(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~2013~

[DznyCrzy11]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1717127&page=132


A great thread to look thru. Holiday photos are in there... Just have to look for them.

Have fun thumbing thru!!!

Thanks!! It's been about 20 years since I was last at WDW during the holiday season and I REALLY want to get back there so I'm thinking MAYBE next December and definitely WL!!

 

[lulubel88]

I have a question for those who have used DME getting to WL. I usually drive but got an awesome deal on Southwest for my September trip so this will be my first experience w/ DME. Anyway, I got my info in the mail and it says that luggage can take up to 3 hours to be delivered if I use the tag included. I fly Southwest a lot and only had a problem with my luggage once...it actually arrived before me on an earlier flight from New Orleans to Orlando. My flight will be arriving around 12:30PM so would it be better to just get my own bags and head to DME? I'm just a little paranoid about getting to WL and finding out later that my bags never showed up at the airport. TIA

 

[fauntleroy53]

I have read that the mousekeepers are actually lodgekeepers here at wl?? Can someone please confirm?

Me and my son are decorating our tip enveloples (16 to be exact) and we want to address them appropriately

MY Main question here is what is the reasonable tip to leave for 2 adults and and a 4 yr old.

I plan to do turndown service as well - because I think it will be fabulous coming back to the room w/our beds waiting for us.....so this will be a double envelope trip - I don't want to be cheap - I know the lodgekeepers work hard, but I don't want to go overboard - I have already gone over budget . Can anyone please tell me what the going rate for lodgekeeping is?? I thought I read somewhere it was $1/person?? (I have read so much stuff I'm thoroughly confused)

Please help me sort this tipping out,as I take tipping very seriously and would just be incredibly mortified if I messed up somehow.
1) Does turndown have to be ordered daily,or can it be requested for whatever days we want upon check in?
2) Are tips for general care of the room left daily or at the end of our stay?
3) Are envelopes provided or should I bring my own?
4) Are there any other people at WL that can accept tips?
Thank-you so much for your patience with all my questions!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

We just checked in this morning and got an unexpected upgrade to a courtyard view. We are traveling with my parents in two rooms and were surprised when we looked out the window/ door. So happy right now!

Congrats on the upgrade . I hope you have a great time at the WL .

Does anyone have pictures of the WL during the holiday season?

Here are just a few from our December 2010 trip. We didn't stay at the WL, but did visit to eat at Artist Point .

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I have a question for those who have used DME getting to WL. I usually drive but got an awesome deal on Southwest for my September trip so this will be my first experience w/ DME. Anyway, I got my info in the mail and it says that luggage can take up to 3 hours to be delivered if I use the tag included. I fly Southwest a lot and only had a problem with my luggage once...it actually arrived before me on an earlier flight from New Orleans to Orlando. My flight will be arriving around 12:30PM so would it be better to just get my own bags and head to DME? I'm just a little paranoid about getting to WL and finding out later that my bags never showed up at the airport. TIA

We use DME and let them take care of the bags. They usually arrive within a few hours after we get there. We do have a change of clothes and even swimsuits in our carry-ons in case there is a delay. On our first trip we arrived about midnight and went to sleep and woke up to find a message on the phone that the bags were ready to be delivered whenever we wanted. Now they only do the bag pickup during certain hours, and otherwise you just pick them up from baggage claim yourself. If you are worried about it you could pick up the bags yourself before going to the bus whenever you arrive (just don't put the yellow tags on them).

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Here are just a few from our December 2010 trip. We didn't stay at the WL, but did visit to eat at Artist Point .

Nice! I love the way WL looks during the holidays!!!

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have a question for those who have used DME getting to WL. I usually drive but got an awesome deal on Southwest for my September trip so this will be my first experience w/ DME. Anyway, I got my info in the mail and it says that luggage can take up to 3 hours to be delivered if I use the tag included. I fly Southwest a lot and only had a problem with my luggage once...it actually arrived before me on an earlier flight from New Orleans to Orlando. My flight will be arriving around 12:30PM so would it be better to just get my own bags and head to DME? I'm just a little paranoid about getting to WL and finding out later that my bags never showed up at the airport. TIA

We have never had a problem with our luggage getting from our home airport to our room at WDW. We usually arrive around noon - 1pm. If our room isn't ready when we check in, then we usually find our luggage waiting for us when we return to the room later. If the room is ready when we check in, then they bring the luggage to us rather quickly when we call from the room.

The DME luggage gets handled by a service that picks up all the luggage at Orlando's airport and transports it to the various resorts on property. It is very convenient.

 

[mickeynut1]

Nice! I love the way WL looks during the holidays!!!

Me too . I think all of the resorts are nicely decorated for the holidays, but the WL has that cozy, homey feel .

 

[Jennygt]

is the pool zero entry? I have stayed there 2 times but I just can't recall. this was pre children so I would not have even taken notice lol.

 

[mickeynut1]

is the pool zero entry? I have stayed there 2 times but I just can't recall. this was pre children so I would not have even taken notice lol.

No, it is not.

 

[tuckerkeys]

Forgive me if this question has already been asked, but I used the search area & came up with nothing specific.....

Has the coffee been changed from nescafe to the joffreys yet at roaring fork? What about the in room coffee?

Also, if it HAS been changed, how did you like it? Is it standard drip brew coffee in roaring fork, or is it some kind of joffre powder mix....

Thank you!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I got my room at the military discount for December 17th club level at the WL Not sure about closer to Christmas. She did say they were going fast

I believe the black out dates for the military discont runs from Dec 23 thru Jan2, if I remember correctly, that's another reason we haven't been back for Christmas, that and DH's job situation. I'm hoping to go back for Christmas Dec 2014 even without a discount.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Ok, so I understand we get evening turndown service since we are staying CL, do we tip? and how much? and when?

The only time we have ever experienced turndown service was when we were chosen as the Family of the Day at Pop, I think it was in 2008 and it was a total surprise, so we obviously didn't tip, since we ddin't know it was going to happen.

 

[siwash23]

Just upgraded to Wilderness Lodge for our 9/29 to 10/5 trip. We have visited the resort before, but have never stayed and we can't wait. My DD9 and DS5 have no idea we switched to the WL from POR and will be so excited since they have been talking about wanting to stay there since we took the boat over from the MK to eat at Whispering Canyon a couple years ago.

 

[KerryCM]

Just upgraded to Wilderness Lodge for our 9/29 to 10/5 trip. We have visited the resort before, but have never stayed and we can't wait. My DD9 and DS5 have no idea we switched to the WL from POR and will be so excited since they have been talking about wanting to stay there since we took the boat over from the MK to eat at Whispering Canyon a couple years ago.

We will be there when you are!!! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Ok, so I understand we get evening turndown service since we are staying CL, do we tip? and how much? and when?

The only time we have ever experienced turndown service was when we were chosen as the Family of the Day at Pop, I think it was in 2008 and it was a total surprise, so we obviously didn't tip, since we ddin't know it was going to happen.

Our experience has been if we leave a tip for turndown service they typically don't accept it.

Just upgraded to Wilderness Lodge for our 9/29 to 10/5 trip. We have visited the resort before, but have never stayed and we can't wait. My DD9 and DS5 have no idea we switched to the WL from POR and will be so excited since they have been talking about wanting to stay there since we took the boat over from the MK to eat at Whispering Canyon a couple years ago.

They will love the bunk beds! DS's first stay was when he was 2 1/2 and has flatly 'refused' to stay anywhere else. Now he is 17 and it continues to hold a special place.

Enjoy!

 

[jerseygirl74]

I need advice. Currently we are booked WL CL for 5 nights but I keep thinking about changing it to 6 nights but if I do I have to downgrade and won't stay CL. This is a hard decision. We have never stayed CL but another night would be nice.

 

[ocalla]

I'd go for the extra night!!!

 

[jerseygirl74]

I'd go for the extra night!!!

I really want to have time to enjoy WL to so I'm thinking that may be what I do

 

[marymac123]

Ok, so I understand we get evening turndown service since we are staying CL, do we tip? and how much? and when?

The only time we have ever experienced turndown service was when we were chosen as the Family of the Day at Pop, I think it was in 2008 and it was a total surprise, so we obviously didn't tip, since we ddin't know it was going to happen.

We tip $1 per bed daily. DD and I decorate envelopes stating that it is for turndown service with a big thank you. They almost always take it, I have noticed when they don't it's because Lodgekeeping was running behind & did the turndown. Then only the Lodgekeeping envelope is taken.