How's the Wilderness Lodge?

[DisneyWorldWisher]

We were considering staying there next trip.

We don't want to stay at the 300 dollar deluxes and we also don't want to stay the Moderates because we don't like the outside hallways. (The Wilderness Lodge is a 'mini deluxe' right? 205 dollars?)

How is it? Clean? How noisy and such? We thought it looked beautiful when we went there to eat for Whispering Canyon Cafe.

The most important thing for us is cleanliness and noiseyness (those aren't even words are they? ).

 

[bytheblood]

WL starts at $215 a night for a standard room.

Cleanliness is indeed a word.

 

[frndofpooh]

We stayed at WL last year and thought it was okay. The rooms were nice (although they seemed a bit smaller than the BC one that we had just been in) and my kids loved the bunk beds. The only thing I did not like was that I found the lobby to be noisy and loud. I don't know if it is always like that or if we had an off week. The room was quiet - it was just the lobby was loud so that when we returned from the parks, etc. we just did not get that restful feeling upon entering the hotel.

Lots of people around here like it. The theming is great!

 

[udsweetpea]

I've stayed there 3 times. The first time, we had a horrible view of the AC units. Second time, it was obnoxiously loud because we were located in the main lodge area, and the restaurant is really loud. Third time, nasty brought on a whole new meaning. The glass doors to the patio were filthy and there was mold covering the bathtub.

I love the theme, and they've really done a great job with the whole resort, but I wouldn't stay there again. I only use it for the trail going from WL to the campground.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I've stayed there 3 times. The first time, we had a horrible view of the AC units. Second time, it was obnoxiously loud because we were located in the main lodge area, and the restaurant is really loud. Third time, nasty brought on a whole new meaning. The glass doors to the patio were filthy and there was mold covering the bathtub.

I love the theme, and they've really done a great job with the whole resort, but I wouldn't stay there again. I only use it for the trail going from WL to the campground.

I guess offsite is our only option then.

 

[udsweetpea]

Although you don't like the outside hallways, I would really suggest Port Orleans Riverside. I deem it more of a "mini-Deluxe" than a moderate. It has beautiful landscape, a great foodcourt, a fabulous pool, and a great boatride to Downtown Disney. I've visited all of the Disney resorts, and POR is by far my favorite. Plus, having the outside hallways makes it easier to get to your room in a hurry.

 

[cherylclt]

Don't let one persons negative review influence you. Many people have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and have loved it. I stayed there and I thought it was just fine. The whole resort is going through a refurbishment right now and all the rooms are being redone. I would definatley recommend giving it a try....definately better than staying off site.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

Although you don't like the outside hallways, I would really suggest Port Orleans Riverside. I deem it more of a "mini-Deluxe" than a moderate. It has beautiful landscape, a great foodcourt, a fabulous pool, and a great boatride to Downtown Disney. I've visited all of the Disney resorts, and POR is by far my favorite. Plus, having the outside hallways makes it easier to get to your room in a hurry.

It's a nice suggestion but we didn't like POFQ at all. And I've heard bad things about POR.

Maybe AKL...

 

[colieolie]

we stay at the WL villas next to the main hotel. It is very nice an quiet over there. We truely enjoy going there. You even have your own quiet pool and hot tub behind the building if you don't want to use the main pool.
I would stay there again. Very enjoyable.

 

[piglet50]

we stayed in the villas at wl in july of this year. we found the lodge to be beautiful but a bit noisy. we plan to stay at the villas again in may 2007.
no problem with cleanliness and the room was beautiful.

 

[eliza61]

We love the WL, never had any problems what so ever. I did not find the lobby any more noiser than the lobby at the Beach club and definitely a lot more peaceful than any of the moderates. The theming is fantastic. As with any resort room you can get a "bad" view or a really great view, some times it's the luck of the draw. I will say the one time I got a view of the dumpster at the BC I called the front desk to see if they could change the room and I was moved. I love the WL, hope to stay there on our next vacation in August.

 

[DLBDS]

If I were smart, I would keep my mouth shut and tell ya that the WL is a horrible choice. But I can't. We were just there (Room 3167) and after having visited (for meals) the CR, Poly, GF and POFQ we all agreed that no other resort could compare with the WL. We absolutely it. As soon as I returned from our trip, I cancelled our reservations for the POFQ for Oct. '07 and rebooked the WL. It was quiet, clean and the food was great. I even enjoyed the bacon burger I had at RF. I have the complete opposite opinion of the lobby than the previous poster. I thought it was the quietest lobby of any deluxe resort we visited and a much more relaxing environment. WCC can be a bit noisey but it isn't constant. Only when they got a little rowdy. Our room (South Wing) faced the lake. All we needed to do was step onto our balcony for an unobstructed view of the Electric Water Parade each evening (if we were "home"). I even used the laundry facility. The machines I used worked fine and there's even a tv in there to pass the time. There isn't one negative thing I can say about the WL. The CMs were always helpful and courteous.

 

[DLBDS]

One more thing to add...Have you checked out the WL Thread?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=658804

 

[honeymom]

We had paid a little more for a woods view. We didn't see much woods, or have much of a view, but it was on a quiet wing. I would think that the woods view rooms would tend to be quiet - I think they are all in quiet locations.

I'm sorry that the one poster had a bad experience. While the rooms aren't huge, we loved the hotel. I think you will like it because the theming appeals to you. Most of the posters who don't wind up liking the hotel, seem to not be happy with the theming once they are in it. Those of us who love the hotel, love the theming.

To us, the best thing about the WL is that it was easy to get to the parks, yet we also had that feeling that we were on vacation and away from it all. We especially loved being by the lake. We hung out by the lake one day, rode water mice, and played at the pool. It may have been the best day of our trip.

We've stayed at POFQ and enjoyed it as well - we just liked WL a little better because of that lakeside location. We have also stayed at the Radisson Parkway. That was also a very nice hotel, but it's just not the same as staying onsite.

 

[lpandorf]

We stayed at WL the week before Thanksgiving and loved it! The lobby was wonderful. The Christmas decorations were up and we thought it was very relaxing to just sit in the lobby at take it all in. In fact, my 6 year old daughter sat for a long time. She told me this was the first place that ever just made her want to sit and relax and watch. We were in an outside courtyard room facing the villas and it was very quiet. Never heard any outside noise or inside hall noise. I've also stayed at POR and CSR and love them, both as well. One thing I really liked about WL was the inside entrance. Had 2 kids this time opposed to one when at POR and CSR and it was very nice having things more compact. It was clean. THe only problem we had was when the coffe maker fell and broke and they left it there for 2 days even after telling them.

 

[Mouse511]

DH and I just got back from WL - we stayed in room 3006 - Woods view. We liked it so much we booked another stay at the lodge for September. The WL is by far our favorite resort of all the others we have stayed or visited.

The lobby with the decorations is stunning - we had friends staying at the AKL and when they came to visit - they said that they wish they were staying at WL. Plus we like the convenience of everything being in the same building.

We have nothing but good things to say about this resort.

 

[WelcomeHome]

We love WL also. We are now DVC owners and own in VWL & BCV! We stayed in WL even before we were DVC owners, and loved it! Did the concierge level....wonderful!

 

[Captain Jenny]

WL is our favorite. Our room was always clean. I love the sound of the lobby. I love the boats tooting their horns. We love everything about it, food, location, the fireplace. I never found it loud.
The kids say our trip would not be the same if we didn't stay there.
Can't wait for our 6 th stay, Jan 07.

 

[shellybaxter]

It's a nice suggestion but we didn't like POFQ at all. And I've heard bad things about POR.

Maybe AKL...

AKL is a fun resort but I don't care for the standard view rooms. DH and I liked WL and had a woods view; very quiet and clean enough for us (were not super picky).

You will not find a hotel that you won't hear bad things about, on or off site. You should choose a resort based first on the location you want and the services offered and then on theming etc that fit your family.

 

[NJPluto]

We stayed at the WL in 2-06 for budget reasons. Plus, DH really wanted to give it a try. We loved it! We paid a little more for a Woods View. We weren't happy with our first room. (It was above Whispering Canyon and overlooked a service area.) We asked for a change and they moved us to a 2nd floor room overlooking the Otter Pond. What a great location! I can't say enough positive things about the WL. While at heart I'm devoted to the Poly, I wouldn't think twice about staying at the WL again or recommending it to someone else. Bus service was great, the boat ride to the MK was relaxing, the restaurants were great, the location was great and we loved the theming!