Tell mw what you love about Wilderness Lodge

[cdel73]

Just booked it for August. We had planned for the Polynesian, but had to cut back due to the ever-shrinking budget. I would love to hear what makes this resort special. We have a standard booked. Thanks.

 

[bolgers love wdw]

We love that very first step through the doors and walking into that amazing lobby!!! I still stop and look up in amazement each and every time and it never gets old!! Also, sitting in the lobby listening to all the wonderful sounds around you like the music, the bubbling brook and the antics going on at Whispering Canyon Cafe!! Even though some think it is loud and noisy, we find it very relaxing and comforting.
We also love the courtyard area. You can also count on seeing ducks and bunnies here and there. They are so cute!!! The music from inside the lobby continues out into the pool area as well.
We love the boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, especially now since they have a direct boat and don't have to go over to Fort Wilderness anymore!! We actually prefer the boat over the monorail (our 21 month old loves the boat!!! He got excited every time he heard the horn!! He loved "seeing" the monorail though and pointed every time he saw it when we were on our way to the MK)

We just got back a few weeks ago from our 6th stay there in 3 1/2 years and we have never had a bad room or stay yet!! And we have stayed in all 4 categories from standard to club level (wish it could be club level every time, but then that would mean only one trip a year! I know, boohoo )
We have always found the CM in every single areaof this resort to be wonderful and pleasant!!
We actually just made our reservations last night for our upcoming trip in May and we can't wait to be "home" again!!!

 

[ROBIN4NY]

I totally agree with everything the above poster said! It is just a beautiful resort from the minute you walk into the lobby. The location of the hotel is great. It is just a short boat ride to MK. If you plan on going to the hoop de doo at fw or a meal at chef mickeys at CR both of those also just a boat ride away leaving right from the back of the lodge. I have always found the cms wonderful. It is also nice that everything is all under one roof--no going from building to building. The 2 sit down resturants are 2 completeley differently themed so you might want to try either one of those. (however Artist point is pricey so if you are trying to save skip that one )

Be careful..you might get hooked once you try this place. My family wont stay anywhere else. You will love it. I am going in April and when I get back I'll post losts of pictures!!!

 

[MommyBuzz909]

We are staying here 7/17-7/20 as our last resort of our trip (I gotta go out with a BANG!) and I reserved a courtyard view - because (see my above comment). I am psyched about it - plus all of the recreational offers that they have. Jogging, biking and boating - I'm ALL IN!! Plus, it seems to be much more a "kick-back" type resort, then again, I could be wrong!!! It seems to be home-y as well. I can't wait!!

 

[ekball]

Just booked it for August. We had planned for the Polynesian, but had to cut back due to the ever-shrinking budget. I would love to hear what makes this resort special. We have a standard booked. Thanks.

We stayed at the WL in Sept. 06, then moved to the Poly in Sept. 07. Where will we be staying next time??? WL!!!!

***The following are my opinions only. I'm not trying to bash the Poly or those who prefer the Poly. Just offering my take on the two resorts, realizing that they may be very different from others opinions***

We loved the atmosphere at the WL - it felt more secluded (in a good way, not in an "I'm too far from the action" kind of way), more relaxed (and more relaxing) than the Poly. We liked that there seemed to be less extraneous foot traffic from those touring the resort or visiting for dinner (we hated this about the Poly - to us it felt like an additional theme park). For us, it was just an all-around more serene experience than that at the Poly.

It's hard to put into words, but we just liked the 'vibe' of the WL WAY more than the Poly. The lobby is so grand to walk into, and it immediately sets the tone for the resort experience. The courtyard area of the WL is just so pretty, and way less crowded (during the peak pool hours) than the Volcano pool. I liked that the courtyard/pool area was so much more spread out than the Volcano pool - I didn't like feeling like I was on top of my 'neighbors'.

We found the CM's to be very friendly and helpful - absolutely loved our mousekeeper (who left the sweetest towel animals for my kiddos 4 or 5 days - we got none at the Poly. Not a huge deal or a vacation wrecker, but it was nice to get them at the WL).

Our transportation was great - not a problem at all when we were there. LOVED being on the monorail of course, but we really had no problems with the busses or boats at the WL.

Room size - OK. The Poly is the clear winner here, but we managed just fine at the WL.


We also enjoyed walking over to Ft. Wilderness. A fun activity to go see the animals with the kiddos. Next time we want to rent a surrey bike to ride over to Ft. Wilderness, and hopefully do the campfire (kids were too young last time).

I hope you love the WL as much as we do!

 

[McKelly]

We were booked at the Polynesian in June, but switched to WL - standard view to save some money too!! Over $1000.00 to be exact! I was hesitant at first because I like the monorail resorts because I feel like I am in the "middle of the magic", but sadly I think my days of monorail resorts have gone by. But we are very excited about staying at the WL!! It looks beautiful.

 

[Lamandpercy]

WL is my favourite resort we have stayed in (it ties with AKL actually I can never choose between the 2). We stayed in both the Poly and WL and I prefer WL for these reasons (I am not a Poly basher before the retribution begins!)

We saw loads of wildlife including the omnipresent bunnies.
The lobby is fabulous.
The room had a nice, cosy feel (studio in the Villas)
The pool was the right temperature (Poly pool cold and crowded).
Preferred WCC to Kona.

The Poly does have the advantage of the monorail but is also more expensive with it. The room at the poly was big but I've never felt a room in any resort was too small.

WL is a quiet resort, its near the magic without being frantic and rushed. The boat trip is nice across the lake and the buses weren't an issue. The walk to Fort Wilderness was a nice start to one morning and we then explored FW a little, then got a bus to a park from there. WL was a great place to spend our holiday and I can't wait to go back this year!

 

[Lamandpercy]

sorry duplicate

 

[alldiz]

Just booked it for August. We had planned for the Polynesian, but had to cut back due to the ever-shrinking budget. I would love to hear what makes this resort special. We have a standard booked. Thanks.

I think you will appreciate the WL.....it dosen't have the
"hustle and bustle" of the poly.....

Go explore all the floors above the lobby......hidden nooks and crannies
at every turn.....
the geyser......beautiful pool surroundings....etc....

The feeling of peace and serenity you have there is priceless.
Enjoy.
Kerri

 

[ransom]

Here is some of what we love about WL:

It's a small resort, in Disney terms. We've had rooms all the way at the end of either "arm," and never had a problem going to/from Roaring Fork, the boat dock, and the bus stop.

The cast members are absolutely fantastic. From bell hops to the front desk to mousekeeping to food service, everyone we've met there has been friendly and more than willing to make our stay as great as it can be.

The environs. It feels like you're in the north woods there, whether you're outside or inside the Lodge. Having grown up in Northern California, and DW having vacationed across the northern latitudes growing up, we both find that very relaxing.

The location. I love the feeling of being a million miles away from everything while still being close enough for a quick hop to the MK, or to the Contemporary for the monorail.

The look, feel, and smell of the Lodge itself. All that wonderful, natural wood and stone! Plus, there's some great nooks and crannies scattered about where a person can sit down for some quiet reading or reflection...or even to write a letter home.

The water features. The spring inside the lodge that turns into a creek outside, that turns into a waterfall, that flows into the pool, that flows into a stream. Plus the geyser. I love the sound of water, and I get it at WL in spades. It's soooo relaxing.

 

[cdel73]

Thanks everyone. It sounds beautiful. I am excited, but reading these posts makes me wish August would get here even quicker. I think the hardest thing to give up about the Poly is the monorail. Are the boats timely? We have stayed at POR and although I liked the resort, I hated the buses coming home from the parks. I like the idea of the boats to the MK as that is where we spend most of our time. Also, what is the snack bar/ counter service like?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Subscribing. We are staying at the WL for the first time for 10 days in May/June, 2008!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Oh boy, oh boy! I can't wait! We'll be there for the first time in 4 days!

 

[Brave teacher]

Oh! Y'all are making me so excited about our stay there. This trip is quickly approaching. I can't wait. You have all helped make me more excited.

 

[saving2go2dis]

We are going at the end of Feb. and I can't wait!

I love everything the pp's have already said, especially the laid back feel to the place.

 

[ransom]

Also, what is the snack bar/ counter service like?

There are three stations: the grill, the sandwich/salad station, and the drink station.

At the grill, you can get scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, and the like in the AM. At lunch and dinner, you can get burgers, flatbread, chicken strips, and fries.

At the sandwich/salad station, you can get a variety of truly good sandwiches and salads. I loved the "Ham and Tallamook Cheddar on Whole Grain Mustard Rye" while DW loved both the "Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on 7-Grain Bread" and the "Grilled Chicken Salad." There's lots to choose from, including custom-made sandwiches.

At the drink station, you can get the usual coke/coffee/tea.

There are also refrigerators with juice, milk, beer, wine, and other stuff.

Oh, and there's a pastry section where you can get some really good pastries in the morning, plus cookies and such at night.

Here's the complete menu: Roaring Fork on Allears

In short, it's not a huge food court like you get at a value resort, but it's more than sufficient.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

we stayed there and absolutely loved it. The boat to MK or the contemporary was like another ride for my kids, a restful reprieve for DH & I. We loved being close to MK and the restaurants at the POLY and CR.
The pool is awesome, hot tubs are a favorite! Go down to the beach at 9:25pm I think and enjoy the electric boat parade.

 

[Poohbear123]

I will be there in 25 more days for my first stay and can hardly wait! I have visited this resort, and fell in love with it!

 

[cdel73]

There are three stations: the grill, the sandwich/salad station, and the drink station.

At the grill, you can get scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, and the like in the AM. At lunch and dinner, you can get burgers, flatbread, chicken strips, and fries.

At the sandwich/salad station, you can get a variety of truly good sandwiches and salads. I loved the "Ham and Tallamook Cheddar on Whole Grain Mustard Rye" while DW loved both the "Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on 7-Grain Bread" and the "Grilled Chicken Salad." There's lots to choose from, including custom-made sandwiches.

At the drink station, you can get the usual coke/coffee/tea.

There are also refrigerators with juice, milk, beer, wine, and other stuff.

Oh, and there's a pastry section where you can get some really good pastries in the morning, plus cookies and such at night.

Here's the complete menu: Roaring Fork on Allears

In short, it's not a huge food court like you get at a value resort, but it's more than sufficient.

Thanks! Sounds good. I can't wait to go.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

EVERYTHING
We will be there in 11 days, the DS doesn't know we are going to be staying at the WL (he thinks we'll be at CBR) DH and I went without him last time
We can hardly stand the wait