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

[AngiTN]

This may not be where I ask this but I figured sombody would know... I have always used the extra magic hours but have heard that it is better to avoid the parks with EMH that the other parks was less crowded. What is everyones take on this?

This is my take. I never go to a park that has EMH. I use that as my park to avoid.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

This may not be where I ask this but I figured sombody would know... I have always used the extra magic hours but have heard that it is better to avoid the parks with EMH that the other parks was less crowded. What is everyones take on this?

We always get park hoppers.

We always tour a park EARLY. If the park has morning EMH, even better. No crowds, virtually no lines.

We then leave that park when the crowds get to be too much and take a resort break.

In the evening, we usually go to a different, non EMH park.

This strategy has always worked for us.

 

[RedfromNL]

We always get park hoppers.

We always tour a park EARLY. If the park has morning EMH, even better. No crowds, virtually no lines.

We then leave that park when the crowds get to be too much and take a resort break.

In the evening, we usually go to a different, non EMH park.

This strategy has always worked for us.

Thats pretty much our strategy too. We are morning-people so get up early, tour for a few hours and then take a break. In the evening go to another park.

And in case we get it wrong or everyione else decided to go to the same park we get hoppers. After all the other costs whats a little bit more ?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I would like to see the villas get a little refurb. The carpet and green trim does not appeal to me.

Does anyone know if they are planning to change the carpet in the villas?

I haven't seen them listed as a pending project and I don't know when they are due, but DVC are on a different rehab rotation than non-DVC rooms and are funded by members so rehabs are far a few between.

Well, I got more bad news..... They still had no idea about the Her Royal Highness package, so I booked it myself through Disney Catering.

I haven't heard back about booking tee times and I emailed them over 24 hrs ago. So I will probably call tomorrow. I read they can be booked at the 180 mark on 1 place and my husband said its 90 days .

I asked about bottled water and was informed they do not provide it in CL. They provide carafes that you can fill with their filtation system and take back to your room, which is fine it gives me an excuse to buy a new water bottle when I get there

Maybe you can help me WDWkook, Do you know what types of wine are provided in the CL lounge? I love White Zinfandel and its cheap so I was hoping they had it there

Truly, it feels like whomever I got these couple times was just couldn't be bothered or they are new. I had such a good experience with the AKL IPO that I'm not discouraged, yet. I'm just really glad that I know a vast amount about WDW and I have everyone on the boards to help increase that knowledge. . I also am reminded, that these are not the same people who I will meet when I get there so I'm just staying positive. It helps that so many people have raved on her about how accommodating the CM are in CL

The carafe of water is correct. Except for the occasional story of someone at the BC, for example, asking a CM and receiving some bottled water, the CLs stopped offering individual bottles of water years ago then recently went to the "filtered in the back room" water in a carafe.

If it makes you feel better, I haven't even been contacted yet by the CR (based at GF) IPO and I booked weeks ago. There are many inconsistencies with the IPOs. Don is great over at AKL and has been there since it opened so you may have dealt with him in the past? Recreation, such as golf can be booked 90 days in advance, I believe.

Here is a (not-so-good) photo of the wine with the white cut off which may have been a Zinfandel, but hopefully someone will help out here:

How long is the bus trip from VWL to Downtown Disney? We'll have our car with us, but I'm just wondering if it'd be worth it to just take a bus.

It feels like all day, but in realty it's shorter to get there than to get back. You're always the first picked up at WL, but then it stops at GF (usually), then it goes to a water park and finally arrives at DTD. On the way back it also stops at other DTD stops and every time we're on it the bus drivers change, then it goes to the water park and finally WL. It takes a good 30 minutes + from WL to DTD and forget about driving as was mentioned, parking is scarce .

The parking in DTD is horrible. This really comes down to a personal preference though. Waiting for a bus with tired children can be tough. I swore after the last trip I would never take the bus there again but we will be this trip

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ITA and parking there is bad.

This may not be where I ask this but I figured sombody would know... I have always used the extra magic hours but have heard that it is better to avoid the parks with EMH that the other parks was less crowded. What is everyones take on this?

FWIW, I schedule our park days based on which park doesn't have EMH that day. However, if you're going during a very busy period, such as Christmas, morning EMH can be ideal if you want to ensure you get on rides that will have very long lines all day due to peak crowd levels. But I would bail from the parks before lunch.

How long does it take to get to Fort Wildreness? We are arriving at VWL on Saturday & I signed up for archery at the campground! Can't wait

Transportation methods have been covered, other than driving. Guests who plan on driving can park at the FW entrance and take the Yellow or Orange Line buses to the Bike Barn which is located at the Meadow Trading Post. It's a great program (they even do it in the rain) and I highly recommend it.

 

[Dr Ken]

This may not be where I ask this but I figured sombody would know... I have always used the extra magic hours but have heard that it is better to avoid the parks with EMH that the other parks was less crowded. What is everyones take on this?

If you're going to get up early and use the EMH, like we do, it's great. No lines! We head back to the resort in the afternoon then use park hoppers to go somewhere else in the evening. We use EMH whenever we can.

If you're planning to spend the entire day at one resort, then yes, avoid the EMH. The afternoon crowds are much worse at whatever park has EMH.

 

[goofynut41]

We always get park hoppers.

We always tour a park EARLY. If the park has morning EMH, even better. No crowds, virtually no lines.

We then leave that park when the crowds get to be too much and take a resort break.

In the evening, we usually go to a different, non EMH park.

This strategy has always worked for us.

Yes this has what I have always done in the past... worked well but seems like I was always in a rush... thought we would try something different this time to slow things down a bit.. if that is possible... sleep in a extra hour.. may give it a try on some days to change it up...

 

[goofynut41]

This is my take. I never go to a park that has EMH. I use that as my park to avoid.

Gonna try this this time.... maybe things wont get CRAZY..

 

[AngiTN]

Yes this has what I have always done in the past... worked well but seems like I was always in a rush... thought we would try something different this time to slow things down a bit.. if that is possible... sleep in a extra hour.. may give it a try on some days to change it up...

Sleeping is why we never do an EMH park. My DH will not ever rise early while on vacation. Getting to a park by 9:00 is a stretch. We typically roll in by 9:30, if we are lucky. I can squeeze in 1 early ADR, if I'm really lucky and it is tense the entire time because he really resents getting up early. I've come to terms with it in all our years together.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Sleeping is why we never do an EMH park. My DH will not ever rise early while on vacation. Getting to a park by 9:00 is a stretch. We typically roll in by 9:30, if we are lucky. I can squeeze in 1 early ADR, if I'm really lucky and it is tense the entire time because he really resents getting up early. I've come to terms with it in all our years together.

My DH is the opposite. He has to be up and going first thing in the morning. It drives him crazy if he has to wait for someone. Then he always wants his afternoon nap. It is like that for every vacation we take, even something relaxing like Hawaii. Fortunately, this system works great for WDW.

 

[AngiTN]

My DH is the opposite. He has to be up and going first thing in the morning. It drives him crazy if he has to wait for someone. Then he always wants his afternoon nap. It is like that for every vacation we take, even something relaxing like Hawaii. Fortunately, this system works great for WDW.

Honestly I'm quite envious. At home he often sleeps till noon which is heck to get things done on a weekend.

 

[RedfromNL]

Just booked a dinner at Victoria and Alberts as a surprise for Ronald, my husband. Been looking at that place for ages, decided if they had room it was meant to be and what do you know, they actually had a spot for us

Can't wait to see his face

 

[Kathymford]

Just booked a dinner at Victoria and Alberts as a surprise for Ronald, my husband. Been looking at that place for ages, decided if they had room it was meant to be and what do you know, they actually had a spot for us

Can't wait to see his face

Congrats! I plan to book this for DBF and myself for our Dec trip. It will be our 10th Anniversary!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just booked a dinner at Victoria and Alberts as a surprise for Ronald, my husband. Been looking at that place for ages, decided if they had room it was meant to be and what do you know, they actually had a spot for us

Can't wait to see his face

Can't wait to hear yours and kathymford's reviews. Zagat just named Victoria & Albert's one of the top 15 iconic restaurants - I assume iconic in this case means really, really good

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Over 24 hours with no posts and the thread is on the middle of page 2... This won't do, I'll have to post that I am daydreaming about being at WL right now...

146 days to go...

 

[mommy2twingles]

Check in question for the regulars. We are staying club level so I know that check in is usually done on the floor instead of the front desk. When we stayed at the Poly last year there was a different group of staff that worked the desk in the club building than those that worked the lounge. Is this the same at WL? We will be arriving early on a Sunday morning having just gotten off a Disney Cruise. We are driving ourselves so no Disney Transportation to deal with. I am trying to determine if the staff will be to busy dealing with breakfast in the lounge and if we will then have to check in at the front desk. Not to worried about the luggage since we are meeting friend who will have checked in Saturday night.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Over 24 hours with no posts and the thread is on the middle of page 2... This won't do, I'll have to post that I am daydreaming about being at WL right now...

146 days to go...

You're Lodge hero of the day and only 145 days tomorrow

Check in question for the regulars. We are staying club level so I know that check in is usually done on the floor instead of the front desk. When we stayed at the Poly last year there was a different group of staff that worked the desk in the club building than those that worked the lounge. Is this the same at WL? We will be arriving early on a Sunday morning having just gotten off a Disney Cruise. We are driving ourselves so no Disney Transportation to deal with. I am trying to determine if the staff will be to busy dealing with breakfast in the lounge and if we will then have to check in at the front desk. Not to worried about the luggage since we are meeting friend who will have checked in Saturday night.

The CMs who will escort you up are usually the Lodge Rangers or CL Runners who aren't working in the lounge. Once up there, they have a dedicate staff who will check in guests and won't be working in the lounge at the same time. So while someone else might be checking in at the same time, you'll still be helped by a CL desk CM ASAP.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Over 24 hours with no posts and the thread is on the middle of page 2... This won't do, I'll have to post that I am daydreaming about being at WL right now...

146 days to go...

 

[marshall4539]

I am trying to decide if I should stay at the poly for 6 nights, or stay at WL and stay an extra night (7 nights).... I am mainly thinking of staying at the poly because of the transportation options (we have a 3 year old), but really like the WL too...
Has anyone ever stayed at both Poly and WL? What is your favorite?

How long does it take to get to Epcot from WL?

I know the pool is not a zero entry at WL, but how deep is the shallow end? Would a 3 year old be able to stand?
Thanks so much!

 

[Tinkerbelljean]

I know the pool is not a zero entry at WL, but how deep is the shallow end? Would a 3 year old be able to stand?
Thanks so much![/QUOTE]

There is a dedicated kiddie pool at WL and your 3 year old should be able to walk into the main pool. Probably not too far, but play at the edge. The quiet pool by the villas has steps, which will make that more challenging. It depends how busy the pool is and if your child likes the water and can swim a bit or is comfortable in a life jacket.

 

[Lucys dad]

Glad you have found your "home" . We love the WL as we've stayed there twice and had great trips both times. As far as CL, you would have to book a CL room as there is no way to book a regular/standard room and just pay for CL amenities. If you wouldn't mind moving, you can always book CL for a few nights at the beginning or end to give it a try. If you do that, I would book at the end of the trip rather than go from CL to a standard room. WL CL was our first CL stay and we loved it. The food offerings were great, the lounge had plenty of seating, and the CL CMs were top notch. If it's doable and you wouldn't mind changing rooms, I would definitely recommend trying CL.....you won't regret it .

Much appreciated. Last few nights is a good idea.