(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~2014~

[wollydoodle]

I'm sorry your post was missed and I've added your dates to the Lodgers' Log. Are you booked STD View? You can request a bunk with a SV booking, but I don't know how many there are or exactly where they're located with that view. The bunks are randomly scattered throughout the resort. I hope you get your request.

Thanks, WDWKOOK! We're booked woods view but I'm just not sure if there are any in the upper floors over the WCC. I'll give them a call and find out. So excited to be added to the lodgers log! Thanks again for all your help!!

 

[G719]

Hello! We are booked November 14-21, 2015! Celebrating our 15th anniversary by staying at club level. This will be our first time at WL. We have done AoA and ASMu.

DH lets me do all the planning and he just shows up for the trip. I was going to keep our resort secret until we got there. Kind of a surprise for our anniversary. Of course I have been reading all about WL and the club level to pass the time until the trip.

So last night he comes home and tells me about his co worker who stayed at GF and payed extra and got access to a part of the resort where they had food out all day. Lol. I tell him yeah they call that the club level rooms and they have that at deluxe resorts. I may have been laughing to myself as he was telling me about it because he didn't think I knew about this secret of WDW. Just hope I can keep the secret from him and the kids for 400 more days!

 

[Sandy321]

Tell me if I am asking this on the wrong thread. I am still learning to navigate. Anyway, we booked a 2br at the Villas. How do room requests work there? Any good resources on which rooms I would want to request? Thoughts on a dedicated two bedroom vs. a lockoff 2 bedroom? Opinions wanted!! Thanks!

I'm also not much help - but since you are booking the villas, I'm thinking this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3242976&page=108 may be able to answer your question - the posters there are helpful and kind

(its from the Villas Wilderness Lodge groupie thread over on DVC board)

 

[BlueFairy]

Tell me if I am asking this on the wrong thread. I am still learning to navigate. Anyway, we booked a 2br at the Villas. How do room requests work there? Any good resources on which rooms I would want to request? Thoughts on a dedicated two bedroom vs. a lockoff 2 bedroom? Opinions wanted!! Thanks!

My understanding is that the lockoff are a combo 1BR + studio (queen with murphy bed, kitchenette) but the dedicated has the same 1BR with the second BR having 2 Queens.

 

[danikoski]

Staying at Wilderness Lodge in a Woods View room Jan. 19-27 for our honeymoon! Sooooo excited!
Last November, two friends and I stopped into RF to grab a bite to eat because we wanted to take a boat over to Fort Wilderness. Food was pretty good, smore cupcake was awesome, and we sat out on the patio and the surroundings were amazing...actually, the surroundings/lobby/ambiance are what made me book for our honeymoon, especially when the Visa discounts came out.
Just a quick question...does the boat to Contemporary still run in January? I know it is a slower time and they sometimes change boat schedules during slow times. We want to go to California Grill for a lunch/afternoon bite on the day we go to MK and then head back to WL to relax before heading back to MK for late night extra magic hours.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Staying at Wilderness Lodge in a Woods View room Jan. 19-27 for our honeymoon! Sooooo excited! Last November, two friends and I stopped into RF to grab a bite to eat because we wanted to take a boat over to Fort Wilderness. Food was pretty good, smore cupcake was awesome, and we sat out on the patio and the surroundings were amazing...actually, the surroundings/lobby/ambiance are what made me book for our honeymoon, especially when the Visa discounts came out. Just a quick question...does the boat to Contemporary still run in January? I know it is a slower time and they sometimes change boat schedules during slow times. We want to go to California Grill for a lunch/afternoon bite on the day we go to MK and then head back to WL to relax before heading back to MK for late night extra magic hours.

Yes, the boat to CR is year round. Usually there are two boats doing the loop on Bay Lake, going in opposite directions. If the first boat to arrive is going clockwise, then CR is the first stop and only about five minutes away. If the boat is going the other direction it stops at FW first and then the CR, but it is a nice ride.

Congratulations on choosing WL for your honeymoon. We did that in 2007 and had a wonderful time. WL will always be special to you guys.

 

[Figments Father]

That sounds Really cool. Were you just picked or did you volunteer?

We volunteered at check-in!

 

[Sara1Babe]

Is there anywhere in WL to get in on the cobbler action if you're not staying at CL?

I love cobbler toooooo

 

[WDWKOOK]

Includes some construction photos:
A Walking Tour of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The DIS 10/7/14​

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks, WDWKOOK! We're booked woods view but I'm just not sure if there are any in the upper floors over the WCC. I'll give them a call and find out. So excited to be added to the lodgers log! Thanks again for all your help!!

If you're booked WV, then you'll have to book a Woods/Bunk in order to get them. They're only by-request when booked in a SV or CL room.

Hello! We are booked November 14-21, 2015! Celebrating our 15th anniversary by staying at club level. This will be our first time at WL. We have done AoA and ASMu.

DH lets me do all the planning and he just shows up for the trip. I was going to keep our resort secret until we got there. Kind of a surprise for our anniversary. Of course I have been reading all about WL and the club level to pass the time until the trip.

So last night he comes home and tells me about his co worker who stayed at GF and payed extra and got access to a part of the resort where they had food out all day. Lol. I tell him yeah they call that the club level rooms and they have that at deluxe resorts. I may have been laughing to myself as he was telling me about it because he didn't think I knew about this secret of WDW. Just hope I can keep the secret from him and the kids for 400 more days!

I could never keep that a secret. That's so ironic that his friend mentioned CL at the GF. I wonder if his friend also told him about the adult beverages. I've added your dates to the Log in POST 2.

Staying at Wilderness Lodge in a Woods View room Jan. 19-27 for our honeymoon! Sooooo excited!
Last November, two friends and I stopped into RF to grab a bite to eat because we wanted to take a boat over to Fort Wilderness. Food was pretty good, smore cupcake was awesome, and we sat out on the patio and the surroundings were amazing...actually, the surroundings/lobby/ambiance are what made me book for our honeymoon, especially when the Visa discounts came out.

Just a quick question...does the boat to Contemporary still run in January? I know it is a slower time and they sometimes change boat schedules during slow times. We want to go to California Grill for a lunch/afternoon bite on the day we go to MK and then head back to WL to relax before heading back to MK for late night extra magic hours.

Welcome and congratulations! I'll add your Disneymoon dates to the Lodgers' Log.

Just so you're not surprised, CA Grill is only open for dinner and you'll need an ADR unless you only want to sit at the bar, which is first-come, first-served. Some like to time their CA Grill ADR so they'll be there during Wishes. CA Grill has an amazing view, but the bar area doesn't offer a window view. Alternatively, The Wave (TS) and Contempo Cafe (QS) are open at lunch. CC has a lovely monorail view, but The Wave has no windows.

Is there anywhere in WL to get in on the cobbler action if you're not staying at CL?

I love cobbler toooooo

YES! Cobbler is also served at Artist Point and Territory Lounge and they include ice cream. Click the hyperlink below to view the photo.

Artist Point Cobbler - with Seasonal Berries and House-made Black Raspberry ice Cream. NOTE: Gluten, sugar and nut-free available. $11.00

 

[danikoski]

If you're booked WV, then you'll have to book a Woods/Bunk in order to get them. They're only by-request when booked in a SV or CL room.


I could never keep that a secret. That's so ironic that his friend mentioned CL at the GF. I wonder if his friend also told him about the adult beverages. I've added your dates to the Log in POST 2.

Welcome and congratulations! I'll add your Disneymoon dates to the Lodgers' Log.

Just so you're not surprised, CA Grill is only open for dinner and you'll need an ADR unless you only want to sit at the bar, which is first-come, first-served. Some like to time their CA Grill ADR so they'll be there during Wishes. CA Grill has an amazing view, but the bar area doesn't offer a window view. Alternatively, The Wave (TS) and Contempo Cafe (QS) are open at lunch. CC has a lovely monorail view, but The Wave has no windows.


YES! Cobbler is also served at Artist Point and Territory Lounge and they include ice cream. Click the hyperlink below to view the photo.

Artist Point Cobbler - with Seasonal Berries and House-made Black Raspberry ice Cream. NOTE: Gluten, sugar and nut-free available. $11.00

Thanks for the info about California Grill...I noticed today when I was looking at ADRs...although we could stop on our way back to MK for the night...maybe will just have some of that yummy looking cobbler for lunch
Also, this will be my soon to be husbands first time at Disney World...hoping to make him a Disney fan

 

[morrismhs]

Heading back to WL for our first MVMCP. So excited. Sad to not have gotten CL there but we got a woods view bunk bed so it is all good

 

[ElsaColon]

What a great post and story - love it! And, what a cute photo to go along with it. I think your thoughts would be greatly appreciated by Disney. They'll forward your comments on to WL and a manager will share it with staff at their weekly meetings. I know it would make everyone smile.

I'm sorry about Radio Disney and I hope that something bigger and better comes along soon for you. Are you hoping to someday be a CM again perhaps at WDW?

Thank you! I will make sure to pass along my comment to the WL staff.

As far as working for the company. I would love to work in Orlando but my husbands business is based out of Miami so I don't think I'll be able to work at the parks any time soon. There are opportunites for Disney Cruise Line and ABC in Miami so hopefully that pans out. I would love to work for the company again one day!

 

[BlueFairy]

Is there anywhere in WL to get in on the cobbler action if you're not staying at CL?

I love cobbler toooooo

We found it on the WCC menu. The girls were too tired to stay for dessert, so I asked for it to go. The waiter said "we don't usually do that to go" but reconsidered when I said it would be fine without the ice cream. I'm sure it was better WITH the ice cream, but it was delicious as a bed time treat after I got through digesting my giant WCC meal. In August it was blueberry peach and was served in individual crockery.

 

[Lacoccinelle]

It will be my first time having Garden Grocer delivered to a resort. I usually have a local friend drive me to a store, but they are just so far away and this seemed easy.

It says on their site that I need to meet them there or arrange for someone. I see that most people have just had someone at the lodge handles it. Do you call and let them know or just tell them when you check in or nothing?

Also, I have ordered 10 gallons of water. Will the lodge CMs take it up or the GG people? I included a tip for GG, but want to tip whoever does that task!
Thanks!
Twenty days!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

So excited to be spending Christmas at the WL! I'm really starting to get even more excited now that it's almost time to choose our fastpasses. I'd love to be added to the log, we are 12/19-12/26 on CL. This will be our first time away from home on Christmas, the kids are hoping Santa can find us! Would love to meet any other DISers who will be there.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

It will be my first time having Garden Grocer delivered to a resort. I usually have a local friend drive me to a store, but they are just so far away and this seemed easy.

It says on their site that I need to meet them there or arrange for someone. I see that most people have just had someone at the lodge handles it. Do you call and let them know or just tell them when you check in or nothing?

Also, I have ordered 10 gallons of water. Will the lodge CMs take it up or the GG people? I included a tip for GG, but want to tip whoever does that task!
Thanks!
Twenty days!

We have ordered from GG multiple times at WL, and they drop your order off with Bell Services. If it arrives when you are not there they will hold the order for you, and will keep cold items refrigerated. When you arrive at the room and are ready to have the items delivered, you just call Bell Services and they will send everything up to you. Then at that point you can tip the bell person for bringing them up.

We have never notified WL ahead of time, and usually have the order delivered the day we arrive before we check in. It really works great.

 

[hbr03]

We're home!!!

 

[bookgirl]

17 days to Checkin!!!

I have figured out the photo posting from my phone (at least I've done it once).

Have a car rented for our first day. (Will pick up at MCO then turn in at the Dolphin Monday. We plan to do a grocery run and then swing by the outlet first thing Monday morn).

I decided against the special package for F&W guests ($400 and we wouldn't even get to go to the party) and instead spent about half as much and ordered some fun stuff from Disney Floral. (got the blue lunch cooler with snacks, the large family tote with snacks, a red mickey ear balloon, and two mickey ghost light up laynards). It's a surprise for my mom, the tote is going to have NANA embroidered on it, and I couldn't resist getting myself that cute blue cooler bag).

I am trying to figure out any other last minute things I want to mess with, but I think I'm okay as far as FP+ and ADR's go.

Now I just need to start thinking about packing, what bags I'll carry in park and what specialized foods (for me) I need to bring and what I can pick up in Orlando's Walmart.

I know I over think things but it's so much easier for me to plan for every variation and backup variations before I go so that I can just hang out and go with the flow while actually on vacation.

 

[BlondeBelle]

Hello Lodgers!
I've been lurking for a while, reading up on the resort that I've decided to return to after 17 years. Since the lodge was the last place I stayed all those years ago, I hesitated, but the beauty of the resort won out. I am so appreciative for all the tips and the updates, and looking forward to seeing pics of the completed pool!
Boyfriend and I will be staying Jan 24-Feb 1, courtyard view. I've got a conference Jan 29-31, which is what took us to Orlando. As soon as BF heard I was going to Orlando, he wanted to go to WDW.
So on those days, we plan on just having a late dinner in in either Magic Kingdom or EPCOT. Has anyone here rented a car for a few days?