Just back from WL: did'nt even unpack yet

[ROBIN4NY]

Just got back from WL and wanted to know if anyone had any questions.Everyone was sooooooooo helpful on these boards that I wanted to return the favor.
It was beautiful and wonderful and did not disappoint my expectations one bit.We had a courtyard view with an excellent view of the pool, bay lake, the wishes, and the water parade at night.The boats to the MK were running well and we never waited too long for a bus.We had requested bunk beds and did not get them but got the section of the hotel that we requested which was more important.( Inner courtyard,4th or 5th floor towards the end of the U)
I will post some pics of the view from the room tomorrow--I have to wait for my husband since I am somewhat computer challenged.If anyone has any questions I will be more that happy to try to help.
Have a great day.

 

[tigerlilly]

Glad you had a great time! How was the transportation at the resort? Did you use it or did you do the rental car thing? Out of curiousity...as I have never asked this...how long is it to walk from one of the rooms in the "U" section to the bus stop? Can you use the stairs at the end of hallways to access the outside?

 

[dudspizza]

Glad you had a great time! How was the transportation at the resort? Did you use it or did you do the rental car thing? Out of curiousity...as I have never asked this...how long is it to walk from one of the rooms in the "U" section to the bus stop? Can you use the stairs at the end of hallways to access the outside?

I am not the OP, but there are many ways to get out of the building at WL. The stair all go to the main level and doors exit out. We always went back to the main lobby and out the side doors to the bus. We never waited too long for the buses or boats. We only touched our rental car a few times. Only to go to DTD and some resort hopping. OTher than that, we always used Disney transportation and were not disappointed, even right after Hurricane Charley. I honestly think the WL transportation has taken a bad rap. It was fine.

Duds

 

[ROBIN4NY]

The transportation was fine.IMO you do not need a rental car.We did that our first trip to WL and returned it after 1 day.There is a boat right in the back of the hotel that takes you to MK.( about a 7 min boat ride) and the buses take you everywhere else.I never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus any we went to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, MGM studios and FortWilderness via the bus.
The end of the U is a bit of a hike from the main Lobby but it was right near a set of stairs that let you out right near the pool, trout pool bar, and you could just walk across the little bridge to get to the path to the boat dock.I did not have any problems with transportation at all.

 

[klinlin]

Hi Robin!

Glad you had a good trip! We will be taking our boys (ages 4 and 2 1/2 at time of trip) in November and I had been seriously considering WL because of the proximity to MK and the BUNK BEDS!!!

Now I am a little concerned. We will be ther during a much slower time, so hopefully we will get our request. Is WL appropriate for such small children? Any info about the resort would be most welcome.

Thanks!

 

[HLAuburn]

Robin-
Did you take any kids with you? We're staying at WL with an 18 month old, so I'm glad to hear the transportation was good. How was the weather? Did you go to the WL pool at all?

Thanks for all your info!

 

[ROBIN4NY]

It is a Wonderful place for little guys.And don't be afraid about your request for bunk beds.We were there at a VERY busy time.(it was spring break for NY and some other NE states) The Hotel was very accomodating and willing to give us the bunk beds as soon as it became available but we did'nt want to switch.We had a great room with a great view.Any time you make a request it is only that: a request, However,they really do there best to make everyone happy.You will be there at a slower time so you will have a pretty good shot at getting the bunk beds.
There is a kiddie pool there for your kids and a great slide in the big pool.During certain times of the day there were pool games for the kids.Also WL is right next door to Fort Wilderness (which you can get there via boat,bus or its about a mile or so walk) and there is a lot to do for the kids there as well.I think your kids will love it.At that age its all about MK and you are just a short boat ride away.(And if it is chilly ,They now also run a bus to MK.)You will love the WL.

 

[ROBIN4NY]

My ds is 6 and dd is 11.However the first time we went to WL my daughter was 2.(time goes too fast) It is great at any age.The weather was in the high,70's low 80's.It rained one night but it passed fairly quickly.We used the pool every day.Our plan of attack was that each day we would go to a park, come back to the hotel around 2,hit the pool and after the pool my ds took a little snooze and we would head back out to dinner or a park at about 5:30 ish.That plan seemed to work for us.

 

[mkladypink]

Robin...thanks for being so generouse with your replies! Did your room already have a fridge and coffee maker or did you have to request them? Did you eat at any of the WL resturants?

We leave in 5 days

 

[ROBIN4NY]

The WL is in the process of putting fridges in all the rooms(if you book thru disney they will tell you that you don't have to request it because they are in all the rooms)but they have not gotten to all the rooms yet.That was the case with me.So when I saw there was'nt one I called the front desk and houskeeping had it up to the room in 10 mins.There was a coffee maker.Someone had suggested to bring your favorite coffee in a ziplock from home (That would be dunkin donuts for me) and that worked out really well.I bought half and half from the mercantile store down stairs.They sell lots of things in that store..cereal, milk, beer, chips,cookies,ect ect.Have a wonderful trip!!!!! You will love it.

 

[ROBIN4NY]

And I forgot to add we did eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe and the Roaring Forks Snack Bar.

 

[ROBIN4NY]

Whispering Canyon Cafe---This is not for everyone but my son Loved it.Its one of those "hoot and a hollarin" type of a themed resturants.The food was great.We went there for dinner and it was very entertaining for the kids.My dd who is 11 going on 40 was sliding down the chair in embarresment but my ds who is 6 just loved it.

The Roaring Forks snack bar ---we only had breakfast there and it was fine.Depending on when you go the lines can be long..its a hit or miss.

 

[HLAuburn]

Sorry...more questions! Your food comments got me thinkin'! How large are thr refrigerators? I know they are "dorm sized", but what all can you actually fit in there (milk? OJ? cokes?) And you mentioned that the store at WL had a good selection of food. Can you buy milk and OJ buy the 1/2 gallon or gallon? How are the prices? (We're thinking about doing a light breakfast in the room)

Thanks a bunch!

 

[pennyplanner]

WL is the resort of choice for our family. Initially we chose it for the queen sized bed and bunks BUT it offers so much more.

Since it is a relatively small hotel, everything is so much closer than other resorts we looked at. All under one roof is a beautiful thing after all the miles you log at the parks.

My DSs were 7 and 10 when we first went. Then 10 and 13. I went solo and now we are headed back for another Thanksgiving week trip!

We love Artist Point, did WC for lunch and enjoyed the antics without participating. Roaring Forks is adequate as a counter service but it can be quite busy, especially in the morning. We like to eat a light breakfast in our room. My oldest would go down for our tea in the morning. And then out for a giant cookie and herb tea for us in the evening. We were comfortable with that because of the hotel layout. He loved the responsibility and the card charging privileges!

It is a lovely place. There are lots of areas to explore in the hotel that kids will love. Check out www.allearsnet.com for pictures and suggestions.

Enjoy!

--penny

I can't remember the size of the milk in the Mercantile. Maybe a half a gallon?
We took a Tiffiany Towncar and stopped at the grocery store but bought milk at the resort because of our early arrival time. Prices at the resort are what you would expect... more!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yup! I gotta agree...the WL is awesome!

I also think Roaring Forks is "adequate." I like WCC for breakfast as I find that all you can eat skillet for under $10 is a good deal. The antics are kind of funny, but sometimes you want a quiet evening or lunch and WCC can border on obnoxious!

Artist's Point is phenomenal!

Oh, and my DD (she is 6 years old) loves "The Cub's Den" there at the hotel. We always have 1 "mommy/daddy only" night and she loves staying at the CD.

Thanks for your report!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome home! Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[homedad]

just wanted to say thanks for info, especially about transportation. We are going in October for first time for DS4 and DD2 and all the chatter I've read about the buses have me semi-concerned. I do have a question about Artist Point, the Mobil guide book says that the pricing is similar to V@A. Is this true and is V@A worth the extra cash if it is more??? Thanks is advance for any info, we are so looking forward to this trip with the kids.

 

[ROBIN4NY]

 

[ROBIN4NY]

 

[Michelle2]

Wow great pics! If we go to WL, that will be the room I request. Awesome views.