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

[bluecastle]

testing

 

[bluecastle]

testing

Well at least this thread is working for me. The photo of the day thread is not working for me today. It says I posted, but I don't see anything. oh well

 

[bluecastle]

Well at least this thread is working for me. The photo of the day thread is not working for me today. It says I posted, but I don't see anything. oh well

Does anyone know what the warning fsock is open means?

 

[pas130]

Does anyone know what the warning fsock is open means?

I think the DISboards are acting up..or updating. I wouldn't worry. I got something like that too

 

[WDWKOOK]

I hope to have my review up soon. In the meantime, here's an iPhone photo taken from our balcony around 0630:

​

Kook-thanks for asking about the Villas while you were there.
As far as PDD- I have reacted to it in several ways. I remember the first time we stayed at the WL. When we got home I immediately ordered CDs of Copland's Rodeo, Appalachian Spring and Billy the Kid Suites so I could hear some of the music that would make me feel like I was there. My daughter and I have been known to get excited by certain smells that remind us of Disney-even bus exhaust! The smokehouse smell is one of my favorites. When the Polynesian was our "home" resort, the smell of chlorine, with a touch of mildew, and the sound of running water would always remind us of the GCH. I listen to park music all the time. *sigh*
And even if I don't know when my next trip will be, I am always reading and researching and planning for it. On our last night, I always say good-bye to Main St. and the castle and to my WDW home-saying " I don't know exactly when I'll see you again, but bye for now. And thanks Walt. "

I LOVED reading this, bluecastle. I was laughing about the "touch of mildew" at the Poly, but it may be more than a "touch" now

I love all the Copland music, too and I know I'm back "home" when I hear the boat horns and the train whistle and see all the birds flying around Discovery Island. And, it makes me so happy when DH gets excited about "cobbler time." I get teary-eyed when I walk under the train and out of the MK for the last time of our trip - I know you know how I feel

Does anyone know how far in advance the movie on the beach schedule is posted for the WL and where I might be able to view the schedule closer to my trip in October?

Build a Better Mouse Trip posts them at the beginning of the month. There is a different movie shown for each day of the week.

No hard feelings at all

Glad you made it back safely. Now you can look forward to going back in just few short months. Thanks for all the pics and updates .

You're welcome, mickeynut1 and when are you going back to the Poly?

I've got to ask, as I've never been to WL, let alone CL, if that is a typical welcome basket? It seems like in the pictures of previous welcome gifts that it wasn't nearly as extravagant as what you received. Are they treating you to some thing special because you've been so loyal and complementary of them or is this the new normal? If it is, awesome!

This time next week we'll be there! I haven't been to WDW in almost 20 years and I'm so excited!

The photo of the welcome gift that has the chocolate totem pole and 3 other chocolates is the standard CL welcome gift that all CL guests receive:

The basket was an unexpected, but much appreciated gift from the very thoughtful CL manager, Randy.

I hope you have a great first trip back in 20 years! Please let us know how it went

KOOK Thanks for posting all the great pics! Esp of River Country, cool Any news on the shoe tree?

Congrats on booking 12 nights at WL CL! We booked 12 nights at AKL for this Aug, with BB in our WL room in Jan. Sadly only bunk bed rooms were avail at WL. Maybe something will turn up for the Late Summer discounts, and I can book a split with AKL. But then again, we're thinking of a split with BC too Maybe I should be on the resort changer thread!

I heard they are putting different flooring in the entry area of the rooms? Like Wood flooring? Have you heard anything along these lines?

I know what you mean about the last day blues! The walk of shame to the DME is horrible, but having another trip booked takes some of the sting out of it!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Yes! The shoe tree... I asked Randy and he didn't know so when we rented Sea Raycers I asked a CM and was told that some employees throw shoes up on the tree on their last day. But, the CM wasn't sure if that was the real story or not. I still like to think that they are from the former River Country CMs or Discovery Island CMs, but I guess we'll never know for sure

You're on the right track about the flooring and we'd love to have you on the RC thread anytime!

Good morning everyone! In about 43 days from today we will be checking into WL! This will be my first time staying there! I'm FINALLY getting around to being excited about this trip. It's been a crazy busy year. My daughter is a senior and you can imagine all the stress and stuff us as moms have to do during their year! LOL So looking forward to going back through this tread and getting some advice from the "pros".

So much excitement... graduation, first stay - congratulations! Make sure those are noted in your reservation. I can't wait to hear what you think of WL. I know you'll love it!

Yeah! I am finally under 200 days until my trip to WL CL.

We do go over there often . Now that I-4 is improved it doesn't take much time at all. We used to go over more often but we've been doing some home improvements and also the darn gas prices . It takes about $40 round trip for us just in gas. We do need to stop by the Lodge more often, miss those guys!

We try to go over and have dinner or just walk around Epcot sometimes. Makes for a nice evening.

Do you eat at AP? Do you have a favorite ADR? Everyone misses you, too

Cant wait till next week. The time has really flown by but this last week is dragging so bad. WDWKOOK welcome home. Hope you had a great time.
Cant wait to hear all about it. Looking forward to CL this time.

Yes, we had a great time and four months from today we will be back. I know you're going to love CL and I can't wait to hear about your vacation!

We have a whole year (367 days to be exact) but the countdown is on! We will be staying at The Wilderness Lodge and celebrating our 10th Anniversary. I just can't wait. We spent a few days before our Disney Cruise in February this year and I can't stop thinking about the WL and how relaxing and beautiful it is!! Very Jealous of all of you with trips coming up!!

Here are a few of my pics from the trip....

Thank you for posting your photos, my2disneyboys. Post here anytime you feel like your trip is sooooo far away - we'll make it feel closer

I also love to wake up early at the WL and take in all it's beauty in the quiet morning hours. I am really looking forward to that!

Isn't it great? The steam coming off the pools and the sun rising, hardly anyone around, but maybe a groundskeeper or pool cleaner. I love looking down to the lobby when it's empty

From the looks of things it sounds like the Christmas Parade taping the taping will be 11/29-12/2/12.

Of course my very first Christmas trip (and stay at WL) is planned for 11/28-12/3 so I wasn't happy to see this. Also not thrilled to hear about the Pop Warner Week either.

From the little I've read it seems maybe Pop Warner won't be much of an issue since I'm staying at WL??? Don't they affect the parks at all?

If I stay away from MK on the day of parade taping will I be okay or will that entire week just be packed full of crowds everywhere?

This is a special B-day trip for my DS and his B-day is 11/29 so I planned it so we'd be there on that day. I really don't want to change the dates but I don't want to have a miserable time either.

Any advice from the BTDT crowd?

BTDT? I'm not familiar with that acronym, but I think all the PW kids stay at the Values and when their taping, I would just go to another park because it would be less crowded. Don't change a thing. I was really worried about spring break and we had no problems, except one late night around maybe 10:30, we were at the MK and we got stuck in a Spectromagic crowd near the castle and had trouble getting over to Cosmic Rays, but we finally made it. Other than that, it was much better at spring break than I thought it would be. You'll be just fine!

I know others have said this before, but I actually enjoy waking up early when I am at WDW. (unlike at home) And when I wake up before the rest of my family I love to explore on my own. That was one of the things that I loved about staying at the Polynesian-walking those paths and along the beach. There is something about the WL that compels me to spend my alone time in the lobby or in one of those nooks and crannies near the windows. This trip I will make the effort to go outside-I am really looking forward to that now, thanks to everyone's pictures! This was taken just after sunset.

Have you gone over to FW in the morning? We love jogging through there early AM. The horses and ponies are out and even the armadillo (and they're actually alive!)

I agree. Something about this resort that I find myself wandering the halls at 4 am.
I have posted before but I love this.

A shuttle launch from the WL one morning.

So you're the one wandering the halls at 0400. Perfect time to do some. Thank you for the neat photo!

WDWkook -

Read your BWI review and agreed with it entirely. I too prefer the WL. I loved being able to walk to Epcot and DHS, but did not love the resort itself.

I had a club level room right outside the door too. It was on the corner directly over the sweet shop 4259. Hated the noise and didn't sleep well. The lounge was crowded and I didn't like that the room was outside the club area. I felt like it was never meant to be a club room and was more... club overflow.

The WL is so peaceful and comfortable.

Still counting my days.. 197 to go.

Thank you for letting me know you felt the same way. Misery loves company. No, it wasn't miserable by any stretch of the imagination, but it just didn't feel "right" at BWI.

I think the DISboards are acting up..or updating. I wouldn't worry. I got something like that too

Yep, the DIS is migrating everything over to new servers, which means for the next 10 days or so, there will be shut-downs and glitches. Hopefully, the new servers will be faster.

 

[loribell]

The shoe tree at River Country...from what I remember it was started by the CM's from River Country on its last day. Of course that is really taxing my memory so I may be completely off base but that is what I remember. It is possible that it started with the closure of RC and now other CMs add to it. It is also possible I am completely wrong!

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Do you eat at AP? Do you have a favorite ADR? Everyone misses you, too

Yes! Artist Point is one of our all time favorites! They had two of the most amazing chefs but they have now moved on. My Al and Matt. Chef Matt recently moved out of state.

We go often and it has always been wonderful. We did have a less than stellar meal last December. Went with some friends and nothing went right. But, figured it was just a fluke. They just got in a new chef and their Manager had moved on to Cali Grille. I think the new chef was trying to find his own way. He had some big shoes to fill.

We went back in February for our Anniversary and had one of the best meals yet!! Chef Matthew has definitely found his way. Everything was so good. Fantastic night. Chef has put his own spin on some of the menu items and they are really turning out! Can't wait until August! That is if we don't sneak over sooner.

 

[KAA1972]

Does anyone know when the Flag Family of the Day will resume? I heard it was suspended due to roof repair. True?

 

[disney newb]

I'm very excited about the refurb! It's slated to start in a couple days, has anyone heard anything about the Mock Up rooms? I'm just so curious!!

 

[Sue M]

Thanks Kook & loirbell about the Shoe Tree story. Interesting. Now I'm going to have to go rent Sea Raycers again and go look I've never noticed it before!

Love that path to FW, as you can see in Jan we did the Segway early morning tour, and I was hoping to see Armadillos but didn't. We did see deer though!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

BTDT? I'm not familiar with that acronym, but I think all the PW kids stay at the Values and when their taping, I would just go to another park because it would be less crowded. Don't change a thing. I was really worried about spring break and we had no problems, except one late night around maybe 10:30, we were at the MK and we got stuck in a Spectromagic crowd near the castle and had trouble getting over to Cosmic Rays, but we finally made it. Other than that, it was much better at spring break than I thought it would be. You'll be just fine!

Thank you WDWKook! You've definitely been there, done that (BTDT) and were the exact kind of expert I was looking for

 

[RedfromNL]

*sigh* Been reading some posts, watching some of the amazing pictures.

I really hope I can convince Ronald that we really need to go back soon. Like next year or so
Convincing him to go for the WL again won't be too hard. But I hope next year and not 3 or 4 years from now... waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy too long to wait .

So keeping fingers crossed here

And keep those pictures coming!

 

[amyk717]

We are headed for our first stay at the wilderness lodge and I wanted to get suggestions on room location for our stay. I am travelling with my husband and 2 girls 9 and 5 years old. We have booked a courtyard view room . Thanks

 

[PamelaKay]

We are headed for our first stay at the wilderness lodge and I wanted to get suggestions on room location for our stay. I am travelling with my husband and 2 girls 9 and 5 years old. We have booked a courtyard view room . Thanks

If you plan to nap in the afternoon, I would request an inner courtyard room near the lobby. The courtyard rooms closer to the pool are a little loud in the afternoon with the music and games going on at the pool. If I recall correctly, afternoon activities start around 1:00 p.m.

 

[GillieRose]

29 more days !!!!! Thank you for all the updates and pictures.....Can't wait for are 1st stay at the Lodge....

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just posted my WL/CL review here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2909892

Hope y'all can stop by!

 

[want2bamommy]

2 more days until we arrive . We started our drive from NJ at 4am this morning. We planned two nights of stops along the way so our daughter wouldn't be too overwhelmed and hopefully she'll sleep in the hotels after sleeping in the car for a bit.

 

[WDWKOOK]

2 more days until we arrive . We started our drive from NJ at 4am this morning. We planned two nights of stops along the way so our daughter wouldn't be too overwhelmed and hopefully she'll sleep in the hotels after sleeping in the car for a bit.

Safe travels to you! We left at 0330 and drove straight through for 14 hours - your way is much more sensible!

I hope you have a great vacation, want2bamommy

 

[Sue M]

We are headed for our first stay at the wilderness lodge and I wanted to get suggestions on room location for our stay. I am travelling with my husband and 2 girls 9 and 5 years old. We have booked a courtyard view room . Thanks

We've had 3 stays at WL, 1st was a courtyard view of the Villas pool, partial lake view, it was nice, and quiet.
2nd time had WL courtyard view above Roaring Forks area on top floor, no noise, prob because we had one of those "prison" balconies, as Kook puts it- a solid wall.
3rd stay last Jan 2012 we had an Inner Courtyard room- it was by far the fav so far. Even if it was on the south side I usually prefer the north wing.

 

[pas130]

Just posted my WL/CL review here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2909892

Hope y'all can stop by!

It was a wonderful review

want2beamommy Safe travels !!! Our drive down is usually fine....it's the drive home...I'm planning ours as I type