casper_jj11
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2006
- Messages
- 919
Hi everyone.
We stayed at WBC for the first time from May 12-21st and since everyone's postings helped so much before we left, I thought I'd write a few things. Now, I'll say up front that while its nice there, we likely won't be going off site again unless we're going with more than just the five of us (took my parents this time). But that's just me. This isn't meant to deter anyone as everyone is different as to what they like, but for me, the Disney magic just wasn't there. I'm going to try and give a balanced report but go into it knowing my bottom line feelings ok.
Arrival was great. We arrived around 3:30pm and were given a room right away. I had requested bldg 6 but got bldg 5. I was fine with it but overall, I still think bldg 6 would have been better for us. Our room was 1388. On the 13th floor with a fantasic view of MK and Epcot fireworks. The room was spotless. No problems with anything there. Beds were some of the most comfy I've ever had. A/C worked great the full time... to the point that my parents weren't too pleased because it really was loud... took them awhile to figure out how to turn it off at night so they didn't gte 'blown on' ... we have a/c and like it so for us, it was fine... but as I said, it really was loud.
Parking. A mess. They were redoing several parking areas by our bldg while we were there. For a family that wanted bldg 6 so we could valet park, that was a pain. DH ended up dropping everyone near the door and searching for a parking spot after day 3.
Housekeeping - I had heard that housekeeping drops by to clean on occassion and I really didn't want them dropping by unannounced so we kept the do not disturb sign on the door. I'm sure they would have come had we not done that. I did ask for toilet paper during the trip and it was delivered promptly with a followup phone call to ensure it arrived. They did try to enter one evening when we were there. They were delivering a coffee maker for someone who gave the wrong room number. They knocked once and just came on in so it was a bit of a start for me since I thought it was DH. They were very apologetic.
Pools - I wasn't impressed with any of them. Granted, we didn't trot all the way over to bldg 3 where the other slide was. The kids may have liked it but it was simply too far for a quick hop in the pool during the break. If you're staying here and want to take the time to walk all over the resort to gof for a swim, it might be ok. As it was it was a pain just to go to bldg 6. So, let's see, the lazy river was fine. My 9 yr old found it 'boring' because the water was so shallow. It also got very full as the day went on. I didn't like it because my 4 yr old wanted to go but unless I went with him, I couldn't see him and I didn't like that. The bldg 6 pool was fine. The slide didn't enter into the pool, which I knew in advance, but it really is very separate. You can't see your kid at all while they're going on that. Oh, and it closes like 5pm so don't expect to use it after you're int he park for the day. The rest of the pool is fine. My two younger ones liked it. My oldest, not so much. It feels small. Its not I guess but becasuse of the shape, it doesn't feel like a very large pool. I did like the gradual entry part as it made it easier for the little kids. Oh, the pool bar closes early too... again, like 5pm or so.
cleaning/trash - I'm sure I'm going to come across as pretty pampered but really, I'm not. But on vacation, I really hated not having clean towels, or having to clean towels (takes forever for the dryer). I also hate having to dump the garbage and drag it to the trash room (which stinks and is dirty). I deal with it at home, I pay not to have to deal with it on vacation. That in and of itself would keep me from going back unless we had to.
Specific problems we had (I can't help but think none of these would have occurred had we been at a Disney resort)
Taxi - DH and I wanted to go to Epcot one night on our own. We called front desk and after telling them repeatedly that no, we didn't want the shuttle, they put us through to a taxi company. We were told they'd be there in 5min and go on down. We even gave them our cell. We waited, and waited and waited. Finally asked a bellman that happened to be there getting someone's luggage what he knew about taxis and whether he thought they'd eventually arrive. He told us flat out that with the construction to the parking, they'd arrive and simply leave because they wouldnt' want to bother. We'd be better off walking to the main bldg and asking there.
Front desk information - I had a parcel that needed to be mailed USPS. I called the front desk on the chance they could do it. None of the disney resorts can (only UPS and FedEx) but I thought I'd try. We otherwise would have taken it to a USPS office. The front desk assured me it could be done. I expressed my surprise and was told they even had boxes and paper if we needed it. Great! I actually had a box so planned to do it after I packed on our last night. I called that day as well and asked what time the food service place in the main bldg closed. They put me through and I was told 9pm. So, at 730, I lugged the parcel (pretty heavy) to the main desk with plans to grab dinner for the kids afterwards. Low and behold, no one knew anything about mailing something. Even an asst manager tried to help. She really tried but they don't do that apparently. I was in a bit of panic as we were flying out the next day (thankfully late). I asked for wrapping paper. They had none. I asked for photocpy paper to put the address on and tape it. They had no packing tape. I ended up using scotch tape. They kept the parcel and said they were sure their shipping dept could do it in the morning. They'd call. That took about an hour. Thankfully, still in time to get dinner... NOT. Went to the food place and the guy inside kept waving that they were closed. An hour early. Went back to teh front desk and someone called the pizza place. Open til 11pm. I walked to bldg 3 and placed the order. But they don't have pizzas ready made. 30min wait. 45 if I wanted it delivered to the room. So I waited. By then it was 915, I was missing the last night of fireworks and I was pissed. BTW, next moring got a call from shipping dept. They can't do it. I ended up taking the box as luggage. Oh, and they also don't have string at shipping... makes me wonder how they ever ship anything.
I have to run to my kids school so I haven't read through it... I hope its not too negative and I'll try to add more later. Happy to answer any questions too.
We stayed at WBC for the first time from May 12-21st and since everyone's postings helped so much before we left, I thought I'd write a few things. Now, I'll say up front that while its nice there, we likely won't be going off site again unless we're going with more than just the five of us (took my parents this time). But that's just me. This isn't meant to deter anyone as everyone is different as to what they like, but for me, the Disney magic just wasn't there. I'm going to try and give a balanced report but go into it knowing my bottom line feelings ok.
Arrival was great. We arrived around 3:30pm and were given a room right away. I had requested bldg 6 but got bldg 5. I was fine with it but overall, I still think bldg 6 would have been better for us. Our room was 1388. On the 13th floor with a fantasic view of MK and Epcot fireworks. The room was spotless. No problems with anything there. Beds were some of the most comfy I've ever had. A/C worked great the full time... to the point that my parents weren't too pleased because it really was loud... took them awhile to figure out how to turn it off at night so they didn't gte 'blown on' ... we have a/c and like it so for us, it was fine... but as I said, it really was loud.
Parking. A mess. They were redoing several parking areas by our bldg while we were there. For a family that wanted bldg 6 so we could valet park, that was a pain. DH ended up dropping everyone near the door and searching for a parking spot after day 3.
Housekeeping - I had heard that housekeeping drops by to clean on occassion and I really didn't want them dropping by unannounced so we kept the do not disturb sign on the door. I'm sure they would have come had we not done that. I did ask for toilet paper during the trip and it was delivered promptly with a followup phone call to ensure it arrived. They did try to enter one evening when we were there. They were delivering a coffee maker for someone who gave the wrong room number. They knocked once and just came on in so it was a bit of a start for me since I thought it was DH. They were very apologetic.
Pools - I wasn't impressed with any of them. Granted, we didn't trot all the way over to bldg 3 where the other slide was. The kids may have liked it but it was simply too far for a quick hop in the pool during the break. If you're staying here and want to take the time to walk all over the resort to gof for a swim, it might be ok. As it was it was a pain just to go to bldg 6. So, let's see, the lazy river was fine. My 9 yr old found it 'boring' because the water was so shallow. It also got very full as the day went on. I didn't like it because my 4 yr old wanted to go but unless I went with him, I couldn't see him and I didn't like that. The bldg 6 pool was fine. The slide didn't enter into the pool, which I knew in advance, but it really is very separate. You can't see your kid at all while they're going on that. Oh, and it closes like 5pm so don't expect to use it after you're int he park for the day. The rest of the pool is fine. My two younger ones liked it. My oldest, not so much. It feels small. Its not I guess but becasuse of the shape, it doesn't feel like a very large pool. I did like the gradual entry part as it made it easier for the little kids. Oh, the pool bar closes early too... again, like 5pm or so.
cleaning/trash - I'm sure I'm going to come across as pretty pampered but really, I'm not. But on vacation, I really hated not having clean towels, or having to clean towels (takes forever for the dryer). I also hate having to dump the garbage and drag it to the trash room (which stinks and is dirty). I deal with it at home, I pay not to have to deal with it on vacation. That in and of itself would keep me from going back unless we had to.
Specific problems we had (I can't help but think none of these would have occurred had we been at a Disney resort)
Taxi - DH and I wanted to go to Epcot one night on our own. We called front desk and after telling them repeatedly that no, we didn't want the shuttle, they put us through to a taxi company. We were told they'd be there in 5min and go on down. We even gave them our cell. We waited, and waited and waited. Finally asked a bellman that happened to be there getting someone's luggage what he knew about taxis and whether he thought they'd eventually arrive. He told us flat out that with the construction to the parking, they'd arrive and simply leave because they wouldnt' want to bother. We'd be better off walking to the main bldg and asking there.
Front desk information - I had a parcel that needed to be mailed USPS. I called the front desk on the chance they could do it. None of the disney resorts can (only UPS and FedEx) but I thought I'd try. We otherwise would have taken it to a USPS office. The front desk assured me it could be done. I expressed my surprise and was told they even had boxes and paper if we needed it. Great! I actually had a box so planned to do it after I packed on our last night. I called that day as well and asked what time the food service place in the main bldg closed. They put me through and I was told 9pm. So, at 730, I lugged the parcel (pretty heavy) to the main desk with plans to grab dinner for the kids afterwards. Low and behold, no one knew anything about mailing something. Even an asst manager tried to help. She really tried but they don't do that apparently. I was in a bit of panic as we were flying out the next day (thankfully late). I asked for wrapping paper. They had none. I asked for photocpy paper to put the address on and tape it. They had no packing tape. I ended up using scotch tape. They kept the parcel and said they were sure their shipping dept could do it in the morning. They'd call. That took about an hour. Thankfully, still in time to get dinner... NOT. Went to the food place and the guy inside kept waving that they were closed. An hour early. Went back to teh front desk and someone called the pizza place. Open til 11pm. I walked to bldg 3 and placed the order. But they don't have pizzas ready made. 30min wait. 45 if I wanted it delivered to the room. So I waited. By then it was 915, I was missing the last night of fireworks and I was pissed. BTW, next moring got a call from shipping dept. They can't do it. I ended up taking the box as luggage. Oh, and they also don't have string at shipping... makes me wonder how they ever ship anything.
I have to run to my kids school so I haven't read through it... I hope its not too negative and I'll try to add more later. Happy to answer any questions too.
We know that we want to stay onsite again as well, we just don't see how convenient it is anymore. Daily mousekeeping and park buses aside, it's the space and the in room amenities (ie: kitchen, extra bathroom and separate bedrooms) that will be the deciding factor for most of our stays. But again, that's subjective. 
You can check them out in my video along with a tour of the room.
