Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian?

[mmmnj]

Would you choose Resort View Room at Grand Floridian OR WIlderness Lodge?
The Wilderness Lodge room is about $200 Less than the Grand Floridian Room. Thoughts? what would you choose?

 

[FSU Girl]

When are you going? I like both hotels but I don’t like how you have to go from the main building to an outer building at the grand. If you’re going in the rainy season you could have to brave a thunder storm to get food so I’d pick wilderness lodge then. Also do you have kids using a stroller? The monorail is very convenient to be on and that would give the edge to the Grand

 

[mmmnj]

When are you going? I like both hotels but I don’t like how you have to go from the main building to an outer building at the grand. If you’re going in the rainy season you could have to brave a thunder storm to get food so I’d pick wilderness lodge then. Also do you have kids using a stroller? The monorail is very convenient to be on and that would give the edge to the Grand

have kids yes. going for halloween night party at magic kingdom which would be monorail at midnight end or Boat transportation if i chose WL. Its a difference in price, that I don;t know if its worth it.... if theres really a dffference in quality of room and pool to make the $200 a night difference in price worth it

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

have kids yes. going for halloween night party at magic kingdom which would be monorail at midnight end or Boat transportation if i chose WL. Its a difference in price, that I don;t know if its worth it.... if theres really a dffference in quality of room and pool to make the $200 a night difference in price worth it

I would pick GF and walk w/the stroller…

 

[NYCgrrl]

have kids yes. going for halloween night party at magic kingdom which would be monorail at midnight end or Boat transportation if i chose WL. Its a difference in price, that I don;t know if its worth it.... if theres really a dffference in quality of room and pool to make the $200 a night difference in price worth it

Okay, a few questions.
Are you a rope dropper or do you like to leave your room at say 10: 00?
Are you interested in having a pool day or resort day?

How you answer will help give a better idea where your expectations lie

 

[mmmnj]

Okay, a few questions.
Are you a rope dropper or do you like to leave your room at say 10: 00?
Are you interested in having a pool day or resort day?

How you answer will help give a better idea where your expectations lie

would like to use the pool before 4pm entrance to MK halloween. likely really Won't spend much time other than to sleep in room and enjoy some pool time too

 

[peachiepie]

How many nights are you planning on staying?

 

[NYCgrrl]

would like to use the pool before 4pm entrance to MK halloween. likely really Won't spend much time other than to sleep in room and enjoy some pool time too

I vote for WL.
Nice pool, less expensive and a fast and easy boat ride away.

Have fun no matter where you wind up

 

[ShaneDJ]

Wilderness Lodge, for sure.

 

[Marthasor]

would like to use the pool before 4pm entrance to MK halloween. likely really Won't spend much time other than to sleep in room and enjoy some pool time too

I've stayed at WL twice when attending a MK party and I really enjoyed taking the boat back to the resort after the parties. WL pools are smaller than GF's, but WL does have a splash pad if you have younger children. The rooms at WL are smaller than GF, but the resort is absolutely gorgeous. Personally, I would save $200 and stay at WL.

 

[gottalovepluto]

would like to use the pool before 4pm entrance to MK halloween. likely really Won't spend much time other than to sleep in room and enjoy some pool time too

WL. You can boat or bus back (I actually prefer the bus because everyone takes the boat so it’s not busy) and I think the theming is more kid friendly. Stream inside the lobby with a BRIDGE? Water running from that stream to the pool? So cool. Even has a geyser. Bonus is the $200 in your pocket that your gonna need for the Halloween merchandise every wants

 

[mrsap]

have kids yes. going for halloween night party at magic kingdom which would be monorail at midnight end or Boat transportation if i chose WL. Its a difference in price, that I don;t know if its worth it.... if theres really a dffference in quality of room and pool to make the $200 a night difference in price worth it

Just to add, you can take the boat back to GF as well. Definitely better than taking the monorail to get back from MK. Walking would be the 2nd best way, IMO.

WL pools are smaller than GF's, but WL does have a splash pad if you have younger children.

To add, the GF also has a splash pad!




OP: I always tell people to have their families watch YouTube videos of each resort and see which one they prefer. Good luck deciding.

 

[RanDIZ]

Wilderness Lodge

 

[BingoJoe]

Short stay Grand Floridan, week or more Wilderness Lodge.

Wilderness lodge is a dream for resort time, which you have more of if you are staying longer. Grand Floridian has better transport. The price difference also really opens up the longer you stay.

 

[Wood Nymph]

have kids yes. going for halloween night party at magic kingdom which would be monorail at midnight end or Boat transportation if i chose WL. Its a difference in price, that I don;t know if its worth it.... if theres really a dffference in quality of room and pool to make the $200 a night difference in price worth it

GF rooms have two queen beds and a sofa bed. WL rooms have two queen beds and the rooms are a little smaller than the GF rooms. One of the big differences is that the WL is a much smaller resort with all the rooms in one building. GF is much larger and has separate buildings which require walking outdoors to get to your room, unless you stay club level.

If you were going to spend a lot of time at the resort, then I might consider GF. But if you are going to spend most of your time away from the resort, then WL will work out very well. The boat to MK is great. There is a resort boat after 3:30pm that travels between WL, CR, and FtW. The bus to Epcot from WL is much faster (usually), than the monorail trip you would have to make from GF. We really like the WL and it is a lot cheaper.

 

[jimmymc]

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort, so for $200 a night less I would happily choose that. The boat is a really nice way to get over to Magic Kingdom.

 

[Anthony1971]

There is really no notable difference in transportation going back to the resort from MK. So you ask about pools. GF main is a mirror image of the pool at Poly which means it should be great but to me it isn't. The pool has no escape from the sun in or out of the pool just because the direction it faces. Depending on the building you are in and being the DVC resort rooms are the closest the pool is a walk. The slide is decent but by far not one of the better ones. The quiet pool will be a closer walk but there is nothing notable. WL main pool has a smaller slide but also decent - great and unintimidating for younger kids. I personally like the WL pool over the GF. The DVC pool which I am not sure you can access is sort of the quiet pool but is salt water. Hands down the theming at WL wins however some may prefer the GF for the Victorian feel. Rooms quality both are fine I prefer WL theming with these notes GF has robes in every room you can use and purchase, GF has a mini lobby in every building with a CM parts of the day. WL has 2 lobbies the main and the DVC. I can sit at either and enjoy for a few hours easy especially in from of the fireplaces. GF has a grand lobby but to me not inviting in any way - Note depending on the month the Lobby may have construction and will be partially closed. I do not know the exact dates may have been announced? I know late august got a construction notice as well as September.

 

[jennab]

I’d choose WL. Much less crowded and easy boat ride to MK. We stayed at GF last time and I was so disappointed. There’s always so many people there visiting and getting to EP is a pain (go 3 stops on monorail then transfer to EP monorail). I also thought their QS wasn’t great and a lot of the employees we were in contact with were not nice compared to other places.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

The GF rooms are going to be a little larger and have the daybed. Unless you need that, I'd go with Wilderness Lodge. The pools at WL are excellent. The grounds are beautiful. All in one building is a plus. The lobby is amazing! Go over to Boulder Ridge (the DVC property connected to Wilderness Lodge) and check out some of Walt's train stuff.

 

[Genie+]

If one night and not planning much time at the resort regardless, I’d probably take the $200 savings at WL.