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

[WDWKOOK]

Have fun! See ya here!

I'll PM you and mommadjones after we get back from AK to see if this might work on Thursday or Friday.

I've been thinking about you this morning wondering if you have checked in to WL yet!

I'm so excited about returning to WL on Saturday! We haven't been since January. I just might give every WL CM I see a big hug!!

They would love that! Have a safe trip

Have a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time!

We're in a rental home this week with our daughter, our son and his 4 children. Our grandchildren are 14, 11, 7 & 3 1/2. The youngest is a very special needs child. The older 3 are loving this big house with quirky layout mostly due to the beautiful heated pool. The sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan is just 1/2 block away - but it is 50 steps down to the beach! Thank goodness for the well constructed sets of wooden steps. I'm going to need a vacation for me following this vacation.

Awww, thank you, Kathy - we are having a wonderful visit.

Vacations can be both fun and stressful, can't they? You're making wonderful memories for your grandchildren, but at the same time, it can be a challenge I would imagine, especially with a VSN child. The beach and pool sounds perfect, but you may need to do some WL planning when you get home

I may be nuts... But I just texted your post to DH!
You make us all feel like we're there!!!

Nuts? You fit right in here. But, it's a good nutty

KOOK, how did I ever miss a new WL FAQ thread! It has been a long month, not on the DIS much, but glad to have found the new thread...fingers crossed for 4 ngts at WL in January for the RC gals!

So glad you enjoyed BLT - that W/D is a real pull for me in a one bedroom...and 2 bathrooms might be the clincher!

Know you'll be happy to be home at WL today! Have fun and thanks so much for the live updates!

I don't know how you missed it, but we missed you - glad you found us!

The BLT villa was perfect and a nice anniversary touch, but I think if we were to do another split, DH prefers YC/CL over BLT, whereas DD and I preferred BLT - separate splits perhaps?

All of you on your trips now or just coming back are making me ansy!! I have 25 days left!! It would be 24 if only a WL villa would open up (DVC)! But being inside 30 days I'm not counting on that happening. I really don't want to go to another resort at the beginning of the trip just for one day! Oh well, one more Disney day will just have to wait!

Hope everyone is having a great time!

Don't give up!!!! If VWL doesn't open up could you at least stay at WL?

We've been to Disney twice, this will be our third, with 14 and 17-y/o boys. Youngest will beat us down there with "band" from his high school and staying at a different resort. Looking to extend his trip with us though, and I've checked out the beginning of this thread and all the pics. Without sounding incredibly stupid, where do I even start to check into prices for this place and discounts, etc.? Just joined this website today, so go easy on me!!

to the WL/VWL thread, colbran! Yes, definitely consult www.mousesavers.com for always up to the minute listings of all available discounts. Feel free to post any questions you might have. No question is dumb as others might have the same question

Hope you have a MAGICAL time...

Thank you - we are!

Cant wait to see Pictures!!!!

I've taken many and have edited and uploaded some to PhotoBucket. I'll post some soon.

Just finished reading the whole thread! Whew! Now even more excited for our trip the 19-29 of sept! Can't wait!

Would you like to be added to the Lodgers' Log on the first page?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Had to move to the table under the mirror with the nifty outlet to charge the ol' MacBook.

Kook so glad you are home!!!! Sorry about your dinner at AP....we had a great meal!!

I kind of wish we hadn't done OCI for our WL stay because our check in was rather slow and tedious.

I'm not going to do OCI for our April trip though.

Glad you are having a wonderful time!!

Were there others ahead of you when you checked in? OCI for CL shouldn't have made any difference in speed since the check-in process is the same. OCI for a non-CL stay, however, can vary. In fact, when we checked in at the CR for our BLT stay, the OCI line was longer then the non-OCI line. I'm beginning to think that OCI is overrated

Sorry about Artist Point......

but glad you made it "home" ENJOY!!!!

I love trying new things and even old things again so we sort of laughed it all off. We tried Sci. Fi. again today. We hadn't eaten there in years and by golly, it was great!

So glad you are happily unpacked in the most wonderful place at Disney WL/CL. I am so counting the days (65) until my trip. I can't wait to see the new rooms. You may have already mentioned this, but was there any rennovation to the OFC?

Sorry to hear about AP. I had a bad buffalo steak there once and they offered me a new entree. I have been watching the seasonal menu changes in the signatures and was sad to see my favorite chocolate dessert was no longer on the AP menu.

I cannot believe that I am going to squeeze 3 WL/CL trips into one year... I feel like I have an addiction and may need a support group.

Hope you have an awesome day at DHS.

I love your 'addiction'. No renovation to the OFC as this was done in recent years. But, there is a new feature that was just added today to Humphrey Jr and I just LOVE it!!

Kook, I'm glad you are having a great time. I love the feeling walking into the WL. It's so magical!!!!! Have a great trip!!!!

You're so right! Just today, when we got off the DHS bus, I made everyone walk from the bus stop to the front of the resort just so I could enter through the lobby rather than the VWL/side door

I hear you on the security checks. My youngest daughter has a pacemaker, and it's a huge pain now to go through security. TSA won't do pat downs for children under a certain age unless they have approval from a supervisor and they just have no clue what to do. I flew with her in June and it was just silly. She was three months old at the time, weighed about ten pounds, and they swiped her palms to check for metal debris. They had my stuff go through the scanners and then rifled through it. I had to hold her out so they could inspect her from all sides, then they patted me down. I have four kids and a full time job. If I had time to build a bomb my house would be a lot cleaner than it is.

Kook - I'm sorry about your meal at AP. We ate there years ago and it was really good, but I can't remember at all what I ate (end of trip exhaustion, I think). That's fantastic that you could check into WL so early, though.

I read your post aloud to DH and we're both appalled at the treatment you and your DD received due in part to our policy of not profiling. Was DD a preemie? How is she doing?

Hi KOOK . Sounds like this trip is working out well in terms of resorts. You struggled a bit (thank goodness you aren't stroking the fire and priming the pump at FW)and seemed to have found a great split stay, BLuT, then your beloved CL WL! Hope the cobbler is delicious, the view gorgeous and that you are having a wonderful time!

You were SO right - what WAS I thinking? Thank you for your loyal interventions and lucidity

We always take trains whenever we can, it's so much nicer a way to travel. Sometimes you just can't of course.

Our first visit to WDW we took the train from orlando to new york. Nice! At least that way you get to see something of the country instead of just flying over it. I loved seeing that in a town along the way they actually had build a podium with rocking chairs and all for the trainspotters!!

Our next visit (pleasepleas hopefully) in may next year we plan to take the train from orlando to new york.

Arriving by train is far far far far more restfull than arriving by plain. Not always cheaper, often actually more expensive, but well, just nicer.

Keep us posted on when you book your trip

Are there any "Wilderness Lodge" items in the mercantile this year? I got a great (and soft) t-shirt there 3 years ago.

We've been to other resorts the last couple of years, but we didn't see any "resort specific" items at any of the resorts we were at. We are heading there in 2 weeks.

Thanks!

Perfect question timing! Of the Deluxes, CR is the only resort I'm aware of that has no resort branded merchandise at all. I asked yet again, and they have no idea if they will ever get any. I did find one sketch of the CR in with the DVC items in Fantasia Market.

WL has more than most (and the Poly), but you have to grab what you like when you see it or you may never see it again. In addition to the items pictures, there are sketches of WL behind the counter nearest the lobby, a car sticker, and a key chain.

Hi there. I don't have any photos but YES they are starting to get in more "resort specific" items. Lots of t-shirts. There was a really nice one for men and a v-neck for women that had the totem with Humphrey on it! They also had lots of DVC items.

Maybe KOOK can get some photos for us (hint).

Thank you! You make me feel very special. It was wonderful meeting you and your beautiful family also! Wish we had more time to chat.

Next time! Even if we are not staying, we will come up.

Sounds like a wonderful plan - thank you!

kook so glad that you are at our beloved WL. Have a wonderful vacation .... can't wait to see some pictures!

It gets better each visit - yet another reason to plan another trip!

What Linda said!!

yes pictures!!

Today's towel creations by Jonnet the amazing Lodgekeeper. (When they knock on the doors they announce, "Lodgekeeping!")

Pictures would be awesome!

My DW and I are watching his thread closely as we are both looking foward to our first stay at WL in four weeks!

JD

I don't have to tell you how much you're going to love your first stay at WL. Make sure you have that noted in your reservation and keep watching for more photos - hopefully tomorrow

We just spent three days at WL. Sunday through Tuesday of this week. Dh, myself, dd and dgd age 10. It was our first time there. We loved, loved, loved the lodge. We had an inner courtyard room (6011) that overlooked the pool, geyser and a view of the lake. The room and the location were perfect. Wish we could have stayed longer...maybe next time.

You arrived on our departure day. I'm so glad you loved your first visit and I do hope you can stay much longer next time and can book another trip soon

 

[jecskc]

I have a VERY badly sprained ankle and I have to rent a scooter for our trip in 2 weeks. We are staying Sept. 7-14 at WLV. Does anyone know if you can take your scooter on the boat over to MK ?? Just curious.

 

[LuvGoldens]

Thank you Kook for the photos!!! LOVE all the WL merchandise. You've helped feed my WL addiction for today and now I can go to bed.

Do you know if they're on schedule with the room reno's? We're bkd in CY Bunkbed category and I was thinking of requesting south wing, towards the end of the wing to have a decent sideways lake view as well (depends of course on which rooms have the bunkbeds).

Enjoy your day tomorrow!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Kook. There were people in front of us in the OCI line. We weren't taken upstairs to check in. We just stood in OCI line for about 25 minutes and then got checked in. Then, when the CM saw we were club level, she did escort us upstairs but we already had all of our stuff.

I think we didn't go about check in the right way.

 

[PrincessAlways]

Thanks for the pics!!!!!

 

[Smileybug]

Good morning ya'll.
I very seldom post ....mostly lurk. But I love the thread and all of the information. As well as the general excitement that is always here.
In 3 months from today my DH and I will be back in our favorite place.

 

[R2-JD]

I don't have to tell you how much you're going to love your first stay at WL. Make sure you have that noted in your reservation and keep watching for more photos - hopefully tomorrow

Kook- thanks so much for the pictures! And thanks for the advice about noting our first visit in the reservation.

Can't wait until September 18th!!!

JD

 

[Bisoubird]

I just found this thread and have lots of reading to catch up!! We are officially booked at WL from 11/24-12/1. We booked a standard room but I'm having 2nd thoughts. Is there a standard room recommendation I could request to make the best of it or do you think I should upgrade? I don't want to spend too much more if possible. This is our first Disney vacation and we cannot wait! It will be me, my husband and our almost 3 year old daughter! Thanks everyone!

 

[marymac123]

KOOK--- Thank Goodness about the "No Bear Feet" sign...the stuff we see some guests do up there can be quite scarey.

Lodgekeeping???...Now I have to go and redo all my tip envelopes...that's what I get for being prepared.

Thanks for the photos, DD wanted an totem pole this trip, good to see they still have them.

 

[gwynne]

Kook,
Thanks for the great photos! I think the lodge has super merchandise.
Have a great rest of your vacation!!

 

[Viking_53]

Thank you, thank you, thank you...for the pictures of the WL mercantile merchandise!!

We can't wait for our trip to start on 9/4. We'll be there until 9/8 - we then take the Disney Fantasy to the Eastern Carribbean!

Please add us to the Lodger's Log as well!

Thanks again!!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I just found this thread and have lots of reading to catch up!! We are officially booked at WL from 11/24-12/1. We booked a standard room but I'm having 2nd thoughts. Is there a standard room recommendation I could request to make the best of it or do you think I should upgrade? I don't want to spend too much more if possible. This is our first Disney vacation and we cannot wait! It will be me, my husband and our almost 3 year old daughter! Thanks everyone!

You might want to request a high floor, which will give you a better chance at seeing more than what is right below the outside of your room, which may be a service area. It also will put more space between you and the busy and sometimes loud WCC restaurant if you end up in the North Lobby area. If you're on the North side you may have a chance at looking towards the Magic Kingdom.

We book standard rooms as well and take what we get. We have been upgraded to a Courtyard view before and loved it, but we will take our chances and since we don't spend all that much time on the balcony it isn't worth extra cost for us. There isn't a bad room at the WL. (Although some will argue some views are definitely better than others...)

Enjoy your trip, WDW is a great place, and we hope our almost 3 year old enjoys it as much as we have in the past. We are going in two weeks so we'll let you know how it goes!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Thank you, thank you, thank you...for the pictures of the WL mercantile merchandise!!

We can't wait for our trip to start on 9/4. We'll be there until 9/8 - we then take the Disney Fantasy to the Eastern Carribbean!

Please add us to the Lodger's Log as well!

Thanks again!!

We arrive on the 8th as you head out, and thanks to Kook's pictures we are already planning a big mercantile trip to buy our favorites. Perhaps we should pack less to make room for what we'll buy!

Thanks again KOOK!

 

[PamelaKay]

Kook thanks for the great pics!

Love, Love Love the new "No Bear Feet" sign.

Would love to drool over a cobbler pic!

I think a new WL t-shirt is in my near (64 days but who is counting) future!

 

[marymac123]

FYI Jet Blue is running an upto 20% off flights for today only. I was on the phone for over 40 mins & got a $144 credit. I think I will start to plan next year's trip before we even leave for this one!

 

[Kathymford]

Loving the photos!! Honestly, this is our third trip, and I don't think the days have ever passed this slowly!! What gives!!!

Anyhow, all of the reports are soothing, but make me even more anxious to go!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Your evening SnapBucket photos taken from the shores of Bay Lake on the WL beach:

 

[WDWKOOK]

GatorEye: The carriage rides are no longer going to/from WL and Flag Family is still on hold due to the roof repair. It was supposed to start back up this week, but it's been delayed.

I have a VERY badly sprained ankle and I have to rent a scooter for our trip in 2 weeks. We are staying Sept. 7-14 at WLV. Does anyone know if you can take your scooter on the boat over to MK ?? Just curious.

I'm sorry that your ankle is sprained, but I believe that you can bring your scooter/unfolded strollers onto the MK boat that is covered. Hopefully, someone will verify this.

Thank you Kook for the photos!!! LOVE all the WL merchandise. You've helped feed my WL addiction for today and now I can go to bed.

Do you know if they're on schedule with the room reno's? We're bkd in CY Bunkbed category and I was thinking of requesting south wing, towards the end of the wing to have a decent sideways lake view as well (depends of course on which rooms have the bunkbeds).

Enjoy your day tomorrow!

The entire rehab is scheduled to be completed in about 4 weeks, slightly ahead of schedule.

I hope you had sweet dreams

Kook. There were people in front of us in the OCI line. We weren't taken upstairs to check in. We just stood in OCI line for about 25 minutes and then got checked in. Then, when the CM saw we were club level, she did escort us upstairs but we already had all of our stuff.

I think we didn't go about check in the right way.

No, you didn't go about it the right way, unless you arrived when CL was closed - before 0700 or after 10. Between those hours, you are escorted up to the 7th floor, whether you've done OCI or not. There's always next time

Thanks for the pics!!!!!

You're welcome!

Good morning ya'll.
I very seldom post ....mostly lurk. But I love the thread and all of the information. As well as the general excitement that is always here.
In 3 months from today my DH and I will be back in our favorite place.

Don't be a stranger and have a magical vacation with DH

Kook- thanks so much for the pictures! And thanks for the advice about noting our first visit in the reservation.

Can't wait until September 18th!!!

JD

You're welcome and 9/18 will be here before you know it, JD!

I just found this thread and have lots of reading to catch up!! We are officially booked at WL from 11/24-12/1. We booked a standard room but I'm having 2nd thoughts. Is there a standard room recommendation I could request to make the best of it or do you think I should upgrade? I don't want to spend too much more if possible. This is our first Disney vacation and we cannot wait! It will be me, my husband and our almost 3 year old daughter! Thanks everyone!

I've heard mostly positive comments about the Standard Views, especially the higher floors where you can see some of Wishes.

KOOK--- Thank Goodness about the "No Bear Feet" sign...the stuff we see some guests do up there can be quite scarey.

Lodgekeeping???...Now I have to go and redo all my tip envelopes...that's what I get for being prepared.

Thanks for the photos, DD wanted an totem pole this trip, good to see they still have them.

Sorry to be the 'BEARer' of bad news, but the sign had to be removed today until it receives official approval from the Disney sign Gods. I miss it already

Don't re-do your envelopes - they will be gratefully accepted and appreciated

Kook,
Thanks for the great photos! I think the lodge has super merchandise.
Have a great rest of your vacation!!

Thank you and I agree.

Thank you, thank you, thank you...for the pictures of the WL mercantile merchandise!!

We can't wait for our trip to start on 9/4. We'll be there until 9/8 - we then take the Disney Fantasy to the Eastern Carribbean!

Please add us to the Lodger's Log as well!

Thanks again!!

I shall add you and you are very welcome - I'm glad I was able to help

We arrive on the 8th as you head out, and thanks to Kook's pictures we are already planning a big mercantile trip to buy our favorites. Perhaps we should pack less to make room for what we'll buy!

Thans again KOOK!

You're welcome and I think packing less is a great idea or you could just ship the items back. But if you see something you like, grab it before it's too late.

Kook thanks for the great pics!

Love, Love Love the new "No Bear Feet" sign.

Would love to drool over a cobbler pic!

I think a new WL t-shirt is in my near (64 days but who is counting) future!

I loved, loved, loved it, too. Hate having to use the past tense, but hopefully it'll be back soon.

I think a fresh cobbler/dessert photo can be arranged - can you wait until after 8 tonight?

FYI Jet Blue is running an upto 20% off flights for today only. I was on the phone for over 40 mins & got a $144 credit. I think I will start to plan next year's trip before we even leave for this one!

YES! A new trip! Keep us posted, Mary!

Loving the photos!! Honestly, this is our third trip, and I don't think the days have ever passed this slowly!! What gives!!!

Anyhow, all of the reports are soothing, but make me even more anxious to go!!

Oh, I know it just feels like molasses and then all of a sudden it's almost time to leave and pre-trip panic sets in. You'll be here soon, Kathy!

 

[Mousemommy1]

GatorEye: The carriage rides are no longer going to/from WL and Flag Family is still on hold due to the roof repair. It was supposed to start back up this week, but it's been delayed.




I'm sorry that your ankle is sprained, but I believe that you can bring your scooter/unfolded strollers onto the MK boat that is covered. Hopefully, someone will verify this.


The entire rehab is scheduled to be completed in about 4 weeks, slightly ahead of schedule.

I hope you had sweet dreams


No, you didn't go about it the right way, unless you arrived when CL was closed - before 0700 or after 10. Between those hours, you are escorted up to the 7th floor, whether you've done OCI or not. There's always next time


You're welcome!


Don't be a stranger and have a magical vacation with DH


You're welcome and 9/18 will be here before you know it, JD!


I've heard mostly positive comments about the Standard Views, especially the higher floors where you can see some of Wishes.


Sorry to be the 'BEARer' of bad news, but the sign had to be removed today until it receives official approval from the Disney sign Gods. I miss it already

Don't re-do your envelopes - they will be gratefully accepted and appreciated


Thank you and I agree.


I shall add you and you are very welcome - I'm glad I was able to help


You're welcome and I think packing less is a great idea or you could just ship the items back. But if you see something you like, grab it before it's too late.


I loved, loved, loved it, too. Hate having to use the past tense, but hopefully it'll be back soon.

I think a fresh cobbler/dessert photo can be arranged - can you wait until after 8 tonight?


YES! A new trip! Keep us posted, Mary!


Oh, I know it just feels like molasses and then all of a sudden it's almost time to leave and pre-trip panic sets in. You'll be here soon, Kathy!

Nope. I arrived at 11 am.

Who should I have asked to go upstairs? The bell men? I had been under the impression that someone would approach us, and I felt pretentious asking for it....