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

[AngiTN]

I took the plunge and switched to CL. I didn't put any room requests in as of yet.
To make sure I understand the next steps, since I'm rather close to the trip, about 43 days out, I need to make the contacts to the IPO? Any others?

 

[nathanyell]

We kept the chairs facing the room and opened the slider, so it was like a room extension. We really enjoyed being on CL, though... when we stay at the Grand that is out of reach. We all agreed that if we were to stay at WL again, it would only be CL for us

I got claustrophobic on the CL rooms. Next time I let them know and they put us on the 5 th floor with CL access. It was great!!!!

 

[pld5]

We are going to be staying at WL the end of next month for our Granddaugher's 5th birthday celebration at Disney. We've been to Disney before but first time in a Deluxe. We stayed at a Mod and a Value in the past.

We are there for 9 nights, planning 6 days at the parks and the rest down days. We currently have booked a Courtyard View and now I can't seem to recall what floor requests I entered when doing the online check in. Upper ones I'm thinking.
Anyway, now I'm toying with the idea of switching to a CL stay, standard room. Will I regret switching? Silly question to many I'm sure. Since we are rather close to our trip all our dinning reservations are done, so we won't use the IPO for that. With 2 days at the resort/not going to a park I keep thinking we'd enjoy a bit of CL features.
I would probably use them to help plan some surprises for DGD.
The other option I was thinking was getting a Bunkbed Courtyard view room. I can't determine where those are in regards to where in the resort they are. Are they spread throughout or all on a particular floor/area?
Anyone have any input?

We will be there at the end of next month celebrating our son's 7th birthday on 2/26. We are staying CL for the first time. I see that in a later post you made the switch. We arrive 2/24 and check out on 3/2. If our trips coincide, our son would love to wish your DGD a very happy birthday! And share any birthday cake he may get during our week..... (Daddy doesn't eat it and Mommy is already planning to overindulge at Karamel Kuche in Epcot).

I am really not sure what to do about views and what to request because we were so spoiled with a inner courtyard view on our trip last January. I've advised my TA to not make any requests but thinking I may email IPO to request an inner Courtyard view again with a view of Bay Lake and the Geyser if at all possible.

 

[AngiTN]

We will be there at the end of next month celebrating our son's 7th birthday on 2/26. We are staying CL for the first time. I see that in a later post you made the switch. We arrive 2/24 and check out on 3/2. If our trips coincide, our son would love to wish your DGD a very happy birthday! And share any birthday cake he may get during our week..... (Daddy doesn't eat it and Mommy is already planning to overindulge at Karamel Kuche in Epcot).

I am really not sure what to do about views and what to request because we were so spoiled with a inner courtyard view on our trip last January. I've advised my TA to not make any requests but thinking I may email IPO to request an inner Courtyard view again with a view of Bay Lake and the Geyser if at all possible.

Our trip does indeed overlap. We check in on 2/27 and out on 3/8. I hope to arrive early enough on the 27th to do some relaxing and exploring at the resort. We too will have a cake, with leftovers to share I'm sure. DGD birthday is 3/11 (which is spring break time so we are celebrating a tad early). Look for a little girl overdressed in Disney customs and you'll likely find us I'll keep my eye out for a birthday boy too

I was advised to ask for a room with a view of Wishes. Does that sound possible?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Is the breakfast in the morning provided by the hotel only for club level guests?

Just to clarify further, there is a club level lounge on the 7th floor where breakfast is served to CL guests only, but breakfast is served to all guests at both Whispering Canyon Cafe (TS) and Roaring Fork (QS) and the Mercantile also sells some (grocery) breakfast items. Trail's End at FW also has a wonderful breakfast buffet as does the Wave at the CR which are both just a boat ride away.

So do I.... Now to talk HRH into it

What's the status on the HRH2013switcheroo?

AngiTN- if you are sitting down on the balcony at CL, you can see the sky and the top of the buildings, but you need to stand to see down...only drawback in my opinion.

I feel the same way - only disadvantage.

Thanks. That does give me something to think on. I was really hoping to enjoy sitting on the balcony time. Standing on it isn't much of a break from walking the parks all day

Here's what the view is looking straight out while seated:

If you're very worried about the enclosed balcony railing, you could book a Deluxe Room. There are 24 of them on floors 1-6 only and they have two regular balcony railings, about 500 SF, a separate sitting room with a sofa bed and CL access. There are photo links on the first page.

WE LEAVE IN AN HOUR!!!!

I am so excited!

Are you there yet?!

I took the plunge and switched to CL. I didn't put any room requests in as of yet.
To make sure I understand the next steps, since I'm rather close to the trip, about 43 days out, I need to make the contacts to the IPO? Any others?

Congratulations! I think you'll love it. You can just send an email to the IPO introducing yourself - include your confirmation number in the subject line. There isn't anyone else to make contact with. If you want to make a room location request, I would suggest either a North Wing room ("Wishes view"), which you might be able to see some of Wishes from or an INNER or WL Courtyard View room where you'll be able to watch the EWP, Bay Lake and geyser (our favorite view). If you need bunks, those are on a by-request basis, too.

Happy planning!

We will be there at the end of next month celebrating our son's 7th birthday on 2/26. We are staying CL for the first time. I see that in a later post you made the switch. We arrive 2/24 and check out on 3/2. If our trips coincide, our son would love to wish your DGD a very happy birthday! And share any birthday cake he may get during our week..... (Daddy doesn't eat it and Mommy is already planning to overindulge at Karamel Kuche in Epcot).

I am really not sure what to do about views and what to request because we were so spoiled with a inner courtyard view on our trip last January. I've advised my TA to not make any requests but thinking I may email IPO to request an inner Courtyard view again with a view of Bay Lake and the Geyser if at all possible.

See my response above about CL views. What a fun vacation!

 

[dreamcruiser]

I have a question re: the current Bounceback offer as related to the WL...
As I plan ahead to book during my April GF visit (around mid-Nov., so as to see the decorations, but MISS the holiday crowds..), can anyone who is there now tell me if the WL gets that 30 % discount too? Reason I ask is that it seems that lately, the WL is never as good a discount as the other Deluxes.:

I'm also wondering if there will even be any availability left by my April trip!!

 

[AngiTN]

Here's what the view is looking straight out while seated:

If you're very worried about the enclosed balcony railing, you could book a Deluxe Room. There are 24 of them on floors 1-6 only and they have two regular balcony railings, about 500 SF, a separate sitting room with a sofa bed and CL access. There are photo links on the first page.

Congratulations! I think you'll love it. You can just send an email to the IPO introducing yourself - include your confirmation number in the subject line. There isn't anyone else to make contact with. If you want to make a room location request, I would suggest either a North Wing room ("Wishes view"), which you might be able to see some of Wishes from or an INNER or WL Courtyard View room where you'll be able to watch the EWP, Bay Lake and geyser (our favorite view). If you need bunks, those are on a by-request basis, too.

Happy planning!


See my response above about CL views. What a fun vacation!

Thanks for the info. That view isn't particularly exciting but I'm sure the rest will more than make up for it. I would have booked a Deluxe room, or at least priced one, but none show as available for our stay. As it's a Birthday trip we can't adjust dates.

I sent a note off to the IPO last night. I'll see if I can at least get a room request so we can see EWP. We won't need bunks. We'd take one if that's what we got but we don't need it. DGD has one in her room so no big deal if there is one at Disney or not.

 

[jenifferf00]

Subscribing.We just switched our resort to WL from POFQ, will be my husband, 2 girls, and myself. We'll be meeting up with my SIL, her husband, their daughter, and her MIL. My girls do not know yet, we'll wait to tell them around April. I'm excited, but honestly WL wasn't on my radar; we're staying because this is where SIL will be, and figure it'll be easier if the girls are closer together.

So since WL lodge wasn't on my radar I am playing catch up trying to learn about it, so far it seems like a nice resort. We'll likely request bunk beds since the girls would get a huge kick out of them if we got them.

We stayed at CSR this past September and my biggest complaint was the large layout, so going to a deluxe will hopefully stop this problem. I am also excited about the boat launch to MK and CR, we have a lot of reservations at CR, Poly, and MK so the launch and monorail access should be convenient. I'm a little guarded though, the theming of the resort is not what I normally go for. I know Disney resorts are all beautiful in their own way, so hopefully the rustic thing will grow on me.

Looking forward to learning all about the resort!

 

[DetTigsGal]

We stayed WL for the first time at T'giving and loved it. It was not on our radar either- the Grand courtyard pool and Gasparillas was closed- but we like the MK resorts and wanted to stay in that area. It was a great decision for us...hope for you too

 

[pas130]

J
What's the status on the HRH2013switcheroo?

I have already frustrated the poor girl with all my questions...now she said she wants to be somewhere quiet so she doesn't get a headache WL is pretty quiet...IMHO

 

[pas130]

BTW nice to see ya Brian

 

[mommadjones]

Subscribing.We just switched our resort to WL from POFQ, will be my husband, 2 girls, and myself. We'll be meeting up with my SIL, her husband, their daughter, and her MIL. My girls do not know yet, we'll wait to tell them around April. I'm excited, but honestly WL wasn't on my radar; we're staying because this is where SIL will be, and figure it'll be easier if the girls are closer together.

So since WL lodge wasn't on my radar I am playing catch up trying to learn about it, so far it seems like a nice resort. We'll likely request bunk beds since the girls would get a huge kick out of them if we got them.

We stayed at CSR this past September and my biggest complaint was the large layout, so going to a deluxe will hopefully stop this problem. I am also excited about the boat launch to MK and CR, we have a lot of reservations at CR, Poly, and MK so the launch and monorail access should be convenient. I'm a little guarded though, the theming of the resort is not what I normally go for. I know Disney resorts are all beautiful in their own way, so hopefully the rustic thing will grow on me.

Looking forward to learning all about the resort!

You have chosen a good resort! WL is nice for the smaller feel. Some of the Deluxe resorts are huge and you would have a similar experience as at CSR.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Yup, good pick.... Know the feeling about CSR, sane for POR... After walking miles in a park. Sure don't want to duplicate that at my resort..

You'll love WL, so compact you're never far from anything....and you can't beat the boat to the MK early in the morning with the most and fog coming off the lake ...

Make sure to visit FW, by boat again...Trails End serves up some decent buffet for breakfast and dinner... ( lunch not so much) and Crocketts Tavern has decent pizza, not NY or Chicago but decent with a few pitchers of beer...

Settlement Trading Post is there also with a decent supply of groceries and beverages, they cater to the campers there.... Plus the area is nicely dim lighted and at Pioneer Hall, residence of the Hoop Dee Do.... Best dinner show on property .....

 

[Kathymford]

I think I've mentioned this, but we loved taking the boats ANYWHERE, but especially to MK. It is such a relaxing way to travel to me. Truly enjoyed Hoop Dee Doo. Would definintely do that again. Can't wait to stay here again next Dec!

 

[WDWKOOK]

My resort calendar source finally updated the calendar from November to January. The link is on the first page/first post HERE.
​

Subscribing.We just switched our resort to WL from POFQ, will be my husband, 2 girls, and myself. We'll be meeting up with my SIL, her husband, their daughter, and her MIL. My girls do not know yet, we'll wait to tell them around April. I'm excited, but honestly WL wasn't on my radar; we're staying because this is where SIL will be, and figure it'll be easier if the girls are closer together.

So since WL lodge wasn't on my radar I am playing catch up trying to learn about it, so far it seems like a nice resort. We'll likely request bunk beds since the girls would get a huge kick out of them if we got them.

We stayed at CSR this past September and my biggest complaint was the large layout, so going to a deluxe will hopefully stop this problem. I am also excited about the boat launch to MK and CR, we have a lot of reservations at CR, Poly, and MK so the launch and monorail access should be convenient. I'm a little guarded though, the theming of the resort is not what I normally go for. I know Disney resorts are all beautiful in their own way, so hopefully the rustic thing will grow on me.

Looking forward to learning all about the resort!

Bunks beds are only a request if in a CL room or STD room, otherwise, it's a bookable category.

I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised with WL, even though you're not sure about the theming - it grows on you! You really have to experience it in person to get the full effect of its grandeur.

The Blue Flag is what you'll take for your MK resort ADRs, however, you can also take the direct MK bus and then monorail to those resorts or walk to the CR from the MK - just some other fun options.

I have already frustrated the poor girl with all my questions...now she said she wants to be somewhere quiet so she doesn't get a headache WL is pretty quiet...IMHO

I don't have to tell you that FW Cabins are probably the quietest choice: No one connected to you or above you in the cabin, no noise from any restaurants (like CM and WCC), you're not too close to boat horns, fireworks, afternoon pool parties and train whistles... If you want a peaceful and super quiet setting, I'd be remiss in not reminding you of those cute little cabins

 

[sherekhan]

Hey all, I'm just joining this thread for the first time. The WL is a favorite of mine, so I'm happy to be returning for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend. Any other WL running princesses in this thread?

I was actually booked at the Poly to make access to TTC easier, but found the Volcano pool will be closed So, here I am over here and happy to be back with my favorite running trails and theming!

 

[nathanyell]

BTW nice to see ya Brian

Thanks Pas!!! I don't hang here too much because my next trip is for work and they won't let me change to a deluxe. I'll miss WL.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hey all, I'm just joining this thread for the first time. The WL is a favorite of mine, so I'm happy to be returning for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend. Any other WL running princesses in this thread?

I was actually booked at the Poly to make access to TTC easier, but found the Volcano pool will be closed So, here I am over here and happy to be back with my favorite running trails and theming!

and aloha!

You're going to love running "around" WL and FW - it's my favorite route, but I do love Sturdy Branches, too. There is a concrete sidewalk from VWL that starts near the bus stop and goes all the way to FW. You then have to cross a couple of roads, run on some wood chips past the horses (my favorite) and then you can get back on the FW sidewalk and run all around FW and back to the concrete path to WL. There are also a couple of trails in the woods behind the marina and next to Bay Lake, but those are very buggy. The concrete trails are sprayed and never a problem.

There is a jogging map and photos of some of the trails on the first page HERE and HERE.

Good luck!

 

[sherekhan]

and aloha!

You're going to love running "around" WL and FW - it's my favorite route, but I do love Sturdy Branches, too. There is a concrete sidewalk from VWL that starts near the bus stop and goes all the way to FW. You then have to cross a couple of roads, run on some wood chips past the horses (my favorite) and then you can get back on the FW sidewalk and run all around FW and back to the concrete path to WL. There are also a couple of trails in the woods behind the marina and next to Bay Lake, but those are very buggy. The concrete trails are sprayed and never a problem.

There is a jogging map and photos of some of the trails on the first page HERE and HERE.

Good luck!

Thank you!

 

[outahere]

We're currently booked CL at the GF (Sugarloaf) next month but are concerned about noise, etc. from all the construction going on there.

So..... we're considering switching to CL at WL. My DW is thinking it may be loud on the 7th floor because it is open to the lobby below. We've stayed at the WL before, but not CL.

Anyone care to comment on the noise? Can you hear any noise while in your room?

Thanks.

ETA - do any of the CL rooms overlook the loading dock/dumpster area? I don't think so, just want to make sure.