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

[monami7]

We take longer trips. We went from 4 or 5 day park from open to close trips to being worn out. We did 5 trips is 1 year and then...We didn't go for 2 years (for us this is a long time!) We just were tired. Then we started going back 1 to 2 times a year on 8 - 12 day trips. we only go into the parks on 4 or 5 days and we hang out at the pool EVERYDAY! We also started doing all the other fun things WDW has to offer. Hoop De Doo has become a family favorite. The Pirate cruise, the kids activities. Now we can imagine going without the huge amount of down time we take.
We actually feel sorry for those that try and pack all the parks into 4 days!

 

[monami7]

My girls are 6 and 7. They are perfect ages. My friends 2 boys 10 & 13 play some of the games too though. And My friend and I have been known to get a bit competitive at the trivia games

 

[KARN4U]

Hi Wilderness Lodge fans! We have been to WDW 3 times but have never stayed at this hotel. My DD(12) wanted to know how long the waterslide was at the main pool. Thanks

 

[LuvGoldens]

Hi Kook,
Could you please add us to the Lodger's Log? We are doing 4 nts at AOA, LM room starting September 7 then moving to WL on September 11 for a 7 night stay. It's still 6 months away but I get excited just thinking about walking into that stunning lobby again to hear the music and inhale that wonderful WL smell

Now next week's challenge is trying to get the elusive BOG dinner ADR!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I know the WL offers poolside games, but can anyone tell me the age ranges the activities are appropriate for?

Most of the kids playing the games were grade school age, between 6 and 13. They had some of the older kids acting as helpers.

 

[reagansdaddy]

The discussion of schedules has prompted a question for me.

We are planning one "park-free" day during our stay to simply relax and unwind after a couple of days at the Magic Kingdom and before hitting EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. I'd like to take the family to Beaches and Cream for an afternoon ice cream treat on that day. Using Disney transportation, what would be the best way to get from WL to the Yacht Club?

Thanks! Only 110 more days for us!

 

[DetTigsGal]

I don't know your ages, but we tend to go to HS and then walk or boat over. We also do this if we are going just to world showcase

 

[rtjhouse]

The discussion of schedules has prompted a question for me.

We are planning one "park-free" day during our stay to simply relax and unwind after a couple of days at the Magic Kingdom and before hitting EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. I'd like to take the family to Beaches and Cream for an afternoon ice cream treat on that day. Using Disney transportation, what would be the best way to get from WL to the Yacht Club?

Thanks! Only 110 more days for us!

I would take the bus to Hollywood Studios and then take the ferry boat from there to the YC. You can also walk from HS to YC along the river.

 

[reagansdaddy]

Thanks for the replies DetTigsGal (under a month until Opening Day!) and rtjhouse! Would your plan be possible to do without entering Hollywood Studios? Because it's our "park-free" day we won't have admission tickets for that day.

 

[aml3679]

Nine months from today, my husband and I will be checking into the Lodge for 11 nights and our first on-site stay at Disney. We originally booked at POFQ because I was told be a co-worker that it was a best moderate. When my husband found out that POFQ was not a hotel (walk from room to lobby), he was a bit disappointed. When we went to my nephew's wedding in 2009 in California, we ate at Napa Rose and fell in love with the Grand California Hotel - similar to Wilderness Lodge. I was going to surprise him for our 28th anniversary, but he found out.

On the day we arrive, we plan on getting in early and getting settled and spending the evening in Downtown Disney and going to dinner at House of Blues. The next day we are planning on spending the day at Animal Kingdom since that is the park we left off the last time we were there (10 years to the date---too long). We are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan. For breakfast that morning, I was considering Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge -- should we take a taxi to breakfast and then hop on a bus to Animal Kingdom?

We need to finalize all of our ADR's by May so we can submit them to our travel agent (who will make all of our reservations) and I am finding that it is hard to make up my mind. We know we want the Deluxe Dining Plan (because we don't want to have to worry about thinking about how much we are spending and because we want to try various restaurants). We also want to spend adequate time at each park. Visit all of the resorts. And have some time to relax.

We are early risers and figure we can eat breakfast early. Head to our destination for the day at eat a later lunch (between 1 and 2) and then eat a late dinner (8pm) where we can sit back with a glass or two of wine and enjoy each others company.

It is too early for my husband to sit down and plan our meals yet. My mind has been thinking about it for a long time.

Some of the places that I have in mind are:

SIGNATURES: Artist Point, Le Cellier, Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill - please let me know your thoughts and if we should add others to the list. I am not picky. My husband is allergic to shellfish and a bit picky (does not like Indian Food, soups - except French Onion) or anything in gravy).

BREAKFAST: Crystal Palace (for Whinnie and Friends - I have a tattoo on my right leg of Whinnie), Kouzzina; Kona, The Wave, Boma.

LUNCH/DINNER: Via Napoli, Be Our Guest, Nine Dragons, Yak & Yeti, Tutto Italia, Brown Derby

We don't want to be a slave to our ADR's but understand if you don't make reservations you probably will not get in.

This will probably change, but this is how I see our time going:

Day one - arrive, check into the Lodge, unpack, explore and go to Downtown Disney

Day two - go to Animal Kingdom Lodge and eat at Boma - spending the day at Animal Kingdom and eat dinner at Artist Point.

Day three - spend the day at Hollywood Studios

Day four - spend at the day at Epcot/World Show case

Day five - spend the day at Magic Kingdom

Day six - resort hopping day

Day seven - do laundry in the morning and relax - do DVMCP at night

Day eight - resort hopping day, mini golf, Disney Quest

Day nine - two half days and whatever parks we would like to go back to

Day ten - Souvenier Shopping and maybe go to the movies

Day eleven - Cirque du Soleil and Pack

Day 12 - leave for home

Sorry for the long post. Any comments, suggestions welcome.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Thanks for the replies DetTigsGal (under a month until Opening Day!) and rtjhouse! Would your plan be possible to do without entering Hollywood Studios? Because it's our "park-free" day we won't have admission tickets for that day.

Yep, just like at MK the boats are outside the gate, so no admission required. Sounds like a plan for a fun day. We also used that approach for a minimal walking way of getting to International Gateway at Epcot from WL. Enjoy.

 

[Disbug]

Thanks for the replies DetTigsGal (under a month until Opening Day!) and rtjhouse! Would your plan be possible to do without entering Hollywood Studios? Because it's our "park-free" day we won't have admission tickets for that day.

The buses let out in the front... you follow the path to the right which leads to the boat dock. (You will be able to see the boat landing.)

 

[Disbug]

Nine months from today, my husband and I will be checking into the Lodge for 11 nights and our first on-site stay at Disney....
Sorry for the long post. Any comments, suggestions welcome.

Sounds like a great plan to me... "you have done well, grasshopper"!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I just called and added three days to the front end of my reservation. Now I have Saturday, Nov 30th to Dec 8th reserved. The CM told me that I probably wouldn't be able to get Saturday, Nov 30th since that is the day that they are taping the Christmas parade at MK. So she was really surprised that it was available.

I have been struggling with the idea of traveling to Disney on Thanksgiving weekend, for many reasons, crowds and travel nightmares being just two of them. But we booked on a bounce back and those three days are 35% off with the offer. I will be canceling at least two of those days, we'll just see if it will be on the front or the back of the reservation. I'll wait for airfare to see what happens.

 

[WDWKOOK]

150 days!!!!!!

No questions today, but maybe we can all list specific WL sights, sounds, and smells that when we experience them someplace else, make us think (and miss!) the lodge.
For me, the smell of mesquite in a BBQ and hearing Appalachian Spring can transport me. A more vague connection is that sometimes the sounds in a large space echoing can make me think of the lobby.
How about you?

Anytime I see a log cabin on TV or when I hear Arron Copeland music, like you, I get wistful for the Lodge. I still have my original Lincoln Logs from the 70's, so when I see them in the basement, I think of WL

I am wondering, how do you plan afternoon breaks? What time do you return from parks and what time you go back to parks? I find it hard to break from parks, but want take it easier for a change on our next trip!

Welcome to the thread - you've gotten many great responses

Does anyone have any recent pics of the club level offerings?

Here is the link to my WL-CL TR with photos from August 2012:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2987881

Hi Wilderness Lodge fans! We have been to WDW 3 times but have never stayed at this hotel. My DD(12) wanted to know how long the waterslide was at the main pool. Thanks

to our thread! The water slide isn't very long. Here is a video I found that someone filmed while going down the WL slide and while others came down the slide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SisV0WJV39g

Hi Kook,
Could you please add us to the Lodger's Log? We are doing 4 nts at AOA, LM room starting September 7 then moving to WL on September 11 for a 7 night stay. It's still 6 months away but I get excited just thinking about walking into that stunning lobby again to hear the music and inhale that wonderful WL smell

Now next week's challenge is trying to get the elusive BOG dinner ADR!

I would be happy to! Six months might seem like a long time, but it'll be time to pack before you know it. I hope you snag BoG!

The discussion of schedules has prompted a question for me.

We are planning one "park-free" day during our stay to simply relax and unwind after a couple of days at the Magic Kingdom and before hitting EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. I'd like to take the family to Beaches and Cream for an afternoon ice cream treat on that day. Using Disney transportation, what would be the best way to get from WL to the Yacht Club?

Thanks! Only 110 more days for us!

Without entering a park, I think the easiest way from WL would be to take the direct MK bus or Red Flag boat to the MK and get on the YC/BC bus.

Nine months from today, my husband and I will be checking into the Lodge for 11 nights and our first on-site stay at Disney. We originally booked at POFQ because I was told be a co-worker that it was a best moderate. When my husband found out that POFQ was not a hotel (walk from room to lobby), he was a bit disappointed. When we went to my nephew's wedding in 2009 in California, we ate at Napa Rose and fell in love with the Grand California Hotel - similar to Wilderness Lodge. I was going to surprise him for our 28th anniversary, but he found out.

On the day we arrive, we plan on getting in early and getting settled and spending the evening in Downtown Disney and going to dinner at House of Blues. The next day we are planning on spending the day at Animal Kingdom since that is the park we left off the last time we were there (10 years to the date---too long). We are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan. For breakfast that morning, I was considering Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge -- should we take a taxi to breakfast and then hop on a bus to Animal Kingdom?

We need to finalize all of our ADR's by May so we can submit them to our travel agent (who will make all of our reservations) and I am finding that it is hard to make up my mind. We know we want the Deluxe Dining Plan (because we don't want to have to worry about thinking about how much we are spending and because we want to try various restaurants). We also want to spend adequate time at each park. Visit all of the resorts. And have some time to relax.

We are early risers and figure we can eat breakfast early. Head to our destination for the day at eat a later lunch (between 1 and 2) and then eat a late dinner (8pm) where we can sit back with a glass or two of wine and enjoy each others company.

It is too early for my husband to sit down and plan our meals yet. My mind has been thinking about it for a long time.

Some of the places that I have in mind are:

SIGNATURES: Artist Point, Le Cellier, Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill - please let me know your thoughts and if we should add others to the list. I am not picky. My husband is allergic to shellfish and a bit picky (does not like Indian Food, soups - except French Onion) or anything in gravy).

BREAKFAST: Crystal Palace (for Whinnie and Friends - I have a tattoo on my right leg of Whinnie), Kouzzina; Kona, The Wave, Boma.

LUNCH/DINNER: Via Napoli, Be Our Guest, Nine Dragons, Yak & Yeti, Tutto Italia, Brown Derby

We don't want to be a slave to our ADR's but understand if you don't make reservations you probably will not get in.

This will probably change, but this is how I see our time going:

Day one - arrive, check into the Lodge, unpack, explore and go to Downtown Disney

Day two - go to Animal Kingdom Lodge and eat at Boma - spending the day at Animal Kingdom and eat dinner at Artist Point.

Day three - spend the day at Hollywood Studios

Day four - spend at the day at Epcot/World Show case

Day five - spend the day at Magic Kingdom

Day six - resort hopping day

Day seven - do laundry in the morning and relax - do DVMCP at night

Day eight - resort hopping day, mini golf, Disney Quest

Day nine - two half days and whatever parks we would like to go back to

Day ten - Souvenier Shopping and maybe go to the movies

Day eleven - Cirque du Soleil and Pack

Day 12 - leave for home

Sorry for the long post. Any comments, suggestions welcome.

Welcome and I enjoyed reading your plan.

Regarding a breakfast ADR at the Boma buffet. The easiest way to get to another resort that isn't in the MK resorts area, is to take the MK bus or the Red Flag boat to the MK and from there you can take a bus to any resort. The fastest, but most expensive way would be to taxi there.

One thing about the Deluxe Dining Plan is that you will have to factor in tips for every table service ADR. It's not uncommon to have $125+ table service meals in the evening for two using the DxDP. A 15% tip would be close to $20. In an average day of 3 table service meals per day, tips could add up to $50 or more if you order extra items such as drinks. I'm not trying to discourage you, but just pointing out that with the DxDP, the tip is no longer included and we prefer not feeling like we have to order dessert and an appetizer with every non-breakfast meal since it's included.

I just called and added three days to the front end of my reservation. Now I have Saturday, Nov 30th to Dec 8th reserved. The CM told me that I probably wouldn't be able to get Saturday, Nov 30th since that is the day that they are taping the Christmas parade at MK. So she was really surprised that it was available.

I have been struggling with the idea of traveling to Disney on Thanksgiving weekend, for many reasons, crowds and travel nightmares being just two of them. But we booked on a bounce back and those three days are 35% off with the offer. I will be canceling at least two of those days, we'll just see if it will be on the front or the back of the reservation. I'll wait for airfare to see what happens.

Are you going to MK for the taping?. That might be a good day to go to AK! Keep us posted on your plans.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Are you going to MK for the taping?. That might be a good day to go to AK! Keep us posted on your plans.

The plan would be to avoid MK at all costs!!!!!!!!

I was thinking about going to Epcot that day, but AK would probably be an excellent choice, too. I'll be watching the Thanksgiving crowd predictions to see what will be the least crowded parks.

 

[DetTigsGal]

Thanks for the replies DetTigsGal (under a month until Opening Day!) and rtjhouse! Would your plan be possible to do without entering Hollywood Studios? Because it's our "park-free" day we won't have admission tickets for that day.

You bet, and it is 27 days until opening... Yes, I get my fox sports Detroit updates even here in CT

 

[DetTigsGal]

The plan would be to avoid MK at all costs!!!!!!!!

I was thinking about going to Epcot that day, but AK would probably be an excellent choice, too. I'll be watching the Thanksgiving crowd predictions to see what will be the least crowded parks.

We've been at wdw 3 of the last 4 Thanksgiving weeks...it is practically a 9 or 10 the whole week until the Sunday after thanksgiving. We didn't have any issues, as we knew what to expect, and pretty much went with the flow. It got us ready for the crazy crowds when we went with the band the week between Christmas and New Years and helped us say, yes we can go for 10 days around the 4th of July... something I never thought I would say! Have fun planning

 

[WDWKOOK]

The plan would be to avoid MK at all costs!!!!!!!!

I was thinking about going to Epcot that day, but AK would probably be an excellent choice, too. I'll be watching the Thanksgiving crowd predictions to see what will be the least crowded parks.

Maybe a day at FTW might be nice. You could walk over to TE and take a trail ride or rent some bikes or maybe a Sea Raycer

very interesting thread about VWL

to the DIS and the thread, Bob!

 

[marymac123]

I'd be happy to and congratulations on booking!


Thanks KOOK!