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

[tinkerbellybutton]

Just wanted to see about getting added to the "lodgers log". We will be at the lodge feb. 9-14! Can't wait to see my beloved lodge, and spend time in "our livingroom" on the 4th floor. Hope it's just as we left it! Lol!

 

[mslhb]

Just back from our wonderful stay at the WL. A few thoughts...

Room: We were in a Deluxe Room. It was halfway down the south wing on the 3rd floor. Room was awesome. Loved being close to the CL lounge vs. the ones at the end of the wings. View was good. If it would have only been a few floors higher it would have been great. The trees blocked a portion of the lake. Could still see the electrical water parade which my DH suprisingly loved. No room complaints at all.

Food: WCC, ate lunch here our 1st day. It was okay but definitely not our best meal of the trip. They now are offering the all you can eat platter at lunch even though it isn't on the menu. We just split some appetizers since we had an early dinner planned. Roaring Forks was great. Love the flat bread pizza! Artist Point, ended up cancelling our ADR here since DH wanted more park time. Territory Lounge, got one of the appetizers to go one night. Was really really good!

Transportation: I don't know if we just had extremely good luck but it was awesome! We never waited more then 5 minutes tops and often the bus or boat was there waiting when we walked up. Never had to stand on a bus. No transportation complaints at all.

CL Lounge: This was awesome and we used it way more then I expected. Love the view of the lobby and the windows off the back. We got breakfast there every morning. Loved the cappucino from the machine. In the evenings we would grab a glass of wine and some dessert on the way back to the room. All of the CM's there were super nice and friendly. This was our 1st time ever staying on-site and I worry DH is now hooked on CL for good!

Overall we had a great trip. Weather was perfect and the crowds were low. December is a great time to stay at the lodge. The decorations were beautiful. They had a photopass photographer in the lobby taking pics by the tree every night which was nice. Really loved the WL and hope to be back!

 

[twinmom108]

Are they doing flag family now that refurb is done?

We were Flag Family on Dec. 4th with Ranger Jack. They do book up very fast. We checked in on Nov. 24th & couldn't get it till 1 1/2 weeks later.

 

[Meredisney]

Sun.  “Enchanted”—Rated PG
Mon.  “The Muppet Christmas Carol” —Rated G
Tues.  “The Santa Clause”—Rated PG
Wed. “Winnie the Pooh” (2011) —Rated G
Thurs.  “Brave”—Rated PG
Fri.  “Secret of the Wings”—Rated G
Sat.  “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” —Rated G

I received the current resort newsletter in my email the other day.

We are leaving (home) in just a few hours. Why is this the one day my kids are sleeping in??!!! I'm ridiculously excited right now!!!!

Thanks!

 

[summerrluvv]

We checked in Friday, love it here, our first time. We did online check in, got here at 5pm, and our room had a sign on the door saying it was being made up, went in, beds made, but messy,had someone else's post it note still on the mirror with a personal note for them. The room smelled like urine, crumbs all over carpet right outside door. Called to the desk and asked if we were assigned the wrong room. Was told it was ours, but we could come back down for new one, which we did. Was really disappointed to be honest. For $350 a night, I kept thinking that should not have happened. New room is great. Tons of towel critters! Saw MK xmas fireworks from the beach tonight, very pretty!

 

[teheber]

Thanks for the wine advice! We are going Mardi Gras week so I'll bring the CM's plenty of mardi gras beads.


So glad we won't have to pack a high chair with 2 adults and 5 kids crammed in our vehicle on our lonnnnng drive![/QUOTE]

We will be traveling in for Mardi Gras as well with split resorts Boardwalk to start and Wilderness Lodge to finish.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We checked in about 8pm last night. Because of your advice I requested a north side inner courtyard room and I got it. We are in room 4005 which is almost at the end of the north wing. We have a view of the pool and a lot of trees. We were able to see the EWP (or whatever the acronym is for the water parade) through the trees- would have had a better view if we weren't so far towards the end.

My mom and aunt booked a woods view and got the room across the hall- 4004- they have a view of the fireworks and my aunt said she could really see the higher MVMCP fireworks.

The Christmas decorations are beautiful, the redone rooms are much lighter and brighter. Two of the desk people weren't as friendly as what you would expect, but the man who walked us in to the lodge from the car and the housekeeper who had to bring us a second air mattress because the first was broken were both super nice.

Happy to be back here and can't wait for Osborne lights tonight and MVMCP tomorrow!

Thanks for your live TR! How were the OL and MVMCP? Crowded?

Thank you for all your answers! You are the Wikipedia of the Wilderness Lodge!! I looked at the map for the deluxe room locations. Do you prefer the ones that look to be closer to bay lake or the ones that looked to be closer in?

Thanks for the wine advice! We are going Mardi Gras week so I'll bring the CM's plenty of mardi gras beads.

And to clarify your answer on the connecting doors, there are none available without them, correct? If so, my crazy husband will stack furniture against it

So glad we won't have to pack a high chair with 2 adults and 5 kids crammed in our vehicle on our lonnnnng drive!

I hate connecting doors, too and always request a room without one. However, since the Deluxe rooms have never been discounted for us, I've never stayed n one, but from what I gather from a past thread, they all have connecting doors. But all you have to do to verify is email the IPO and ask them to find out.

The rooms that are at the ends of the wings can have a partially obstructed view of Bay Lake due to the trees. The rooms that are at the ends of the shorter wing, where the two suites are, do not have an obstructed view, but are further from Bay Lake and have the pool in the foreground. The higher floors have amazing views and would be considered a "Bear Face " room if the rooms were directly below the CL lounge area and not off to the sides.

So, I switched to Poly standard when the AP discount came out, got a great rate and we were set, but, I kept thinking that I really wanted to stay at the WL. Poor DH was so excited to stay at the Poly after 8 years and I just did not have the heart to tell him I wanted to go back to WL. Then, a miracle happen , the price on our return went up, so, we had to stay an extra night (what a huge sacrifice ) and I took the chance and told DH that I really wanted to stay at the WL and he told me he missed the WL too, so, we are back at the WL and I am as happy as a clam

We will be there in 21 days

So you are at WL the whole time or the extra night? Either way - congratulations and welcome home, E-P-C-O-T!

Just got back last night from a wonderful magical stay at Wilderness Lodge! We were there Sunday and left Friday afternoon. Weather was awesome... wait times were minimal. Definitely the best time of the year to go

We had a beautiful Woods view facing the woods and Villas...5th Floor. Room 5164. There are definitely pros and cons. Loved the view!! We were right next to the stairwell and so it made it easy to leave; there was an exit door towards the bottom of stairwell that was right next to the walkway that lead you to the bus stop or the other direction lead you towards the little beach area This also made it really easy to wake up early to catch the sunrise from the beach and dock area.

The only thing I didn't like was how far it was from the lobby. It was the room furthest away from everything. I didn't feel a connection to the lobby like we did our first time there We hardly spent any time there! Also going down the stairwell was a breeze but going up was a different story lol the electric water pageant was always super loud every night..as if the building and walls were paper thin!

We had requested a high floor room facing the MK but I guess at least they got 1 of 2 requests. I always wanted a room with a nice view so now I know that even though it's awesome to wake up to a great view, I'd rather have the intimate feeling and convenience of being closer to the lobby lol ... anyways, just a mini-trip report will post pics when they're finished uploading!

Thanks for describing your view and room location. I know we're all looking forward to your photos

Checked in yesterday. Our beloved Lodge is gorgeous! Checked in and were told our room wasn't ready yet. The CM said she could check go see if any other rooms were available. I asked out if curiousity what our current room assignment was. Turns out it was a Bear Face room! I said, "Oh no, we're waiting!" Decided to grab a quick lunch at Roaring Forks in he hopes the room would be ready when we were done, and it was. Love our room! Great view and convenient!

Went to Epcot. Didn't do TT yet, Kook, but will report back later in the week!

Any picture or info requests while I'm here?

Yippee for your Bear Face room! It's perfect for watching the EWP, isn't it? Looking forward to your next report

Just wanted to see about getting added to the "lodgers log". We will be at the lodge feb. 9-14! Can't wait to see my beloved lodge, and spend time in "our livingroom" on the 4th floor. Hope it's just as we left it! Lol!

I would be happy to add you, tinkerbellybutton! Your living room has new furniture

Just back from our wonderful stay at the WL. A few thoughts...

Room: We were in a Deluxe Room. It was halfway down the south wing on the 3rd floor. Room was awesome. Loved being close to the CL lounge vs. the ones at the end of the wings. View was good. If it would have only been a few floors higher it would have been great. The trees blocked a portion of the lake. Could still see the electrical water parade which my DH suprisingly loved. No room complaints at all.

Food: WCC, ate lunch here our 1st day. It was okay but definitely not our best meal of the trip. They now are offering the all you can eat platter at lunch even though it isn't on the menu. We just split some appetizers since we had an early dinner planned. Roaring Forks was great. Love the flat bread pizza! Artist Point, ended up cancelling our ADR here since DH wanted more park time. Territory Lounge, got one of the appetizers to go one night. Was really really good!

Transportation: I don't know if we just had extremely good luck but it was awesome! We never waited more then 5 minutes tops and often the bus or boat was there waiting when we walked up. Never had to stand on a bus. No transportation complaints at all.

CL Lounge: This was awesome and we used it way more then I expected. Love the view of the lobby and the windows off the back. We got breakfast there every morning. Loved the cappucino from the machine. In the evenings we would grab a glass of wine and some dessert on the way back to the room. All of the CM's there were super nice and friendly. This was our 1st time ever staying on-site and I worry DH is now hooked on CL for good!

Overall we had a great trip. Weather was perfect and the crowds were low. December is a great time to stay at the lodge. The decorations were beautiful. They had a photopass photographer in the lobby taking pics by the tree every night which was nice. Really loved the WL and hope to be back!

Thanks for your TR, mshlb! And, thank you for letting others know that there was a PP photographer in the lobby. I hope you get to return soon

We were Flag Family on Dec. 4th with Ranger Jack. They do book up very fast. We checked in on Nov. 24th & couldn't get it till 1 1/2 weeks later.

Thanks for letting everyone know. Don't you just love Jack's hat?!

We checked in Friday, love it here, our first time. We did online check in, got here at 5pm, and our room had a sign on the door saying it was being made up, went in, beds made, but messy,had someone else's post it note still on the mirror with a personal note for them. The room smelled like urine, crumbs all over carpet right outside door. Called to the desk and asked if we were assigned the wrong room. Was told it was ours, but we could come back down for new one, which we did. Was really disappointed to be honest. For $350 a night, I kept thinking that should not have happened. New room is great. Tons of towel critters! Saw MK xmas fireworks from the beach tonight, very pretty!

That is not a nice greeting to walk into a dirty room - ugh. We all know that rooms are messy before they clean them, but guests don't want to see others' filth. I'm glad though that you are happy with your current room - these things sometimes happen. We were once given a KTTW card at the CR for an occupied room. That poor family and poor dad who was in the bathroom got the shock of their life (and so did I) when we opened that door

 

[jpdeg99]

Just got back from a great stay. We were booked in a standard view. Asked for and got a bunk bed room. We were in 5097, which is over the main lobby, almost directly above the front desk. Couldn't have asked for a better room. Sure, it was a bit noisy, but walking out into the lobby added a lot of atmosphere that seems would be missing if we were down one of the wings. Of course, the view was terrible, but we didn't go out on the balcony much anyway. I think the ideal rooms would be the court yard vie rooms over the lobby, I think there are maybe 2 or 4 on each floor.

 

[goofynut41]

What days of the week does the schedule show for this year? Are you staying at WL your whole trip or doing a split stay?

It shows Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday... Not sure about Friday or Saturday .... Probably less crowded during the week anyway..
We are staying the whole trip at WL... I dont like to move once I get there..
Only 363 days ...

 

[goofynut41]

It shows Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday... Not sure about Friday or Saturday .... Probably less crowded during the week anyway..
We are staying the whole trip at WL... I dont like to move once I get there..
Only 363 days ...

Go to DIS info and look under Christmas.. It give the dates for this year..
Sun, tues, thurs and fri... are the days of the week looks like..

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

I would be happy to add you, tinkerbellybutton! Your living room has new furniture

Cool, can't wait to see all the new stuff they've done!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just got back from a great stay. We were booked in a standard view. Asked for and got a bunk bed room. We were in 5097, which is over the main lobby, almost directly above the front desk. Couldn't have asked for a better room. Sure, it was a bit noisy, but walking out into the lobby added a lot of atmosphere that seems would be missing if we were down one of the wings. Of course, the view was terrible, but we didn't go out on the balcony much anyway. I think the ideal rooms would be the court yard vie rooms over the lobby, I think there are maybe 2 or 4 on each floor.

So glad you had a great stay at WL and got the bunks. Did your kids fight over who got the top?

The courtyard view rooms you mentioned would be ideal are called Bear Face rooms by DISers. These rooms are located on the 4th and 5th floors and are odd numbered from 4067-4079 and 5067-5069

 

[crznut]

Hello!

I would like to bring extra coffee to enjoy on our balcony. What kind of pots do the rooms have. Husband says we can just ask for extra. What do ya'll think?
We will be ther in Jan for 3 nights. Very excited.



Thanks!

 

[crznut]

Are most rooms updated as of this time? I like the new light colored bedding!

 

[looking 4 the mouse]

Arriving 12/16-12/21. Can't wait. Looking foward to a relaxing resort tour. Doing the 12/18 MVMCP, catching the candle light procession, and hopefully a sleigh ride or boat rental. Plan on catching the Boardwalk one evening and finishing up Downtown Disney to cap off the night. This will be my wife and I's first real trip without our kids in 20 years. We have a standard view, so what floor or rooms would make a good request?
Have a magical Holiday all...

 

[CynBeth]

It shows Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday... Not sure about Friday or Saturday .... Probably less crowded during the week anyway..
We are staying the whole trip at WL... I dont like to move once I get there..
Only 363 days ...

Thanks! We will probably pick a weeknight. 363 sounds so much better than 499 doesn't it? I feel like we are so much closer somehow.

 

[CynBeth]

Go to DIS info and look under Christmas.. It give the dates for this year..
Sun, tues, thurs and fri... are the days of the week looks like..

Thanks!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Are most rooms updated as of this time? I like the new light colored bedding!

They are all done!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hello!

I would like to bring extra coffee to enjoy on our balcony. What kind of pots do the rooms have. Husband says we can just ask for extra. What do ya'll think?
We will be ther in Jan for 3 nights. Very excited.



Thanks!

and welcome, crznut!

From the first page:

Are most rooms updated as of this time? I like the new light colored bedding!

All rooms were completed in September - there's a rehab update on the first page, post #1.

Arriving 12/16-12/21. Can't wait. Looking foward to a relaxing resort tour. Doing the 12/18 MVMCP, catching the candle light procession, and hopefully a sleigh ride or boat rental. Plan on catching the Boardwalk one evening and finishing up Downtown Disney to cap off the night. This will be my wife and I's first real trip without our kids in 20 years. We have a standard view, so what floor or rooms would make a good request?
Have a magical Holiday all...

Welcome! The Std. View rooms on the higher floors in the North Wing have a partial Wishes/Castle/CR View.

Congratulations on your first trip w/o the kids and I hope you have a magical holiday, too

 

[crznut]

Thanks! Newer is always nice.