Wilderness Lodge vs. Swan/Dolphin

[Yackerz]

I've narrowed it down to Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Prices around $240. (Plus maybe a % discount, depending what Disney got going then)

Or the Swan/Dolphin Around $150-$170 a night after (the resort fees I figure that is about what it will be).


I'm leaning to Swan/Dolphin based on proximity and maybe cheaper. However, if Disney gives a decent enough discount Wilderness Lodge may be close to the same price.

What are your thoughts? Thanks !

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

I've always wanted to stay at Wilderness Lodge, myself.

[NeverNeverland]

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite. It is GORGOEUS and relaxing. Plus you can see the little water pageant. And take a boat to the MK!

[yoyoflamingo]

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort on property. While Swan and Dolphin is closer to EPCOT and the Studios, the theming of the Lodge is the best in WDW, in my opinion. A truly remarkable resort that feels like it's miles away from the theme parks.

And, it's just a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom.

Between the 2, i would DEF go WL.

[Yackerz]

Price wise though the Wilderness Lodge may be $50 more per night. That's $150. I know my wife would say go for the Dolphin.. However, I know she'll love the wilderness. I don't know if I should discuss prices with her. However, she is the one who actually makes more money than me... a lot more haha.

[Yackerz]

I'm surprised no one else has commented yet. Well everyone so far says go with Wilderness. haha I took my wife to a wood furniture and they had a lot of furniture similar to what you would find at the Wilderness lodge. She hinted she might like to go to a place like this maybe and I hinted that Disney World might have it. Of course, it is "living it up" for us according to the price.

[flynnibus]

just show her pictures of the WL lobby.. that should be enough.

[Yackerz]

My main concern with the WL is transportation.

I guess from WL to the MK it is quicker than say the Dolphin to the MK. |
I know there is both a bus and a boat from WL to the MK. What one is faster going / returning? I read during certain hours there is a blue line that travels to the contemporary directly and that its a quicker ride + walk than the boat directly to MK. Does this beat the bus route? I am sure one is faster returning than going.

Transport to Epcot seems longer than other resorts as well as to DHS. Reason being, WL is not on the monorail line as the other deluxes and of course isn't within in walking distance like the Dolphin/Swan.

Transport to AK seems maybe about equal as the other resorts on disney property?

I real have a car. Would I be better off driving to AK? / DHS? There is also the option of taking the boat to the contemporary and then the monorail to Epcot. Is that option even more time consuming?

Another slight concern is beds. For some reason, I hear bad reviews about nearly ALL the beds at WDW. More so the double beds than the queen beds, but there are some bad reviews circulating about the beds at WL too.

What is the likelihood of the Wilderness Lodge being eligible for some discounted promotion off its exhorbitant rack rates in the summer of 2011? I know right now there are promotions for 25% off deluxe prices for summer 2010. It be nice if a similar offer was available then. How long should I "hold out" for a discount offer?

[NeverNeverland]

If you have a car, then drive everywhere except the MK. he boat will most likely be faster going, coming back would depend on the crowd.

I've never had a problem with the beds anywhere. They're all the same as just about every hotel to me. The pillows I always have issues with, at every hotel lol

Not sure about the discount... I don't think summer rates are discounted much :??: but I could be wrong.

[Yackerz]

Currently there are some good discounts available

discount rates for Disney hotels

May-August Savings of up to 30% Off

Stay dates: 5/2/10-8/14/10. Get a 15%-30% discount off regular "Rack" rates. Percent off varies by resort type. Use code TD7. Some dates will be blocked out. Rates not available for all dates and resorts.

Save 15% at Disney Value Resorts
Save 20% at Disney Moderate Resorts
Save 25% at Disney Deluxe Resorts
Save 30% at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Also:

Stay dates: 8/15/10-10/2/10. Get a 30%-40% discount off regular "Rack" rates. Percent off varies by resort type. Use code ID6. Some dates will be blocked out. Rates not available for all dates and resorts.

Save 30% at Disney Value Resorts
Save 30% at Disney Moderate Resorts
Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Resorts
Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

[SnorkletsMom]

I've stayed at the Swan and at the Wilderness Lodge. The lobby alone at the WL is worth the price. It is just beautiful. Do a Google Image search and see. Please.
I would seriously have slept on a sofa in the lobby and been happy. Yes, it was more expensive but sometimes it's worth it.
The Swan is fine, but it's just a hotel. The WL is really an experience. If you can, I say go for it.

[Yackerz]

With a 25% discount the prices are near the same which is a great deal for WL. However, no guarantee I'd get that same discount next year.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Are we all going to have to chip in, or what?

[Yackerz]

haha.. well it will be to celebrate our 2 year anniversary.
If you would like to chip in, I'd appreciate it!
If you would rather have me stay at the WL than the Dolphin it will probably be about a $180 difference for the 3 days. Therefore, maybe I can start a campaign on here to raise $180 to make our trip extra magical . I don't know if this will work too well, but you never know !

[Yackerz]

Well, I talked to my wife last night and I convinced her to go with the WL based off a "$20 difference than the swan/dolphin". (Those numbers were rather HOPEFUL to say the least) In actuality the difference will probably be more like $60 a night.

Well in your opinion is WL worth $60 more per night than the Swan/Dolphin.

To offset the cost, I considered not getting the hopper option on our 4 day stay. As we will actually only be staying 3 nights and the first day we'll be only really a half day in the parks. The last day likewise I am planning on only spending till before dinner in the parks.