(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread ~2012~

[heather13]

To me it doesn't make much sense to take the boat to MK to catch the monorail to Epoct. I don't love taking the bus either and in my 3 stays at WL we have taken the boat/monorail route to get to Epoct. But it takes at least an hour to do this route.

Heavens!! It takes an hour to get there?! The whole reason we picked VWL is that so many people here insisted it's a really quick & easy way to get to both Epcot & MK (the two parks we'll be visiting multiple times). It kind of defeats the purpose when we want to go back to the hotel to rest during the day, if that's going to take 2+ hours just for transport.

A big reason I don't like the bus is that our last visit THAT took an hour or more each direction - so I guess if it's going to take that long I'd rather be on the boat. I'm glad I at least asked before we leave in two weeks, or I'd be getting rather antsy the whole time. Guess I'll need to just remember the journey is part of the fun.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks WDWKOOK! (and you're not missing the weather in IN - it's COLD right now!)


We've rented points, so no daily mousekeeping. Anyone who knows about trash - please let me know!

Taking the bus to Epcot is something we really want to avoid if possible. We'll have to ride them enough for other parks & DTD. A perk of WL is the boat. Will we be cutting it too close to take the boat to MK, then catch the monorail from there? I only vaguely remember this, but it seemed like the boat docked pretty close to the station.

Each location should have a trash room and you should have extra trash bags in the bottom of the trash can. If you need more, just ask housekeeping for extra. The location of the trash room should be on the information sheet you get when you check in. Or you should be able to follow the signs in the building to the trash room.

 

[Kathymford]

Heavens!! It takes an hour to get there?! The whole reason we picked VWL is that so many people here insisted it's a really quick & easy way to get to both Epcot & MK (the two parks we'll be visiting multiple times). It kind of defeats the purpose when we want to go back to the hotel to rest during the day, if that's going to take 2+ hours just for transport.

A big reason I don't like the bus is that our last visit THAT took an hour or more each direction - so I guess if it's going to take that long I'd rather be on the boat. I'm glad I at least asked before we leave in two weeks, or I'd be getting rather antsy the whole time. Guess I'll need to just remember the journey is part of the fun.

I would agree that the monorail route to Epcot from WL takes about an hour. Our last trip we purposely did a "no buses" trip, but this was our 3rd trip in 12 months and very leisurely. I seriously doubt the bus to Epcot would take you that long unless you're going in a very busy time of year. Others will be able to confirm thus though.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Could anyone there now (or going soon) post what time the campfire/marshmallow roast is? And also what the movie line up is for October?

Thank you, thank you!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Here is the latest schedule from Build a Better Mouse Trip which I'll post to the first page later:

October Wilderness Lodge Beach Movie Schedule ~ 8:00PM​

Sundays - Monsters, Inc.
Mondays - The Haunted Mansion
Tuesdays - Tarzan
Wednesdays - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Thursdays - DisneyNature: Chimpanzee
Fridays - Halloweentown
Saturdays - Cinderella​

I called WDTC and tried to request a Wishes view. She said she could not put that in but could put in facing the theme park. Does that seem right or should I call back? We booked a Woods View Bunk Bed Room.

She can put in whatever she wants, she must have been choosing from a menu or something or thought you were wanting what at other resorts is a bookable view (TPV formerly MKV). The WL room assignor will see your request and understand TPV mean Wishes, but you can also call back and have another CM put in exactly what you'd like.

Thanks WDWKOOK! (and you're not missing the weather in IN - it's COLD right now!)


We've rented points, so no daily mousekeeping. Anyone who knows about trash - please let me know!

Your question has been answered

Heavens!! It takes an hour to get there?! The whole reason we picked VWL is that so many people here insisted it's a really quick & easy way to get to both Epcot & MK (the two parks we'll be visiting multiple times). It kind of defeats the purpose when we want to go back to the hotel to rest during the day, if that's going to take 2+ hours just for transport.

A big reason I don't like the bus is that our last visit THAT took an hour or more each direction - so I guess if it's going to take that long I'd rather be on the boat. I'm glad I at least asked before we leave in two weeks, or I'd be getting rather antsy the whole time. Guess I'll need to just remember the journey is part of the fun.

I'm not sure why they told you "it's really quick and easy." That truly only applies when you can walk to the theme park, like from BLT, BWV or BCV. Even when you make an ADR, Disney warns you to allow something like 90 mins. to get to your ADR using WDW transportation. In general, the bus to Epcot takes about 30 mins. give or take.

Each location should have a trash room and you should have extra trash bags in the bottom of the trash can. If you need more, just ask housekeeping for extra. The location of the trash room should be on the information sheet you get when you check in. Or you should be able to follow the signs in the building to the trash room.

Thank you for answering this! I'm going to put this advice on the first page.

I would agree that the monorail route to Epcot from WL takes about an hour. Our last trip we purposely did a "no buses" trip, but this was our 3rd trip in 12 months and very leisurely. I seriously doubt the bus to Epcot would take you that long unless you're going in a very busy time of year. Others will be able to confirm thus though.

I've actually found that during a holiday or when it's really busy, they call out more buses and tend not to share with another resort so it can actually be a little faster. But, you can end up with buses that fill quickly and crowded bus stops at peak times.

This isn't directed at you, but it's always prudent to allow at least one hour to get to your destination. You don't know how long you'll have to wait for the bus to arrive, whether it will stop at GF or FW afterwards, and how long the security and park entrance lines might be. The boat is really nice, but is really intended to go to/from MK, CR and FW.

So would you do your 'no buses' trip again?

 

[Flossbolna]

She can put in whatever she wants, she must have been choosing from a menu or something or thought you were wanting what at other resorts is a bookable view (TPV formerly MKV). The WL room assignor will see your request and understand TPV mean Wishes, but you can also call back and have another CM put in exactly what you'd like.

I recently read about a similar issue on the DVC boards and it appears that part of a new software upgrade is that now room requests come all from pre determined menu (the same options that you get for online check-in). There still seems to be an additional field for free entries, but it is unclear whether that data is being tranferred to the resort or not. I find that a bit worrying, but keep in mind I would still consider this a rumor, not a fact!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Heavens!! It takes an hour to get there?! The whole reason we picked VWL is that so many people here insisted it's a really quick & easy way to get to both Epcot & MK (the two parks we'll be visiting multiple times). It kind of defeats the purpose when we want to go back to the hotel to rest during the day, if that's going to take 2+ hours just for transport.

A big reason I don't like the bus is that our last visit THAT took an hour or more each direction - so I guess if it's going to take that long I'd rather be on the boat. I'm glad I at least asked before we leave in two weeks, or I'd be getting rather antsy the whole time. Guess I'll need to just remember the journey is part of the fun.

Another option was to take the boat to CR and do the monorail from there. We are not clockwatchers while on vacation, so I can honestly not tell you how long it took us to get to the parks (by boat or by bus). Boat transportation, while relaxing, certainly seemed to take longer.

We are a family that doesn't mind buses and we found the buses to be very efficient at WL. I honestly don't believe that it ever took us an hour to get anywhere.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Can you walk to the TTC from the WL? Is it very far away?

 

[cwt580]

Nope cant walk to ttc....

 

[babyberger]

Here is the latest schedule from Build a Better Mouse Trip which I'll post to the first page later:

October Wilderness Lodge Beach Movie Schedule ~ 8:00PM

Sundays - Monsters, Inc.
Mondays - The Haunted Mansion
Tuesdays - Tarzan
Wednesdays - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Thursdays - DisneyNature: Chimpanzee
Fridays - Halloweentown
Saturdays - Cinderella

Kook - you rock!!!! Thank you!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[yolie912]

Hello,
I am staying at the WL in December...and CL....I have a question. I purchased MVMCP. Can they print them out for me? Also what else besides dining does CL do? Thanks!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Trying to adjust (and doing pretty darn good!) to a needed heart healthy diet. That means a diet very low in sodium, cholesterol and fat. It really is much easier then you'd think! But, WDW does make me a tad nervous...

Will WL CL help with this restriction? Can/would CL accomodate this need in their food offerings?

It is not a choice, but a true need to have a healthy heart must.

Thanks!

 

[heather13]

Thanks Deb & Bill for the trash info - that's just what I needed!
Thanks Kook & everyone for the transport advice. Better to know now. Maybe we'll do the boat the first day since we arrive at lunch time (assuming we can eat snacks on the boats) and try the bus for our early Epcot day.

I did a search for boat times, and it looks like it's around 10 minutes from WL to CR - is this accurate? So is it about 30 minutes for WL to MK?

And someone asked before what time the nightly campfire / marshmallow roast is. I thought I'd read 8pm - is this accurate?

 

[yolie912]

Are there bunk beds staying club level? Thanks!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Are there bunk beds staying club level? Thanks!

You can certainly request them!

It is a request - not bookable - but I'm sure they'd do their best to accommodate you.

We had bunk beds on our CL stay in July. Our girls loved them!

 

[yolie912]

You can certainly request them!

It is a request - not bookable - but I'm sure they'd do their best to accommodate you.

We had bunk beds on our CL stay in July. Our girls loved them!

Thanks! that would be nice. =)

 

[yolie912]

Maybe you WL Lovers might be able to make up my mind one's and for all.

Would you:
a. Go Club Level or

b. Regular room with the dining plan.

What would you guys do??

Thanks!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Thanks Kook & everyone for the transport advice. Better to know now. Maybe we'll do the boat the first day since we arrive at lunch time (assuming we can eat snacks on the boats) and try the bus for our early Epcot day.

I did a search for boat times, and it looks like it's around 10 minutes from WL to CR - is this accurate? So is it about 30 minutes for WL to MK?

Our experience in September with low crowds was that times on the boat were about 15-20 min to MK and 5-15 min to Contemporary. For the Contemporary, it depends on whether the boat is going to FW 1st or not, which adds about 10 min to the trip. They run the boats both directions, so the Contemporary will either be the first or second stop on the boats that run between WL, CR, and FW. If CR is 1st, then it is only about 5 min on the boat.

In addition to the times above on the boat, you have your wait times for a boat. We usually only had to wait 5-10 min for a boat, but I'm sure at times these waits will be longer. In general, we allowed half an hour from leaving the room to being at the entrance to MK.

Once you are at CR, your travel time to Epcot is the same as a CR guest. The walk from the dock to the lobby at CR is shorter and flatter than at WL, so it really isn't too bad. Once you get to the lobby, you have to get up to the main level and then up another half floor to the Monorail, so you can either take two escalators or two elevators. Then you will have to change monorails at the TTC, which involves going down and back up a ramp.

If you do the boat to MK option to catch the monorail there, you will have more time on the boat but then can take either monorail option to the TTC. If you choose the resort one you will first stop at CR, but the express one will take you straight to TTC first stop, where you then transfer to the Epcot monorail.

Like WDWKOOK mentioned, we found busses to Epcot to be the faster option, but we certainly did both. Our preference was to start with the boat / monorail and then bus back once we were tired, but part of the fun is having options, trying different ways, and finding what works best for your group. Even though busses aren't my favorite, it is really nice to have that option, and we took advantage of it. I see this as an advantage of WL, since Monorail resorts don't usually have an Epcot bus option. Just consider the travel time part of the fun and enjoy it with the rest of your trip, after all, you're at Disney. Enjoy!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Maybe you WL Lovers might be able to make up my mind one's and for all.

Would you:
a. Go Club Level or

b. Regular room with the dining plan.

What would you guys do??

Thanks!

CL at WL is

That is all.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Maybe you WL Lovers might be able to make up my mind one's and for all.

Would you:
a. Go Club Level or

b. Regular room with the dining plan.

What would you guys do??

Thanks!

The best answer is probably "both" but funding makes that cost prohibitive for most of us.

We really enjoy the dining plan. Not having to worry about Disney prices for meals made our trips MUCH more enjoyable. Getting to go when free dining is available makes that our preferred discount. We had even decided to pay for it for this trip before the discount came out.

We have seen a lot of complaints about dining, but we loved every meal we ate and had plenty of food for the whole trip. Someday getting to stay CL at WL would be an ultimate treat, but currently it isn't something we would trade the Dining for.

 

[yolie912]

Trust me I know! i wish I can do both but my funds are limited...especially if we went already this year in May.... Oh decisions decisions!