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

[GatorEye]

Ask the CL CM at the CL desk up on the 7th floor when you check-in if there is a Rooftop Wishes viewing night available during your stay. You'll have to request it upon check-in since it can't be reserved in advance. I know the CL CMs will do their best to find a spot for you - good luck!

Is the rooftop wishes viewing experience significantly better than viewing it from a CL room on the 7th floor? Could you provide more details about the experience? Do you just go up there and stand there and watch or are there seats or anything?

 

[arfisher12]

First I just want to say THANK YOU for being a service dog puppy trainer! It takes a very special person to be one!

This past weekend I spoke to several cast and management regarding AoA! They all said that this resort is unbelievable! Not only is the technology amazing but the resort itself. Several of them had the opportunity to do a test stay there. It is so much more than a value resort!

One of my friends said that it is like walking into the movie itself. He said that in the Cars Section you actually feel like you are in Radiator Springs. There are 11 life sized characters.

My husband and I love staying at the Lodge, but I told him that we will need to stay at AoA just to check out the resort, eat at the food court and take photos.

Like, Kook said I wonder if you could do a split stay.

My Family was in the same crisis sunday morning do we stay at the AOA or WL. I am an over the top Disney Fan !! I love Disney I just wish my budget would allow me a trip to Disney every year instead of every couple of year However I have a 17 year old brother who is going with us, and eventhough 2 bathrooms would be awesome, he really wasnt thrilled about the over the top Design. I have stayed at POP before and at the values they tend to be more family friendly- with lots of little kids running around. Although i like kids for an hour, I like to give them back to their parents when i get tired of them. DUe to those reason we decied to stay at the beautiful WL. It just depends what you are looking for in a hotel room. To us its more important to be able to relax, and have 3 beds.

 

[ClareH37]

Hi, Clare. Though I've never done MVMCP, I would assume like after EMH, there will be plenty of other guests/families boating back to WL. The path from the boat dock to the WL is well lit and like a bridge with railings. Once off that, you will be on the concrete path leading from beside the pool to the entrance near Artist Point and Roaring Fork. It's only about a one to two minute walk from the boat dock and I'm sure you'll feel very comfortable.

Hi Clare - I haven't been solo but it's just been me and my partner. We often have come home on the boat after fireworks or after it's dark and have never felt hinky at all. It's not a long walk and there are always people around - in the pool, walking back from the boat. It's quiet in a good way.

Thank you both, that's good to hear

 

[marymac123]

We were going back & forth also between AoA or WL...WL won.
I would love to try a new resort but everything just looked so spread out. Even DD6 who LOVES LOVES LOVES The Little Mermaid wouldn't give up the WL CL!

 

[WDWKOOK]

First I just want to say THANK YOU for being a service dog puppy trainer! It takes a very special person to be one!

This past weekend I spoke to several cast and management regarding AoA! They all said that this resort is unbelievable! Not only is the technology amazing but the resort itself. Several of them had the opportunity to do a test stay there. It is so much more than a value resort!

One of my friends said that it is like walking into the movie itself. He said that in the Cars Section you actually feel like you are in Radiator Springs. There are 11 life sized characters.

My husband and I love staying at the Lodge, but I told him that we will need to stay at AoA just to check out the resort, eat at the food court and take photos.

Like, Kook said I wonder if you could do a split stay.

Your bolded comment sounds awfully familiar. AoA is actually at the top of my list of resorts in contention for our summer split before the OFC. I'm very intrigued by it. It might be fun doing something totally different from the Deluxes. I did call though and it's even available with the 30% off military rate. What to do, what to do

Is the rooftop wishes viewing experience significantly better than viewing it from a CL room on the 7th floor? Could you provide more details about the experience? Do you just go up there and stand there and watch or are there seats or anything?

Yes, you just go up there and stand and watch - no music, no seating. I should mention that I don't know if this is even being offered anymore - 2011 was the last I heard about it. With the roof repairs and Flag Family being on hold and the rehab... I wouldn't count on it as a viable option.

We were going back & forth also between AoA or WL...WL won.
I would love to try a new resort but everything just looked so spread out. Even DD6 who LOVES LOVES LOVES The Little Mermaid wouldn't give up the WL CL!

I don't blame your DD - she made a wise choice! And, you probably already know that the LM section is where POP's Legendary Years was supposed to be built. That section only has regular rooms and not suites, like Cars, Nemo and Lion King have.

 

[Mousemommy1]

If we decide to buy a Photopass + card, is there a place at WL that it can be purchased?

 

[WDWKOOK]

If we decide to buy a Photopass + card, is there a place at WL that it can be purchased?

A PhotoPass card is only available from a PP photographer. They will give you a card after taking your first photo. Take a photo of the card as soon as you get it. If you lose the card, you'll have a photo of the number on the back and they can retrieve your photos that way.

If you go to the PhotoPass site, you can pre-purchase PhotoPass. This will save you money Vs. purchasing the CD during or after your trip. The credit will remain in your online account, and when you get home you just edit your photos and order the CD and all you will pay at that point is the shipping cost. I then upload the photos to WM and have them print them since it's so much cheaper than PhotoPass. You can also view your photos online as their uploaded while on vacation or I believe you can still view them at some resorts and in the parks, but I can't recall if they still have the PP kiosks at the resorts.

 

[Mousemommy1]

A PhotoPass card is only available from a PP photographer. They will give you a card after taking your first photo. Take a photo of the card as soon as you get it. If you lose the card, you'll have a photo of the number on the back and they can retrieve your photos that way.

If you go to the PhotoPass site, you can pre-purchase PhotoPass. This will save you money Vs. purchasing the CD during or after your trip. The credit will remain in your online account, and when you get home you just edit your photos and order the CD and all you will pay at that point is the shipping cost. I then upload the photos to WM and have them print them since it's so much cheaper than PhotoPass. You can also view your photos online as their uploaded while on vacation or I believe you can still view them at some resorts and in the parks, but I can't recall if they still have the PP kiosks at the resorts.

I should have specified the Photopass + CD package.

Yeah, we don't usually buy the CD, we usually just use the card that the photographer gives us but since we are doing so many of the character meals and obviously rides that are included in the Photopass +, we were considering buying it this time. I just didn't know if there was a place inside WL to buy the Photopass + (as you can't pre-order this one, it's new)

 

[Bisoubird]

I should have specified the Photopass + CD package.

Yeah, we don't usually buy the CD, we usually just use the card that the photographer gives us but since we are doing so many of the character meals and obviously rides that are included in the Photopass +, we were considering buying it this time. I just didn't know if there was a place inside WL to buy the Photopass + (as you can't pre-order this one, it's new)

The PhotoPass+ service can be purchased at any of the PhotoPass viewing stations throughout Walt Disney World. When guests return home after vacation, they can order a CD that includes all of the above-mentioned photos. The price of the service is $199.95.

 

[Mousemommy1]

The PhotoPass+ service can be purchased at any of the PhotoPass viewing stations throughout Walt Disney World. When guests return home after vacation, they can order a CD that includes all of the above-mentioned photos. The price of the service is $199.95.

Ok, thanks!!! Still undecided on that one, as we've always made out in the past with just the regular photopass card and ordering on-line...but I've got time to decide.

 

[WeCantWait]

If we decide to buy a Photopass + card, is there a place at WL that it can be purchased?

At this time you are not able to purchase Photopass + at the Wilderness Lodge. These are the locations it is now being sold at. We plan to get ours at Downtown Disney, our first day.

You can purchase the photopass+ at the photo viewing locations at all four parks as well as:
Team Mickey at Downtown Disney
M. Mouse Mercantile at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Trader Jack's at Disney's Polynesian Resort
Zawadi at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club Marketplace at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort

 

[lilmissdisney216]

First I just want to say THANK YOU for being a service dog puppy trainer! It takes a very special person to be one!

This past weekend I spoke to several cast and management regarding AoA! They all said that this resort is unbelievable! Not only is the technology amazing but the resort itself. Several of them had the opportunity to do a test stay there. It is so much more than a value resort!

One of my friends said that it is like walking into the movie itself. He said that in the Cars Section you actually feel like you are in Radiator Springs. There are 11 life sized characters.

My husband and I love staying at the Lodge, but I told him that we will need to stay at AoA just to check out the resort, eat at the food court and take photos.

Like, Kook said I wonder if you could do a split stay.

Aww!! I love being a puppy raiser for Leader Dog! Its so rewarding and lots of fun! I did think about a split stay cause my friend really wants to stay in the Lion King wing of AoA but I want my WL fix as well. Going to be a surprise trip for him as its his first!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

At this time you are not able to purchase Photopass + at the Wilderness Lodge. These are the locations it is now being sold at. We plan to get ours at Downtown Disney, our first day.

You can purchase the photopass+ at the photo viewing locations at all four parks as well as:
Team Mickey at Downtown Disney
M. Mouse Mercantile at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Trader Jack's at Disney's Polynesian Resort
Zawadi at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club Marketplace at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort

Thank you for that information!!!

39 Days till Check-In!!!!!.

 

[Cshel85]

What is Photopass?

 

[lilmissdisney216]

What is Photopass?

Photopass is a service that Disney offers to capture magical memories that your camera would miss. They have photographers at the theme parks and resorts for character dining experiences and at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique as well. The take pictures on their camera in locations and they load them onto a card. The card is free and is loaded with all those special pictures from your vacation. You can go online to their website and view the photos by putting in the number that's on your card. At that point you can purchase individual photos, packages, or photo cds of the pictures. You can also do them at some photopass kiosks on disney property as well. I believe the website is disneyphotopass.com. Its a pretty awesome service!

Meredith

 

[nyrebecca]

Have we had any new refurbed room pics lately? I know I am greedy.

 

[WDWKOOK]

According to Mark Goldhaber's latest WDW update, the metal roof seams at WL that are being recoated should be completed by June 29. This could mean that Flag Family might be offered again after that date.

Have we had any new refurbed room pics lately? I know I am greedy.

No, not yet, but...

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Do they still have the family photo opportunity at WL where they take a certain amount of pics around WL and you get the entire DVD of pics included in the price. I can't remember the $ but it was more than reasonable.


Also, new pics......

 

[rea59]

Three weeks from today we arrive at WL CL for the first time. Not sure I could wait that long.

 

[PSULion]

We are arriving at WL on Nov 9th. Will all the rooms be refurbed by then?

We're very excited for our first stay there!

ETA: ok, found it on the first page. Scheduled to be done in Sept. Yay!