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

[sjs314]

Well it's go day The 3 hr drive to Seattle. Hope the road conditions improve. Cold & icy early. I'm going to wait till after rush hr so maybe roads will be better by then, and no long border waits.

Looking forward to the free WiFi at WL. And some warm weather

Have a safe and magical trip

 

[flower72]

Well it's go day The 3 hr drive to Seattle. Hope the road conditions improve. Cold & icy early. I'm going to wait till after rush hr so maybe roads will be better by then, and no long border waits.

Looking forward to the free WiFi at WL. And some warm weather

Have a safe trip! I'll be heading down there Saturday for our first trip!! I can't believe it's so close!!

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

Hi there! Headed back to WL in 47 days. Our first (and only) stay at WL was way back in 2007. We had a Courtyard View and it was great! Right now for this trip we have a Woods View room, but we are debating upgrading to Club Level. We stayed at AKL Club Level last year and LOVED it!

I read on the first page of this thread that the CL rooms have "dormer" balconies. What does that mean? Also, I am only seeing "Standard Room - Club Level" when I am online to book. What kind of views do these rooms offer? If we're going to upgrade, I'd really like to get a Courtyard view in the process. Any info/help/pics (or a link to the aforementioned) would be much appreciated. Thank you!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for making this thread!! We will be staying at BWV in September.

You're welcome, janabananas - I'm glad you like it. September will be here before you know it.

Well it's go day The 3 hr drive to Seattle. Hope the road conditions improve. Cold & icy early. I'm going to wait till after rush hr so maybe roads will be better by then, and no long border waits.

Looking forward to the free WiFi at WL. And some warm weather

I hope your trip was uneventful and you're having a great vacation.

Have a safe trip! I'll be heading down there Saturday for our first trip!! I can't believe it's so close!!

Have you started packing? Do you have an ADR for Whispering Canyon? That's always lots of fun on a first trip.

Hi there! Headed back to WL in 47 days. Our first (and only) stay at WL was way back in 2007. We had a Courtyard View and it was great! Right now for this trip we have a Woods View room, but we are debating upgrading to Club Level. We stayed at AKL Club Level last year and LOVED it!

I read on the first page of this thread that the CL rooms have "dormer" balconies. What does that mean? Also, I am only seeing "Standard Room - Club Level" when I am online to book. What kind of views do these rooms offer? If we're going to upgrade, I'd really like to get a Courtyard view in the process. Any info/help/pics (or a link to the aforementioned) would be much appreciated. Thank you!!!

A dormer balcony is one that has a solid railing so you must be standing to see beyond the railing and down below. The entire 7th floor is like that, even the suites. It was done to be architecturally and aesthetically pleasing as you view the resort from the courtyard/Bay Lake, but makes for an impractical balcony view

I would highly recommend upgrading to CL at WL. We have always found the service to be second to none and the view from the lounge seating area is spectacular. You'll just love the friendly staff and wonderful lounge oferrings. The wrap-around seating area and the view down to the lobby below is amazing.

CL views can be of the courtyard of WL, the VWL courtyard or the woods facing toward the CR and MK. The room assignor and the IPO are very good about doing their best to accommodate room location requests. Make certain though that if you would like a WL courtyard view, that you actually state that in your request as "INNER COURTYARD VIEW." This will be a view of the geyser/courtyard and Bay Lake.



This was the courtyard view from the Presidential Suite looking straight out:

Bedroom balcony view:

This is a courtyard view looking to the right from a non-suite, CL room:

Looking to the left:

This is a view from one of the lounge windows:

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

Thank you so much for the info WDWKOOK! I'm sold on CL...now to just convince the hubster.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok... I need some advice. I am coming with my mom in 18 days and we currently have a regular room. In Nov/Dec we stayed at the Poly in a CL room and loved it. We are staying less time here than we did but it is going to be a relaxed trip. We are only staying for 5 nights but want to come and go as we please. We have been to WDW so much that we just do what we want then head back to the resort so we don't spend all day at the parks.

How is the CL at the WL? Has anyone stayed at both the Poly and WL CL? Is it worth the extra $110 a day it will cost me? We will spend quite a bit of time at the resort. Does anyone have pictures of the lounge? Your thoughts? TIA!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ok... I need some advice. I am coming with my mom in 18 days and we currently have a regular room. In Nov/Dec we stayed at the Poly in a CL room and loved it. We are staying less time here than we did but it is going to be a relaxed trip. We are only staying for 5 nights but want to come and go as we please. We have been to WDW so much that we just do what we want then head back to the resort so we don't spend all day at the parks.

How is the CL at the WL? Has anyone stayed at both the Poly and WL CL? Is it worth the extra $110 a day it will cost me? We will spend quite a bit of time at the resort. Does anyone have pictures of the lounge? Your thoughts? TIA!

princssdisnygina.

Yesterday, on the page right before this, I answered another CL question similar to yours from Mommy2Corrine, (also a Hoosier and I grew-up in IN, too). You might find that helpful. Also, I have many lounge photos on the first page in the Old Faithful Club/CL section.

As I told Mommy2Corrine, we feel that WL CL is second to none and we just love the staff, food and lounge. The views are amazing down to the lobby and out to to the courtyard and Bay Lake (I re-posted some of the views yesterday).

In comparing it with Poly's KKC, I like that all of the WL CL rooms, with the exception of the Deluxe rooms, are all on the 7th floor with the lounge and all rooms have a balcony. Also, the cold beverages, including beer, are stocked inside a fridge in the lounge, so you don't have to ask a CM for any.

The lounge and seating area is always spotless and the food always replenished. There's plenty of seating as the seating area wraps around (in a U-shape) the entire lobby below.

CL worth is relative to what you value. If you'll be using the lounge on a regular basis for some food and beverages, particularly alcohol, and if you value being on a keyed access floor and you would use some of the IPO's services, then it's easier to rationalize it. But, I know some guests who pay for CL mostly to be on a secured access floor or to have a higher view from their room, and the IPO services and lounge is not as important to them.

We love CL at the WL and I think you and your mom would, too. Since you've already stayed at the KKC, then you know what CL offers, and if you're going to spend more leisure time at WL, then CL might be just the thing to make your mother/daughter trip extra special and memorable

 

[joanjett1976]

Just returned from my first stay at WL and boy, oh boy is it going to be difficult to stay elsewhere now

I know a lot of people have questions about the music but mine is specifically the music heard on the buses departing or coming back to WL. Anyone know the identity of that flute song? And if you've been on that bus, you'll know exactly what i'm talking about! I woke up every morning with that thing in my head.


Thanks folks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just returned from my first stay at WL and boy, oh boy is it going to be difficult to stay elsewhere now

I know a lot of people have questions about the music but mine is specifically the music heard on the buses departing or coming back to WL. Anyone know the identity of that flute song? And if you've been on that bus, you'll know exactly what i'm talking about! I woke up every morning with that thing in my head.


Thanks folks!

I DO know the track you're talking about - very relaxing, but I don't know the name of it - sorry. Maybe someone else will.

I'm glad you had a great trip and want to return. Did you think about booking a Bounceback?

 

[flower72]

Only 2 more days until we are on our way to WDW and WL. I'm so excited. I've been reading all your posts and you've gotten me so excited. Thanks so much to everyone for answering questions!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Only 2 more days until we are on our way to WDW and WL. I'm so excited. I've been reading all your posts and you've gotten me so excited. Thanks so much to everyone for answering questions!

That is so exciting! Are you all packed? Do you have any WL ADRs?

 

[flower72]

That is so exciting! Are you all packed? Do you have any WL ADRs?

Thanks Kook! I'm not packed yet. My girls don't know we are going yet , so I have to pack in secret. I took off work Friday to pack.

I don't have any ADRs for WL. I went back and forth on that one. There are just so many places to eat and I opted for other spots. Who knows, maybe by Saturday I wil change my mind again. Lol

 

[Sue M]

Well, finally we're here! Left home Monday to drive down to Seattle. Hit patches of bad weather, and stayed in Hotel over night, for early Tues flight.
Delay in Denver 90 min. Should have arrived at MCO 4:10. Didn't arrive till close to 6ish. But we got to WL in good time.

On check in we were told we got upgraded to Courtyard view, woohoo! Inner courtyard. But.....I opened the door, and all I could hear was the airconditioner/heater unit. Really loud. Sadly I went back to the desk to ask if we could get another room (thinking there goes my upgrade) but happily the CM said she could move us 3 doors down

We even had time to nip into MK for a Cosmic Ray burger, and ride Space Mtn & Buss. Both were walk on. Park was empty.

Got up today and back to MK. They had AM EMH, and again park was empty. I think the longest wait was 10 min. We left at 3:00 because a bit of a storm came thru, and we were done anyway.

As many prob heard Pres Obama is going to be at MK tomorrow which is playing havoc with everyones plans, and restricting access to MK.
So Disney has switched things around this week, changing park sched. Today was supposed to be AK EMH. Instead it was MK, then tomorrow to keep people away from MK, they are having AK morning EMH, then Evening EMH at Epcot till midnight, and keeping DHS open till 10pm and adding a 7pm fireworks show. Not Fantasmic. Fireworks.

So, guess we'll go to AK. Changed our dinner ADR at Saana to lunch. Then we'll come back to WL for a break before heading to DHS & EP for the night.
I've never seen fireworks at DHS.

Oh, and the main pool at WL was closed today, and tomorrow. Should be back open by Friday. Was too cold today anyway

That's it for now.

Part 2
We did AK with morning EMH. Great day. Rode EE 3 or 4 times, did safari twice. Both times had great drivers. Again low crowds. I think that's why drivers did stop along the way for photos. Came back to WL for late afternoon break after late lunch at Saana. Went to Villas hot tub.

We did DHS EMH & fireworks were spectacular! Rode Star Tours 5 or 6 times! Everything was walk on, even TSMM!! Did that 3 times, wow!

Today we went back to DHS. Morning was good, but there seemed to be a lot of those Tour Groups there today It only affected us returning to TSMM for our FP. Most of the day we were able to avoid them.

Lunch at SciFi was great. Before we left the park we picked up Cupcakes to bring back to our room, lol!

Got to pool around 4pm, WL pool now open! yay. Heading out to EP EMH, and the Carne Asada Tacos are calling my name! Along with a frozed margarita, hahaha!
Th

 

[sjs314]

Well, finally we're here! Left home Monday to drive down to Seattle. Hit patches of bad weather, and stayed in Hotel over night, for early Tues flight.
Delay in Denver 90 min. Should have arrived at MCO 4:10. Didn't arrive till close to 6ish. But we got to WL in good time.

On check in we were told we got upgraded to Courtyard view, woohoo! Inner courtyard. But.....I opened the door, and all I could hear was the airconditioner/heater unit. Really loud. Sadly I went back to the desk to ask if we could get another room (thinking there goes my upgrade) but happily the CM said she could move us 3 doors down

We even had time to nip into MK for a Cosmic Ray burger, and ride Space Mtn & Buss. Both were walk on. Park was empty.

Got up today and back to MK. They had AM EMH, and again park was empty. I think the longest wait was 10 min. We left at 3:00 because a bit of a storm came thru, and we were done anyway.

As many prob heard Pres Obama is going to be at MK tomorrow which is playing havoc with everyones plans, and restricting access to MK.
So Disney has switched things around this week, changing park sched. Today was supposed to be AK EMH. Instead it was MK, then tomorrow to keep people away from MK, they are having AK morning EMH, then Evening EMH at Epcot till midnight, and keeping DHS open till 10pm and adding a 7pm fireworks show. Not Fantasmic. Fireworks.

So, guess we'll go to AK. Changed our dinner ADR at Saana to lunch. Then we'll come back to WL for a break before heading to DHS & EP for the night.
I've never seen fireworks at DHS.

Oh, and the main pool at WL was closed today, and tomorrow. Should be back open by Friday. Was too cold today anyway

That's it for now.

Congrates on the upgrade!!! Have been reading about President Obama's visit and the changes with Epcot and DHS hours changes and also the added Fireworks show at DHS. Very Exciting although as I told DH if my MK day was canceled(we only have one planned and after all my planning I had to miss my ADR's at LTT and Tony's both first time places for us I might be a tad bit upset.
It was good you were able to rearrange your MK Day. Hope the rest of your trip is Magical, enjoy the fireworks at DHS!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Well, finally we're here! Left home Monday to drive down to Seattle. Hit patches of bad weather, and stayed in Hotel over night, for early Tues flight.
Delay in Denver 90 min. Should have arrived at MCO 4:10. Didn't arrive till close to 6ish. But we got to WL in good time.

On check in we were told we got upgraded to Courtyard view, woohoo! Inner courtyard. But.....I opened the door, and all I could hear was the airconditioner/heater unit. Really loud. Sadly I went back to the desk to ask if we could get another room (thinking there goes my upgrade) but happily the CM said she could move us 3 doors down

We even had time to nip into MK for a Cosmic Ray burger, and ride Space Mtn & Buss. Both were walk on. Park was empty.

Got up today and back to MK. They had AM EMH, and again park was empty. I think the longest wait was 10 min. We left at 3:00 because a bit of a storm came thru, and we were done anyway.

As many prob heard Pres Obama is going to be at MK tomorrow which is playing havoc with everyones plans, and restricting access to MK.
So Disney has switched things around this week, changing park sched. Today was supposed to be AK EMH. Instead it was MK, then tomorrow to keep people away from MK, they are having AK morning EMH, then Evening EMH at Epcot till midnight, and keeping DHS open till 10pm and adding a 7pm fireworks show. Not Fantasmic. Fireworks.

So, guess we'll go to AK. Changed our dinner ADR at Saana to lunch. Then we'll come back to WL for a break before heading to DHS & EP for the night.
I've never seen fireworks at DHS.

Oh, and the main pool at WL was closed today, and tomorrow. Should be back open by Friday. Was too cold today anyway

That's it for now.

Thanks for checking in with us Sue - congratulations on being upgraded! I've always found the room assignors to be great at WL, so I'm not surprised that even though you asked to be moved, they kept you upgraded.

Sounds like the parks aren't crowded at all so at least that will help with the MK closure. Have a great time and if you haven't already tried it, you're going to love Saana - all-you-can-eat Zebra Domes!

 

[NC State]

Sue, I will be there in 18 days. Did you have a bounce back offer in your room?

 

[janabananas]

Well, finally we're here! Left home Monday to drive down to Seattle. Hit patches of bad weather, and stayed in Hotel over night, for early Tues flight.
Delay in Denver 90 min. Should have arrived at MCO 4:10. Didn't arrive till close to 6ish. But we got to WL in good time.

On check in we were told we got upgraded to Courtyard view, woohoo! Inner courtyard. But.....I opened the door, and all I could hear was the airconditioner/heater unit. Really loud. Sadly I went back to the desk to ask if we could get another room (thinking there goes my upgrade) but happily the CM said she could move us 3 doors down

We even had time to nip into MK for a Cosmic Ray burger, and ride Space Mtn & Buss. Both were walk on. Park was empty.

Got up today and back to MK. They had AM EMH, and again park was empty. I think the longest wait was 10 min. We left at 3:00 because a bit of a storm came thru, and we were done anyway.

As many prob heard Pres Obama is going to be at MK tomorrow which is playing havoc with everyones plans, and restricting access to MK.
So Disney has switched things around this week, changing park sched. Today was supposed to be AK EMH. Instead it was MK, then tomorrow to keep people away from MK, they are having AK morning EMH, then Evening EMH at Epcot till midnight, and keeping DHS open till 10pm and adding a 7pm fireworks show. Not Fantasmic. Fireworks.

So, guess we'll go to AK. Changed our dinner ADR at Saana to lunch. Then we'll come back to WL for a break before heading to DHS & EP for the night.
I've never seen fireworks at DHS.

Oh, and the main pool at WL was closed today, and tomorrow. Should be back open by Friday. Was too cold today anyway

That's it for now.

Thanks for the info. We will be arriving Friday around 11am. We are planning on sticking around the WL. Hopefully the pool will be open Friday & Saturday. Maybe we will run into you. If you see us, say hi.

 

[MMrules]

Last year I got a fantastic WL zip-up hoodie. Does anyone know if they still have resort specific merchandise???

Thanks,
Tracy

 

[flower72]

Thanks for the update Sue! Hope you are having a great time. I was going to ask about the pool. I saw someone post a question on the resort board about it being closed. I hope it's open by Saturday.

 

[Sue M]

Thanks for checking in with us Sue - congratulations on being upgraded! I've always found the room assignors to be great at WL, so I'm not surprised that even though you asked to be moved, they kept you upgraded.

Sounds like the parks aren't crowded at all so at least that will help with the MK closure. Have a great time and if you haven't already tried it, you're going to love Saana - all-you-can-eat Zebra Domes!

That's Boma with the all you can eat Zebra Domes