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

[Anna114]

I'm officially 10 days away from my first stay at WL...Do you guys recommend doing online check-in for the WL or is it better to check-in in person?

I'm not a fan of online check-in but I do it all of the time I just can't resist the temptation.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Hey, that could be us too, LOL. We have an almost 3 year old "insane little blonde boy" too. (And don't mind the partially insane 9 year old little blonde girl that he goes with, or the parents)

We'll be there from August 22nd through September 1st! Man it's getting close!!!!

That is creepy. Our crazy blonde boy is almost three too (October 1st) and our partially insane 9 year old strawberry blonde girl will be there too. I, however, am not insane, but my husband would completely disagree.

 

[rotlex]

I'm officially 10 days away from my first stay at WL...Do you guys recommend doing online check-in for the WL or is it better to check-in in person?

We have done both and it really doesn't make any difference I think. With that said, I'm a bit strange. I actually like the check in process, as it's kind of like the official start of the trip, LOL. That said, I usually opt to just wait with the rest of the riff raff at the standard check in desk.

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWkook, you did an outstanding job on this thread! I am just sad that I didn't get to read before our trip.
We just returned from 6 nights CL at the WL and I am now hooked everything was just perfect. The people that work the CL are outstanding!
My husband made arrangements for me and him to view Wishes from the roof, as an early 50th birthday celebration. It was a total surprise and it is not easy to surprise me... It was one of the coolest things ever!
My husband took our cell phones swimming one afternoon. When we returned to our room and asked if there was anyway to get a bowl of uncooked rice, it was in our room in 5 minutes.
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, everything was just perfect, every wish, request, and want was granted.
One of the CMs told us that the WL had begun renovations and they should be completed sometime next year. Very excited that everything will be new whenever our next stay is...
Again, kudos to WDWkook for doing such a great job!

Thank you so much, Gipperland. I just posted the thread on 8/11 and finished it on Sunday so you wouldn't have seen it before your trip.

We got back on the 5th from two weeks there CL, and I felt the same way as you about the staff and lounge. Great story about the raw rice. That reminds me of what a real "concierge" should actually do for their guests. WDW Club Level used to be called "Concierge Level," but I have heard that over the years, the service has declined. You and I found the service to be excellent at the WL, so I hope this becomes a trend for all CLs.

So when are you returning?

We check in four days from now!

So very excited!

We have a standard room booked and my only request is that we not be on the first floor. I am going to ask to be put on the list for the flag family, but I bet that it is going to be crowded. If we were chosen, what time do you have to be there, and when is it done?

Thanks! We can't WAIT! Well, my daughter can wait...She doesn't even know that we are going.

I believe the Flag Family meets at 0800 and it takes about 45 minutes. Your DD is going to be so surprised!

We did this too, regarding a room request. I'm hoping we wind up on an upper floor, as we booked standard view as well, but I also hope a request doesn't bump us out of a possible upgrade to another view, LOL.

This is our first Wl stay, and we are VERY excited about it! I can't believe we are leaving in just 4 days!

In just two weeks you'll be there

I'm officially 10 days away from my first stay at WL...Do you guys recommend doing online check-in for the WL or is it better to check-in in person?

I never do online check-in, especially if you're staying CL then there's no reason to do it.

I hope you have a great trip!

It's so funny you mention pin trading etiquette... we can be "not so clueless" now! Found this yesterday after I ordered the OB ... Disney's Official Pin Trading Etiquette Guide. (Also a good one at The Laughing Place.) I can see my kiddo throwing a fit already; at 4 years old, the concept of freely giving something of hers up even for something in return is a foreign one.

Thank you for the links! Earlier today I found my "Pinformation" pamphlet in my pile of "trip stuff." So many rules! Especially on the LP site. I hope the Pin Police don't come after me my next trip. Should we all practice at home first?

FANTASTIC job on the new thread. I love WL. It was the first resort we visited back in the winter of 1994 I believe it was. Then again in 1998 at Thanksgiving. We visited again around 2004 or 2005 and then this June. We've stayed value two years (never again), POFQ twice (loved it, but miss the deluxe), CSR (didn't care for it), and AKL in 2010 (loved it, but in a category of it's own). With all that said, WL is my preference. My parents bought in to DVC two years ago, so I forsee us visiting more often since they like to treat the grandkids, my wife, and me.

Thank you, troynkasey. WL was our first Deluxe resort back in '96. You must have visited right after it opened? I hope your parents treat you to a trip soon

Well, if you see a family running around after an insane little blonde boy, say Hi!

The Standards are completely booked. I wonder if that means the hotel will be crowded?

Hey, were you the crazy family at the Carrabba's the other night?

I think the least expensive rooms tend to fill-up first so it isn't necessarily an indication of 100% occupancy. At the CR, for example, the STD Garden Wing rooms tend to go first then the Garden View Garden Wing rooms. Now, for CL at other resorts it's a different story. Resorts with bookable CL views usually sell out the Garden View rooms first, Water View second and STD views last.

Have a great vacation!

 

[RobinHoodGirl]

We have done both and it really doesn't make any difference I think. With that said, I'm a bit strange. I actually like the check in process, as it's kind of like the official start of the trip, LOL. That said, I usually opt to just wait with the rest of the riff raff at the standard check in desk.

When I went last year I opted for doing normal check in and it went fine. We had no wait (we were at the POP) and had great interaction with the Cast Member checking us in.

Needless to say when I do finally get back (hopefully Oct 2012 !) I'll just normal check in. Something about it just makes me feel like I've finally arrived on my vacation.

 

[pas130]

shmoogrrrl and rotlex Don't mix upyour kiddos now I hope both of your famlies have wonderful stays at WL

Kricketnp I personally like online check-in. I know you don't need it CL-I just like officially checking in from home

Last year we checked in at Kidani online, and at check-in were notified they were overbooked and were upgraded.

 

[Nermel9]

I have found the Courtyard View rooms to only be noisy when the sliding glass door is open or if I'm on the balcony and ONLY during the pool party in the afternoon because of the loud music.

The inner courtyard views all face into the courtyard/pool/geyser area. Some of what you have circled is actually "outer courtyard," (just made that term up) which is actually a Woods View, which is what you would prefer.

If you really want a Woods View, keep checking the WDW booking site, especially 45 and 5 days prior to arrival. Many people cancel packages and room-only bookings at that time so something might open-up for you and you'd even save a little money

Thanks!

LOL, I actually meant these rooms:

The rooms that are still in the courtyard, but the upper area...are they upper courtyard? Do they even have a name? I know the ones that are looking straight out into the lake are the bear face rooms, right? But you can't actually request that, because it's not the official term?

I think I will just request a room on the fourth or fifth floor and hope that it's quiet enough!

I have called a few times to see if there were any woods view rooms available, but there haven't been so far...and now that I'm 44 days out from my trip, can I even make that change if they are available? They'll charge me a change fee, right?

*Sigh* I think I'll go call Disney now and put in my request. I think I still have a full balcony request on my reservation from when I was originally staying at the Beach Club!

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

Can we both be clueless together? THAT'S my problem. I finally got a few pins because I love the character and I have no intention of trading them! But the two minutes of trading I did for the OB pin was lots of fun. I was told that I should put the ones I don't want to trade on a separate lanyard. Anyone know all about pin trading etiquette? I would love to know!

Make that 3 clueless ones about pin trading... I started purchasing pins for all my resorts after the resort charms ended (now only selected resorts ) ...... and any RCer worth their salt wouldn't trade the resort pins they've collected. BTW, I've got my OBs.

It's so funny you mention pin trading etiquette... we can be "not so clueless" now! Found this yesterday after I ordered the OB ... Disney's Official Pin Trading Etiquette Guide. (Also a good one at The Laughing Place.) I can see my kiddo throwing a fit already; at 4 years old, the concept of freely giving something of hers up even for something in return is a foreign one.

Thanks, Missoutandabout, wow I don't feel so clueless anymore. I had no idea this was an organized sport. How did I miss this stuff???

shmoogrrrl and rotlex Kricketnp I personally like online check-in. I know you don't need it CL-I just like officially checking in from home

I do too when I go CL.

Last year we checked in at Kidani online, and at check-in were notified they were overbooked and were upgraded.

Nice for your Kidani ugrade! I check in online probably 50% of the time, but have never been upgraded doing so.
.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks!

LOL, I actually meant these rooms:

The rooms that are still in the courtyard, but the upper area...are they upper courtyard? Do they even have a name? I know the ones that are looking straight out into the lake are the bear face rooms, right? But you can't actually request that, because it's not the official term?

I think I will just request a room on the fourth or fifth floor and hope that it's quiet enough!

I have called a few times to see if there were any woods view rooms available, but there haven't been so far...and now that I'm 44 days out from my trip, can I even make that change if they are available? They'll charge me a change fee, right?

*Sigh* I think I'll go call Disney now and put in my request. I think I still have a full balcony request on my reservation from when I was originally staying at the Beach Club!

I knew what you meant and I hope you don't think I was being difficult. So were you booked at BC? Are you a resort changer? Check-out my signature if you (or anyone else) would like to join the RC thread

You're correct that you wouldn't want to actually request a "Bear Face" room. The room assignor might not know what you mean. Those rooms that are in the "upper courtyard" as you call it, that aren't Bear Face rooms, that don't look directly out at Bay Lake/Geyser, are actually Courtyard View rooms, floors two and up that face the Upper Silver Creek Springs. If you'd like one of those rooms, you could request:

"INNER COURTYARD VIEW OF UPPER SILVER CREEK SPRINGS"

Make that 3 clueless ones about pin trading... I started purchasing pins for all my resorts after the resort charms ended (now only selected resorts ) ...... and any RCer worth their salt wouldn't trade the resort pins they've collected. BTW, I've got my OBs.

Thanks, Missoutandabout, wow I don't feel so clueless anymore. I had no idea this was an organized sport. How did I miss this stuff???

I do too when I go CL.

Nice for your Kidani ugrade! I check in online probably 50% of the time, but have never been upgraded doing so.
.

Good job gettin' your OB pins

I still don't understand why you and pas130 do online check-in for CL. Why would you want to stand in the online check-in line when if you're staying CL, you're escorted there to check-in?

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

I've only stayed CL 3 times -- at GF, CR, and BC. The CL CMs interaction was still the same... they met me upon arrival at the front entrance, I was escorted to an available CM, and the CL CM waited to escort to me room. Like you said, online check-in is definitely not necessary whatsoever when going CL. I'm not sure about pas130, but for me, it is more a silly symbolic gesture at home signifying the start of my vacation. And it's ok if the CL CMs call me a sil for doing it.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've only stayed CL 3 times -- at GF, CR, and BC. The CL CMs interaction was still the same... they met me upon arrival at the front entrance, I was escorted to an available CM, and the CL CM waited to escort to me room. Like you said, online check-in is definitely not necessary whatsoever when going CL. I'm not sure about pas130, but for me, it is more a silly symbolic gesture at home signifying the start of my vacation. And it's ok if the CL CMs call me a sil for doing it.

Now I understand, and that's not dorky at all! In fact, I probably would have been doing the same thing had I known that it didn't preclude me from being greeted and escorted to the CL check-in. I thought I'd have to go to the online check-in line

 

[pas130]

I do too when I go CL.

Nice for your Kidani ugrade! I check in online probably 50% of the time, but have never been upgraded doing so.
.

That was my only upgrade ever, and then we went over to Jambo house. They sold Kidani out our last night, did I mind moving for one night to a suite....ummmmm NO! That was our first CL stay, and I loved it there so much I added on an extra night at rack rate So it was 2 upgrades in one trip, which the CM apologized that we would have to move during our trip...all we had to do was move the car from Kidani to Jambo House

I still don't understand why you and pas130 do online check-in for CL. Why would you want to stand in the online check-in line when if you're staying CL, you're escorted there to check-in?

I won't stand in the check in line, I just want a confirmation I am checked in

I've only stayed CL 3 times -- at GF, CR, and BC. The CL CMs interaction was still the same... they met me upon arrival at the front entrance, I was escorted to an available CM, and the CL CM waited to escort to me room. Like you said, online check-in is definitely not necessary whatsoever when going CL. I'm not sure about pas130, but for me, it is more a silly symbolic gesture at home signifying the start of my vacation. And it's ok if the CL CMs call me a sil for doing it.

Yep, that's how I feel

 

[nathanyell]

Well, THERE you are. I was going to PM you today to let you know about the new thread. Good to have you aboard and I hope you'll find the time to answer some questions every now and then. BTW, did you know about our colossal upgrade?

Yes!!! A actually did see that one. I happened to stop by the thread right about that time. The upgrade fairy is alive and well around here!

Fingers crossed for our December trip!!!

Brian

 

[HubbDave]

For the poster wondering about noise in "inner courtyard"... we stayed in rm 5047 a couple of weeks ago (upgrade!) and the noise was not bad from the pool even during the party unless the door was open.

We did have a loud group of people in the hall for about a half an hour around 10PM one night (we were very tired) and I asked them nicely to quiet down (and they did).

WRT online check-in vs standing in line, we did it the old fashioned way and it took about 5 minutes including getting pins, asking questions, etcetc No problem (and that was using ME)

 

[nathanyell]

Hi Brian...I was wondering where you were!

It's been an insane summer with the little princess almost 5 months. I'm looking forward to getting back involved in the thread!!!

Brian

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It's been an insane summer with the little princess almost 5 months. I'm looking forward to getting back involved in the thread!!!

Brian

Brian! SO good to see you back!!

 

[nathanyell]

Brian! SO good to see you back!!

Thanks! It is good to be back.

I did sneak a trip to Disneyland on a business trip last month and I wanted to stop by the Grand Californian, since I've heard there are a lot of similar features between it and the lodge, but I never made it.

It will be nice to be back in the World in December. Disneyland has it's nice parts, but everything felt a bit off...

Can't wait to be back at the lodge!

Brian

 

[pas130]

It's been an insane summer with the little princess almost 5 months. I'm looking forward to getting back involved in the thread!!!

Brian

Happy to have you back! Those kiddos sprout so fast. 5 months is my favorite age Enjoy her cuddles before she's too mobile....then you'll REALLY be running

 

[Kricketnp]

Thanks everyone for the opinions on online checkin...I think we're going to forego it and checkin the "old fashioned" way. It may be nerdy, but it just seems like a more "official" start to the vacation!!

Sigle digits - 9 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anna114]

Congrats on the single digits! We are headed to Isp 5:45am on Friday. We don't check into the VWL until Tuesday. We are doing a couple of days at the FW cabins first.