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

[WDWKOOK]

Its absolutely wonderful. We all felt like it was home. Praying for a good discount for April so we can do it again!

Hopefully, the military discount will be offered again (and still at 40%).

Speaking of discounts, for those STILL keeping up with my changes, today I was able to switch from YC/CL to a BLT one bedroom Lake View with our discount. I've been trying for months and finally, persistence paid off

 

[pas130]

I'm so glad that you stuck with your reservation so that you could see first-hand what I've been talking about. It's even better in person, huh?

I am counting on it...no pressure

Speaking of discounts, for those STILL keeping up with my changes, today I was able to switch from YC/CL to a BLT one bedroom Lake View with our discount. I've been trying for months and finally, persistence paid off

You can take a Sea Raycer across Bay Lake for check in

 

[LuvGoldens]

Actually, the Blue Flag boat is the one that goes to FW and CR starting at around 0645. The MK Red Flag boat doesn't start operating until 30 minutes prior to park opening.

If we take the Blue Flag boat over to CR (since DH will want to be at MK entrance sooner than Red Flag boat would get us there) about how far of a walk is it from the boat dock to the MK entrance?

Actually DH would prefer that we take our rental car to the TTC and take the monorail from there as he says it's all part of the experience, so I told him "go ahead" I'll take the boat and we'll see who gets there first!

 

[WDWKOOK]

You can take a Sea Raycer across Bay Lake for check in

I would so love to do that - love those little Sea Raycers! I told DH about this transportation plan and he suggested that since the added luggage weight might cause some stability issues and slow down my check-in, I should drag the luggage behind the SR. They don't show luggage in the picture, but would these work to put the luggage in?

Or maybe I could shrink-wrap them like at the airport? I could also take the Blue Flag over to FW, then commandeer a carriage and mosey on over to the WL valet - so many great ideas...

If we take the Blue Flag boat over to CR (since DH will want to be at MK entrance sooner than Red Flag boat would get us there) about how far of a walk is it from the boat dock to the MK entrance?

Actually DH would prefer that we take our rental car to the TTC and take the monorail from there as he says it's all part of the experience, so I told him "go ahead" I'll take the boat and we'll see who gets there first!

So you want to get to the MK as early as possible? If DH goes the 'adventurous route', it will take him much longer:

He'll have to drive to the MK parking lot, park the car and wait for a tram back to the TTC from the MK parking lot. The monorail operates about one hour prior to park opening so if that's running, he'll then have to go to the platform and wait for it then take it to the MK which is 3 stops away or he could walk over to the Poly and catch it from there where it's 2 stops away.

His scenario is going to take a lot more time than just taking the Blue Flag over to the CR and walking to the MK. The walk from the CR dock to the MK is about 10 - 15 minutes. Let us know what DH decides to do

 

[LuvGoldens]

So you want to get to the MK as early as possible? If DH goes the 'adventurous route', it will take him much longer:

He'll have to drive to the MK parking lot, park the car and wait for a tram back to the TTC from the MK parking lot. The monorail operates about one hour prior to park opening so if that's running, he'll then have to go to the platform and wait for it then take it to the MK which is 3 stops away or he could walk over to the Poly and catch it from there where it's 2 stops away.

His scenario is going to take a lot more time than just taking the Blue Flag over to the CR and walking to the MK. The walk from the CR dock to the MK is about 10 - 15 minutes. Let us know what DH decides to do

Thanks WDWKOOK for confirming I'm right We plan to go to MK for rope drop on 2 mornings so maybe we'll do it his way one day and mine the other. Look forward to trying the walking route from CR to MK entrance, maybe that will instead become his new "it's all part of the experience" route

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Morning all - now that we're finally ONLY 30 days out from our stay at WL (woo hoo!), I'm trying to finalize a bunch of small details.

1. Distilled water - I recall a few posts on this thread about a guest with a CPAP machine needing distilled water. I don't recall if she ever found distilled water around WL. I'll be bringing my CPAP, so I need to find out if I can get the water around WL, or if I can order some somewhere (don't want to do a large Garden Grocer order).

2. Mailing a Package to WL - I'd read on other threads that you shouldn't send a USPS box to a Disney resort since they get sent to the mail department and it might take a while to get delivered. I was pondering sending one of the large USPS flat rate priority boxes with various non-perishable snacky items (costs about $15). If I send this about a week in advance, should I be okay or should I go with FedEx Ground or UPS?

3. About how long does it take for the bags to get delivered from ME? In previous years at CSR and CBR, I think it took about 2-3 hours so I'm wondering if WL is similar. We'll be arriving around noon and have a lunch ADR at WCC, then some pool time before we head to the parks.

Thanks!

 

[pas130]

I would so love to do that - love those little Sea Raycers! I told DH about this transportation plan and he suggested that since the added luggage weight might cause some stability issues and slow down my check-in, I should drag the luggage behind the SR. They don't show luggage in the picture, but would these work to put the luggage in?

You have to see the visual in my head right now

Morning all - now that we're finally ONLY 30 days out from our stay at WL (woo hoo!), I'm trying to finalize a bunch of small details.

Yay for 30 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kathymford]

Hi all! So, this is our 3rd trip to WDW (in a year!!), but first time staying very close to one of the parks (last trips SSR and AKL). We are on a mission to take every kind of transportation possible EXCEPT the bus. No real reason. Just because we CAN. So what are your thoughts?

We plan to visit MK, DHS, and Epcot. Is the best was to get to DHS and Epcot to take the boat to the Contemporary to then take the monorail? I know this will make everything take longer, but we are in no hurry.

Suggestions please!

Cannot believe I misspelled buses....and can't edit the title! GRRRR

 

[Kathymford]

Hi all! So, this is our 3rd trip to WDW (in a year!!), but first time staying very close to one of the parks (last trips SSR and AKL). We are on a mission to take every kind of transportation possible EXCEPT the bus. No real reason. Just because we CAN. So what are your thoughts?

We plan to visit MK, DHS, and Epcot. Is the best was to get to DHS and Epcot to take the boat to the Contemporary to then take the monorail? I know this will make everything take longer, but we are in no hurry.

Suggestions please!

Cannot believe I misspelled buses....and can't edit the title! GRRRR

NEVERMIND!! Our wait list for BWV for the last two nights came through!! It's going to be all boats, all the time!!! Although, I am curious for the answer, but not necessary now!

 

[EvilinaDM101]

Morning all - now that we're finally ONLY 30 days out from our stay at WL (woo hoo!), I'm trying to finalize a bunch of small details.

1. Distilled water - I recall a few posts on this thread about a guest with a CPAP machine needing distilled water. I don't recall if she ever found distilled water around WL. I'll be bringing my CPAP, so I need to find out if I can get the water around WL, or if I can order some somewhere (don't want to do a large Garden Grocer order).

Hello!!

I was just in the WL! AND they sell gallon jugs of distilled water in the merchantile (gift shop) in the main lobby.

HTH

 

[EvilinaDM101]

Hi all! So, this is our 3rd trip to WDW (in a year!!), but first time staying very close to one of the parks (last trips SSR and AKL). We are on a mission to take every kind of transportation possible EXCEPT the bus. No real reason. Just because we CAN. So what are your thoughts?

We plan to visit MK, DHS, and Epcot. Is the best was to get to DHS and Epcot to take the boat to the Contemporary to then take the monorail? I know this will make everything take longer, but we are in no hurry.

Suggestions please!

Cannot believe I misspelled buses....and can't edit the title! GRRRR

Don't forget! From Epcot, you can take a boat to DHS!

 

[TaraPA]

Its absolutely wonderful. We all felt like it was home. Praying for a good discount for April so we can do it again!

Thanks for all your trip reports!! Glad you had a great time Candace. I'm STILL waiting (not so patiently anymore) for those stinkin AP fall discounts to come out - that will decide where our ladies group stays...but I'm crossing my fingers for WL! It's narrowed down to (ok, 4 choices isn't narrow...but...) WL, AKL, Poly or AoA (if there's no good discounts this will be the cheapest for us).

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi all! So, this is our 3rd trip to WDW (in a year!!), but first time staying very close to one of the parks (last trips SSR and AKL). We are on a mission to take every kind of transportation possible EXCEPT the bus. No real reason. Just because we CAN. So what are your thoughts?

We plan to visit MK, DHS, and Epcot. Is the best was to get to DHS and Epcot to take the boat to the Contemporary to then take the monorail? I know this will make everything take longer, but we are in no hurry.

Suggestions please!

Cannot believe I misspelled buses....and can't edit the title! GRRRR

Don't worry about the misspelling, but you can edit a TITLE by choosing "GO ADVANCED" after "EDIT."

NEVERMIND!! Our wait list for BWV for the last two nights came through!! It's going to be all boats, all the time!!! Although, I am curious for the answer, but not necessary now!

Glad your wait list came through. If you're avoiding buses, then from WL your only option is a boat either to the MK or to the CR. From there, the only non-bus option is to walk to the MK form the CR or monorail. You can walk to the MK and also then take the ferry over to the TTC.

Hello!!

I was just in the WL! AND they sell gallon jugs of distilled water in the merchantile (gift shop) in the main lobby.

HTH

That's very helpful - thank you for answering the PP's question.

Thanks for all your trip reports!! Glad you had a great time Candace. I'm STILL waiting (not so patiently anymore) for those stinkin AP fall discounts to come out - that will decide where our ladies group stays...but I'm crossing my fingers for WL! It's narrowed down to (ok, 4 choices isn't narrow...but...) WL, AKL, Poly or AoA (if there's no good discounts this will be the cheapest for us).

Let us know what you end up booking - fingers crossed for a Fall AP for you. (BTW, Kidani is no more).

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Hello!!

I was just in the WL! AND they sell gallon jugs of distilled water in the merchantile (gift shop) in the main lobby.

HTH

Whew .... that is GREAT news - thanks so much! That's one big item off my "To Do" list.

 

[AudreyLovesTheMouse]

Hi, Kathymford
We prefer to avoid buses sometimes too. We take the boat to MK or CR (whichever comes first) then the monorail to TTC and on to EPCOT. There's a boat btwn HS and EPCOT, and you can also get off the boat at the Boardwalk area, if you want to check that out.

 

[Kathymford]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm very excited to do my first split stay! And all with boat transportation to the parks. Yay.

 

[TaraPA]

Let us know what you end up booking - fingers crossed for a Fall AP for you. (BTW, Kidani is no more).

LOL...there's always next time!

 

[jsantini]

Hello,

I am looking forward to my first stay at WL in mid-December! We have some late dinner reservations, and I am wondering if you WL experts can tell me what/if any Disney transportation might be available for us to return to the Lodge from the following reservations? If it's necessary to make transportation easier, I may move some of these reservations an hour earlier where possible. Thank you!

8:30 pm Hoop De Doo Revue

9 pm Citricos

8:50 pm California Grill

8:55 pm Ohana

7:15 pm Jiko

 

[pas130]

I'm STILL waiting (not so patiently anymore) for those stinkin AP fall discounts to come out - that will decide where our ladies group stays...but I'm crossing my fingers for WL! It's narrowed down to (ok, 4 choices isn't narrow...but...) WL, AKL, Poly or AoA (if there's no good discounts this will be the cheapest for us).

The AP rates have been so unimpressive (is that even a real word?) Fingers crossed for you

(BTW, Kidani is no more).

Love your Bay Lake split

LOL...there's always next time!

New trip, new changes


The WL IPO rocks....I really get nervous whenever I change back to WL....they must be shocked my reservation has been intact for almost 3 weeks I am that guest that all the CMs are warned about

So I reached out yesterday, as tomorrow is online check in day, and I can access anything on the website...within an hour I received a pleasant response assuring me not to worry that all is taken care of!

 

[pld5]

Hi everyone, Just a quick post to join in the fun. We are going back to WL for our second onsite stay. This time we're staying CL.

We fell in love with WL in January 2012 and have now booked a trip for February 2013 to celebrate my DS's birthday. He'll be 7 and wants to ride Soarin' on his birthday so we almost booked an Epcot area resort.
(Ok, we did book YC and changed within a week of putting our deposit down......).

I love this information on this thread, and now that we've been there once, we can spend some energy discovering the things we didn't get a chance to in January. I've been following this thread for a while, and I have to say, everytime I see WDWKOOK post, your "handle" makes me smile.