Will I really like Wilderness Lodge?

[Cindy B]

I hate second guessing myself.

We will be leaving in about 45 days, and we are booked at WL.
Now, we have been to WDW four/five times prior, and all the visits were offsite or at All Star Sports.


This is our first time deluxe, and I am excited. Our family is a very basic, no frills kind of family. Our kids are active, and like the idea of a country place. They are 5 & 8 if that makes any difference


We were kicking around either CBR or WL. WL won out because the fact that with the FTP it was affordable.


But since we are used to, and like the All Stars, will I like WL? Part of me wants to change the ressie back to Sports, just because we are familiar with it. (I know, I'm crazy!)


Will I like it?

 

[disney queen]

ooohhhh you will love the lodge! it is an easy walk or short boat ride to fort wilderness where your children can go to the petting farm. the boat ride to MK is a lot of fun and does not take long. whispering canyon cafe has stickhorse races for the children and they are fun. seems like all the children wait for these to be announced! go w/an opened mind.

 

[susy]

Hi! I have reservations there for five nights over Thanksgiving. It's my first time, too. I wanted to book GF, but DH has wanted to stay at WL for two years now. So I'm "getting it out of the way". Now I really loved AKL, so I think I will like WL for the "deluxe" feel, if not the theming. I say stick with WL! I have stayed at ASSp twice and it was fine, but does not compare with a deluxe. I think your kids will love the pool slide and boat ride to mk!

 

[Rafikifan]

Cindy B., We have stayed at both AS Sports and the WL (as well as others). We were fine with Sports but you really should try the WL at least once. Especially if you got a good rate. The rooms aren't THAT much larger but the ambience, the pool, lobby, etc. are so nice and relaxing to come "home" to after a day in the parks. Roaring Forks, although a lot smaller than the AS food courts, offers good fast food. I think you'll love the WL!

 

[JLS]

The WL is FANTASTIC! You will never regret staying there, esp. if you think this is the one time you can afford to splurge. Be sure to rent water mice or one of the pontoon boats (not very expensive) and take your family out on the lake. For water mice, you could fit one of you and one of the kids in each.

I would recommend getting the refillable mugs and request a room near the elevators on the Roaring Forks side of the lodge, which is also closest to the boat launch for the Magic Kingdom. You will be able to take the boat to Ft. Wildnerness too - they have a lot of fun stuff there that is worth looking into for kids, such as a campfire and movies in the evening, and inexpensive hay rides, things like that.

Have fun.

 

[jordanyosh]

I wouldn't want to build your expectation level, but the Wilderness Lodge is a very nice resort. The themed pool area is very kid friendly and there is a snack bar/bar right next to the pool..There is also a quiet pool near the Villas at WL. While there isn't a food court, Roaring Forks is a nice counter service snack bar. We ate breakfast there a couple of times and it was quite good. We also ate at Whispering Canyon for Breakfast. It seems to be a great place for kids.....the food again good. They have kids activities throughout the day as well. gotta go on the lakes for a boat ride......I could go on and on.....WL definitely a great choice.

 

[trracers]

I am so glad there are other people out there thinking the same things. We started out at the ASM, then upgraded to CBR, now we are at WL and I am a nervous wreck! Like you said in the beginning, at least I KNOW the ASM and what to expect, and I loved it!! Glad to hear from everyone that maybe it will turn out good!

 

[Barb]

Hi, Cindy! Don't worry, your kids will love it there. There's so much for them to do. They'll love exploring the resort inside and out. Did you get bunkbeds in your room? The pool is awesome, too!! Roaring Forks is great for quick meals and we've always been pleased with it. We also love Whispering Canyon for a great (meaning loud and lots of fun for the kids!) dinner! Feel free to email or PM with any questions. I'd be glad to help.

 

[Gemm01]

You're not crazy!! Staying at the AS resorts is fun and great for the kids. Strangely enough my husband and I stayed at the ASMu when we were on a trip without the kids and really had a great time. We stayed at AKL with the kids and had a wonderful time as well. I think in this case you should stick with your plan to stay at WL. You won't be sorry. My son was 10 when were at AKL and he loved the pool and slide. FW is just a hop skip and a jump from you. You can do the campfire program and/or eat the buffet, which is reasonably priced.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!!

Jennie

 

[rriley25]

I predict that you and your family will LOVE the Lodge.
Also, I second the bunk-bed choice for kids. Boat to the MK or FW. The geyser spouting off every hour. The pools. The woodland themeing. The ramp from the lobby area to therear courtyard. It's a great place to vacation.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Barb
Hi, Did you get bunkbeds in your room? The pool is awesome, too!! Roaring Forks is great for quick meals and we've always been pleased with it. We also love Whispering Canyon for a great (meaning loud and lots of fun for the kids!) dinner! Feel free to email or PM with any questions. I'd be glad to help.

We did request the bunk beds.. we are anticipating arguments as to who gets the top bunk!


I'm glad to hear that it is good. Its just what I am used to, and what we have done before. This is just trying something new.

 

[Ratpack]

And where else can you stay and have ducks swimming in the pool with you?

You will love the lodge!!

 

[Amy]

Cindy B, you will LOVE the WL!!! In June, we made our 3rd trip to WDW; the 2 trips prior, we stayed at POFQ and loved it. We had dinner at WL on our 1st trip and always hoped to stay there, but never did because of the cost. When POFQ was closed this year, we were offered a great deal at WL, so we jumped at it. "We" meaning DH and I. Our 2 boys (ages 11 and 13) were NOT happy at all; they liked POFQ and the pool and felt comfortable there. If anything, they wanted to stay at ASSp because they're into hockey.

Well, all 4 of us absolutely LOVED the WL; only took a quick look around the place for our kids to be happy. The walk to FW is really nice, and you have all of those activities available. Be sure to rent water mice - I think that was the highlight of our trip. Transportation to the other parks is good, too. Roaring Forks has decent food - nothing fancy, but for a quick bite, it's ok.

Only problem - I WANT TO GO BACK!!!!!

 

[girlsx2]

I agree will all of the above mentioned. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED at all!! This past spring was our first trip to WDW with our kids (9,5, and almost 2) and we stayed at the WL. We absolutely loved it!! Our kids loved the pool. It's not as big as some of the other deluxe pools, but it was great. There are two hot tubs beside the pool as well as a kiddie pool. There is also a quiet pool over by the villas, we went over there walking one night and there was not a sole there. There is also a hot tub over there too. The lobby is just breathtaking. No pictures can truely capture the amibaunce of the WL. We are going back in Feb and are currently booked at POR (this is where we were originally booked in the spring) just to try something new. Now, however, we are second guessing ourselves and are either going to upgrade back to WL or try AKL this next trip. We are waiting on those darn codes to come out. I will add that once you stay at the WL it will be so hard going back to anything else. It was absolutely wonderful!! Just my two cents!!

Sherri

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I hope you take the time to explore that georgeous lobby !
There's different sitting areas on different floors that overlook the lobby. I'm sure that you will love it there !

 

[mat2672]

The WL is awesome. No other way to put it. Its a deluxe resort that you can get for reasonable prices. The lobby is awe inspiring as well as the grounds. I could praise the WL all day. Ive stayed just about everywhere in disney and I still havent been knocked off my feet the first time I stayed there as I was when we stayed at the WL the first time. Do yourself two favors. Take the kids over to fort wilderness and eat at the best buffet in the world and dont let anyone tell you that the transportation is bad at WL. Like every resort, it will surely have its transportation problems once in a while, but its way overrated. Have fun!

 

[BrerMom]

Having read your posts on the Community Boards, I think the only way you will be disappointed is if you think about the $$$ for WL vs. All-Stars. The WL in and of itself is breath-takingly beautiful.

 

[Blondie]

The WL is one resort that did not let me down!

Everything I had read about, the detailed theming and the charming atmosphere was all that and MORE! I loved the WL, the queen size oh so comfortable beds, all the little nooks and crannies, the lobby, EVERYTHING! We got bunkbeds for the boys, and I wish more resorts offered this kind of set-up! It was perfect for our family of 4.

The Poly was the only resort that left me scratching my head thinking "what the heck is all the hype about?!"

The Dolphin is our favorite resort, followed by the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[TowerTerror]

You will fall in love with this resort hotel. After staying at the WL you will never want to stay anywhere else again. The lobby is unbelievable, the large fireplace is always roaring, the hot springs that begin in the lobby and flow out to the themed pool is great, both restaurants are excellent.

Make sure that you make a reservation for dinner at the Whispering Canyon Cafe', this is literally in my opinion the best restaurant at Disney World. The dinner is family style which comes with smoked ribs, sausage, brisket, corn on the cob, baked beans, and a turkey leg. The best part is it is all-you -can eat. Artist Point is also a very fancy restaurant with excellent food (Salmon, Venison, Buffalo), but it may not be great for the kids but still worth trying out.

When you check in you should do these two things. Volunteer to be the family that will be able to raise the flags over the hotel first thing in the morning. The ceremony is great and the view is fantastic. The other thing you should do is pick up a list at the front desk of the Hidden Mickey's at the Wilderness Lodge, lots of fun.

You made a great decision choosing the Wilderness Lodge, you will not regret staying there.

 

[Wilma Flintstone]

And don't forget about the beach where you can view the nightly Electric Water Pageant.

Besides AKL, this has, in my opinion, the best theming.

Just check out the lobby, pool area and grounds. Oh, I feel that "tug" of Disney calling me back. Help!!

Have fun, Wilma