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

[CuteAsMinnie]

Sounds great. You should take DS over to the Contempo Cafe to watch the monorails and maybe get a cupcake - or two

(We miss each other by 3 days in July)


Couldn't do it without all you great WL/VWL DISers

(Just noticed in the Log that we miss each other by one day in July)

Really!!?!?!?

 

[cmdg]

Sounds great. You should take DS over to the Contempo Cafe to watch the monorails and maybe get a cupcake - or two

We are going to spend at least one afternoon doing this!

 

[Lucys dad]

We have now stayed at WL for our last 2 visits and having stayed at a number of resorts over the years have decided this is the one for us. Our next visit will be the last week of May first week of June 2014. Coming from Scotland we stay for at least 14 nights. Would love to try Concierge level but 14 nights CL is a little excessive. After booking a 14 night vacation would it be possible to perhaps upgrade for a couple of nights to CL during my stay, perhaps for a weekend ? Not looking to change rooms just pay the extra to use the CL facilities. Would there be scope to do this ?

Also, for work reasons our vacation had always been the first 2 weeks in October so how will the crowds at WL and the parks compare to the end of May start of June.

Thanks folks

 

[Z28KatCar]

Put in my request to IPO today and the person who answered my email didn't know what they were talking about. I asked if they could book the "Her Royal Highness" birthday celebration at CRT but she told me "CRT doesn't do makeovers that is at the BBB and you can reach them at......" She also told me that they don't have bottled water. Does anyone know I that is true? I asked about booking a golf tee time and pricing for club rental and she gave me the info to book it myself. I am going to try again and hope for a more helpful IPO CM.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Dr Ken]

Put in my request to IPO today and the person who answered my email didn't know what they were talking about. I asked if they could book the "Her Royal Highness" birthday celebration at CRT but she told me "CRT doesn't do makeovers that is at the BBB and you can reach them at......" She also told me that they don't have bottled water. Does anyone know I that is true? I asked about booking a golf tee time and pricing for club rental and she gave me the info to book it myself. I am going to try again and hope for a more helpful IPO CM.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

They have Desani bottled water but sometimes they only have large glass bottles not plastic 1/2 liters.

 

[Z28KatCar]

They have Desani bottled water but sometimes they only have large glass bottles not plastic 1/2 liters.

Thank you!!

 

[lovingeire]

Sounds great. You should take DS over to the Contempo Cafe to watch the monorails and maybe get a cupcake - or two

(We miss each other by 3 days in July)

Mmmm...cupcakes! We have reservations at Chef Mickey's so I'm sure there will be some monorail riding and watching while we're there! But now I might have to squeeze in cupcakes at the Contempo too! I am really hoping to do the Pirates and Pals Fireworks cruise from the Contemporary too on a down day, or our arrival day at the moment. I really need to add an extra day for everything we want to do! Too bad I can't extend enough for a meet up with the great WDWKOOK!

 

[andychris14]

Hi, we have never stayed at the wildnerness lodge before and are planning on staying there in august. We have stayed at moderates and values. We are a family of 4, kids are 18 and 16. We will be using the buses. Can anyone please tell me what room/area I can request?
Any information regarding this hotel will be greatly appreciated.
thank you

 

[dansdad]

Can anyone please tell me what room/area I can request?

Check out post #2 of this thread for very detailed descriptions, and pictures, of the different room types, views and locations.

Any information regarding this hotel will be greatly appreciated.
thank you

Posts 1-10 are loaded with awesome, detailed information.

 

[mickeynut1]

We have now stayed at WL for our last 2 visits and having stayed at a number of resorts over the years have decided this is the one for us. Our next visit will be the last week of May first week of June 2014. Coming from Scotland we stay for at least 14 nights. Would love to try Concierge level but 14 nights CL is a little excessive. After booking a 14 night vacation would it be possible to perhaps upgrade for a couple of nights to CL during my stay, perhaps for a weekend ? Not looking to change rooms just pay the extra to use the CL facilities. Would there be scope to do this ?

Also, for work reasons our vacation had always been the first 2 weeks in October so how will the crowds at WL and the parks compare to the end of May start of June.

Thanks folks

Glad you have found your "home" . We love the WL as we've stayed there twice and had great trips both times. As far as CL, you would have to book a CL room as there is no way to book a regular/standard room and just pay for CL amenities. If you wouldn't mind moving, you can always book CL for a few nights at the beginning or end to give it a try. If you do that, I would book at the end of the trip rather than go from CL to a standard room. WL CL was our first CL stay and we loved it. The food offerings were great, the lounge had plenty of seating, and the CL CMs were top notch. If it's doable and you wouldn't mind changing rooms, I would definitely recommend trying CL.....you won't regret it .

 

[ethansmommy]

I remember in 2010 WL has 'special' photographers available where you could book a photo package with pics taken exclusively around WL for a very reasonable price.

I heard last year they were at other resorts but not WL.

Anyone know if they are at WL THIS year? ( I can't find who to call.)

Let me know if you find anything out about this. We would love to do this on our next visit to the lodge!

 

[AngiTN]

Let me know if you find anything out about this. We would love to do this on our next visit to the lodge!

There is a special event photographer you can book. It has nothing to do with WL though. It's a WDW thing, not resort specific. I've got a link someplace. I recall there are 2 options, one longer, with more shooting options and expensive the other shorter, less options and less money. I can't even remember right now what it was called. But I'll work on it.

I saved the link, thank goodness
http://www.disneyeventphotography.com/portraits/

 

[krissypoo1975]

I just wanted to take a second after looking at these pictures to comment on how much I loved the WL. I stayed in the delux room with my young family of 5 back in 2009 and those are my happiest family memories to date. I loved the hotel, the grounds, the pool, the lobby....everything. I will always cherish those memories

 

[cmdg]

DH just asked how likely upgrades are upon check in. I told him that the general rule of thumb is, if you really want an upgrade to pay for it. Then he asked how much it would be to upgrade us to the deluxe room (it would be something like $3000 more)! We stayed in a deluxe room after getting some pixie dust for our honeymoon a few years ago and I think he got spoiled

 

[Wood Nymph]

DH just asked how likely upgrades are upon check in. I told him that the general rule of thumb is, if you really want an upgrade to pay for it. Then he asked how much it would be to upgrade us to the deluxe room (it would be something like $3000 more)! We stayed in a deluxe room after getting some pixie dust for our honeymoon a few years ago and I think he got spoiled

That would be an awesome upgrade.

I think an upgrade from standard is somewhat common. I've seen a lot of people, including my daughter, get a free upgrade from standard to woods view. And I've seen people get free upgrades to courtyard views. Deluxe would be great, but I bet it is harder to come by.

 

[danceteachermom]

Sitting in the lobby of WL right now looking out the spectacular windows and wishing we could stay longer. We have just two hours left and it has been a fabulous vacation. We will definitely be back. Highlights of the lodge for us have included enjoying our first villa style room, Artist Point, the boat ride to MK, and enjoying being on the lake. We used the boats and bikes at the marina, the arcade, the Cub's Den, and the walking path to Fort Wilderness. I am so sad to be leaving.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Sitting in the lobby of WL right now looking out the spectacular windows and wishing we could stay longer. We have just two hours left and it has been a fabulous vacation. We will definitely be back. Highlights of the lodge for us have included enjoying our first villa style room, Artist Point, the boat ride to MK, and enjoying being on the lake. We used the boats and bikes at the marina, the arcade, the Cub's Den, and the walking path to Fort Wilderness. I am so sad to be leaving.

It's own favorite resort, so calming and serene.. Glad you enjoyed it and plan on returning...

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Sitting in the lobby of WL right now looking out the spectacular windows and wishing we could stay longer. We have just two hours left and it has been a fabulous vacation. We will definitely be back. Highlights of the lodge for us have included enjoying our first villa style room, Artist Point, the boat ride to MK, and enjoying being on the lake. We used the boats and bikes at the marina, the arcade, the Cub's Den, and the walking path to Fort Wilderness. I am so sad to be leaving.

But you will always have your special memories!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Let me know if you find anything out about this. We would love to do this on our next visit to the lodge!

Response from IPO....

Howdy!

Yes you can have an "Enhanced Portrait Session" at the Wilderness Lodge, however as you can see from the Disney Fine Art web site below the current price is $350.00.
http://www.disneyeventphotography.com/
They do have a mini photo session priced at $150.00 - however this is only available at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Beach Club Resorts.
If you would like to book one of these packages please let us know so that we can assist you with your reservation..
Happy Trails,
XXXXXX
Walt Disney World Itinerary Planning Office

 

[danceteachermom]

Back home and really missing the lodge this morning. Such great memories we have. I usually pop off the DIS for the next few months as it is my busy time at work. So I thought I would give a few comments about the lodge and our recent stay before I become scarce. We were is a one bedroom villa from 3/29-4/6. The accommodations were wonderful. I am sad that some seem to be calling for villa rooms at WL to be updated. Our room was in great shape and fit the theme perfectly. The appliances were older models but still were in great condition. Carpet and furnishings were also in good condition...the only visible wear was on the woodwork in the room. I think it would be a tremendous waste to rip out perfectly good carpet and appliances. We loved the location of the villa room we had. It was close to the elevator and thus close to Sturdy Branches, the lobby, transportation, the main building, and the path to the lake and main pool.

We had stopped to visit the kids club in January when I was at WDW for work and we were worried it was so small. But our almost 6 year old loved it a d kept requesting to go back. The staff was so nice and they had lots to do. I think he would have gone every night if we let him and it was similar to what we pay sitters at home so the expense did not bother us. We had two great adult only meals and he had a blast meeting other kids and playing.

We ate at Artist Point and it was fantastic. My DD got the scallop dish and my DH and I had the fillet. DS had the noodle dish on the kids menu. We all loved our meals. Service was a bit slow but we would have been fine with the pace if it had just been adults.

We were not fond of Roaring Forks but our kids liked the selections there. We enjoyed the breakfast selections but found the lunch and dinner options boring. We had drinks and appetizers at the Territory Lounge. We liked the drinks and would not do the appetizers there again. Service here was also slow. Service at the pool bar was steady and friendly.

At first we missed our favorite pool at the Coronado but we grew to love the pool area at WL. It was a very busy week at WDW and the pool never felt too crowded. At times it was challenging to find chairs if we arrived after 1 pm and before 5 pm but with patience we always eventually found a spot. The slide was a huge hit with our kids despite being small in comparison to the one at Coronado. We liked being on the lake and used the marina to rent water sprites and one of the 4 person bikes.

Things we loved that will lead us back also include the boat ride to MK. This is so much better than taking a bus! Being close to FW as we enjoyed our first Hoop De Doo, the beautiful lobby, the covered walkway when it was raining, and the ability to get massages on site.

Wireless Internet was great here....much better than at Coronado or Port Orleans.

Things we did not like are few and minimal: sharing busses with other resorts and Roaring Fork as mentioned above.

It is quite possible we will be back to the lodge next spring break since we all loved it. We also might explore Boardwalk Villas or Beach Club villas as being within walking distance of World Showcase is appealing and now that we have stayed in a villa we are intrigued and may try another. We will also explore getting a suite or two connecting rooms at Coronado since we like it there so much. One thing is for sure we will never do a Disney vacation without two separate sleeping areas again. Even though we are only a family of four and could fit in a standard room, having our own bedroom makes it much more of a vacation. Kids and parents were very happy.