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

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK Congrats on 25th! Sounds like a wonderful trip. We stayed at BC CL in Aug, and loved it! Funny we have no interest in BWI lol!

Thank you, Sue M! July can't come soon enough

That's so funny, because we never thought we would like BWI's theming, but we made a point of visiting and asking to see a room in July. The CMs were so warm and friendly and the management quickly showed us a beautiful room with an Illuminations/courtyard view and we were converts. We have heard nothing but great things about their CL staff and service (which reminds me of WL) so we're very excited to give it a try.

 

[annmarieda]

The room assignor usually begins assigning your room 3-5 days prior to your arrival, so anytime before that would be best.

Good, I have plenty of time then Thanks so much for answering my question.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Good, I have plenty of time then Thanks so much for answering my question.

You're welcome and I hope you get your request!

 

[Sue M]

Thank you, Sue M! July can't come soon enough

That's so funny, because we never thought we would like BWI's theming, but we made a point of visiting and asking to see a room in July. The CMs were so warm and friendly and the management quickly showed us a beautiful room with an Illuminations/courtyard view and we were converts. We have heard nothing but great things about their CL staff and service (which reminds me of WL) so we're very excited to give it a try.

Our room had a view of Illuminations at BC it was very cool. you'll enjoy it

 

[disneykris2001]

What an amazing thread!!!!!!!!!!!! I never knew there was so much to know about this beautiful resort. We stayed here for a few days in 2004 but I fell like I know nothing about it based on all of your incredible information. Thank you for sharing

 

[WDWKOOK]

What an amazing thread!!!!!!!!!!!! I never knew there was so much to know about this beautiful resort. We stayed here for a few days in 2004 but I fell like I know nothing about it based on all of your incredible information. Thank you for sharing

Thank you for your kind comments, disneykris2001. Where will you be staying next? Your trip is coming up soon

 

[nathanyell]

I (finally) booked our 25th anniversary trip for next summer. We are staying three nights WL/CL then moving over to BWI/CL for five nights and the grand finale is five nights in a Deluxe Queen Room at the GF's RPC. We've never stayed at either BWI or GF so this will be quite the adventure for us. After this trip, we will have stayed at every Deluxe, except BC, which we have no interest in. It will be great to be back at the Lodge

Sounds like an awesome trip!!! I can't wait to see that trip report once you get back! Fingers crossed for the WL upgrade fairy to stop by!!

Brian

 

[nathanyell]

On his last day at the WL, the manager of the WL, Bennett (he has since left to take another assignment) surprised us with making a RTV reservation for us. But, due to thunderstorms, it was canceled. He mentioned that it can be scheduled for special occasions, so I don't know how difficult it is to request it, but it's definitely worth asking at check-in!

Bennett was the manager that upgraded us to CL this summer for our weekend in June. He even sent us a really nice fruit tray to the room the first night. I'm really disappointed that he is gone. With all the issues I had with management before at WL, Bennett really helped smooth things over. I hope the new GM is just as good. Fingers Crossed!!

Brian

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Bennett was the manager that upgraded us to CL this summer for our weekend in June. He even sent us a really nice fruit tray to the room the first night. I'm really disappointed that he is gone. With all the issues I had with management before at WL, Bennett really helped smooth things over. I hope the new GM is just as good. Fingers Crossed!!

Brian

What is RTV???

 

[nathanyell]

What is RTV???

Roof Top Viewing at WL for Wishes.

 

[nathanyell]

Hey Everyone!!

I just want to say that it pays to keep checking for the reservation that you want! I was just able to get WL in a standard room for the last two days of our January trip.

So we will be at AKL for 4 nights then switch over to WL for the last 2.

The really awesome thing is that EMH at the MK is on the day we switch over. So I can just enjoy the boat instead of a long bus ride. I was honestly dreading that late night bus ride.

Brian

 

[disneyfanbcv]

Hi, we are staying at the WLV on feb 16-20 than going to the BWV. I have two questions. But let me start with this. I have an Austic son who just loves the flags of the countries and than the other thing we usually stay at the BWV because he can watch the Epcot fireworks from there. He does not like the loud bang of the fireworks. SO this works.
1) Can I anyway try to get our name on the list for the flag raiseing without being there? The reason I ask is that we arrive on Thrusday evening and figure they will already have booked the weekend.
2) If we can not do the flag is there anyway we can call and get on the roof top veiwing of the fireworks ffrom home?
I just think that we will be to late if we try on Thursday when we arrive. Any suggestions?? THANKS !!!

 

[Alabama Minnie]

nathanyell: How crowded is the boat going back after EMH? We plan to do MK on EMH day and didn't know which was the best way to get back to WL.

 

[Sue M]

Hi, we are staying at the WLV on feb 16-20 than going to the BWV. I have two questions. But let me start with this. I have an Austic son who just loves the flags of the countries and than the other thing we usually stay at the BWV because he can watch the Epcot fireworks from there. He does not like the loud bang of the fireworks. SO this works.
1) Can I anyway try to get our name on the list for the flag raiseing without being there? The reason I ask is that we arrive on Thrusday evening and figure they will already have booked the weekend.
2) If we can not do the flag is there anyway we can call and get on the roof top veiwing of the fireworks ffrom home?
I just think that we will be to late if we try on Thursday when we arrive. Any suggestions?? THANKS !!!

As far as i know, they have to be requested at check in, otherwise they'd be getting loads of phone calls to have names put on the lists. Sorry.

For watching Wishes, you can take the WL resort boat to CR, then hop the monorail to Poly, the beach has a nice view of Wishes, and they pipe in the music. You can also view it at GF by Narcoossees, they also pipe in the music. And no loud bangs.

 

[Sue M]

With the new pod machines do they still have the Nescafe coffee with it? Wish they could get Starbucks, who does pods. We had 1 night in the DTD Doubletree last Aug, and they had Starbuck pods. Hmmm, maybe we could go lurk in the Doubletree halls and raid the housekeeping carts for coffee

Bump Anyone been lately with new coffee machines? If you're going soon, please post what kind of coffee! Wishful thinking it may be something other then Nescafe?

 

[janabananas]

So I have been in contact with IPO today and was told they DO NOT offer Roof Top Viewing, and it is not available to any guest. Not saying they didn't offer it, but according to this they don't now.

Also I was told that I CANNOT use my AP discount for marina rentals, although in my passholder folder thing & the passholder website, it shows as being available for a discount.

Maybe they have changed the passholder benefits as it does say "subject to change", but I even remember seeing a sign up that passholders get a discount on boat rentals.

I am rather discouraged this morning.... oh well life goes on. I am still going to Disney!! Now I just need to change my plans a smidge.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Sounds like an awesome trip!!! I can't wait to see that trip report once you get back! Fingers crossed for the WL upgrade fairy to stop by!!

Brian

After the last colossal upgrade to the Pres. Suite, I don't expect to ever be upgraded anywhere ever again - I must have used up all my upgrade luck, don't you think?

Bennett was the manager that upgraded us to CL this summer for our weekend in June. He even sent us a really nice fruit tray to the room the first night. I'm really disappointed that he is gone. With all the issues I had with management before at WL, Bennett really helped smooth things over. I hope the new GM is just as good. Fingers Crossed!!

Brian

For us, I care more about the CL manager, but I thought you were staying CL on your next visit?

Hey Everyone!!

I just want to say that it pays to keep checking for the reservation that you want! I was just able to get WL in a standard room for the last two days of our January trip.

So we will be at AKL for 4 nights then switch over to WL for the last 2.

The really awesome thing is that EMH at the MK is on the day we switch over. So I can just enjoy the boat instead of a long bus ride. I was honestly dreading that late night bus ride.

Brian

So were you CL before? I'm glad you're happy with your new booking and you're absolutely right that you should never give up trying to get the room you'd like, even upon check-in

Hi, we are staying at the WLV on feb 16-20 than going to the BWV. I have two questions. But let me start with this. I have an Austic son who just loves the flags of the countries and than the other thing we usually stay at the BWV because he can watch the Epcot fireworks from there. He does not like the loud bang of the fireworks. SO this works.
1) Can I anyway try to get our name on the list for the flag raiseing without being there? The reason I ask is that we arrive on Thrusday evening and figure they will already have booked the weekend.
2) If we can not do the flag is there anyway we can call and get on the roof top veiwing of the fireworks ffrom home?
I just think that we will be to late if we try on Thursday when we arrive. Any suggestions?? THANKS !!!

As a PP already mentioned, you must request both of these special events in person at the WL, either at check-in or with the concierge.

So I have been in contact with IPO today and was told they DO NOT offer Roof Top Viewing, and it is not available to any guest. Not saying they didn't offer it, but according to this they don't now.

Also I was told that I CANNOT use my AP discount for marina rentals, although in my passholder folder thing & the passholder website, it shows as being available for a discount.

Maybe they have changed the passholder benefits as it does say "subject to change", but I even remember seeing a sign up that passholders get a discount on boat rentals.

I am rather discouraged this morning.... oh well life goes on. I am still going to Disney!! Now I just need to change my plans a smidge.

Unless they have discontinued it since August, then I suspect the IPO just doesn't know about it. The WL IPO is actually at the Poly, so they legitimately may not know. When you check-in CL, make sure to ask the CL CM who checks you in about it. I hope you get to do it - but again, Bennett, the former manager, told me it was for special occasions.

And, unless they have discontinued the AP discount, as of August I received a 15% discount on Sea Raycers at the WL and have used our APs for discounts on rentals at the CR, too. Don't be discouraged! IPO CMs have been known to be wrong - once or twice

 

[headoflife]

Does anybody know what kind of coffemeaker they have? Is it the pods, or a regular, and if it is a regular kind, do you know what size and type of filter? Thanks!

 

[2goofykiddos]

Just stopping by to say I am super, super psyched that we just booked WLV with my ILs RCI points. I had been searching for 4 months and it paid off. Woot!! Going in May and super excited.

 

[bjgrazi]

Can someone answer this? I read somewhere that (don't remember where) that they walk from WL to TTC, is this doable? Are there sidewalks? I think it would be awesome to be able to do that.