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

[pas130]

So you really got 5% off a Deluxe room? Well, it's something!

Now, the last time I added/removed/added/removed you from the Log, the trip didn't take. If I add you again, will it take? BTW: I added you anyway

The CM said that it's usually included in the discounts but at a lower rate, the kicker I guess is you have to call..it doesn't come up online. She called it the Junior Suite (that's the older name for it I thought) I'm excited 6 nights at WL!!!! I may change if BLT comes up with an available discount

 

[RedfromNL]

What a trip! A few words about St. Augustine. We went there back in 1997 and were most excited about seeing anything that was really old and historic. We saw America's oldest schoolhouse, which was interesting, but it had an audioanimatronic- type show that was kind of laughable. The old buildings were surrounded by tacky tourist shops. There was a nice church. I think we went to a place called Alligator Land? We also went to the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum. (more for my DH than myself) Our overall impression was that maybe it had once been a nice destination, but the tackiness and tourist-trap aspects took away from all that. I am not saying not to go, but to plan what you want to do carefully and research it online so you can focus on what is important for you to experience. Happy Planning!

Thank you Always good to hear what others think. (thats why I come here after all) It's just that hubby really wants to go here and I really like to keep hubby happy.

We'll see, if it is as you and KOOK say then we'll happily wander around for a bit and move on. I've seen quite a few nice alternatives in the area.
As for the shops, it's really no different here, every museum/castle/old house has at least one giftshop. I've been to Amsterdam for the sales after christmas, you can't move for the tacky souvenirshops (and tourists buying the stuff).

I do love planning so yes, I have a few back-up plans ready

I'm even starting my own website so I can help others plan their holidays (in Dutch only sorry) I just like planning holidays. It's almost as much fun as actually going!

 

[bluecastle]

You know, the line pretty much kept moving. Both times, the end of the line was a little bit down from where the menu is. When you get to the entrance, they split you into two lines and let so many in, then once you are in the castle there are menu boards as you walk. When you get to the register they ask how you are paying and that determines which kiosk you go to. After you order, you go pick a seat...the place is huge and this was not a problem. On Dec 30, we were a group of 5- one being our young, impatient band director. When he heard the wait was about 45 minutes, he wanted to go to Pinnochios- I said I was not standing in line for that and reminded him he really wanted to go to bog...needless to say, he was very happy he waited. I, personally, will only go at lunch...the dinner menu didn't really interest me.

Hope that helps a little more . I don't want to scare you away from lunch

Thanks for the info! We don't usually do lunch anywhere. Our routine is quick breakfast, tour, big late breakfast, relax at hotel, snack, then dinner and tour later. I gave my family the lunch option at BOG and they said no. So I will be trying at 6 am for a dinner ADR ( even though I liked some of the lunch items better). We shall see!

 

[bluecastle]

You know, the line pretty much kept moving. Both times, the end of the line was a little bit down from where the menu is. When you get to the entrance, they split you into two lines and let so many in, then once you are in the castle there are menu boards as you walk. When you get to the register they ask how you are paying and that determines which kiosk you go to. After you order, you go pick a seat...the place is huge and this was not a problem. On Dec 30, we were a group of 5- one being our young, impatient band director. When he heard the wait was about 45 minutes, he wanted to go to Pinnochios- I said I was not standing in line for that and reminded him he really wanted to go to bog...needless to say, he was very happy he waited. I, personally, will only go at lunch...the dinner menu didn't really interest me.

Hope that helps a little more . I don't want to scare you away from lunch

I think I just sent you an email by mistake. sorry!

 

[bluecastle]

How do I delete a post? Obviously, that wasn't an email. It just took awhile to appear on my iPad.

 

[Spookypaws]

Just curious, I like the layout for the deluxe room, but I can't seem to get one through the Disney site, only standard room, unless I get a club level room?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just curious, I like the layout for the deluxe room, but I can't seem to get one through the Disney site, only standard room, unless I get a club level room?

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, spookypaws!

The only Deluxe rooms (sometimes called Jr. Suites) are Club Level rooms and they appear at the end of the booking page. There are 24 of them located on floors 1-6. None are located on the 7th (CL) floor. Good luck!

 

[WDWKOOK]

How do I delete a post? Obviously, that wasn't an email. It just took awhile to appear on my iPad.

Only Moderators can delete posts, but you can go back and EDIT it.

 

[AngiTN]

I suspect this info is on this thread somewhere but I'm not very good at searching (or at least have bad luck with it) so pardon me for asking again....

Can you use the boat to MK and still make it before rope drop?

 

[DetTigsGal]

When we were there at T'giving...MK would open at 9 and the first boat left at 8:30.., got there just a little after rope drop.

 

[RedfromNL]

I suspect this info is on this thread somewhere but I'm not very good at searching (or at least have bad luck with it) so pardon me for asking again....

Can you use the boat to MK and still make it before rope drop?

You can also take the boat to the CR and walk 5 minutes from there. We took that boat when we had a 8.05 reservation at Chrystal Palace. Made it easily.
Nice slow start of the day.

 

[Sammie]

Any news on the Villa rehabs, photos, updates?

 

[AngiTN]

You can also take the boat to the CR and walk 5 minutes from there. We took that boat when we had a 8.05 reservation at Chrystal Palace. Made it easily.
Nice slow start of the day.

Thanks. Maybe we'll try each way. I do want to try and catch the opening show one morning. Of course that is assuming I can get the family up and out in time. DH thinks he is allergic to mornings.

 

[browerjs]

Thanks. Maybe we'll try each way. I do want to try and catch the opening show one morning. Of course that is assuming I can get the family up and out in time. DH thinks he is allergic to mornings.

What is the "opening show", this is the first I've heard of this

 

[LumosQ102]

You're welcome, LumosQ102! I am very impressed with your thread dedication. Two weeks in February sounds fantastic! I hope you'll post a TR for us.

Most definately - just 32 days now. All the planning has been done, spreadsheets created and turned into PDF's for ease of access on the iPhone, room preference entered with the UK Disney office (4th or 5th floor inner courtyard with a view of the lake / geyser) and now we wait. Its at this stage that I start getting twitchy and start looking at the dining reservations again

The perils of being an over planner - what to do when you've nothing left to do, and can't sensibly start the packing for another 3 weeks...

 

[DetTigsGal]

What is the "opening show", this is the first I've heard of this

Before MK opens, the train arrives with the mayor, singers and characters- the family of the day opens the park . It is very cute.

Now, that I think about it... We did see the show once on the nov trip and we only took the boat to MK...so we must have made it before rope drop

 

[fla4fun]

Most definately - just 32 days now. All the planning has been done, spreadsheets created and turned into PDF's for ease of access on the iPhone, room preference entered with the UK Disney office (4th or 5th floor inner courtyard with a view of the lake / geyser) and now we wait. Its at this stage that I start getting twitchy and start looking at the dining reservations again

The perils of being an over planner - what to do when you've nothing left to do, and can't sensibly start the packing for another 3 weeks...

Have you made your packing checklist? You can spend a lot of time adding and subtracting items from the list, and when you have everything checked off after you pack, you don't have to wonder if you forgot something!

 

[LumosQ102]

Have you made your packing checklist? You can spend a lot of time adding and subtracting items from the list, and when you have everything checked off after you pack, you don't have to wonder if you forgot something!

Ha! Yes I'm such a control freak (or organiser - I plan for a living, so thats my excuse) that I have it in excel so I can tick off and arrange by theme - clothes, toiletries, electronics, tickets... but yes, it will be moved, ammended and generally tinkered with until I can finally pack.

I'm trying to sitract myself with the live form Disney Thread (we're having a snow day over in London today) but am just succeeding in making myself hungry.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Any news on the Villa rehabs, photos, updates?

If I can find a site to upload my photos to, I'll post what I have.

 

[WDWKOOK]

The CM said that it's usually included in the discounts but at a lower rate, the kicker I guess is you have to call..it doesn't come up online. She called it the Junior Suite (that's the older name for it I thought) I'm excited 6 nights at WL!!!! I may change if BLT comes up with an available discount

Just so others know, the Deluxe room (or suites) haven't been available with the Military or AP rate at WL, at least for the past several years. It has, however, been available at both BWI and BC. (I've booked them there, but, ummm, changed.) Hopefully, a bigger discount will come out for you.

BLT is a tough one to get since some rooms are DVC apportioned, some are rack rate apportioned and the rest fall under a discounted allotment. I would think the two bedroom might be even harder to get. Hopefully, someone will cancel and your timing will be just right.

I suspect this info is on this thread somewhere but I'm not very good at searching (or at least have bad luck with it) so pardon me for asking again....

Can you use the boat to MK and still make it before rope drop?

The boat information is on the first page HERE, but it's never a problem asking questions here

When we were there at T'giving...MK would open at 9 and the first boat left at 8:30.., got there just a little after rope drop.

Thank you. The Red Flag boat operates a half hour before MK opens and about a half hour after it closes.

You can also take the boat to the CR and walk 5 minutes from there. We took that boat when we had a 8.05 reservation at Chrystal Palace. Made it easily.
Nice slow start of the day.

Yes, the Blue Flag boat starts operating at about 0655 and the walk to the MK from the boat dock at the CR is a little over 10 minutes. Here is a video I posted on the new CR thread of the actual walk from the lobby of the CR to the MK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GOOmTbqzy8

Any news on the Villa rehabs, photos, updates?

Welcome, Sammie!
The villas aren't scheduled for a rehab that I know of. All WL rooms were rehabbed and completed in September. Photos and links are posted on the first page.