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

[SquirmansWife]

21 days to go! So excited to get to the Lodge! Thanks, everyone, for all of the pictures and updates lately!

 

[Wood Nymph]

There is a shared CR/WL/FW from WL. You may wait a max of 20 min for a boat (at worst?). I believe from WL it goes to CR in the mornings. In the evenings the path is reversed and I think it goes to FW first. At least it used to. So after boarding and then allow 20-30 minutes for the trip and the walk up to CM. So leave by 4:35. But leaving a bit earlier would allow some breathing room, time to enjoy the CR and the 4th floor concourse, and maybe even shorten your wait for a table if you arrive and checkin early.

Someone who has stayed more recently or in a busy season will correct me if I'm wrong. This is how it was running in our December and May trips..

There are two boats in the evening, one travels clockwise between CR/WL/FW and the other one travels counter-clockwise. I've seen both of them at the same time. The boats seem to be used a lot by people going to their ADR's at the three resorts. You can usually tell who is going to FW for Hoop Dee Doo and who is going to CR or WL to dine at the signature restaurant by what they are wearing.

 

[BlueFairy]

There are two boats in the evening, one travels clockwise between CR/WL/FW and the other one travels counter-clockwise. I've seen both of them at the same time. The boats seem to be used a lot by people going to their ADR's at the three resorts. You can usually tell who is going to FW for Hoop Dee Doo and who is going to CR or WL to dine at the signature restaurant by what they are wearing.

Great to know! Faster and more seats for everyone.

 

[kastoney]

Has anyone ever brought their child into Territory Lounge with them? DD will be 9. We want to check out any yummy snacks and she would never allow it without her

Haven't brought mine in but asked a similar question and was informed kids are ok in the lounge. We plan to check it out while there in sep,

 

[wilecoyote]

38 days to go. after a little Disney magic and some serious pixie dust we were upgraded to CL. its my first time on the CL. Not sure totally what to expect but it looks fabulous and we might have to adjust some adr's now. WE have had several stays at the lodge before which is by far my favorite resort. I will trade CL for the pool any day.

Can't wait

 

[grkmbee]

I am right there with you! Even my lists have lists! I am not kidding- my packing list has sub-lists according to what goes where (mostly because we are driving and making 2 stops along the way)
Plus, I recently mentioned a special event a few pages back that I was asked to help plan without anyone but my DH knowing my involvement. We are thinking the castle rose garden is a good choice so we can grab a PP photographer. If it rains, by the mosaics in the castle and we will just take photos with our phones. Then off to Crystal Palace to celebrate with Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Kook- thanks for the beautiful photos that made me feel like I was there and making this upcoming trip seem even more real. Just keep the pixie dust coming that my back holds out until I get there- and maybe even for the entire trip! I don't know how you keep up with this place and get ready for your trips. I am impressed! OK- back to my lists.

I totally understand where you are coming from with lists! We have 9 days to go, staying at AKL-CL first, then cruising, and headed to WL-CL for the last part of our trip. My laptop died and my packing list was lost along with everything else on it so I've had to start from scratch. With the three different parts to our trip, I've got lists of stuff going as a carry on, stuff we need only at WDW (having them transport it from aKL to WL so we don't have to bring it with us), stuff for the cruise - whew! I keep reading these boards and adding stuff to my lists.

Congrats in advance on your "special event" - what a lovely moment to look forward to!!!

 

[bluecastle]

I totally understand where you are coming from with lists! We have 9 days to go, staying at AKL-CL first, then cruising, and headed to WL-CL for the last part of our trip. My laptop died and my packing list was lost along with everything else on it so I've had to start from scratch. With the three different parts to our trip, I've got lists of stuff going as a carry on, stuff we need only at WDW (having them transport it from aKL to WL so we don't have to bring it with us), stuff for the cruise - whew! I keep reading these boards and adding stuff to my lists.

Congrats in advance on your "special event" - what a lovely moment to look forward to!!!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2463742&page=105

I hope that works! The cumulative list that I copied and pasted is on p.105 and is post # 1568
So sorry about your laptop. I would be freaking out. I'd be happy to share some of my lists here, although our trips are probably quite different.

Thanks for the congrats. I am starting to get excited and I'm looking forward to our new "theme" for this trip!

 

[grkmbee]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2463742&page=105

I hope that works! The cumulative list that I copied and pasted is on p.105 and is post # 1568
So sorry about your laptop. I would be freaking out. I'd be happy to share some of my lists here, although our trips are probably quite different.

Thanks for the congrats. I am starting to get excited and I'm looking forward to our new "theme" for this trip!

Thank you so much! Although we have different trips, there were some things on that list that I wanted to bring but I forgot. Also some new great ideas!

 

[TMEF23]

I am so excited! In just one week my family and I will be on a plane to the WL. This is my first stay at the lodge and I can't wait to try it out. We still haven't determined when and how to tell my 3 year old twin boys. This will be their first time flying, so I need to let them know at least the day before. Thanks for all the amazing information and pictures found on this board! I can't wait to put it all to great use!

 

[Dumbo Mad]

Hi, hoping someone can help?

We have an early breakfast ADR at MK, and intend to look around for an hour or so afterwards, then we would like to swim at Blizzard Beach, but I'm not sure of the best way to get there. I'm guessing that we would need to get the boat/bus back to WL and then get another bus to BB?

Thanks
Nikki

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I am so excited! In just one week my family and I will be on a plane to the WL. This is my first stay at the lodge and I can't wait to try it out. We still haven't determined when and how to tell my 3 year old twin boys. This will be their first time flying, so I need to let them know at least the day before. Thanks for all the amazing information and pictures found on this board! I can't wait to put it all to great use!

This reminded me of the time we took our then 3 year old to Disney for the first time. We told her we were headed to the Catskill Game Farm to meet her friend, but thought we would take a plane!! She was 4, didn't think twice, landed, this was before DME so took a Mears Van to the CR, we pointed out signs, and it still never clicked, entered the CR lobby and she started to get a little puzzled then saw her favorite characters, from Robin Hood!! Burst into tears and then got upset because she wasn't meeting her little friend!!! This was the best trip ever! She's 22 now and still gets a laugh out of it!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi, hoping someone can help?

We have an early breakfast ADR at MK, and intend to look around for an hour or so afterwards, then we would like to swim at Blizzard Beach, but I'm not sure of the best way to get there. I'm guessing that we would need to get the boat/bus back to WL and then get another bus to BB?

Thanks
Nikki

There is a bus to MK that is about a 5 minute ride. Then when you leave the MK you can take the bus or boat back to WL. Then you would take the bus to Blizzard Beach. Usually the AK bus stops at Blizzard Beach unless they run a separate bus for BB.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Thank you for the great information in this wonderful thread. I was just at BWI last week and now want to plan a trip for the late autumn with my mom. I'm thinking she would like the VWL and we would do fine in a studio. I always like getting the 5th floor at BWI, but I'm wondering whether the floor level matters as much at VWL. If anyone has any recommendations, I would love to hear them. Also, based on one of Kook's posts, it looks like the Christmas decorations didn't go up until about December 18 in 2013. Is that pretty usual? I was hoping do to the trip in November -- late enough for Osborne, but before Thanksgiving. The WL decorations are so beautiful, I might need to adjust dates so that Mom can see them. Thanks all!

I thought she said November 18?? I hope so as we arrive 11/21!!! WDWKook, could you add us to the list - 11/21-11/26! So excited!

 

[Sandi]

I thought she said November 18?? I hope so as we arrive 11/21!!! WDWKook, could you add us to the list - 11/21-11/26! So excited!

She did. It was my typo. Sorry. I'll fix my post.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

She did. It was my typo. Sorry. I'll fix my post.

Oh Good!! I feel like a little kid so excited about this trip! Granted my husband and 14 year old son think I'm nuts!! the fact that the Christmas decorations will be mostly up is just icing on the cake!!!!!!

 

[Starwind]

There is a great thread over on the DVC board about VWL in particular. They will have thoughts on the floors. I would imagine that the first floor is quite near the pool, if that matters. The area is very wooded, so in theory a higher floor isn't going to affect the view too much.


I believe the Christmas decorations are mid November. We staying the week after Thanksgiving and they were up. Perhaps it was a typo.

from my notes from 2013:

2013
November 18-19 overnight WL tree went up

That was the (Mon-Tues) the week before Thanksgiving (which was 28 Nov).

 

[Starwind]

How long do they let you roast marshmallows for and is it free? Thanks so much for the answer!

It is free. Disney provides the marshmallows (Kraft Jet-Puffed when we were there Sept 2013) and the new wooden roasting stick.

We managed three each before we had had enough sweet gooeyness.

When you are done you give the sticks back and they break them up and then put them in the fire (you can watch them doing this).

-SW

 

[mrsap]

It is free. Disney provides the marshmallows (Kraft Jet-Puffed when we were there Sept 2013) and the new wooden roasting stick. We managed three each before we had had enough sweet gooeyness. When you are done you give the sticks back and they break them up and then put them in the fire (you can watch them doing this). -SW

That sounds great!!! Do they do that every night or only certain nights? Thank you!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

You're going to love it at the Lodge and I hope you get to apply your discount soon.

VWL hot tub:

Courtesy ourlaughingplace




Why the sick face? Here's the infamous Long Island…





.

Love the VWL pic and...

I have no idea!

My countdown is 2 days now!!!

I am so excited. This is our first stay at WL and I can't wait to get there! This thread has me so excited to get there! I've booked Woods view, requested 6th floor, North Wing. We are staying 2 weeks. I need a vacation so bad!!

Last day of work today, tomorrow is my last minute, get ready to go, day....the. We are off! Fly into MCO at 4:45 pm and have dinner booked at WCC for 7:45!!

The nest 2 days better go by quickly....

I will post some updates while I'm there.

Oh, they will go by very quickly!!!

Looking forward to your updates!!!

21 days to go! So excited to get to the Lodge! Thanks, everyone, for all of the pictures and updates lately!

You COULD start packing....

We always seeing pics on the awesomely amazing thread!!!

Haven't brought mine in but asked a similar question and was informed kids are ok in the lounge. We plan to check it out while there in sep,

Ours were 6 and 9 ish when we went there and they were very happy to act 'grown up."

I am so excited! In just one week my family and I will be on a plane to the WL. This is my first stay at the lodge and I can't wait to try it out. We still haven't determined when and how to tell my 3 year old twin boys. This will be their first time flying, so I need to let them know at least the day before. Thanks for all the amazing information and pictures found on this board! I can't wait to put it all to great use!

Your boys will love the Lodge, I'm sure! My little guy was 3 when he first stayed (now he is 18 ) and has never wanted to stay anywhere else. Of course, DH has brainwashed him!. Be sure to check out the train room in VWL!

 

[XtraEdGe]

I know the health club is accessible 24 hrs but is there someone there monitoring the place?