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

[Cshel85]

Thanks WDWKook. Thank you for saying that regarding my husband's service, we are very proud of him. the entire family is very much looking forward to this trip. We did use the Military discount for the hotel, but I doubt the tickets will be worth it since we are staying 9 days and can only get 4 day hoppers from the Military, my husband wants to go to a park everyday and I know the boys will love the water parks.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks WDWKook. Thank you for saying that regarding my husband's service, we are very proud of him. the entire family is very much looking forward to this trip. We did use the Military discount for the hotel, but I doubt the tickets will be worth it since we are staying 9 days and can only get 4 day hoppers from the Military, my husband wants to go to a park everyday and I know the boys will love the water parks.

In that case, make sure you buy your tickets from SOG. They sell them at a savings and you won't have to pay tax. Some military installation ticket offices will also have them and/or order them for you.

Here is the link to the SOG ticket site:

http://www.shadesofgreen.org/ATS.htm

Also, I just want to make sure you know that you can add the DDP to a military room-only booking.

 

[Cshel85]

@WDWKook, we did at the DDP to our hotel and my husband and I couldn't quite agree on that. I thought it was really expensive, but he felt with 2 teenage boys that it is worth the money. Do you think upgrading the CL is worth it or did you say you cannot get bunkbeds in the CL area

If you think of any other wisdom or words of advice you can think of for our trip, please share..

thank you

 

[WDWKOOK]

@WDWKook, we did at the DDP to our hotel and my husband and I couldn't quite agree on that. I thought it was really expensive, but he felt with 2 teenage boys that it is worth the money. Do you think upgrading the CL is worth it or did you say you cannot get bunkbeds in the CL area

If you think of any other wisdom or words of advice you can think of for our trip, please share..

thank you

If you think that you would make one more visit to WDW within a year from your next visit, then I would suggest purchasing Annual Passes from SOG. With APs, you can then purchase Tables in Wonderland, which I would recommend over the DDP. TIW gives you 20% off all table service meals and alcohol. APs will give you 10% off merchandise and 15% off some tours and recreation.

Even if you don't get APs and TIW, we prefer CL over the DDP. The DDP forces you to pre-purchase items you might otherwise not purchase if you were paying out of pocket. Generally, you can make out cheaper paying OOP. You need to look at the menus on AllEars, for example, and calculate what you might all eat for at least two days. Add that up and divide by two to get an average and compare that estimate with what you already know you paid for the DDP (divide what you paid by the number of days you purchased it for).

We use the CL lounge for breakfasts, but we still like a hot breakfast every so often. We also use the lounge in the evening for appetizers and drinks and for cobbler (DH's favorite) from 8-10. When staying CL, we usually only purchase one TS meal in the late afternoon (and pay lunch prices and get 20% off) and maybe a breakfast or quick serve, too. We sometimes eat at a Signature (2 TS) restaurant, too. We feel that everything is more flexible when you're not on the DDP.

 

[Cshel85]

@WDWKOOK I have never heard of tables in wonderland..amazing what I don't know. So you would recommend upgrading to club level and getting rid of the DDP? I think the DDP is really expensive, I think my husband likes the ability to make reservations, but I think you can do that with a credit card can't you?

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

If you think that you would make one more visit to WDW within a year from your next visit, then I would suggest purchasing Annual Passes from SOG. With APs, you can then purchase Tables in Wonderland, which I would recommend over the DDP. TIW gives you 20% off all table service meals and alcohol. APs will give you 10% off merchandise and 15% off some tours and recreation.

Even if you don't get APs and TIW, we prefer CL over the DDP. The DDP forces you to pre-purchase items you might otherwise not purchase if you were paying out of pocket. Generally, you can make out cheaper paying OOP. You need to look at the menus on AllEars, for example, and calculate what you might all eat for at least two days. Add that up and divide by two to get an average and compare that estimate with what you already know you paid for the DDP (divide what you paid by the number of days you purchased it for).

We use the CL lounge for breakfasts, but we still like a hot breakfast every so often. We also use the lounge in the evening for appetizers and drinks and for cobbler (DH's favorite) from 8-10. When staying CL, we usually only purchase one TS meal in the late afternoon (and pay lunch prices and get 20% off) and maybe a breakfast or quick serve, too. We sometimes eat at a Signature (2 TS) restaurant, too. We feel that everything is more flexible when you're not on the DDP.

TIW is also good for 20% off at AK at Flame Tree BBQ and one other counter service there.

 

[WDWKOOK]

@WDWKOOK I have never heard of tables in wonderland..amazing what I don't know. So you would recommend upgrading to club level and getting rid of the DDP? I think the DDP is really expensive, I think my husband likes the ability to make reservations, but I think you can do that with a credit card can't you?

You can always make your own ADRs online or if you're staying CL, the IPO will make them for you if you call them or email them your request. Only two table service credit restaurants require a credit card guarantee now. Those are mostly signature dining, character and dinner shows.

TIW only costs $75 with APs or I believe it's $100 if you're a FL resident.

TIW is also good for 20% off at AK at Flame Tree BBQ and one other counter service there.

Thank you, Linda! I didn't know that it was accepted at FTB since it's a QS. (I love learning something new about WDW!) It's interesting that it's not accepted at Y&Y

TIW @ Animal Kingdom:
Flame tree Barbecue
Pizzafari
Restaurantosaurus
Tusker House Restaurant

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

@WDWKOOK I have never heard of tables in wonderland..amazing what I don't know. So you would recommend upgrading to club level and getting rid of the DDP? I think the DDP is really expensive, I think my husband likes the ability to make reservations, but I think you can do that with a credit card can't you?

The TIW is only available to Florida residents ($100) and AP holders ($75). I have found it to be very cost effective. I use to be a fan of the DDP but since the price keeps going up and you keep getting less I've found it doesn't work for us anymore. Since I don't stay CL I make all my dining reservations online .... makes it easy for me to keep track of them, look them up and cancel. Anyone can make dining reservations (ADR) at 180 days from there trip. I also have AAA and some non Disney places offer a discount .... WPE, Earl and most of the Swan/Dolphin. Sorry kook just jumped in.

 

[Cshel85]

@WDWKOOK I am getting a quote now on the CL without the DDP to see the difference. How is the food at the CL, my boys eat all the time. The travel person said that you can not guarantee a bunk bed on the CL, but a queen bed and queen sleeper, is that true? My boys will not sleep togehter for 9 days, they will kill each other LOL or drive my husband and I crazy

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

kook sorry we were posting at the same time.

 

[Cshel85]

you are both being very helpful and i appreciate it

 

[WDWKOOK]

The TIW is only available to Florida residents ($100) and AP holders ($75). I have found it to be very cost effective. I use to be a fan of the DDP but since the price keeps going up and you keep getting less I've found it doesn't work for us anymore. Since I don't stay CL I make all my dining reservations online .... makes it easy for me to keep track of them, look them up and cancel. Anyone can make dining reservations (ADR) at 180 days from there trip. I also have AAA and some non Disney places offer a discount .... WPE, Earl and most of the Swan/Dolphin. Sorry kook just jumped in.

Please jump in anytime

@WDWKOOK I am getting a quote now on the CL without the DDP to see the difference. How is the food at the CL, my boys eat all the time. The travel person said that you can not guarantee a bunk bed on the CL, but a queen bed and queen sleeper, is that true? My boys will not sleep togehter for 9 days, they will kill each other LOL or drive my husband and I crazy

The only room with a sleeper is the Deluxe room. Bunks are a CL request and the room would have one set of bunks and a queen bed. It shouldn't be a problem to get one, especially seeing that you have two teenage boys.

I have lots of photos of CL food on page one. The food is great and plentiful. You can also click-on my latest WL/CL review that's hyperlinked in my signature for more CL photos and info.

I hope you get to stay CL - it will make your trip extra special.

 

[Cshel85]

Hmm wonder if the travel person gets commission or something because she seems to act like I am bothering her and isn't really giving me information, that bothers me when I am the one spending the money..LOL

 

[WDWKOOK]

kook sorry we were posting at the same time.

Great minds...

you are both being very helpful and i appreciate it

You're welcome and we want you and your family to have a wonderful vacation

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hmm wonder if the travel person gets commission or something because she seems to act like I am bothering her and isn't really giving me information, that bothers me when I am the one spending the money..LOL

Are you talking to the WDTC @ 407 W DISNEY? They aren't on commission.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Cshel85:

You can look-up the total rack rate online on the WDW booking site for your dates then just subtract 40% to know the cost after the military discount. The WDTC will have to tell you whether there's CL availability though with your discount.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

you are both being very helpful and i appreciate it

Thank you .... just want your trip to be what you and your family want so you can have a wonderful time.

 

[Cshel85]

So I can get a standard CL room for a great price only about $500 over what the other floor room with a bunk bed room would be, but they said they have no bunk beds on the CL, I said none available or none and they said they do not have bunk beds on the CL..so now what do i do, now I want the CL, but I know my two boys will absolutely not sleep in a queen bed together for 9 nights..suggestions?

 

[Mousemommy1]

So I can get a standard CL room for a great price only about $500 over what the other floor room with a bunk bed room would be, but they said they have no bunk beds on the CL, I said none available or none and they said they do not have bunk beds on the CL..so now what do i do, now I want the CL, but I know my two boys will absolutely not sleep in a queen bed together for 9 nights..suggestions?

You should book the CL if you want it!!! We are doing WL (and CL) for the 1st time as well (another military family. )
Anyways, the CM's at the CRO don't always have accurate information unfortunately...and I can assure you that bunk beds are an option, except that they are only a request on CL, you can't actually just book them. The IPO has already asked if we were interested in bunk beds, and we are undecided on them at this point....we have decided to let fate decide.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

You should book the CL if you want it!!! We are doing WL (and CL) for the 1st time as well (another military family. )
Anyways, the CM's at the CRO don't always have accurate information unfortunately...and I can assure you that bunk beds are an option, except that they are only a request on CL, you can't actually just book them. The IPO has already asked if we were interested in bunk beds, and we are undecided on them at this point....we have decided to let fate decide.

Letting fate decide is much easier with your two sweet little girls than with a couple of teenage boys!!! All I can picture are hairy legs kicking each other! Maybe a twin size blow up bed that can be taken down during the day to give you more room???