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

[CaliKT]

Ah, Jungle Cruiser, I feel your pain. We were out of power for 12 days due to Sandy. A tree knocked down the pole, so all the cable, telephone, and electrical wires were in our yard. Freaked me out! The cable wires are still on the ground waiting for a crew with a cherry picker to rehang them, but I'm so grateful for the worker who jerryrigged some connection so that our house was back with cable, Internet, and phone. He did warn us that a slight breeze could undo it.

Our Mickey Mail came during this period, on a day when our house was a chilly 44 degrees inside! All that kept me going through the whole ordeal was to remember that in a few short weeks, I would be WDW at the WL.

Hang in there!

[WDWKOOK]

I just uploaded pas130's/Jeanette's photos she took today in the lobby of WL

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by sacarmic

Can anyone here comment on the quality of AT&T cell reception at the wilderness lodge? We stayed the caribbean beach last time and cell reception was virtually non-existent. Didn't know if I can count on the my phone for data or will I have to buy the Disney wifi.

Thanks,
Scott

Originally Posted by Disney_Freak56

I returned less than 3 weeks ago and we had no problem with AT&T cell reception in the entire lodge, including the Villas and the Club Level - split stay.

And now for the really good news - WiFi is free at all Disney resorts.

Our Wi-Fi reception was good in both areas of the resort.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for helping Scott out - I've only used Verizon.

Originally Posted by bowbat

Ten days away!

Just did online check-in. I've tried it two other times with poor results, but third time's the charm, right?

You're doing OCI for CL? Did it work this time for you?

Originally Posted by Jungle Cruiser

Thank you KOOK!!! I am at the Library using their wifi. Verizon came, said the damage was so extensive they have to send a full crew with cherry picker truck, so who knows. By the time life gets back to normal around here, I will be on my way to the WL!

Ugh, when will life get back to normal for all of you in the NJ/NY areas? I do hope the library doesn't end-up your second home - but thank goodness you have it. Your vacation can not come soon enough. Jeanette and the girls are breaking everything in for you in the MK area right now.

Originally Posted by CaliKT

Ah, Jungle Cruiser, I feel your pain. We were out of power for 12 days due to Sandy. A tree knocked down the pole, so all the cable, telephone, and electrical wires were in our yard. Freaked me out! The cable wires are still on the ground waiting for a crew with a cherry picker to rehang them, but I'm so grateful for the worker who jerryrigged some connection so that our house was back with cable, Internet, and phone. He did warn us that a slight breeze could undo it.

Our Mickey Mail came during this period, on a day when our house was a chilly 44 degrees inside! All that kept me going through the whole ordeal was to remember that in a few short weeks, I would be WDW at the WL.

Hang in there!

No one breathe in the direction of poor CaliKT. Is life starting to get back to normal or is it far from it?

[bowbat]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

You're doing OCI for CL? Did it work this time for you?

Yeah, thought I'd give it a shot after reading some posts on here that you still get the CL check-in, it's just sped up a bit. And it worked fine on my end... we'll see how things go when we get there. The other two times I've done OCI it didn't speed the process up at all. Hoping those cases were just bad luck, though.

[NHKristy76]

Originally Posted by GatorEye

Just Google the phrase Wilderness Lodge Christmas music loop and there should be places that stream it. I think there was one on soundcloud that I remember from last year.

I have mine from quite a while ago. I'm not sure if they've actually changed it since then, but it makes me feel like home so it doesn't matter if they have or not.

Hmm. I guess it's been awhile since I've been at the Lodge at Christmas time... The music on soundcloud doesn't sound familiar to me at all.

[DetTigsGal]

We'll see how it goes for us... our 19 year old gets there before us, so he will check in. He better get us a good room

[aml3679]

I think I will be able to keep the surprise up until we arrive at the Orlando Airport and take the Magical Express bus. I am so excited.

[familygoboston]

We have an opportunity to change our room only res from a one BR at Bay Lake Towers to WL and save over $600 ( 3 nights).

My questions are:
- can you take the boat over to the monorail resorts and ride the monorail to EPCOT, or must you take the bus.

-anyone stayed at both and have an opinion about which is nicer, I know WL has wonderful theming from our visits there.

-space question; we have two big teens and the extra toilet and second pullout bed in the living area (so the girls wouldn't need to share a bed) at BLT seems like an advantage. The WLV seem to be similar to the BW and YC and BC , Saratoga Springs etc villas we've stayed in before, and there would be one queen sofa sleeper ( can you get a rollaway in there, I don't think so)

Any and all opinions appreciated, basically the savings would pay for the remainder of our tix. TIA!

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by familygoboston

We have an opportunity to change our room only res from a one BR at Bay Lake Towers to WL and save over $600 ( 3 nights).

My questions are:
- can you take the boat over to the monorail resorts and ride the monorail to EPCOT, or must you take the bus.

-anyone stayed at both and have an opinion about which is nicer, I know WL has wonderful theming from our visits there.

-space question; we have two big teens and the extra toilet and second pullout bed in the living area (so the girls wouldn't need to share a bed) at BLT seems like an advantage. The WLV seem to be similar to the BW and YC and BC , Saratoga Springs etc villas we've stayed in before, and there would be one queen sofa sleeper ( can you get a rollaway in there, I don't think so)

Any and all opinions appreciated, basically the savings would pay for the remainder of our tix. TIA!

We were just at BLT in a one bedroom and our son and his friend were able to join us for three nights. They got the living room - twin sleeper chair and queen sleeper sofa and used the smaller bathroom. It was very convenient for us. We'll be in a VWL two bedroom in January with from four to six people so it should be fine for us.

DVC will not provide any cots for the villas. So your kids will have to sleep together at VWL or you'll need to bring your own aerobed. And all four of you will need to share the bathroom off the master bedroom. The shower area is separate from the toilet, but you have to go through the shower area to get to the toilet. And you'll have two separate sink areas (in to different rooms). But not two separate bathrooms.

[familygoboston]

Thanks! Its great to get a perspective of both places. This is what we were thinking, if our kids were tots, maybe the smaller room would be ok, like they were in the studios in days gone by. I'm thinking we should stay with the BLT.

[TaraPA]

Woo hoo check the ticker!!!! FINALLY WL!!!

[GatorEye]

Originally Posted by NHKristy76

Hmm. I guess it's been awhile since I've been at the Lodge at Christmas time... The music on soundcloud doesn't sound familiar to me at all.

It's the same one that I have which is 7 years old. Either you went before that and they changed it when I was there or you have been fairly recently and there is something different now. Guess I'll find out in a few weeks.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by familygoboston

We have an opportunity to change our room only res from a one BR at Bay Lake Towers to WL and save over $600 ( 3 nights).

My questions are:
- can you take the boat over to the monorail resorts and ride the monorail to EPCOT, or must you take the bus.

-anyone stayed at both and have an opinion about which is nicer, I know WL has wonderful theming from our visits there.

-space question; we have two big teens and the extra toilet and second pullout bed in the living area (so the girls wouldn't need to share a bed) at BLT seems like an advantage. The WLV seem to be similar to the BW and YC and BC , Saratoga Springs etc villas we've stayed in before, and there would be one queen sofa sleeper ( can you get a rollaway in there, I don't think so)

Any and all opinions appreciated, basically the savings would pay for the remainder of our tix. TIA!

Originally Posted by familygoboston

Thanks! Its great to get a perspective of both places. This is what we were thinking, if our kids were tots, maybe the smaller room would be ok, like they were in the studios in days gone by. I'm thinking we should stay with the BLT.

Just answered your question on the CR thread, but I think I was preaching to the choir after seeing your response here. Yes you can take the blue flag boat to the CR and then walk to the MK or monorail to the Poly and GF.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by TaraPA

Woo hoo check the ticker!!!! FINALLY WL!!!

Well it's about time! HA! Congratulations and now it's official

[sacarmic]

Thanks you all for your responses about cell service. Didn't know they now have free wifi. Is it usable though? A lot of time hotels install wifi without enough capacity to handle all usage, so it ends up being pointless.

Thanks,
Scott