Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian?

[sarah112]

Hi,

I have reservations at the Wilderness Lodge, Woods View, and was thinking of trying to switch to the Grand Floridian. I think there is a $700.00 price upgrade to the GF.

Question is this worth it? I have 1 daughter who is 5 and it's our 1st trip to Disney.

Thanks!

Sarah

 

[AKLRULZ]

Love them both, but WL just is incredible and it's entirely self contained unlike the GF which gives it the edge for me.

Enjoy!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Well I think it depends. I would go with the WL as it is my favourite and I did not really care for the atmosphere of the GF. The WL is all in one building whereas at the GF rooms are all in seperate buildings scattered throughout the property. The GF has the monorail though which could be an advantage with a young child. The WL only had bus service to the parks except for the MK which also has a boat to the MK.

The GF also has bigger rooms but I did not have an issue with the room size at the WL and we had 4 adults in one room.

Whichever you choose I am sure it will be great!

 

[Doc CW]

We stayed at both and we really liked them both. If I had to choose I would say GF. It was really convient and useful staying at a monorail resort, the food was good, the view of MK in the morning when we 1st woke up was cool, and it was very relaxing, I personally think GF is better.

 

[simonkodousek]

If I had to choose one, I would pick the WL. Now, the rooms are not quite as big, and it isn't on the monorail line, but it sure is a great resort. It is very comfortable and is a great place to relax.

 

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

I had WL Booked then changed to Grand Floridian due to added transportation conveinece! Yes it is quite more $$$ though, this is our first family trip too......

GF also has the bigger rooms which will be great for us, since we are 4 and grandma is coming to help with the kids.

dd is 2 and ds is 4, so we decided monarail access is high on our priority list. Didn't want to be limited to bus or ferry. The ferry I hear can take a while to catch and get to MK.

 

[LocustPoint]

It really depends on what you are looking for in a resort. Personally I would stick with the WL, but I enjoy the theming there.

Mary

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Although I prefer GF, the rooms are just beginning to be refurbished, whereas WL was just refurbished last year.

If you are traveling when it is very hot or during the holidays, it is nice to be in one building and WL is lovely during the holidays.

How about a Courtyard view instead of Woods view? With a courtyard view you could request a room that would allow a a view of the nighttime water pageant - which would be fun for your little one (and you!).

One of our best stays ever at Disney was at the GF in 2004......but then so was the CR in 1981 and 1982....and the Poly in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987...CBR in '88, '89. '90, 91...and so on

All kidding aside, I absolutely LOVED GF - the option of the water launch or monorail to the MK...EPCOT by monorail....we had a fantastic room, at the end of Boca Chica with a view of the lagoon, MK entrance, monorail gliding by..lovely. WISHES from our balcony seemed nearly private!

We also had a phenomenal rate that yr from a pin code: $283 inc tx.

And...your preference in resort theme may make a difference. GF is turn of the century Florida Victorian, whereas WL is rustic like the Great Northwest.

Whichever you choose, I am sure it will be magical. A first trip with a 5 yr can be nothing less than wonderful!!

Enjoy...and let us know what you decide?

 

[cjsmom5]

We prefer WL -- just like the atmosphere a little better and especially with a young one. We didn't find the transportation to be bad, at all. And the newlly refurbished rooms are nice. They are a smaller than those at GF but we had two adults and a 7/8 year old ... there was plenty of room. I think it will be a matter of preference in terms of themes and what is important to you... for the the money, though, I would go with WL but that is just one of many opinions. Whatever one you choose you will have a great time -- after all you will be at WDW.

 

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

Okay, not to get off topic.... but, Wat is the Water Pagent? I am unfamiliar, but will be staying at the Grand Floridian in Sept. What is it and how often does it run?? Thanks.

 

[Angela Kay]

If it were me, I would upgrade to a WL courtyard view...Bear Face section. It's an aboslutely beautiful resort and so relaxing.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

The water pageant is a parade that runs I believe every night at around 9. The time at each resort is different. It consists of floats with lite up designs like a sea dragon and other animals. It also plays music and at the end there is a patriotic tribute. It is cute to see once but for me I do not need to see it again. Sorry but I don't have any pictures, maybe somebody else can post some?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Okay, not to get off topic.... but, Wat is the Water Pagent? I am unfamiliar, but will be staying at the Grand Floridian in Sept. What is it and how often does it run?? Thanks.

allears explains it better than I could! http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ewp.htm

The Electrical Water Pageant is a nightly display that makes its circuit around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake for the Magic Kingdom area resorts.
The pageant consists of two strings of seven barges, each carrying a 25-foot-tall screen of lights. The pageant features King Triton and creatures from under the sea -- turtles, whales, seahorses, even a sea monster! -- in an aquatic parade set to Disney (including "Under the Sea," and the crocodile's theme song from the film Peter Pan) and other music.​

Flags and Stars -- The pageant concludes with an inspirational salute to America, with Flags and Stars set to a patriotic musical medley of God Bless America, Yankee Doodle, and You're a Grand Old Flag.
It was originally presented for the dedication of the Polynesian Luau on October 26, 1971.
Although the pageant generally follows the schedule below, check with the Guest Services Desk at your Magic Kingdom Resort for times during your stay. Inclement weather can cause cancellation of the pageant.
Polynesian Resort -- 9 p.m.
Grand Floridian -- 9:15 p.m.
Wilderness Lodge -- 9:35 p.m.
Fort Wilderness -- 9:45 p.m.
Contemporary Resort -- 10:05 p.m.
Magic Kingdom -- 10:20 p.m. (only during extended MK park
hours)
Note that when the Magic Kingdom Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m., the Electrical Water Pageant runs about 7-20 minutes later.​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"When nightfall engulfs Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World, a brightly-lighted electrical fantasy beams to life. A crew of sailors ulike any that sailed the seven seas man their boats to present the Electrical Water Pageant, a show that uses more than 50,000 light bulbs to tell its story.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The pageant, composed of fourteen, 40-foot long lighted floats, presents a picture of leaping dolphins, and an array of other sea life, designs and flags. Four outboard motors propel the craft which are mounted with separate lighting generators and an 800-watt sound system.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Crewmen maintaining the pageant boats must replace between 100 to 1500 light bulbs weekly to keep the sea serpents and dolphins alive." (From the December 1974 Walt Disney World News[/FONT])
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[sarah112]

Hi,

Thanks so much for all the replies! I just called WDW and the GF is now sold out for my dates in November. But they said to keep trying. I really like the convenience of the monorail but it's hard to pay the extra $$$, so maybe it's for the best.

The WL is beautiful. I will call again today and see how much $$$ to upgrade to a courtyard view, if available.

My daughter is so thrilled, she can't wait and me too!

Thanks again,

Sarah

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

Although we have not stayed at GF (yet), we chose WL for our kids first visit. Mainly due to the theme, Roaring Forks, easy access to Fort Wilderness for the campfire and Hoop De Doo.

DW and I stayed at WL for half our honeymoon and never had problems with Transportation, even during June. Of course we also stayed at BWI for the other half, giving us walking access to Epcot.

From WL you can take the ferry to CR and catch the monorail to Epcot as well.

I suppose it would really depend on your itinerary.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Angela Kay]

Hi,

Thanks so much for all the replies! I just called WDW and the GF is now sold out for my dates in November. But they said to keep trying. I really like the convenience of the monorail but it's hard to pay the extra $$$, so maybe it's for the best.

The WL is beautiful. I will call again today and see how much $$$ to upgrade to a courtyard view, if available.

My daughter is so thrilled, she can't wait and me too!

Thanks again,

Sarah

Your DD will also love swimming with the ducks. You just can't beat the WL, I know you'll love it.