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

[Seasideshell]

Thank you all for your "quiet room" advice! So looking forward to this trip and surprising my husband! One more quick question...we are switching over to WL from Pop Century as early in the morning as we can. Taxi or Disney transportation? Thoughts? Great to have experts answer questions! Thank you!

 

[barbeml]

Hello everyone! The DH and I are looking forward to our first stay at WL, March 23-27 (Woods View). We've dined at Artist Point and Whispering Canyon, and we just love the look and feel of WL.

This is kind of a "scouting trip" since we will be returning in late October with a bunch of family and friends. We felt it was our "duty" (any excuse to visit WDW) to become familiar with WL before taking the group, LOL.

The only thing making me nervous is transportation. We are used to the Polynesian's easy Monorail access to MK and EPCOT, so adjusting to boats and buses will be challenging, especially with the Monorail down for maintenance.

I am enjoying all of your posts and tips, and looking forward to more photos and trip reports.

Barbe

 

[dansdad]

One more quick question...we are switching over to WL from Pop Century as early in the morning as we can. Taxi or Disney transportation? Thoughts?

We have found for early AM, resort to resort transportation a taxi works best. It's the quickest and easiest. Then you can bring your bags with you. You can't bring your luggage on the buses, etc.

 

[Seasideshell]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seasideshell View Post
One more quick question...we are switching over to WL from Pop Century as early in the morning as we can. Taxi or Disney transportation? Thoughts?

We have found for early AM, resort to resort transportation a taxi works best. It's the quickest and easiest. Then you can bring your bags with you. You can't bring your luggage on the buses, etc.


Thank you, Dansdad! I was leaning in that direction. So looking forward to my hubby's surprised/happy face!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Transportation question---is there an easy/direct route from the gf to the wl? I think after the fireworks cruise my parents will take the grand kids back to the wl while the rest of us head out for late night fun.

To get to WL from GF you will have to take two modes of Disney transportation. From GF you can boat to MK or monorail to MK or CR, then take a boat from MK or CR (or a bus from MK) to WL. It isn't far, but there will be two modes. What's a few more boat rides after spending an evening on the Seven Seas Lagoon? Enjoy!

 

[Dumbo Mad]

Welcome and we're glad to have you come out of lurkdom. 15 nights at WL is dreamy and we're all happy for you. Will you be booking ADRs everyday? I'll add your dates and let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks WDWKOOK, it will be our first time on the dining plan, so i"m trying to plan ADRs for everyday hoping the park hours for September come out soon.

I do have a few questions, apologies if they have been asked before:
I love photography and wondered where would be the best place to view the Electric Water Pageant/Wishes, and also if there are any great areas around the lodge in order to get some interesting photos?

We are also thinking about eating at Trails End in Fort Wilderness and wondered if it was possible to walk there from WL?

Would you recommend the Wonders of the Wilderness Tour?

Thanks for your help
Nikki

 

[MinnieMama09]

Yay!...we just booked our very first trip to WDW for June 1-6 (me, DH, DS 8, DD 5). I booked a a Woods View/bunk bed room at the WL. I'm seeing some posts about an Otter Pond view? Would this be a good choice to possibly see MK? Is there also a more convenient area that will make it easier to get to the boat or buses? We will probably spend 2 days in MK, 1 at AK, 1 at HS. Still deciding on EP...we are from Arizona and went every year to DL so WDW is all new to us! A little overwhelmed to say the least!

Thanks so much! Love reading this thread...so helpful!

 

[ADRANAS32]

So excited. Just booked our first WDW vacation and staying in a standard CL. June2-5 . It's me, husband and our 1, 3 and 5 year old. Live reading this thread and getting ideas!

 

[hedberg1661]

Looking to book here for a quick trip in May over Memorial Day Weekend. Anyone have any tips? I usually stay at BC but thought I would branch out a bit and try something new. I love the decor from the photos I have seen but what makes WL the best choice at WDW?

Also, how is transportation? I am always a bit uneasy about WDW Transport (specifically the buses). I love the water launch option. Does the water launch get you to MK in time for rope drop?

Thanks gang!

 

[dansdad]

Looking to book here for a quick trip in May over Memorial Day Weekend. Anyone have any tips? I usually stay at BC but thought I would branch out a bit and try something new. I love the decor from the photos I have seen but what makes WL the best choice at WDW?

Just about everything you could possibly need to know about WL is within the first 2 pages of this thread.

Also, how is transportation?

Great for MK and on par with other resorts for the other parks.

Does the water launch get you to MK in time for rope drop?

Yup.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Thanks WDWKOOK, it will be our first time on the dining plan, so i"m trying to plan ADRs for everyday hoping the park hours for September come out soon.

I do have a few questions, apologies if they have been asked before:
I love photography and wondered where would be the best place to view the Electric Water Pageant/Wishes, and also if there are any great areas around the lodge in order to get some interesting photos?

We are also thinking about eating at Trails End in Fort Wilderness and wondered if it was possible to walk there from WL?

Would you recommend the Wonders of the Wilderness Tour?

Thanks for your help
Nikki

Last year the September calendar came out on February 22nd, so it should be getting close.

There are so many wonderful places around the lodge to take pictures. For the EWP, we liked being out on the end of the boat dock, which gives you great unobstructed views of the boats as they go by. Wishes is a little tougher from WL, as the fireworks are in the distance often obscured by trees but we have seen great views while riding the boat to or from MK. The waterfall in the courtyard is great fun to photograph, and there are lots of nice sitting areas with view scattered throughout the resort.

Walking to Trail's End is definitely possible, and it is about a 20-30 minute walk through the woods from WL. The path is not lit however, so most prefer to do the walk during daylight hours. We LOVE starting the day with a quiet walk over to FW.

Finally, we haven't done the tour but have heard good things about it, especially for adults. Our daughter is four and probably is still to young to not be bored on it.

 

[ElenaJane]

"Last year the September calendar came out on February 22nd, so it should be getting close. "

Thank you! I was just wondering about this. Hope it comes out soon. I gambled and booked a stay 9/11, hoping there would be a MNSSHP on the 12th! Fingers crossed!

 

[bluecastle]

It's so exciting reading about everyone's upcoming trips!
I made my ADRs yesterday morning. I was getting worried about BoG as I named possible dates, but got it for our 6th night. All are at "normal" dinner times ( 6:30-7:30) so I am very happy about that. Hopefully, I may be able to plan some FP+s after dinner, if the park hours change. I will also try to get some late afternoon ones before our dinners too. So this is what I got:
Day 1: Via Napoli
Days 2 and 3 QS or to be arranged later
Day 4: Raglan Road
Day 5: Boma's
Day 6: Be a Our Guest ( celebrating DD's birthday a week early)
Day 7: Yachtsman Steakhouse
Day 8: QS or maybe Territory Lounge. Will decide based on what we plan to do then.

KOOK: I am not sure you will want to read my TR from 2000. It is very long and there are no pictures! Even I can only read it in small doses. It is fun to read my first impressions of the WL. There was actually a refurb going on when we were there and we were not affected at all! I don't want to post the link publicly ( there is some info I would rather keep private and I can't remove it myself) but will email link to you if you want. It's fine if you don't!

 

[Dumbo Mad]

Last year the September calendar came out on February 22nd, so it should be getting close.

There are so many wonderful places around the lodge to take pictures. For the EWP, we liked being out on the end of the boat dock, which gives you great unobstructed views of the boats as they go by. Wishes is a little tougher from WL, as the fireworks are in the distance often obscured by trees but we have seen great views while riding the boat to or from MK. The waterfall in the courtyard is great fun to photograph, and there are lots of nice sitting areas with view scattered throughout the resort.

Walking to Trail's End is definitely possible, and it is about a 20-30 minute walk through the woods from WL. The path is not lit however, so most prefer to do the walk during daylight hours. We LOVE starting the day with a quiet walk over to FW.

Finally, we haven't done the tour but have heard good things about it, especially for adults. Our daughter is four and probably is still to young to not be bored on it.

Thank you so much for your answers
Sounds like there is some great photo opportunities. Can't wait!
Might rethink the walk to Trails End then, as we were hoping to do Chip and Dale's campfire sing along, so it would be dark on the way back. Is there a bus from WL?

What would be the easiest option to get to MK from WL for rope drop in the morning, boat or bus?

Thank you
Nikki

 

[Dumbo Mad]

"Last year the September calendar came out on February 22nd, so it should be getting close. "

Thank you! I was just wondering about this. Hope it comes out soon. I gambled and booked a stay 9/11, hoping there would be a MNSSHP on the 12th! Fingers crossed!

Me too! Always wanted to go to MNSSHP before but we have only visited in Jan/Dec time. Hopefully there will be a party when we are there!

 

[ElenaJane]

Me too! Always wanted to go to MNSSHP before but we have only visited in Jan/Dec time. Hopefully there will be a party when we are there!

I say, even if they don't have MNSSHP when we are there, we dress up in costume and hand out candy to people anyway

 

[katema52]

What I'm seeing on Disney site about park hours, is that they are publishing them one day at a time. Right now I can see the hours through 8/22. Tomorrow, the next day will be added. It looks to be about 6 months plus a week. We are arriving 8/16 and the hours for the week we are there just started to appear last week.

 

[katema52]

Ahhh. My grammar is terrible. Don't try to post while watching three little grandchildren. Hope you can understand what I was trying to say.

 

[ElenaJane]

What I'm seeing on Disney site about park hours, is that they are publishing them one day at a time. Right now I can see the hours through 8/22. Tomorrow, the next day will be added. It looks to be about 6 months plus a week. We are arriving 8/16 and the hours for the week we are there just started to appear last week.

That totally makes sense! So, that would mean 20 more days until I can see 9/11/14 operating hours and can officially begin obsessing over my WL stay. Thanks!

 

[klacey1]

Question, my WL friends. Why is Otter Pond named so? Are there actually otters that live in it?

We did a little bit of trip adjusting-- we'll be at WL from Sept. 11-17, and then moving to US for two nights to see the new Harry Potter land. For now, we're still booking in a standard room. I think I'm going to wait and see what we get at check in, and if we aren't blessed with a free upgrade to woods view, I'll pay for one on the spot. I'm thinking we may get some pixie dust as we did last time since it's such a slow time. But we'll see.

Speaking of that, do you have to do online check-in to get your customized Magic Bands? I already customized our MBs, but I REALLY don't want to do online check in. However, I also really don't want an ugly gray band LOL. Does anyone know??