Is WL worth it?

[rockin_rep]

So glad i peeked back at this thread! Its nice to see other fans of the National Parks and not just Disney! But the whole *POINT* of my original post was just written by limabeanmom2003: "I simply love WL, but you just can't compare it with national park lodges. They are two different things! WL is a re-creation of the NP lodges with all of the features of a resort added. The NP lodges are the real thing even if they are more rustic."
Thanks limabeanmom, that is what i've been trying to say! And i HAVE visited WL, altho not stayed there.

Also, even tho this is NOT the point, if you READ -- NOT SKIMMED -- my posts --

I didn't say they were *all* like holiday inns. I said many ROOMS are like holiday inn ROOMS. The ROOMS, not the INN.

In fact, I mentioned Crater Lake specifically as being one of the GRANDEST among National Park Lodges. We've stayed there too, stunning in every way, walked down to the rim -- gorgeous. Loved being in El Tovar on the rim of Grand Canyon. Didn't stay in Awahnee, toured it, but stayed at Yosemite Lodge in Tualome Valley -- the *ROOMS* there were similar to a holiday inn ROOM. Clean and basic but comfortable enough. We've visited nearly every nat'l park in america, in addition to Banff, Jasper and Whistler in Canada. Some don't have nat'l park inns on site.

Loved Glacier Nat'l Park, but not Lake McDonald lodge -- more like a dorm -- the most rustic we've visited.

In addition, Bryce, Sequoia and Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park, (Washington State) have rooms that do *resemble* a holiday inn ROOM -- i'm talking about the ROOMS here -- are clean, orderly, basic hotel fare. Loved the Paradise Inn in Mt. Rainier, and happened to be there during a rare heat wave -- no a/c but little fans were placed in the rooms! However, there are many nat'l parks like Zion, where we prefer staying in Springdale, Utah at the Desert Pearl Inn -- lovely!

So again, if you read (not skim) my posts the first time, or choose to re-read them again, this will be clear. Not that it matters in the least! But its interesting to see that other dislovers also appreciate our nat'l parks. They truly are the jewels of america!

Disney is our favorite spring break destination but we live for our 3-4 week summer road trips -- exploring every possible nat'l park, seeing major league baseball games, touring presidential libraries and museums, exploring major cities (and each Hard Rock Cafe we can find for DS) little cowboy towns, DisneyLAND and Cal. Adventure, and everything else we can pack in!

BTW, there are copious numbers of INSPIRING and fun on-line travel boards that focus on the countless other travel locations, including the national parks and their Inns!! If anyone is interested, PM me.

Happy travels all, and may God bless our Beautiful America!!!!

 

[rockin_rep]

PS -- How VERY VERY COOL that we're bringing attention to our National Parks -- and NOT just their INNS --- SIMPLY because i was trying to say what *limabeanmom2003* just posted:

"I simply love WL, but you just can't compare it with national park lodges. They are two different things! WL is a re-creation of the NP lodges with all of the features of a resort added. The NP lodges are the real thing even if they are more rustic."

In other words if you already haven't, plan a visit to a national park -- even if you don't stay in their INN!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

With the renovation on the CL lodge they might now be nicer that HI. Before the renovations, HI might even be a stretch. The 2 summers my now DH worked at the CL lodge as a bellhop there were no elevators and he'd have to carry all the luggage (think lots of things for a family) up the stairs. UGH, that's earning a tip!

I thought you meant the lodge in general was like HI. That park is a one of a kind experience and it's a place that everyone needs to go to at least once (I grew up an hour south so it was a part of me for as long as I can remember). As much as I like Maryland there is nothing like it, or any other western national park, here.

T&B

 

[Linda88]

Gosh amazing how these forums leap about. Thanks for info on WL Still abit worried about room size (4 largish people) We can always spend lots of time in the lounge! Not well up on Nat. Parks did visit Yosemite in August afew years ago and surprised to find more people than at WDW. Would visit again but not in Summer Thanks again

 

[John Dobbertin]

Linda88: you will find the WL rooms snug for 4 folks. However, the lobby area is huge & interesting. Also walk on over to the Disney Vacation Club Villas at WL and check out the lobby area there -- not trying to sell DVC, but that lobby is special. Are you really Manx? We have been to the Isle of Man -- tracking down my wife's family!

 

[Linda88]

Yes Manx born and bred, amazing you have been here, we find when we holiday in USA not many people have heard of us unless it is for TT Races. We love our holidays in America it is very different from the Isle of Man but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else

 

[John Dobbertin]

Linda88 -- My wife's ancestors were from the south on the Isle of Man -- not far from Tynwald. We hiked about three miles south of Tynwald up a very narrow lane to find the old family site now owned by a retired RAF man and his wife. Long dormant lead mine just up the hill, and that's where my wife's family mined. The time we were there was right after the ceremonies in UK & France for D-Day + 50 years . . . and we arrived right in the middle of the TT! We're members of the North American Manx Society. Great that you enjoy WDW -- maybe we'll see you there. We arrive Jan 30 for the month, staying at Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[renniks]

We just came back from there yesterday. I say for that rate give it a try. I liked it, my dh was okay with it but my ds (6) and mom LOVED the Lodge!! The room was a little small for us (mom had her own room). We had a Queen bed, bunkbed and a pack-n-play in there for dd (1 1/2) and it was tight for us. I had room 4020 and a very nice view of the MK fireworks. My son loved the pool area, the fireplace, rocking chairs etc. We enjoyed taking the boat over to MK - very relaxing and only had to wait a while one night. It was a return trip to the lodge from a MNSSHP. Otherwise we enjoyed it very much. We also had a WONDERFUL mousekeeper and received 6 towel animals during our 10 night stay there. My son LOVED coming in to find them at night.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

I have heard other talk about room 4020. What view room is that?
Linda

 

[Linda88]

To John Dobbertin It is a small world! We hope to be at WL 14th 21st Feb unless I can get a really great offer at say GF (seems unlikely) Stayed at Dolphin same time last year and rates with ECard much better than what is on offer at moment.

 

[John Dobbertin]

Linda88 -- You probably know all about it, but Swan & Dolphin are Starwood hotels -- are you a Starwood Club member? Costs nothing to join & if they are offering "deals" the Starwood deals are about as good as all the others they offer. If you haven't gone to Mousesavers.com do check out the Starwood deals. Wife's Isle of Man "old sod" was Kerrowdoo (in Manx: black earth), just down the hill from the "Snuff the Wind" lead mine.

 

[renniks]

Originally posted by linda_pizzuro
I have heard other talk about room 4020. What view room is that?
Linda

It was a Woods view room. I didn't request it, just got lucky They did honor my other requests though it's a non smoking room and has bunk beds w/ a queen bed. HTH

 

[ManxMama]

John Dobbertin/Linda88

As you can see, I, too, am originally from the Isle of Man and we will be at VWL ( DVC Members) from Jan 30 to Feb 3/05. This will be our first stay at this resort and we're very much looking forward to it.
Although I am usually a lurker on these Boards, mention of the Isle of Man is so unusual that it prompted me to post a response.
Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[John Dobbertin]

Thanks for the post! Good to know there are Manx ought-n-aboot! You will really enjoy the WL. There are so few of the WDW resorts that have a real "lobby" & WL's is spectacular. As I've mentioned in other posts, slip over to the DVC side of WL & check out the lobby there -- health club is there, so you always have the excuse of saying you wanted to check that out! & no one is there to screen you anyway. We really enjoyed the Isle of Man -- especially the people. The TT was remarkable. We arrived in the middle of it quite by accident. Stayed at the Cunard Hotel -- believe the proprietor's name was Quinn, & he was extremely kind to us. Have fun at the WL!

 

[John Dobbertin]

Sorry . . . up late last night watching the election returns. Of course you'll see the DVC -- you're staying there! Great place to stay. Extremely comfortable rooms.