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

[bagsmom]

Hello everyone! I've been over on the WL Lovers thread -- super bunch of people over there! I'm feeding my need for WDW, so reading all over the place.

We are renting villa points -- staying at a WL villa studio in June of 2013 -- so very excited! A little less than 10 months to go. (Husband joked that if I got pregnant, we couldn't go to Disney! I said heck yes we could -- that baby would be "out" by then and would sure as heck be going on all the rides! Obviously I'm only kidding. His point was that I was getting way too excited about a trip that was way too far away. I beg to differ!)

Anyway, it's fun to read about all your trips!

CaliKT -- you mentioned seeing a list of what to bring to WDW... where did you find it? I am a semi-psycho list maker and user. It's a sickness.... I'd love to check it against my list. Heaven forbid I forget something important!

OK -- time to go check the weather and finish laundry!

Have a great day!

[kaysmommie]

Hi everyone! We just upgraded from POR and are now booked at Wilderness Logde! this will be our 4th time staying at WL. Last time was in 2009. We have since stayed at Poly, BC, and POR. But we are looking forward to going back to WL this September. I love this information thread!

[CrabbyPatty]

Hi - we're arriving on August 26th and CAN NOT WAIT! We arrive at MCO around 11:00 a.m., have a lunch ADR at WCC for 1:15 p.m. and then plan on letting DD swim a bit and do some pool games while Sis and I have a drink by the pool - ah, life is good! After that - we'll probably take the boat over to MK, or Epcot. This trip we will definitely be relaxing and enjoying unstructured, unplanned days (other than one ADR daily).

Quick question - we had been pondering doing Artist's Point, but Hoop-De-Doo won out (DD loves this place!). I believe AP has the white chocolate kid's dessert which you "paint" and eat. I'd read that you can get some of the AP offerings in the Territory Lounge. Is it possible to order this kid's dessert from the Territory Lounge for my DD, or even just stop by AP sometime in the evening and ask for the dessert on an "to go" basis? Thanks!

[PamelaKay]

Originally Posted by bagsmom

Hello everyone! I've been over on the WL Lovers thread -- super bunch of people over there! I'm feeding my need for WDW, so reading all over the place.

We are renting villa points -- staying at a WL villa studio in June of 2013 -- so very excited! A little less than 10 months to go. (Husband joked that if I got pregnant, we couldn't go to Disney! I said heck yes we could -- that baby would be "out" by then and would sure as heck be going on all the rides! Obviously I'm only kidding. His point was that I was getting way too excited about a trip that was way too far away. I beg to differ!)

Anyway, it's fun to read about all your trips!

CaliKT -- you mentioned seeing a list of what to bring to WDW... where did you find it? I am a semi-psycho list maker and user. It's a sickness.... I'd love to check it against my list. Heaven forbid I forget something important!

OK -- time to go check the weather and finish laundry!

Have a great day!

So I am not CaliKT, but wanted to share this link with you. I have used their ultimate packing list to create my own (I don't have kids so I slimmed it down a bunch)

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads.shtml

[ejrj]

H E L P M E.

So confused. I posted a general question earlier about what room requests to make for our December stay. As always though, the more your read, the more conflicting opinions you find. Knowing of course that there are pros and cons to every location, I'm trying to find what would be best for our party.

We have three small children - 4,2&2. Which will mean two strollers (one double, one single) everyday. We will be driving down so while sometimes we'll use Disney buses, I think that we will likely use our vehicle to go to AK & HS just for stroller ease. I think we'll try to feed the kids in the room before departing most mornings. I do expect that we will spend a number of days at MK.

So here is where I'm at:

- somewhat close to Roaring Forks so that one parent isn't on a 45 min hike each morning
- somewhat close to the parking lot
- Not too close to loud noise as our girls go to sleep early

Am I on track with a North side room request?

We have a Courtyard View room booked.

All that said, who doesn't want a pretty view too??

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your expertise! I really appreciate it!

[PamelaKay]

Originally Posted by ejrj

H E L P M E.

So confused. I posted a general question earlier about what room requests to make for our December stay. As always though, the more your read, the more conflicting opinions you find. Knowing of course that there are pros and cons to every location, I'm trying to find what would be best for our party.

We have three small children - 4,2&2. Which will mean two strollers (one double, one single) everyday. We will be driving down so while sometimes we'll use Disney buses, I think that we will likely use our vehicle to go to AK & HS just for stroller ease. I think we'll try to feed the kids in the room before departing most mornings. I do expect that we will spend a number of days at MK.

So here is where I'm at:

- somewhat close to Roaring Forks so that one parent isn't on a 45 min hike each morning
- somewhat close to the parking lot
- Not too close to loud noise as our girls go to sleep early

Am I on track with a North side room request?

We have a Courtyard View room booked.

All that said, who doesn't want a pretty view too??

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your expertise! I really appreciate it!

So I gave this some thought and if it were me, I would request North Side, Inner Courtyard. Your view would be of the lovely gardens and waterfalls, it gets you a little ways from the afternoon pool noise if your kids need naps, it puts you in between the lobby elevators and the elevators that come out right next to Roaring Forks.

That being said, I don't have kids so maybe someone who does can weigh in with a better opinion.

[PrincessesX3]

4 more days to the WL!! so for those of you overlapping with my trip when are you doing a resort day/pooltime?

[Minnie-Mickey]

Anyone have comments or complaints re standard rooms? We have stayed woods view and courtyard view. I just need to know what to expect

[CaliKT]

Originally Posted by bagsmom

CaliKT -- you mentioned seeing a list of what to bring to WDW... where did you find it? I am a semi-psycho list maker and user. It's a sickness.... I'd love to check it against my list. Heaven forbid I forget something important!

bagsmom, I actually was reading a thread on the boards about weird things people pack. It's REALLY long -- I'm only about 20 pages in and I think I'm still in 2010. Some great tips, though! You can read it here:

What is your not so normal item to pack....?

[bagsmom]

Thanks for the list tips everyone!

Krabby Patty -- love the name! Spongebob is awesome! Our vacation in June is hopefully going to be like yours -- relaxing, with time away from the parks. I will be eager to hear what you end up doing!

[GrandCalifornian]

Originally Posted by Minnie-Mickey

Anyone have comments or complaints re standard rooms? We have stayed woods view and courtyard view. I just need to know what to expect

According to the map on the second post of this thread here, there are relatively few standard view room locations. The photos there show some of the rooms overlooking the loading dock / service area on the North side of the resort if you look down, but that means you are looking out towards woods and MK.

We booked standard view and were upgraded to courtyard last time. This time we are booked standard view again, and will be super happy to be there no matter what view we end up with.

[Aurora in blue]

We just got back from our stay at WL. We were booked in standard and our room overlooked the loading dock area. We were on 4th floor. I was hoping for a better view and the balcony had a solid wall that you could only see over if you stood and it was kind of dirty. However, I was happy when I could see the monarail thru trees and about 60% of MK fireworks. They are working on rehabing the 4th and 5th floors on I guess what would be the south side as it was opposite to where we were. They have it semi blocked off but we could still use the elevators that end up in main lobby. We enjoyed it, but if we stay there again I will spring for a woods or courtyard view.
We always take a mid-day break and would have used the balcony a lot more if we booked a different view.

[WDWKOOK]

This is my final panic, ummm, I mean packing day. I just need to look through every bag I've packed for DH and I and go through DD's once more and then wonder what I was thinking when I first packed it over the weekend. Yesterday, I removed 3 pair of shoes from my shoe bag, I think I'm down to 7... I am ready for a vacation and I'm actually looking forward to just sitting in our car rather than running around like a crazy person!

Originally Posted by pas130

It's on the small desk/table...a power strip is actually part of the table

That's right and it's actually been there for years. It's so easy plugging your phone, computer, iPad, etc... and you don't have to crawl around on the floor - just another thing to love about WL.

Originally Posted by PamelaKay

I am anxiously awaiting pictures from all of you who are there now or just returning.

I need my WL fix

Originally Posted by pas130

Check out my TR......I have a few...a few more to come....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2966585

Yeah! Your TR link! Yesterday morning I posted some of pas130's Honeymoon suite and view photos to the first page under "Honeymoon Suite."

I'll post some WL photos for everyone next week. Any requests?

Originally Posted by bagsmom

Hello everyone! I've been over on the WL Lovers thread -- super bunch of people over there! I'm feeding my need for WDW, so reading all over the place.


Have a great day!

What is this lovely thread you speak of? You can never plan too soon for a trip to WDW (you can tell DH I said that).

Originally Posted by kaysmommie

Hi everyone! We just upgraded from POR and are now booked at Wilderness Logde! this will be our 4th time staying at WL. Last time was in 2009. We have since stayed at Poly, BC, and POR. But we are looking forward to going back to WL this September. I love this information thread!

Welcome and congratulations on making the big switcheroo. September should be a great time to go - cooler weather, lower crowds - enjoy!

Originally Posted by CrabbyPatty

Hi - we're arriving on August 26th and CAN NOT WAIT! We arrive at MCO around 11:00 a.m., have a lunch ADR at WCC for 1:15 p.m. and then plan on letting DD swim a bit and do some pool games while Sis and I have a drink by the pool - ah, life is good! After that - we'll probably take the boat over to MK, or Epcot. This trip we will definitely be relaxing and enjoying unstructured, unplanned days (other than one ADR daily).

Quick question - we had been pondering doing Artist's Point, but Hoop-De-Doo won out (DD loves this place!). I believe AP has the white chocolate kid's dessert which you "paint" and eat. I'd read that you can get some of the AP offerings in the Territory Lounge. Is it possible to order this kid's dessert from the Territory Lounge for my DD, or even just stop by AP sometime in the evening and ask for the dessert on an "to go" basis? Thanks!

You should have no problem getting the dessert to-go. I'll have to mark my iCal for 8/26 to be on the look-out for giddy sisters with fancy drinks with lots of umbrellas in them out by the pool laughing and smiling

Originally Posted by PrincessesX3

4 more days to the WL!! so for those of you overlapping with my trip when are you doing a resort day/pooltime?

Good question and I don't have an answer right now. I thought I would just PM those who are on the Lodgers' Log while we're there to see if we can meet. It's hard getting people together on vacation what with ADRs and parks to go to, etc... but when we have some resort downtime, I'll send out a PM, how does that sound?

Originally Posted by Minnie-Mickey

Anyone have comments or complaints re standard rooms? We have stayed woods view and courtyard view. I just need to know what to expect

Welcome and I think that GrandCA answered your question. There are also photos on the first page of the STD View room views. From the upper North Wing rooms, you can see some of Wishes.

Originally Posted by GrandCalifornian

According to the map on the second post of this thread here, there are relatively few standard view room locations. The photos there show some of the rooms overlooking the loading dock / service area on the North side of the resort if you look down, but that means you are looking out towards woods and MK.

We booked standard view and were upgraded to courtyard last time. This time we are booked standard view again, and will be super happy to be there no matter what view we end up with.

Originally Posted by Aurora in blue

We just got back from our stay at WL. We were booked in standard and our room overlooked the loading dock area. We were on 4th floor. I was hoping for a better view and the balcony had a solid wall that you could only see over if you stood and it was kind of dirty. However, I was happy when I could see the monarail thru trees and about 60% of MK fireworks. They are working on rehabing the 4th and 5th floors on I guess what would be the south side as it was opposite to where we were. They have it semi blocked off but we could still use the elevators that end up in main lobby. We enjoyed it, but if we stay there again I will spring for a woods or courtyard view.
We always take a mid-day break and would have used the balcony a lot more if we booked a different view.

Thank you for letting us know about your stay. It sounds like you made the right choice to book a Woods or Ctyd. View room next time since you weren't thrilled with the Std. View. Keep in mind that all of the 7th floor (CL) and some of the 6th floor Woods and Ctyd. View rooms have solid balcony railings. Next visit, you might want to request a 5th floor room to ensure that you will not have a solid railing. Did you tell anyone that your balcony was dirty? I'm confident that if housekeeping or management were aware that your balcony was not acceptable to you they would have attempted to make it better. I know it's hard to interrupt your vacation with those issues though.

I hope you have fun planning your next trip!

[pas130]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

This is my final panic, ummm, I mean packing day. I just need to look through every bag I've packed for DH and I and go through DD's once more and then wonder what I was thinking when I first packed it over the weekend. Yesterday, I removed 3 pair of shoes from my shoe bag, I think I'm down to 7... I am ready for a vacation and I'm actually looking forward to just sitting in our car rather than running around like a crazy person!

Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait, you had 10 pairs packed??? Driving is good isn't it?

[tarak]

Kook - I'd love to see a view from the balcony. I'm a sucker for those. Have a fantastic time!

I'm busy plotting my next stay at WL. By next fall, I will have three kids in school, so I really need to just plan to go when the kids are out of school. I'm thinking maybe the last week in August before they start. Basing price on this year, we could get a decent deal on the room and airfare. My main concern is the weather. But it's not like a normal August in Pennsylvania is a joy to behold, right?