Tell me about Wilderness Lodge..

[luvthemouse71]

Thinking of staying here when I take my Dad to WDW in 2008...It'll be his first trip and it would be my first stay in a deluxe.. To those who have stayed here, how would you rate this resort? Tell me the things that you like and dislike..TIA!

 

[DizneyNutz]

But honestly I can't see how he would be dissapointed! It is our favorite by far. Does he like log cabin themeing? Outdoors and feeling like he is staying in the wilderness? If so, then he will love it. If he likes the beach or something else, then look at all of the themes and find which one fits his personality. As for us it is the Wilderness Lodge and we hope he finds it as enjoyable. Here's wishing you all the best trip!

 

[ransom]

Stay far away from the Wilderness Lodge if you don't want to end up like me.

We stayed there for the first time one year, and soon after we got back, we had already booked our next stay. That doesn't seem too bad, but it gets worse!!

Within a couple of months of returning, we had bought a DVC contract and became owners at the Wilderness Lodge!

Now all we think about is going back there, seeing it in different seasons, enjoying meals at the great restaurants, discovering the wonderful nooks and crannies in the Lodge, walking amongst the pine trees on the property, and interacting with the friendly cast members there...

In short, it's an awful addiction! You think having a Disney addiction is bad, just wait 'till you try Wilderness Lodge!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I just wrote a post about it. I like the lodge but prefer AKL over WL. See my post for reasons. Very well themed, great restaurants, poor bus service. I personally wouldnt want to return to WL but my DH loved the WL as much as AKL. I think it would appeal to your dad. You may want to consider a rental car though. The bus was bad, I am talking an hour to Epcot or DTD. Dont get me wrong I had a great vacation, the grounds are wonderful, pool fantastic, just not my cup of tea. That is why Disney offers so many choices.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Yes, AKL has always fascinated me but I don't like to rent a car and I've been told it's far away from a lot of things. I might save that one for a trip where people that have been to the World a few times are going. This will be my Dad's first trip ever so I don't want to waste any time.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

No AKL had great bus service and was much better than WL. You would think it would be the other way around. AKL impressed me not WL. I actually felt removed at WL not at AKL. Kind of crazy but just the way it felt for me.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Get this, I had dinner with my parents and was looking at the resorts online with my dad to see which ones he liked. I didn't make price a factor since he's done so much for me in my life...His first choice is the Poly, followed by WL and the CR. All deluxes! LOL...now I know who I get my expensive tastes from!

 

[chickenskin]

Great pics Disneynutz, we're arriving next week and can't wait, it's our first time staying at WL. Quick question, would they mind if I sat in the lobby early a.m. around 5 or 6 and have my morning coffee? I wake much earlier than my friend so I usually make coffee and sit in the lobby until she wakes up, it's one of my favorite things to do, loved it at the Poly and POR.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'm an early riser and like to pop on the room coffee then head our to the Roaring Fork for my first cup while wife sleeps alittle longer, not a real early morning person. I fill my refillable mug and newspaper and wander around watching the resort wake up. Yes, you can sit in the lobby, very quiet and comfortable. Cleaning people are out and about, I check out the opening and cleaning of the pool, wander down to the beach and watch theCM sand pro the beach and just enjoy the coolness of the Florida air. By the time I had my little tour and my first cup is done, I head back, wife is up and ready and the room coffee is perked for my second cup and off to breakfast we go. Absolutely doable and fun, morning is the best time in Disney, early morn that is.

 

[Poohbear123]

In Feb. for the first time and I can hardly wait. I look so forward to sitting by the fireplace, and enjoying the sites and sounds.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I have stayed at WL, CR, and AKL. Here is my take on all 3.

CR- Jan 2000 for honeymoon. Requested a king bed and garden wing. Got the wing and eventually got the king bed too. I loved the proximity of the CR to magic Kingdom and the monorail fascinates me still to this day. DD at age 3, called it the city, every time we rode through it. I think this a neat resort and your dad may really like it.

WL- December 2004. We stayed here with a 3 year old and a one year old. LOVED it for proximity to MK with out the price of the contemporary. We enjoyed this resort immensely, and the laid back feeling it had. The rooms were beautiful and the view outstanding, we were upgraded to courtyard. The transportation outside of the Magic Kingdom, CR was spotty at times. We would return here though in a heart beat.

AKL-2006. The kids were 5 and 3. The theming of this resort is amazing and the Savannah views, awesome, as long as you aren't looking at the construction. Our first room was a Savannah view and we saw more construction fencing than open grass areas. We were able to get a new room. This resort has awesome busing. We had only one problem and that was getting back from Animal Kingdom Park to the AKL.

 

[haleofafamily]

I know I am in the minority, but I didn't fall in love with this resort. The lobby wasn't as awe inspiring as I was expecting it to be. Plus the rooms were very small and you could hear people clearly who were in the hallway. Once I was in the room by myself, heard someone sneeze, turned to say "Bless you", remembered I was alone, was momentarily frightened, and then realized it came from the hallway. My door was closed and I was standing in the middle of the room not by the door.
The resort is peaceful and beautiful. The bus to MK was wonderful (thought the boat ride was pretty but too long). The theming is perfect.
Because of the room size I would not stay in the resort rooms but would try the villas.

 

[simonkodousek]

The Wilderness Lodge is our second favorite resort, other than the Polynesian. On a scale from 1-5, here is how I would rate the resort...

Theme - 5+
Rooms - 3-4
Staff - 5, very friendly and helpful
Restaurants - 3, somewhat limited
Recreation (pool, game room, etc.) - 4
Transportation - 2-3, I would rent a car next time
Room Views - 5+, the courtyard views are great, and the woods views are so serene

Overall, I would rate this resort as a 4-5.

Hope that helps,
Simon

 

[DizneyNutz]

Great pics Disneynutz, we're arriving next week and can't wait, it's our first time staying at WL. Quick question, would they mind if I sat in the lobby early a.m. around 5 or 6 and have my morning coffee? I wake much earlier than my friend so I usually make coffee and sit in the lobby until she wakes up, it's one of my favorite things to do, loved it at the Poly and POR.

They would be dissapointed if you didn't! They carefully place so many sitting areas all around the lobby that there are nooks all over the place. This is one of my morning rituals also. I usually travel with all girls and I would get up and get ready and take my mug to the RF and sit around and people watch in the lobby. You can actually see the excitement in strangers faces as they walk through the front door for the first time. By all means sit in the lobby anytime you desire!

 

[chickenskin]

Great, thanks for the responses.

 

[Smile4Me]

Am looking to start planning my next trip, stayed at POFQ last August, and really enjoyed it. Would like to try a deluxe though, maybe without the extreme deluxe prices quite yet...and really like that WL seems smaller than some of the other resorts (alot like FQ). Was wondering if people could share their experiences with the transportation. I would be relying on Disney transportation for the 7 days + that I plan on spending at WDW. Also Id like to go to all the parks, waterparks, and DTD at some point during my trip
Thanks!

 

[Clutterbug]

Great pics Disneynutz, we're arriving next week and can't wait, it's our first time staying at WL. Quick question, would they mind if I sat in the lobby early a.m. around 5 or 6 and have my morning coffee? I wake much earlier than my friend so I usually make coffee and sit in the lobby until she wakes up, it's one of my favorite things to do, loved it at the Poly and POR.

Looks like we will be there at the same time. I'll be on the look-out for you in the lobby,

DizneyNutz - Your pictures are fabulous and they make me VERY anxious to get to the Lodge!!

 

[galnar]

WL is definitely our favorite resort. We love the convenience of the boat to MK and the atmosphere in the lobby is just....fun. I just wish it had the walking-distance convenience of the Boardwalk resorts. We spend a lot of time in the World Showcase so we end up staying over there sometimes too....

 

[poptoone]

Here is map of all the rooms and it tells you what category is located where.

http://users.hartwick.edu/heydukr/WLRooms_files/image001.gif

 

[PilotWife]

No AKL had great bus service and was much better than WL. You would think it would be the other way around. AKL impressed me not WL. I actually felt removed at WL not at AKL. Kind of crazy but just the way it felt for me.

I think that you could not go wrong either way....BUT.....we just stayed at AKL this past Sept. LOVE IT...bus service was quick, we did not share buses with other resorts. When we drove it was very easy to get around, and the roads were well marked....I was very nervous about "being or feel like being removed" from the rest of the "world" but once there, all my worries went away. We LOVED IT....great resort.

Jennifer