(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread ~2012~

[TheLodgeLady]

I'm not caught up on the thread and haven't posted in days, but I just wanted everyone to know that we returned last night from a lovely two weeks at WDW.

I have many photos to upload to photobucket that I'll be posting and updating the first page with. DD starts high school next week so I'll have more time then and this weekend, hopefully. When I can't take folding more laundry and need a good excuse to not mow the grass, I'll check back in

If you haven't gotten a response to a question, don't give-up on me just yet - I promise I'll get to you soon. (Your post is very important to us and will be answered in the order it was received)

Welcome back Lady!!! You've been missed!

 

[AndreaA]

I can't wait to see your pictures too! I believe it was your pictures of the food in the Club Level lounge that helped push me over to switching from villa to Lodge Deluxe CL.

You had me at free Grand Marnier!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Hi all- where did I see the times for the food offerings in the lounge? I know the first page has the pics, but looking for the time frames. Thanks.

All on the first page

 

[PamelaKay]

Hi all- where did I see the times for the food offerings in the lounge? I know the first page has the pics, but looking for the time frames. Thanks.

It is post #5 on the first page.

 

[PamelaKay]

I'm not caught up on the thread and haven't posted in days, but I just wanted everyone to know that we returned last night from a lovely two weeks at WDW.

I have many photos to upload to photobucket that I'll be posting and updating the first page with. DD starts high school next week so I'll have more time then and this weekend, hopefully. When I can't take folding more laundry and need a good excuse to not mow the grass, I'll check back in

If you haven't gotten a response to a question, don't give-up on me just yet - I promise I'll get to you soon. (Your post is very important to us and will be answered in the order it was received)

Welcome back! Sorry your trip is over, but cannot wait to read about it and see your new pics.

 

[DetTigsGal]

Thanks- I had looked through the wordy part and forgot that the hours of service was a picture itself !

 

[pld5]

I'm not caught up on the thread and haven't posted in days, but I just wanted everyone to know that we returned last night from a lovely two weeks at WDW.

I have many photos to upload to photobucket that I'll be posting and updating the first page with. DD starts high school next week so I'll have more time then and this weekend, hopefully. When I can't take folding more laundry and need a good excuse to not mow the grass, I'll check back in

If you haven't gotten a response to a question, don't give-up on me just yet - I promise I'll get to you soon. (Your post is very important to us and will be answered in the order it was received)

I'm glad that you had a lovely trip. Looking forward to hearing more about it and seeing all the latest pictures.

 

[LuvGoldens]

Glad to hear you had a good trip Kook! Look forward to hearing more once you get settled.

 

[stoneyloon]

Is CL worth doing when on the DDP?

 

[hbr03]

SOOO happy for the fall discount that came out this week. Love not having to pay rack rate!

Kook, welcome back and can't wait to see your TR!

TaraPA, thanks for the Undercover Boss reminder. Watched it last night, and cried as usual. Is Dan still at your store?

35 days and counting!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Is CL worth doing when on the DDP?

IMHO, no. DH, DD(19) DS(17) and I certainly enjoy a very nice bkfst WL CL. Unless you really crave bacon n eggs n such, the breakfast offerings are great. Since DS likes to eat ALL the time (teenager+xc runner = an insane amount of food), he loves having food available 'whenever he wants.' Evening appetizers are enough to make a meal out of. Certainly you won't want to do this every night, but we find it's enjoyable to relax CL enjoying appetizers before heading back out for an evening at the parks where we can share a few different items whenever it is we become hungry w/o having to worrie about ADRs every night. We usually 'go out' for bkfst once and a special dinner 2-3 nights during our week or so stay. This works very , very well for us.

Hope this helps.

 

[DrumzDj]

Bam!!!!, booked a standard and upgraded to a bunk bed courtyard view. So stoked for my family

 

[stoneyloon]

Hope this helps.

Sure does, many thanks.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Is CL worth doing when on the DDP?

Our family found it to be way too much food to keep up on. We ended up going home with 12 QS credits left!!

So, for our upcoming trip, we are doing CL w/out the DDP, and we will only book 4 ADRs during our 11 day trip. This way, we will eat when we feel like it, if we feel like it, and be able to use the offerings in the lounge more.

 

[TaraPA]

TaraPA, thanks for the Undercover Boss reminder. Watched it last night, and cried as usual. Is Dan still at your store?

Aha so someone else that gets teary watching Undercover Boss? Me too!

Actually Dan doesn't work in our store, and he didn't at the time of the taping (10/2011), he works at a store about 20 min. from us. He did start in our store & worked with us for about a year, then a management position opened up at the other store that he took. They filmed in our store becuase it's 3 times the size of his & the film crew needed space for their equipment. What they didn't mention was that Dan's mom worked for us for about 4 years too, so we all knew the family very well, and we were all very upset when his dad died.

However, Dan goes to college 5 min. from our store so he stops in a lot and he does come help cover shifts for us when we're short staffed. So I still see him every week. I was the one that suggested him to Undercover Boss (they called me looking for a sob story - but I just didn't have one!), so I'm sooo glad they picked him & that they helped him & his family out financially. Dan is still at Yankee full time and in college full time, and living at home with his mom & sister helping them out. It's all good. He's a GREAT kid who deserved what Yankee/Undercover Boss gave him.

YAY at your 35 days & counting. I have 44 days & counting, but sadly, we switched from WL to POR once the AP discount came out. It was half the price, so WL is on hold for now!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Before I post a WL TR, I thought I should follow-up on the promised Trail's End photos. I'm quoting myself below from 8/26 as reference to what we had for breakfast and lunch:

I have photos of the Trail's End breakfast buffet and the dessert we had at lunch there today, but I haven't uploaded them to PB yet. Someone remind me if I forget

We had only previously tried the TE dinner buffet which is very good. Friday, we tried breakfast and if was wonderful, too. The best buffet dish (IMHO) is the pulled pork BBQ Eggs Benedict - wow! It was so yummy that DH doesn't care to go back to Kona for their pulled pork hash dish (The Somoan). They had Mickey Waffles, but no pancakes. They also have fresh fruit, quiche dishes, breads, eggs, meats, gravy and biscuits... I have photos of everything I'll post soon.

Since we thought today might be a wash-out, we planned to skip the parks and rent Sea Raycers and go to lunch at TE before the storm hit. The August activity schedule shows that the marina opens at 0900, but in fact, it opens at 10 so we were an hour early. We went back in and sat in the lobby till 10. I never get a chance to do that so it was a nice change of pace to view all the lobby activity at eye level. At 10, we rented 3 Sea Raycers, got to the end of the pier and it started pouring - 3 minutes later it stopped so off we went, putt-putt-putt... We love the Sea Raycers and had a great time with intermittent rain showers, no sun and cool temps - lovely!

Later, we walked to Trail's End. Lunch was great! I had the catfish which was lightly breaded and pan cooked with 3 large, fluffy (not those hard, crunchy kind) hushpuppies, a great spicy remoulade sauce and cole slaw that was warm-ish. DD and DH had the Johnny Cake BLT with a side of Hoppin' John and turnip greens, (not DD, she had the homemade chips).

Dessert was a big hit. I had the Sticky Bun Sundae: Butter pecan ice cream with caramel sauce, pecans, whipped cream and a small sticky bun in the middle - served in a jar! DH liked, but wasn't crazy about, his pecan pie with a Jack Daniels whipped cream, but DD loved her S'mores dessert made with chocolate mousse. Now you all know why I go to the gym everyday

Trail's End is located next door to Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue (Pioneer Hall), in between the horses/ponies and marina at Ft. Wilderness. It's an easy and pleasant 15 minute walk from WL or you can also take the Blue Flag boat or even the FW bus.

MENU



He (she?) watched over us both meals since we had the same table twice, but different servers:

​

BREAKFAST BUFFET:​

In addition to fresh fruit, cottage cheese with pineapple, yogurt, etc... and a dessert section...


Wonderful lox/salmon:

Breakfast pizza, eggs, BBQ pulled pork eggs Benedict:

The BBQ pulled pork Benedict is delicious! It is an English muffin served with BBQ pulled pork, a bit of BBQ sauce and topped with a poached egg. It is similar to The Samoan at Kona, but DH declared it, "Even better!" This is now his favorite WDW breakfast:

BBQ pulled pork, hash browns:

Sausage links, bacon, biscuits:

Oatmeal, cheese grits, gravy:

French toast sticks, Mickey waffles, Cinnamon rolls, apple tart:

Various breads:

LUNCH-DESSERTS​

​

 

[PrincessAlways]

YAY at your 35 days & counting. I have 44 days & counting, but sadly, we switched from WL to POR once the AP discount came out. It was half the price, so WL is on hold for now!

Yes it is sad that we put WL on hold! I really wanted to stay there!! But I did get a Royal Room at POR! I am such a princess!! My quest to stay at WL gives me another reason to go back!!

 

[TaraPA]

Yes it is sad that we put WL on hold! I really wanted to stay there!! But I did get a Royal Room at POR! I am such a princess!! My quest to stay at WL gives me another reason to go back!!

Yes Linda I agree - we WILL get to WL in 2013! You know I'm planning to take the boys over MLK weekend - you & Carol/Terri/Deb could plan a quick getaway then too....just sayin'....

WDWKook awesome pics from Trails End! Now I want to stay at WL more than ever in January - my boys would LOVE the theming of both WL & FW!!

 

[tarak]

Our family found it to be way too much food to keep up on. We ended up going home with 12 QS credits left!!

So, for our upcoming trip, we are doing CL w/out the DDP, and we will only book 4 ADRs during our 11 day trip. This way, we will eat when we feel like it, if we feel like it, and be able to use the offerings in the lounge more.

I won't bother with the dining plan the next time we stay CL. My plan is to stay at BWI (maybe stay CL) then move to WL (definitely stay CL). At most, we'd do the QS dining plan for the stay at BWI.

I also cry whenever I watch Undercover Boss.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Random cobbler question: I am highly allergic to peaches (and pineapple but that's less of a problem at the WL and more of one at the Poly). Do you think that they have leftover cobbler that I could have on Peach night?

I like your RCQ!!

Fresh pineapple is served every morning for breakfast, but it's in its own bowl and not mixed in with other fruit.

Peach/strawberry cobbler was only served once the 9 days we were there, and only because after we mentioned not seeing it, the CL manager put in a request for it. In the past, it has been served several times a week. Unfortunately, there isn't any leftover cobbler served the next day. They generally get about 3 cobblers per evening from AP, and no leftovers are ever served. You should mention your allergy to the CL staff when you check-in (or via email to the IPO) and/or there are brownies, magic bars and cookies served nightly in addition to the cobbler.

Pulled pork eggs Benedict. Omg. Ok, just another to add to my list. We plan to do the Sea Racers on our off day. You make it sound so fun!!

It is an OMG dish, IMHO. Rent the Sea Raycers first thing in the morning. It's cooler then, less likely to rain in the morning and most importantly, the motors haven't gotten clogged up with grasses from the edge of Bay Lake which really slow down the speed.

Just a quick post to say that we arrived yesterday ...... and we love WL! Our flight was good, we arrived early, we waited maybe 10 minutes total at MCO to get into ME and leave, arrived at ML in about 35 minutes, got checked in right away, had a late lunch at WCC and hit the parks!

We did MK and Epcot and got back to WL in time to swim for a bit and refill our mugs at Roaring Forks.

Our room is on the 6th floor overlooking the Lobby (Woods View) which is an upgrade from the Standard View room I booked. DD wanted bunk beds, so she was excited to see the room which has a queen bed and the bunk beds! The room is comfortable and enough room for the three of us. I think we'll like it here!

I'm sorry that we didn't get to meet, but I hope you had an uneventful trip home and a great vacation. Are you done with the laundry yet?

We've gotten some wind and rain, but actually nowhere near as much as we did with Tropical Storm Debby. The storm bands seem to be impacting central FL and the east coast much more so than our area. Schools were cancelled today, though. My husband is disappointed, because he's supposed to fly out to Knoxville on business and was hoping his flight would be cancelled. No such luck so far. Hope things clear up there for you!

Our new house is great, thanks for asking! And in even better news, our old house is under contract. Think some good thoughts that it closes as scheduled. *ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease* Then we can go back to focusing on WDW.

What a relief to be closing soon - that is cause for celebration with a short trip to WDW

Just catching up on the disboards again. We got home last night. The house we rented was in New Buffalo (Berrien County). The shoreline in that area is down l-o-n-g flights of stairs (ours were 50 steps!) Rick only carried Hannah down those steps once. The other times someone always stayed back at the house with her or else we walked her in the neiborhood in her handicap stroller. It was only a 15 minute drive north to Warren Dunes State Park where there is a very long & deep beach with no stairs that we enjoyed. We didn't consider renting further north because our youngest special granddaughter is tube fed and requires naps but does not sleep in the car so we had to keep the drive for our son as short as possible. He had the furthest to travel, our daughter was only 30 minutes from home which made it doable for her because she is a doctor and had to attend a hospital meeting during her vacation week.

DH & I next go to WDW in Feb. I've booked POFQ for that short stay as an economy measure. I had been hoping to find a bounceback offer at that time (I know what number to call from my room just in case there isn't an offer left there) to book a trip for end of August at WL to take our grandson who will be 8 then. After this past week with him we're not sure that he is ready for that trip yet. We'll try to get a better idea by Christmas time. Maybe his trip will have to wait til 2014.

Kook & the others who are currently at WL, I'm relieved to hear that Isaac is not creating too much havic for you. Keep having a wonderful time!

What a wonderful grandma you are - such lucky grandkids. You always seem to be planning/doing for others so I'm glad you have your own special trip just with DH in February. Have a beignet for me!

You're kidding, right? That sounds positively horrid and I adore Eggs Benedict. Maybe because I adore Eggs Benedict is why it sounds so horrid.

Just the opposite here - love them so much that any variation is worth a try on vacation - much like dessert....and chips

Kook,

Sounded so yummy. Can't wait to see the breakfast pictures.

They're up now!

Kook, you are so right, a rainy day at WDW is better than a sunny day at home. However, it's raining here in NJ, has poured off and on all day so you are definitely in a better situation than we are here. It's always better to be in WDW!

I love sea raycers!!!

We have never tried Trails End, it sounds like we should add it to our list, it sounds yummy!

And, the service has always been great there and it's not very crowded. Many CMs who work at FW/TE have been there 30+ years.

Do King Bed rooms at the Wilderness Lodge have daybeds/futons?

Unfortunately, none of the rooms at WL have any daybeds. Only the Deluxe room and suites have sleeper sofas.

See, I actually went the opposite way. I love eggs Benedict, and trying it a new way intrigues me!!

It is with heavy heart that I post this. My WL Girls Trip for October has been changed to POR.

AP rates came out today & 4 nts at WL was $1240, 4 nts at POR $588, I just couldn't justirfy the extra cost for WL.

Now - our 4th friend got called for federal jury duty during our trip....soooooo.....if she can't get excused we're back down to 3 people, and we will switch the ressie back to WL bunk. So there's a glimmer of hope...

BUT HAVE NO FEAR!! I plan to take my sons for MLK weekend in January & we all will stay at WL come heck or high water!!!

Must...go...change...ticker...

I'm sorry you had to change when you were looking forward to WL, but I completely understand. WL will always be there for a future trip and "Dixie Landings" is a wonderful resort with all new rooms and a great food court and Boatwrights. You're going to have a great time!

Trying to convince my DH to stay at WL in Feb. What are some highlights of the resort for me to tell him? I've never stayed there myself.

Has DH made a decision yet?

No, the villas do not have futons or day beds. The studio will have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa. The one bedroom will have a king sized bed and queen sized sleeper sofa. The two bedroom will have a king bed, queen sleeper sofa and either two queen beds or one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa.

Thank you for always sharing your VWL/DVC expertise

Here is a room map, but it is not too clear which are connecting rooms. Since king HC rooms are usually connecting, there would be standard connecting as well - although it would likely be to a king, not a room with 2 queen (a king connects to a room with 2 queens). KOOK might have exact info.

KOOK doesn't have a room-type map - sorry. BTW, thank you for always providing your DVC/VWL expertise, too!

Just throwing some refurbed room pics up here as the question comes up about 5x per day.

Kook feel free to use any of these photos for page 1 when its all redone.

Thank you.

Any idea when AP changes from summer menu to fall menu?

No, but TheLodgeLady probably would (hint-hint).

I am so excited! I am packing today! I have Disney movies on and I can't wait to begin. I'm just a little excited, can y'all tell ? ��

It's almost time!!!!

Bump

And woo hoo, trip was paid in full today!

PIF dancing guy for you...

Even though I'm no longer an active guest of WL, I remembered that I told you I'd remind you when the Undercover Boss episode was on featuring Yankee Candle. It's tonight at 8pm on CBS. It follows 3 stories, ours is the last with "Dan."

You are a loyal and thoughtful inactive WL guest

Inactive/past/future/once booked guests are more than welcome here anytime!

Hi everyone! I have a question.

We are currently booked into a one bedroom villa. We have the two kiddos mentioned in my siggie who will be in packnplays. I just discovered that a deluxe club level room is very close to the same price, provides a separate sleeping area for us, and just lacks a kitchen and big bathroom, but has all the free food/drink, etc..

Which would you choose??

I, too would recommend the Deluxe room.

Much to my chagrin I have been working so much overtime that I have basically no free time to surf the boards.

For everyone who just came back, I hope you had a great time!

For everyone about to leave, I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Kook - can you change our vacation dates? We were going in October but due to a family situation we have had to push it back to 11/11 - 11/17 , still at the OFC thankfully !!

I'll get my big eraser out!

The problem with this thread is that now I am dying, I tell you, DYING to stay CL on our stay this December!

It's all good at WL/VWL so don't feel too bad - you're still at WL!

Sorry your vacation is over but so glad to have you back here on your thread!!!

Thank you, Linda!

Two weeks have gone by already?

Hope your trip was all you hoped and can't wait to read your TR.

Good luck sending your DD off to HS. The years will pass too quickly

Yep, where did those two weeks go? And elementary school...and middle school...

Welcome back!!! Can't wait for your TR and pictures!!!

More pictures to come soon.

Welcome back kook- we've missed you

I missed you guys, too - it's the next best thing to being there

Welcome back Lady!!! You've been missed!

You were only a short drive away - you could have visited everyday after work

I can't wait to see your pictures too! I believe it was your pictures of the food in the Club Level lounge that helped push me over to switching from villa to Lodge Deluxe CL.

You had me at free Grand Marnier!

I have sushi photos this time

Welcome back! Sorry your trip is over, but cannot wait to read about it and see your new pics.

I can't wait to read about your trip soon

I'm glad that you had a lovely trip. Looking forward to hearing more about it and seeing all the latest pictures.

Thank you. I've got everything for WL uploaded and edited on Photobucket so stay tuned...

Glad to hear you had a good trip Kook! Look forward to hearing more once you get settled.

I'm looking forward to getting settled, too so I can get to the fun stuff - trip stuff!

Is CL worth doing when on the DDP?

I would do one or the other, depending on how often you'll be able to utilize the lounge and the size of your family. CL is more 'valuable' the more people you have in your room and/or the more who will be using it everyday.

SOOO happy for the fall discount that came out this week. Love not having to pay rack rate!

Kook, welcome back and can't wait to see your TR!

TaraPA, thanks for the Undercover Boss reminder. Watched it last night, and cried as usual. Is Dan still at your store?

35 days and counting!

I'm glad you were able to apply the discount to your reservation - RR is crazy!

Bam!!!!, booked a standard and upgraded to a bunk bed courtyard view. So stoked for my family

to the thread and the DIS and congratulations on being upgraded to such an awesome view, DrumzDj!

Yes Linda I agree - we WILL get to WL in 2013! You know I'm planning to take the boys over MLK weekend - you & Carol/Terri/Deb could plan a quick getaway then too....just sayin'....

WDWKook awesome pics from Trails End! Now I want to stay at WL more than ever in January - my boys would LOVE the theming of both WL & FW!!

I hope it works out for you and your boys, Tara