30 days until we arrive at WL. We have stayed at the cabins in FW before but this will be the first time at WL. We have a standard room but hope to upgrade.
You're going to love staying in the Lodge, but still being able to walk or boat over to FW. It's like two resorts in one - have a great time!
We checked in today and we were lucky enough to get a 6th floor rehabbed room and we just watched Wishes from our room!
I hope you're still having a wonderful vacation. Are you overlooking the Otter Pond?
I have booked 14 nights at Wilderness Lodge for september 2013 (uk is offering next year deal) with a wood view. What do you get for that?
Upper Woods View rooms can offer a partial view of Wishes if the room is in the North Wing. Lower rooms will be just that - a view of the wooded area that separates WL from Bay Lake. Some of the North Wing Woods View rooms also have an "Otter Pond" view. This is a pond that extends from the Smokehouse area to about the midpoint(?) of the North Wing. All of the non-suite rooms at WL are configured the same way, so the interior of a WV room will be identical to a Courtyard View room, even on club level.
I hope you have a wonderful two weeks at WL!
Hi all! I've been lurking for a few days so I hope i'm posting this right. My family and I will be staying at Wl next September and after looking at the photos of all the views i'm just wondering. Is the courtyard view better than the woods view or which view do you all prefer? We will be staying in 2 standard rooms so any input you all could offer us will be greatly appreciated!
Welcome to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread,
jennyloves59. Personally, we love the inner courtyard view. This is a view of the WL courtyard, geyser and Bay Lake. You can watch the Electric Water pageant from inner CV rooms and the geyser and beautiful Bay Lake. However, you will need to request an INNER or WL courtyard view room because some CV rooms are of the VWL courtyard.
The afternoon pool party can get noisy with the PA system they use and music, but with the balcony door closed it's not too bad, but it can be bothersome to some guests. I actually like to open the door and listen to the music sometimes.
We are recently back from 4 nights at the Wilderness Lodge. Our family, there to celebrate my parents-in-law's 50th wedding anniversary, had 3 woodsview rooms.
(I'm going to write a full trip report when I can find the time because I'd like to preserve our memories with more than the great photos we took.)
I absolutely loved the resort! Much more than our first stay in 2002. We all got brand new rooms, and the new decor is just fantastic. So beautiful! The lodge itself is nicely laid out in one building, which gives it an extra deluxe feel. The lobby is soothing anytime you walk into it.
To those asking about Woodsview--this is one small negative to me about the resort. The Wilderness Lodge is the only WDW resort we have ever booked for anything other than standard view, and both times, we had terrible views of the outside.
The only reason I would recommend booking woodsview is if it is the only thing available for a discount offer. No way would I say it's worth another $25 to $35 more per night if you're paying rack rates.
In 2002, we were in the south wing, facing the Villas, and directly over a lovely service area (that is, garbage dumpster). This trip, we had a view of two parking lots. How that can be considered an upgraded view, I don't know; however, we did have a nice view from the inside door of our rooms since we were right over the lobby. We did not find it noisy, but I didn't like the balcony either. It was solid because it was part of a roof. If my DH made the trip, he would have insisted they move us up a floor or two because he would have hated that balcony.
Thanks for posting your mini TR. Please post a link to your TR with photos when you're done with it - I know we'd all love to read it!
Thanks to WDWKOOK, Sue M, and GatorEye for answering my CL questions. I just called this afternoon and made the switch from the Beach Club Resort to the Wilderness Lodge; however, we will not be staying CL. Unfortunately, the
AAA discount I had used to book my reservation at the Beach Club went from 15% to 10% when I switched resorts. Therefore, I just could not justify the additional cost of CL with just a 10% discount, which, to me, was not much of a difference than paying rack rate. The enclosed balcony at CL, however, was a huge issue for me. I was willing to overlook the enclosed balcony, though, for the convenience that CL provides. Unfortunately, had hoped to reward myself with CL this trip as a reward to myself for recently graduating from a local university. So, hopefully, a pin-code or a public discount will come our way before our travel dates, November 20-27; however, I doubt that considering we are visiting during Thanksgiving week. All in all, my husband and I are ecstatic about returning to the Wilderness Lodge after all these years, especially since it will be decorated for the holidays.
I think you made a great switch. Holiday discounts are rare, but be on the lookout for any that might come up for your dates. MouseSavers is a great place to look. Good luck!
I just love this thread. As I've said before this will be our first stay at WL and we can't wait
We have stayed many times at POFQ, which we love and a couple of times at the POLY which we also love
I think there might be another resort added to your LOVE LIST soon
Me again, sorry I hit the send before I was finished.
My grandkids are so excited to stay at the WL
but are asking questions I am trying to answer.
1) On the first page of this thread the menu for Roaring Forks shows waffles with toppings. When I looked at the WDWINFO menus it does not have any waffles listed? Since the grandkids will miss their beignets I was hoping they could still get Mickey Waffles. Anyone know?
2)I am looking for the hours of the Mercantile?
Thanks so much
Yes, they have Mickey Waffles at Roaring Fork:
DonaldDoleWhip posted this photo:
I'm not sure, but the last time we were there I think the Mercantile hours may have been 7-10, but I'm not certain. Maybe someone else will know
I am seriously considering postponing my trip to next summer. 
My back is still an issue and my FIL is seriously ill. I even bought insurance in case we had to come back, but my back is just not where I was hoping it would be by now. (the insurance covers leaving for my FIL, but not my back) Anyhow, all the things I still need to do to prepare-trying on and buying sandals, sundresses and other summer clothing, even standing at my laptop trying to catch up on DIS threads!- all cause me pain. I can't imagine a 12 hour drive followed by a 3 hour drive the next day, followed by unpacking, walking, etc. etc. not increasing the risk of me, at the worst, pulling it out and being in serious pain, and at best, just feeling muscle pain throughout the trip. Sorry to be so negtive and I am not sure why I posted this, except that maybe your input will give me some other points of view. I absolutely hate disappointing my DD (she is 26 and just as much of a Dis fanatic as I am), but she is being OK about the possibility of postponement. I am both majorly bummed out and somewhat relieved. It is an odd combination. I am giving myself 2 weeks to make my final decision and then I will try to re-book for next summer around the same time. (early August) I may have to book 2 rooms instead of the 2 BR villa though-it's too early for non-DVCers to book right? I will try to keep reading here without getting depressed. I just don't think it's a good idea to put so many demands on my back. Maybe I can find some alternative treatments since I will now have the time for that. *sigh* Again, sorry for my sad post.
Don't be sorry for your post. It's a really hard decision to cancel a vacation, especially to WDW. I'm with the others who think you just wouldn't enjoy the trip as much if you're in pain. That 12 hour drive is just going to make it worse. Even if you take two 6-hour days, that's still 12 hours in the car. Could DD go alone or with a friend this trip and you go next year?
I posted this in the Concierge/Club thread, but since it is related to WL specifically, maybe I can get help here
Hi all. We will be first time CL visitors this November at the Wilderness Lodge, and so far, I have to say it has made the trip easier. I did not have to worry about making ADRs, and was able to get everything I asked for ADR wise and will be contacted as soon as Be Our Guest might open for ADR taking
We also have a room request in (would like 7th floor, castle view), but understand that it is not a 100% lock to get. Should I remind them of the room request closer to check in time?
Reading some of the thread so far, I noticed this in the first post:
So what is suggested, as we were going to have envelopes with cash ready to go, but now that I see that, I want the person who helps us to get something, not necessarily go towards donuts for all, etc?
As a first time CL visitor, what is the normal check in procedure for the WL? Should we do online check-in (did it the last 2 times for normal visits)?
Any tips/tricks others might have learned in general? Like what to ask for/not to ask for, etc?
Can they help with specific character locations throughout the parks, i.e. finding out if a character will be available for pictures, etc? I ask as my main picture want would be with Scrooge McDuck, usually only seen during Christmas time events. We will be at
MVMCP twice during our stay, but I read last year there was no photo ops with the character, unlike the years before.
Welcome,
Broncobilly83! All of the CL rooms are on the 7th floor except the Deluxe rooms which are only on floors 1-6, so you don't have to request that. Also, there are no "castle views," like the CR, Poly and GF have. There are some Woods View rooms in the North Wing that have a partial castle view, so this must be what you mean.
Online check-in is optional when staying CL. If you like doing it, then go ahead, if you don't do it, the check-in procedure will be the same, you will just have to present a credit card at check-in.
We tip cash to the housekeeper on a daily basis, but we don't give cash to the CMs. We instead give a gift basket that is shared amongst the staff. This is easiest since different CMs may be helping you throughout your stay - some seen and some not seen.
Though I haven't done it, I believe the concierges will be able to find out for you where certain characters will be on a given day.
If you have any more questions, feel free to post them
Back home from our week at the WL CL. I miss it already. Thankfully we have another trip to the OFC coming up in October !
Yeah for planning another trip
.
Hopefully, a bigger discount is in the future for that week, or at least part of my week, in which case I would just book two reservations at the same resort to get the bigger discount for part of our stay. We are thinking about purchasing an annual pass because we recently found out my daughter's dance team will be traveling to Disney World in June 2013, which is six months after our November trip. Plus we are interested in the Table in Wonderland card since we will not have a dining plan on this trip, at least not as of right now because we are booked through AAA (you cannot add a dining plan with a AAA discount unless you book directly through AAA). Do we have to have a annual pass purchased upon booking to get a discounted rate for annual passholders or do we just present it upon check-in?
You will need to present the AP immediately upon check-in or they cannot extend the AP rate, but you don't have to have it to book.
Hello all, I am in need of some info about this resort. I am coming from originally Port Orleans Riverside and last year stayed at the Poly, but what I am asking is we are curious in staying at WL and we wanted to know is there any part of the resort where you can see the monorail leaving and entering the Contemporary and be able to see wishes fireworks as well? If so what are the room types that would be offered with that view? We must have a balcony so as high as we can be without the CL. We don't need CL for our enjoyment. Please ask any questions you may have to help you answer mine.
Thank you!
All rooms at WL have balconies, except ground floor rooms. There are some North Wing Woods View and Standard View rooms that you can view some of Wishes from. Here is a photo from the first page of the CR as seen from a Honeymoon Suite in the North Wing/7th floor (CL):
As you can see, the CR is visible, but not the monorail. The highest non-CL floor is the 6th.
Hi!! Hoping for a little "push" in one direction. We have our first WL as well as holiday trip booked!!
Our dates are 12/1 - 12/8 and currently have a courtyard view booked without the dining plan. We are only taking our 5yr old (this is his special trip) and I do have about 3 TS meals booked, plan on adding a couple of DTD ressies and of course waiting for the the infamouse BOG. All are dinner except for Tusker House - Breakfast and hoping to add CP package tomorrow. My husband HATES being on a tight schedule and commando touring (which unfortunately is my style)
. Which is one reason we don't get the dinning plan... he does not want anyone telling him what to order and beign tied to ressies.
With all that said, I have been higly considering changing our reservation to Club Level!!
To me it sounds like the perfect combination for our trip since we are not on the dinning plan and I know my husband would love the ease being able to go to the lounge and get breakfast or a snack and he would love the fridge where he could get his evening beer. I just want to make sure it is worth the extra cost. We can afford it but I hate spending on something we could do with out.
I would love to hear anyones thoughts or suggestions. Do you feel WL CL is worth the extra $$??
TIA!!
It is the perfect combination and just what we do. We love WL/CL and not having the
DDP. We have APs so we use the TIW card about once per day which saves us 20% off food and alcohol. I have a recent review of WL/CL hyperlinked in my signature that might help you. A few pages back I answered a similar question on CL which you might also find helpful. I highly recommend it, especially since your DH wants to relax and take it easy - CL is perfect for that!
I just want to say to everyone that has posted their experiences and pictures with the WL, THANK YOU for this thread!!!!
We were originally going to go back to the GF, but with the way discounts have been offered, I think that dream is over. SO, we decided on either the YC, CR or WL (depending on the discounts that are offered). But I think we're leaning towards WL, regardless of the discounts offered. And it's all from reading this thread... you guys have completely changed what my "preconceived notions" were about the WL being dark and small.... it's SO NOT THAT AT ALL!!!!
It's just gorgeous!!
It looks so beautiful, and my DH loves the convenience of being a boat ride away from the MK. We both love the theme of WL and it might just be a wonderful new adventure! We're looking forward to HDDR for the first time too!
One question though... can you take the boat to CR and then hop the monorail there, or would we have to take the boat to MK to get the monorail ? He loves the idea of taking the monorail to Epcot vs. taking the bus. TIA !!!
Just wait until you see WL in person - the lobby and grounds are amazing! Yes, you can take the boat to the CR then just take the monorail to the TTC and then switch to the Epcot monorail.
You're going to get such a kick out of HDDR and you've got to try Whispering Canyon, too. Ketchup!!!!
We are also CL newbies! I was thinking of bringing some really good local chocolate for the CL employees as I can't think of anything else.
Suggestions anyone?? Otherwise thats what I'm sticking with
That sounds perfect and shows you're thinking of them.
to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, bagsmom! I've never stayed at either the cabins or VWL, but I will go and take a look at your post now
