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

[fauntleroy53]

Okay all you electronic gurus out there-I'm sending up flares for help!
We're checking in CL on 2/2 and my little Kodak Play/share camera (waterproof,video,still) just up & died today. It won't take a charge and has one of those internal batteries,so I can't swap it out and it's about two weeks past it's year warranty......like it somehow knew........

I have one week to get another camera-
So, I need suggestions-
It has to be waterproof (I take pics of the grandkids in the pool & beach)
Needs to be both video and still pics
Decent size screen so I don't have to squint
Preferably under $150 if possible
I can't believe I don't have a camera with one week to lift off to WL CL - a first for DH & I !!!!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I'm dying to know.....what are your "upgrade stunts"??

Yes....please. Do tell!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Hopefully, they haven't already assigned your room. Rooms are usually assigned as soon as your reservation is dropped into the resort's system, at about the 5-day mark. If the Room Assignor has already assigned your room before seeing your request, you can just ask when you check-in upstairs if one of your requested locations is available. You have a very good chance of getting a CV room, but specific room numbers can be more difficult, especially if they're already occupied when you arrive.

I looked back and I actually e-mailed the IPO office on Jan 14 and our trip starts Jan 28, so it was 2 weeks prior...so maybe my room requests will have a better chance.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

The "Bear Face" rooms are on the 4th and 5th floor on the East side of the lobby. They have balconies that face to the East directly towards Bay Lake and are considered courtyard view. There aren't many of them, but we consider them to be the ultimate.

What room numbers are these? I'm looking on touringplans now where you can see the view from each room

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Okay all you electronic gurus out there-I'm sending up flares for help! We're checking in CL on 2/2 and my little Kodak Play/share camera (waterproof,video,still) just up & died today. It won't take a charge and has one of those internal batteries,so I can't swap it out and it's about two weeks past it's year warranty......like it somehow knew........ I have one week to get another camera- So, I need suggestions- It has to be waterproof (I take pics of the grandkids in the pool & beach) Needs to be both video and still pics Decent size screen so I don't have to squint Preferably under $150 if possible I can't believe I don't have a camera with one week to lift off to WL CL - a first for DH & I !!!!

We love our Olympus waterproof cameras. We have had several over the years and found them to work very well. Our current one is a TG-820. We used it for a lot of water park pics during our trip in September. Looking at Amazon they are a little pricy, and you can get the newer TG-830 for a little less, but they are still about $200. I'd be pretty happy with any waterproof Olympus, And you should be able to find one in your price range. Good luck.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

What room numbers are these? I'm looking on touringplans now where you can see the view from each room

They are rooms (4 or 5)067-079. They are all odd numbered. So a good example room would be 5073. The map on the first page of this thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50126304&postcount=4 is a good tool to look at different room locations too. Enjoy.

 

[fauntleroy53]

We love our Olympus waterproof cameras. We have had several over the years and found them to work very well. Our current one is a TG-820. We used it for a lot of water park pics during our trip in September. Looking at Amazon they are a little pricy, and you can get the newer TG-830 for a little less, but they are still about $200. I'd be pretty happy with any waterproof Olympus, And you should be able to find one in your price range. Good luck.

Thank-you SO MUCH!!!
I'm heading over to Amazon now to check it out. I do need to spend a little more and get a better quality camera so these situations don't happen quite so much as they have been.
You've been a tremendous help!!!

 

[gtpoohbear]

Just booked a DVC rental for next December at VWL- 12/20-12/23!! We are stopping by Disney for a few days before heading on down to Naples, FL to visit family for the holidays.

It took a week for available points to come in (rented through David's)... was getting worried that all the studios would be gone before any points showed up, so I was very relieved and excited to get the email today

WL is one of the few resorts we've never even seen before, so I can't wait!!! I'm hoping the theming is a hit with my outdoor-loving DH (I'm tempted to swing by there when we go in March, but I know I should "save it", lol!)

 

[ElenaJane]

Just booked a trip for September 11-14! So excited! Never tried CL WL before. I so hope MNSSHP starts that weekend! Can't wait to read this thread and catch up on the WL updates. Thanks to all!

 

[GetGlowing]

We got Woods View - Otter Pond view 6th floor. This might be my favorite Disney hotel room yet. And I've had some pretty good ones.

Overlooking Contemporary. Also has fireworks view, but we won't get to see that.

And this morning, I saw otters in the Otter Pond! Which was pretty darn cool.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Hi! I'll be at Disney for the Princess half in a few weeks, and staying at the Wilderness Lodge (woods view room). I'm only there from Friday afternoon-Sunday (plane leaves at 3 pm) so I'm not planning on doing any parks.

I do have a few friends that will also be there for the race, staying at other resorts, that I might meet up with for a few things, but most of the time I will be on my own.

Any tips on fun things to do as a solo adult? I've read somewhere about some tour you can take of the lodge--is that something you have to reserve in advance and pay for? Is it worth doing?

I'm hoping the weather will be nice enough to lay out by the pool a bit--does it get very crowded? I've stayed at Yacht club and at their pool you needed to show your room key and get a wrist band, is it like that the WL pool? Some of my friends that will be there (at other resorts) are DVC members, is the WL pool one of the ones that DVC members can "hop" to?

Oh, after the race I know i will want to go in the hot tub, and I'm not sure how much time i'll have before check out at 11. There are showers in the WL's fitness room, that I could use to shower before my flight if needed, right?

I will be trying to go to bed early on Saturday night in preparation for the race the next day--since I booked a woods view room, are there any requests I should make to get a quieter area of the hotel? Or a prettier view?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks so much!

 

[iwasdaisy]

How do you get to the Boardwalk area from WL? Do I have to go through Epcot? I will not have car and I will have two small children so a cab ride is out due to carseats. TIA

 

[dansdad]

How do you get to the Boardwalk area from WL? Do I have to go through Epcot? I will not have car and I will have two small children so a cab ride is out due to carseats. TIA

You could go through Epcot. Or you could take the bus or boat to MK then take bus to Boardwalk.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

How do you get to the Boardwalk area from WL? Do I have to go through Epcot? I will not have car and I will have two small children so a cab ride is out due to carseats. TIA

We also have taken the bus to HS and then ridden the boat to Boardwalk. It takes a while, but involves very little walking and requires no park admission. Another option is to take a boat or bus to MK and then catch a Boardwalk bus, just like dansdad said.

 

[jenny-d]

Does anyone know if you can walk up and order milkshakes to go at Whispering Canyon or would we have to make a reservation? The milkshakes from room service are not the same--been there done that!

 

[gildacat]

Those whispering canyon milkshakes are so soooo good!
I think I drank 4 of them last time we were there... so worth the stomach ache
Just had to throw that out there lol

 

[rotlex]

We got Woods View - Otter Pond view 6th floor. This might be my favorite Disney hotel room yet. And I've had some pretty good ones.

Overlooking Contemporary. Also has fireworks view, but we won't get to see that.

And this morning, I saw otters in the Otter Pond! Which was pretty darn cool.

This is the location\view we were upgraded too, free, on our last trip. Honestly, I think it might be my favorite place to be on property room wise. It's secluded, yet you get a "touch" of that magic seeing the monorail and castle through the trees.

We are staying at WL again this August for our 25th anniversary, and I'm hoping a request for that same area gets us there!

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Thanks everyone for your room guidance!

 

[jess1662]

Those whispering canyon milkshakes are so soooo good! I think I drank 4 of them last time we were there... so worth the stomach ache Just had to throw that out there lol

We totally missed the milkshakes when we were there! Can't wait to try them this time!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just switched our reservation from POFQ to WL also. This will be our first stay at the Lodge and we're very excited!!
This will also be our first trip without our boys. I'm not happy about that part but we knew it was coming. They have been resisting for the past few years!!
They will be 24 and 21 by the time our trip rolls around so it looks as though they have "outgrown" our annual Disney trip. Very sad...
We'll be there May 22-31.

Carla

You're going to love staying at WL and an adults trip to WDW sounds like lots of fun. Just think of all the time you can spend just relaxing. But, I think you'll like WL so much, you'll have to bring your boys to see it in person. I'll add your dates to the Log.

I'm dying to know.....what are your "upgrade stunts"??

I'm dying to know too, did you just ask?

Yes....please. Do tell!

On behalf of Heather who started all this… I think what she meant was that she ends up upgrading her trips herself, much to the chagrin of her DH, Bill. She likes to add on days and/or CL stays. Hopefully, she'll correct me if I'm wrong.

I just booked a CL room from 2/19-2/27. So excited!

You are going to love the OFC and I'll add your dates.

We'll be there (non-CL) 2/23-28! I can't wait!!

It won't be long now

Just booked a DVC rental for next December at VWL- 12/20-12/23!! We are stopping by Disney for a few days before heading on down to Naples, FL to visit family for the holidays.

It took a week for available points to come in (rented through David's)... was getting worried that all the studios would be gone before any points showed up, so I was very relieved and excited to get the email today

WL is one of the few resorts we've never even seen before, so I can't wait!!! I'm hoping the theming is a hit with my outdoor-loving DH (I'm tempted to swing by there when we go in March, but I know I should "save it", lol!)

That's great that you already have your VWL stay booked and you can anticipate it and plan. You will be in awe when you step foot into the lobby for the first time and then walk over to VWL

Just booked a trip for September 11-14! So excited! Never tried CL WL before. I so hope MNSSHP starts that weekend! Can't wait to read this thread and catch up on the WL updates. Thanks to all!

Welcome and congratulations on booking the Old Faithful Club. I think once you try the OFC, you'll be hooked. I'll add your dates to the Log and happy planning!

We got Woods View - Otter Pond view 6th floor. This might be my favorite Disney hotel room yet. And I've had some pretty good ones.

Overlooking Contemporary. Also has fireworks view, but we won't get to see that.

And this morning, I saw otters in the Otter Pond! Which was pretty darn cool.

Your room location sounds great! I love those otters. You can also see them sometimes swimming around the dock area.

Hi! I'll be at Disney for the Princess half in a few weeks, and staying at the Wilderness Lodge (woods view room). I'm only there from Friday afternoon-Sunday (plane leaves at 3 pm) so I'm not planning on doing any parks.

I do have a few friends that will also be there for the race, staying at other resorts, that I might meet up with for a few things, but most of the time I will be on my own.

Any tips on fun things to do as a solo adult? I've read somewhere about some tour you can take of the lodge--is that something you have to reserve in advance and pay for? Is it worth doing?

I'm hoping the weather will be nice enough to lay out by the pool a bit--does it get very crowded? I've stayed at Yacht club and at their pool you needed to show your room key and get a wrist band, is it like that the WL pool? Some of my friends that will be there (at other resorts) are DVC members, is the WL pool one of the ones that DVC members can "hop" to?

Oh, after the race I know i will want to go in the hot tub, and I'm not sure how much time i'll have before check out at 11. There are showers in the WL's fitness room, that I could use to shower before my flight if needed, right?

I will be trying to go to bed early on Saturday night in preparation for the race the next day--since I booked a woods view room, are there any requests I should make to get a quieter area of the hotel? Or a prettier view?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks so much!

The first page has lots of information on things to do and see at WL and FW and there are also links to my past TRs that have more photos/reviews. Everything is hyperlinked in Post 1. Information/photos of the Wonders of the Lodge tour is located HERE.

The Woods View rooms are in quieter areas than the Courtyard View rooms which overlook pool areas. The biggest noise problem we find at WDW resorts, is having a connecting door between rooms. Those doors let in a lot of sound, so I would request to not have a connecting room.

Yes, there is one shower in the women's locker room at Sturdy Branches:








These are the DVC Member pool hopping rules, but I think they're from 2013:

When staying on your Membership at any Disney Vacation Club Resort
at the Walt Disney World Resort or Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, you
and any Guests staying with you are permitted to use most of the other
Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools (in
addition to the pool at the resort hotel at which you are staying) if they
are not at capacity. If the pool you are visiting reaches capacity, you may
be asked to leave in order to accommodate Guests of that resort hotel.
Please check with a host or hostess at the front desk of the resort you
wish to visit before you go to find out about pool-access availability.
You must present your current Key to the World Card with your “DVC
Member” designation on it to use the other resort hotel pools.

Pool hopping is not available at Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower at
Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Uzima Pool and Samawati Springs Pool
at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht &
Beach Club Resorts, the leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas, and
the pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. There are no exceptions to
this policy.

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time due to
capacity limitations. Due to the high occupancy that is expected, you and
any Guests staying with you may not pool hop during the dates listed on
the next page.

POOL HOPPING BLOCKOUT DATES*
February 16 – 23 (Saturday – Saturday)
March 24 – April 7 (Sunday – Sunday)
May 25 – 28 (Saturday – Tuesday)
June 29 – July 8 (Saturday – Monday)
August 30 – September 2 (Friday – Monday)
November 25 – December 1 (Monday – Sunday)
December 15 – January 5 (Sunday – Sunday)

As a reminder, please be mindful of the limited number of pool chairs
available, and refrain from leaving towels or personal items on
unoccupied pool chairs.

*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity.

Does anyone know if you can walk up and order milkshakes to go at Whispering Canyon or would we have to make a reservation? The milkshakes from room service are not the same--been there done that!

You should be able to order one, but you'll be paying for an all-you-can drink milk shake. They are very good, but very thick and if you intend on drinking more than one, it's best to ask for them without whipped cream so you can drink more