Is WL worth it?

[Spencer'sMom]

I need some quick advice...I have stayed at POR for four years but really wanted a change. There are 3 of us (DH, me and DS6).The rates for WL in February seem fairly good -$138ish per night. Should I go with an old favorite or venture to WL for a different theme? Also, those who have liked WL, is the boat ride to Disney alright or just better to ride the bus. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Gary M]

The boat ride goes to the MK or another boat goes to CR. The MK boat is a real pleasure for me and takes about 10 minutes to the MK. No bus goes from the WL to MK. You can take a bus from the WL to TTC and take the big paddle wheel boat to the MK or the monorail from TTC to MK.

We like the WL very much. Each room has a balcony or the ground level rooms have a patio. All rooms are in one building and have indoor halls. Bunkbeds are also available. Your DS might like the petting zoo at FW. FW can be reached by boat, bus or a 20 minte or so walk.

See www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm for more WDW resort information.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I like the WL and your rate sounds like a good one. I personally wouldn't stay there UNLESS I could get a great rate. The reason is- the rooms are not much bigger than a moderate (especially since there are queen beds). I know I will probably get flamed but this is just my opinion - so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Bracho]

no flame from me tiggersmom2. I love the Wilderness Lodge but each of us have reasons for stay where we stay.. no one has cause to flame you for writing that...!!

The boat ride in the morning is a nice way to start the day off... it's different and that's what counts. I too think you have a pretty good rate.

You'll love the Wilderness Lodge and it is worth the little extra money!!

 

[campinggal]

Another vote to give the WL a try !

I stayed there with DD (age 6) last October and we are going back in Dec. We loved it!

I loved being on the water- the boat to the MK was relaxing. Also, you have the option of renting boats to tool around Bay Lake. DD loved that option.

You can easily take the boat (or rent bikes) to FW to the petting zoo or a dinner at Trail's End or to see Hoop De Doo. All fun.

It is true that the rooms are not huge but if you request bunk beds- which your son might find fun- that gives you a bit more floor space between the queen and bunks. Should be fine for a family of three.

Another plus is that there is a kid's club- Cub's Den- so you and your DH wanted to have a quiet dinner at Artist Point (in WL) or head somewhere else- you have that as an easy option. The WL also has this room open for crafts in the afternoon.

I liked the fact that the resort itself is fairly small and all inside so you didn't feel like you were walking for days to get anywhere.

OK...I've babbled enough about the Lodge. It certainly is worth a try- everybody has their favorites but you don't know until you try.

And...it is a great rate!

 

[ADisneygirl]

It is true that the rooms at AKL and WL are not much bigger than the mods but the atmosphere within the resorts is different. The lobby of both these are magnificent. We loved the northern woods feel to the WL. Also, there are restaurants you can eat at that don't require you to leave the building. Whispering Canyon Cafe in WL is a must to visit once just to watch the antics that go on in there. We have stayed at POFQ and loved it there, but another big reason we prefer deluxes is the interior hallways.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Spencer'sMom,

One of the reasons I love the Lodge so much is the size...POR has 2,048 guest rooms, The Wilderness Lodge has 728 rooms. with the Villas adding an addition 136 rooms total 864 rooms/villas if you add the rooms from POFQ with POR because they share amenities 3,056 guest room.

The guest rooms aren't as big as some of the other Deluxe Resorts but most of them where built 30 years ago when construction cost were lower. The price between WL & AKL and the other deluxe resorts are due to smaller rooms. But they are both Deluxe Resorts with interior hallways and private balconies. Wilderness Lodge has two sit-down restaurants,(one family style, one more upscale and counter service) concierge service and room service are also available.

Give it a try with that great rate you can decide for yourself.

Have a great trip at either Resort.

 

[DVC Jen]

YES YES YES YES and YES

 

[rockin_rep]

I may get flamed for this but really don't care

We are HUGE fans of the great west and pacific northwest !! We wanted to see what WL was like so made a point of visiting. And yes, it does indeed have that feel to it.

However, we started to think........we're NOT out-west or in the Pacific Northwest -- we're at DISNEYWORLD! And we want ALL the DISNEY magic, not the Northwest USA magic! (hmm, reminds me of the old cliche: 'when in rome....')

So IMHO, if you want the total MAGIC of *everything disney*, it isn't worth the money. However, if you feel you need a break from Disney, then yes, its truly a lovely place. Especially if you haven't explored the great wild west or the pacific northwest.

But more importantly, money isn't even the *issue* here. We could afford to stay at WL, but as i've said countless times, there are countless LOVELY RESORTS everywhere on the face of this planet. But when we're in Disney, we want to KNOW we're at Disney and want 24/7 MAGIC!!

JMHO!

 

[kylara]

If you are comfortable with the rate and with trying a new place, I would say go for it. The up sides is the boat to MK, a nice way to start the day. I also like the walkway to Ft. Wilderness. It is a great walk and I have seen deer, rabbits and other wildlife on this walk over.

Since you son is still young, the smaller room (meaning smaller than other deluxes) shouldn't be a problem.

Another thing to think of is how much time will you spend at the resort. I know my sister, with two kids, takes that into account. On trips she won't be staying around the resort a lot, she stayed at the All-starts, on trips where she did, she chose a mod or deluxe where there was more for the kids to do and better pools.

Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[Gary M]

rockin_rep, that is why it is great that we have all the different themed resorts at WDW. We can pick the Disney 24/7 magic that we enjoy. The WL does it for me and the Poly doesn't. Many others feel the opposite. We have tried different WDW resorts and have settled on the WL. No flames, we all see the magic through different eyes.

 

[Lou-Ann]

All I can tell you is that from the moment those grand doors open and I step inside my blood pressure drops 20 points and my soul is at home. WL IS DISNEY just as much as any other resort but it is so much more.......It is tranquility, beauty, peace, fun, relaxation, happiness, friendly folk, wonderful scenery, gorgeous music, great food, did I say FUN???? If my last day on earth could be at the Lodge I would allready be in Heaven before I left earth.

 

[MinnieGi]

We loved the WL boat ride over to MK!
We enjoyed the compactness of the WL also - everything under one roof. It's a beautiful resort that is themed so well. Our only gripe about it is the size of the rooms with the two queen beds doesn't leave much space to move around. However we really enjoyed everything else about this resort and next time we stay here we are going to do the villas so we can have more walking room.

 

[currycook]

The WL is getting so crowded, its just terrible. Dont stay there. The rides from the parks from there are so long, oh so long! Its the worst of the delux resorts, oh please oh please dont stay there.

Briar Rabbit

 

[Destination Disney]

I just returned from my first stay at WL, and as we were heading out of the main gate I was on my cell phone speaking with Central Reservations, trying to move my Dec. ressie from the POR to the WL. (Being that the WL is the best place around the Holidays, we were not successful, but we are definatly going to stay there again.)

It is a Deluxe resort but it is not a large as the other deluxe resorts so you are not walking forever to get somewhere.

The boat ride is not that bad, we were there last Wednesday and teh crowds were low. I am not sure how I would like the boats in a busy season.

The buses do not go to the MK directly. Kind of a bummer. They go to the ticket center then you take the boat or monorail to the MK. Again being there in a slower season, it was not bad at all. I would love a direct bus to the MK, but it is not happening.

Actually the bus/ monorail worked out great for me because my
2 1/2 year old loves to ride the buses and choo-choo train (as he calls the monorail.) So we killed two birds with one stone, so to speak. I don't know why I take him in the park, I should just ride the buses and loop around on the monrail all day, he'd be in heaven!

Anyway, take a gamble with the WL. That is a good rate!
Jaime

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We've stayed at WL a couple of times and it is and isn't worth it. The boat ride to the MK is good, if you'll be spending lots of time there, but the other transportation is not so wonderful (compared to most of the other deluxes). If you will have a car that might not matter to you and you'll have those same issues at POR.

If you think you'll like the theming (we do--I'm from Oregon and we worked in national parks a few moons ago (ok, 25 years ago, if we're counting) so it brings back those memories for us. The rooms are smaller than other deluxes, but of course it costs less.

Some people don't like the rustic feel, but that's a personal thing. Look at pictures and see what you think.

T&B

 

[John Dobbertin]

Sorry to disagree with many posts on this thread. & I hate to pump up the WL because it will just create greater demand. But here goes: WL will save you a trip to Yellowstone. WL is a direct steal of the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park (built c. 1904). This is one of the great hotels in the U.S. We do wish the boat service (& we've posted on this one before) to MK was up to Disney standards. But the hotel is absolutely fabulous. If you have any sense of the Great Hotels of the National Parks, Disney's WL is in that category.

 

[goofydad621]

No......Really

We also like having the queen bed, we have a king here at home and to go from that to a double, is not as comfortable as home. After all we are on vacation so for us comfort counts.

Just me 2 cents

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Originally posted by goofydad621
No......Really

We also like having the queen bed, we have a king here at home and to go from that to a double, is not as comfortable as home. After all we are on vacation so for us comfort counts.

Just me 2 cents

You speak the truth!! It is hard for us to go from a king bed to a double when we are on vacation. We just can't do it anymore. If we end up in a hotel room like that, then we need 2 doubles and a pull out (one bed for me and small child, one for my DH and one bed for the other two children........we find this in Hampton Inns and such). This past vacation we had a King bed in the Master bedroom and two doubles in the second bedroom. That was perfect.

rockin rep....... this is not to flame you at all (I truly believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion) but that is what is magical to me. I am in Florida and they are transporting me to the Northwest. That's pretty magical! But I think I know what YOU mean...........that it isn't full of Disney characters and such. And that's true. The value resorts have all that and we liked them also (my kids especially).


Spencer's mom...........That is a good rate you are getting for the WL. I would go for it. We stayed at POR and then WL also. We love the WL. Unfortunatly, we can't afford the two rooms we need now with three children. Oh well. Someday my Dh and I will be back.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

We have never stayed at the WL but have visited many times and think it is beautiful. We are heading down Thanksgiving week and will be staying there two nights. My boyfriends father lives in Orlando and we will staying with him the other nights. He thinks we are crazy spending money on a resort when we can stay for free with him but we both have crazy work schedules and would love some alone time.

Rockin rep - no flames but not sure what you mean when you say you want "All the Disney Magic" - most Disney resorts are themed to make you feel like you are somewhere else. The Poly makes you feel like you are in Hawaii, The Boardwalk reminds me of the boardwalk on Atlantic City , I believe the Y&BC reminds you of New England, the CB is supposed to be an island, POFQ is supposed to be like New Orleans. Part of the Disney Magic is taking you away.
Linda