Why is Wilderness Lodge so much cheaper?

[ChiTownZee]

Is it just because the rooms are smaller? Are there other reasons? Is it inconvenient or something?

 

[jkovick]

Maybe because it is a little more "out of the way"? It's not on the monorail or right at Epcot so you have to rely on bus service. I am not sure why it is cheaper, but when we stayed there last year we really enjoyed it.

 

[webray]

Wilderness lodge was originally planned to be a moderate resort...once they got going...put everything in, it was quickly upgraded to a deluxe. Although the rooms are smaller...everything else is top notch.

 

[paults]

WL is a boat ride to MK so it is not that far "out of the way"

 

[thessaly]

AKL and Wilderness Lodge both have considerably smaller rooms than real "Deluxes", I believe this is why they are both offered at very low rates ($109 standard) compared to other Deluxes.

Also (correct me if I am wrong?) I think they are the only two Deluxes without direct monorail or *foot* access (YC/BC/Boardwalk) to a major attraction area. I know WL has the MK boat, but that doesn't give you the same feeling of being in the "center of it all".

 

[MikeWazowski]

Well, Thanks Everyone

Comments like, "that doesn't give you the same feeling of being in the center of it all," Wilderness lodge was originally planned to be a moderate resort," and "maybe because it is a little more out of the way" really makes me want to stay at a different Deluxe. I planned on staying at the AKL, but I don't want to fell like I'm not in the "center of it all".

 

[helenk]

MikeWazowski

I am sure that no one meant to upset you. The fact is that the rooms as the WL and the AKL lodge are less expensive than the other deluxe resorts. The rooms are smaller than the other deluxes except for the suites.

I think what the posters are referring to is the fact that the GF, Poly and Contemp are right on the monorail loop and the BC, YC and BWI resorts are within walking distance of Epcot and MGM.

We stayed at the WL in December and loved it! The boat ride to MK is very nice, and we did not feel out of the way from anything.
I would love to stay at the AKL just because it seems so secluded, to me that is part of its charm, but that is my opinion.

 

[FloridaCat]

Because it is "out of the way" is the very reason we prefer it. After a day of crowds it's nice to get back and relax.

For us it is a reminder of the great trips to NW National Parks, where everything is real. Scenery, wildlife with no boundries, and when exploring on your own, no crowds.

 

[thessaly]

Sorry, didn't mean to come across as negative or offend any WL fans... Just trying to figure out why they are cheaper, from a business/marketing standpoint.

I had heard that WL was intended as a moderate, and I can believe that from the room size, but I'm not sure about AKL... those Savannah view rooms rarely get under $180 a night, even with discount, plus it's got the spa and other deluxe perks.

I don't know. Maybe they should split Deluxe into two categories.

 

[matcoland]

Great place to stay, only reason would be no monorail....if you can live without that you will be fine. The rooms may be smaller but to me it was nothing I could notice....and nothing you would miss unless you are packing a dozen people in there.

It also lacks the boats that the other deluxe resorts offer, and maybe bike rentals??? The bus system is okay, but just seemed slow....I say seemed slow because I am used to monorail service, I am sure the bus system is just fine in reality.

If you ask me it has everything else the Poly/GF/Cont have except that monorail and boats.

Then again....after having stayed there and the Poly I would go Poly if at all possible....something about that monorail....and those little boats....

 

[MikeWazowski]

Sorry I came off as a baby. I have been changing my mind so much about what resort I want to stay at in Jan. I've been making myself crazy. AKL and WL are still on the top of my list, though.

 

[Dee & Greg]

We always stayed in a moderate... didn't want to spend the extra $$$ when we're in the parks all day. Two years ago,we spent one day touring other resorts... loved the look and "feel" of WL and would definitely stay there for the "right" rate. Never see good discounts at YC/BC; GF, Contemporary, etc. but always saw good pricing for AKL and WL. Last year we decided on AKL and have never regretted it! This year, I thought about WL, but then we got an email for AKL and couldn't turn it down! $109/night! I think the rate would have been the same for WL.

My take is that these two resorts are deluxe in the fact that they have nicer pools and restaurants from the moderates, but are a little more "private" than Epcot deluxes.. not as many choices for transportation. Well worth the $$ though! Enjoy!

 

[musicmom3]

In my opinion, the theming is so wonderful at WL that you really feel "there," if that makes any sense--you're able to shut out absolutely everything and just be "there," which to us is what WDW is all about. And everybody at WL was so friendly that we always felt at the center of everything. Down to the bronze beaver heads that hold the rail in the elevator, every detail is absolutely perfect and envelopes you in magic from the first glimpse of the roofline as you approach the hotel. We visited AKL during our last stay in July and found the same feeling, probably because both places share the same designer. We were staying at BC at the time, and I know that this opinion puts me in the minority, but I preferred the worlds of WL and AKL to BC, which is less dramatically themed though lovely--don't get me wrong! And BC wasn't really any more convenient than WL in terms of time. We had to wait for buses all the time at BC, and often full buses would have to pass us by and we'd wait for others. The boats were always crowded. Anyway, our next trip will be to the AKL (unless I go for the teacher rate at the S/D). Just my thoughts!

 

[Elk34]

matcoland

WL does have the boats and bike rentals. You can rent water mice, pontoon boats, deck boats etc. The same rental cabin rents all kinds of bikes too. They have bikes for all sizes and surrey bikes too. There is also a nice kids playground too. It is all down on the sandy beach at the waterfront.

I think the bottom line differences in WL and AKL from other deluxes is room size and monorail/walking distance access to parks. That's it. Other than that it is deluxe all the way.

 

[soccer mom]

I agree with Floridacat. We disliked the BC because we felt like we were vacationing in a big city hotel rather than a laid back resort. Guess it just depends what you want out of a vacation. WL, AKL, and Poly are our favorites because of the slower pace.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Does WL and/or AKL have character meal? I know Poly, Contempo and GF has character meal.

 

[patsal]

No character meals at either one. The buses at WL are shared with the campground as well so if it seems like you are on the bus forever it is becasue you spent 20 minutes going to and through the campground before heading to your destination. We really like WL, and as long as we have a car it works out fine, but as far as deluxe goes we always feel like it is the "red headed step child."

 

[Lyncruiser1]

One other thing you may want to consider -- concierge at both AKL and WL can often be had for less than at the other deluxes. Concierge at AKL is outstanding. We would do it again in a minute.

Also, my sister recently stayed with her family at WL concierge and found it excellent as well. (So wonderful that she regretted changing to Club Level at Hard Rock Hotel after spending four nights at WL Concierge.) I understand from these boards you can even sometimes get an upgrade to concierge at WL for a fairly minimal cost on checkin. My sister booked concierge rather than rely on this, but it's worth keeping in mind.

 

[kda]

The reason we love WL and AKL is that we have the best of 2 worlds ---- we're obviously at Disney, but feel as if we're on 2 separate vacations because we retreat to the resort and feel as if we're someplace far away.

Besides having somewhat smaller rooms, those rooms are designed to accomodate 4 guests (no day bed), rather than the 5 that the Poly, CR, GF, Y&B, and Boardwalk can accomodate. You can book larger rooms at WL and WKL, but will pay more.

We do feel like we're more "in the middle of the action" at the Epcot resorts and sometimes that's where we want to be --- for a few days. When we stay at an Epcot or monorail resort, there's the sense that a variety of restaurants are nearby. That said, we always have a car, so when we're at WL or AKL we just jump in the car and head out to any restaurant we want to visit.

WL and AKL obviously have a HUGE number of loyal fans who love those resorts, but many people don't feel the same way ---"too dark, too far away, rooms too small, etc, etc, etc". Seems to me that it's simply a matter of personal taste and thank goodness Disney has so many choices so we can pick a resort to fit our mood and our wants/needs. If people do some research, check out the amenities, look at pictures of the resorts and decide the decor seems OK, I don't see how anyone can go wrong paying less $$$ for a room at AKL or WL. Sometimes you just don't know until you try it yourself.

Good luck deciding and have a great trip!

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by MikeWazowski
Sorry I came off as a baby. I have been changing my mind so much about what resort I want to stay at in Jan. I've been making myself crazy. AKL and WL are still on the top of my list, though.

Don't sweat it, Mike!

I think kda said it really well. Both WL and AKL feel like wonderful places to *be*, just for their own sake. The Boarwalk and Beach Club are great places to close to lots of things, as well as being nice places to be.

It really depends on you, and what sorts of things you like. At the lodges, the rest of WDW isn't far away - and yet you feel like you're off by yourself. If MK is your favorite park, you'll be close at Wilderness Lodge and a pretty good ride away at AK Lodge. If Animal Kingdom is your favorite, it'll be just the opposite.

No matter what you do - be sure to at least *visit* both resorts. (And make PS to eat at Boma!)