Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[XtraEdGe]

Hi all! Love the new forum! It looks like we're planning to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in WDW in 2016. We're trying to decide to either go back to WL (we love our stay last year) or CR (our 1st time there). So excited!

 

[lovingeire]

DH and I had decided we'd save money and move to CBR, but called to switch today and the rooms with the military rate are gone. DH and I decided it's a sign to stay put! We didn't really want to give the Lodge up, but felt we should be "fiscally responsible". Now we're just going to enjoy the trip and time at the Lodge! (And DH is very happy to take the boat!)

 

[eeyore45]

Thank you for your service -
(families serve too)

I can't imagine what you have gone through, but my niece and nephew served and going to Disney is a happy place! Hope you are able to truly let go and enjoy with the kids!

and WL is so peaceful, its a corner of the world (WDW) that just helps to get away and relax!

its meant to be!

 

[puppytrainer]

I'm so excited to be joining in! We'll be staying at VWL for the first time 8/19-8/22. I own at AKV but we picked VWL this time around because we've always wanted to stay there and we want to head over to FW to do activities like horseback riding and archery so it was the perfect fit!

 

[DopeyDonald]

Hi - I had to throw in my information as we were at the lodge this past week. I came her looking for some info as to what they were doing, but it seems to be a secret! LOL To us it looked as though they were gutting the rooms - we could see into some. It also looked as though they had taken out every other column of sliding patio doors and were filling them in with cinderblocks and then log siding. So we were wondering if they were making more deluxe rooms or suites. We have stayed there 8 times since 2010 and hope that is what they are doing. We are a family of 5 and the WL is in desperate need of more options for families like us. I LOVE that the studios sleep 5, but would like the opportunity to stay in the main lodge too!

 

[SeattleJen]

Hi there! I'd love to be added to the trip list! We are planning to be staying in a studio at VWL April 25- May 2. We will be celebrating my 40th b-day and taking our one year old for the first time.

I'd love thoughts on which studio room to request in VWL. Do I want a dedicated studio or is a lock off ok? I'm thinking we'd prefer being near the elevators, not all the way at the other end of the building where it looks like some of the other studios are. Also does anyone know if the studio rooms have equal views (oh yeah is there just that one with no balcony to avoid or are there others?).

Thanks in advance!

 

[reddog]

Question to those who have seen the rooms being gutted on the first floor facing the villas - where exactly are those rooms? Are they closer to the beach (i.e. at the end of the south wing) or are they closer to the elevators? Staying there next week and was planning on requesting ground floor/second floor facing the villas. We have a bunk bed room too. Might be changing my strategy! Any help to understand more the location and if construction would impact (noise) on the VWL side ground floor would be appreciated!

Thank you! One more foot of snow to go through for a total of about 5 feet on the ground where we are - we are so lucky to be able to escape!

 

[mevelandry]

So we have to stay moderate. PO seems out for free dining, if that is an option, I think we will choose there. Has anyone who loves the lodge stayed at CBR or CSR? Our girls will be 6 and 4. Which one do you think best suits us! We are not late night park stayers, we go at opening and stay until they are done and then go back to the hotel to relax. We like to eat breakfast in the room or grab waffles. We have a stroller still and I am weird about clean. Goodness, I am going to miss the lodge! Thank you in advance for any advice!

Keep trying for POR. It's really awesome. If you can't get it, CBR is definitely the best out of the two left.

 

[lovingeire]

Thank you for your service -
(families serve too)

I can't imagine what you have gone through, but my niece and nephew served and going to Disney is a happy place! Hope you are able to truly let go and enjoy with the kids!

and WL is so peaceful, its a corner of the world (WDW) that just helps to get away and relax!

its meant to be!

Thank you so much! That is so sweet of you! I'm hoping we can do flag family while there as my husband would love it! It is probably our last trip pre-retirement for my husband from the military next year (and who knows what the job market holds after 20 years in the Marine Corps) so it really is a go big or go home moment!

Hi - I had to throw in my information as we were at the lodge this past week. I came her looking for some info as to what they were doing, but it seems to be a secret! LOL To us it looked as though they were gutting the rooms - we could see into some. It also looked as though they had taken out every other column of sliding patio doors and were filling them in with cinderblocks and then log siding. So we were wondering if they were making more deluxe rooms or suites. We have stayed there 8 times since 2010 and hope that is what they are doing. We are a family of 5 and the WL is in desperate need of more options for families like us. I LOVE that the studios sleep 5, but would like the opportunity to stay in the main lodge too!

Yes! We are a family of 5 as well, and will "outgrow" the Lodge when our youngest, currently 1, turns 3 so I'd love to see more options for families of 5.

 

[JnKinVA]

Question to those who have seen the rooms being gutted on the first floor facing the villas - where exactly are those rooms? Are they closer to the beach (i.e. at the end of the south wing) or are they closer to the elevators? Staying there next week and was planning on requesting ground floor/second floor facing the villas. We have a bunk bed room too. Might be changing my strategy! Any help to understand more the location and if construction would impact (noise) on the VWL side ground floor would be appreciated!

Thank you! One more foot of snow to go through for a total of about 5 feet on the ground where we are - we are so lucky to be able to escape!

From what I remember, they were more middle but closer to the elevators (not near the beach).
For reference if you were walking along the path the follows the Villas pool towards the beach, it would be on the side before you get to the entrance to the Villas Pool.
I hope that made any sense lol

 

[reddog]

Thanks for the location recall! And thank you for taking the time to post those photos. Those are part of the rooms we considered to be our choice location - if we were able to request them. It is helpful knowing that they might not even be an option! Wondering if construction noise and stuff would be an issue or if they are planning on doing more on that side. Quite curious indeed! We'll be happy wherever, but that was the location that seemed to fit all of our "needs".

 

[chiisai]

Thanks for the location recall! And thank you for taking the time to post those photos. Those are part of the rooms we considered to be our choice location - if we were able to request them. It is helpful knowing that they might not even be an option! Wondering if construction noise and stuff would be an issue or if they are planning on doing more on that side. Quite curious indeed! We'll be happy wherever, but that was the location that seemed to fit all of our "needs".

I saw your signature - 4 more days! How exciting!

 

[dubskates]

Just got our FastPass+ selection reminder in the mail... 70 days to go until we're at the Lodge!

 

[dkrauss]

Hi all! Love the new forum! It looks like we're planning to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in WDW in 2016. We're trying to decide to either go back to WL (we love our stay last year) or CR (our 1st time there). So excited!

Two very different resorts.................The setting and theming of the WL is so much more romantic. Given you're doing this as a special trip...........I say WL all the way!

Doug

 

[Trekkie]

Yeah, to me, WL is the best resort on property, in terms of magic. The quiet. The theming.

Whereas, to me, CR is just the opposite. If you want to be as negative as you can be, you could say that CR's ambiance is kinda a cross between a highway overpass and a shopping mall.

What CR has, is the ultimate location, and convenience features that can't be matched anywhere else.

Note: I certainly haven't stayed in all the resorts. (I haven't even stayed in all the deluxes,)

While I haven't found a resort on property to match the quiet and restfullness of WL, (The Cabins are quieter, but I consider them more of a category by themselves), there's nowhere that can match the view of the castle from a Contemporary theme park view room.

While I find the boat ride between WL and MK to be a really peaceful transition, an almost magical segue between the two very different ambiances of MK and WL, but CR is the only place where you can get on a monorail without even leaving your building. (Or walking to MK, on a walk that frankly isn't too much longer than the people who took a Disney bus to the park.)

CR (kingdom view rooms) gives you the choice of an excellent view of the fireworks from your room. Or, after the fireworks, walking back to your resort, without waiting for any Disney transportation.

WL has some really great dining. Very high quality, and very fitting with the theme.

CR has Chef Mickey's, probably the ultimate in Disney-ness, and California Grill, a really great restaurant with the best view on all the property.

----------

They're both really great places to stay. But they're both great, in really different ways.

 

[reddog]

I saw your signature - 4 more days! How exciting!

Yikes! I didn't even notice that on my ticker - that must be why I have piles of clothes and suitcases all around. We are in all out prep for our trip. We drive from Maine, so it will still be a bit before our WL stay. I am quite ready to get past the snow! Thanks for noticing -

 

[lovegrumpy]

We are hoping to stay here over NYE but have to wait for are 7mth mark to switch. We have walked around and loved the look and feel of it.

 

[StephandDick]

So excited to be able to see we are staying here for the 1st time this summer! I reserved 7/13-7/19 CL thanks to their military discount! 1st time CL at a Disney resort for us. There isn't a big enough smilie but this sums it up fairly well!

We considered CL at CR (for MK convenience) but it was just too expensive and my husband loves the theming at WL (from the pictures) plus it's his birthday. So much to read, so much to learn!!!

 

[skuttle]

We are staying the week before/after easter. They just revised park hours and morning emh each day at mk will be at 7am. What time will the boat start running, and what time should we get to the dock if we want to be there at rope drop? We have three boys, but two are toddlers so we know early EMH is the way to go!

 

[ttfn3]

How often do they change the menu at Territory Lounge?

Anyone visit in the past week or two? I'm not sure if the menu from the official site is accurate.

Here's a link to a menu updated January 2015:
http://allears.net/dining/menu/territory-lounge/snacks

I also think you can order some items from the Artist Point menu
I can't wait to try Territory Lounge. We just might go our first night!