Wilderness Lodge - AMAZING (but....)

[boomhauer]

Just got back from 9 nights, 1st stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I'll post a trip report later. Just had to say, we've done all the Values, Old Key West, Riverside, Caribbean Beach - Nothing comes close to this place!!!

The food, mousekeeping, theming, boat transportation, service....you name it. It was simply perfect!!!

Now, to the downside. We had booked the Polynesian for next July. Needless to say, we're changing our reservation. However, here's the rub - It's me, my wife, our 7 year old, and our twins who will be 16 months at the time, AND my sister-in-law. So, that's 6 of us. The Lodge only allows for 4 adults plus 1 child under 3, not 2 children under 3. We could do the Poly, but after staying at WL, we don't want to. A 1 bedroom in the villas is affordable, but only allows 5 total. A 2 bedroom would work, but would be too expensive. My only other option is 2 seperate rooms at the Lodge, and that's a bit expensive as well. Tough decisions to make now.

 

[ConcKahuna]

The lodge is great, but then again so is the Poly. Those are 2 of my favorite resorts. If you havent stayed at the Poly in the past, I would recommend keeping the res you have

 

[HockeyMomR]

How about the Deluxe room at WL. We have never stayed in one, but from the pictures and info I have seen they sleep 6; 2 queen beds and a foldout sofa. They also look very spacious as the room is actually two rooms divided by french doors.

Check out these pics from allears, the pictures are under "Junior Suite":

http://www.allears.net/acc/g_wl.htm

 

[boomhauer]

How about the Deluxe room at WL. We have never stayed in one, but from the pictures and info I have seen they sleep 6; 2 queen beds and a foldout sofa. They also look very spacious as the room is actually two rooms divided by french doors.

Check out these pics from allears, the pictures are under "Junior Suite":

http://www.allears.net/acc/g_wl.htm

I thought about that, but that room would be more than 2 standard rooms combined.

 

[simonkodousek]

Rooms at any Disney hotel are expensive. That's just one of the things you have to expect when booking. But, I can't seem to understand the astronomical costs of the 2-bedroom villas at the WL.

IMO, you should stay in the Junior Suite at the WL, or get 2 rooms.

 

[CrazyFool]

Try renting DVC points. That should cost waaay less than rack rate.

 

[boomhauer]

Rooms at any Disney hotel are expensive. That's just one of the things you have to expect when booking. But, I can't seem to understand the astronomical costs of the 2-bedroom villas at the WL.

IMO, you should stay in the Junior Suite at the WL, or get 2 rooms.

The thing I don't understand is this:

There was no problem having 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 infants in a standard room. And there's no problem with having 3 adults, 1 child and 1 infant in the room. Why can't you have 3 adults, 1 child and 2 infants? It's really no different:

2 adults in 1 bed. 1 adult/1 child in the other bed. 2 porta-cribs for the infants.

 

[boomhauer]

Try renting DVC points. That should cost waaay less than rack rate.

I think it would work out closely to 2 standard rooms. I would need 700 points for the 2 bedroom. Most people charge about $10 or $11 per point. We'd be well over $7,000. Big problem is, I doubt anyone has that many points to sell.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

The thing I don't understand is this:

There was no problem having 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 infants in a standard room. And there's no problem with having 3 adults, 1 child and 1 infant in the room. Why can't you have 3 adults, 1 child and 2 infants? It's really no different:

2 adults in 1 bed. 1 adult/1 child in the other bed. 2 porta-cribs for the infants.

I'm thinking that it would be quite crowded with 2 porta cribs in there. I'm wondering if the policy has something to do with the size of the room. WL rooms aren't very large. We're a family of 6 and always have to get 2 connecting rooms at WL. It's worth it to have the extra space and the extra bathroom.

 

[boomhauer]

I'm thinking that it would be quite crowded with 2 porta cribs in there. I'm wondering if the policy has something to do with the size of the room. WL rooms aren't very large. We're a family of 6 and always have to get 2 connecting rooms at WL. It's worth it to have the extra space and the extra bathroom.

That's the weird thing - We had 2 porta-cribs in the room last week. So, the only difference would be 1 extra adult in the 2nd bed.

I didn't think it was bad at all. We had 1 crib in between the dresser and table, and the other by the balcony. The room wasn't huge, but we had plenty of room. Then again, we're used to staying at All Stars.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I feel your pain boomhauer - we've wanted to try the WL but we'd only fit in a deluxe room or 2 connecting rooms (which aren't guaranteed). The deluxe room is extremly pricey and we just can't swing it. We've thought about renting points for a 2 bedroom which honestly is really bigger then we need - I wish they'd soften up there occupancy for the 1 bedroom. At 727 sq ft I think thats plenty big enough for 5 or 6 but they have their rules and thats that.

I personally hesitate at renting points as w/3 kids cancelling at the last moment is always a possiblity. We had to do it last May (we didn't rent points) and reschedule due to DD4 being sick and then 2 days later DD2 being sick. If we rented points we'd be out some cash as its difficult and nearly impossible to cancel as theres a third party involved. I guess it depends on the contract but to me its so much easier going through WDW. As you point out, a 2 bedroom would require a lot of points. Good luck - let us know what you decide to do. I'm so glad to hear you liked the WL - I think we would too if we could afford the 2 rooms or deluxe. Good luck.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I thought about that, but that room would be more than 2 standard rooms combined.

You probably know this already - the deluxe is more money but it is also considered concierge. Not sure if that changes anything or not just thought I'd mention that in case it did.

 

[boomhauer]

I feel your pain boomhauer - we've wanted to try the WL but we'd only fit in a deluxe room or 2 connecting rooms (which aren't guaranteed). The deluxe room is extremly pricey and we just can't swing it. We've thought about renting points for a 2 bedroom which honestly is really bigger then we need - I wish they'd soften up there occupancy for the 1 bedroom. At 727 sq ft I think thats plenty big enough for 5 or 6 but they have their rules and thats that.

Exactly! It doesn't make any sense at all. At 440 sq ft, you can have 6 people in a room at the Polynesian. Wht at 727 sq ft, can you not do the same at WL?

 

[DonnaL]

Why would you need 700 points for a VWL 2 bdrm? How long are you planning to stay? The points needed for a 2 bdrm at VWL are 270 for a week..............

 

[boomhauer]

Why would you need 700 points for a VWL 2 bdrm? How long are you planning to stay? The points needed for a 2 bdrm are 270 for a week..............

13 nights. I used the calucator on wdwinfo and that's what it came out to. July 21 - August 3.

 

[TMB1203]

According to the Disney Vacation Club website, it is 660 points.
I would be worried about availablity. 2 br go quick.

 

[Keara'sMom]

Would renting points for two studios work for you? That's only 508 points by my calculations (which could be off--I'm not really a math whiz). Just a thought...

 

[boomhauer]

Would renting points for two studios work for you? That's only 508 points by my calculations (which could be off--I'm not really a math whiz). Just a thought...

Yeah - Actually it looks like you're dead-on with that. Never occured to me, but that could work I suppose. If I could buy points at $10 per point, then I'd only be looking at $5,080.

Thanks for the tip - That could work.

 

[alldiz]

Is this true....a room at the poly holds 6 people....

I thought the max was 5......is it because of the little ones

Glad you liked the lodge....I would have beat you with a stick
if you complained about it Just kidding
Kerri

 

[boomhauer]

Is this true....a room at the poly holds 6 people....

I thought the max was 5......is it because of the little ones

Glad you liked the lodge....I would have beat you with a stick
if you complained about it Just kidding
Kerri

That's what I was told - 5 plus 1 child under 3 in a crib.

I can't imagine anyone complaining about the WL. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. I would go down to the Territory Lounge at night, have a drink. It was so inviting. Then I'd go sit in the lobby and just relax.

Oh - We had a standard room on the 6th floor. You could see the castle and the fireworks from our room. It was amazing.