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

[Koh1977]

both times we have requested bunk beds on CL we have gotten them. We sent the IPO our request.

If I changed dates and I had originally contacted them to note the request, should I send another email with the new dates and a reminder to note the request?

The only time I've heard from IPO is when I contacted them. Will they contact me for anything closer to our arrival? Or is it because I went through a TA that they don't?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[threebeesatdisney]

We just checked in to the resort and our room isn't ready. So we are relaxing in the lobby. What gorgeous and detailed fireplace doors!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We just checked in to the resort and our room isn't ready. So we are relaxing in the lobby. What gorgeous and detailed fireplace doors!!

There are a lot of interesting fireplace doors at the WL. This is a picture of the firescreen in the little lounge that is above the main entry door.

And this one is located in the Carolwood Pacific room in the villas building.

I'm sure that there are a few more that I missed, including the one in front of the big fireplace in the lobby.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Horsing Around at Tri-Circle-D Ranch!
Disney Parks Blog​

 

[TempleOT]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if the life vests at the lodge have the straps that go under the legs for little kids? I am trying to decide if I need to buy a life vest for the pool for our 4 year old.
25 days to go!
Thanks!
Deidre

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if the life vests at the lodge have the straps that go under the legs for little kids? I am trying to decide if I need to buy a life vest for the pool for our 4 year old.
25 days to go!
Thanks!
Deidre

Yes they do have the straps on the small sizes. They are USCG approved and fit little kids well. Our daughter wore one (and enjoyed it) last year just before she turned four.

 

[zdad]

Just got home from a 5 day stay at the lodge. In executive Summary format.

• Room 5132 is Awesome. Right next to the villa side back elevator. Quiet; beautiful view; easy backdoor to the bus area and quiet pool. A room warning...if you are travelling as only 2, you will get booked into a king size bed room, usually a handicapped room. We had to work the front desk pretty hard to fix that when checking in.
  
• FP+ was a great success for us. True we'd like more than three and like multi-park capability, but all in all it worked great. Really liked the easy update if your FP ride has a short stand by line. Move the FP to another ride and use standby instead of wasting a FP. All issues we saw were user error. coming too early, coming too late, or really not having a FP at all.
  
• Meals were great. BOG for lunch was awesome. La Hacienda was phenomenal...including front row for Illuminations. Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare was quite tasty. Liberty Tree dinner was delicious as expected.
  
• Transportation was super. Never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. Seemed to have a boat pulling up every time we hit the dock.
  
• I'll call the crowds moderately crowded. Stand by lines were OK, with the only long lines at Peter PAN, space Mtn, Soarin', and Toy Story. Even got to ride Everest twice in a 20 minute span.

All in all a great success. A very detailed trip report will start tomorrow (Kook...do you want the TR here or in the TR forum ?)

 

[martinmont]

Just got home from a 5 day stay at the lodge. In executive Summary format.

• Room 5132 is Awesome. Right next to the villa side back elevator. Quiet; beautiful view; easy backdoor to the bus area and quiet pool. A room warning...if you are travelling as only 2, you will get booked into a king size bed room, usually a handicapped room. We had to work the front desk pretty hard to fix that when checking in.
  
• FP+ was a great success for us. True we'd like more than three and like multi-park capability, but all in all it worked great. Really liked the easy update if your FP ride has a short stand by line. Move the FP to another ride and use standby instead of wasting a FP. All issues we saw were user error. coming too early, coming too late, or really not having a FP at all.
  
• Meals were great. BOG for lunch was awesome. La Hacienda was phenomenal...including front row for Illuminations. Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare was quite tasty. Liberty Tree dinner was delicious as expected.
  
• Transportation was super. Never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. Seemed to have a boat pulling up every time we hit the dock.
  
• I'll call the crowds moderately crowded. Stand by lines were OK, with the only long lines at Peter PAN, space Mtn, Soarin', and Toy Story. Even got to ride Everest twice in a 20 minute span.

All in all a great success. A very detailed trip report will start tomorrow (Kook...do you want the TR here or in the TR forum ?)

May I ask why did u not want the king size bed room? We are traveling as 2 as well. Or is something different about a handicapped room?

 

[mslhb]

I have been using this neat, new tool from TP website to try to narrow down room choices:

http://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/disneys-wilderness-lodge

If you put in room type, it will show you where those rooms are. In your case, I would put in BB room, 1st floor, then see what the neighboring rooms are like (you can click on them and get a description). It also provides a good way to 'ask' for that room location when you click on the room.

HTH!

Wow I didn't realize touringplans had that. Thanks for posting. That is pretty cool!

 

[zdad]

May I ask why did u not want the king size bed room? We are traveling as 2 as well. Or is something different about a handicapped room?

We could handle the king bed, but the handicapped bathrooms are awkward to use. In many the sink and mirror are in the same "room" as the zero entry shower. Also the shower has fold down seats taking up shower space. The front desk folks educated us that the vast majority of king bed rooms are also handicapped room because those rooms are typically slightly larger and make putting a king bed in the room easier. They are also the hardest rooms to book, so the 1st action is almost always to place a ressie with only two persons into the king room. It has happened to us that way on our last two trips.

If you don't mind the alternative bathroom configuration, then its no issue. For us we really want the configuration where the sinks are in a separate space from the head and shower.

 

[martinmont]

We could handle the king bed, but the handicapped bathrooms are awkward to use. In many the sink and mirror are in the same "room" as the zero entry shower. Also the shower has fold down seats taking up shower space. The front desk folks educated us that the vast majority of king bed rooms are also handicapped room because those rooms are typically slightly larger and make putting a king bed in the room easier. They are also the hardest rooms to book, so the 1st action is almost always to place a ressie with only two persons into the king room. It has happened to us that way on our last two trips.

If you don't mind the alternative bathroom configuration, then its no issue. For us we really want the configuration where the sinks are in a separate space from the head and shower.

I doubt we will like the handicapped bathrooms either. Did u only find out that u were assigned an accessible room when u got into the room or did u ask about it at check in? I would hate to go to the room only to come back downstairs and request a room change.

 

[HockeyMomR]

We could handle the king bed, but the handicapped bathrooms are awkward to use. In many the sink and mirror are in the same "room" as the zero entry shower. Also the shower has fold down seats taking up shower space. The front desk folks educated us that the vast majority of king bed rooms are also handicapped room because those rooms are typically slightly larger and make putting a king bed in the room easier. They are also the hardest rooms to book, so the 1st action is almost always to place a ressie with only two persons into the king room. It has happened to us that way on our last two trips. If you don't mind the alternative bathroom configuration, then its no issue. For us we really want the configuration where the sinks are in a separate space from the head and shower.

Thank you for the heads up. Just DH and I on our upcoming trip. Really don't want a handicapped room. King bed would be great but we really like the separate sink area. Did you ask about your room type upon check in? This will be our first stay at WL (except for a one night stay way back in 2007, bunk bed room, boys loved it!).

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just got home from a 5 day stay at the lodge. In executive Summary format.

• Room 5132 is Awesome. Right next to the villa side back elevator. Quiet; beautiful view; easy backdoor to the bus area and quiet pool.
  

• 
  
  Did you hear any pool noise in that room?
  
  

  A room warning...if you are travelling as only 2, you will get booked into a king size bed room, usually a handicapped room. We had to work the front desk pretty hard to fix that when checking in.

  
  We have been to the WL three times now and have always gotten two queen beds. Are you requesting a king bed?

 

[HockeyMomR]

Did you hear any pool noise in that room? We have been to the WL three times now and have always gotten two queen beds. Are you requesting a king bed?

This is good to hear. Previous post making me a little nervous. We are fine with a king or 2 queens but really want the typical bathroom. Good to know you have had previous experience.

 

[zdad]

Did you hear any pool noise in that room?

Very little to none. The quiet pool isn't usually loud anyway. IN the middle of the day, there may be some kids in the pool, and you may hear a little splashing around. I consider it very quiet.

We have been to the WL three times now and have always gotten two queen beds. Are you requesting a king bed?

we always request two queens. The last two times at WL and the come into town nights at the value resorts had us in king/handicapped rooms. The check in CMs at both locations said they use parties of two to fill king rooms. I make a point to check for it now, and they ultimately fix it, but it has been a regular occurrence for us.

 

[TempleOT]

Yes they do have the straps on the small sizes. They are USCG approved and fit little kids well. Our daughter wore one (and enjoyed it) last year just before she turned four.

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Thank you so much!!!!

No problem, happy swimming!

 

[Kebby]

Hi all!

We have never stayed at WL before, and are about to book a studio ay VWL using points. Can someone just confirm for me that in fact the renovated studios do sleep 5? we have three young kids with us.

Also, does anyone have pics of the renovated rooms?

thanks so much

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Yes they definitely sleep 5 and you can now book for 5 in a studio online. Use the search button and you will find the thread with new pics.

 

[katema52]

Can you watch the fireworks from the beach area? Is there sound? I am probably arriving just before fireworks time and wonder if I will be able to see them. Thanks