I Loved the Wilderness Lodge!

[Saphire]

There were so many things I liked about my first visit to this hotel, but let's start with the negatives:

Walls were very thin. We often heard our neighbors talking in the next room(s) and the doors shutting late at night sounded very, very loud.

I was surprised how busy the pool area got in mid-February. The area was small for the amount of guests. We found it hard to find chairs in the afternoon. This is low season?

Positives:

The hotel is just beautiful, lovely furnishings and pleasing architecture.

Great housekeeping staff, friendly and efficient. We also requested turn-down sevice, and they came every night.

Transportation was fast. The buses and boats were timely, and there were several options available when traveling about.

We could see Wishes from our room! Guess I didn't expect this, paying only $124 per night....wow!

The beds were soooo comfortable!

I really liked (though some may not) the wildlife in the area. Many birds, and even ducks with their babies, wandering about.

The theming of the American Northwest was realxing and calming.

Roaring Forks was much better than I expected, and the people that worked there were very, very nice.

If you are lucky enough to go, enjoy!

I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

[Okiemom]

How did you get that price? I really wanted to stay there , but all I have is a AAA discount.

 

[rcraw45425]

Glad you enjoyed it! We liked it a lot on our October trip, too. That's great that you saw the fireworks! We were inner courtyard, didn't see Wishes but heard that darn geyser start up at 7AM each morning! You know you're in another world when you have a geyser going off and you can see palm trees!

 

[Saphire]

We got that price because I had an Annual Pass, and it is (was) value season. I believe value season ends about now. With taxes, we ended up paying around $140.

 

[ktink]

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. I cant stand our wait, seems like forever. Did you go to WC? I'm sure I'll have many more questions but I'll be reading so just tell us ALL about it.

 

[BethC1952]

Thanks for the nice comments about this resort. This is on my "short list" for resorts for our Nov./Dec. trip this year. I'm planning to tell DH that we're returning to one of the values (we both love POP and All Star Music). Since I make all the plans, he won't know (or particularly care) where we're staying until we actually get there. He's always wanted to stay at Wilderness Lodge and at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I think this trip I'll indulge him a bit!

Beth

 

[Tron72]

Just one quick question. I am going in May, and I was wondering did the Wilderness Lodge put the refrigerators in the room yet?

Tron72

 

[rcraw45425]

SHould have them by now, if not call down to the desk and they'll bring one to you at n/c

 

[Saphire]

Hi ktink, by WC I assume you mean Whispering Canyon? We did not make it there, but it looked like fun and was a large, sprawling restaurant. We only had quick breakfasts at Roaring Forks, and one sit-down breakfast at Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. (After having the french-pressed coffee and banana stuffed french toast there last summer, we had to go back.) In the evenings we were out at the parks.
We did not have a fridge in the room, February 10-14.
Have fun, everyone .

 

[leighe]

Ooooohhhhhhhhhhh - you have just made my life so much more difficult! DH and I have finally narrowed it down to either Yc or Poly or splitting our stay between both. I have always wanted to try WL and DH and I loved AKL so much - they just seem very similar! It's hard to turn down a deluxe hotel for so much less! Wow! We will be there during value season next summer. I really wonder if we could get an AP rate - would YC or Poly really be worth the extra $$$? WL seems to be fabulous!

 

[susy]

We stayed there for thanksgiving in 2003. It was heavenly and we also saw wishes from our balcony. due to the codes coming out so late, we didn't get a discount. It was well worth it, though-even at $254 a night!

 

[Superman]

We just stayed there in January....sorry no refrigs yet....great time...AP rate of $109 and a super upgrade.....the room was on the small side but we were treated like royalty and looking fwd to our next trip there in May.....

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yup, the WL is really incredible!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[asaj]

We are headed there in Oct, can't wait. My only fear about WL is the pool size, and it being crowded. My 5 year old daughter likes to swim almost as much as she likes going to the parks, so it is important that they have a nice pool.

We stayed at AKL in 2003, and we loved the pool. It was big enough that it wasn't too crowded, and it had a really nice slide. Can anyone who has been to both resorts compare the pools for me? Will it be pretty crowded in Oct?

I don't think we'll change our plans regardless, but it'd be nice to put my mind at ease...

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Disney Fool]

I just stayed there Jan 26, 2005--If you want a frig, just ask, and they'll bring it up to your room--they put it under the sink vanity. It IS free. Also, ask for room 5044 (excellent view of castle-- and it's a standard room! ) I paid $109 AP rate. I really liked this place. And I liked it because it was wintertime and the lobby looks so cozy with the fireplace. Great atmosphere. Enjoy. --oh, yeah,....comfy beds.

 

[Princess Glenda]

I think WL will always be my favorite Disney resort! Last May we arrived late on a Saturday afternoon and had reservations at a Comfort Inn for the first night and then started our WL reservations on the next day (Sunday). DH and I went to WL on Saturday night to check it out and we LOVED it from the first second. We didn't look forward to going back to the Comfort Inn for the night. LOL. We love the theming, pool, and most of all the LOCATION. It is so convenient to get on the ferry to MK or Ft. Wilderness. Cant wait to return this May. Glad you had a wonderful time.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Disney Fool-I "think" you were given a complimentary upgrade to a woods view! I am pretty sure 5044 was not a standard. I was in room 5041 Jan 26-29th...how funny is that? we were NEIGHBORS! LOL! We had paid for a woods view ($121 a night) and were given a complimentary upgrade to courtyard. Our room looked straight out to the pool and the lake. I think your room was right around the corner from us! How cool! Wish we could have met!

asaj-I have stayed at both resorts, and yes...the pool at WL is smaller, I am sorry to say. I have heard a lot of people complain that it gets very crowded. I am hoping that Oct will not be a busy time and it will not be too crowded for you. We went swimming at the WL on Jan 26th (a Wednesday) and the pool was empty, but it was a bit cool and overcast so maybe that is why. I like sitting by the pool when it is overcast cuz I am trying to avoid the sun to preserve my skin!

Ahhh..I sat there with my latest edition of Gourmet Magazine and a lumberjack cocktail from the pool bar. My DD was swimming with my DH...it was paradise, I tell ya! I can almost get teary eyed thinking about it. *sigh*

 

[MickeyMouth]

Our family loved that Wilderness Lodge! The atmosphere was amazing!