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

[ClarabelleCow]

Thank you WDWKook for your pictures, I just made the jump to WL from the CR for our trip, and they had a AAA discount available so I actually received a 300 savings, club level room, and am now VERY EXCITED!!! I was an owner at VWL for 12 years and sold because I could never plan ahead! This is going to be a great trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

NORTH WING COURTYARD VIEW:




BACK OF THE NORTH WING - OTTER POND - WOODS VIEW:







MARINA AREA:












SOUTH WING:






FREE MOVIES ON THE BEACH AND MARSHMALLOW ROAST AREA:








FRONT OF WL/VWL:













​

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We just returned from WDW and actually witnessed a proposal on Friday morning about 8am. We had reservations at the Crystal Palace before park opening and had walked up to the Photopass photographer in front of the castle for a family photo. There was a lovely couple in front of us (we were the only ones waiting) and they posed for the typical photo. Suddenly, the guy grabbed his girl's hand and leaned in closely to say something to her and then dropped to his knee. The girl was wonderfully surprised! Our mouths fell open as he pulled a black box from his pocket and proposed right there! The Photopass guy never missed a beat! He kept clicking away and even had them pose afterwards with the ring. I asked afterwards and he said he took 21 photos of the moment. He was rather elated himself after the experience. It was a very exciting moment. I saw the couple a little later in the Crystal Palace and both were just beaming.

Just an idea.

On a Wilderness Lodge note, we had a wonderful stay this past week at the lodge. Club level was awesome; DH is completely sold. He made the comment last night that the Lodge is "our resort" and we should definitely do club level if possible in the future. The staff was wonderful and spoiled us immensely. We missed visiting the lounge on our first night as our flight delays put us into the Lodge at 10:05. The next night, we were literally running back and arrived at 9:50 to try the cobbler. We turned the corner to find only a handful of lemon bars and some sad-looking magic bars. Within two minutes, however, a new cobbler had been brought out with two trays heaping with brownies and magic bars. The staff was also very helpful in securing an impossible Toy Story Mania fastpass one evening. And, to top it all off, I got the recipe for the Buffalo Chili! Now, I just gotta find some buffalo!

Thanks for all the recommendations for staying club level at the Lodge. Your advice was spot on! We'll definitely be back!

Just made Club Level reservations for 11/21, but biggest question is are ALL the balconies enclosed (we are in a standard room). I think my answer is yes they are all enclosed, but was hoping for an open balcony. Thanks Can't wait!! This was my DVC home for 12 years and we just sold, so can't wait to go back!!

 

[mrsap]

KOOK - thank you SO much for the wonderful CL pictures!!! You truly make our upcoming CL stay that much more exciting to look forward to!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your pictures with us!

P.S.... This is my 1,000th POST!!!

 

[marymac123]

Great Photos KOOK!!

 

[JnKinVA]

Thanks for the pictures Kook!

Makes me miss the Lodge but can't wait to countdown to the new dates

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Just made Club Level reservations for 11/21, but biggest question is are ALL the balconies enclosed (we are in a standard room). I think my answer is yes they are all enclosed, but was hoping for an open balcony. Thanks Can't wait!! This was my DVC home for 12 years and we just sold, so can't wait to go back!!

Yes, all 7th FloorCL balconies are enclosed. That is, IMHO, the ONLY downside to CL.


Thanks, KOOK for more amazingly wonderful WL pics!!!! You are THE best!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Yes, all 7th FloorCL balconies are enclosed. That is, IMHO, the ONLY downside to CL. Thanks, KOOK for more amazingly wonderful WL pics!!!! You are THE best!

Thanks! So excited!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

LAUNDRY - LOCATED IN NORTH WING ACROSS FROM ROARING FORK AND ELEVATORS:









LOBBY:












2ND FLOOR - MEETING ROOMS ABOVE CHECK-IN:



2ND FLOOR VIEW:









MERCANTILE:
























ROARING FORK MENUS:


​

 

[patty57]

Kook, great pictures. I think I like the lobby and fireplace better than the laundry room though.

 

[TJDisneymama]

crap, I just did online check in, where the only request you can put in is for floor #, and now I realize I want a King room. ANd I got the streamlined check in note too (where you don't have to go to the online check in counter, you go directly to your room after showing someone your ID?). So now what, do I just go and stand in the regular check in line? Or can I fax a request directly to the resort? Or call and have the CM put a note in my reservation. Can I UN-check in, lol?? I don't want to get up to my room only to have it not be a King and then have to go back down and have them change it.

 

[dansdad]

crap, I just did online check in, where the only request you can put in is for floor #, and now I realize I want a King room. ANd I got the streamlined check in note too (where you don't have to go to the online check in counter, you go directly to your room after showing someone your ID?). So now what, do I just go and stand in the regular check in line? Or can I fax a request directly to the resort? Or call and have the CM put a note in my reservation. Can I UN-check in, lol?? I don't want to get up to my room only to have it not be a King and then have to go back down and have them change it.

Just call and add that request. No need to "un-check in". You didn't really check in anyway. You just preregistered.

 

[WDWKOOK]

crap, I just did online check in, where the only request you can put in is for floor #, and now I realize I want a King room. ANd I got the streamlined check in note too (where you don't have to go to the online check in counter, you go directly to your room after showing someone your ID?). So now what, do I just go and stand in the regular check in line? Or can I fax a request directly to the resort? Or call and have the CM put a note in my reservation. Can I UN-check in, lol?? I don't want to get up to my room only to have it not be a King and then have to go back down and have them change it.

You can revise your OCI via MDX and/or you can call the WDTC/CRO and have them add your request to your reservation. The Room Assignor sees both OCI and called-in requests. However, be warned, there are only a few king non-HA rooms and you could end up in a HA king if there aren't any non-HA king rooms available and no HA room requests need to be filled. For someone who doesn't need one, the HA king will be a bit funky with very short sinks and roll-in shower. I'm not sure what the other HA features are.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Even though I took this at YC, these are the new Joffrey pods that the rooms now have. The Cuisinart maker remains the same:


​

 

[minnie1012]

Hi Do they give you dish soap and laundry soap in the bedroom villa? Just curious, one less thing to bring if they have it.

 

[Shoshana]

OMG. I'm in shock. I did it!

The Place: WL Club Level, Standard Room, Late Fall Discount, Dining Plan.

The Travelers: Me and my soon-to-be 11-year-old daughter.

The Dates: December 13 through December 21.

Airfare: Paid

Deposit: Paid

Travelers Insurance: Paid

Magical Express: Reserved

Let the Planning Commence!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

OMG. I'm in shock. I did it! The Place: WL Club Level, Standard Room, Late Fall Discount, Dining Plan. The Travelers: Me and my soon-to-be 11-year-old daughter. The Dates: December 13 through December 21. Airfare: Paid Deposit: Paid Travelers Insurance: Paid Magical Express: Reserved Let the Planning Commence!

Congrats! Did the same thing today!! 11/21-11/26!! Couldn't land a fall discount but they gave me AAA! About 330 off rack!! Had CR booked, but WL just kept calling me!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

OMG. I'm in shock. I did it!

The Place: WL Club Level, Standard Room, Late Fall Discount, Dining Plan.

The Travelers: Me and my soon-to-be 11-year-old daughter.

The Dates: December 13 through December 21.

Airfare: Paid

Deposit: Paid

Travelers Insurance: Paid

Magical Express: Reserved

Let the Planning Commence!

Fun!!!!

Happy Planning!!!

Congrats! Did the same thing today!! 11/21-11/26!! Couldn't land a fall discount but they gave me AAA! About 330 off rack!! Had CR booked, but WL just kept calling me!

You too!!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

are all the King rooms handicap accessible rooms? I would like a King but don't want to take away a HA room

Not all King bed rooms are handicapped accessible, but a significant portion (about half) are, so requesting a King bed increases your chances of getting one. If you don't want a handicapped accessible room, be sure to note that in your requests as well, and depending on availability it might not be possible to get both requests met.

There are generally extra handicapped rooms in inventory, and they are made available to guests who are willing to have a room without a bath tub. This way the rooms are there if handicapped guests need them, but there are enough of them that non-handicapped guests may be placed in them as well.

I was told by a Room Assignor that there are "very few non-HA king rooms." DH asked if any "proof" was needed to show HA room need and the RA told us that anyone can make an HA room request. That made me think that unless you REALLY need one, you wouldn't want one. I think someone once posted here that they received their king request, but were disappointed in having an HA room.

^^ OFC now has Nespresso!!!!!!!

I love my Iced Espsresso that I will now be able to make every morning!!!:
Kook, I was JUST looking on Page 1 and was going to thank you for posting the new OFC pictures!!!

Hugs right back and the ice is right next to the water

Great photos, Kook. I think I'm homesick for my summer resort.

Thank you

Hi All:

I thought I would pose this here to some of the wilderness lodge experts.

We are considering a trip Jan 3-6 2015 to the lodge and were wondering if the Christmas decorations will still be up at the lodge itself. I'm pretty sure we'll get to see a lot in the parks and probably osborne's last night will be the 4th but what bout the lodge itself? I know the resorts sometime un-decorate faster than the parks.

Anyone been there just after new years and was the tree still up?

thanks a lot!

Welcome. I believe the decorations are taken down after NYD so they may already be down by the 3rd, but I think some have reported that they come down the first week in January. I'm sorry I don't have a precise date.

Great pictures, KOOK! So wish there would have been club level availability for our stay. Looks amazing!

There's always next time

Thank you WDWKook for your pictures, I just made the jump to WL from the CR for our trip, and they had a AAA discount available so I actually received a 300 savings, club level room, and am now VERY EXCITED!!! I was an owner at VWL for 12 years and sold because I could never plan ahead! This is going to be a great trip!

Perfect and saving some money is even better

Just made Club Level reservations for 11/21, but biggest question is are ALL the balconies enclosed (we are in a standard room). I think my answer is yes they are all enclosed, but was hoping for an open balcony. Thanks Can't wait!! This was my DVC home for 12 years and we just sold, so can't wait to go back!!

The only way to get CL access and an open balcony at WL is to book a Deluxe room.

KOOK - thank you SO much for the wonderful CL pictures!!! You truly make our upcoming CL stay that much more exciting to look forward to!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your pictures with us!

P.S.... This is my 1,000th POST!!!

You're welcome, mrsap. I'm always happy to make someone more excited about WL. We are honored that your 1000th post was right here on this fine thread. Congratulations and here's to 1000 more

Great Photos KOOK!!

Your trip is almost here!!!

Thanks for the pictures Kook!

Makes me miss the Lodge but can't wait to countdown to the new dates

You're all logged and official.

Yes, all 7th FloorCL balconies are enclosed. That is, IMHO, the ONLY downside to CL.


Thanks, KOOK for more amazingly wonderful WL pics!!!! You are THE best!

...And the fact that Randy is no longer the manager

You better post some awesome photos and live reports in June

Kook, great pictures. I think I like the lobby and fireplace better than the laundry room though.

…And Territory Lounge

Hi Do they give you dish soap and laundry soap in the bedroom villa? Just curious, one less thing to bring if they have it.

Yep

OMG. I'm in shock. I did it!

The Place: WL Club Level, Standard Room, Late Fall Discount, Dining Plan.

The Travelers: Me and my soon-to-be 11-year-old daughter.

The Dates: December 13 through December 21.

Airfare: Paid

Deposit: Paid

Travelers Insurance: Paid

Magical Express: Reserved

Let the Planning Commence!

You've booked it all! Congratulations and I'll log your dates. Are you going to make a room request? Does your DD want to sleep in a bunk?

 

[WDWKOOK]

According to AllEars:

The Trout Pass Pool Bar will be closed while the Silver Creek Springs pool is closed, September 3 through November 27, 2014.