Tell me about Wilderness Lodge

[cmsnyder77]

I've read through other threads, just have a few questions ... I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade from POP to WL for June 2008. It will be just myself and my then - 8 yr old daughter.

1) How is the bus transportation? Having a boat launch just to MK isn't enough reason alone to make me want to switch.

2) Is it a fun atmosphere for kids? We've stayed at POP, and DD really enjoyed the atmosphere, and so did I.

3) How is the food court? Just being the two of us, we don't eat table service every day. We really enjoyed the food court at POP. Wondering about the selection of food.

4) Is it worth the extra $$$? It would be about $1500 or so more. I know we would be happy with POP, but my mind keeps going back to WL. I would also really like to stay there, but trying to decide if I should.

Anything else anyone can add to help me decide. TIA.

 

[Disney Lifeguard]

Food Court

Two full service resturants (artist point =$$$ and whispering canyon=$) and 2 snackbars (one poolside).

Buses also stop at the Poly and GF but the distance to MK is less than the POP. The boat is the way to go to MK.

This is a top of the line resort, it has a great location on the lake and tucked away and has awesome theming, If it were me I would upgrade as this is my favorite resort. But it will be a different world from PoP.

 

[mprewitt]

The Pop and the WL are two very different experiences. One is a value resort and one is a deluxe resort. The WL is absolutely gorgeous and has a great wilderness lodge theme. The location is great if you love the MK.

Of course, since it's a deluxe there isn't a food court, and the theming will be a lot different than the Pop.

I'd certainly pick WL over Pop.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

It sounds like pop century is good for you so why change.I have stayed 8 times at the lodge and would not stay at the vaue resorts because I like being close to the parks.The lodge dont have a food court but they do have a cafeteria/grab and go eatery downstairs.They have 2 resturants up in the lobby and thats not what you want.I can understand that they do have more food court stuff in the value and moderate resorts which is nice.Unless your looking for change of view then stay with what works for you.All I can say is it's a very nice place to stay with children.

Good Luck from tiggerguy

 

[mickeystoontown]

In June, 2006 and June, 2007, we stayed at the CBR and loved it. For 2008, we wanted a little something different so we started checking out the other moderates. CSR really didn't appeal to me and the Port Orleans resorts are just too much like home (we're from Louisiana). We resigned ourselves to the fact that we would just stay at Port Orleans Mansions.

While looking around the accommodations on www.allearsnet.com, I, just on a whim, clicked on Wilderness Lodge. I knew that it was a deluxe resort and had already looked at staying there before. Everything about the resort appeals to us. We live in a log home and it is decorated with the same type "theme" as the Wilderness Lodge.

I decided to go back and price the Wilderness Lodge. Holy cow! $1,000.00 more than a 10 day stay at the CBR. I just didn't think I could justify the extra money.

Then, I started reading everything I could about the Wilderness Lodge. I wanted to stay there sooooo bad! My husband finally told me to just book it so we did. We are only able to afford a standard view room but that's okay because I'll be at the Wilderness Lodge. I don't plan on staying in my room much.

I plan on eating at the two full service restaurants. Picking up quick counter service at Roaring Fork. Walking over to Fort Wilderness for the night time campfire. Swimming in the gorgeous pool. Catching a boat over to the Contemporary for Chef Mickey's. Renting a sea raycer and zipping all over Seven Seas Lagoon. Etc. Etc. Etc.

I would suggest you head over to www.allearsnet.com and check out the menus. Just click on Dining and scroll down to Menus. A simple click will take you to the Wilderness Lodge menus. I did this and I am convinced that I will be pleased with the offerings at Roaring Fork as well as with the two full service restaurants.

I would say go for it and stay at the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[Nicole786]

Food Court

Two full service resturants (artist point =$$$ and whispering canyon=$) and 2 snackbars (one poolside).

Buses also stop at the Poly and GF but the distance to MK is less than the POP. The boat is the way to go to MK.

This is a top of the line resort, it has a great location on the lake and tucked away and has awesome theming, If it were me I would upgrade as this is my favorite resort. But it will be a different world from PoP.

I'm not sure if i would classify Roaring Forks as a "snackbar" its more of a CS option! Check out allears.net for a menu! They're more food court-y...

 

[simonkodousek]

I've read through other threads, just have a few questions ... I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade from POP to WL for June 2008. It will be just myself and my then - 8 yr old daughter.

1) How is the bus transportation? Having a boat launch just to MK isn't enough reason alone to make me want to switch.

2) Is it a fun atmosphere for kids? We've stayed at POP, and DD really enjoyed the atmosphere, and so did I.

3) How is the food court? Just being the two of us, we don't eat table service every day. We really enjoyed the food court at POP. Wondering about the selection of food.

4) Is it worth the extra $$$? It would be about $1500 or so more. I know we would be happy with POP, but my mind keeps going back to WL. I would also really like to stay there, but trying to decide if I should.

Anything else anyone can add to help me decide. TIA.

1) We found the bus transportation to be adequate for a resort of this size. The only bus we waited 20 minutes for was the one for Downtown Disney.

2) The kids really loved the Wilderness Lodge! There was so much to do there, not to mention the great pool area!

3) The counter service place (Roaring Forks) was really good, but there were usually long waits and a lack of tables. Try to eat outside if you can handle the heat!

4) IMO it is worth the extra cost. If you don't want to spend $1,500 more, I would pick a moderate like POR or POFQ.

Where-ever you choose to stay, have a great trip!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Hi. I've never stayed at POP but just returned from the WL last week. We did use the boat to the MK several times but mostly used the bus. I timed it one day and it took three minutes by bus to reach the MK. We never waited long for a bus to any of the parks or to return to the hotel. The bus occasionally stopped at Fort Wilderness and sometimes went straight to the park. The only bus that ever stopped at any other hotel was on the way to DTD. On the return ride we always got dropped off first, then the bus went on to Fort Wilderness.

The hotel itself is beautiful. The pool area is pretty and there is a fun slide. The pool did get crowded in the afternoon. We could always get lounge chairs and went in the pool, but you couldn't really swim unless you went early in the morning or late in the evening. We rented boats at the bay which everyone really enjoyed. There were rabbits and ducks on the grounds that were very cute. There were bikes for rent although it was too hot for us to go bike riding.


The rooms have refridgerators. We used snack credits for milk, donuts, a large bag of chips and a gallon of water at the gift shop to keep in the room. We brought cereal, plastic bowls and spoons with us. There were more food items for sale in the gift shop than I was expecting.

Roaring Forks is the counter service restaurant in the hotel. I'm not sure if that is the same as a food court. My family was quite happy with Roaring Forks. We purchased refillable mugs for our stay there. They were open 7am - 11pm I believe. There is the typical eggs, pancakes, pastries, etc. available for breakfast if interested. For lunch and dinner there are sandwiches (the tuna and veggie was popular with my family), salads (also popular with my family), hamburgers, chicken fingers, etc. In the fridge there were side salads, fruit salads, grapes and drinks. There was a large selection of brownies, cakes and cookies plus those yummy rice krispie treats. There was a frozen yogurt machine. If you have the dining plan they were very flexible there. We were allowed any non-alcholic drink as our beverage - any size. We were allowed to have a side salad as our dessert option. We got a double hamburger and asked for an extra bun (to share) at least three times and they never charged for the extra bun even once.

They have a condiments area with pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, etc for the burgers. They also had peanut butter in packets at the condiments area so if you bought a loaf a bread in the gift shop you could make sandwiches.

If we got to Roaring Forks and the line was long we went to the room or outside for ten or fifteen minutes and the line would disappear. We never had a problem getting a table but we always wanted to eat outside so maybe that is why.

I have been typing for so long I forgot your question, LOL, so I will end it here.

I will add that everyone at the WL was very nice to us. We booked a standard view and was upgraded to inner courtyard without asking. It was a wonderful surprise for us when we opened the curtain to look outside. We forgot an item and when I inquired at the front desk the CM called a drugstore and arranged for the item to be delivered to the hotel. We had towel animals three times. The counter people at Roaring Forks were all friendly. Anything you wanted, no problem.

Okay, now I really will end it here, this is way to long, sorry.

 

[Renee1061]

I'll just agree with everything chloelovesdisney said!!!

 

[SnowWtch]

I haven't stayed at WL yet but I think POP is a great place for a kid. Not sure why you'd want to change. Save the money for other things. There's lots for kids to do at POP. Wandering the grounds is fun and they have a few different pools where they play games. Their food court is pretty good if you go at odd hours to avoid the crowds. Plus, they have slushies that you can get refills of if you have your mug.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

We have only sayed at Deluxe resorts, so I can't comment on any of the value resorts. With our 3 kids joining us for their first visit this upcoming Oct/Nov we chose the WL due to the themeing and us enjoying it the last time we visited Disney.

If it is just 2 of you, perhaps a moderate resort would be a nice step up before committing to a deluxe, and during your visit you can stop by WL and check it out.

I guess it's a matter of preference. We enjoy WL so that's why we decided to stay there. If you enjoy POP then why change?

You could also do a split stay... a couple of nights at each to see if you like WL...stay there first and if you like it maybe they can accommodate changing resorts for the remainder of your trip.

Just my 2 cents.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[stepdisney]

First let me say, anywhere you stay, have fun. Having said that, we stayed at Pop on our last trip, we loved it. We are staying at WL this time, we plan to love it also. We don't think of our choices along the lines of Deluxe or value, we think about theming. My DS(12) chose Pop the last time and he chose WL this time. My DH and I like the idea of queen sized beds at WL but we resolved the Pop full sized beds the last time by booking two connecting rooms. Since there are only the two of you going, check out the theming at all of the resorts, look at your budget and show you daughter the choices. She may choose Pop. If you are looking for something different but fun, check out ASMu or Movies or POR, they all have fun pools. If you choose WL, choose it because you like it, not because it is a deluxe, that way the cost won't bother you as much. If the cost is an issue, I'd say don't do it. I tend to always expect more than I get if I think something is over-priced. Have a great time .