Hi All,
Just back today from 7 nights at WL and 1 night at Swan. Quick overview and impressions. (trip was me, my two daughters 3 & 10 for 5 nights, then joined by my partner and 6 mo old daughter for remainder of trip.)
WL
Theming here is absolutely beautiful. I loved the feel of the hotel, esp. the lobby and the pool area. I could have spent hours checking out the details, such as the clothing in cases on wall, rocks in casings about the floors. I have never been to a Lodge but believe this is what it is like!
Our room was 5035, view of the courtyard. Excellent! only draw back was being on a corner, you are right next to you corner neighbor and loose a bit of privacy. Veiw of pool and lake. Could see a bit of Electrical Parade from balcony. I enjoyed sitting out on balcony and watching the people, etc. We were close to elevators near roaring forks and pool. Very handy! note: lots of pool noise at night.
We had bunkbeds. Room did seem a bit dark but bearable. Not much drawer space. Overall the room seemed a bit small.
CM: Front desk staff seemed a little grumpy to me. not real forthcoming with disney joy or information. I am a big believer in "let me find out for you" and there was not a lot of that. I also got many different answers to same questions.
Wispering Canyon: CM's were excellent!
Mousekeeping : Excellent. Towel animals every day!
Pool: Loved it! Seemed a bit small for size of hotel but we had lots of cloudy days so never a real issue. The games for the kids were great.
Roaring forks: by end of trip I was very sick of selection. Wish they offered more variety.
Transportation: Boat to MK is great. Never waited longer then 10 min or so. Liked taking boat to CR for monirail too. Busses were spotty. some were great, others were not. Seemed like a lot of stops no matter were we went.
Activities: my partner and older daughter rented watermice and love it.
Overall: I loved our stay. The boat to MK is great and the feel of the lodge is very relaxing. As most of my trip was spent alone with the girls, I found this place great and low on the stress level. I would stay again.
Swan
our last night so very short stay.
Room: beautiful. Beds ARE Heavenly! Good size room with small balcony (#421) not much of a view. coffee maker. mini bar. two queen beds. Overall very nice and spacious.
staff VERY friendly and accomodating.
Pool is big, on the cold side, and was not crowded. Size could definetely handle crowds.
A very different feel at the Swan; more business then disney. grounds not as clean or attractive.
Location seemed great to boardwalk and epcot and mgm but we didn't get a chance to use any of them.
overall, like it enough, not sure I'd stay again.
Anyway, my thoughts on our lodging! Sorry for any typos & spelling. I am still on VACA mode! Would love to answer any Q's.
Hope all who lost power are back up and running!
Kim
Just back today from 7 nights at WL and 1 night at Swan. Quick overview and impressions. (trip was me, my two daughters 3 & 10 for 5 nights, then joined by my partner and 6 mo old daughter for remainder of trip.)
WL
Theming here is absolutely beautiful. I loved the feel of the hotel, esp. the lobby and the pool area. I could have spent hours checking out the details, such as the clothing in cases on wall, rocks in casings about the floors. I have never been to a Lodge but believe this is what it is like!
Our room was 5035, view of the courtyard. Excellent! only draw back was being on a corner, you are right next to you corner neighbor and loose a bit of privacy. Veiw of pool and lake. Could see a bit of Electrical Parade from balcony. I enjoyed sitting out on balcony and watching the people, etc. We were close to elevators near roaring forks and pool. Very handy! note: lots of pool noise at night.
We had bunkbeds. Room did seem a bit dark but bearable. Not much drawer space. Overall the room seemed a bit small.
CM: Front desk staff seemed a little grumpy to me. not real forthcoming with disney joy or information. I am a big believer in "let me find out for you" and there was not a lot of that. I also got many different answers to same questions.
Wispering Canyon: CM's were excellent!
Mousekeeping : Excellent. Towel animals every day!
Pool: Loved it! Seemed a bit small for size of hotel but we had lots of cloudy days so never a real issue. The games for the kids were great.
Roaring forks: by end of trip I was very sick of selection. Wish they offered more variety.
Transportation: Boat to MK is great. Never waited longer then 10 min or so. Liked taking boat to CR for monirail too. Busses were spotty. some were great, others were not. Seemed like a lot of stops no matter were we went.
Activities: my partner and older daughter rented watermice and love it.
Overall: I loved our stay. The boat to MK is great and the feel of the lodge is very relaxing. As most of my trip was spent alone with the girls, I found this place great and low on the stress level. I would stay again.
Swan
our last night so very short stay.
Room: beautiful. Beds ARE Heavenly! Good size room with small balcony (#421) not much of a view. coffee maker. mini bar. two queen beds. Overall very nice and spacious.
staff VERY friendly and accomodating.
Pool is big, on the cold side, and was not crowded. Size could definetely handle crowds.
A very different feel at the Swan; more business then disney. grounds not as clean or attractive.
Location seemed great to boardwalk and epcot and mgm but we didn't get a chance to use any of them.
overall, like it enough, not sure I'd stay again.
Anyway, my thoughts on our lodging! Sorry for any typos & spelling. I am still on VACA mode! Would love to answer any Q's.
Hope all who lost power are back up and running!
Kim
I, too, wondered what you meant about the grounds. We were at the Swan in late July. Everything was immaculate - on our last day, the gardeners were taking up the coleus plants in the rotary in front of the Swan and the median strip on the connecting walkway. The existing plants were in fine condition but they were replacing them anyway. The pool area was clean - absolutely no litter anywhere and for that matter nowhere I walked on the grounds ay both S abd D. 
