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

[Mouse14]

Does anyone know if the hottubs will be Out of service the first week in feb? I'm really hoping not

 

[Seasideshell]

Thank you WDWKook Where are the King beds located and would a reasonable request list as: King bed, fireworks view be an appropriate request? I am very excited at the prospect of surprising my husband. Your other suggestions are already noted and sound great! Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[GetGlowing]

'nuff said.

 

[WDWKOOK]

No time to post yesterday as I worked on the TR. I should have it up today

Dearest Kook (I think I spend more time with you than DH!!!),

Thank-you SO MUCH for your advice about the deluxe rooms. It was exactly the info I needed! Standard rooms are the way to go!!

But I'm still in overthinking mode, so I apologize in advance -

I've created 8 Mousekeeping envelopes,putting $5 in each, for each morning of our 8 day stay. Does that seem to be an appropriate amount?

Knowing that the CM's can't take money,I've created 2 female gift bags(for some reason,they're easier to put together), and 3 unisex bags, in anticipation of saying thank-you when we leave. I know I don't have to do that, but I do appreciate the job they do and would like to express that in a not over the top way.They contain small items,baseball cap,key chain,etc., from our town,Key West. So here are my questions -1) Should the CM at the concierge desk get a tad more in the gift bag,or should they all be the same? I'm not anticipating using the desk help much,as most of our schedule is pretty much solidified,but does the position warrant a little more,even if I don't utilize them?

2) Does 5 gift bags seem like enough? I have no idea how many different CL CM's might cross paths with us over 8 days.

3) Have I left anyone out? I would be mortified if there was someone who was part of making our week wonderful in WL CL, and I had no thank-you for them.
It makes sense to bring extra gift bags, just in case, but again,how many extras????
Boy, this overthinking can be exhausting!!!

I'm glad I could be of help.

We also tip Lodgekeeping $5 a day, but just so everyone knows, you do not have to tip Lodgekeeping and the usual advice is about $1-$2 per person, per day. We just leave the money at the end of the bed. We usually decline turn-down because we're often in the room at that time. But, when I have tipped in the past, the turn-down tip has been left.

CM gifts are also not required, but I and others I've read about, sometimes offer one gift that can be shared amongst all the CMs - something edible. This works best since they can all nosh on it in the kitchen area. CMs work in shifts so there are some who come and go throughout the day who can enjoy the food, should they choose. It's really the thought that counts so try not to over think it too much or go to too much trouble. It sounds like you're very concerned about it and while that's admirable, you really don't have to worry about it. A hand-written thank-you note to the staff would also be appreciated or one to Guest Communications after your visit, if it's merited. You don't have to even spend any money to show your thanks.

I look back on when we were stationed in Key West and WDW seemed such a long drive. Oh, to have that "long drive" again...

Hey Kook, this is my first post. I was wondering if you could add us to the LL. This will be our first time at the WL (have stayed at the Poly in the past), and my sons's first trip to WDW! He'll be 15 months when we go. We'll be there April 12-18, 2014, in a courtyard view. Your posts and everyone else's are AMAZING. Thank y'all all so much for the GREAT info!

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, MinnieF! You're going to love WL and the CV. Make sure to request an INNER or WL CV so that you'll face toward the WL courtyard instead of the VWL courtyard.

Just curious, were you able to apply any discount to your spring break trip? I had looked at those dates and everything seemed to be blacked-out, but it's the only time off in the spring for DD.

We have a standard CL room....so are all CL rooms on the 7th floor? And does having a standard room mean we will NOT have a courtyard view? I'm so confused! I keep looking at the rooms and the maps and it looks to me like standard rooms can't request a courtyard view.

Last year we stayed at AKL and had a pool view...I LOVED it! It was so great to sit on our balcony every morning and eat our breakfast overlooking the view there. I think I will be sad if we don't have a pretty view this year.

The 25 Deluxe CL rooms are only on floors 1-6 and everything else is on the 7th CL floor. You can request Woods View or Courtyard View with a STD CL room. North Wing Woods view rooms can have a partial Wishes view. South Wing WV rooms have a view of VWL. CV rooms have a view of the WL courtyard, geyser, Bay Lake, pool and EWP.

There's 2 one on the second floor of the main lobby towards the front of the lobby and another on the 3 or 4th both have fire places and nice couches sat there last trip in Sept with kids while they colored very very nice. There is one in the club level never saw it though.

The lounge on the 7th floor is U-shaped and covers the entire area that you can see behind the railing as you are looking up from the lobby. There are also some great seating area at VWL in the lobby and Carolwood Pacific room.

We just enjoyed our first stay at the lodge last month and now are looking to come again in September/October 2014! I considered booking bounce back when we were there but DH really wanted to do a different vacation in 2014. Now he is on board since I lost my job and I am celebrating my 30th birthday this year and I believe he wants to choose a trip that will make me happy! Plus he wants to run the tower of terror 10 miler and I wanted to do a mother daughter trip so we are combining it all into one trip. Since I do not have a new job yet and there aren't any discounts available yet for our dates we are going to hold out on booking. I have already noticed that standard rooms are all booked for the week we are going (9/29-10/5). Does anyone know if the lodge books up quick for that time of year? We plan on doing one room for three adults (myself, DH and DM). We are going to surprise my mom and tell her we are staying at Pop when we are really going to WL. Staying at the WL is her dream.

I hope that you get another job that you like real soon so you can officially book your next trip. Standard rooms seem to book fast because they are the least expensive rooms and there are fewer of them than there are Woods and Courtyard Views.

Hi Everyone we just decided on staying at the Villas of WL for our May trip!! I am so excited this will be our first stay at VWL we are usually BLT people but every trip we always seem to stop by WL because we just love looking around so we are SUPER excited about staying. I do have a question though. Does anyone staying at the Villas usually put in a room request and if so what do you usually request? Thank you!!!

Welcome to the other side of Bay Lake! We've stayed in a BLT one bedroom, but never VWL, but I think that many request a high floor facing Bay Lake.

Does anyone know if the hottubs will be Out of service the first week in feb? I'm really hoping not

I've not yet read anything about them being closed, but if I do, I'll post it.

Thank you WDWKook Where are the King beds located and would a reasonable request list as: King bed, fireworks view be an appropriate request? I am very excited at the prospect of surprising my husband. Your other suggestions are already noted and sound great! Thanks for any and all advice!

If you booked a Honeymoon Suite then you will have a king. There are two in each wing. The North Wing faces toward Wishes. If you aren't booked in a HS, I don't know exactly where the king beds are located, but there are some in the North Wing. You could request a king in the North Wing, but there aren't too many kings so it's possible you may get a North Wing room, but with two queens.

'nuff said.

 

[ocalla]

'nuff said.

That gets a:

 

[rea59]

Getting ready to book my deluxe room for this June at WL. I'm hoping to get a bear face view. Does that mean I should request the inner courtyard view? I saw the photos posted by elaw and that's exactly the view I would love to have.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Getting ready to book my deluxe room for this June at WL. I'm hoping to get a bear face view. Does that mean I should request the inner courtyard view? I saw the photos posted by elaw and that's exactly the view I would love to have.

Yes, you should request inner courtyard view. It wouldn't hurt to add "near elevators", just in case.

 

[rea59]

Yes, you should request inner courtyard view. It wouldn't hurt to add "near elevators", just in case.

Thanks so much!

 

[WDWKOOK]

My Christmas Trip Report is posted HERE​

 

[KimberCar]

I know this is probably in the thread somewhere, but I can not find it. We will be at WL in 11 days!! This is our first time staying at WL . I just wanted to know who do I address a room request fax to. Also, do I just send to the fax number or is there a certain fax number I should use? TIA!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I know this is probably in the thread somewhere, but I can not find it. We will be at WL in 11 days!! This is our first time staying at WL . I just wanted to know who do I address a room request fax to. Also, do I just send to the fax number or is there a certain fax number I should use? TIA!!

Most of the hotels don't accept faxes any more. Just add your request to your reservation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi Everyone we just decided on staying at the Villas of WL for our May trip!! I am so excited this will be our first stay at VWL we are usually BLT people but every trip we always seem to stop by WL because we just love looking around so we are SUPER excited about staying. I do have a question though. Does anyone staying at the Villas usually put in a room request and if so what do you usually request? Thank you!!!

The villas don't really have much of a view. Mostly just trees. Sometimes the pool and maybe a bit of the lake through the trees. You might want to request higher or lower floor. Or close to elevator. But the resort isn't that big (it's the second smallest DVC resort at WDW - GFV is smaller).

 

[WDWKOOK]

Paper FastPasses done at Disney's Magic Kingdom

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Jan 14, 2014

Beginning today, January 14, paper FastPasses will not be available at the Magic Kingdom. All Magic Kingdom guests will now be able to utilize FastPass+; previously, it had only been available to Disney resort guests. Offsite guests will need to visit a MyMagic+ kiosk to make their selections when they arrive at the park. If they need to modify any of those selections, that will need to be done at the kiosks as well. Offsite guests will not receive MagicBands, but will use their tickets instead. Walt Disney World resort guests will continue to be able to make their FastPass+ selections in advance and will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or website to make and modify their selections.

In addition to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom has also switched to just FastPass+. Hollywood Studios and Epcot are expected to make the switch in the next couple of months.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Paper FastPasses done at Disney's Magic Kingdom

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Jan 14, 2014

Beginning today, January 14, paper FastPasses will not be available at the Magic Kingdom. All Magic Kingdom guests will now be able to utilize FastPass+; previously, it had only been available to Disney resort guests. Offsite guests will need to visit a MyMagic+ kiosk to make their selections when they arrive at the park. If they need to modify any of those selections, that will need to be done at the kiosks as well. Offsite guests will not receive MagicBands, but will use their tickets instead. Walt Disney World resort guests will continue to be able to make their FastPass+ selections in advance and will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or website to make and modify their selections.

In addition to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom has also switched to just FastPass+. Hollywood Studios and Epcot are expected to make the switch in the next couple of months.

I plan to test out this new fp+ only system at MK when we are there next week. I will report back here what I find.

Kook - thanks for the trip report. The WL looks beautiful all decorated for Christmas. It was great that you got a free upgrade to CL. You deserve it for all the hard work you do.

 

[MinnieF]

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, MinnieF! You're going to love WL and the CV. Make sure to request an INNER or WL CV so that you'll face toward the WL courtyard instead of the VWL courtyard. Just curious, were you able to apply any discount to your spring break trip? I had looked at those dates and everything seemed to be blacked-out, but it's the only time off in the spring for DD.

Hey Kook, thanks for the tip! I'll definitely request the inner. Unfortunately, I was only able to apply a 30% discount on the 12th... The day we check in... And that's the last day for the discount. That was the only week we could do as well (it's my younger brother and sister's college spring break that week and they along with my parents will be going with us). Thanks again for the advice!

 

[cheesemouse]

I would like to hear people's thoughts about the hairdryers at VWL. I usually bring my own but it's such a big bulky item that I'm contemplating leaving it at home. But, I need a good strong hair dryer that doesn't take forever to get the hair dry. Has anyone used the one provided? What did you think?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

10 DAYS until our first WL stay!!

 

[GetGlowing]

I'm looking at the resort transportation info. It says,

Buses for the Magic Kingdom and Magic Kingdom Resort Area will start running at 6:30am DAILY.

We have an 8:30 Keys to the Kingdom Tour on day the park opens at 9am. We need to be checked in at Chamber of Commerce by 8:15, which means turnstiles by 8:00-8:10.

What time do you think we should catch the bus over?

Also, if we rent bikes, can we take them over to Ft Wilderness? Haven't been on the path between the two resorts before, and there's a lot to see and explore there.

I stayed at Coronado once and thought it was a big resort until I rented a bike. It took maybe 5-10 minutes to do a lap around the resort. Reverse direction. Ok, now what? I have this bike for a whole hour! lol That resort is a lot smaller on a bike.

 

[ltl engine]

TIA....is the only elevator by the lobby or is there another by Roaring Forks? We have a woods view with bunk beads but I don't know whether to request a room or take my chances.

 

[RedheadRinger]

I would like to hear people's thoughts about the hairdryers at VWL. I usually bring my own but it's such a big bulky item that I'm contemplating leaving it at home. But, I need a good strong hair dryer that doesn't take forever to get the hair dry. Has anyone used the one provided? What did you think?

I just returned yesterday and had no problem with the hair dryer in the room. I asked this same question before I left. I have thick curly hair and need a powerful dryer that dries quickly and was happy with the hair dryer.