Why is WL so popular?

[Valera]

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

Hmmm, I guess we all have different opinions of cheap (at $134.00 a night with an AP rate) I don't consider this cheap. While I agree it is certainly much less than the other deluxe cateogory resorts (except for AKL and perhaps CR) it certainly isn't cheap.

Did you have a horrible stay at the WL? I know that it is always possible no matter how great the reputation to have an awful stay.

We had a wonderful stay at WL last July and are considering a return trip as part of a split stay again this year. The transportation options, activity options, the pool area, the overall compact size of the resort, and the general relaxed feeling once you here the words "welcome home" is quite magical to us.

 

[skiwee1]

Hmmm, I guess we all have different opinions of cheap (at $134.00 a night with an AP rate) I don't consider this cheap. While I agree it is certainly much less than the other deluxe cateogory resorts (except for AKL and perhaps CR) it certainly isn't cheap.

Did you have a horrible stay at the WL? I know that it is always possible no matter how great the reputation to have an awful stay.

We had a wonderful stay at WL last July and are considering a return trip as part of a split stay again this year. The transportation options, activity options, the pool area, the overall compact size of the resort, and the general relaxed feeling once you here the words "welcome home" is quite magical to us.

It wasn't a horrible stay by any means. The lobby is the most beautiful of all the resorts. The restaurants are good and the grounds are pretty. I didn't care for the small room and pool size and mostly the terrible transportation. I had heard that it has improved that are but have recently read new trip reports that say the tranportation is still terrible. We get the "Welcome Home" bit from the Poly guard and it too is quite magical. Well, maybe not as magical anymore now that I know other people get to hear it too. LOL! J/K!

 

[jarestel]

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

There are lots of cheaper places to stay at WDW, so I don't think this is a rational explanation for the popularity of the WL. As I said, not everyone will like the WL, and it sounds like you don't, which is fine. But name a resort that everyone will like... there is no such animal due to people having different preferences and varying ideas about what's important to them in a resort.

skiwee1, I've stayed at most resorts at WDW, and though there are some I probably wouldn't choose again, if it was free, I'd take it in a minute since I've not found any WDW resorts that were so awful, a free stay wouldn't bring me back!

 

[skiwee1]

There are lots of cheaper places to stay at WDW, so I don't think this is a rational explanation for the popularity of the WL. As I said, not everyone will like the WL, and it sounds like you don't, which is fine. But name a resort that everyone will like... there is no such animal due to people having different preferences and varying ideas about what's important to them in a resort.

skiwee1, I've stayed at most resorts at WDW, and though there are some I probably wouldn't choose again, if it was free, I'd take it in a minute since I've not found any WDW resorts that were so awful, a free stay wouldn't bring me back!

I loved the WL lobby and the way the whole resort looked. Loved it! It was the problems that came with the resort that I didn't like. They aren't worth anything for me to have to put up with again. I still believe it is so popular because it is labeled a deluxe but can generally be booked at moderate prices. They just about give the rooms away there. I can bet that most folks that just absolutely love the place wouldn't pay the same amount as they might for the better deluxes.

 

[jarestel]

I loved the WL lobby and the way the whole resort looked. Loved it! It was the problems that came with the resort that I didn't like. They aren't worth anything for me to have to put up with again. I still believe it is so popular because it is labeled a deluxe but can generally be booked at moderate prices. They just about give the rooms away there. I can bet that most folks that just absolutely love the place wouldn't pay the same amount as they might for the better deluxes.

Then GF wannabees must book the Poly ( cause it's cheaper ), and Poly wannabees book the Y&B ( cause it's cheaper ) and Y&B wannabees book the WL and AKL ( cause it's cheaper ), etc... I don't know if I'm convinced yet. I'm not saying cost isn't a factor, since most families determine what they want to pay for accomodations and book accordingly, but it's only a single factor and not the only consideration, IMO. It's too simplistic to explain away popularity due to price. There would have to be more than that, or WL wouldn't continually place so high in resort surveys where price is generally not even listed as a reason for wanting to stay there.

 

[Kimberle]

Because it's a wonderful resort!

There is not a resort in WDW, or anywhere is the world, that has not gotten "bad" reviews and has it's "fans" and "haters". Like the other's have said, it's personal taste!

 

[skiwee1]

Then GF wannabees must book the Poly ( cause it's cheaper ), and Poly wannabees book the Y&B ( cause it's cheaper ) and Y&B wannabees book the WL and AKL ( cause it's cheaper ), etc... I don't know if I'm convinced yet. I'm not saying cost isn't a factor, since most families determine what they want to pay for accomodations and book accordingly, but it's only a single factor and not the only consideration, IMO. It's too simplistic to explain away popularity due to price. There would have to be more than that, or WL wouldn't continually place so high in resort surveys where price is generally not even listed as a reason for wanting to stay there.

I don't know why you would term those that stay in any resort wannabes. Kind of crass don't you think?

 

[KirstenB]

We stayed there in January for 2 days before moving over to OKW. It's a beautiful resort. It was cold in January however, and all the stone and timber made at WL made it feel colder. I told my husband I bet folks love this place in the summer, cause it would feel nice and cool. Secondly, if you're traveling with younger kids, the food court is incredibly small. Port Orleans/Dixie Landings have my favorite food courts. Lots of choices, and lots of seating. Still, can't beat the ease of the boat ride to MK that WL offers.
For us, WL has some real strengths and weaknesses, not a lot of middle ground. On the other hand, Port Orleans rates as our favorite inexpensive resort.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My favorite part about WL is after a day at the parks with sensory overload it's so peaceful to come back to the WL. It's so quiet and pretty at night. Although I love Port Orleans too!!! I have a tough time choosing where to stay, I'm so glad other people I go with are better decision makers than I am.

 

[jarestel]

I don't know why you would term those that stay in any resort wannabes. Kind of crass don't you think?

No, actually I don't. I was sarcastically making your point that people make resort stays based on money and not where they truly want to stay. ( which as you recall I don't believe anyway, but you're trying extremely hard to convince us that this is so for some reason )

 

[HIHO...HIHO]

I hear that WL is cheap.? The courtyard views are over $225 in mid-may or am I booking through the wrong place?
Are there other places on-line to get better room rates? I booked through AAA and personally didn't think it was a great rate.

 

[skiwee1]

I hear that WL is cheap.? The courtyard views are over $225 in mid-may or am I booking through the wrong place?
Are there other places on-line to get better room rates? I booked through AAA and personally didn't think it was a great rate.

It is much cheaper then the other deluxes. It is still more expensive then the values and mods. If you have an AP you might be able to get it really cheap. I don't think there are any public codes out there right now.

 

[skiwee1]

No, actually I don't. I was sarcastically making your point that people make resort stays based on money and not where they truly want to stay. ( which as you recall I don't believe anyway, but you're trying extremely hard to convince us that this is so for some reason )

Well I do believe people base their stays on money. A large part of it anyway. You yourself said that most families determine what they want to pay then book accordingly. If WL was priced as high as the Poly or GF I can just hear all the complaining how it isn't worth it due to many reasons, including room size, pool size, and transportation issues. Since it isn't priced nearly as high, then there are less complaints. I think that is due to getting what you pay for. Folks that pay less, forgive more when they don't get something. I'd rather pay more and get more.

 

[jarestel]

Well I do believe people base their stays on money. A large part of it anyway. You yourself said that most families determine what they want to pay then book accordingly. If WL was priced as high as the Poly or GF I can just hear all the complaining how it isn't worth it due to many reasons, including room size, pool size, and transportation issues. Since it isn't priced nearly as high, then there are less complaints. I think that is due to getting what you pay for. Folks that pay less, forgive more when they don't get something. I'd rather pay more and get more.

That might explain a first visit, but if the WL experience is as horrible as you seem to think it is, how would thay ever get any repeat business? ( and many that post here are definitely repeat vistors to the WL ) You said yourself, you won't stay there at any price, so why would anyone else if they found it so repulsive? Sorry, I need more convincing.

 

[skiwee1]

That might explain a first visit, but if the WL experience is as horrible as you seem to think it is, how would thay ever get any repeat business? ( and many that post here are definitely repeat vistors to the WL ) You said yourself, you won't stay there at any price, so why would anyone else if they found it so repulsive? Sorry, I need more convincing.

I am not trying to convince you of anything. I was answering the OP about why it is so popular. As I said, if you pay less, you expect less, IMO. For the price, many might feel it is a bargain. They might feel that the transportation isn't a problem and they might not care if the rooms are tiny and the pool packed like sardines. Maybe they feel for the price, it is worth it, and continue to come back. Not me. I'd rather pay more and get more like a better pool, larger rooms, better transportation, and so on. Those things might not be important to others but they are to me.

 

[jarestel]

I am not trying to convince you of anything. I was answering the OP about why it is so popular. As I said, if you pay less, you expect less, IMO. For the price, many might feel it is a bargain. They might feel that the transportation isn't a problem and they might not care if the rooms are tiny and the pool packed like sardines. Maybe they feel for the price, it is worth it, and continue to come back. Not me. I'd rather pay more and get more like a better pool, larger rooms, better transportation, and so on. Those things might not be important to others but they are to me.

Now we're on the same page, I totally agree. A good resort that meets the needs of the guest at a good price is an unbeatable combination.

By the way, do a search for past threads on any deluxe and you'll find dissatisfied customers who felt they didn't get their money's worth. A bad stay happens anywhere. I would suggest that people who spend their money at any WDW resort have high expectations, whether it's at the A/S or the GF.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Well, for our family the WL is *very* expensive -- we love it so much we dropped $15K to buy into DVC there, LOL!

 

[skiwee1]

Now we're on the same page, I totally agree. A good resort that meets the needs of the guest at a good price is an unbeatable combination.

Yes, if the resort meets the needs. The WL did not meet my needs and therefore was not worth anything to me.

 

[Stitch Inside]

We fell in love with the WL for its unique theme. Who but Disney could make you feel like you're in the great Northwest while standing in the middle of Florida?

 

[ROBIN4NY]

My family and I are returning to WL next month.This will be out 3rd time at this resort.We really love it.(and thats without any discounts --300 a night for a courtyard view)We could stay at the poly for a little bit more but we love WL.
I have to agree that one of the best perks is the location.We love the short boat ride to MK.Our kids are young so we spend a lot of time at MK.When they are a little older we will try a Epcot resort.
We love that on our first day we unpack and jump on a boat and we are at MK in 20 min.At night we watch the Electric water parade.Depending on your room location it can be right from your balcony or from the beach at the resort.The kids love it.
Lastly it is a beautiful resort.It really is.If you dont stay there this time, try to visit it.Maybe after a day at MK you could take the boat over and have dinner there.The Whispering Canyon Cafe is a fun place to eat(that is the rest. in the resort)I hope this helps a little.Good Luck PS.Fort Wilderness is close by...lots to do there.