Ready for flames -- we hated the WL!

[sjams]

I am really hoping that our trip in June isn't like what I have read. We have been saving the money and time for this "magical" trip with our dd and ds. I certainly hope my expectations for WL isn't too high.

 

[mndisfam]

Don't let this get you down! Everyone has different opinions. We were so-so on VWL - but it was still wonderful.

This is how weird we are: we had a view of the bus stop - and we liked it! It was fun to see all the families coming and going. We would sit on the balcony and enjoy hearing the little feet running full tilt to the busses on the wooden walkway - even enjoyed hearing the tired people coming in late at night. One day I got food poisoning and had to stay in and be sick all day. I left the windows open so I could at least hear other people getting on the busses and enjoying their day.

Point is - we all like diff stuff. !!

 

[estnh]

Just curious...

if WL were priced and labeled an "upper moderate," would the things posted as problems be nearly as upsetting?

Just wondering.

I think you are right on here--we have stayed at WL and it is beautiful, but I put it on the same level as a moderate. We actually like some of the moderates better. While the resort lobby is breathtaking, other than the balconies, the rooms are just average. We don't care for the antics of Whispering Canyon, and the food court at WL is not up to the other moderate's standards, although Artists Point is very nice.

I think WL is a very nice moderate option, but does not qualify as a deluxe. We will certainly stay there again, but only on those trips where we can get a reasonable rate to bring it down to a price level where it belongs.

 

[katallo]

I agree with estnh. It doesn't seem to compare to the deluxes. We are going in two weeks so I'm trying to keep an open mind. It's amazing that when hotels are designed that so many rooms overlook service areas. I know we are paying higher rates since we are going at Easter but for the amount we are spending, we are expecting a deluxe stay. We'll see.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Just curious...

if WL were priced and labeled an "upper moderate," would the things posted as problems be nearly as upsetting?

Just wondering.

I really don't see the Wilderness Lodge as an upper moderate, though I'd read many times on DIS that it was originally conceived as such. However, the gorgeous lobby and high rise ceiling alone makes it more beautiful than some of the other deluxes I've stayed in. I love the wildflowers around the property, the smell of pine and the pool that looks like its a large pot hole (mountain people know what I mean . I've stayed in POR and POFQ, which were both great, but not in the same league as WL at all. But I didn't have any problems when I stayed there, so that's just based on our experience, of course.

 

[franw]

The only flames I'd like to throw is at the inconsiderate smoker in the room next to you. I cannot begin to recount how many times this has happened to us including the last stay when we have a beautiful view of Illuminations from our room at the BWI and the people to our left went through a pack a night watching it. We had to watch it through the closed door.
I think next time you might just consider taking the hour to pack things up and move to a different location when you aren't happy with a room. When you count all the hours you are subjected to the discomfort, it really is worth the effort. Most resorts will try very hard to relocate you to something that will make you happy. I should have moved us away from the smokers but with our luck the next one would have had cigars.

 

[vhoffman]

Well, its interesting to see another Diser who isn't pleased with the WL. I had a similar thread about my experiences there last Dec. (2004). The responses were so hostile that the moderators had to close the thread! The general attitude was how dare I criticize the WL. I encountered many of the same problems the OP did--small, dark, cramped room, excessive noise from the lobby, inefficient transportation, etc. However, I was literally attacked and accused of making up most of it. Why would a person make up stuff like that? Well, at least someone else has had the same experiences so we're either both making it all up (or maybe we're the same poster?), or perhaps, just perhaps, there's something to our complaints. I chose WL based on the overwhelming favorable reports I read about it here on this board. I just felt my opinion was also a valuable point of view for others considering staying there. Of course, everyone makes their own decisions, but I just wish I had read a report like this one before my trip. Apparently, I wasn't entitled to my opinion. BTW, I think my thread is still on this board--its called "Miserable Stay at WL".

 

[Pig Pen]

i stayed at W L JULY 2003 i payed for a pool view but all we could see was trees.most of the cms were fine but one lady cm on the front desk was so off with us. you would have thought she was paying us to stay at the hotel not the other way round.we went to Whispering canyon and our server was so rude. thought it might just be us being to picky.but he was rude to the peaple on the next table also.it has not put us off WDW hotels. we have since stayed at the beach club. and i can say the beach club is great.

You do realize the servers at WCC are SUPPOSED to be rude?

 

[Mainebound]

Wow! I've never started such a long thread.

I haven't had time to go through all the replies (back to work after two weeks -- you know how it is!), but I will say, that looking back, I DO think we should have moved and I am sure they would have been happy to move us. I still think WL is "not our style", but I think we would have been less disappointed in a quieter location. Live and learn.

However, one thing that wasn't our fault was the mislabelling of the room. We had a "woods" view (the only category left when we made our AP ressies, very late in the game), and, except for a few skinny trees right out front (many of which had been felled or broken by the hurricances, sadly) we looked out on the parking lot (to the left), service roads, and service buildings. If what we had is a "woods" view, I can't imagine what "standard" view is like.

Also, I wanted to add that we had a GREAT trip. WL transportation was just fine for us, and we used the bus and boats. The week offsite in a pool home was great (I know, I am not supposed to admit that on the Resorts Board, LOL!), and when we moved to WL, we enjoyed many of its amenities, including Artist Point, the pool, hot tub, beach, bike riding, and ferries. We had a wonderful trip and I don't regret giving WL a try, at all.


Thanks for all your thoughts.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

You do realize the servers at WCC are SUPPOSED to be rude?

LOL - - Candy, don't try 50sPTC at Studios, then!!!

 

[fun & fancy free]

My family has gone to WDW many times. This will be our 1st staying a WL in May (7-14). I am hoping that this is not the norm. I am a strong believer in both good and bad reports. You are right when you say that WL has a overwhelming positive rep. on these boards. I am glad to see it is not perfect. I know it was stated that the original poster was only there a few days but I think management should have been the opportunity to resolve some of your concerns. The smoker on the balcony is something they cannot controll. Having said that, my DH is a smoker and would never even think of lighting up around other people. They should have been alittle more considerate. The lobby, well, I have expierenced that same behavior in our local grocery store. Some people do not respect the space of others. Whether it's their space or yours. The food in the hall, towels on the floor that IS something mousekeeping should have been on top of. I would suggest contacting WDW w/some of your expierences. Not to get anything for free but piece of mind goes a long way. Besides you might help fix these problems for the next considerate guest.

After saying all that, IMO the choices are there for you to make as to where you stay. We have stayed at value when we first started. Thinking our kids were very young and weren't sure how they would behave. We then upgraded our next trip to a Mod. Definetly not for us way to quiet. Now we will be trying the WL. Who knows we might just end up loving the values. No complaints. I would be saving alot of $$$$. Also we do not go to WDW w/plans of spending alot of time in the room and when we are there our eyes are usually closed.

I think WDW has done a good job w/themeing at the resorts and that is the reason some love one over the other.

Good luck w/contacting someone and thatnk you for you honest post.

 

[skiwee1]

Just curious...

if WL were priced and labeled an "upper moderate," would the things posted as problems be nearly as upsetting?

Just wondering.

I think the WL is already priced as an "Upper moderate". It was made to be an upper moderate and it is. You can't touch the real deluxes for the price the WL can be had for. I've stayed there once for 12 days and never again. While I didn't have the noise problems of the OP, I did hate the small rooms, tiny pool, and terrible transportation. We had a lobby room woodview. We were in room 4089. I expected noise since we were in the lobby but we got none. The location was great for viewing the lobby, which is the best part of this hotel. We liked the lobby so much that we make it a part of our trips now. We always stay at the Poly but have dinner once a trip at Whispering Canyon. After dinner we sit in the lobby and enjoy the view.

 

[lisareniff]

...... but I will say, that looking back, I DO think we should have moved and I am sure they would have been happy to move us. I still think WL is "not our style", but I think we would have been less disappointed in a quieter location. Live and learn.

I know how it is sometimes to live with something the is not pleasant assuming it will get better tomorrow, then the next tomorrow and at that point the trip is half over, so no point in moving now, etc.

 

[SuBeat]

Just curious...

if WL were priced and labeled an "upper moderate," would the things posted as problems be nearly as upsetting?

Just wondering.

For all intents and purposes, WL is already priced as a "lower deluxe." People should realize that when they aren't paying GF or Poly prices, they aren't going to get the equivalent of a GF or Poly room. I think WL deserves to stay in the deluxe category based on its location near the MK (and that grand lobby) alone.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Well, its interesting to see another Diser who isn't pleased with the WL. I had a similar thread about my experiences there last Dec. (2004). The responses were so hostile that the moderators had to close the thread! The general attitude was how dare I criticize the WL. I encountered many of the same problems the OP did--small, dark, cramped room, excessive noise from the lobby, inefficient transportation, etc. However, I was literally attacked and accused of making up most of it. Why would a person make up stuff like that? Well, at least someone else has had the same experiences so we're either both making it all up (or maybe we're the same poster?), or perhaps, just perhaps, there's something to our complaints. I chose WL based on the overwhelming favorable reports I read about it here on this board. I just felt my opinion was also a valuable point of view for others considering staying there. Of course, everyone makes their own decisions, but I just wish I had read a report like this one before my trip. Apparently, I wasn't entitled to my opinion. BTW, I think my thread is still on this board--its called "Miserable Stay at WL".

I wouldn't take it personally. I remember something similiar happening to a poor, unsuspecting poster on the aol boards years ago. I was new and was so surprised how this man was attacked over and over again for not liking AKL. I think there ended up being over 300 posts. He kept coming back to defend his opinions and it would start the whole cycle again. I think almost everyone has been criticized on the boards at some point. It's all anonymous so it's all too easy for someone to misread or project other concerns onto the post, or just plain disagree with a hostile mentality attached. I'm sorry if something like that happened to you!

 

[dreamflight99]

We had a "woods" view (the only category left when we made our AP ressies, very late in the game), and, except for a few skinny trees right out front (many of which had been felled or broken by the hurricances, sadly) we looked out on the parking lot (to the left), service roads, and service buildings. If what we had is a "woods" view, I can't imagine what "standard" view is like.

WELCOME HOME, MAINEBOUND! I appreciate your candor, and sincere detailed post on your recent stay at the WL. When I initially read your post, I skimmed the topic...and thought you were writing about the AKL (gasp!). It's one of the resorts we have not stayed in to date, so I'm always concerned by any posts (regarding this resort). Like the WL, most I have read are favorable. Therefore, I was surprised (but in no way upset) by your post.

"The woman in the room next to us sat out and smoked 24 hours a day."

NO WAY! This alone, coupled with the "WOODS" view description above ~ would have sent me right over the edge. I prefer a smoke-free balcony, and a quiet room.


One thing I "cherish" on a vacation...is a little QUIET time to "unwind" after the stimulation of a full day in a park. I would have gone absolutely "crazy" enduring the constant noise you described. We get enough of this in the parks...we do NOT want this when we return to our room. I feel so badly for you, and wish things would have been different. We enjoyed our last stay at the WL Concierge, and had a lovely view/room. We never heard any noise once we closed our door...which is the way I prefer it. In fact, it's probably one of the deciding factors for selecting Concierge at the deluxe resorts we visit. The floors dedicated to this level of service, seem unequivocally more quiet (IMHO). But, not everyone can/desires to stay concierge...therefore, ALL the rooms should offer similar peace and tranquility.

Hope your next trip to the world is on a more positive note!

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, how sad that you had some diffculties at the WL. I have always found it to be a lovely hotel. I have never stayed in a room overlooking the lobby though...we have always ended up out in one of the wings. One year we ended up with a room overlooknig the smokehouse, but it was a last-minute trip and we got the room for an incredible price. I actually found the smokehouse to be kind of interesting to watch, but I was also prepared, based on the "last-minuteness" of our planning, to not necessarily have perfection.

This is one of the reasons why I am glad that there are so many options at WDW for lodging...if you don't like one, there's always another.

We have had good luck at CSR, BC,OKW,BWI,BWV,POR,POFQ,AKL,CBR. Probably my favorite are BC and OKW. While AKL is a nice resort, that whole African jungle thing isn't my cup of tea. I am glad I stayed there once though, to experience it for myself.

Since we are from the northeast, we tend to prefer to stay in more tropical themed resorts at WDW, or CSR, which is unlike anything we have at home.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I am sorry that the OP had such a bad stay at the WL . We have always had such a wonderful stay there. I would just like to say that I hope everyone who reads these threads takes them with a grain of salt. I am in no way discounting the OP's opinion, nor am I proclaiming the superiority of any particular resort. What I have found is that it is most important to make up your mind for yourself. For example: I have always wanted to stay at the Poly. We never have for one reason or another, but then I decided to book my upcoming trip. At the time, there were a ton of negative threads about the Poly. It really started to get me worrying. Maybe we should stay away from the Poly, even though I have always wanted to stay there .

I booked the Poly trip. Not b/c someone said how wonderful it is or isn't, but b/c it was something I have always thought my family and I would enjoy. If our stay doesn't turn out to be as magical as I hoped, then I can make my own conscience decision on whether or not to stay there again.

Take all of the information, good and bad, but please make up your own minds and don't let someone else's experiences dictate your actions.

This was certainly not meant to offend anyone and I hope you all have magical stays at Disney, no matter where that may be.

 

[eleanor]

We have stayed at WL several times and have enjoyed it. Because I dont like elevators we always stay in rooms 1000 or so.It is very quiet . I dont like the Roaring Forks ,I think that it is worst fast food counter in WDW.I agree that the lobby can get very noisy because of the Whisoering Canyon .

 

[Cupmom]

LOVE WL!!!

Freat theme, easy to get to MK and just a beautiful place!!! My husband went check out AK but he said WL just stands out


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