Why is WL so popular?

[John Dobbertin]

Major items for WL's great popularity: (1) really kid-friendly. They can romp in the lobby. Try that at Poly or GF & there really is no lobby at Contemp or any of the "moderates" or "values." (2) for those of us who either worked in the great lodges of the National Parks or who like that architecture, WL is a wonderful rebuild of those lodges yet with modern conveniences. (3) price is right. (4) once you understand how to "work" the transportation system to & from WL it's not as bad as it's made out to be. Boats to MK could be much better coordinated. Bus to T&TC is excellent & once you use that it's much easier to move around WDW.

 

[jarestel]

The WL did not meet my needs and therefore was not worth anything to me.

Yes, I remember you mentioning that.

 

[Michael623]

Now I'm curious, which exactly of your needs are not being met? Because to me if the GF, POLY and WL were all the same price I would still stay at WL.

 

[Gymbomom]

After I read some of these threads, I wonder if our family is just easy to please or have low expectations.
We have loved all Disney resorts.
It is just amazing what people complain about.

 

[Michael623]

I think I must go in with low expectations too because I love WL. In fact Ihave enjoyed every resort I've ever stayed at including WL, AKL all of the moderates and SSR and OKW. I really don't have a single complaint.

 

[ROBIN4NY]

After I read some of these threads, I wonder if our family is just easy to please or have low expectations.
We have loved all Disney resorts.
It is just amazing what people complain about.

I was thinking the very same thing.I'm going to go with easy to please.

 

[ROBIN4NY]

After I read some of these threads, I wonder if our family is just easy to please or have low expectations.
We have loved all Disney resorts.
It is just amazing what people complain about.

I was thinking the same exact thing! I am going to go with easy to please.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Now I'm curious, which exactly of your needs are not being met? Because to me if the GF, POLY and WL were all the same price I would still stay at WL.

I completely agree. I don't think we get treated any different staying at Poly or WL. I love WL and Poly (although I'd have to say I love WL more) and if GF was cheaper than both of them I would never stay at GF because it's not my style even though it's a beautiful resort.

 

[Stitch Inside]

Because it's cheap. Personally I wouldn't stay there again if it were free.

Cheap? What gives? That's a mighty strong statement. And if you are offered WL for free, please call me, I'll take it off your hands. I would stay in the most remote campsite at Fort Wilderness in a tent full of holes if someone gave it to me.

 

[skiwee1]

Now I'm curious, which exactly of your needs are not being met? Because to me if the GF, POLY and WL were all the same price I would still stay at WL.

Well I like to have transportation that is prompt and actually shows up! At the WL I can't tell you how many times we waited for buses and they NEVER showed. I can't tell you how long we had to wait to get a boat back to the WL upon park closing. Now I know and expect it to be busy then but waiting 2 1/2 hours to get back to a resort that I can almost see is pathetic. So yes, that is a major NEED of mine. Silly me.

 

[skiwee1]

Cheap? What gives? That's a mighty strong statement. And if you are offered WL for free, please call me, I'll take it off your hands. I would stay in the most remote campsite at Fort Wilderness in a tent full of holes if someone gave it to me.

I am saying it is cheap in a monetary sense. Not cheap like in cheesy or tacky. It is generally half the price of the other deluxes so yes it is cheap. Don't know why that comes acrossed as harsh? Anyway I would gladly give you any free WL I maight be offered! My time is more important then waiting for the bus or boat that never shows. LOL!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I completely agree. I don't think we get treated any different staying at Poly or WL. I love WL and Poly (although I'd have to say I love WL more) and if GF was cheaper than both of them I would never stay at GF because it's not my style even though it's a beautiful resort.

I like WL better than the Poly because the WL has those awesome jacuzzis right by the lake and the Poly doesn't have one. I also love the special little touches around the pool area that make the theme so involving, such as the wildflowers and the sound of the big pool waterfall. Room size isn't a big deal for our family. While we enjoy the large sized rooms at some of the other deluxes, it doesn't make or break the stay. It's not like the rooms at WL are so tiny you can't fit into them (I had a room like that at the Disneyland Hotel--I think it was next to a housekeeping closet so it was unusually small and the single queen bed only had about a foot of space on either side of it--smallest hotel room I've ever had in my life). The rooms at WL are nothing like that, in fact, I don't remember even really noticing the room size as any kind of issue at all during our stay. We didn't have any problems at all there.

 

[Stitch Inside]

I am saying it is cheap in a monetary sense. Not cheap like in cheesy or tacky. It is generally half the price of the other deluxes so yes it is cheap. /QUOTE]
No, it's less expensive. Nothing is cheap at Disney World. LOL

 

[skiwee1]

I am saying it is cheap in a monetary sense. Not cheap like in cheesy or tacky. It is generally half the price of the other deluxes so yes it is cheap. /QUOTE]
No, it's less expensive. Nothing is cheap at Disney World. LOL

Well I think Disney as whole is a bargain. Nowhere can you find the entertainment for the prices they charge. I disagree that WDW is expensive. I'm amazed it isn't higher!

 

[John Dobbertin]

skiwee1: We're with you about the boat service to&from WL/MK. It is sporadic. There appears to be no one in charge of how these boats run. We spend one-month a VWL every year. This January boat service was very good -- except after Wishes. We know to watch from the Town Square & rush to the boat area directly after Wishes. By the time we board the boat, the line will often be back almost to the security check-point -- & that's in January! We've complained to the boat transport supervisor & anyone else who will listen . . . nothing ever changes. However, we have experienced very good bus service so I'm curious about "the bus that never showed up." Which one was that?

 

[Stitch Inside]

Well I think Disney as whole is a bargain. Nowhere can you find the entertainment for the prices they charge. I disagree that WDW is expensive. I'm amazed it isn't higher!

I never said WDW is expensive. I said, "nothing is cheap."
Now can we get back to answering the OP why WL is so popular, and not why you disliked it?
How about, "Even though the transportation does not run on a schedule (to the dismay of some), it's a kid-friendly beautiful resort?"

 

[momto2]

For us the boat to the MK was a HUGE draw! It is like being at a monorail hotel - kind of! Because you are just a short boat ride to MK. Also you can see the Nightly Electronic Water Parade from this hotel. We loved the lobby and just walking around the hotel. I agree that the atmosphere is great. Finally we loved the bunk beds and the balcony!

The price was a big factor too - and still knowing that you are at a deluxe!

 

[skiwee1]

I never said WDW is expensive. I said, "nothing is cheap."
Now can we get back to answering the OP why WL is so popular, and not why you disliked it?
How about, "Even though the transportation does not run on a schedule (to the dismay of some), it's a kid-friendly beautiful resort?"

You know what? The OP asked why the place is so popular. I said because it is so cheap. Then I raked over by everyone wanting my reasoning for this and that. I was not allowed to leave it at "Because it's cheap". Heaven forbid someone disagrees with the WL lovers and THEIR reasons for liking it. If you don't like my posts then do me a favor and put me on ignore. We will both be happy.

 

[John Dobbertin]

Happy trails to you!

 

[Stitch Inside]

You know what? The OP asked why the place is so popular. I said because it is so cheap. Then I raked over by everyone wanting my reasoning for this and that. I was not allowed to leave it at "Because it's cheap". Heaven forbid someone disagrees with the WL lovers and THEIR reasons for liking it. If you don't like my posts then do me a favor and put me on ignore. We will both be happy.

You've obviously been on these boards a long time. And if you didn't know that by calling a resort that is a favorite to many "cheap" was going to ruffle some feathers, maybe you should be ignored.