Is The Wilderness Lodge Really A Deluxe Resort

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Just from what I've read it sounds like the Wilderness Lodge is kind of in between a moderate and a deluxe resort. We've stayed at the Contemporary and the Swan. I'm just wondering how we would find the Wilderness Lodge. I've also read that if you are going to stay at the Wilderness Lodge you might as well stay at the Animal Kindom Lodge.

Any comments???

Andy

 

[currycook]

Yes, many of us love it. Its outstanding.

 

[kakiax]

I have stayed at CR, PR, CBR, PO (or whatever it was a few years back), GF, Swan, and WL and I loved the WL. It is nothing like the moderates and the theming is beautiful. And the water shuttle to MK is great! It is my favorite so far (over GF) and I hope to be back soon.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Well, Disney defines deluxe as a resort that has a variety of dining options, proximity to the parks, themed pools and quiet pool/pools, interior corridors, more than bus transportation, etc. Wilderness lodge definitely falls into that category. While the room-size is smaller than some of the other deluxe resorts, they are beautifully themed and have balconies. The gorgeous lobby, recreation opportunities and great dining make this a resort that is always in great demand.

I've never managed to stay at WL, but we have dined there and looked around, and it is on our list of must-stay resorts. It's just very hard to snag an AP rate there!!

While AKL is one of our very favorite resorts, I don't think you can say that you "might as well stay at AKL" over WL. They are both great resorts, both designed by the same architect. Just choose which theme is most appealing to you, or do what we do, and split your stay!! Best of both worlds!

 

[skiwee1]

It was designed to be a resort in between a mod and deluxe and that is exactly what it is. It has restaurants and fairly better transportation then mods. The pool is better themed then the mods. It is also towards mods because the rooms are small, just like the CBR.

 

[Gabrielle]

The WL used to have a character breakfast but that ended. The pool slide is geared for pretty young children - older kids would like the one at CSR or even POR better.

The lobby at both AKL and WL are magnificent.

The WL has both bikes and boats while AKL does not - it does have animals though!

 

[rcraw45425]

WL has animals, too! We saw tons of tame squirrels, rabbits and ducks on our visit. It is a lovely resort, both inside and out. Theming is great. Grnted the rooms are smaller than CR, Poly, and GF, but face it, how many "regular" hotels have you stayed in that have as much room as those guys? It is extremely peaceful and relaxing and quite reasonably priced for it's amenities. It also has QUEEN beds whereas the moderates have full sized ones.

 

[webray]

You hit the nail right on the head. The wilderness lodge was originally going to be a moderate resort. But was quickly upgraded to a deluxe..with lower rates than the other deluxe resorts. The lobby is stunning. Rooms are small.

We have stayed at WL once..it is ok. Would never be our first choice. We do however..visit often to have dinner at Artist Point and look around the gift shop.

As far as AK Lodge...Rooms the same size as WL, great restaurants. We much prefer AKL over WL. AKL is a place you can go, relax..and never leave the resort if you don't want to.

 

[Lou-Ann]

I have to say that we feel the same about WL as you do the AKL. We have litterally gone there and not needed to leave for anything. It is so serene and tranquil. It is even possible to have a massage done if you wish and arrange for it ahead of time. We do not feel the need for huge rooms as we spend time by the pool, on the porch, in the nooks, and in the lobby as well..........It is our favorite resort anywhere and we have been all over the world.............

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Yes, WL was originally priced as a moderate resort when it first opened. That didn't last long. We stayed there for the first time in Sept and fell in love with it. In my opinion, it definitely earns the title of deluxe resort. I definitely felt like I was staying at a deluxe MK resort. Only drawback for me - it is not on the monorail. But, the boatride to MK is so relaxing and convenient that it makes up for not being on the monorail.
I have stayed at the Polynesian many times, and love it there, but I would definitely choose WL over the Polynesian again. It is my favorite resort!

 

[Kallison]

The bathroom size will be a disappointment after the Contemporary. I was very disappointed at the size of the Beach Club bathrooms for those prices. But I guess you are paying for location.

 

[Finally_Talking]

Like many others, I've been reading these posts for a long time...finally thought I'd give my two cents...

I cannot say enough good things about the WL. I agree with everyone who says how beautiful, comfortable - and fun - it is. My husband and I (we have two young daughters) have been to other resorts and we just feel like every place else pales in comparison. I guess we don't mind the size of the rooms - we usually don't spend very much time in them anyway - just snoozing and showering.

Anyway, also just wanted to respond to k&ac's mom regarding AP rates at the WL. I say, keep trying - it really is possible to get them! This just happened today - I had reservations at the CR for 11/26-12/1. (Got an AP rate of $131). I REALLY wanted to stay at the WL instead. I called a few days ago...nothing. Called again today. Got WL woodsview room for 11/27-12/1 (AP rate of $121!!!) So, we'll stay at CR for one night, then switch over to WL (aaaahhhh) for four more! Can't wait to see the holiday decorations.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

location
location
location

 

[lindeyspol]

Just back from our first WL stay. I found the lobby and grounds beautiful. The rooms were small and didn't seem as nice as the AKL (in my opinion). We found the bus service to be AWFUL! It took us an hour and 20 minutes to get to DTD. You also share with FW sometimes and GF whereas the AKL is a dedicated bus. Yes, you can take the ferry to MK which was a little easier but we found the AKL to be a unique resort with so much to do that we would always choose it first. Of course, many love the WL which is great because there is a resort for everyone!

 

[Scoootch]

Basically, you are right. WL is in the deluxe catagory but more like inbetween deluxe and a moderate as other's have already stated

It is classified as deluxe because of the ammenities the resort offers valet parking,room service,indoor corridors and balcony's,close to a park, Great resturaunts. However, IMO, Disney realizes as well that although WL offeres many of the "deluxe" ammenities, it is still lacking in ammenities as well ~ mainly as mentioned, ROOM SIZE. Almost all deluxe resort rooms (with maybe the exception of AKL) are larger in size. The rooms at WL for a standard size room, are no bigger than the moderates. The only thing the room itself has that the moderates do not is the balcony. The beds are only full size not queen,not alot of square footage,no mini-bar in the room like at the other deluxes and the bathroom isn't overly big either. But then, because they realize this, they are also priced accordingly and you get the little extra's the moderates do not have in the resort itself. The theming and extra's outside the room's themselves make up the difference in price from a moderate without the full added expense of say, the CR or POLY.

Just my 2 cents

 

[PamNC]

I would call it a deluxe if for no other reason than the beautiful lobby and the theme. It's a breathtaking resort. And, they have a great restaurant, Artist Pointe. We've stayed there once and it was "okay" for us. We didn't like the small, dark rooms and didn't feel the pool was that great. We also weren't impressed with the boat transporation (sloooooow) or the CMs in general. That said, we wouldn't stay there again unless we need to stick to a strict budget and can snag a good rate. They do offer great AP discount rates as little as $139.

All in all, I think we'll always visit the WL to gaze at it's beauty, eat at Artist Poine, do the sleigh ride, see the lobby @ Christmas...but it's not our choice for a place to stay.



PamNC

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Scoootch
Basically, you are right. WL is in the deluxe catagory but more like inbetween deluxe and a moderate as other's have already stated

It is classified as deluxe because of the ammenities the resort offers valet parking,room service,indoor corridors and balcony's,close to a park, Great resturaunts. However, IMO, Disney realizes as well that although WL offeres many of the "deluxe" ammenities, it is still lacking in ammenities as well ~ mainly as mentioned, ROOM SIZE. Almost all deluxe resort rooms (with maybe the exception of AKL) are larger in size. The rooms at WL for a standard size room, are no bigger than the moderates. The only thing the room itself has that the moderates do not is the balcony. The beds are only full size not queen,not alot of square footage,no mini-bar in the room like at the other deluxes and the bathroom isn't overly big either. But then, because they realize this, they are also priced accordingly and you get the little extra's the moderates do not have in the resort itself. The theming and extra's outside the room's themselves make up the difference in price from a moderate without the full added expense of say, the CR or POLY.

Just my 2 cents

The beds at the WL are queen, not full. Being queen beds makes the rooms even smaller feeling then the mods which only have full beds. I remember hitting my shins on those beds at the WL numerous times! I had large bruises by the end of my 12 nights there.

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by skiwee1
The beds at the WL are queen, not full. Being queen beds makes the rooms even smaller feeling then the mods which only have full beds. I remember hitting my shins on those beds at the WL numerous times! I had large bruises by the end of my 12 nights there.

My appologies than, I stand corrected. My stay was 2yrs ago in a courtyard view room and I remember everything in the room being much smaller ~ the queen beds taking up more room does make sense though.

Anyway, the price being lower than other deluxes does at least make up for the smaller room and of course the fact that the resort is just beautiful

 

[rcraw45425]

Hey skiwee, we also know about those beds! DD9 stubbed her toe about 5 times. I like the fact that the hairdryer had a small nightlight on it, it helped some in the middle of the night. Actually ahving the sinks outside was a good thing for us, DH was travelling with three females, all in need of the hairdryer. It allowed hom a little privacy while showering, unlike the Poly, although their bathrooms are nicely laid out. I'm not crazy about the ones at CR, the potty room is claustrophobic!

 

[yecats]

I would never consider WL or AKL as a moderate. They are deluxe resorts. Now granted you can't walk over to the MK but are within a small distance from it plus have the amentities of the deluxes. Your rooms are slightly larger than the moderates but the space is taken up by the queen size beds. I know that both are considered the bottom end of the deluxes and are in the sense that your not in direct view of a theme park but both are beautiful resorts and IMO it depends on how you want to look at the resort (half full - best buy for the $$$ or half empty - not directly on monorail where you'd be paying more for the same service). Also on a personal note, I do perfer that one sink is outside of the bathroom (leaving the bathroom free for someone to use). I couldn't imagine paying $200 per night (ie. at the Poly, which I think is a beautiful resort) but getting stuck in one of those rooms that doesn't have the sink seperated from the bathroom not to mention the fact that there isn't a hot tub.