Honest Opinions Please

[mom2prettyprincess]

For some reason, I am really drawn to the Wilderness Lodge for our stay, maybe because seeing it on Jon & Kate Plus 8 it looked fierce! But I really want to know where all you would stay first trip to disney with 3 adults and a 5 yr old princess..We will be there for her 5th birthday and I want to make it really special. I want any pros, cons....and testimonials....Please help a already stressed planner....and we aren't even going until October 2009.

 

[iloveeeyore]

All of the Disney resorts are wonderful in their own ways. You can ask a million times on this board which resort is "best" and get a perfectly split vote every time. If you are so drawn to the WL, you should absolutely go for it. It has a very high visitor satisfaction rate, very high "bang for your buck" ratings, and I believe the highest (at least one of the highest) repeat-guest rate of all Disney resorts. We can't wait to try it as a family next month!

Look under the Resorts menu on this site for more info and photos about all the Disney resorts, and good luck! Honestly, you can't make a bad choice, so don't worry. My grandmothers took me to Disney World to celebrate my fifth birthday...a very long time ago! Still some of my fondest childhood memories, and WDW wasn't even half as magical then as it is now.

 

[J'aime Paris]

My family stayed at the WL about 6 years ago. The lobby is gorgeous! We had no complaints, room was fine for the 3 of us. Rooms at WL and AKL are a bit on the small side for deluxe category, but they are also less expensive than the other deluxes. MK is easily accessible from WL via boat, which is probably where you'll spend a good amount of time with a 5 yr. old.

 

[micmacmissy]

With younger kids, you can't beat being in a monorail resort. I think the Poly is absolutely fantastic for families with kids...it's just so fun, the pools are great, and the monorail is right there. We've also stayed at the Grand Floridian, and we loved that...beautiful hotel, and great views of MK and the Poly.

One we haven't tried yet is the Contemporary...I think the kids would be jazzed to stay there b/c the monorail goes right through the building!

My vote would be for Poly or GF. Have fun!

 

[LilGMom]

We have two young children (ages 2 & 6) and we love staying at WL! It is just a short boat ride to the MK, CR and short boat ride, walk or bike ride to FWC for a pony ride. During one of our visits last year we didn't stay at WL and our oldest asked why we didn't stay there.

 

[Disneydreamer5]

If its your daughters Birthday and your main concern is making her happy and if money is not an issue, I would get the planning DVD, let her watch it and see what hotel she likes the best.
Our family couldn't decide where we wanted to stay. It was a split decision so we decide to let the youngest pick. God love her,
she choose the all-star movies and saved mommy and daddy about 3 grand.
The older kids wanted Beach Club.
As the other poster said you will be happy whereever you stay, honestly but if you love the WL, DO IT!
Have fun and happy planning, its one of the best parts.

 

[jenjersnap]

I think if you are drawn to it, you should try it!

Please be aware that John & Kate stayed in a junior suite (actually 2 of them, I think). The regular WL rooms are quite small, IMO, which is why I only stay there when on a solo trip with one DS.

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

Wl would be great with a kid. Whispering Canyon Cafe is super fun for birthdays and also, you can tell the Princess that she can ride in a boat to her castle (the MK). Plus they have pony rides and lots of other activities for kids.

Have fun!

 

[helenk]

The WL is a beautiful resort, and I loved staying there. But keep in mind that most rooms have 2 queen beds, there is not a day bed in the regular rooms at the WL. So keep this in mind for your sleeping arrangements.
The other deluxe resorts, like the GF, Poly, CR, BC/YC etc all have rooms that have the 2 queens and a day bed.

 

[Reginak]

For years the WL and the Poly were considered to be the favorite resorts of families according to various polls. However, I think that that is far too narrow a view. There are three best ways to decide:

1. As suggested above, watch planning video and let your daughter decide.

2. Draw a name out of a hat.

3. Assign a number to each resort; flip a bunch of coins; and count heads. If there are three heads then you go to resort #3, Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Beach Club!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, they are all great. We plan to try each and every one of them. So far our favorites are the Poly, and the Beach Club, and the Contemporary, and the Boardwalk, and the SSR. Uuuhhhh, I guess that you could call that a tie.

Regina