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

[Tinkerbellsmomma]

We are woods view floor 4 right now. Have seen wishes from balcony. Hear lots if boats and if wishes is late and u r in bed early it will wake you! We r right by elevator. Live WL!

I mean love! @woodsnymph maybe we will meet up?

 

[pas130]

The 3-day weekend officially marked a 6-day weekend today. Do I hear 7?

Yikes, the kids had school Tuesday and yesterday...but they were off last Friday, so they were ready to return (and I was ready to send them)


Always nice to have you come out of lurkdom. How long has BC/CL stuck?

A long time in PasLand I am trying to stick, I am...I miss WL SO much! And the monorail resorts...I love GF. But DH also loves WL...decisions....the kids are really hyped up on BC so I am trying

It was 42 degrees here when we woke up, so instead of heading off to the MK we decided to do the Lodge Tour. It was really interesting and well worth it. The guide talking about history as well as architecture. The group consisted of people over 50, like us. And some of them had their own stories to share. I'm really glad we did the tour.

We saw people in the Territory lounge who had brought their food in with them to eat there. They had cartoons on the television sets instead of sports coverage. I guess it is alright to eat breakfast there.

Hope the day warms up. ENJOY!!! And that's a big group for the tour, sounds fun!

 

[cw21726]

And some of them had their own stories to share.

This always drives me nuts. lol

 

[WDWKOOK]

We arrived this morning at 11:00am without any travel problems. We were met outside the door by a CM who looked totally frozen, since it was only about 50 degrees out. It took about five minutes for check in and our room was ready. I couldn't wait to see it. I was really happy that we finally got our open balcony. The sun was streaming in the balcony window when we walked in. It felt very warm and inviting, especially after the cold and dreary winter weather we have had this year. I just love the location. Our courtyard view room is located very close to the bear face rooms. We can see Bay Lake from the balcony. I'll post some view pictures tomorrow. And I will post the room number after we check out.

We had a really nice afternoon at MK. We spent most of our time back in Frontier land and Liberty Square. We ended up using the fp+ s I had scheduled weeks ago, and were glad we had them. Standby lines were at least thirty minutes.

Even though it was only about 57 degrees today, the sun felt great. Tomorrow will be colder. They have some of the plants covered up to protect them from the frost. The buffalo topiary just outside of the WL gate is covered up, as are a lot of the flower beds over at the GF.

Since we had a big lunch we decided to go to the Territory Lounge for dinner. I was able to knock two more things off my "to do" list, the cheese fondue and the berry cobbler. My husband really liked the cheese fondue. He would definitely have it again. We also had some edamame, which was good, and healthy,too. . Then came the best part, the berry cobbler. Oh my, was this good. We shared one but I think we could have each eaten our own. The ice cream was fantastic, the cobbler part had a tasty, crispy edge, and there were plenty of warm blueberries under it. Yum. Tomorrow we are planning to go to Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch just so I can have the Ooey Gooey Toffee dessert, but this berry cobbler is just as good, but in a "berry" different way.


As we were seating in the Territory Lounge, full of fondue, edamame and berry cobbler, I told my husband that being at the WL just seems to make me happy. It was a long day which started with a 3:15am wake up and zero degree temperatures and was ending so nicely. We had just enough time to run back to our room for our coats before the fireworks started. Since it has been a busy day we turned in early. We can see the Electric Water Parade from our balcony, which is nice.

I'll see if I can find out if the VWL are being rehabbed and I will let you know.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Isn't it amazing to start the day out in one location, and end the day at WL. The crowds must be very minimal? I can't wait to be able to travel to WDW in the off-season someday - enjoy!

What a great start to your vacation!!

I know how you feel about the sun streaming into the room from the balcony. I love it when we get our room early and you walk in and see that.

Speaking of room love, I just love walking into a certain WL room and looking out the sliding glass doors and seeing the geyser announcing that it's "on the hour." (Or a couple of minutes before the hour, but who's counting when you're on vacation)

I am eager to hear if the WLV rehab has started.

We are off school today...frigid below zero wind chills and an expected blizzard. I think I will start my planning book, review all of my ADRs and try to make a plan for FP+ reservations as my window opens soon.

Counting down the days to our early April spring break.

Love reading about those of you at the lodge. Thanks to all who post while on vacation.

How many days off have the kids had? NoVA just went back again today, albeit with a two-hour delay. I hope you're getting some Disney planning done today. FP+ Day will be here before you know it.

It was 42 degrees here when we woke up, so instead of heading off to the MK we decided to do the Lodge Tour. It was really interesting and well worth it. The guide talking about history as well as architecture. The group consisted of people over 50, like us. And some of them had their own stories to share. I'm really glad we did the tour.

We saw people in the Territory lounge who had brought their food in with them to eat there. They had cartoons on the television sets instead of sports coverage. I guess it is alright to eat breakfast there.

I'm glad you experienced the tour and I think it's great for all ages. I didn't know folks ate breakfast in TL and they have cartoons on. It was empty, dark and the TVs off when we took the tour in August.

A long time in PasLand I am trying to stick, I am...I miss WL SO much! And the monorail resorts...I love GF. But DH also loves WL...decisions....the kids are really hyped up on BC so I am trying

Hope the day warms up. ENJOY!!! And that's a big group for the tour, sounds fun!

There are so many great resort choices and though we may have our favorite, it's ok to have more than one. I think your favorites are ever-evolving

 

[nyrebecca]

Been away for a bit again, life keeps getting crazy, and then my internet doesn't like me half the time.

Anyways...hope everyone is having , had , or will be having a blast at the Lodge!


Kook - could I bother you to update the dates we will be there? Our August trip is now the 17th thru the 23 and we upped it to Club Level. I am super excited! Thank you in advance.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Been away for a bit again, life keeps getting crazy, and then my internet doesn't like me half the time.

Anyways...hope everyone is having , had , or will be having a blast at the Lodge!


Kook - could I bother you to update the dates we will be there? Our August trip is now the 17th thru the 23 and we upped it to Club Level. I am super excited! Thank you in advance.

I knew you couldn't stay away from the OFC too long. Congratulations on a stupendous change.

ETA: Oops, I tried to change your November dates instead and I can't recall what they are. I need a hint…

 

[Wood Nymph]

A long time in PasLand I am trying to stick, I am...I miss WL SO much! And the monorail resorts...I love GF. But DH also loves WL...decisions....the kids are really hyped up on BC so I am trying

Hope the day warms up. ENJOY!!! And that's a big group for the tour, sounds fun!

I meant that the people were over 50 years old, not that there were 50 people on the tour. There were only eight of us.

We are woods view floor 4 right now. Have seen wishes from balcony. Hear lots if boats and if wishes is late and u r in bed early it will wake you! We r right by elevator. Live WL!

It is noisier in this courtyard view room then it was in our 6th floor woods view room that we had in Feb because, in addition to the boats we can hear the geyser go off. The quietest room we had was the woods view in the south wing, room 3104. You couldn't hear the boats or the geyser.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I had an operational update to the bus information. Right now the bus to and from the MK is also stopping at the Contemporary due to the monorail repairs. The bus ride is now a bit longer since a lot of people get on and off at the CR.

I would think that the bus would return to normal after the monorail repairs are finished at the end of March.

 

[nyrebecca]

I knew you couldn't stay away from the OFC too long. Congratulations on a stupendous change. ETA: Oops, I tried to change your November dates instead and I can't recall what they are. I need a hint&

The OFC kept calling our name.

November is the 9 th to the 15 th and it is OFC as well.

Gotta love those discounts. They make it easier to splurge.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I meant that the people were over 50 years old, not that there were 50 people on the tour. There were only eight of us.


It is noisier in this courtyard view room then it was in our 6th floor woods view room that we had in Feb because, in addition to the boats we can hear the geyser go off. The quietest room we had was the woods view in the south wing, room 3104. You couldn't hear the boats or the geyser.

Sounds like you're having fun. I'm glad that you are getting to experience the CV room.

Have a wonderful trip, and know that we're all watching from home enjoying the WL vicariously through you.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

For those who have stayed in a standard, woods, and a courtyard view, did it really make a huge difference for your trip? Have you ever booked standard and been upgraded before you got there or did you maybe ask for some pixie dust? If you asked how did you go about it? I've stayed in all three and then I enjoy the courtyard view I'm not so sure it made a difference in my stay. How do ya'll
feel?

We have only booked Standard view, and have been lucky enough to get upgraded to a Courtyard view on our honeymoon and Woods View rooms the last two trips. We have never asked for an upgrade, just taken the room we were assigned. We might have helped our chances with our room requests, which were "high floor and open to lobby" which lead to a non-standard view room, but I think the biggest factor is that we visit at low crowd times. If they can meet your requests they will do so.

I really see how location and view are personal preferences. We have found that for us, we enjoy having a room that opens to the lobby more than we enjoyed having the Courtyard view from the balcony. We aren't sensitive to noise, so that's not a problem for us. We also don't spend a whole lot of time on the balcony, but we do enjoy having something to sit and watch out there in the mornings. We have found that we love watching the park buses come and go in the early morning.

I think the biggest thing is to book the minimum level you would be happy with, and then anything above that is just pixie dust.

 

[ocalla]

Magical Express booklet arrived today!!! How can something as simple as a piece of mail make someone smile so big!!!

 

[EmmaMagsMom]

For those who have stayed in a standard, woods, and a courtyard view, did it really make a huge difference for your trip? Have you ever booked standard and been upgraded before you got there or did you maybe ask for some pixie dust? If you asked how did you go about it? I've stayed in all three and then I enjoy the courtyard view I'm not so sure it made a difference in my stay. How do ya'll feel?

Our first trip to WL , we booked a standard view and were upgraded to CL. Big pixie dust. We did not ask for anything. Our second trip, we booked standard and were upgraded to inner courtyard view. We loved the view of pool but found we missed CL. They got us because the last 3 years we have booked CL and requested inner courtyard views. It's the best of all worlds for us. Our girls love it.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Oh wow, how do you make room request? When and where?

We have only booked Standard view, and have been lucky enough to get upgraded to a Courtyard view on our honeymoon and Woods View rooms the last two trips. We have never asked for an upgrade, just taken the room we were assigned. We might have helped our chances with our room requests, which were "high floor and open to lobby" which lead to a non-standard view room, but I think the biggest factor is that we visit at low crowd times. If they can meet your requests they will do so.

I really see how location and view are personal preferences. We have found that for us, we enjoy having a room that opens to the lobby more than we enjoyed having the Courtyard view from the balcony. We aren't sensitive to noise, so that's not a problem for us. We also don't spend a whole lot of time on the balcony, but we do enjoy having something to sit and watch out there in the mornings. We have found that we love watching the park buses come and go in the early morning.

I think the biggest thing is to book the minimum level you would be happy with, and then anything above that is just pixie dust.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Our first trip to WL , we booked a standard view and were upgraded to CL. Big pixie dust. We did not ask for anything. Our second trip, we booked standard and were upgraded to inner courtyard view. We loved the view of pool but found we missed CL. They got us because the last 3 years we have booked CL and requested inner courtyard views. It's the best of all worlds for us. Our girls love it.

I would love to be upgraded to CL! I would just die!

 

[PoppyGirl]

4 more days!!! I can hardly stand it--I need this vacation SO bad!

I put in my room request with the IPO office. I requested 2 different specific room numbers OR a courtyard view. What do you think the odds are of getting one of the two rooms???

 

[goofy4prez]

I would love to be upgraded to CL! I would just die!

If it ever happens for you (and I hope it does someday), I must warn you it is addicting. We visited WDW for the first time in 2008 and upon checking into the front desk at the WL the cast member smiled and said, "you are going to have a very magical visit with us." and then informed us that we were being upgraded to CL. I had no idea what it was at the time. Ever since that day we have done nothing else but CL. Three times at the WL, once at the YC, and this upcoming June the CL at the Contemporary. I'm sure I will enjoy the Contemporary, but the WL will always be my favorite resort and the one I will go to most of the time.

 

[hstrickland]

A long time in PasLand I am trying to stick, I am...I miss WL SO much! And the monorail resorts...I love GF. But DH also loves WL...decisions....the kids are really hyped up on BC so I am trying

Of course you miss the WL....so come on back! Ya know I'll be doing another TR on the Lodge, so I'm hoping to tempt you once again Just a wild guess here, but I bet one of your changes will incorporate the WL at some point


Hope everyone is staying warm today! A little cold down here in South Georgia...too cold for my bones

Heather

 

[hstrickland]

Magical Express booklet arrived today!!! How can something as simple as a piece of mail make someone smile so big!!!

4 more days!!! I can hardly stand it--I need this vacation SO bad!

Let the dancing commence!!!!

 

[yooperfan]

4 more days!!! I can hardly stand it--I need this vacation SO bad!

I put in my room request with the IPO office. I requested 2 different specific room numbers OR a courtyard view. What do you think the odds are of getting one of the two rooms???

What does IPO stand for and can you tell me how to contact them? Also, did you also make requests on your reservation itself?