Wilderness Lodge vs. Boardwalk Inn

[tkafam]

My husband and I are going to Disney without the kids in May. Would you recommend WL or BWI?

 

[liamsaunt]

Boardwalk for sure! I have stayed at both, and love both, but if you are going without kids, BWI is better, in my opinion. Here are my reasons:
It is quieter, there are lots of restaurants right there (try Flying Fish!), you can walk to MGM and Epcot, Jellyrolls is a lot of fun (note they allow smoking).

On the other hand, WL is great too. I love the lobby with the fireplace and the music, Artist Point (yum!), the pool, and the boat to MK. If you are MK focused on your trip, you might prefer WL. My DH and I like Epcot the best, so were especially impressed with BWI.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Another vote for Boardwalk, theres so much to do in that area especially for just adults!

Have fun!

 

[eleanor]

I really like both ,but I would choose BW. There is alot to do and the area is lovely. The quiet pool is really better than the big pool IMHO.

I like to take the boat at WL to FW and walk around, have lunch etc. Also you can take the boat to the MK and then take another little boat to the GF and the Poly. Lots pf eating choices either place.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The ability to walk or boat over to both Epcot and the Disney Studios makes this an easy option. The Boardwalk is a great resort in a wonderful area. So many places to eat and shop. The entertainment on the boardwalk is also fun. We stayed in a standard room in June with a super view of the Boardwalk Villas and Epcot. Very lovely below with all the flowers and right in front of us was the Eiffel Tower and Spaceship Earth to the left. We were able to view the fireworks from Illuminations right from our beds the nights we were back in our room at that time.

 

[littlestar]

A lot of men (my husband included) really like the atmosphere at WL (that western theme, you know). The lodge can be very romantic. Lots of quiet places to sit and hold hands

I vote for the lodge!

 

[Leota]

I'd say BWI. We are Epcot area people. My DS is 17, so we really travel as adults now. There is so much for adults in the Epcot area (our preferance has become the Dolphin).

I think WL is gorgeous too but had a few issues when I stayed there. I'm sure they were a fluke & wouldn't happen again. But, since I had such a fight to straighten them out, DH won't give them a second chance. Strange because he loved WL since we saw it being built. (He wasn't even WITH me on the trip I had problems with )

I would stay at BWI & plan a nice dinner at Artist Point & soak up the atmosphere in the WL public areas (which is really where the WL shines. The rooms are small, dark & the bedspreads are truly atrocious)

 

[boomhauer]

I'm going with WL in July as I've never stayed Deluxe, and looks the most appealing to me, and is also the least expensive of the Deluxe Resorts.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

I would love to stay WL this December because I hear its great for Christmas, and we plan on spending most of our time in the parks. Usually we like to hang about the resort and thats when we LOVE to do the Boardwalk.

I wrote up a quick list of places you have instant access to, and places you have access to through some sort of transportation. You'll see that BWI is clearly a winner in terms of dining and adult entertainment.
------------------------------------------
WL
---
Artist Point
Whispering Cayon Cafe

Access to (Boat)
---
California Grill
Concourse Steakhouse
Chef Mickey's

Monorail (AFTER taking the Boat to Contemporary, so you'll have to go up to the concourse after arriving)
---
Polynesian (Ohana/Kona Cafe/Tambu Lounge)
Grand Floridian (V&A/Citricos/Miezners Lounge)

Basically, with WL you have all the MK resorts at your fingertips, its just that you will have to sail the vast seas of the lagoon and whisk through the highway in the sky.

Here's a different approach, minimal transportation, mainly all on foot.

Boardwalk
---
Flying Fish Cafe
Spoodles
Big River Brewery & Grille
ESPN
Bellevue Lounge
Jellyrolls
Atlantic Dancehall

Access to (Boat)
---
Yachtmans Steakhouse
Crews Cup
Marthas Vineyard
Cape May Cafe

Walking Access
---
Intl Gateway Epcot - All restaurants in world
Dolphin
Swan

hope this somewhat helps...

 

[tkafam]

Every time I start leaning toward one, something pulls me to the other....Maybe I'll just make my husband decide!!

 

[Leota]

I would love to stay WL this December because I hear its great for Christmas, and we plan on spending most of our time in the parks. Usually we like to hang about the resort and thats when we LOVE to do the Boardwalk.

I wrote up a quick list of places you have instant access to, and places you have access to through some sort of transportation. You'll see that BWI is clearly a winner in terms of dining and adult entertainment.
------------------------------------------
WL
---
Artist Point
Whispering Cayon Cafe

Access to (Boat)
---
California Grill
Concourse Steakhouse
Chef Mickey's

Monorail (AFTER taking the Boat to Contemporary, so you'll have to go up to the concourse after arriving)
---
Polynesian (Ohana/Kona Cafe/Tambu Lounge)
Grand Floridian (V&A/Citricos/Miezners Lounge)

Basically, with WL you have all the MK resorts at your fingertips, its just that you will have to sail the vast seas of the lagoon and whisk through the highway in the sky.

Here's a different approach, minimal transportation, mainly all on foot.

Boardwalk
---
Flying Fish Cafe
Spoodles
Big River Brewery & Grille
ESPN
Bellevue Lounge
Jellyrolls
Atlantic Dancehall

Access to (Boat)
---
Yachtmans Steakhouse
Crews Cup
Marthas Vineyard
Cape May Cafe

Walking Access
---
Intl Gateway Epcot - All restaurants in world
Dolphin
Swan

hope this somewhat helps...

Don't forget, The Swan & Dolphin have some really great adult restaurants at your fingertips - Like BlueZoo, Palio, Kimonos......

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

yeah, i didnt know them all so i just listed Swan & Dolphin

Ive been wanting to check out BlueZoo, i hear its great!

 

[hiwaygal]

Okay, I've only been to WDW once...and we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn (can you tell where this is going? )...so keep that in mind as you read my opinion...

We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Boardwalk! There isn't anything we didn't like about the area...simply beautiful! But, like I said, we haven't stayed anywhere else...I'm sure the Wilderness Lodge is just as beautiful and has it's own special-ness.

But here's something else to consider...you are going in May (typically a summer-y, "beach-y" time of year)...I would suggest the theming at the Boardwalk might be a better fit than the WL...

I would save the WL for a holiday/winter time visit! Now I've helped to make sure that you are going to WDW again!

 

[paladin]

We stayed at the WL twice and really loved it (I still remember the first time walking into the lobby - WOW!), but then we tried the Epcot resort area (we have stayed at the BC, BWV 3X and BWI for our upcoming trip) and as others have said - location, location, location. In my opinion, it just can't be beat.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Here is another vote for the Boardwalk!

We've stayed at BW 3 times and WL once.

When we stayed at WL, we found the limited choices of close places to eat a hardship. After staying in the Epcot resort area many times, we were used to just walking to the our favorites like Spoodles, Flying Fish and Yachtsman Steakhouse.

 

[justcruisin]

If DH and I ever get to WDW without kiddies --- we'd pick BW. If you're looking for relaxation consider WL, but if you want nightlife you can't beat the Boardwalk and WS.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd vote for the BWI too. It's a more "adult" area, withmore to do. Just strolling the Boardwalk itself cam be fun in the evening, especially with all the entertainers etc. You have some lovely restaurants, and I am glad someone mentioned the Swan & Dolphin restaurants too. You have the ability to quickly access 2 of the major parks. There is nothing like being able to stroll over to Epcot at night...France is so romantic in the evening hours .

WL is great too, but that strikes me as more of a serene rather than romantic area.

 

[tkafam]

I think we're going to head to the Boardwalk. A friend is helping us thru the Vacation Club so I just realized we'll be at the villas !! Can't wait!! Thanks for all of the input!