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

[suzymouse724]

The boats are approximately 20 minutes apart and the boat ride to MK takes about 10-12 minutes, although in the mornings and at park closing, the boats were often more frequent then that. There are two types of boats, a larger boat which will accommodate ECV's and strollers and a smaller motor launch which requires strollers to be folded up. These two types of boats alternate. You can also take the bus which is a 5 minute long ride straight to MK.

Thank you!!

 

[bluecastle]

No particular reason to post. Just saying hi, looking forward to Kook's TR (no pressure-great Christmas pix!), and reading about everyone's experiences. Recently added another night to the front end of my trip (the Universal part) Thought 2 nights would be a little less hectic and that gives us 2 mornings to get to HP world early. I was totally prepared to go with the slightly less expensive Royal Pacific, but the robes at the Portofino were calling to me! (as were the restaurants) We stayed there in 2002 and my DD and her friend loved those robes. When it comes to paying more for a view or anything else, I don't just divide it by the number of days, but also by how much extra it would be per person to make it an even smaller number. Just rationalizing in order to get what I want!

 

[RebelSoul]

We added one more night onto our WL CL trip this coming May. So now we'll be staying 5/2 through 5/6 WL CL - yay! (Stay is 3 nights BWI CL, 4 nights WL CL, 4 nights AKL on our DVC points, and last 2 nights AKL CL on our DVC points) After reading VWL will be getting hard goods refurb, thinking we'll be staying back at VWL for January 2015 after doing AKV the past few trips.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I noticed in some of the WL photos there appears to be some quiet lounge areas on different floors of the lodge? Are those open to club level guests only? If not where are those areas located? Looking for quiet places to take our daughter (with autism) when the room becomes too confined for her. Thanks!

We found a wonderful quiet room to hang out in when we were exploring the Villas. It is called the Carolwood Pacific room. There were two large leather rocking chairs facing a fireplace with a interesting firescreen. There were wooden tables for games. My husband and I played Chinese checkers for the first time in decades. It is just a lovely, quiet place and we had it all to ourselves for awhile. You might want to head over there if things get a little noisy in the main lodge.

There is more information about it on the first page of this thread. here is a link to it:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50126428&postcount=20

 

[Deb & Bill]

We found a wonderful quiet room to hang out in when we were exploring the Villas. I think it is called the Carolina room. There were two large leather rocking chairs facing a fireplace with a interesting firescreen. There were wooden tables for games. My husband and I played Chinese checkers for the first time in decades. It is just a lovely, quiet place and we had it all to ourselves for awhile. You might want to head over there if things get a little noisy in the main lodge.

Carolwood Railroad Room. Used to be the Iron Spike. Usually very nice and quiet. A great place to sit and read a book. And you can play a game of checkers on the table there.

 

[GetGlowing]

Only the dedicated Club Level lounge, on the 7th floor, is restricted. Any other lounge area you happen upon is available for anyone to use. We especially like the one over the front entrance, I think it's on the 3rd floor? There are some cozy chairs and a fireplace.

I like that one, too. Very quiet. I would recommend it. Don't forget about the Carolwood Pacific Room in the Villas building, too.


Edit: Just noticed that two other people recommended it above me. So I think you know where you should go ....

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

We just returned from our first stay at WL on 1/8. We have been loyal to the Poly for many years with a few stays with BC mixed in here and there. We were at the Poly in Oct when the construction started and didn't want to return while it's still going on, so we decided to give WL a try.

We chose WL mostly because of the close proximity to MK. The theming at GF doesn't appeal to us, and we couldn't get an AP rate at CR for the room type we wanted, so WL it was. I was very worried we would regret our decision, but we fell in love with WL!

We loved how everything is in one building, and so peaceful and quiet . We love the Poly, but it gets so crazy and crowded, especially Captain Cooks. We had a woods view room on the 5th floor with a decent view of MK fireworks. We were surprised by how much we loved it, and wish we had tried it sooner. We made reservations to return in May!

 

[gildacat]

I put in for a 5th floor otter pond room request for next month. Also got bunkbeds. I've tried finding a map to see where those bunk bed rooms are located but couldn't find one. Oh well...
I had originally booked poly but didn't see the sense in spending $700 more when the monorail would be down. After reading all of these posts I'm so glad I made the decision to switch. We stayed at akl last year and fell in love. Just hated the location. We are mk people. I'm so excited to stay at wl. Hoping my room requests come thru. Can't wait!

 

[mmouse50]

Just changed my woods view room in May for a CL room - I am excited, I always wanted to stay in CL at Wilderness Lodge. Am I correct all the balconies on the CL floor are the ones with the solid railing? Where sitting down your can't really look out like you can with the iron railings. I like sitting out on the balcony but I can live with the solid railing even though I can't look out because I am at my favorite resort and now staying on club level!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are booked for our summer split stay. We are staying from 8/18 - 21 at BWI (non-CL) so we can walk to DHS and Epcot. Followed by the Old Faithful Club from 8/21 - 29. It's great knowing that we'll be returning soon to WL

Anyone have a picture or a list of the abbreviated AP menu that you can get at TL? We are interested in this, good to know you can get more than just apps. Thanks!

15 days until check-in! We added a pre-night at ASMovies since I haven't seen that resort yet, so 14 days until we check in there.

Plumb forgot to take a picture, but I will in August, unless you take one sooner. The AP entrees served at TL are not the same as the AP entrees served at AP, these were some of the items last month:

Scallops

Salmon Silverbay. Not cedar plank, but DH loved it. - $35

Beef Tenderloin. We split this and it was perfect. - $43

Chicken. I had this and I believe it was a small Cornish Game Hen cut into several pieces - $29

A vegetarian dish. I had this, but I can't recall the name and on my receipt it only says "Vegetarian" - $28

A mixed grill dish with a few meats.

No particular reason to post. Just saying hi, looking forward to Kook's TR (no pressure-great Christmas pix!), and reading about everyone's experiences. Recently added another night to the front end of my trip (the Universal part) Thought 2 nights would be a little less hectic and that gives us 2 mornings to get to HP world early. I was totally prepared to go with the slightly less expensive Royal Pacific, but the robes at the Portofino were calling to me! (as were the restaurants) We stayed there in 2002 and my DD and her friend loved those robes. When it comes to paying more for a view or anything else, I don't just divide it by the number of days, but also by how much extra it would be per person to make it an even smaller number. Just rationalizing in order to get what I want!

Yay for adding a night! Hope to make some headway on the TR this afternoon.

We added one more night onto our WL CL trip this coming May. So now we'll be staying 5/2 through 5/6 WL CL - yay! (Stay is 3 nights BWI CL, 4 nights WL CL, 4 nights AKL on our DVC points, and last 2 nights AKL CL on our DVC points) After reading VWL will be getting hard goods refurb, thinking we'll be staying back at VWL for January 2015 after doing AKV the past few trips.

More CL nights is fantastic and you won't regret it.

We just returned from our first stay at WL on 1/8. We have been loyal to the Poly for many years with a few stays with BC mixed in here and there. We were at the Poly in Oct when the construction started and didn't want to return while it's still going on, so we decided to give WL a try.

We chose WL mostly because of the close proximity to MK. The theming at GF doesn't appeal to us, and we couldn't get an AP rate at CR for the room type we wanted, so WL it was. I was very worried we would regret our decision, but we fell in love with WL!

We loved how everything is in one building, and so peaceful and quiet . We love the Poly, but it gets so crazy and crowded, especially Captain Cooks. We had a woods view room on the 5th floor with a decent view of MK fireworks. We were surprised by how much we loved it, and wish we had tried it sooner. We made reservations to return in May!

Looks like you've discovered our little secret. Congratulations on re-booking!

I put in for a 5th floor otter pond room request for next month. Also got bunkbeds. I've tried finding a map to see where those bunk bed rooms are located but couldn't find one. Oh well...
I had originally booked poly but didn't see the sense in spending $700 more when the monorail would be down. After reading all of these posts I'm so glad I made the decision to switch. We stayed at akl last year and fell in love. Just hated the location. We are mk people. I'm so excited to stay at wl. Hoping my room requests come thru. Can't wait!

There isn't a map of WL room types/locations for public consumption. The bunks are scattered throughout the resort. I hope you have a wonderful first stay at WL!

 

[Volne]

Forgot to post this but staying there this coming week 19-25 with the GF and 6 friends!!! Finally getting to take staying here off my bucket list! I can't wait to be there.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We are booked for our summer split stay. We are staying from 8/18 - 21 at BWI (non-CL) so we can walk to DHS and Epcot. Followed by the Old Faithful Club from 8/21 - 29. It's great knowing that we'll be returning soon to WL






Plumb forgot to take a picture, but I will in August, unless you take one sooner. The AP entrees served at TL are not the same as the AP entrees served at AP, these were some of the items last month:

Scallops

Salmon Silverbay. Not cedar plank, but DH loved it. - $35

Beef Tenderloin. We split this and it was perfect. - $43

Chicken. I had this and I believe it was a small Cornish Game Hen cut into several pieces - $29

A vegetarian dish. I had this, but I can't recall the name and on my receipt it only says "Vegetarian" - $28

A mixed grill dish with a few meats.




Yay for adding a night! Hope to make some headway on the TR this afternoon.



More CL nights is fantastic and you won't regret it.


Looks like you've discovered our little secret. Congratulations on re-booking!



There isn't a map of WL room types/locations for public consumption. The bunks are scattered throughout the resort. I hope you have a wonderful first stay at WL!

kook!. Do we finally have overlapping trips???? We arrive 8/16 and are down until the 26th!!!

 

[Seasideshell]

Hello everyone. I've been reading the forums with great interest, especially this thread. My husband and I have been to Disney numerous times, but have always stayed value. This most likely will be our last trip for quite a while and a bit of a splurge and surprise for my husband. He believes we'll be staying all 4 nights at Pop, but in fact we will be spending the last 2 nights at WL CL. He's always wanted to do CL, but with taking our family (Mom, kids etc..) with us every time, financially it was a no go. This time just the two of us. So, finally this: Please give me the top 5 hints/thoughts on CL and how to get the most out of this experience! Room requests? Etc.... Thanks in advance!! We are going check in at WL on March 18th and are not flying home until 8p.m. on the 20th! No parks while we are at the lodge, just relaxing and watching my husband smile!

 

[KristinV02]

Hi all! We are newcomers to the Lodge, as we have never stayed there before! We are now looking to book a 2BR Villa for our upcoming trip. I know this thread is full of so much information, that I LOVE, however, I started getting a little too overwhelmed and decided to just post and ask this quick question!

Do the 2BR Villa's have access to a bathroom from the Living Room without having to go through one of the bedrooms?

Thank you!! Looking forward to possibly being part of the Wilderness Lodge lovers!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi all! We are newcomers to the Lodge, as we have never stayed there before! We are now looking to book a 2BR Villa for our upcoming trip. I know this thread is full of so much information, that I LOVE, however, I started getting a little too overwhelmed and decided to just post and ask this quick question!

Do the 2BR Villa's have access to a bathroom from the Living Room without having to go through one of the bedrooms?

Thank you!! Looking forward to possibly being part of the Wilderness Lodge lovers!!!

Yes, you can access the bathroom without going through the master bedroom. The layout for the bathroom/bedroom is a bit strange. If you look at this diagram of the 2BR Villa you can see that the door to the bathroom is exactly opposite the sink. There is a diagonal line representing the door. There is also a diagonal line representing the door to the master bedroom. You can also access the bathroom through the master bedroom. There are a lot of doors right there.

This diagram might show the bathroom door a little better.

 

[KristinV02]

Thank you so much, Wood Nymph!! That is where I was getting confused because of all the doors. You explained it perfectly! I appreciate you taking the time to do so!!

 

[pas130]

kook!. Do we finally have overlapping trips???? We arrive 8/16 and are down until the 26th!!!

US TOO!!! And Kook I will be at BC (I think) 16th-22nd I will find you my friends

Is this MY birthday gift!!

A sticker from Bree

 

[Mousemommy1]

US TOO!!! And Kook I will be at BC (I think) 16th-22nd I will find you my friends

Is this MY birthday gift!!

A sticker from Bree

Love it!!!!

 

[fauntleroy53]

Well, our 2/2 arrival is getting closer. First timers with WL AND CL !!!
So we're officially into "overthinking " mode. Been going over and over the first page,just trying to feel as familiar and comfortable with all the info as possible.
So, first question - I saw a reference to requesting a rooftop view of Wishes Fireworks. Has anyone ever done that???? Is it still possible to make such a request?

Second question - Taking into account that it always comes down to personal preference, I'm only now becoming aware of Deluxe rooms also being CL. I saw one pic where a 6th floor deluxe room had the same exact beautiful view as #7127(room must be just underneath it). How much more money is a Deluxe room and is that bigger room worth it?? We're heavy duty balcony sitters, unless it's really cold or rainy. Weather, the first week of February, can be a crap shoot, going either way. Bad weather makes a bigger room more inviting, where DH & I can find our own reading spots. But, how inconvenient is it to have to take an elevator up one floor to visit the lounge? Is it that big a deal?
You see, officially overthinking......waaaaay toooooo excited!!!!

 

[RebelSoul]

More CL nights is fantastic and you won't regret it.

Thanks! We agree. Problem is staying CL spoils us and we miss it when we're back staying on our DVC points. (Oh, what a problem to have! )