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

[graysmommy]

For anyone here that might know. Were booked at POFQ for next year, August on a free dining bounce back, but I'm dying to stay at the WL again. When I poke around on line to check pricing on the WDW site, it appears it is not giving the option for a "standard view room" any longer? Only woods view is appearing, and on a 10 night trip, adds like $500 or so to the stay. Are standard views no longer an option? I found it odd they would all be booked, especially this far out, and have never seen that before.

Any ideas?

They could be booked. We booked a FD bounce back that was August-Sept 2013...

 

[yolie912]

Hi all

We check out of WL Dec 9th and don't plan on taking our stroller back to the UK. It's in reasonable condition (apart from our name scribbled in sharpie on a strut) and would last a few more weeks of touring if anyone wants it rather than me throwing it in the trash. Our DS is outgrown it so after Dec 8th it's bye bye stroller.

Let me know if you're interested.

J

I sent you a PM.

 

[yolie912]

I have a question. I am staying over Christmas and wanted to know do you take with you the presents? Is it safe? should we? I want to take them but I am already taking so much stuff...Should we only take some? any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[mommadjones]

I have a question. I am staying over Christmas and wanted to know do you take with you the presents? Is it safe? should we? I want to take them but I am already taking so much stuff...Should we only take some? any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

When we went for Christmas a few years ago I took a few just to open on Christmas, like two each. I also brought a special Disney stocking for each person. The other gifts stayed home as did our traditional stockings filled and waiting when we returned!

 

[pas130]

A little birdie has told me that the Queen of Resort Changing hasn't changed her reservation for many days. Is the whole Pas clan happy with the current summer arrangement?

We are all excited, except DH of course (who still drops hints for WL & Poly) Although I do think most of it is just him teasing me I offered Candace a surrogate position as RC Queen padawans will be a strong contender as well

Kate wants WL too, but the 5 of us are digging the GF reservation

 

[yolie912]

When we went for Christmas a few years ago I took a few just to open on Christmas, like two each. I also brought a special Disney stocking for each person. The other gifts stayed home as did our traditional stockings filled and waiting when we returned!

Thanks! I think I will do the same.

 

[WellingtonR]

Quick!!! Nearest place to WL with address if possible, that sells powerball.....would like to stay another week or two!!

 

[rotlex]

They could be booked. We booked a FD bounce back that was August-Sept 2013...

That is the one we booked too. We booked at POFQ as we had just stayed at WL and figured we'd save a few bucks next year. Well, I started having withdrawal and was checking pricing on line. That is when I couldn't find any standard view rooms. I can't justify booking a different view as the cost difference gets extremes for 10 nights. Man, here's hoping I can call and find out something is available!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Quick!!! Nearest place to WL with address if possible, that sells powerball.....would like to stay another week or two!!

Maybe the Hess Station across from the speedway???

If you win, will you at least upgrade to the Yellowstone Suite?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ten more days until we're there! Yippeeee!

Will you try out the new TT and let us know what you think?

Thanks! Nice video. I love the look of the new furniture. Nice color scheme.

You're going soon, too so maybe you could file a TT report, too?

So excited! I won't watch the video though, we have never been to WL during the holidays so I want to see it first when we arrive in 6 days!!After we return I'm sure I will be viewing this over and over to recapture the grandness of the Lodge

Very timely! I was going to post a request to see some lobby decorations!
Wish I was there...

Me, too

Absolutely loved looking at the pictures and reading the tips on this thread. I'm hoping to book our Oct 2013 vacation at the WL, just need to get my hubby to commit on the number of nights. We spent 3 nights at POFQ earlier this month and had a wonderful time, but I'm really excited about upgrading to the WL for our next trip. We have two young boys (5 & 7 next year's trip) so being close to the MK will be wonderful. Now to decided on room requests...thinking woods view w/ bunkbeds and keeping fingers crossed for an upgrade, but won't be disappointed if we don't get one.

Quick question for all you pros...if I make a reservation at rack rate and later see a special offer that will save me money, will I be able to call and add that deal to my reservation? I know hubby will not pay rack rate and would cancel the reservation if we didn't get some kind of discount.

Yes, you can always apply an active pin code or discount at any time. I'm with hubby, I won't pay RR. I'm sure something will come along for you in the summer.

Well, we're home. (We live nearby so we take several short trips each year.)

We really enjoyed our stay at WL. We stayed CL and had room 7044. In this instance, having an enclosed balcony was a plus, because we were almost directly over the service area on the side, but we couldn't see it unless we stood up and looked down. Our view straight ahead was of the Castle (behind some trees), Space Mountain, Contemporary and the monorail. It was PERFECT for watching the fireworks. This is a really bad iPhone photo, but it gives you the general idea of things:


Oh, and here's a bonus shot of the tree, looking down from the CL lounge:



WL CL staff were all wonderful. Very friendly and helpful and always around. We loved the way the lounge seating area wraps around the lobby -- we never felt cramped or rushed and never had a problem finding a seat. The food was good and plentiful, though I will say breakfast was a disappointment. It was strictly Continental fare -- mini-muffins, bagels, croissant, cereal, fruit and yogurt. That's it. Every other CL we've stayed at had oatmeal, BWI also had hard-boiled eggs, and GF had cold-cuts. Not a big deal, obviously, but it meant the CL breakfast wasn't really enough to keep us going until lunchtime.

One day we rented a surrey-bike and rode on the path to Ft. Wilderness. On the way back, we saw so many deer! They let us get really close, too (I'm sure living on Disney property has tamed them somewhat). So much fun, and really made us feel we were in the "wilderness."


We had mixed results with the bus service, same as with every Disney resort. First day, we took the bus to MK -- it was waiting when we got to the bus stop, we were the only people on it, and we were at MK in no more than 5 minutes. Second day, we took the bus to Epcot -- we waited about 10 minutes for the bus, it was SRO and went to Ft. Wilderness before the park. Took about 35 minutes total. In hindsight, we should've just driven or taken a cab. We did take a cab back from the park, which was a luxury worth every penny. (Hey, it's vacation, right?)

We had a light dinner in the Territory Lounge one night, cheeseburgers from Roaring Forks for lunch, and dinner at Artists Point. All very good. And my son went to the Cubs Den kids club when we went to Artists Point, and he had a great time.

Oh, and let me thank the poster who said you could get a footstool from housekeeping! We requested one when we arrived and they brought one right away. Great tip!

Thanks again to WDWKOOK and everyone else here who provide such helpful info and advice. You're the best!

Thank you for posting your TR, bowbat! I believe the oatmeal is seasonal at WL, but you would think November would be oatmeal 'season' so maybe it's been discontinued? They had it back in 12/10. I also like that the Epcot resorts have hard boiled eggs all the time and also oatmeal.

Have you booked your next trip with the FL Res. discount?

I have a question. I am staying over Christmas and wanted to know do you take with you the presents? Is it safe? should we? I want to take them but I am already taking so much stuff...Should we only take some? any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

When we went in 12/10, I drove so I was able to easily bring DD's presents in a couple of bags, her Mickey stocking and a small tree and ornaments. Could you ship the items if you're flying?

We are all excited, except DH of course (who still drops hints for WL & Poly) Although I do think most of it is just him teasing me I offered Candace a surrogate position as RC Queen padawans will be a strong contender as well

Kate wants WL too, but the 5 of us are digging the GF reservation

 

[graysmommy]

That is the one we booked too. We booked at POFQ as we had just stayed at WL and figured we'd save a few bucks next year. Well, I started having withdrawal and was checking pricing on line. That is when I couldn't find any standard view rooms. I can't justify booking a different view as the cost difference gets extremes for 10 nights. Man, here's hoping I can call and find out something is available!

No I mean our bounce back was for WL and AKL, this year we stayed at POR and the offer in our room was for deluxe resorts with FD.

 

[CaliKT]

Will you try out the new TT and let us know what you think?

TT=Test Track, no? (Or some other WL acronym I'm blanking on. )

I'm planning on hitting Epcot our first day (Saturday the 8th), so I will definitely pop in here and give you a report!

 

[TaraPA]

I'll be down too for the new TT - hoping the lines aren't too crazy long! I plan to do single rider, but even that line for TT was always a long one.

 

[summerrluvv]

Nevermind, found it!

 

[WellingtonR]

Maybe the Hess Station across from the speedway???

If you win, will you at least upgrade to the Yellowstone Suite?

Nope....tried....no dice on Disney property....went to a 7-11 about 5 miles away. What's the Yellowstone suite? This future winner wants to know!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

From the Disney Parks Blog:

 

[WDWKOOK]

TT=Test Track, no? (Or some other WL acronym I'm blanking on. )

I'm planning on hitting Epcot our first day (Saturday the 8th), so I will definitely pop in here and give you a report!

Sorry, yes, Test Track: "Presented by Chevrolet"

Looking forward to your review!

I'll be down too for the new TT - hoping the lines aren't too crazy long! I plan to do single rider, but even that line for TT was always a long one.

For gawrsh sakes, can you get a Fast Pass? Wheel chair? VIP pass?! Can't wait for your review, too and will you be doing the FLE and BOG?

Nevermind, found it!

Nope....tried....no dice on Disney property....went to a 7-11 about 5 miles away. What's the Yellowstone suite? This future winner wants to know!!!

Did you get any numbers? We got one so we won $4 - minus the $2 for the ticket, so we're $2 ahead!

The Yellowstone suite is the sweetest suite this side of Ft. Wilderness. It's actually the Presidential Suite, room 7123 in the South Wing. We were honored to stay for 11 nights in August 2011. I have many (pre-rehab) photos HERE and HERE.

 

[TaraPA]

Sorry, yes, Test Track: "Presented by Chevrolet"

Looking forward to your review!


For gawrsh sakes, can you get a Fast Pass? Wheel chair? VIP pass?! Can't wait for your review, too and will you be doing the FLE and BOG?

Yeah, FP might be a better option for TT!

I did FLE last month when we were there, they had a dress rehearsal twice while we were in MK, it's awesome! The theming is just simply amazing. Ate as Gaston's Tavern, rode Under the Sea & Enchanted Tales with Belle. I've been looking every day for an opening at BOG but it's booked solid. I'm thinking I might just avoid that area in 2 weeks, it's going to be a madhouse with the official opening on the 6th. This is a super short 3-nt trip tp surprise my cousin, who will be there with her daughter & the school band. My cousin didn't know there were other parks besides MK - so I felt I HAD to go down & help her navigate LOL!! Family duty, right?!?!?!?

 

[WellingtonR]

Sorry, yes, Test Track: "Presented by Chevrolet"

Looking forward to your review!

For gawrsh sakes, can you get a Fast Pass? Wheel chair? VIP pass?! Can't wait for your review, too and will you be doing the FLE and BOG?



Did you get any numbers? We got one so we won $4 - minus the $2 for the ticket, so we're $2 ahead!

The Yellowstone suite is the sweetest suite this side of Ft. Wilderness. It's actually the Presidential Suite, room 7123 in the South Wing. We were honored to stay for 11 nights in August 2011. I have many (pre-rehab) photos HERE and HERE.

Got powerball and one number.....$4.... Spent $4 on 2 tickets.....broke even....won't be spending any extra time down here

 

[summerrluvv]

Another quick question. What is the easiest way to get to the monorail? I think I read that there is a bus to the CR from WL?