Just returned from the Wilderness Lodge..Really nice but not Deluxe!

[mickeynut1]

We have stayed at WL several times and Love it. While I do agree the rooms are not up to GF, BW or BC level, they also are not as expensive. AK and WL are almost a level in and of themselves. The OP says they felt it was like a mod........but here are some things they have that mods don't....

1. more than one sit down restaurant
2. inside hallways and one building
3. Multipe hot tubs
4. valet parking
5. babysitting
6. grand lobby
7, queens and availability of bunks.
8. Balconies, some of them with the best pool view of any hotel on site.
9. junior and president suites.

I agree . The WL is one of our favorite resorts and we love it for the theme and location. I do agree that the resort is in need of a rehab, and from what I've read, one is scheduled to begin sometime next year. But we think the lodge is an awesome resort with alot of amenities. I'm sorry you had a few incidents, but glad you had a nice overall stay .

 

[gogo]

It has been several years since our last stay at WL. Once in a standard room and the last stay in an inner courtyard view. I can't recall hearing the boat horns but the beeping of the delivery trucks at 6:00 a.m. when we were staying in the standard room woke me up every day

 

[ols386]

The WL wasn't our favorite either. It's nice, and the lobby is absolutely stunning, but the rooms did feel small and cramped, I think partially because the furniture seemed a bit big.

We thought the choices at the counter service were somewhat limited, and the area was small and very crowded at times.

Did NOT like having a pool view due to the noise from that area during the afternoon. It disturbed our nap time, lol.

We also had a difficult time finding a parking space a few times during our stay there. One time we drove around the parking lot at least 30 minutes before finding a spot, and that was a spot that was left by someone who was just leaving.

Just was not one of our favorite resorts, but I'm glad we did have the experience of staying there.

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

Not trying to sound snarky (because I've never had to do laundry in the community laundry rooms) but what did you carry your clothes down there in?

 

[fla4fun]

Not trying to sound snarky (because I've never had to do laundry in the community laundry rooms) but what did you carry your clothes down there in?

I usually carry dirty laundry in a trash bag. I would not want to put my clean clothes in that same bag. However, I usually take a new clean bag for the clean clothes. I can see where someone might overlook taking the clean bag with them - I don't like to leave my laundry unattended when using a hotel laundry room, so I wouldn't want to go back to the room for the clean bag.

 

[Sue M]

It's interesting eveyone's views on things. We've stayed at CBR & POR, and don't feel WL is anything like them! I've also seen posts that some don't see a difference between value & moderate. To each his own.

The walking issue is also pretty subjective. I don't feel anything at WL, is really that long a walk. We've stayed at a few WDW deluxe, and the resort halls at AKL, WL, BC/YC & BWI -basically all the under 1 roof resort halls can be long, but they aren't that long IMO.

I love listening to the boat horns in the distance at night! It kind of lulls me to sleep One of the things I like about WL.

I always take the Laundry bag from our room to bring up the laundry. Housekeeping always brings me an extra one, I leave a note or if I run into mousekeeping I'll ask for an extra. Never had to use the machine. Didn't even know they had one

I do agree Roaring Forks could have a larger seating area

Going as you have during a busy Holiday season , I can see why you wouldn't get a late check out. But you didn't need late check out just to leave luggage in your room to go eat It would have been just as easy to have Bell service keep your luggage while you grab a bite, so the people checking in for their holiday can get their room. Sorry it just seems unreasonable, and a tad inconsiderate to hold up a room just to store luggage while you eat when Bell service is available for that. Esp when it's during so busy a season.

 

[nathanyell]

Thanks so much for your review! I think WL is definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

Believe it or not it's my Mom's favorite because of the boats. She loves waking up in the morning and hearing the boats go Toot toot! LOL.

When I was there the 16th to the 19th I was talking to the GM and he said they have been at 100% occupancy since early November. So I'm not surprised that you got told no from the front desk manager. Remember that late check out is a request.

Glad your trip was great overall!

 

[outahere]

The WL is not everyone's cup of tea -- a lot of folks don't like paying deluxe prices (although somewhat lower than the earlier deluxes) for what they consider a moderate room size. But when you consider that the WL has interior hallways (which the moderates don't) you can see the difference. The lower price at the WL and AKL takes into account the smaller rooms.

I remember reading somewhere that the WL was originally going to be a moderate, but they changed it to a deluxe (maybe because it was so popular when it opened? - not sure).

I have to agree with others that none of the WDW deluxe resorts fit my definition of "deluxe", but we've found that the service at the Poly and YC are definitely better than WL.

 

[starousse]

Not trying to sound snarky (because I've never had to do laundry in the community laundry rooms) but what did you carry your clothes down there in?

Not at all. I carried the clothes down in some small plastic bags that I had from shopping. After putting my laundry in the machine, I threw them out. I didn't wanna put clean clothes back into bags in which the dirty clothes were sitting in all week. Trust me, after I realized I had no bag, I was wishing I didn't throw them out.

 

[sharadoc]

Many of the Disney resorts deal with the boat horns. Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and the resorts around Bay Lake all have the Friendship boat or the MK ferry horn. Plus the Contemporary gets the MK train whistle early too!

Epcot Resorts have the Friendship boat horns too. Last December we stayed at Boardwalk facing the canal to DHS. We knew if we heard a horn, we overslept. We've heard the boats to DTD at night at Port Orleans and OKW.

At a Fort Wilderness cabin, the "kneeling" bus beeping started an hour and a half before park opening. The downside of asking to be close to a bus stop!

We've also been near delivery loading docks, housekeeping golf carts at 5 am, years ago we were directly above the Epcot tram station at Yacht Club.

Bottom line - there's always something going on at Disney World, whether it's in a park or resort, you just have to expect it. There are some great white noise apps for phones now, or small white noise machines. That could help if you are a light sleeper.

Honestly I can't think of where you could stay to avoid any noise at night. Maybe Pop Century, CBR, CSR and the All-Stars but there will still be trucks, buses and kids running around!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Epcot Resorts have the Friendship boat horns too. Last December we stayed at Boardwalk facing the canal to DHS. We knew if we heard a horn, we overslept. We've heard the boats to DTD at night at Port Orleans and OKW.

Each time I have stayed at the Boardwalk Inn it was always with the Boardwalk View and not once did hearing the Boat horns bother myself or anyone in my family.

Personally we found the music coming from Chef Mickey's to be more annoyning if the room we got at the Contemporary happened to be right over it.

 

[Turtlegirl]

Small correction to Tigger Alley's Deluxe differentiation regarding one building...one building does not classify a deluxe-Grand Floridian & Poly are very spreadout with rooms in different buildings.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I remember reading somewhere that the WL was originally going to be a moderate, but they changed it to a deluxe (maybe because it was so popular when it opened? - not sure). ....

I seriously doubt it because of the configuration of the resort. It's nothing like a moderate with no balconies and outside entrances. It may be slightly less deluxe than the Grand Floridian or the Yacht Club and Beach Club, but it isn't a moderate by any means. The slightly smaller size of the rooms may be why there aren't any daybeds at WL so the rooms do not sleep five, like the other deluxe resorts (except for AKL/Jambo House which is nearly identical to WL).

 

[eroller]

Love the WL and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again ... but I have to agree the rooms and especially the bathrooms are not up to deluxe standards. They are looking dark and old.

This being said, the rest of the resort (lobby, grounds, pool, restaurants) is superb and the theming is some of the best at WDW. If fact I think I prefer it even over the Poly and GF.

Now if they just get the rooms refurbished I think WL could be the best at WDW.

Also keep in mind that WL is usually the lowest priced of the Deluxe Resorts, so I'm a bit more forgiving regarding the rooms.

Ernie

 

[stargazertechie]

I always take a small pop-up laundry hamper on vacation with me. Eliminates the need to have a laundry bag!

 

[sotoalf]

I seriously doubt it because of the configuration of the resort. It's nothing like a moderate with no balconies and outside entrances. It may be slightly less deluxe than the Grand Floridian or the Yacht Club and Beach Club, but it isn't a moderate by any means. The slightly smaller size of the rooms may be why there aren't any daybeds at WL so the rooms do not sleep five, like the other deluxe resorts (except for AKL/Jambo House which is nearly identical to WL).

Someone correct me if this is wrong: I don't remember "moderate" resorts existing as a class in '94. There were "budget" hotels, of which the Caribbean Beach and to-be-built All Stars were a part, and everything else (with the former Vacation Club Resort as a time-share property).

The three categories we know today were devised in the late nineties when WDW had more hotels with which to play with nomenclature.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Small correction to Tigger Alley's Deluxe differentiation regarding one building...one building does not classify a deluxe-Grand Floridian & Poly are very spreadout with rooms in different buildings.

But do you know of any moderates that are one building" ....I wasn't saying all deluxes were, I was saying that only deluxes are.

 

[coconutprincess]

We stayed there for the first time in September and loved it. I agree, it is by no means deluxe. We had a few issues, particularly with the internet in the room that didn't work. But it took DH til our last day to require someone to come up about the internet.

I also agree about the rooms and bathrooms need refurbed. My biggest complaint, would be about the number of spider webs on the balcony - but we never calleld about it. I also wish roaring forks was a bit bigger.

However, we still loved the resort. I know its not ideal for Sept but we truly loved the pool, probably a little too much.

 

[amzking]

The best way to get a late checkout is to call housekeeping first thing in the morning the day you are leaving. Call about 7 am. If it is not a peak time they will usually accommodate you. I have not gotten a checkout past 1 pm though.

I do agree with the PP that if you are staying just to eat, it would be easier just to leave your bags with Bell Services rather than trying to arrange for late checkout.

While the rooms at WL are not as "deluxe" as other resorts, for me the amazing lobby and grounds make it a huge leap from any mod Disney offers. The hallways are also much shorter than YC and BC, and unlike the more expensive Poly and GF, it is all one nicely compact building.

 

[kbowfamluvswdw]

We are staying there for the first time Feb11-18. Hopefully we can avoid any unpleasant surprises. Have always staeyed Mod before so we will be comparing.