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

[TheLodgeLady]

Great pool shot Grand Californian!!! Only 1 more day of work then we're officially on vacation. Even though our flight doesn't actually leave till Monday at 3:00pm, as of 5:01 pm tomorrow I can start to get seriously excited (as if I'm not already)

Come on 5:01 today I hope you can concentrate at work today, I usually can't, just too excited.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks, we love sharing it too. I have so many pictures to go through, but I downloaded some from the good camera to the iPad and sitting on the balcony this morning watching resort busses come and go I found a better water view one. I also found that I have taken a lot of the lobby from the room, but that view still really impresses me. I like having a lobby room, and we totally see the appeal of the "bear face" rooms now.

Here's the lodge from the water:

One of my favorite WDW views - thanks

Morning mug run:

And that was at almost 8:00 AM.

You have the resort pretty much to yourselves. The buses must be pretty empty? What's for dinner tonight?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Transportation changes on the way...

In an interview with Attractions Magazine, Walt Disney World Vice President for Transportation Samuel Lau revealed plans for the future of transportation at the resort.

The resort recently added 28 new buses to its fleet, bringing the total number to 319. After recent testing with a 60-foot articulated bus, there are also plans to purchase a few more of the longer buses to increase capacity. Of course, the larger buses require more space to pull up. A third bus loop will be added at the Magic Kingdom, which will probably take about a year to build.

In addition, more cameras will be added to the buses to supplement the existing camera facing the driver's compartment and front door. The new cameras will capture images outside the bus, allowing Disney to see what happens if a bus gets into an accident or if there's some other incident. The settlement last week of the lawsuit related to the death of a boy who rode his bicycle off of a sidewalk and into the side of a bus points up the possible use of information from these cameras.

Monorails will see a major change, as Disney is working on a new computer-controlled monorail system that will monitor and drive trains in real time, adjusting speeds, keeping safe distance, and enhance efficiency when transferring trains from one beam to another. Monorail drivers will continue to be on the trains, but would be responsible for enabling movement and making spiels to guests. They would no longer actively drive the trains. Despite this, guests would still not be allowed in the cockpit. The automated system would allow the central computer to handle trains to provide gaps during beam transfers that would not cause a complete stoppage of all trains on the beam.

Road work is also underway to increase capacity and improve traffic flow. A new lane has been added to Buena Vista Drive, along with a turn late onto Victory Way to allow traffic to flow more freely to the new Disney's Art of Animation Resort. The left turn lane from Osceola Parkway onto Sherberth Road near Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is being extended, and a new turn lane was extended at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom's bus loops.


From: http://www.mouseplanet.com/10110/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update#transport

 

[jackemail]

Appreciate the photos, GrandCalifornian!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

You have the resort pretty much to yourselves. The buses must be pretty empty? What's for dinner tonight?

The busses usually have been about half full, except for leaving Epcot after Illuminations, then the first bus has been standing room only, but everybody waiting has made it on.

Tonight's dinner was Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney. It was our second visit there, and it is one of the best quick service values on the plan. Today's ADR was lunch at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios. Tomorrow will be Hoop De Doo, which we are all looking forward to.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Appreciate the photos, GrandCalifornian!

No problem, we enjoy taking and sharing them. Any requests?

 

[WDWKOOK]

$399 Premium Annual Passes for DVC Members!

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Sep 12, 2012 | Updated: Sep 12, 2012

Members of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) timeshare program will be the recipients of a great new perk beginning October 1. On a video posted on the DVC website this morning, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Claire Bilby, announced a new discount available from October 1 to December 31, 2012. For just $399, DVC members can purchase a Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass. The normal price of these passes is $699, so that's a savings of $300 (DVC members normally pay $559 for a Premium Annual Pass, so it's still a substantial savings). A Premium Annual Pass allows access to all four theme parks, plus both water parks, Disney Quest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course and free parking.

Passes aren't activated until they have been used for the first time, so take advantage of this deal while it's being offered even if your current annual pass hasn't expired. For DVC members to renew a regular annual pass, it is $385, so for $14 more, you would get the extra benefits a premium annual pass offers over a regular annual pass. DVC members have until December 31, 2013 to activate these passes.

After October 1, DVC members will also get 10% off merchandise at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa, Disney's Vero Beach Resort, and Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Love all the pics. Thanks GC! I have to tell my husband to get that photo kit thing for his i-pad. I don't plan on bringing my laptop so that will come in handy.

Thanks for the transportation update, Kook. I know a lot of people complain about Disney transportation, but I'm actually amazed at how well it runs.

As of today, our WL reservation is PAID IN FULL!!! We will be there in 49 days

 

[WDWKOOK]

Love all the pics. Thanks GC! I have to tell my husband to get that photo kit thing for his i-pad. I don't plan on bringing my laptop so that will come in handy.

Thanks for the transportation update, Kook. I know a lot of people complain about Disney transportation, but I'm actually amazed at how well it runs.

As of today, our WL reservation is PAID IN FULL!!! We will be there in 49 days

Congratulations on being PIF - it seems 'more real' now, doesn't it?

Disney transportation is amazing, I agree. But, the monorail's efficiency and usefulness has unfortunately diminished over the years. With the purchase of more buses and longer ones, it seems that Disney has figured out that buses are the most efficient and cost effective mode of transportation for them. They are extremely flexible in their usage and can easily add or take away buses on an as needed basis. They seem to be trending in the direction of making them the primary mode of transportation and are directing guests away from the monorail by taking it away as a transportation option during PM EMH. This isn't a big issue for most guests, but is a bone of contention for guests who have paid more to stay at the Poly and GF, who as an option, can't even walk to the MK. At least CR/BLT guests have the walkway as a monorail alternative.

If only the buses weren't so cold in the morning

 

[Kathymford]

LOVE LOVE LOVE. So glad to be home.

 

[Kathymford]

LOVE LOVE LOVE. So glad to be home.

 

[LuvGoldens]

LOVE this shot! Lucky you! Still a few more sleeps for us.

 

[monami7]

I am really excited about staying there in Jan!

 

[LuvGoldens]

just saw this post on the restaurant thread about WCC changing its menu on Wednesday.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2993048

 

[DetTigsGal]

GrandCalifornian- am loving your pics, the sun off the water...fantastic. We'll see if the lobby looks like that during Thanksgiving....I'm thinking not.

 

[Kathymford]

LOVE this shot! Lucky you! Still a few more sleeps for us.

Thanks! But I did have some help from my friend Instagram.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

LOVE LOVE LOVE. So glad to be home.

Welcome Home! Today's little bit of rain was interesting but I'll take it over how hot southern California has been the last week. Today the hotel was the busiest I've seen all week, but I bet a noticeable amount of people will leave tomorrow.

Here is a picture we took looking up at our rooms this morning on our way to visit Animal Kingdom:

Then after playing around there we came back for the first seating of Hoop De Doo. We had AWESOME seats right up front and loved the show and the food, although Trails End ribs are still winning the competition

Tomorrow we start the day at WCC for breakfast.

 

[marymac123]

I have to get packing done-We leave tomorrow morning!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

just saw this post on the restaurant thread about WCC changing its menu on Wednesday.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2993048

Thank you so much for posting this. I need to get over to that board more often. This might explain why the CMs were all too happy to give DD both a breakfast and lunch menu to take home.

What do you all think of these changes? I'm certain the motivation comes down simply to $$$. Taking away the skillet at lunch and salad at dinner makes financial sense for WCC and probably makes it easier on the servers and chefs. But, removing à la carte options for the guest and thereby limiting choices probably won't be well received. Our DD, for example, doesn't like the skillet at dinner and DD and I prefer an à la carte option at breakfast. I'm predicting that breakfast will eventually go the way of dinner. Reducing menu options seems to be a big trend at WDW and IMHO, an unfortunate one.

Welcome Home! Today's little bit of rain was interesting but I'll take it over how hot southern California has been the last week. Today the hotel was the busiest I've seen all week, but I bet a noticeable amount of people will leave tomorrow.

Here is a picture we took looking up at our rooms this morning on our way to visit Animal Kingdom:

Then after playing around there we came back for the first seating of Hoop De Doo. We had AWESOME seats right up front and loved the show and the food, although Trails End ribs are still winning the competition

Tomorrow we start the day at WCC for breakfast.

Thanks for the fun photos.

When you're at WCC today, would you mind confirming the changes that are said to be taking place to the WCC menu on Wednesday? If you can't, don't worry about it - we can put marymac on the job

I have to get packing done-We leave tomorrow morning!!!

Safe travels and we hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[JCTurner]

Hi everyone

69 days to go and I was wondering whether the "movies under the stars" activities are still run in the late November early December season (given how cold the nights can be) ?

Thanks

J