wilderness lodge

[biggins]

Hi. Was wondering if anyone has stayed at WL and what you thought of it. I have stayed in the epcot area hotels way too many times:blush: and am open to a change. I used to love walking into epcot, but with a toddler now I think I will be in the MK a lot more. Thanks for any information!

[faline]

You'll find this resort is a favorite of many on this board. I've stayed at this resort a number of times and it is, in fact, my husband's favorite Disney resort. It's just a short boat ride from the Magic Kingdom. You'll use busses to all other locations.

It looks very rustic and woodsy but is quite charming and appealing. I think you will find this a very good choice!

[mydisneygirls]

We LOVE the WL and this is now where we stay (can't afford to stay at my favorite Poly any longer). This is not a huge resort so I like the quaintness of it and the lobby is awesome. You can search for a video!! With a toddler, you will love the boat to/from MK and if needed, you can be back to your room in no time. The rooms aren't huge but big enough. You will love it!

[biggins]

Thank you!

[AgentC]

We were there last weekend. Like you we tend to be Epcot resort people but I have always loved Wilderness Lodge.

I think it is one of the prettiest resorts around. I especially love the waterfall and the river that winds from the lobby to the pool and beyond. The lobby is beautiful and has many nook to explore especially on the higher floors where you will find little sitting areas with fireplaces.

The resort is fairly compact though some of the rooms can be quite a trip down the halls. The rooms are smaller than the Epcot deluxes but not tiny. We had a courtyard room with bunk beds. My kids loved it though I felt the size of the bunk bed made the room feel smaller.

There is a great kid's club and on Saturdays kids can decorate cookies at the quick serve.

Foodwise, the quick serve - Roaring Fork is small but has a good variety and unlike the Epcot resorts hot breakfast is easy to find and includes Mickey waffles much to my children's delight. There is also the Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist's Point (signature restaurant). The gift shop is a good size and has a decent assortment of food.

I love the boat to MK though I suppose some might find that a negative. I think it is a much more enjoyable way to get to the park. We saw a family of otters playing by the shore while we waiting.

On the negative side, there is the smaller rooms. Also because the Whispering Canyon Cafe is open to the lobby, the lobby does tend to get very busy and crowded while it is open.

I think you would really enjoy it. :)

[VWL Mom]

Our favorite resort! Since you're traveling with a toddler be sure to check out the playground, the marshmallow roast and movie at the beach, and the Cub's Den recreation schedule. The beach area can also keep a toddler busy in the sand.

If your child will be going to sleep early you can bring a battery operated candle with you and relax with a bite to eat or your favorite beverage on the balcony.

I had the change to stay last March right after the refurb and posted some photos of the room (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=198428).

[MrPeetrie]

We LOVE this resort. Beautiful and Impressive are two words that come to mind. The fireplace rock work mirrors the striata of the Grand Canyon. The geyser eruptions. The water Imagineering, where a bubbling spring in the lobby flows out and becomes the pool. (Three separate systems.)

Great signature resturant (Artist Point). Great fun restaurant (Whispering Canyon Cafe).

And my favorite: the boat ride in the brisk, early morning hours from The Wilderness Lodge to the Magic Kingdom. You will travel over one of only a handful of water bridges in the world. (Walt Disney World has two.)

[Euby]

Many moons ago we stayed there when my niece was a toddler. We had a ground floor room that had a patio overlooking a small pond. It was a lovely place! Food was very good! You won't be dissappointed

[Jeniflower]

Its our faourite place to be, lovely staff excellent service and just a quick boat trip to MK. The buses to other parks are great too. back again in 183 days

[Davy Crockett]

My favorite resort - if you can't tell.
Especially if you have children.
It helps if you love the Yellowstone / Western environment and the outdoors, but I think anyone would enjoy their stay.
I would recommend that you at least reserve a wood view and if budgets allow a courtyard view to ensure that your first stay is not overlooking a parking lot or some other less desirable area of the resort.

[buzznwoodysmom]

Favorite resort on property!

We love the epcot resorts too, but WL remains our favorite. One great thing to keep in mind is that you will save a lot of money staying at WL instead of one of the Epcot resorts. That's extra spending money for special meals, treats, experiences or souvenirs! Have a great trip!

[RavsRuleDisney!]

We LOVE the WL and this is now where we stay (can't afford to stay at my favorite Poly any longer).

Re: POLY, I hear ya! :( Re: WL, we just stayed there after being away from there for a few trips and yup, it's still one of our faves!! you will enjoy it no doubt....

[biggins]

thank you all so much for the information and encouragement! I really want to try something different. I ate at the artists point during my last stay and the whole hotel is beautiful. My only hesitation now when thinking about it is at the end of the evening when my son may/or may not be sleeping in the stroller, would there be more for us to do around the boardwalk and would it be easier to end the night just pushing him back to the hotel in a stroller vs having to collapse and carry on the bus for instance... we'll see I'm still torn:unsure: Thank you all

[AndrewJackson]

It's a great resort. The lobby is breathtaking. We've stayed at the resort twice as well as the villas twice.

Since you have a young one, consider taking a short boat ride to Fort Wilderness for a pony ride. The same boat makes a stop at the Contemporary as well. I'm sure your little one would love a meal at Chef Mickey's and the Fab Five.

[VWL Mom]

[QUOTE=biggins;2403240} My only hesitation now when thinking about it is at the end of the evening when my son may/or may not be sleeping in the stroller, would there be more for us to do around the boardwalk and would it be easier to end the night just pushing him back to the hotel in a stroller vs having to collapse and carry on the bus for instance... we'll see I'm still torn:unsure: Thank you all[/QUOTE]

If you'll be spending a lot of time at MK then you could just roll the stroller on the boat to WL. If you think you'll spend more time at Epcot then you could roll him home from there. It's pretty much split.

[buzznwoodysmom]

would it be easier to end the night just pushing him back to the hotel in a stroller vs having to collapse and carry on the bus for instance... we'll see I'm still torn:unsure: Thank you all

Well you'll still have to do that when leaving MK and AK by bus if you stay at the Epcot area. There is no way of getting around it for an entire trip. And if you plan to spend more time in MK since you have the little one in tow you'll have to collapse that stroller every night that you visit MK. I wouldn't let that stop you from trying WL. If this is a huge concern of yours, and you do indeed plan to spend a lot of time in MK, you might want to look into one of the monorail resorts.

[biggins]

Thanks all. Buzznwoodysmom you have a really good point and I didn't think about it., I will have to do that either way. Was thinking if doing mk in the day and epcot at nights but I might very well be taking him back sleeping at nap time during the day so same thing.

[goofy-4-disney]

The Wilderness is in my top 3 favorite resorts at WDW. I love the theme and layout of the resort. I also love the boat ride to the MK, which makes for a very relaxing end to the night when heading back to the resort.

[Figment104]

This is our favorite resort too!!! We took DS with us on our last trip and he was almost 18 months at the time, and just had a blast there. He loved riding on the boats that take you to MK. He loved the the bubbling brook in the lobby and seeing the geyser erupt. As someone else mentioned they have a great beach to play on, with a nice playset that he had a lot of fun with. You're also able to see the water pageant on Bay Lake which really drew his attention.

If your LO does fall asleep early what we did was have DH run and get us a yummy beverage and a dessert or appetizer type item and just sit on our balcony and enjoy them while watching all the action by the pool. Our favorite view is a courtyard view for that very reason! I can't recommend this resort enough!