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

[Wood Nymph]

In the transportation post (#13) it states that buses will stop at other resorts before going on to AK, HS, EP, and DTD. Is this during all seasons or just slower times. I ask because the post stated it was for September travel.

TIA

The only bus that goes direct to a park from WL is the MK bus. The buses to HS and AK usually share with GF. The bus to Epcot stops at FW before heading to the park. We were on a bus to AK that went to FW instead of GF, but I think that isn't always the normal route it takes. As far as I know, this is the year round schedule. The reason that September travel was mentioned was because those trip times were recorded during September.

 

[BlueFairy]

The only bus that goes direct to a park from WL is the MK bus. The buses to HS and AK usually share with GF. The bus to Epcot stops at FW before heading to the park. We were on a bus to AK that went to FW instead of GF, but I think that isn't always the normal route it takes. As far as I know, this is the year round schedule. The reason that September travel was mentioned was because those trip times were recorded during September.

I'm pretty sure we have been on buses to AK that stopped at TL or BB before continuing as well. It was most certainly low season though. We haven't been at WL since 2010.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm pretty sure we have been on buses to AK that stopped at TL or BB before continuing as well. It was most certainly low season though. We haven't been at WL since 2010.

You're right. The AK bus does stop at Blizzard Beach. I forgot to add that. I think the DTD bus stops at Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[BlueFairy]

You're right. The AK bus does stop at Blizzard Beach. I forgot to add that. I think the DTD bus stops at Typhoon Lagoon.

Since we're discussing transportation, I know that also in 2010 the resort boat would travel in different directions during the day. I believe before 3pm it would be WL to CR to FW. Then after 3pm it would be WL to FW to CR. Is that right? Has it changed?

 

[martinmont]

Should we be waiting at the bus stop at least an hour before the time we want to arrive? Is that a good estimate?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Since we're discussing transportation, I know that also in 2010 the resort boat would travel in different directions during the day. I believe before 3pm it would be WL to CR to FW. Then after 3pm it would be WL to FW to CR. Is that right? Has it changed?

I believe there are two boats that run the WL-CR-FW route. I've seen two boats docked at CR at the same time, so there must be two. One travels clock-wise and the other travels counter-clockwise, I believe. It's possible they only have the second boat for the dinner crowd.

I've also seen the morning MK boat travel to FW before heading to MK. This was the large boat, not the little one.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Should we be waiting at the bus stop at least an hour before the time we want to arrive? Is that a good estimate?

That is a good estimate for all parks except MK. For MK we allow 30 minutes just in case we have to wait the full 20 minutes or so for a bus to arrive, then make the 5 min trip.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I believe there are two boats that run the WL-CR-FW route. I've seen two boats docked at CR at the same time, so there must be two. One travels clock-wise and the other travels counter-clockwise, I believe. It's possible they only have the second boat for the dinner crowd. I've also seen the morning MK boat travel to FW before heading to MK. This was the large boat, not the little one.

We have also seen two boats doing the CR, FW, WL loop running opposite directions. It becomes a judgement call whether to take the first one that arrives (and possibly make an extra stop) or to wait for the one going the direction you want. We usually prefer to hop on and go for the boat ride.

I do know that during low crowd times the MK boat can be shared with FW as well, and these are usually the big boats.

 

[pas130]

Speaking of transportation, at night how are the bus lines getting back to WL. For instance, after Illuminations. In the morning I was thinking of doing the boat to MK and then the express monorail to Epcot. Not a timesaver I know but I LOVE that boat and I wanted an excuse to take the monorail

 

[esquared221]

I tried searching in this thread for the answer to this question so please forgive me if this has been covered before. We booked a one bedroom at Wilderness Lodge Villas for myself, my husband and our 2 children (DD7 and DSalmost3). This will be our first trip where he won't be sleeping in a travel crib and my daughter is not happy about the idea of sharing the pull out couch with him. Is there room in the one bedroom for a cot while the sofa bed is pulled out? We told her that if there is room we will request a cot for him but if not than they will have to share the pull out. As our trip gets closer (16 DAYS!!) I was thinking I'd ask so I can start preparing the kids for sharing a bed if that's what is going to be necessary. The last thing I want is a fight at bed time after a long trip from NH! Thanks in advance

 

[jacquelynb]

First time at the lodge!! Staying October 13--October 22!! So excited!! Woods view currently, but may upgrade depending on military salute announcement sometime this summer. Can you add us to the log??

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Speaking of transportation, at night how are the bus lines getting back to WL. For instance, after Illuminations. In the morning I was thinking of doing the boat to MK and then the express monorail to Epcot. Not a timesaver I know but I LOVE that boat and I wanted an excuse to take the monorail

We've had pretty good luck after Illuminations. It is busy with the mad rush out of Epcot, but once you get to the bus stop (which is shared with Fort Wilderness) we have been able to get on the first bus to arrive, although sometimes it is near capacity. From there is is a pretty quick (10-15 min) trip to WL, which is the first stop.

 

[Karebear]

I tried searching in this thread for the answer to this question so please forgive me if this has been covered before. We booked a one bedroom at Wilderness Lodge Villas for myself, my husband and our 2 children (DD7 and DSalmost3). This will be our first trip where he won't be sleeping in a travel crib and my daughter is not happy about the idea of sharing the pull out couch with him. Is there room in the one bedroom for a cot while the sofa bed is pulled out? We told her that if there is room we will request a cot for him but if not than they will have to share the pull out. As our trip gets closer (16 DAYS!!) I was thinking I'd ask so I can start preparing the kids for sharing a bed if that's what is going to be necessary. The last thing I want is a fight at bed time after a long trip from NH! Thanks in advance

I have heard that they will not provide one for you. We were at Disneyland when dd was turning 3 and it would not have worked for my children to share the sofa bed. Target sells toddler air beds that are kind of like sleeping bags attached to an air mattress. They are small (only about 4 feet long I think) and should fit anywhere. I bought a princess one for dd for that trip and it worked great. She slept really well in it. Hope this helps!

 

[barbeml]

We really enjoyed our March 23-27 first-time stay at WL. The resort is in great shape, the CMs were so welcoming and we liked the atmosphere overall. We also gained greater appreciation for the Contemporary (such a quick boat ride away), including The Wave for dinner (previously had been for breakfast and lunch).

We will be returning to the WL with a group of 10 in October (26- Nov. 1).

 

[pas130]

We've had pretty good luck after Illuminations. It is busy with the mad rush out of Epcot, but once you get to the bus stop (which is shared with Fort Wilderness) we have been able to get on the first bus to arrive, although sometimes it is near capacity. From there is is a pretty quick (10-15 min) trip to WL, which is the first stop.

Thank you We have had some crazy experiences leaving MK after Wishes that DH would rather forgo fireworks hence we haven't seen Illuminations. Now that we are stroller free I don't mind standing on the buses if we need to....it's the wait for the buses. I know it's always variable, but I always like to hear everyone's experiences!

 

[pas130]

First time at the lodge!! Staying October 13--October 22!! So excited!! Woods view currently, but may upgrade depending on military salute announcement sometime this summer. Can you add us to the log??

We really enjoyed our March 23-27 first-time stay at WL. The resort is in great shape, the CMs were so welcoming and we liked the atmosphere overall. We also gained greater appreciation for the Contemporary (such a quick boat ride away), including The Wave for dinner (previously had been for breakfast and lunch).

We will be returning to the WL with a group of 10 in October (26- Nov. 1).

That's great you enjoyed WL so much you're headed back again!!!

 

[BellsFam]

We have a breakfast booked at 'Ohana's... is it fairly easy to get from WL to Poly?

(from Poly we will head to Epcot which I think we can do the monorail to TTC for or something of the like)...

 

[esquared221]

I have heard that they will not provide one for you. We were at Disneyland when dd was turning 3 and it would not have worked for my children to share the sofa bed. Target sells toddler air beds that are kind of like sleeping bags attached to an air mattress. They are small (only about 4 feet long I think) and should fit anywhere. I bought a princess one for dd for that trip and it worked great. She slept really well in it. Hope this helps!

Oh man, I never considered whether they would, only if it would fit. I personally think they'll be fine together (the pull out is a queen after all) so maybe I'll start preparing DD for sleeping with her squiggly brother

 

[BlueFairy]

We have a breakfast booked at 'Ohana's... is it fairly easy to get from WL to Poly?

(from Poly we will head to Epcot which I think we can do the monorail to TTC for or something of the like)...

Easiest for us is boat to CR, then walk upstairs to the monorail and then Resort monorail past the TTC to Poly. Adding in any extra boat stops, it may or may not be faster to take a bus or boat to MK and transfer to the Resort monorail (stops at CR, TTC) to the Poly.

Leaving, it's probably fastest to walk from Poly to TTC and board the Epcot monorail, but it is easy to hop back on the resort monorail and make the whole loop again (GF, MK, CR and then TTC) instead of walk.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Easiest for us is boat to CR, then walk upstairs to the monorail and then Resort monorail past the TTC to Poly.

This is what we do. We found the trip to be pretty quick and easy.