Pool at WL - will we be disappointed ?

[pooh2001]

We have been at CR - the kids loved the pool. The pool is a nice size. Not too fancy - but never extremely crowded at the end of May.

We have been to the Dolphin - wonderful pools - The Grotto pool is much less crowded in the AM then the PM. But has a nice water fall and slide. We stayed at the end of June.

We will be staying at the WL. We like the location. The themeing. The bunkbeds (I hope ).

Now for the pool
Does it get extreamly crowded in the afternoons in late June / early July ?
Is the pool too small for the number of rooms at the resort ?
Are the lines for the slide always extreamly long ?
Do you spend more time out of the pool than in it ?
Is it a far walk to the plain vanilla pool of the Villa's ?

Thanks aw:

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Well, we have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge three times. Once during Memorial Day weekend and then twice in November. During Memorial Day weekend (and week) I never noticed that the pool was overly crowded. The pool isn't giant, but it is very nicely themed. There is a very relaxing waterfall (that actually starts as a stream inside the lobby) and I never noticed any long lines at the slide. The only thing I ever noticed that was crowded was the hot tub. It is alwasy full of kids. The villa pool is not very far at all from the main pool. They also have another hot tub.

The other nice thing about the main pool is that the slide somewhat splits the pool into two sections.

HTH. Have a great time. We love the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I stayed at WL in July and found the pool impossible. It was beyond crowded, I put my DD in the pool then spent 45 minutes looking for a chair or place to put our things. The snack bar are was standing room only. My DD stood in line for the slide for 15 minutes. The only good thing about it was that it was small enough that I could keep my eye on her while I looked for a place to sit. I finally said forget it and we left. Tried again that evening, same thing, and the next day same thing. Just don't like the pool are. It's too small for the number of rooms at that resort.

Now we went in December and could have had our choiceof chairs at the pool. Of course it was only 40 degrees and raining.

 

[sleepydog25]

The main pool at WL is going to be crowded during the peak seasons, as will any other pool at any other resort. Certainly, in late June to early July the WL pool will be very crowded. The Villas pool is maybe a one minute walk away, but it is smaller, has no slide, and even fewer chairs. However, it's rarely as crowded as the main pool. If you count on the pool at a resort to be a major attraction, then you likely will be disappointed at WL, though the resort itself is fabulous. Good luck. aw:

 

[DVCJEN]

The pool gets very crowded during warm weather.

 

[pooh2001]

Maybe we will split our stay - WL first week and Dolphin 2nd week.
DH does not want to move in the middle. We will also need a cot the 2nd week at the Dolphin b/c our teen DS does not sleep with our tween DD.

We can walk back to the Dolphin from EPCOT on 4th of July.
(we have Spirit of Aloha ADR's @ 5:15 pm on 7/4/06 - monorail from the Poly to EPCOT and walk...)

The pool is a biggie with my DS & DD.

 

[MinnieSummer]

The pool at WL is very small compared to the pools at some of the other resorts. CSR pool is very large as is the pool at AKL. If you want bunks like those at WL try AKL. Bunks, very large pool, a better food court, IMHO a better resort.

 

[Jasminetigger]

We always stay at WL at the end of June and leave right before the 4th of July. We usually go to the pool in the early afternoon. I have never found it to be what I would call extremely crowded. I have always been able to find a chair within a few minutes. The girls, DD12 and DD7 have never complained about the slide line. There's always been plenty of room to swim around. There's never been more than two people ahead of me at the pool bar. I guess a lot of it is each person's opinion as well. We have always loved the pool at WL and it has never been a problem with our vacation, even in late June.

 

[skiwee1]

It was packed when we were there in the month of May. Not peak season by any means but the pool was mobbed.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

My family and I were at WL in late June and while there were deninately people at the pool we never found it to be too crowded. I will admit we did not spend much time there - but the few times we did go down (usually early afternoon) we had no issue finding a place to sit

 

[pooh2001]

MinnieSummer - I tried to convince my DH & DS for AKL - they both said NO

They want to be close to MK or EPCOT.

We usually plan a few AM's at the pool and hit the Parks for lunch/dinner and evening activities. So WL may not be bad our first week.

Now just to convince them to move - and my DD to accept a cot

We have AP tickets - so the best rate will win.
At the moment we are $279 for WL courtyard and $215 at the Dolphin.
I would love to do the 2 resorts

We will buy DDE cards for 20% off at meals at WDW sit downs.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

If the pool is really important to your kids and being close the MK or Epcot is a must, then I suggest you stay at YC/BC. You would have the biggest (and best IMO) pool on property. Plus, you would just be a short walk to Epcot. You would have all of the nightly entertainment right there at the Boardwalk. Even better, you would get two queens and a daybed to accomodate your family; ie: no bed sharing for DS and DD. Remember, bunk beds at WL are not guaranteed. I would definately examine your options a little more closely.

 

[pooh2001]

YC was our first choice till I saw the 2006 prices.
A bit higher than WL.
But maybe we can swing it.

 

[disneyholic family]

when we've stayed at the WL (mid July and mid August), the pool has always been crowded except in the early morning...
however, there never seemed to be too long a line for the slide...

i like the WL pool better than the CR's....(WL is also better than the GF pool)..

but if the pool is the most important thing, then you can't get any better than stormalong bay at the YC/BC....

 

[Geoff_M]

The pool at WL is very small compared to the pools at some of the other resorts. CSR pool is very large as is the pool at AKL.

This statement is true, but somewhat misleading. In terms of rooms, WL is the smallest resort at WDW, therefore it's pool doesn't have to be as large. WL has 728 rooms, compared to CSR's 1,967 and AKL's 1,200+ rooms. When you compare the size of the pools to the number of people each one needs to serve, the difference isn't that big.

But as others have said, if the pools what you're after... the only logical choice is the BC/YC.

 

[skiwee1]

This statement is true, but somewhat misleading. In terms of rooms, WL is the smallest resort at WDW, therefore it's pool doesn't have to be as large.

But it should be adequate for the size that is it. It is not nearly big enough for that resort.

 

[etink67]

I think the slide at WL is lacking. It is not very long, only 1 turn. Not very exciting for older kids.