WL for someone who prefers the Tropics

[wildernessDad]

We love the WL. The lobby is jaw-dropping gorgeous! The feel of the place is very laid-back and relaxing, great after a frantic day at the parks.

 

[nonsmom]

Thank you for taking the time to post this! I had never thought about it like that. My kids are very excited about the boat ride and are hoping we can be the Flag Family. I've come across several great reviews and I'm now looking forward to staying at WL.

Ktink, caught ya! Still second guessing yourself? You crack me up

 

[Cmbar]

Well, I don't want to dampen your thrill for your family, but I would say that you might feel a bit of disappointment. I was also thrilled to be staying at WL on our last trip because I wanted to try a Deluxe. I have to say that when I arrived I did the usual "oh look at that" at the lobby. It is jaw dropping.... But I really don't like lodges and all that wood. I am a beach girl and I have to say while I was impressed by the lobby I had a moment of let down. Lets face it, it is just a lobby. Then we were assigned our rooms and I was down right disappointed. Just know that the rooms are not large. They definitely felt small to me and while we had the new upgraded rooms, again I was so disappointed with all the dark schemes and wood.

Now I am just telling you this because I think you might feel a letdown.

I actually loved the WL more AFTER I left. When I thought back on it, I loved lots of things about the resort: the boat to MK! The beach and the Electrical Pagent Parade. I likedRoaring Forks. It was small and not confusing! The pool was just OK for me, but I hear it has been redone this year so that may be nice. Loved that everything was in one building! And we got to be there when they put up the Christmas tree, that was amazing!

There are a lot of wonderful things about this resort but I do think you might experience, like I did, a let down in the decor. But only because of your preferences, certainly not because the resort isn't just wonderful.

Hey your at Disney!!!!! Your going to have a great time!

 

[brergnat]

Ok, this is going to sound really funny, BUT...

...I HATE the "outdoors". I do NOT camp, hike, enjoy picnics, etc. I hate bugs, dirt, and the smell of the woods. I do not like to fish, don't get excited about seeing deer and rabbits (probably because I had them in my backyard daily growing up), etc.

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite WDW resort. Seriously. I don't know why; I can't really explain it. I fell in love with it the first time I went there to eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe and I vowed to stay there next time. "Next time" was my wedding planning trip. I booked the Honeymoon Suite for our Honeymoon. That was 6 years ago.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

ktink, havent been on the boards for a few days, whats new??

My gosh woman, I have been trying to catch up at all the threads you frequent.... I am totally a Palm Tree girl too, but I really think you will love WL!!!

You will be having such a greagt time at WL, you will forget you ever were "pine-ing" for the Poly....lol
You know that MK is the park you will mostly be frequenting, there is a Magical boat ride that takes you there...and auntie stated super comments!!!

The Poly will still be there for you next trip.....
Just visit the Poly (Ohana) and get your Poly fix..it does work, it did for me back in March!!
And there IS a beach at WL!

 

[Home@WL]

I'm a huge WL fan; I've stayed there once before and I'm going back in less than a month!

Anyway, I can definitely say that the Lodge has one of the best themes of any resort. As FlashScout said, the lobby is amazing. It's easy to lose track of time sitting in front of that massive fireplace. Everything is so well designed; even down to the headboards (you'll see).

I'm sure you'll have a great time; glad you picked WL!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I know exactly what you mean. I am a tropical person as well and love the Poly.

Personally, I would pick ANY resort over the Wilderness Lodge....but that's how much I detest the wilderness atmosphere.

I am from Wisconsin, so for me, the Wilderness Lodge is like being at home. I want to go on VACATION, not be in a similar atmosphere!

If it were me, I would definitely try the Beach Club or another resort.

Good luck!

 

[POLY1985]

When I saw your post I just had to comment. I am a HUGE tropical fan. My cube at work is loaded with beach pictures. We stayed at the Polynesian on our honeymoon because of my beach obsession and we've also stayed at Caribbean Beach. However, 4 years ago we tried Wildnerness Lodge and I just fell in love with it. We're going back to Disney this August and I just had to stay at WL again. There's just something about it. I love walking into the huge lobby, watching the spring in the lobby feed its way outside, over the waterfall, through the pool and into the lake. I also love the walk to the boat dock with the trees dripping with Spanish Moss. Somehow to me it just seems cozier, maybe because of the size.

 

[fla4fun]

Look at it this way - you still get another Disney trip, so not staying tropical is definitely worth it.

What I love about Disney resorts are the immersive experiences at each one. I love WL because living in Florida, I like a resort that makes me feel I'm somewhere other than Florida. I like that it's all in one building, I like being on the lake, I like being able to rent bicycles and ride over to FW, I like all the cozy fireplaces and the nooks and crannies to explore. The key is to have an open mind and not compare WL to anything else. Take it on it's own merits.

I also like the Poly, for the larger rooms, and the monorail access, but it doesn't make or break my vacation which resort I'm in. If staying at a mod means I get two trips instead of one, I'll stay mod. If staying at AKL or WL means I get two trips, I'll stay there.

 

[Angela Kay]

I'm not into the woodsy or rustic decor...I love things light and airy. That being said, we just returned from an 8 night stay at the WL and we couldn't have loved it more. We'll be staying there again next June. The WL is anything but rustic. It's absolutely beautiful and I could have spent the entire trip hanging out there.

 

[kespo]

The reason we won't stay at SSR again- give us OKW!

I couldn't have said it better!! I feel the same way!!! I just need to see palm trees!!!

 

[ktink]

Thanks for all the opinions. The more I read about WL the more I believe that it's the place for us this trip. I won't go in expecting a tropical paradise because I know that it's not. But I do love the outdoors and we camp alot so I can appreciate it for what it is. I'm sure we will have a wonderful trip and after all we will be in Disney. Thanks again!

 

[LadyGracey]

I hope you enjoy the WL! I have not stayed at the Poly before (am going on Sunday for the first time! ) but I always wanted to and could never afford it or the AP rates were booked...that's why I ended up at WL last trip, and I fell in love--it feels more like "home" to me than any other Disney hotel I've stayed at. I only hope I love the Poly as much!!!