WL lovers- a few ?s

[exwdwcm]

this is going to be our first stay at the WL (Dec 10-20th). It has been a dream of my parents to stay here for ages, now they can finally afford to, thanks to some money they recently came into. Our entire family of 15 is going, we have 5 water view rooms at WL for Dec 10-20th. Most of my family has only stayed in mods (CBR or POR), so this is a real treat for them to experience a deluxe (I've only stayed at AKL for deluxe).

We cannot wait! We have a few (okay, more than a few) questions before our trip which is only a month away! We've been planning this trip for 2years now!!

1. what should we request for room preference/locations? We do have water view confirmed for all 5 rooms, one of the four rooms is a bunkbed room. we'd like to have a nice view of the pool. Is there a possibility to see the fireworks at all if we are on the proper side? Any tips for a general room request (i know we shouldn't request specific room #s etc.). How soon should we fax in the req- a week out?
2. transportation- we will have a 15 passenger van at our disposal which we will use the majority of the time (we just prefer having a car and easier on my mom/dad with some health issues). However, one night we are doing HDD at FTW- i assume the boat is recommended in this case over driving? Does the boat drop us right at Pioneer Hall?
3. Grocery delivery- we plan to do a grocery order for the 5 rooms. I assume it is easist to actually place the order as 5 separate orders, so that bell services can deliver it easier to the individual rooms? I am placing all the orders for the entire group. who have you used? I haev read up on garden grocer- who else is there?
4. Fountain drinks at RF- what all do they have? I know it is coke products- but coke zero? lemonade etc?
5. I am shipping a box down in advance- how early do you recommend sending- have it arrive a day or two before we do? we are sending down some small tabletop christmas trees and lights for the balcony to get us in the holiday spirit.
6. Lastly- we'd like to 'decorate' our parents room as a surprise. We have disney holiday decorations ready to go- we arrive at MCO at 8:30pm on 12/10. so we will arrive late to the WL. any ideas on how to surprise them and somehow distract them and get into their room to decorate? I figure i might just have to let my dad in on the plan and have him distract mom and give me a key to their room. I'd like to do it that night, but might not happen (especially since i have a toddler to get to bed!).

any other special tips we should know to make the most out of our stay? We have a completely packed itinerary already.

THank you!!!

[em6668]

1. A water view will either get you a view of the lake or the pool. Just request a pool view if that is what is most important to you. I once had a room at WL with a Fireworks View but it was a parking lot view and you could only see the fireworks above the trees.

2. The boat is your best bet for getting to Fort Wilderness. Just walk up the dock at FW and follow the path a short way and Pioneer Hall will be on your right.

3. Personally I have never done grocery delivery so I have no tips on that.

4. Yes all fountain drinks at Roaring Forks are coke products. I am ALMOST positive that they had Coke Zero last time I was there. They also have Minute Maid Light Lemonade.

5. I would arrange for the box to arrive at least a day before you arrive.

6. Arrange for the family to go down to the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pagent while you decorate the room.

Have a great time. Make sure to ask for the Hidden Mickey List at the front desk. It really helps you to explore the lobby.

[Lynne M]

I'll just add a couple of things to the PP's excellent response.....

Most WDW resorts no longer accept faxed room requests; any such faxes sent to WL will be discarded. Just call 1-407-WDISNEY and they'll be happy to add your requests to your reservation. No need to wait till closer to your trip, requests can be added at the time of reservation or any time after that.

I'd agree that taking the boat to FW for HDDR is going to be much better for your group than driving. If driving, you'd need to park at the opposite end of FW and take the internal bus to Pioneer Hall. The boat dock is not far at all from Pioneer Hall, just a couple minutes' walk. The boat trip is short, beautiful and relaxing.

Sounds like you have a magical stay planned at WL.....enjoy!

[VeroBeach]

Originally Posted by exwdwcm

what should we request for room preference/locations? We do have water view confirmed for all 5 rooms, one of the four rooms is a bunkbed room. we'd like to have a nice view of the pool.

Which pool? Some rooms are "inner courtyard" meaning they face the Silver Springs pool - inside the main part of the "Y" of the resort, others face the pool at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, I believe I have heard these referred to as "outer courtyard".

[exwdwcm]

Thank you all for the great responses! em668- thank you!!!! the water pagenant is a great idea for a distraction- what time does it hit WL though- we won't arrive until probably 9:30-10pm.

Lynne- great info on room requests- i'll have my dreams agent add the silver springs pool view to the rec then.

VeroB- yes, main pool, silver springs. i'll make sure our agent knows. thanks!

[ols386]

Originally Posted by exwdwcm

this is going to be our first stay at the WL (Dec 10-20th). It has been a dream of my parents to stay here for ages, now they can finally afford to, thanks to some money they recently came into. Our entire family of 15 is going, we have 5 water view rooms at WL for Dec 10-20th. Most of my family has only stayed in mods (CBR or POR), so this is a real treat for them to experience a deluxe (I've only stayed at AKL for deluxe).

We cannot wait! We have a few (okay, more than a few) questions before our trip which is only a month away! We've been planning this trip for 2years now!!

1. what should we request for room preference/locations? We do have water view confirmed for all 5 rooms, one of the four rooms is a bunkbed room. we'd like to have a nice view of the pool. Is there a possibility to see the fireworks at all if we are on the proper side? Any tips for a general room request (i know we shouldn't request specific room #s etc.). How soon should we fax in the req- a week out?
2. transportation- we will have a 15 passenger van at our disposal which we will use the majority of the time (we just prefer having a car and easier on my mom/dad with some health issues). However, one night we are doing HDD at FTW- i assume the boat is recommended in this case over driving? Does the boat drop us right at Pioneer Hall?
3. Grocery delivery- we plan to do a grocery order for the 5 rooms. I assume it is easist to actually place the order as 5 separate orders, so that bell services can deliver it easier to the individual rooms? I am placing all the orders for the entire group. who have you used? I haev read up on garden grocer- who else is there?
4. Fountain drinks at RF- what all do they have? I know it is coke products- but coke zero? lemonade etc?
5. I am shipping a box down in advance- how early do you recommend sending- have it arrive a day or two before we do? we are sending down some small tabletop christmas trees and lights for the balcony to get us in the holiday spirit.
6. Lastly- we'd like to 'decorate' our parents room as a surprise. We have disney holiday decorations ready to go- we arrive at MCO at 8:30pm on 12/10. so we will arrive late to the WL. any ideas on how to surprise them and somehow distract them and get into their room to decorate? I figure i might just have to let my dad in on the plan and have him distract mom and give me a key to their room. I'd like to do it that night, but might not happen (especially since i have a toddler to get to bed!).

any other special tips we should know to make the most out of our stay? We have a completely packed itinerary already.

THank you!!!

It's so nice of you and your family to arrive at WDW on my birthday, to help me celebrate it.

Actually that is my birthday....we are arriving on the 9th, except that we are staying at the Poly. We stayed at the WL last time we went down, and absolutely LOVED it. It's a beautiful resort, and will be even more gorgeous with the Christmas decorations.

Looks like pretty much all your questions have been answered....but I just wanted to wish you a FANTASTIC trip!!

[dizneykid]

Originally Posted by exwdwcm

this is going to be our first stay at the WL (Dec 10-20th). It has been a dream of my parents to stay here for ages, now they can finally afford to, thanks to some money they recently came into. Our entire family of 15 is going, we have 5 water view rooms at WL for Dec 10-20th. Most of my family has only stayed in mods (CBR or POR), so this is a real treat for them to experience a deluxe (I've only stayed at AKL for deluxe).

We cannot wait! We have a few (okay, more than a few) questions before our trip which is only a month away! We've been planning this trip for 2years now!!

1. what should we request for room preference/locations? We do have water view confirmed for all 5 rooms, one of the four rooms is a bunkbed room. we'd like to have a nice view of the pool. Is there a possibility to see the fireworks at all if we are on the proper side? Any tips for a general room request (i know we shouldn't request specific room #s etc.). How soon should we fax in the req- a week out?
2. transportation- we will have a 15 passenger van at our disposal which we will use the majority of the time (we just prefer having a car and easier on my mom/dad with some health issues). However, one night we are doing HDD at FTW- i assume the boat is recommended in this case over driving? Does the boat drop us right at Pioneer Hall?
3. Grocery delivery- we plan to do a grocery order for the 5 rooms. I assume it is easist to actually place the order as 5 separate orders, so that bell services can deliver it easier to the individual rooms? I am placing all the orders for the entire group. who have you used? I haev read up on garden grocer- who else is there?
4. Fountain drinks at RF- what all do they have? I know it is coke products- but coke zero? lemonade etc?
5. I am shipping a box down in advance- how early do you recommend sending- have it arrive a day or two before we do? we are sending down some small tabletop christmas trees and lights for the balcony to get us in the holiday spirit.
6. Lastly- we'd like to 'decorate' our parents room as a surprise. We have disney holiday decorations ready to go- we arrive at MCO at 8:30pm on 12/10. so we will arrive late to the WL. any ideas on how to surprise them and somehow distract them and get into their room to decorate? I figure i might just have to let my dad in on the plan and have him distract mom and give me a key to their room. I'd like to do it that night, but might not happen (especially since i have a toddler to get to bed!).

any other special tips we should know to make the most out of our stay? We have a completely packed itinerary already.

THank you!!!

Who told you that you had a "water" view. There is no such thing as a water view at the Wilderness Lodge.

Following are the views: Standard view, Woods view, Woods view with bunk beds, Courtyard view, and Courtyard view with bunk beds.

I would call and double check to see what view you really have. Please just double check. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. Especially this is such a special trip.

Also, if you mom and dad like to have a drink. That may be a good way to distract them. When you get there maybe your dad can take your mom to the Territory Lounge, it should stay opened until about midnight. Lovely lounge and very relaxing. A great way to start a trip!!

[dizneykid]

P.S. - If you do have a Courtyard view room booked here is what you should ask for.

Ask for an inner Courtyard view room, 5th floor, South side, facing the Silver Springs Pool area. You may get a chance to see the fireworks from the room from there. The higher ones. Especially when they the the MVMCP nights!!

Good luck and have a wonderful vacation with your family!!

[Time4disney]

Another option to getting to Fort Wilderness from the Wilderness Lodge is taking a bus which brings you right where you need to go (Pioneer Hall). The bus ride is less than 5 minutes. Now, taking the boat is more scenic (but could also be a cold ride in December) but I have had problems at times having to wait for 2 or 3 boats before my party of 4 could get on. Sometimes we have to wait 10 - 15 minutes for a boat, only for it to be too full from coming from the Contemporary and then we would have to wait another 10- 15 minutes for another boat. Plenty of people take the boat to FW during that part of the day. With your large party, taking the bus might be a better option. The boats only fit a small number of people and there is a chance your entire party may not fit on the same boat if a large number of passengers are already on it. (If I remember correctly the small boat holds about 35. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

The longest we had to wait for a fort wilderness bus was about 20 minutes. I just wanted to let you know of my experience and wanted to inform you of your other option. Enjoy the show!

[Piglets Mommy]

You will love the Wilderness Lodge!

I second that you should double check what room category you have, as there is no "water View" category. if you request inner courtyard, south side, upper floor, you will have the best shot at w view of Silver Springs pool, and the higher fireworks over the building. If your ressie says WV, that is most likely WOODS view. Those do not look over the pool, but if you request North Side, upper floor, you may be able to see some fireworks.

I have never shipped a box or had groceries delivered, so I can't help you with that, but I have heard good things about Garden grocer. I think they have a minimum order, so depending on how much you need, you may want to do 2 or 3 orders between the 5 rooms, instead of 5 seperate ones (although if everyone orders and pays seperately, that is less of a headache for you, the organizer.)

To get to HDD at Ft Wilderness, I'd either take the boat or you can take the bus, but make sure you ask if it is going to Fort Wilderness first before you get on.

As for decorating the room....you can "distract" them by taking them for a drink in Territory lounge, down to roaring forks to grab a snack, the Mercantile to shop, or maybe have the kids distract them by wanting to put their feet in the pool. It will be a little harder later at night with a tired toddler, but the Lodge will be so beautiful all decorated for Christmas that there will be plenty of things for your parents to look at while someone sneaks up to decorate their room.

Another option is to just wait until the next day, and "Tinkerbell" can come decorate while they are at breakfast.

[dizneykid]

Originally Posted by Piglets Mommy

You will love the Wilderness Lodge!

I second that you should double check what room category you have, as there is no "water View" category. if you request inner courtyard, south side, upper floor, you will have the best shot at w view of Silver Springs pool, and the higher fireworks over the building. If your ressie says WV, that is most likely WOODS view. Those do not look over the pool, but if you request North Side, upper floor, you may be able to see some fireworks.

I have never shipped a box or had groceries delivered, so I can't help you with that, but I have heard good things about Garden grocer. I think they have a minimum order, so depending on how much you need, you may want to do 2 or 3 orders between the 5 rooms, instead of 5 seperate ones (although if everyone orders and pays seperately, that is less of a headache for you, the organizer.)

To get to HDD at Ft Wilderness, I'd either take the boat or you can take the bus, but make sure you ask if it is going to Fort Wilderness first before you get on.

As for decorating the room....you can "distract" them by taking them for a drink in Territory lounge, down to roaring forks to grab a snack, the Mercantile to shop, or maybe have the kids distract them by wanting to put their feet in the pool. It will be a little harder later at night with a tired toddler, but the Lodge will be so beautiful all decorated for Christmas that there will be plenty of things for your parents to look at while someone sneaks up to decorate their room.

Another option is to just wait until the next day, and "Tinkerbell" can come decorate while they are at breakfast.

You're Good!

The Tag Fairy should grant you "WL Vet" status!!

[Piglets Mommy]

Originally Posted by dizneykid

You're Good!

The Tag Fairy should grant you "WL Vet" status!!

Thank You!!!
Just 26 days until I can hear "Welcome Home" again!

[disneygrandmom2007]

We always use We Go Shop for our grocery orders. This main difference between We Go Shop and Garden Grocer is that with Garden Grocer you select your items from a list they have and with We Go Shop, you can order anything you want. All you need to do is send a list (e-mail) with descriptions of brand, size, etc. So it depends if what you want is on their list or not. We have used We Go Shop at WL many times and the service has been marvelous! You can find them online at wegoshop.com. Have fun at WL! We wouldn't stay anywhere else in WDW!!

[em6668]

If you are not arriving until late evening then the EWP probably won't work as a distraction since if I remember correctly it arrives at the WL around 9:45-10. I do like the idea of decorating the next morning during breakfast.

[jdb1232]

We just used Garden Grocer for the first time on our October Trip. It was easy and flawless. Garden Grocer has a $40.00 minimum on all orders. Check on Delivery fee's it may be more cost effective to place one or two orders instead of 5 seperate. Garden Grocer also got beer for us too. The beer wasn't cheap, but it wasn't anywhere near the $5.00 a plastic bottle that the Lodge charges.