Hi All,

My DH, after years of hearing me complain about the grey skies and sleet that seem endless in PA during the winter, told me to go ahead and plan a trip to the World for January (yay!). In the past we have stayed at the Yacht Club (we love the pool, staff, rooms, and location). Since we just went in May of this year, I am trying to be a bit more conservative money-wise so reserved a room for 6 nights at the Wilderness Lodge for us and our 3 y.o. DS. I've heard that the rooms are small, location remote, and the transportation can be an issue. I've also heard lots of positives, though! Any opinions as to whether we should keep this ressie, or should I spend the extra $600 (:eek:) to stay at the Beach Club (YC not available) and hope AAA or a code discount comes out?

Any insight is appreciated! Thanks!:)

We've stayed at the WL twice, and really enjoyed it. It's a lovely hotel, with a very relaxed atmosphere. As for transportation, in addition to bus service, there is also the boat, which is great with young kids. My kids loved the pool. Every morning I would sit and have a cup of coffee on the balcony, and a cute little bunny would hop by below. I wondered if there wasn't a CM hiding behind a bush somewhere, releasing bunnies for our enjoyment. It's a natural theme, but all "cute" nature, duckies and bunnies and little gekkos. I really enjoyed sitting in the lobby on a rocking chair-there is a stream in the lobby. Keep the ressie, I think you won't be disappointed.

We LOVE WL. We have never had any issues with transportation there, we love it, especially the ferry to the MK. The rooms are, I guess, a bit small, for a deluxe, but they are just amazing in quality. The CMS are great, and Roaring Forks and WCC have out of this world food. It is a very family friendly place, with lots to see and do for kids. We are going back in less then a month!!!

Thanks to you both! You've helped ease my mind. Not that I was overly worried - because really, I'm just happy to be going at all! But it's always nice to hear good things about the place you've chosen!:)

PensFan87
We are DVC owners, and our home resort is WL. we love it, and have stayed there a total of 6 times. twice in regular rooms, and the rest at our DVC.
the rooms are very close in size to the BC, only 40SQ ft smaller. the pool area is smaller then Stomalong bay, but still very nice. the courtyard is very scenic, and there are so many nooks and crannies to see that a person could spend several days just exploring the place. Transportation is easy through the boat to the MK, and bus anywhere else. added bonus are the geyser and the nightly water pageant.

I'm going to be the naysayer, but I thought WL lodge was...well...eh. I definitely think after the YC (which is also one of our favorites), it is a step down.

Personally, I like the AKL a lot better than WL (and it's usually cheaper). Maybe it's just me...

In any case, it didn't distract enough that it ruined our vacation or anything...

and hope AAA or a code discount comes out?

Any insight is appreciated! Thanks!:)

AAA discounts came out this last weekend, I called and got mine applied to my WL reservation.

- here is our 2 cents....

We did a weekend there sans the kids a few years back and really enjoyed it. We had a regular room, 2 dbl. beds w/ a balcony, and found it to be plenty of space for what we needed. We are going back this January (same as OP!) and this time splurged on a 1 bedroom villa, and we think that the boys will really like it.

PS- my boys & husband are BIG time Penguins fans, too!

I think that you will really enjoy it. When in Jan. are you going? We will be there for 6 nights on the 20th of Jan., after 2 nights at POR.

We have friends who are .. well .. rather picky about their vacation experiences. When they go to Walt Disney World, they won't stay anywhere else besides Wilderness Lodge. That's one where we actually have not stayed personally, but I've heard many good things about it.

i just returned from the yc and it did have a great location and a great pool but it the hotel itself was missing something. I stayed at wl in nov and it is my favorite hotel so far that we have stayed at. we had a pool view room looking into the courtyard and it was great.

I love reading stuff about WL, because we're staying there for the first time this December. It'll just be me and the ol' man again. My question is, what's the probability of towel animals here? I've been to Caribbean Beach (once), Animal Kingdom (once), PO French Quarter (twice), and my favorite, Coronado Springs (4 or 5?), and have never gotten a towel animal. No complaints, because I've always enjoyed all my trips, but I've always been a little jealous. Is it because we've traveled without kids? Is it the resort?

Second question, what's your favorite little nook at WL?

NO !


Great Hotel, Great Location, Watercraft Transport, Great Resturants,
Great Theming !

You will not be disappointed. We love WL! The VWL is one of our home resorts.

Thanks to all who have responded! I know nothing is 100% but it seems the positives outweigh the negatives, for sure!

Ericles, we will be there from January 24-30. Can't wait! Other than it being hockey season, winter in Pittsburgh has little allure for me so it will be nice to see some sun!

Wilderness Lodge is our favorite resort. I love just walking into the place. We usually try to stay there.

Thanks to all who have responded! I know nothing is 100% but it seems the positives outweigh the negatives, for sure!

Ericles, we will be there from January 24-30. Can't wait! Other than it being hockey season, winter in Pittsburgh has little allure for me so it will be nice to see some sun!

Hey PensFan, we are from Pittsburgh and just stayed at the WL in June. We have previously stayed at the CS, and the WL was a far superior place. The transport (particularly with the boats) was much more convenient and the buses made fewer stops than the buses from CS. The feel of the resort was great, you never felt like you left the MK, and the CMs were exceptional. There were bunnies everywhere (I started to suspect that they might be animatronic, they appeared with such regularity) and a family of ducks swam through the pool every evening. I went through the same questions about whether it was worth it--but I knew with our kids (6 and 9 at the time) that we would be spending time at the resort at midday each day. The WL really did make that time seem more special.

On the downside, my only objection was that some rooms, facing the Whispering Canyon, heard a fair amount of whopping and hollering--some rooms are more quiet--the Unofficial Guide has the preferred numbers, I can't recall right off the top of my head.

Theresa

Hey PensFan, we are from Pittsburgh and just stayed at the WL in June. We have previously stayed at the CS, and the WL was a far superior place. The transport (particularly with the boats) was much more convenient and the buses made fewer stops than the buses from CS. The feel of the resort was great, you never felt like you left the MK, and the CMs were exceptional. There were bunnies everywhere (I started to suspect that they might be animatronic, they appeared with such regularity) and a family of ducks swam through the pool every evening. I went through the same questions about whether it was worth it--but I knew with our kids (6 and 9 at the time) that we would be spending time at the resort at midday each day. The WL really did make that time seem more special.

On the downside, my only objection was that some rooms, facing the Whispering Canyon, heard a fair amount of whopping and hollering--some rooms are more quiet--the Unofficial Guide has the preferred numbers, I can't recall right off the top of my head.

Theresa

I totally agree with this post! We stayed in the back part of the hotel for the first couple of nights, and then on the first floor facing the pool, and we loved it all! The Ferries are wonderful if you want to get fresh air and not be super crowded. The buses were quick to everything, and it's just B-E-A-Utiful! Have fun!

i just made a booking for 8 nights at the WL late jan-early feb, and have been reading the reviews on allears; a couple of (rare) negative reviews comment on the uncomfortable beds, which contradicts what everyone else seems to say about the beds at deluxe resorts. Can someone tell me please, if the WL beds have a pillowtop type mattress - nice and soft? thanks!

We're headed to the WL AGAIN in 10 days. We've stayed at BC and like WL so much more. We thought about going to Poly this time around and at the last minute we all (8 of us) decided back to WL! The resort is beautiful, we found transportation efficient and easy, especially the boat to MK. My kids love the boat and it is a great way to decompress in the evening. We liked the pool--although others have said it could be bigger (we always go at lesser crowd times). The rooms are fine. I really didn't notice a big difference between the BC and WL rooms.

I think you may really like it!

Yes there are towel animals everyday--we loved the alligator we found on our floor one afternoon!

Hi All,

My DH, after years of hearing me complain about the grey skies and sleet that seem endless in PA during the winter, told me to go ahead and plan a trip to the World for January (yay!). In the past we have stayed at the Yacht Club (we love the pool, staff, rooms, and location). Since we just went in May of this year, I am trying to be a bit more conservative money-wise so reserved a room for 6 nights at the Wilderness Lodge for us and our 3 y.o. DS. I've heard that the rooms are small, location remote, and the transportation can be an issue. I've also heard lots of positives, though! Any opinions as to whether we should keep this ressie, or should I spend the extra $600 (:eek:) to stay at the Beach Club (YC not available) and hope AAA or a code discount comes out?

Any insight is appreciated! Thanks!:)

I would stay with the Wilderness Lodge. We really enjoyed staying here a few years ago. The rooms are well sized. While the location is off the beaten path, the transportation is excellent and you won't have any problem getting around. :)

i Can someone tell me please, if the WL beds have a pillowtop type mattress - nice and soft? thanks!

I don't remember that they were pillowtop mattresses. I have a difficult time sleeping on pillowtop mattresses and I've never had a problem there...unless they have changed the mattresses in the last two years I don't think they are pt's.

I've stayed at both and I like them equally. My wife has a preference for YC (mostly because she is a huge Epcot fan and likes being able to walk there, as well as the BW). So, we're heading to YC again in November. (If I had my way, we would be headed to WL.)

only 16 days until we check in at WL! We have a woods view room. My question is can you request certain rooms? If so which rooms are the best to request? Should I try to upgrade to a pool view? Or should I just leave it up to Disney. I'm sure I will be happy with whatever I get but if I could do better.....

Newyorkmom,

We reserved a woods view; standard wasn't available so this was the least-expensive option for our Jan. trip. The Frommer's Guide to WDW with Kids says that these rooms are quieter than Courtyard views, which if true will be helpful for those mid-afternoon naps! I'd love to hear how your stay was when you get back!

Have fun!

I will definitely let you know how we liked it. (My husband, me, and two sons 12 and 14). Thanks for the info