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

[klacey1]

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.

Ugh that stinks! So that only gives us a week to figure out our ADRs, and in turn, park plans? How annoying!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

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

There is a bus from WL to FW, and it is a very short ride once the bus arrives. (As always, your time waiting for it may vary.) We generally prefer to take the boat over there if we aren't walking, but we did do the bus one night when it was raining.

As for getting to MK for Rope drop, it is your choice. The boats start running early enough that they are a fun option, but the time on the boat is longer than the time on the bus. (Again, wait times may vary for either one.) We find the boat to be more fun, but chose the bus on our early MK day.

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!

Disney releases tentative park schedules a month at a time to Travel agents via a website that anybody can access. For September the URL is: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_sept.pdf which is still currently showing 2013, but will switch to 2014 at the same address soon. Other months can be shown by changing the abbreviation. Enjoy!

 

[ElenaJane]

There is a bus from WL to FW, and it is a very short ride once the bus arrives. (As always, your time waiting for it may vary.) We generally prefer to take the boat over there if we aren't walking, but we did do the bus one night when it was raining.

As for getting to MK for Rope drop, it is your choice. The boats start running early enough that they are a fun option, but the time on the boat is longer than the time on the bus. (Again, wait times may vary for either one.) We find the boat to be more fun, but chose the bus on our early MK day.


Disney releases tentative park schedules a month at a time to Travel agents via a website that anybody can access. For September the URL is: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_sept.pdf which is still currently showing 2013, but will switch to 2014 at the same address soon. Other months can be shown by changing the abbreviation. Enjoy!

fantastic! Thanks for the insider tip. I have bookmarked that page.

 

[katema52]

Yes thanks

 

[Wood Nymph]

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??

No, you don't have to do online check in to get customized MagicBands. Your customized MagicBands will automatically ship approximately 30 days before your check in date even if you don't do online check in.

When I did online check in for our last trip, I didn't make any room requests at that time. I called reservations to add my room requests instead. The nice thing about online check in was it took about five minutes for them to check us in, hand us our packet of information, and send us to our room, which happened to be ready for us at 11am, the time that I said we were going to arrive.

 

[Wood Nymph]

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?

Thank you
Nikki

You can walk to Trails End from WL in about 20 minutes. We walked over there for both breakfast and dinner. We took the boat back from FW to WL after dinner.

As far at the Chip and Dale campfire - there are a few ways to get there from WL. You will have to get on one of the internal buses no matter which route you take to FW. You can walk to FW in about 20 minutes, then catch the internal bus to the campfire. You can take the boat from WL to FW, then walk to the bus stop. Or you can catch a bus from the WL to the Outpost at FW, then catch a bus to the campfire. They run buses from WL to FW at night for the Hoop Dee Doo show. The Epcot bus also goes to FW before going on to Epcot. You can ask the bus driver if he is stopping at FW before you get on the bus.

Would you recommend the Wonders of the Wilderness Tour?

Thanks for your help
Nikki

We took the tour last month and really enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting it to be so interesting. I would recommend it to any adult. Children most likely would rather be doing something else.

 

[BubblyTrip]

So much great info here. I am soaking it all up.

We get in after a cross country day of flying at 4:30. Taking ME to WL. The only reservation time avail at WCC is at 8 PM, which is later than I want to eat with DS (5), as we are doing EMH RD the next morning.

Do you think we can walk up to WCC and get in earlier, or if it's only showing 8 PM, that's as good as it's going to get? It's a Wed night late March.

And how is room service at WL? Typical of most hotels?

Thanks!

 

[Wood Nymph]

So much great info here. I am soaking it all up.

We get in after a cross country day of flying at 4:30. Taking ME to WL. The only reservation time avail at WCC is at 8 PM, which is later than I want to eat with DS (5), as we are doing EMH RD the next morning.

Do you think we can walk up to WCC and get in earlier, or if it's only showing 8 PM, that's as good as it's going to get? It's a Wed night late March.

And how is room service at WL? Typical of most hotels?

Thanks!

I would keep checking for something to open up at an earlier time. You may get lucky just a day or two before, too. You can also get something to eat at the counter service restaurant, Roaring Forks, although it won't be as nice as eating at WCC.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Just booked WL! We will be there November 22-29 in a Standard room. We have never stayed Deluxe before, this is a bit of a splurge for us but it's been our dream to stay here when it's decorated for Christmas!

 

[HoneyPooh72]

We are going back to WL! This time we will be staying from 6/7-6/21. We have a Woods view room right now, will probably leave it at that. In 2012 we had a Woods view in the North wing on the top floor, we were lucky enough to be able see the fireworks from MK.

 

[WDWKOOK]

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

Welcome, Barbe! I think the great setting and theming will make you soon forget about the Poly and you'll get used to the boat and bus very quickly. It's nice having an excuse to walk around and through the resort. I'll add your dates to the Log

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

Both the beach and boat dock are good eye-level EWP viewing spots. There are also public balconies in the center of the resort overlooking the courtyard. If you have a Courtyard View room that overlooks WL, then you can see it well from your balcony, too.

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!

Congratulations and welcome to the thread! The Otter Pond is next to the North Wing. Some of the higher North Wing rooms have a view of Wishes. The South Wing is closest to the bus stop. These rooms overlook VWL (Woods View) and the bus stop/parking lot (Standard View). The boat dock is closest to the North Wing.

I definitely recommend going to Epcot. You can even walk (or boat) to Epcot from DHS. DHS is a half-day park for us, so we sometimes walk over to Epcot from DHS in the afternoon.

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!

How exciting that your first stay at WDW will be CL at WL. You're going to love the OFC! I'll log your dates.

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!

Welcome to the thread! The boats start operating to FW and CR (Blue Flag) at 0645 and one hour prior to park opening to the MK (Red Flag). There is comprehensive WL/VWL transportation information HERE.

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!

Looks like a great plan in the works. I understand about your TR, but you can PM the link to me, if you don't mind

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.

Yep, genuine, real, live otters in the Otter Pond. I'll adjust your dates.

So much great info here. I am soaking it all up.

We get in after a cross country day of flying at 4:30. Taking ME to WL. The only reservation time avail at WCC is at 8 PM, which is later than I want to eat with DS (5), as we are doing EMH RD the next morning.

Do you think we can walk up to WCC and get in earlier, or if it's only showing 8 PM, that's as good as it's going to get? It's a Wed night late March.

And how is room service at WL? Typical of most hotels?

Thanks!

Welcome to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread!

Not sure if this is current anymore, but I thought that about 20% of tables were/are held back from ADR booking. I would try a WCC walk-up. I've never ordered In-Room Dining at WL so I can't comment on that.

Just booked WL! We will be there November 22-29 in a Standard room. We have never stayed Deluxe before, this is a bit of a splurge for us but it's been our dream to stay here when it's decorated for Christmas!

Congratulations on booking and I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log. WL and VWL are just beautiful at Christmastime. I hope you and your family have a magical vacation.

We are going back to WL! This time we will be staying from 6/7-6/21. We have a Woods view room right now, will probably leave it at that. In 2012 we had a Woods view in the North wing on the top floor, we were lucky enough to be able see the fireworks from MK.

I'll log your (nice, long) dates and welcome back to the Lodge!

 

[yooperfan]

Just back Wednesday from WL courtyard view. Didn't get requested room, in fact, we had 6th floor. Great view of everything.... If you were standing. My dreams of sitting on the patio with a warm drink early in the morning were not to be.the dreaded enclosed patio. The walk to refill mugs was longer than we're used to. That said, I love the little improvements in decorating the rooms. It rained the first 3 days and was cold. The last three days were very nice, unfortunately my DM got sick from the first 3 days and spent the last day in the room. Whispering Canyon was very good about putting together a tray of things we thought she could eat with her last table service credit. I started getting sick the last day there. The airline lost our luggage and our flight was overbooked, but we got home alright. All in all, not our best trip, but....still a trip to Disney. Did you know a guy sweeps the pool area veeeerrry slowly at 2:30am? The things you see when your sick and can't sleep.

 

[johnsonet]

I'm at WL and it is better than ever. It's a beautiful day and we just love the decor in the lobby (new to us) and also in our room.
I have taken pics of the February activities list, in case they have not yet been updated.
(Hope this works. I can't preview.)

 

[BubblyTrip]

Are Movies Under the Stars a mosquito fest?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Are Movies Under the Stars a mosquito fest?

We didn't notice any Mosquitos when we were there a few weeks ago, but then the nights are still cool.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[danceteachermom]

We are under 50 days to go! Started making the countdown we put up at 25 days. Thinking about WL and WDW way too much.

Can the concierge at WL upgrade tickets from hoppers to annual passes? Has anyone here ever done this at WL? We are contemplating adding a November trip.

 

[renes]

You can only upgrade tickets at guest services at each park. I have tried in the past to do it at the hotels and each time I am directed to the parks.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Are Movies Under the Stars a mosquito fest?

We did not find it to be, and we stayed at WL in the middle of the summer.

And I am a mosquito magnet!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just back Wednesday from WL courtyard view. Didn't get requested room, in fact, we had 6th floor. Great view of everything.... If you were standing. My dreams of sitting on the patio with a warm drink early in the morning were not to be.the dreaded enclosed patio. The walk to refill mugs was longer than we're used to. That said, I love the little improvements in decorating the rooms. It rained the first 3 days and was cold. The last three days were very nice, unfortunately my DM got sick from the first 3 days and spent the last day in the room. Whispering Canyon was very good about putting together a tray of things we thought she could eat with her last table service credit. I started getting sick the last day there. The airline lost our luggage and our flight was overbooked, but we got home alright. All in all, not our best trip, but....still a trip to Disney. Did you know a guy sweeps the pool area veeeerrry slowly at 2:30am? The things you see when your sick and can't sleep.

Thank you for posting about your trip. I hope everyone is feeling better by now. I didn't know about the slow-moving pool sweeper in the middle of the night. Imagine all the armadillo, etc... he must encounter?!

I'm at WL and it is better than ever. It's a beautiful day and we just love the decor in the lobby (new to us) and also in our room.
I have taken pics of the February activities list, in case they have not yet been updated.
(Hope this works. I can't preview.)

Thank you for taking the time to post the current activity calendar for everyone! I hope you continue having a great stay at WL

 

[BubblyTrip]

Can anyone tell me how long it's been taking lately to get to the WL via ME?

I know there are a lot of variables. My flight gets in at 4 PM on a Wednesday and I just snagged a WCC ADR for 6:25. Does this sound doable?