(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~11/13 - 6/14~

[bluecastle]

Allearsnet has a new YouTube video posted of the Christmas decorations at the Lodge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvjPmAclriQ&feature=youtu.be

Looking forward to seeing them in 2014!

Thanks! That brought back nice memories of our trip in 2009. I wish we had walked into the villas to see those decorations though!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Allearsnet has a new YouTube video posted of the Christmas decorations at the Lodge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvjPmAclriQ&feature=youtu.be

Looking forward to seeing them in 2014!

Thanks for sharing!!!!!

 

[Sadie22]

Wood Nymph, thank you for posting a photo of the Mickey head towel animal. I didn't get to see ours before DH took the ears off. He thought they were just extra washcloths. He had forgotten how excited I was by the towel animal we received on our prior stay at the Contemporary.

When we were there this summer the Otter Pond was beautiful and we had a nice view of the monorail and the upper fireworks.

 

[NicoleLarson]

You haven't registered for a prix fixe meal because you would have most likely been charged in advance and only the two TS credit restaurants offer them. For example, there is a (very expensive) NYE meal at CA Grill that requires pre-payment, but on Christmas Day there isn't a different menu, that I'm aware of, (someone please correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

Some of the TS restaurants offer special (read: generic) meals on holidays. We were actually disappointed that in 2010 we ate at WCC on Christmas Day and the usual menu wasn't offered and instead it was more like a Thanksgiving-type meal.

You won't be able to use any discounts for dining. Discounts, such as TiW, AP and DVC are blacked-out in December on Christmas Eve and Day and NYE and Day. We have CA Grill booked Christmas Day and I am really going to miss our TiW 20% discount

Just FYI I called WCC today, directly and apparently it was a mistake that it was ever advertised as a special new years day dinner. There's no special meal and the regular menu will be offered. The CM said there's no way to unadvertise it now.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Wood Nymph:
Was the bounce-back (35% off) flyer in your room when you checked-in Nov. 30? The one in our room during the same visit was for free-dining for the end of Aug.-Sept. Thanks

 

[mystery222184]

Wood Nymph: Was the bounce-back (35% off) flyer in your room when you checked-in Nov. 30? The one in our room during the same visit was for free-dining for the end of Aug.-Sept. Thanks

We arrived Nov 30th and the BB in the room was the 35% room discount

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Thanks for letting me know. It is just one more unhappy experience I have had this stay at WL. I have decided to contact guest communications with my complaints.

 

[Tinkerbellsmomma]

Thanks for letting me know. It is just one more unhappy experience I have had this stay at WL. I have decided to contact guest communications with my complaints.

Oh no! What happend?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Wood Nymph:
Was the bounce-back (35% off) flyer in your room when you checked-in Nov. 30? The one in our room during the same visit was for free-dining for the end of Aug.-Sept. Thanks

Yes, that was in our room on Nov 30th. Someone at the Yacht Club this last week reported that they had the free dining offer in their room. They were able to get the room discount when they called the bounce back phone number.

 

[nimbuscat]

Question - what is the best way to get from WL to AKL (dinner at Boma)? My initial thoughts are to boat over to MK and take an AKL bus from there, but perhaps I am missing a simpler route?

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

you could take the bus to AK, then transfer to AKL.. That is what I did when I went from AKL to YC for dinner, it was a short hop between AKL and AK

 

[BibbidiBobbidiSue]

Good morning! Long time lurker here, finally deciding to jump in!

We're Florida residents and visit a few times a year. Next up is WL in Feb for our 20th anniversary! We love the Lodge!

WDWKOOK does an amazing job organizing all the information here and everyone is so nice. I've always enjoyed reading along and now look forward to participating, too.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Had a wonderful stay at WL last week! It was our first stay there and I fell in love. We had a Standard-view room and ended up with a view of the loading dock but we could see Wishes at night!! Our room did face the lobby though which was loud at times, specially with Whispering Canyon. Next time, I'll request something further. We ended up with a bunk-bed room but my son loved it!!

Transportation was great and we never had a problem. We did leave really late for our AK day and ended up going to the GF to pick up people. The bus was PACKED after that!!

Food court area was ok. It's really small for the size of the resort but it worked for us. I do wish they had more options, I felt a little limited.

Finally, we made use of Cub's Den for my four year old. We had an adult-night planned with our friends so we both left our kids there. My son loved it and asked to go back every day. Service was excellent and both boys had a lot of fun. They ate dinner there and when we picked them up at 11pm they were watching a movie, eating popcorn. On our way out, each boy got a Mickey rice-crispy treat.

I look forward to staying at WL again soon!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

After the week I have had (sick kid, crappy weather, husband out of town, overwhelmed with work and school)...I need my Disney trip to HURRY UP ALREADY!!! Actually, if I can just make it to the 24th, I'll be good...whew!

Sounds like a bad week and a good time to think about vacation. Winters are long in ND (we spent four there) so I know you really are looking forward to a break soon. I hope your child is better now and DH back home.

Allearsnet has a new YouTube video posted of the Christmas decorations at the Lodge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvjPmAclriQ&feature=youtu.be

Looking forward to seeing them in 2014!

Thank you for posting the link. I'm going to post your link in the Christmastime section. It was a treat to see a new WL slideshow and made me more excited about seeing it in person soon.

The one in our room during the same visit was for free-dining for the end of Aug.-Sept. Thanks

Did you check in the Be Our Guest booklet? The BBs are now located inside the booklet. You would almost miss it if you weren't looking for it:

Good morning! Long time lurker here, finally deciding to jump in!

We're Florida residents and visit a few times a year. Next up is WL in Feb for our 20th anniversary! We love the Lodge!

WDWKOOK does an amazing job organizing all the information here and everyone is so nice. I've always enjoyed reading along and now look forward to participating, too.

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, BibbidiBobbidiSue! We're glad you finally came out of lurkdom and thank you for your sweet remark. We have many fine Florida residents here, so join in the fun.

What a perfect spot to celebrate 20 years. Are you booked in a Honeymoon Suite?

Had a wonderful stay at WL last week! It was our first stay there and I fell in love. We had a Standard-view room and ended up with a view of the loading dock but we could see Wishes at night!! Our room did face the lobby though which was loud at times, specially with Whispering Canyon. Next time, I'll request something further. We ended up with a bunk-bed room but my son loved it!!

Transportation was great and we never had a problem. We did leave really late for our AK day and ended up going to the GF to pick up people. The bus was PACKED after that!!

Food court area was ok. It's really small for the size of the resort but it worked for us. I do wish they had more options, I felt a little limited.

Finally, we made use of Cub's Den for my four year old. We had an adult-night planned with our friends so we both left our kids there. My son loved it and asked to go back every day. Service was excellent and both boys had a lot of fun. They ate dinner there and when we picked them up at 11pm they were watching a movie, eating popcorn. On our way out, each boy got a Mickey rice-crispy treat.

I look forward to staying at WL again soon!!

Welcome back from your long stay! So, would you book a SV room again or just tweak your request? How fun that you got one of the SV bunks

 

[pigletto]

We leave for our trip tomorrow and I have butterflies in my stomach reading this thread today!
I have been meaning to tell you WDWKOOK that you have organized an incredibly informative and welcoming thread here for lodge goers. I never felt intimidated to ask a question, you reply to everyone individually, and it's such a friendly atmosphere in here. This thread has been incredibly helpful for my planning and I am seriously impressed with the amount of work you've put into it. So.. thank you.

I almost can't believe how close we are to this trip!! I don't think it will feel real until we land in Orlando tomorrow night!
I will try to check in and say hello. Thanks again for all of the planning help everyone.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We leave for our trip tomorrow and I have butterflies in my stomach reading this thread today!
I have been meaning to tell you WDWKOOK that you have organized an incredibly informative and welcoming thread here for lodge goers. I never felt intimidated to ask a question, you reply to everyone individually, and it's such a friendly atmosphere in here. This thread has been incredibly helpful for my planning and I am seriously impressed with the amount of work you've put into it. So.. thank you.

I almost can't believe how close we are to this trip!! I don't think it will feel real until we land in Orlando tomorrow night!
I will try to check in and say hello. Thanks again for all of the planning help everyone.

I really appreciate your post, pigletto. It makes me happy and pleased to know that the thread is informative and welcoming, which is my goal. I couldn't do it without all the helpful Lodgers

Have you still kept this vacation a secret? When will the VWL beans be spilled? We miss each other by a day, so if you can post some, I'll pick-up where you left off

Safe and fun travels to you and your family

 

[BibbidiBobbidiSue]

Thanks for the welcome, WDWKOOK! No honeymoon suite, we'll have the kids along. I have woods view booked. :

Have a great time, pigletto!

Love seeing the WL all dressed up for the holidays, crazy4wdw, thanks for sharing that!

 

[pigletto]

I really appreciate your post, pigletto. It makes me happy and pleased to know that the thread is informative and welcoming, which is my goal. I couldn't do it without all the helpful Lodgers

Have you still kept this vacation a secret? When will the VWL beans be spilled? We miss each other by a day, so if you can post some, I'll pick-up where you left off

Safe and fun travels to you and your family

Safe and fun travels to you as well!!
Unfortunately the beans were spilled in November. The kids were asking me every single day if we could plan a trip. Begging to know when we could go back. My husband and I realized they'd be happier to know and anticipate along with us instead of surprising them. So all in all it worked out well anyway.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the welcome, WDWKOOK! No honeymoon suite, we'll have the kids along. I have woods view booked. :

Have a great time, pigletto!

Love seeing the WL all dressed up for the holidays, crazy4wdw, thanks for sharing that!

I understand about the HS. That wouldn't have worked for us either when we stayed last year for our 25th with DD.

Safe and fun travels to you as well!!
Unfortunately the beans were spilled in November. The kids were asking me every single day if we could plan a trip. Begging to know when we could go back. My husband and I realized they'd be happier to know and anticipate along with us instead of surprising them. So all in all it worked out well anyway.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to a stop at Sonic in 9 days then our first ADR is an Akershus lunch. We loved the old Akershus buffet, but haven't been since it change to a princess meal. Grand Californian enjoyed it with his family in Sep. so we're excited about trying it again. Where is your first ADR?

I'm glad you told the kids so they could anticipate and help plan the trip. I bet no one is going to sleep well tonight

 

[Deb & Bill]

It was reported today at the Annual DVC Meeting that renovations will begin at VWL in 2014. The photos of the new rooms look rather plain. They seem to have lost all their charm. I suppose we will find out more about the renovations via Disney Files.