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

[nyrebecca]

I hope that when we get to the WL next weekend on the 17th that we get a new room! Of course I have no idea how to post pictures on here, so if we do get a new room somone needs to tell me what I need to do!

 

[4disneygenerations]

Hi everyone, I just love this thread
I am a little concrened about the room size. We have stayed many times at POFQ and though a moderate the room size was fine for the 4 of us. I keep reading here and on other threads that the WL rooms are so small I know they will not be as large as the POLY where we have also a few times, but the way some threads read it is as if the rooms are quite small at the WL. This will be our first stay at the WL and we are so excited ShouldI be concerned by the room size, we have a woods view?
Thanks again for all this wonderful information

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi everyone, I just love this thread
I am a little concrened about the room size. We have stayed many times at POFQ and though a moderate the room size was fine for the 4 of us. I keep reading here and on other threads that the WL rooms are so small I know they will not be as large as the POLY where we have also a few times, but the way some threads read it is as if the rooms are quite small at the WL. This will be our first stay at the WL and we are so excited ShouldI be concerned by the room size, we have a woods view?
Thanks again for all this wonderful information

I think that if you were fine at POFQ, then you'll be fine at WL. The WL rooms are bigger than POFQ. When people talk about the size being small, I think they are comparing them to other deluxes. WL and AKL have the smallest deluxe rooms, but still bigger than moderates. My family of four is used to value resorts, I'm sure the WL room will look like a mansion!!

 

[marymac123]

Ok so if I don't count the actual day our vacation starts...

100 Days!!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Ok so if I don't count the actual day our vacation starts...

100 Days!!!!

 

[bowbat]

Hi everyone, I just love this thread
I am a little concrened about the room size. We have stayed many times at POFQ and though a moderate the room size was fine for the 4 of us. I keep reading here and on other threads that the WL rooms are so small I know they will not be as large as the POLY where we have also a few times, but the way some threads read it is as if the rooms are quite small at the WL. This will be our first stay at the WL and we are so excited ShouldI be concerned by the room size, we have a woods view?
Thanks again for all this wonderful information

You know, I don't know. If POFQ was fine for your family, I would *think* WL would be, too. However, the room layout is a bit different at WL -- it has a little entry foyer which is part of its square footage so it's possible that the actual main room area is smaller than at POFQ. ?? I really don't know.

We thought the rooms were small, but, yes, we were used to other deluxes and non-Disney properties like the Hyatt Grand Cypress. We also spend a lot of time in our room; families who use the room basically just to sleep & shower probably wouldn't think the rooms were small. And the old decor of the rooms was really dark, which made the rooms feel small. What I've seen of the new decor looks much lighter & brighter.

Most likely, you'll think the rooms are fine.

 

[GatorEye]

It was getting stressful trying to schedule everything that we wanted to do so there was only one reasonable solution...add 2 more days to the trip!

We plan to actually spend one day at the hotel just relaxing. It makes planning so more more enjoyable. Now I'm really hoping for a discount code to knock the price down some.

Got all my ADR's booked at my 180 day mark. Also, the IPO said they have no sway/ability to get ADRs earlier or better than calling myself. I thought their system might allow them to enter the requests ahead of time and have them automatically go into the system at the 180 day mark, but apparently they have to manually do it just like we all would. Given you can go online at 6:00am or call at 7:00am I guess if there was some popular ADR you wanted, it's best not to rely on them to make it for you (which I never did anyway). Even on my 180 day mark I had to shift my WCC ADR time back a half an hour.

It's going to be a long summer and fall of waiting...

 

[WDWKOOK]

It was getting stressful trying to schedule everything that we wanted to do so there was only one reasonable solution...add 2 more days to the trip!

We plan to actually spend one day at the hotel just relaxing. It makes planning so more more enjoyable. Now I'm really hoping for a discount code to knock the price down some.

Got all my ADR's booked at my 180 day mark. Also, the IPO said they have no sway/ability to get ADRs earlier or better than calling myself. I thought their system might allow them to enter the requests ahead of time and have them automatically go into the system at the 180 day mark, but apparently they have to manually do it just like we all would. Given you can go online at 6:00am or call at 7:00am I guess if there was some popular ADR you wanted, it's best not to rely on them to make it for you (which I never did anyway). Even on my 180 day mark I had to shift my WCC ADR time back a half an hour.

It's going to be a long summer and fall of waiting...

I love it - adding days always feels so right at WDW. Congrats!

 

[WDWKOOK]

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......

They did as of last year, I don't recall seeing them during spring break. Just call and make a reservation. They can be booked up to 30 days prior: (407) 934-4004.

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

You are going to LOVE club level! It won't be long now until COBBLER TIME!

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!

I hope that when we get to the WL next weekend on the 17th that we get a new room! Of course I have no idea how to post pictures on here, so if we do get a new room somone needs to tell me what I need to do!

Just upload your photos to a photo sharing site such as PhotoBucket. This will generate an IMG code. Copy and paste the IMG code into your post and abracadabra! You've posted a photo! Can't wait to see them

Hi everyone, I just love this thread
I am a little concrened about the room size. We have stayed many times at POFQ and though a moderate the room size was fine for the 4 of us. I keep reading here and on other threads that the WL rooms are so small I know they will not be as large as the POLY where we have also a few times, but the way some threads read it is as if the rooms are quite small at the WL. This will be our first stay at the WL and we are so excited ShouldI be concerned by the room size, we have a woods view?
Thanks again for all this wonderful information

Stop worrying! While the rooms aren't as large as the Poly, they're about 70 SF smaller (340 Vs. 410), the space is utilized well and you are paying less. There is plenty of storage space in the closet and drawers and there isn't a daybed taking up space. Also, unlike the Poly, every room at WL has a balcony. WL is beautiful and you will love it. And, unlike the Poly, there are two hot tubs at WL and one at VWL to relax in

 

[GatorEye]

Originally Posted by 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.

They did as of last year, I don't recall seeing them during spring break. Just call and make a reservation. They can be booked up to 30 days prior: (407) 934-4004.

Could someone explain this in more detail. I'd love to get some pictures with me actually in the picture! Looking back no one will ever believe I was ever at WDW or WL because I'm always the one taking pictures.

How does this work? Do they just follow you around during your stay or is it just a few photos in the lobby?

 

[nyrebecca]

Just upload your photos to a photo sharing site such as PhotoBucket. This will generate an IMG code. Copy and paste the IMG code into your post and abracadabra! You've posted a photo! Can't wait to see them

QUOTE]

Thanks KOOK ! I will set up a PhotoBucket acount this week before we leave so I am ready to go. This means I will probably bring our laptop since I am not good with cut and paste and what not with the iPad.

 

[Mousemommy1]

37 More Days to go!!!!

Super psyched for our 1st WL (CL) stay!!!!!

 

[heather13]

I would love to know more about that family photo opportunity too. Is it a one-time thing with a photographer (like a private photo session) that is scheduled ahead of time, or is it over a few days like photopass?

 

[mwmom]

A couple of more ideas:

1. Ask at the front desk for the Hidden Mickey list. It is like a scavenger hunt and a fun way to explore the resort.

2. Watch a movie on the beach at night.

3. I think you can walk over to FW, although I haven't done it myself.

 

[GarakDS9]

Can you book a second room with the pin code you used to book yourself? Can you book another MK area resort such as a FW Cabin, which you could boat or walk to or the CR, which is only a boat ride away or how about a VWL Studio? Or maybe you could change to a VWL two bedroom and all stay in the same villa?

Thank you, this was some great advice. It was made official today. I was able to use my pin for our friend. He will be staying at WL for 5 days with us. I never knew that a pin could be used on multiple rooms. Now off to adjust the number of guests on ADR's. He has made it easy on us. He liked our dining locations and only requested that we add a diner at Cape May. Never been and it looks good.

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Thank you, this was some great advice. It was made official today. I was able to use my pin for our friend. He will be staying at WL for 5 days with us. I never knew that a pin could be used on multiple rooms. Now off to adjust the number of guests on ADR's. He has made it easy on us. He liked our dining locations and only requested that we add a diner at Cape May. Never been and it looks good.

This is so cool!! So happy for you.

 

[TheLodgeLady]

A couple of more ideas:

1. Ask at the front desk for the Hidden Mickey list. It is like a scavenger hunt and a fun way to explore the resort.

2. Watch a movie on the beach at night.

3. I think you can walk over to FW, although I haven't done it myself.

We've walked over to FW many times! Nice walk. Last time we explored the campgrounds a little and saw the cabins. Disney really knows how to make vacationing right. Try the little off the beat paths, they usually lead back to the main path.

Last time we saw an alligator resting in the shallows of the lake!

 

[MMrules]

We are staying with family this summer at the BC and my boys keep asking if they can go back to the Lincoln log hotel...I hope they aren't going to be disappointed the entire trip!

Can't wait til I can book VWL!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Happy weekend to everyone!

I was busy yesterday making some changes to our upcoming trip. DD has a camp that runs the week we were supposed to leave for FL, so I had to move everything forward by one week, but that meant availability wasn't as it was the week prior.

We're booked the first 2 nights at AoA CARS suite. This will be our first Value; I'm really curious and intrigued by AoA.

Then we move over to YC/CL for 4 nights. DD and I have stayed there, but not DH, so this is a first for him. I tried to book CR and BLT instead, but they're booked and Kidani had no Savanna View available. We'll save them for another trip.

Saving the best for last: Our last 8 nights are at WL/CL

But, now I have no ADRs since I'm starting from square one, so I have some planning to do this afternoon

Enjoy the weekend!

Could someone explain this in more detail. I'd love to get some pictures with me actually in the picture! Looking back no one will ever believe I was ever at WDW or WL because I'm always the one taking pictures.

How does this work? Do they just follow you around during your stay or is it just a few photos in the lobby?

I would love to know more about that family photo opportunity too. Is it a one-time thing with a photographer (like a private photo session) that is scheduled ahead of time, or is it over a few days like photopass?

First, here is the information from AllEars about the new PhotoPass+ that MM1 mentioned:

NEW! On April 4, 2012, Disney introduced PHOTOPASS+, an all-inclusive package with all your PhotoPass photos PLUS select attraction photos AND Dining Print Packages (taken within a 14 day visit), all for $199.95. PhotoPass+ will be sold at PhotoPass viewing stations located throughout Walt Disney World.

Once you arrive home from your vacation, you can view your photos and order a PhotoCD with all the high resolution photos plus a limited license agreement, which allows you to print photos at any local photo processing center.

Participating Attractions: Space Mountain; Splash Mountain; Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; Rock ‘n Roller Coaster; Expedition Everest; and Dinosaur.

Participating Character Dining Locations: 1900 Park Fare; 'Ohana (breakfast only); Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show; Chef Mickey’s; Cinderella’s Royal Table; Tusker House (breakfast only); Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue; and Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

PhotoPass+ includes: PhotoPass+ Card and Lanyard; a gallery CD with more than 400 stock photos; unique code to create and order a PhotoCD with all your photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com; Print Packages at select Dining locations; Digital Downloads of select attractions (see above).

NOTE: You cannot pre-order PhotoPass+, but you can upgrade to PhotoPass+ if you pre-ordered a regular PhotoPass CD in advance of your trip.


Here is the link to the PhotoPass site:

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/


And, here is information on some resort and park photo sessions:

http://www.disneyeventphotography.com/portraits/



http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/photopass.shtml




http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/digital-photos.htm#resort
Guests can schedule a 30 minute one-on-one session with a PhotoPass Photographer at the Beach Club, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Animal Kingdom Lodge, or the Polynesian Resort.

The sessions can be booked up to 30 days prior to arrival. The number to call for more information is: 407-934-4004.

Thank you, this was some great advice. It was made official today. I was able to use my pin for our friend. He will be staying at WL for 5 days with us. I never knew that a pin could be used on multiple rooms. Now off to adjust the number of guests on ADR's. He has made it easy on us. He liked our dining locations and only requested that we add a diner at Cape May. Never been and it looks good.

I'm happy it worked out for you and your friend. You can't modify ADRs online, you can only cancel them, so you might want to call so that you don't have to cancel and re-book online. If you're staying CL, you can just email the IPO with your changes.

We've walked over to FW many times! Nice walk. Last time we explored the campgrounds a little and saw the cabins. Disney really knows how to make vacationing right. Try the little off the beat paths, they usually lead back to the main path.

Last time we saw an alligator resting in the shallows of the lake!

I love exploring around FW, too! I love it early in the morning when only the ponies/horses and wildlife are active and I can sneak a peek around River Country and all along Bay Lake. The only problem is that they don't spray for mosquitoes off the concrete paths and sidewalks so they will be buzzing and biting

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are staying with family this summer at the BC and my boys keep asking if they can go back to the Lincoln log hotel...I hope they aren't going to be disappointed the entire trip!

Can't wait til I can book VWL!

When can you book? Are you booking a one bedroom? Keep us posted!