Wilderness Lodge OR Caribbean Beach

[pinkivy]

I just booked our 10 day stay for June 2008) at the Wilderness Lodge. It cost more than I expected but still very much feasible. We stayed moderate last time (March 2005) and I really didn't want to do a mod again. No particular reason, I just wanted to try a deluxe. BUT my friend is going too and her room at the Caribbean Beach is significantly cheaper. Is WL worth the extra money?

 

[helenabear]

IMO, that would be a huge YES!!! WL is such a beautiful resort and the room size is noticable to me. I also think the theming there far surpasses that of CBR (my least favorite mod actaully). The location is much better as you can just take a quick boat ride over to MK.

But over all the resort is just gorgeous! Definitely would be worth it to me!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

My opinion "No" but you will find plenty on here who will say yes. We stayed at the WL last time and the rooms at the CBR are the exact same size, minus 4 sq. ft. (that's a 2 X 2 square). My family is staying at the CBR this time and staying 2 days longer with the $$$ we are saving by not staying deluxe. There are many who will say that staying in Deluxe has its advantages, but there are many like me, who really only sleep and change clothes in their rooms. We spend most of our time in the parks or at the pool. I hope you have a great trip where ever you stay, but to me the cost of deluxe just wasn't worth it.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

No question.. Wilderness Lodge!!

 

[yesallmine]

You could do half and half and just be 50% more rather than double. The resort will move your stuff --just do WL last so you dont feel disappointed moving "down". Wilderness Lodge rooms are NOT large bit the overall feeling is amazing!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I really do love the lodge. Private balcony, the theming, the boat to the MK and to the Contemporary...

But I will probably book a room at CBR when/if December discounts are released later this month. I currently have a courtyard view room with AAA discount reserved at WL, but at $229.50/night, that's a little steep for me. The room at CBR will be almost half that amount, plus I can reserve a room with a king bed, and at WL that is only a request.

If I could get a woods view room with an AP discount I would stay at WL in a heartbeat...but that courtyard view rate is just too much for me to live with.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

The location of WL is fantastic, just a boat ride away to MK where you can hop on monorail to TTC to catch monorail to Epcot. Gorgeous resort, great themeing, however, my husband and I just didn't care for it. The room was very dark, felt closed in with lots of people running around, Roaring Forks small with not a lot to choose from and we had problems during check-in. Bus transportation wasn't all that great.

CBR is our favorite resort. Very bright and cheerful colors, great landscaping and themeing, because of the lay-out of this resort you don't feel closed in or run over by a mob, food court is out of this world with a great selection of food! Caribbean music playing and I just love the bridge and island to OPR. CBR doesn't share buses with any other resort so it was a quick shuttle to each of the parks. They also have an internal bus system to take you from each island to OPR should you not want to walk to OPR. CBR is very close to Epcot in which you can view the higher up fireworks of Illuminations. For price, location, amentities, food court, themeing and atmosphere CBR just can't be beat IMHO.

 

[Cory's Gal]

I too will be torn on our next trip, it won't be for a couple of years but I always like to think ahead. For us we would like to try either of these resorts so I love hearing everyone's opinion about both! Keep the comparisons coming!

 

[Shyvioletisme]

If you are really wanting to try out the WL and I believe you said you could afford it, I'd stick with WL. It is a beautiful resort and I believe well worth the extra money.

 

[G8r4evr]

Im struggling with the same dilemma. What kind of price difference are you talking? What kind of view did you book at WL?

 

[pinkivy]

The price difference is about $1k. We booked a standard view room at WL. Its a very hard decision because I LOVE the Caribbean islands and I thinkk the atmosphere would be cool. But I heard it was really huge and that was a turn off to me. I also like the rustic look and relaxed feel of the WL. I wish I could afford to go to DW twice a year...then my problem would be solved!

 

[simonkodousek]

My vote goes to the Wilderness Lodge! It is an excellent resort with a great theme, and nice cast members. We're going to stay here again!

 

[melomouse]

Hi pinkivy -

I hear ya on the price difference - and we ADORE WL!! The theming is beyond compare, it feels "cool" even when it's 100 degrees outside, and though you only pick up a few square feet in room size, the awesome lobby and grounds of WL more than compensate.
All that said - the price always makes me shudder - so I'd do a split stay since you have a 10 day trip planned. Do CBR first, then move to WL. Then you've got a $500 savings, an easy move where you can "settle in" at both resorts, and you have experienced a deluxe.

Let us know what you decide! It's a tough one - but you will not regret spending at least $500 more on WL!

 

[G8r4evr]

For an extra $1000, I would stick with CBR....however, for $500, I would definitely do a split stay and experience both =)

 

[Tink415]

I love them both! Its really hard to define worth the extra money. Maybe. If I never intended to visit again I would book WL. But if I was planning to go again, and had a friend booked at CBR, I would stay there and ask to be in the same village (Jamicia or Aruba).
And I would only book a courtyard view at WL, but a standard view at CBR is fine. MHO!!!

 

[Kris123]

We just got back from 8 days at WL. I too went back and forth between CBR and WL. In less crowded times the thought of 2,000+ rooms at CBR seems fine but in the summer the 700+ rooms at WL seemed much more comfortable.

WL is BEAUTIFUL and I am so glad we went with it. The boat transport was so nice.

We had a woods view room with bunk beds which is well worth the few extra $$ especially for 7 nights or more (kids start kicking aggrivating and eachother after a few nights!) The view we saw out of our "woods view" room was actually of the new villas and it was "wooded"

All-in-all. yes WL is $$$ but you absolutley get what you pay for! I would definitley stay there again.