WL lovers-convince me to switch!

[Karmel96]

We currently have a room only ressie for early February. I've been thinking about switching over to a Deluxe for a change; we have stayed at POR the last 2 times and loved it, but maybe it's time for a change. Money is an issue, so I was thinking of WL.
Is it worth it? What makes it so special? I've heard it has the highest return rate of any WDW hotel.
Make me change my plans people! (or at least convince my DH that we should! )

 

[Swimmergirl]

I was in the same boat! For our next trip we were thinking of staying at POR again. I've stayed there twice now (the first time is was still called Dixie Landings). But I caved in to my hubby and agreed to spend a bit more and stay at Wilderness Lodge. Part of the reason is sentimental - we spent our honeymoon there and this trip will be celebrating his return from Iraq. But we also want to go to Wilderness Lodge just for the different feel of it. I love POR and its landscape, calm walks to the room, and southern feel. But Wilderness Lodge has a grandness about it that POR can't quite capture. When you walk around POR you think "gosh, this is so nice", but when you walk into the lobby of WL your jaw drops and you think "This is AMAZING!" The upside is, no matter which one you choose you are sure to come out a winner! Have a great trip!

 

[letthewookiewin]

I have never stayed at the POR before. I have only stayed at the CBR, and the WL. As long as we can afford to, I will always stay at the WL. It is just a beautil resort. When we got off the DME bus to go into the lobby, I actually teared up as I walked in. I wasn't the only one that did, so did my DS8. If you like going to the mountains, you will love the WL. Below are a few of the pic I took on our last trip. No matter how many pictures I looked at before we got there, none of them truly captured the amazing beauty of the WL.

One of the totem poles in the lobby.

The Disney totem pole and make sure to rub the bear's nose. I am told it makes the magic begin.

Waterfall near the pool

A bunny we saw near the pool. Also, there were several ducks on property.

 

[wishiwereindisney]

the WL is IMO is by far the most relaxing resort in WDW. I have stayed at POP and POFQ and both were great but when you are at WL you really feel that you are away from the parks in a secluded mountain resort. The pools are superior as well as the beach on bay lake. you can rent boats and bikes from the beach. you can see the electric water pagent from the lake. oh and there is boat transportation to the MK in addition to the bus. have i said enough?

 

[msmayor]

We stayed in the WL in 2005 and let me tell you...it was worth every single penny.

My family likes to sleep a little later than me. I took advantage of that gorgeous hotel and arose every morning early (as usual) and was able to get coffee and take my book to spend an hour or so in the lobby relaxing every morning. Sitting there, listening to the gurgle of the spring and the soft music was AMAZING. There is no place like it at the mods.

We loved the pool area; so relaxing after a day in the parks. With the Trout Pass bar right there DH and I could enjoy drinks while the kids swam; the food court is just steps away from the pool area.

No long walks to get anywhere, and the indoor corridors from the room to the food court and elsewhere at the resort meant that the daily summer rains never bothered us.

 

[f7prez]

Even though WL is one of our favorites, we haven't been back there in ten years. The reason is that we always want to try a different hotel. I would suggest you do the same. Try the WL, you will see why so many people rave about this place. I remember walking into the lobby for the first time. My jaw dropped as my head slowly tilted back, looking up at the impressive post structure. From the moment you first travel up the winding driveway to The Lodge, you begin to feel like you are in the middle of the rockies. The pool, lake and geyser all help to leave you thinking you could stay there forever.

 

[eliza61]

We love trying new resorts just for a different flavor on vacation. WL is definitely one of our top 2. First, the themeing is awesome, the lobby is literally jaw dropping the first time. For us it is so soothing and comforting after a long day at the parks. We love the pool, Dh and I enjoy the bar is right next to the main pool so we can enjoy a beer while the kids swim. It's got 2 really nice TS restaurants and the boat to MK is really a great way to travel. Unless you absolutely hate the Northwest lodge type theme I think you will really enjoy WL.

 

[susieq76]

Its our favorite hotel too! Just so relaxing, serene and beautiful!

A main reason to switch to a deluxe though? A queen size bed Hate those double beds!

 

[snowman]

Okay - so I'll be a slightly different view.

In the past we have stayed at AS-Movies, POR (when it was Dixie Landings), and PO-FQ. This most recent trip we were at WL.

First off let me say - Wilderness Lodge is beautiful. The lobby is magnificent, it takes your breath away. It is a perfectly lovely resort in every way. It was nice to watch the Electrical Water Parade & MK Fireworks from our beach - once - we certainly didn't watch them every night. The inside corridors and central lobby were nice bonuses if you were inclined to people watch. And it certainly is themed to the hild.

However, for us, PO-FQ is also a perfectly lovely resort and about $200.00/night less than we paid at WL (we had Courtyard/bunks). Yea, for us it does come down to dollars spent. The room isn't much larger than the rooms at PO-FQ. The staff is no more friendly just because its WL than they are at PO-FQ. I love the CM's and have always found the majority to be very friendly, no matter where we stayed. And, on the flip side, every resort seems to have the token "snooty" CM on staff too...just to make you appreciate the friendly ones more.

We are planning our next trip and are leaning towards returning to PO-FQ. We weren't blown away by WL, which is at least in part because we probably had too high expectations of a deluxe. That's not to say we wouldn't stay at WL if we had a good rate - its just not worth the extra money for our family.

Good luck w/ your decision and I'm sure you will have a lovely vacation no matter where you decide to lay your head.

 

[luna99]

My family likes to sleep a little later than me. I took advantage of that gorgeous hotel and arose every morning early (as usual) and was able to get coffee and take my book to spend an hour or so in the lobby relaxing every morning. Sitting there, listening to the gurgle of the spring and the soft music was AMAZING. There is no place like it at the mods.

That sounds heavenly. I think you may have just sold me on the WL, not that I needed much selling. We will definitely stay at the WL on our next trip, even if I have to work TONS of overtime!

 

[LilGMom]

If you can swing it then do it! We have always had a goal of eventually staying at all of the WDW resorts yet we always go back to the WL. When you enter it truely takes your breath away. I remember walking in for the first time and standing there about three feet in from the front doors with my jaw hanging open and slowing turning around in a small circle to see everything. We gone to all of the floors to see the artifacts spread around the resort and even when we haven't been staying there we've gone to just walk around. It has such a nice, warm, homey feeling to it that you can feel your daily stress literally melt off of you as soon as you walk in. I think everyone should experience the WL at least once!

When we go back in 36 days (woohoo) I'm not sure if we're more excited about staying at VWL or our other planned activities. We love it.

 

[letthewookiewin]

My favorite thing about our stay at the WL was our balcony. We had a woods view room near the otter pond. Every night after we put this DS's to bed, my DH and I would sit on the balcony. Some of the nights we were there early enough to see the fireworks from the MK pop over the trees. Then we would listen to the sounds of the woods until we heard the Electric Water Pageant. When it was done, we showered and got to bed.
The WL may be large and impressive, but some how it still feels like the family's log cabin in the Rocky Mountains. Everytime a CM would tell us "Welcome home", it really felt like we were coming home. It didn't just feel like some hotel we were coming to sleep at night b/c you have to go some where after the parks close.

 

[snappy]

I am just back from a four nighter at WL Wednesday.

My 77 yo mom and I loved it. The beds and bedding were very comfortable. There must have been a recent rehab here as the bedspreads look new, and the room had a flat screen tv. We liked the double sinks (granite top) with the granite shell above the counter and more storage beneathe the counter.

We had an inner courtyard room on the fourth floor and loved being out on the balcony. . .comfortable furniture, great view of waterfall, pool, and Bay Lake. We saw a bunny several days down in the courtyard eating the grennery and countless ducks flew in especially in the am (they like to swim in the pool too).

The constant sound of the waterfall going when sitting on the balcony was very soothing.

The drapery material was very good at blocking light in the morning, we slept late several mornings and did not realize the time.

Best part. . it is absolutely a 5 minute bus ride to and from MK, given we went at a slow time (except the Night of Joy nights over the weekend). The boat we only took once, it goes to the Wilderness campsites first and took too long. Also, the bus from Epcot went all through the campsites first, we were very tired so it seemed to take forever.

For a mostly MK trip, WL cannot be beat. I would stay at an Epcot resort area to do Epcot and MGM.
Or have a rental car and drive to Epcot and MGM.

We never tried AK so can't comment on that commute.

We had excellent attention from CM's here. It was also a short elevator ride and walk (all covered) to the bus stop from our room location. I could not believe how convenient it was to go down to the bus stop, rain or shine.

WL spoiled me. I am already plotting my 2008 visit to WL.

 

[letthewookiewin]

We had excellent attention from CM's here. It was also a short elevator ride and walk (all covered) to the bus stop from our room location. I could not believe how convenient it was to go down to the bus stop, rain or shine.

WL spoiled me. I am already plotting my 2008 visit to WL.

I totally agree. Especially about the CM's at the WL. I am not saying that the CM's we came across at the CBR weren't good, because they were. There was just something special about the CM's I came across at the WL. They made me feel like family, and not a customer. I am planning a trip back to the WL in 2008. Also we are planning our 15th year wedding anniversary to go to WDW in 2010, since my DH and I met at the MK. The DS's want to do a Disne cruise on that trip, but I have to get my WL fix first.

 

[snappy]

I think some of the WL employees are longterm. I talked at length to one CM in the resort store. She went out of her way to go get the mug I wanted with the Disney character totem pole out of the display window (it was the last one, and she packed it securely for me to take on the plane with me.) She told me that she and her husband both have worked at the WL for 10 years. She told me a funny story about the shot glass I picked our with that same totem ple for my DH. When I brought it over, she laughed and called it a tooth pick holder at which I gave her a funny look. She said a few years ago the manager about had a meltdown when a CM in the shop called it a shot glass, he said NEVER call it that, it was a toothpick holder. This thing is over 4 inches tall, it would have to be big honking tooth picks or you would never be able to get them outta there.

Just the right size for a shot glass for my DH, however.

And the lady who checked me out Wednesday afternoon was so nice, we had a lot in common if you know what I mean, our conversation touched me so much, I broke down in tears.

My mom asked a CM a question or two about how the lodge was constructed, and someone went running to see if we could have a tour (we were getting ready to leave for our plane). A manager went and got us copies of a very informative packet with tons of info about the construction, how the totem poles were designed and carved, a list of all the music that is played in the lodge, and much more.

Mom had so much fun there I will have NO problem talking her into another trip.

Even the bell service guy, Robert, went above and beyond, the female life guard on duty Wednesday was a sweetheart, etc.

I have to say I had a better experience than I have had at my DVC stays at OKW. Not to slam the CM's there but this was a fantastic experience.

I plan to combine my DVC stays with WL stays in the future rather than going to an offsite house, townhouse or timeshare.