We returned this past Tuesday from 8 days/7 nights at WL. All I can say is wow!
Amazing hotel! We were in room 5041 - Courtyard View. It was on a corner - inside it was next to the window that looked down over the Artist Point. From the balcony we overlooked the pool with a great view of the lake. Almost perfect view of the parade each night. It was very quiet.
Mousekeeping was great. Room was spotless. We didn't have any shampoo when we arrived - so I dropped down to the concierges to request some (and additional towels and pillows) along with turndown service. About 15 minutes later, a full bag of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, gel, and soap was delivered. Enough for the whole week and then some! We also received extra towels the rest of the trip.
It was also going to be my daughters birthday in a couple of weeks (and my other daughter's birthday just passed). It was noted on my reservation - and they confirmed at check in. Both got birthday buttons, and about 30 minutes after we checked it, a balloon and card signed by Mickey & Minnie arrived. A very nice touch!
No turndown service the first two nights - although I think it was due to us being in the room around 6pm. The rest of the trip we weren't in the room at that time and we had turndown service.
We received towel animals three nights (after I left a little note on the Mousekeeping tip envelope I left each morning). The first was two big towel swans. The next two days were smaller towel cats - with the last one holding one of those Mickey Ears balloons inside a balloon. They gave us that balloon as part of the display, which was very nice. My 5 yr (almost 6) old really liked seeing that.
Note: On the day we left, we took the balloon with us - knowing we couldn't take it on the airplane (at least I assumed we couldn't) - but we saw a family just arriving when we were dropping off the car at the airport and we gave it to them. They were very appreciative.
We were in the pool just about every day (and some nights - hot tub came in handy on those nights). Pool wasn't very crowded - did some pool games, and swam with the ducks most days (they didn't get in the way and my kids loved it).
Ate at Whispering Canyon our first night. We thought the food was really good, and had a great time. Server, I believe, was Dusty Road.
Roaring Forks was also good. Had a few breakfasts and some snacks. Also bought a burger one night. I can see what people mean about it being too small - but the lines moved really well.
Transportation was fine as well. Did the boat a number of times (both morning and in the evening). Only did the bus to Epcot and MK. We drove to MGM and Animal Kingdom. Also did the boat to Fort Wilderness to walk around a bit. Longest wait was 20 minutes for a bus one morning to MK. Other than that, it was 10 minutes or less. Same for the boat.
We did valet for about half of the week (on nights when we were getting back late and the kids were asleep or about to fall asleep). Great service, no billing problems. Also found out that if you park on say a Wed. night, but don't pick up until Friday morning, you only get charged for one night -at least that is how it worked out for us. The self-service lot isn't that far a walk, but at night with tired kids (and parents), valet is great!
We were on
DDP and that worked out great. Actually had some credits left, so we stopped at All-Start Movies for lunch on the way home. Nice Food Court there - a lot more selection that at Roaring Forks.
On DDP we did Whispering Canyon, 1900 Park Fare (dinner & breakfast), Corel Reef, Teppen Edo, Mama Melrose (Fantasmic Package) & Hollywood & Vine for breakfast. All were really good - no service problems. Drinks were filled without asking, service was quick without being rushed. Best meal was probably Corel Reef (with Teppen Edo a close second). Least favorite was Mama Melrose. It was a fine restaurant, but someone has to be last
Despite a lot of negative reviews, I found 1900 Park Fare to be fine for both dinner and breakfast. The food at dinner was no where near as bad as recent reviews stated - although the prime rib was VERY rare. Only real disappointment was that they no longer have peel -n- eat shrimp at dinner. Breakfast was great as they had smoked salmon.
This was our second stay onsite. First was two years ago at CBR. While I liked CBR, I enjoyed the WL much more.
I hope to have some pictures up soon. Any questions - just ask!