Need Advice Again!!!!!

[drj898]

I thought I was all ready to book when I realized....is Wilderness Lodge for me? I'm looking to keep that WL, Beach Club, BWI sorta-budget with no club level or anything. For 5 nights. So my questions:

1) Which resort would be the least crowded, quietest, and most romantic? It's my girlfriend and I for her birthday, we're in our 20's and I'm going to propose. I'm thinking WL's Whispering Canyon's crazy noise in July will filter up and make it very loud and stressful.

2) Which resort would give us clear views of Illuminations or Wishes' fireworks shows? (With question 3 in mind..)

3) I'm looking to add like another few hundred bucks. Should I...bump up to club concierge level for any of these? Should I bump up resort to Contempo or Yacht Club, orrrr...should I add another day in, and make it 6 nights?


Thanks so much guys!

PS: I heard Cape May Cafe will be closed for renovations while I'm there in July....kinda making me stay away from Boardwalk-area resorts.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Ok....speaking strictly from a woman's perspective...I think the most romantic proposal would be on the Poly beach just before Wishes....you know, so you could see the fireworks as she says YESSSSSSS! Ahem, I digress....that being said...I'm sure you could find a quiet room at WL and just go over to the Poly beach for the proposal, or you could stay at the Poly...the tropical environment would lend itself to a romantic setting I would think...

Now, my DH proposed to me in the stairwell of my workplace...he was going to do it at a concert later that night, but he had just picked up the ring and apparently it was burning a hole in his pocket Even though I didn't get my Disney proposal, I was ecstatic nonetheless, because I was marrying my Prince Charming...so no matter where you do it, I'm sure she'll be happy...despite my stairwell proposal we are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this June and will be at Disney with our baby girls for their 3rd trip to the world...we are living happily ever after.

 

[padawans]

I thought I was all ready to book when I realized....is Wilderness Lodge for me? I'm looking to keep that WL, Beach Club, BWI sorta-budget with no club level or anything. For 5 nights. So my questions:

1) Which resort would be the least crowded, quietest, and most romantic? It's my girlfriend and I for her birthday, we're in our 20's and I'm going to propose. I'm thinking WL's Whispering Canyon's crazy noise in July will filter up and make it very loud and stressful.

2) Which resort would give us clear views of Illuminations or Wishes' fireworks shows? (With question 3 in mind..)

3) I'm looking to add like another few hundred bucks. Should I...bump up to club concierge level for any of these? Should I bump up resort to Contempo or Yacht Club, orrrr...should I add another day in, and make it 6 nights?


Thanks so much guys!

PS: I heard Cape May Cafe will be closed for renovations while I'm there in July....kinda making me stay away from Boardwalk-area resorts.

I like the Boardwalk for an adult only trip. The bellaview is a great place to relax and have a drink. There also is more to do at night for a young couple. There is a lot of activity on the BW, but the resort itself is very quiet. I don't think there is anything romantic about BC. I would wait until you have kids to stay there. The monorail resorts are the only ones you can watch wishes. Of course Poly is very romantic, and if you really wan't to impress her there is the Gf. Like I said my pick would be BW. I have heard great things about the concierge lounge there. It always gets great reviews. If you can swing BW Cl thats would I would do.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you are able to stay Club Level I would highly recommend the Boardwalk Inn for this reason. From their Club Level lounge you will be able to see Illuminations from there, which you can't do at any of the other Epcot Resorts. Plus in my opinion they have the best Club Level when it comes to their Cast Members, lounge and etc.

 

[Tara]

I thought I was all ready to book when I realized....is Wilderness Lodge for me? I'm looking to keep that WL, Beach Club, BWI sorta-budget with no club level or anything. For 5 nights. So my questions:

1) Which resort would be the least crowded, quietest, and most romantic? It's my girlfriend and I for her birthday, we're in our 20's and I'm going to propose. I'm thinking WL's Whispering Canyon's crazy noise in July will filter up and make it very loud and stressful.

I'd pick BWI. Romantic, pretty rooms, and no shortage of lovely sights...all the lights of the Boardwalk reflected in the lake...

2) Which resort would give us clear views of Illuminations or Wishes' fireworks shows? (With question 3 in mind..)

None, really. From the BWI club level lounge you can see some of Illuminations, but the show is really meant to be seen from around the lagoon.

I sort of agree with one of the previous posters...the beach at the Poly would work well, but it will be fairly crowded as it's a popular viewing spot for the fireworks.

Another option is to reserve a fireworks cruise...either for Wishes or Illuminations.

3) I'm looking to add like another few hundred bucks. Should I...bump up to club concierge level for any of these? Should I bump up resort to Contempo or Yacht Club, orrrr...should I add another day in, and make it 6 nights?

I'd spend the money on something to make the proposal memorable...like a fireworks cruise, or a special meal at Victoria & Albert's (AMAZING). You could even talk with special events and arrange something for the proposal.

WL *is* lovely, though!

Thanks so much guys!

PS: I heard Cape May Cafe will be closed for renovations while I'm there in July....kinda making me stay away from Boardwalk-area resorts.[/QUOTE]

 

[shannonstar]

I agree with the Boardwalk Inn. It would be what I think would be the most romantic.

Except maybe the Clown Pool. That is especially non-romantic.

 

[drj898]

I can't believe I got so many responses so fast! First off, the proposal thing, I'm going to take care of somehow...maybe at the beach at Poly for Wishes. Not sure yet..

I know it's going to be very hot, and very crowded in the 2nd week of July. I've come to terms with that. I'm just thinking about how to make it as quiet and romantic as possible. If I stay at any of the Stormalong Bay resorts (BC, BWI, YC, etc.) will I be able to see Illuminations from our room's balcony?? Even if I request a lagoon view of some sort...club level or not?!?!

I really like the fact that we'd be able to walk to EPCOT and DHS. That's pretty bad ***, and we'll be able to get to those parks easily and earlier.

We live 30min from Coney Island boardwalk, and 2hrs from Atlantic City boardwalk, so BWI doesn't look all too interesting to me...lol, but I've heard amazing things about BWI's club level lounge and stuff.

I'm really concerned that the noise from the actual Boardwalk and all the action from like ESPN Zone and stuff is going to make our nights very noisy and not romantic.

Then again.......maybe Wilderness Lodge would be best. I've heard that Old Faithful Lounge and club level stuff is amazing there too. I've heard from certain rooms at WL, you can see Wishes from your room, but only the tippy top of Cinderella's Castle.


What about Contemporary!?!?!? Would I be better off getting a base room (No VIP/club) there instead??? Having monorail access seems cool too...

 

[pepe of ohio]

We enjoy this resort because it's off the beaten path, they don't get alot of traffic from visitors which makes the resort rather serene and very quiet....easily ealking in the evening to the sounds of frogs and crickets peaceful....WCC is loud but only in that restaurant area....doesn't filter throughout the whole resort and Artist Point is very well appointed and romantic, more so than other resort TS restaurants....

You can go over to the villa pool which is always very quiet, romantic and peasceful but the main pool isn't that loud or rowdy during the day and quite nice late evenings...you can swim at any time and with 3 hot tubs.....

Once you pull in, enter the lobby..it takes your breath away (it does to us even after 10+ stays there.....from the hot springs in the lobby bubbling up....follow it out the rear door, down the falls and into the pool.....even mornings at the pool are so peaceful and quiet....plenty of nooks on each floor to settle in, have a drink and escape your room for a spell, some with sofas, fireplaces....and heading to the dock to catch the boat to the MK, magestic.....

We've stayed at most of the deluxes and WL has been a hit for us....just on location and peacefulness....you never feel the rush of the crowds from the parks and feel miles away from the choas....

CL there, in the past was very nice but anymore you don't really get the best bang for your buck and we rather just skip it and do other things with the money....any level you can request turn down service....and a grocery stop can supply most of what they offer for a tenth of the cost....

 

[Tara]

I can't believe I got so many responses so fast! First off, the proposal thing, I'm going to take care of somehow...maybe at the beach at Poly for Wishes. Not sure yet..

I know it's going to be very hot, and very crowded in the 2nd week of July. I've come to terms with that. I'm just thinking about how to make it as quiet and romantic as possible. If I stay at any of the Stormalong Bay resorts (BC, BWI, YC, etc.) will I be able to see Illuminations from our room's balcony?? Even if I request a lagoon view of some sort...club level or not?!?!

From some rooms you can see some of the fireworks - the higher ones. But there's no guarantee of getting one of these rooms. (And Stormalong Bay is the pool at the YC/BC...the body of water all the hotels are around is called Crescent Lake. )

I really like the fact that we'd be able to walk to EPCOT and DHS. That's pretty bad ***, and we'll be able to get to those parks easily and earlier.

We live 30min from Coney Island boardwalk, and 2hrs from Atlantic City boardwalk, so BWI doesn't look all too interesting to me...lol, but I've heard amazing things about BWI's club level lounge and stuff.

You could always pull out all the stops and stay in one of the BWI garden suites. They're incredible, come with club level access...hard to imagine a more romantic room at WDW. But...pricey.

I'm really concerned that the noise from the actual Boardwalk and all the action from like ESPN Zone and stuff is going to make our nights very noisy and not romantic.

I never stayed at a room facing the front of the Boardwalk, but my stays at BWI were always quiet.

Then again.......maybe Wilderness Lodge would be best. I've heard that Old Faithful Lounge and club level stuff is amazing there too. I've heard from certain rooms at WL, you can see Wishes from your room, but only the tippy top of Cinderella's Castle.

It is a really beautiful resort and has a quiet feel to it. There are several tucked-away areas, like the sitting area with fireplace right over the front entrance...few people even realize it's there! The way the lights along the walkways "flicker" at night is just magical, too.


What about Contemporary!?!?!? Would I be better off getting a base room (No VIP/club) there instead??? Having monorail access seems cool too...[/QUOTE]

 

[drj898]

Yeah...maybe I'll spring for the extra bucks for just simply another night. We'll do Saturday to Friday, rather than starting on Sunday.

My 3 choices:

1) Wilderness Lodge with club level access.
2) Animal Kingdom Lodge with club access.
3) Contemporary with just a regular room. But right now, the lowest level room available via the WDW site itself, is a non-club level theme park view. (oh well...lol)

I think instead...though...I'm going to do #1. But with no club access. Based on what you guys are telling me, club level access isn't all what it's hyped up to be. I can just get breakfast at WCC or Roaring Forks inside WL.

Thanks!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Yeah...maybe I'll spring for the extra bucks for just simply another night. We'll do Saturday to Friday, rather than starting on Sunday.

My 3 choices:

1) Wilderness Lodge with club level access.
2) Animal Kingdom Lodge with club access.
3) Contemporary with just a regular room. But right now, the lowest level room available via the WDW site itself, is a non-club level theme park view. (oh well...lol)

I think instead...though...I'm going to do #1. But with no club access. Based on what you guys are telling me, club level access isn't all what it's hyped up to be. I can just get breakfast at WCC or Roaring Forks inside WL.

Thanks!

Just a few tidbits on WL....best buffet and the cheapest (no characters) take the boat to FW and it's at Trails End...breakfast and dinner are the best plus the Settlment Trading Post caters to the campers and has alot of sundries for purchase.....

Eveynight at the lodge, movie on the beach....take some microwave popcorn, pop it at Roaring Forks, along with some wine and head to the beach for the movie, they have a nightly campfire too and the electrical Water Pageant comes thru each night........

Like I said above, wander the diferent floor levels and around the main lobby there are the little cozy nooks.....and check out Artist Point restaurant....very good TS place, far better than WCC....also at the villas, check out the train room....it's all a nice walk with the flickering lamps in the late evenings.....

 

[pas130]

Just for a night, proposal night perhaps....have you considered a WL Honeymoon room? You'll get CL access...just a thought. I think WL and BWI would be perfect for your trip, JMHO, they both seem romantic

 

[minniebride]

Just for a night, proposal night perhaps....have you considered a WL Honeymoon room? You'll get CL access...just a thought. I think WL and BWI would be perfect for your trip, JMHO, they both seem romantic

Sorry, I have to jump in here. My DH and I stayed in the WL honeymoon "suite" during the second half of our honeymoon/Christmas trip. We were very disappointed with this room. It is not a Suite, it actually seems smaller than a regular room. We knew about the size going into it, but the room itself was very outdated, in need of major renovation, and with a very poor layout. It did have a king sized bed and a balcony with a partial view of Wishes and th monorails from the CR and the GF, but below you was basically dumpsters. The hot tub in the bathroom was nice, but not nice enough to make up for the rest of the room. If the room was not so pricy, it would have been fine but it is a ripoff for what you get. The CL lounge was nice, as was the view fom the lobby.

Anyways, if you end up choosing the WL, skip the honeymoon suite-it's not worth it!!!

 

[erinscreen]

Yeah...maybe I'll spring for the extra bucks for just simply another night. We'll do Saturday to Friday, rather than starting on Sunday.

My 3 choices:

1) Wilderness Lodge with club level access.
2) Animal Kingdom Lodge with club access.
3) Contemporary with just a regular room. But right now, the lowest level room available via the WDW site itself, is a non-club level theme park view. (oh well...lol)

I think instead...though...I'm going to do #1. But with no club access. Based on what you guys are telling me, club level access isn't all what it's hyped up to be. I can just get breakfast at WCC or Roaring Forks inside WL.

Thanks!

I just stayed club level a couple weeks ago at BWI. Although it was pretty awesome, I probably wouldn't spend that kind of money again. It was nice to have the breakfast and the desserts at night--but not worth the extra money. Use that extra money for the Illuminations or Wishes cruise and go out for a great dinner

 

[bedogged]

I thought I was all ready to book when I realized....is Wilderness Lodge for me? I'm looking to keep that WL, Beach Club, BWI sorta-budget with no club level or anything. For 5 nights. So my questions:

1) Which resort would be the least crowded, quietest, and most romantic? It's my girlfriend and I for her birthday, we're in our 20's and I'm going to propose. I'm thinking WL's Whispering Canyon's crazy noise in July will filter up and make it very loud and stressful.

2) Which resort would give us clear views of Illuminations or Wishes' fireworks shows? (With question 3 in mind..)

3) I'm looking to add like another few hundred bucks. Should I...bump up to club concierge level for any of these? Should I bump up resort to Contempo or Yacht Club, orrrr...should I add another day in, and make it 6 nights?


Thanks so much guys!

PS: I heard Cape May Cafe will be closed for renovations while I'm there in July....kinda making me stay away from Boardwalk-area resorts.

Wilderness Lodge is lovely and quiet. Have you considered staying there and doing Deluxe Dinning? That would give you the opportunity to do a lot of romantic signature dinning at different resorts.

 

[sharadoc]

There is something called a Garden Wing Deluxe room at the Contemporary. It is a King Bed and a sofa area, sort of a V shape in each corner. That would give you a lot of space and some privacy since you won't be in the Tower.

We have found that staying anywhere with a restaurant that is a major destination makes for a lot of people clogging up the transportation. Taking the monorail is fun, but all of the people going to and from Chef Mickey's is always crowded.

For some quiet private time, try an Old Key West 1 BR villa. It has a jacuzzi tub for two!!

 

[drj898]

Thanks again!

First off....Old Key West and Saratoga, although would be romantic, are not really what we're looking for. Price is a lot lower than I thought though...

Second...I've looked at the regular dining plan and it made me feel like it didn't give enough freedom on foods. I mean I'd wind up just using it for lunch and dinner, and not breakfast. So i'd have to pay OOP for one meal a day...might as well just bring enough (around $130/day for the both of us) for all food.
But...what about the deluxe dining plan? I gotta research that. I was pretty set on forgetting a dining plan, but it might be worth it.

Third...Contemporary looks nice, but with Chef Mickey's in it...i'm pretty sure it'd be packed..I agree. I love the way AKL looks but it's too far! I'm looking forward to travelling from park, and back to hotel a couple times throughout the day to rest and cool off and stuff. I definitely want a resort either Crescent Lake area, or Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake area.
Conclusion?...WL, Contempo, BWI, BC, YC. PROBBALLYY not AKL. I'd be able to jump up to CL on WL, AKL, and BC. Would any of em be worth it?? Or should I just buy breakfast each morning?

 

[Tara]

A few observations...as a resort, there's really nothing romantic about the Contemporary with maybe the exception of having a balcony that overlooks the park/fireworks. If romantic ambiance is what you are going for, I'd skip CR.

I'm glad to see you're thinking of skipping club level. You could invest the significant savings of skipping club level in something much more memorable that morning donuts and a warm snack and wine. In fact, I think there's something much more romantic about room service (breakfast in bed!) thank club level.

BWI, WL and GF would be the resorts I was considering if I were in your shoes.

 

[drj898]

Thank you so much Tara! A fellow New Yorker no less!

I'm so close to Coney Island and pretty close to Atlantic City I'm not so sure I should do BWI..but as for nightlife...can't really go wrong! Plus it looks really plush and cozy! I wanna get to the parks ASAP each morning, and getting to Epcot and DHS would be the easiest! Seems in the middle of everything!

WL looks breathtaking...as far as the lobby goes. But the rooms look a lil bit outdated and rustic. The view of the Electric Water Pageant is a plus. And having MK so close...but the con of it is there's basically no view of MK. The pine trees are so huge!

You seem to understand exactly what I'm feeling. It means a lot. I'll be deciding between BWI and WL.

But...no AKL huh? I mean it's far...but the fact it has the savannah views with animals is incredibly tempting!

 

[Tara]

Thank you so much Tara! A fellow New Yorker no less!

I'm so close to Coney Island and pretty close to Atlantic City I'm not so sure I should do BWI..but as for nightlife...can't really go wrong! Plus it looks really plush and cozy! I wanna get to the parks ASAP each morning, and getting to Epcot and DHS would be the easiest! Seems in the middle of everything!

I'm a transplanted Southerner. It is such a pretty resort...there's just something about it...whimsical but sophisticated. The Boardwalk itself is a lot of fun - we love to catch the Boardwalk Buskers performing. Plus you HAVE to go to Jellyrolls! I still remember taking my girlfriends there when we were in Orlando for a girls' weekend...none of them liked Disney and we stayed at the Gaylord Palms, but I convinced them to give Jellyrolls a shot. They loved it and we ended up staying until closing.

WL looks breathtaking...as far as the lobby goes. But the rooms look a lil bit outdated and rustic. The view of the Electric Water Pageant is a plus. And having MK so close...but the con of it is there's basically no view of MK. The pine trees are so huge!

Yeah, the rooms aren't my cup of tea. (I prefer white, cotton bed linens over heavily patterned, polyester comforters...plus less pattern in general. A lot of Disney hotels use this style of decorating...lots of mix-and-match pattern, from the rugs to the linens to the wallpaper. This is part of why I love my home resort of BLT so much - much more boutique-hotel-like and my style. BUT...the rooms at WL are very much in keeping with the resort, so it doesn't feel jarring.

You seem to understand exactly what I'm feeling. It means a lot. I'll be deciding between BWI and WL.

I spent my honeymoon at WL in 1998, then next stayed at BWI. Since 1998 I've stayed at almost every WDW resort since then (own DVC now). I've now stayed at BC/BCV the most (the kiddo loves that pool!) but BWI is next on the list with 3 visits, plus a stay on the villas side and I've always thought it was the most romantic...even more so than the GF, and definitely has the prettiest holiday decorations, even though they aren't the most grandiose.

Ok, great, now I want to go to BWI. Thanks a lot.

But...no AKL huh? I mean it's far...but the fact it has the savannah views with animals is incredibly tempting!

Nope. AKL is a nice resort, don't get me wrong. But it is sooooo dark IMO. I've stayed at Kidani twice and enjoyed it, but it isn't what I'd choose. Plus I really don't like how far away it feels. I thought it was just me, but the same girlfriends and I stayed at AKV the year after the non-Disney trip (they had a change of heart ) and one of them said once as we were driving to the hotel, "I know you're going the right way, but I keep thinking that we missed a turn because it takes so long to get back to the hotel." Some of it is perception, but perception makes up your reality, so...