Just back from the WL

[PartyofSix]

We just returned from our first onsite stay ever. We booked 4 nights at the WL in a courtyard view room. We where given 4051 with bunkbeds. Check in could have been smoother. They told me my room was'nt ready but to call from a house phone within an hour. I called and in 5 minutes later my room WAS ready. I felt put off by that. Housekeeping was great though and the resturants where great too. We enjoyed the WL. THe room was less than special to us though. IT was the smallest room we've ever had anywhere. WE took two of the kids with us and it was cramped to say the least. We had a nice view of the courtyard and could see the EWP each night from our balcony. IF anyone has questions i'll be happy to help. Oh and the boat service was excellent and the buses too. I would'nt do this again though. I could'nt justify the cost/small room over just driving to the parks. But it was nice this one time.

 

[lap3]

How old are your kids? We're thinking of staying at this resort so it'll be me, DW, DS6, and DD4. I've heard on several occassions that the rooms are small. Since my kids aren't grown yet, I think we'll be ok. Besides, since it's our first trip to WDW, we figure the hotel will be used mainly for sleeping anyways. My son is so jazzed about the thought of taking a boat ride from the hotel to the MK.

 

[TWOOD]

Was your room located near the lake? Thanks!

 

[PartyofSix]

My girls are 4 and it was just too cramped for my taste. Your right you won't be in the room much but it was a pain when you are in that room. There are only two tables to sit if you plan on eating anything in the room. The balcony is quite small so that's not a lot of extra space. We asked the bellman the difference in the room size there and the pop resort he answered, the balcony! Oh i am okay that we did this and really don't regret the experience we live and learn. Would i do it agian no way. Anytime from here on we will get a condo at bonnett creek resort and if it's just my husband and i down for a quick trip then we would consider onsite again. Just was'nt impressed with the size of the room that was THE biggest draw back for me. It was beautiful the resort it'self but they really skimped on the space of the rooms.

We could see the lake. We watched the boats and water mice play and we could see the pagent on the water at night from our room. It was a good view i thought. It was inner courtyard and not right over the loud lobby. And people are'nt kidding when they state it's loud in the lobby area you are four floors up and i would not want a lobby inner room.

 

[rcraw45425]

in room 6039, also inside courtyard. We had two queen size beds, room was really tight. WE only had 1 table for dining though. Luckily it was just pop tarts for us. After staying in the other deluxes I too was taken aback by the room size. We moved from there to the Poly and that room seemed huge by comparison. IT was quite a bit noisier though. Our room on the 6th floor was very peaceful, watched the geyser each morning at 7AM. We'd probably do it again just for the theming of the hotel, jsut tell my girls not to pack as much this time

 

[lap3]

Originally posted by PartyofSix
We watched the boats and water mice play and we could see the pagent on the water at night from our room.

Sorry for the ignorant question but what's water mice?

 

[ADisneygirl]

I agree with you that WL rooms are small for being in the deluxe category. But..... you pay less for WL rooms than you do for BWI, YC/BC, GF, Poly. We still loved the atmosphere at WL despite the room size.

Oh, and lap3 ~~ water mice are the little boats you can rent and drive through the lagoons and lakes around your resort. They fit two people and are quite fun.

 

[lap3]

Originally posted by ADisneygirl
Oh, and lap3 ~~ water mice are the little boats you can rent and drive through the lagoons and lakes around your resort. They fit two people and are quite fun.

Thanks for clarifying that for me! Now that I know what they are, I feel embarrassed! For a minute there, I thought it was some kind of amphibious rodent that's unique to the area! I'm such a newbie...

 

[kiddisney]

please remember that the wl has queen sized beds - so their total square footage is not smaller - just walking space - you have to decide which you like better - a large bed or more walking space - we love the wl for the extra space it gives us with kids who decide to sleep perpendicular to us sometime during the middle of the night - if you really want to compare - there is information on the sf of each room - not sure where - thought originally on the wdw website - but you can search

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by lap3
Thanks for clarifying that for me! Now that I know what they are, I feel embarrassed! For a minute there, I thought it was some kind of amphibious rodent that's unique to the area! I'm such a newbie...

You cracked me up! That was so cute I gotta give you a newbie!

 

[rcraw45425]

can find the sf info in the Unofficial guide, along with actual room layouts. I agree about the queen beds. DH and I are the parents of two DD's that thnk that perpendicular is the ONLY way to sleep, especially if someone is sharing a bed with you
. I can say that the mattresses at WL seemed to be more comfortable than the ones at the Poly. Only complaint was that there was an extremely hard rim all the way around the top, other than that it remended me of an inexpensive pillowtop. We don't do bunkbeds for the perpendicular reason, so they're not an option. It truly is a lovely property and the CM's could not have been more gracious. I am definitely concidering booking it again for our next trip.

 

[ChristyJ]

We're headed in Dec. and I can't wait!!

 

[slimplaw]

There is more of a difference between WL and PC. WL rooms are 344 sq ft and PC is 260 sq ft. These are measurements for typical rooms in these resorts. WL has queen beds as compared to PC's double beds.

 

[PartyofSix]

According to the bellman that sqft includes the balcony hence the difference is outside sqft not acutal room size.

We really liked the resort theming it was awesome no doubt about it. I really would go back like chirstmas or a special occasion with my dh for sure. But not with the kids it was just too cramped. We are a party of seven when the entire family travels so two rooms would just be a pain a condo at bonnett creek is more what we need. We just tested the waters with bringing two of the girls this trip.

As for the beds i was super surpised how comfy there where. I was loving them. I have no complaints with those at all. Housekeeping was great and the CM's where great and the resturants where just AWESOME. We tried them all and loved them all. Ya'll gotta get those glazed pork chops from WC on the supper menu so yummy!!!

 

[lap3]

Originally posted by jennymouse
You cracked me up! That was so cute I gotta give you a newbie!

Hi Jenny,
I'm glad I made you laugh at my expense! I wonder what else I'll find out about WDW that will embarrass me even further!

 

[lillygator]

We are staying in Dec for the first time, mainly for the decorations otherwise I would have chosen the Poly for not much difference in price. We stayed at Pop in Feb and AKL in May and the room size difference there was not much either.....I don't think the deluxe rooms are all that much bigger.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

Are you able to see MK Wishes from WL. We will be down there on November 27 (Saturday) and eating in Wispering Canyon at 7:00. I would love to catch the Water Pagent and Wishes after dinner. I know we can see the WP but can you see Wishes (I had heard that some trees are down due to storms). Also, do they pipe in the music?
Thanks, Linda

 

[PartyofSix]

Linda i did'nt try to see wishes while at the WL. We where always at the parks to watch the fireworks. One night we made it back to see the WP but only by acciendent. We did'nt plan it just happen to hear it coming from the balcony. I know others say they can view wishes from the lodge or there rooms but i can't offer personal experience. Hope you have a great time we enjoyed the lodge and loved WCC.

 

[hockey mom]

Partyof6- we just got back from WL also and loved it although we stayed in the villas section. We rented points from someone and had a 2 bedroom for our family of 5 and it was excellent. Give those a try if you are ever returning- you won't be disappointed.

 

[newholiday]

Wishes is not piped in
We often saw it at the end of our days since we were staying there
We did see it from the Poly beach/pool after dinner one night at O'Hana's - there it is piped in