Hope I made a good choice-WL

[shelley_s]

We are just back from a wonderful week at WL, and had no problems with the transportation. The boat to MK is great, it stops at FW first but that did not take too long.

There was some confusion on the morning of MK Early Magic Hour. The night before, we were told that boats do not run until 8:30, so we would need to take a bus to TTC, then boat or monorail to MK. In the morning we went to the bus stop at around 7:30 and there was a small crowd waiting. One guest was on the phone to transportation, and said he was told the boat was running, so the crowd took off for the boat dock. We were waiting for DH to catch up to us so we waited at the bus stop. I called transportation from there, and they said the boat was NOT running. By that time, DH found us, and a bus to TTC arrived. It did not go to FW first and the bus driver asked if we were all going to MK. Everyone was, so he took us directly to the MK instead of dropping us at TTC. I never did find out if the crowd who went to the boat dock got a ride!

Our wait for busses in general was never more than 10 minutes and usually around 5 min. On several days, DH and DS 6 left the park earlier than the girls and I, and they made a game of using different routes and methods of transportation to get back to the lodge.

One evening we went to DTD and we drove our own car. That was the only time during the week that we used our car.

You will love the lodge!

Shelley

 

[jdonat]

We just came back from the WL (8/11) and loved it. The transportation
issues are not a big deal. We used the boat launch to/from the MK without
much issue: it does stop at Fort Wilderness on the way to the MK. It's a
very nice ride, especially in the early AM. Bay Lake is really beautiful in
the AM. As earlier stated, the launches run early on Extra Magic Days, and
do run VERY late on E-ride nights. We took one back from the MK at about
0145 on an E-ride night on 8/5, and the ride back was really neat. The
Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay lake area was much quieter than any time else
we've been on it -we appeared to be the only watercraft running at the time.
The busses to/from EC/MGM/AK are all paired -meaning that these busses
go to both the WL and Fort Wilderness. We found no pattern to which resort
they stopped at first -some days it was us, and some day's it was FW.
It's only about 5-10 mins more to go to FW, so it's not too bad.

One day, on an Epcot trip, we waited for a while for an EC bus, and
decided to take the bus to the TTC and then take the Monorail to EC, as there
were lots of TTC busses but we hadn't yet seen an EC bus. Got us the
benefit of the long Monorail ride, too!
Worked just fine.

The resort itself is great -just be aware that the rooms are a bit smaller
than the Poly/Connie size -they're closer to the CBR than anything. We got
bunk beds for our two DD's (10&15) and that was GREAT! The pool is good,
the lobby sitting area is really cool, and in general it's become one of our
favorite resorts after just one trip. We also managed
to get an unexpected upgrade to the Concierge level, so that was frosting on
the cake.

Have Fun!

 

[SnowWhite33]

jdonat-Wow! An upgrade to concierge-that's the best kinda frosting? Did you ask for it or did they volunteer it? Also how busy was the resort at the time?

 

[jdonat]

Hi. The concierge upgrade was completely unexpected. We had requested
bunk beds for our DD's and had also requested a small fridge -we had some
stuff that we were taking over from OKW and wanted a fridge. When we
checked in -about 1300 on the 8th, we inquired about the beds and the
fridge. The CM at the front desk told us "that we had bunk beds no problem,
and we had a fridge because you've been upgraded to the Concierge level".
We made sure to thank the CM for the upgrade, and we were like "whoo hoo!"
It was GREAT! They had stuff out almost from 0700 all the way to 10pm..
Continental Breakfast, snacks, Wine/Cheese/soup/etc from 5-7, and dessert
frm 7-10pm. I don't do big breakfasts real early, so's the continental breakfast
was just perfect. We're now considering reserving Concierge level rooms
if we stay in a regular resort (rather than a DVC one). It may be worth it for
our family... We got VERY spoiled at the level of service and the ameneties.
JED

 

[D&R love Disney]

We received a free upgrade to concierge in Nov 2001 and it totally spoiled us I just don't like the closed balconies on the 7th floor.

My Mom and I are staying there again in October for 5 nights with a courtyard view.

 

[ktulu]

We had to pay for our upgrade to conceriage, but it was my b-day trip so we didn't care and we were very happy to pay.

jdonat, my wife and I were there on the 11th, we probably passed each other at the snacks

darren

 

[SnowWhite33]

ktulu-Was the price of the upgrade the same as it would have been if you had booked it in advance?