderful place to be....

 

[Trish Bessette]

Dreamflight99 - You are the best!

Thanks for reassuring me that my decision to stay at the WL is a good one! I can't wait to be there.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[madge]

Originally posted by vhoffman
We're planning to stay at the WL the second week of Dec. for four nights. We originally planned to stay at the Contemporary Tower room for $1200, but we can get the WL for four nights for $856, a savings of about $346. I originally chose the CR because of its location and proximity to the MK, since our main event will be MVMCP. However, I tend to over worry my hotel choices. I heard nothing but good things about the WL, the only exception that many feel the rooms are on the small side and rather dark. Other than that, has anyone had a bad experience they'd be willing to share? Appreciate opinions!

Have stayed at both. Contemporary 3 times and Wilderness Lodge once. For location, the CR can't be beat. But, for the holiday season, I would stay at the Wilderness Lodge, without question.

We enjoyed our stay at the WL. Our room was a little farther from elevators than we would have liked, but we had a nice view and plenty of room for the 4 of us. The highlight of our trip was being a "Flag Family" one morning. that was a great experience!

I don't think you can make a wrong choice here.

JMO.

Dreamflight....as always, you hit the nail squarely on the head

 

[keriannhoward]

Dreamflight,

I LOVED your post!!! You've made me even MORE excited about my trip in September now

 

[dreamflight99]

We better be careful here...or the SECRET may get out!!


*All/ANY other WDW Resort is MUCH BETTER than the WL! (OH yea...sure...ahem!).

TTFN...DF99

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
*All/ANY other WDW Resort is MUCH BETTER than the WL! (OH yea...sure...ahem!).

Did you mention that HORRENDOUS music they play, DF99?? Ugh!! I think it has a subliminal message that causes you to run to the computer and download it all and play it OVER and OVER again...those tricky Imagineers!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by DisneyDmbNut
Did you mention that HORRENDOUS music they play, DF99?? Ugh!! I think it has a subliminal message that causes you to run to the computer and download it all and play it OVER and OVER again...those tricky Imagineers!!

THANKS for the REMINDER! I nearly forgot...as it has become "background" music in my brain. Although horrible, it IS better than elevator and Grocery store tunes.

Here's a couple more valid and overlooked points:

*I nearly forgot to mention the BEARS in the gift shop. Enough to "scare the pants off" a person! Intimidating indeed, but a very effective & sneaky sales tactic. Made me promptly take out my wallet and buy nearly everything in the store. When DH later inquired "What happened?" (as in...WHAT prompted me to go on such a spending-spree?). The answer was simple & staring me and others squarely in the face. THOSE BEARS, MADE ME DO IT!!

*The food in that fancy-schmancy place called ARTIST'S POINT is also priced accordingly and suspiciously mouth-watering. The touted "planked salmon" looked surreal, like a PHOTO. I felt for a moment we were "inside" a MATRIX (I just couldn't see any ripples, and refrained from trying the flying kicks and sharp back-bends). It was nearly "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE." And, we all know that one...there is NEVER any FREE LUNCH. I half expected something to go wrong somewhere. The waiter never tripped and/or tossed the food, there were no insects visible, silverware was clean, and we never had to call any dinosaurs after eating. It's still a complete mystery, and we are determined to visit again this summer for some follow-up investigating.

TTFN...DF99

 

[keriannhoward]

OK OK OK I'm a geek, where can I find the WL music to download online???

 

[vhoffman]

Dreamflight99,

Sounds like you hate the place. So, do you love it or hate it? I under sarcasm, double entrendres, and the other various writing styles you utilize in your posts, however, you use them in such a way that your meaning is unclear. So, do you love it or hate it?

 

[magsmom]

After being under the spell of Wilderness Lodge for 10 glorious days, I still remember the background music, the awesome views down into the lobby from the 7th floor, and the sheer joy of being the Flag Family. Yes, I took the tour with Stan, too! And, I actually asked about the furniture as I have pieces of Stickley in my home (the mission furniture in the lobby and scattered throughout the place is Stickley, based out of New York).

If dreamflight99 does not like the place, more room for me in times to come!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Rest assured, DF99 loves the Lodge..she wrote her "trip report" in a joking fashion!

Mags...you have a PM

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
we are determined to visit again this summer for some follow-up investigating.

Did you tell the "sisters" your plan...what are you going to do, have them send a Heavenly Bed to the WL

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by DisneyDmbNut
Did you tell the "sisters" your plan...what are you going to do, have them send a Heavenly Bed to the WL

If it fits the pool loungers, I'll be in business! You know me all too well...are you going to be in WDW this summer, say...the end of July?

*The AMBER ALERT system message on your page is wonderful!
Thank you, for being so caring.

vhoffman...clearly, I love to hate it. (LOL) My post & writing style on this thread is mostly "facetious", with a witty sarcastic undertone. It's a reversal of sorts...just merely invoking a bit of HUMOR, (Oxford Dict. defines HUMOR: "A message whose ingenuity or verbal/written skills or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter."). Each to his/her own. There will always be people whom will not enjoy a resort, for "whatever" reason. They are entitled to their opinion. It leaves more availability for the REST of us CULT-ish, Freaky & passionately devoted WL~LOVING DISers! (JK now...). I confess...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the LODGE! : Just having FUN.

TTFN...DF99

 

[Majestic]

Geek??? NO! That would make me Uhh.....yeah...anyway....

I have most of the collection. I bought 5 CDs to get 2/3rds if the music they play in the lobby. Disney doesn't sell a CD for the lodge. Too bad too.

There is a list of music that is played on Mousesavers.com though. I don't have the list in front of me or I would give it to you here.

Originally posted by keriannhoward
OK OK OK I'm a geek, where can I find the WL music to download online???

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by keriannhoward
OK OK OK I'm a geek, where can I find the WL music to download online???

Just click on following link:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_wl4.htm