Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[BWV Dreamin]

I logged on to the disney web site and looked at room options for Wilderness Lodge Aug 5-11. Fireworks view--bunk bed is a listed category option. Its not available, but it's a newly listed category, as far as I know.

Wow thanks for posting. I fear changes are coming regarding room view categories at the DVC building

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks! I'll try my best to report back. I have a rest day scheduled so that should give me a little time to check things out and maybe take pics.

We are checking into Wilderness Lodge Villas a week from today! I'm hoping the construction isn't too intrusive... I'm sure Disney has done their best to make it as pleasant as possible.

Have a magical vacation!

New room category was listed online today--fireworks view. Apparently cutting trees allows for new, more expensive room categories.

Thank you for this update, @LynJ

Pix. The images are labeled as "Woods View."

Thank you for posting! How in the world can a view of VWL also be a Wishes/Fireworks view?

 

[efitzge2]

My family is thinking about booking at the Wilderness lodge this October. We have never stayed there before...we have always stayed at the Boardwalk but thought staying closer to the Magic Kingdom may be better for our first trip with our son. Does anyone know how long the wait typically is for the boat to the Magic Kingdom and how long the ride is?

 

[dansdad]

My family is thinking about booking at the Wilderness lodge this October. We have never stayed there before...we have always stayed at the Boardwalk but thought staying closer to the Magic Kingdom may be better for our first trip with our son. Does anyone know how long the wait typically is for the boat to the Magic Kingdom and how long the ride is?

Check out the Transportation post, post #14 of this awesome thread, for all the travel information you will need.

 

[alliecat523]

We've never waited more than 5 minutes. The ride takes between 5-10 minutes.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My family is thinking about booking at the Wilderness lodge this October. We have never stayed there before...we have always stayed at the Boardwalk but thought staying closer to the Magic Kingdom may be better for our first trip with our son. Does anyone know how long the wait typically is for the boat to the Magic Kingdom and how long the ride is?

The boats try to run on a schedule which is about fifteen to twenty minutes apart, but it really varies. The boat ride is about ten - twelve minutes long. There is also a bus that takes about 5 minutes to travel to and from MK.

 

[T_O]

Thank you for posting! How in the world can a view of VWL also be a Wishes/Fireworks view?

Maybe it will actually be a view of the lakefront cabins, not the existing Villas?

 

[cate2]

For people who have stayed at the wilderness lodge and gone to breakfast at Ohana using Disney transit, how long of a journey was it for you?
We'll have a vehicle with us but if it's easy and quick to get to I'd rather ditch the car for the day. (we'll be there in early September if that makes a difference in transportation waits)

Thanks

 

[GrandCalifornian]

For people who have stayed at the wilderness lodge and gone to breakfast at Ohana using Disney transit, how long of a journey was it for you?
We'll have a vehicle with us but if it's easy and quick to get to I'd rather ditch the car for the day. (we'll be there in early September if that makes a difference in transportation waits)

Thanks

We did breakfast at Ohana and allowed about an hour for transportation, but got there in less time than that. Our preferred method was to take a boat to CR and then the monorail to Poly. I would say the minimum time to allow would be 40 minutes though, since you don't know how long the boat wait will be and you do have to walk from the boats up to the monorail at CR. Another option would be to boat to MK and then boat to Poly as long as it was late enough that the boats were running. Early September should be a nice low crowd time, so enjoy your visit.

 

[cate2]

We did breakfast at Ohana and allowed about an hour for transportation, but got there is less time than that. Our preferred method was to take a boat to CR and then the monorail to Poly. I would say the minimum time to allow would be 40 minutes though, since you don't know how long the boat wait will be and you do have to walk from the boats up to the monorail at CR. Another option would be to boat to MK and then boat to Poly as long as it was late enough that the boats were running. Early September should be a nice low crowd time, so enjoy your visit.

Thanks very much for you response, boat to boat - that might be fun if the timing was right.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I have an early morning ADR (8am) at Kona Cafe and it seems like the monorail has a modified schedule where it doesn't start up until 8:30am. My original plan was to bus to MK than the monorail to the Poly. Obviously can't do that now. I'm thinking I can bus to MK than boat to Poly or do you think the boats won't be operating yet?

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I have an early morning ADR (8am) at Kona Cafe and it seems like the monorail has a modified schedule where it doesn't start up until 8:30am. My original plan was to bus to MK than the monorail to the Poly. Obviously can't do that now. I'm thinking I can bus to MK than boat to Poly or do you think the boats won't be operating yet?

The boats to/from Poly also operate from 30 min before park opening, so if you are in that window you'll be fine. The bus to MK will still be a good fast option (we usually find it to be quicker than the boat to MK, but not as much fun). If you are traveling more than 30 min prior to MK opening then an early ADR bus will be your best bet, and may take you direct to Poly just be sure to talk to the driver.

 

[xlsm]

For people who have stayed at the wilderness lodge and gone to breakfast at Ohana using Disney transit, how long of a journey was it for you?
We'll have a vehicle with us but if it's easy and quick to get to I'd rather ditch the car for the day. (we'll be there in early September if that makes a difference in transportation waits)

Thanks

We did this a couple years ago when the monorail was on a modified schedule. We took a bus to the MK and then a bus to the Poly.

When we checked in, we asked the front desk what we should to, and they said take the MK bus, and sometimes they'd drop you off on the way. So, we got on the MK bus and asked the driver if he'd take us to the Poly - he said no, he couldn't, but to go to the Poly bus stop at MK and there'd be one along shortly to take us over.
I had allowed an hour...and it only took about 20 or 30 minutes. Our ADR was for 8am, and we checked in early around 7:30 (after killing some time looking around) and were seated pretty quickly.
Obviously, it might not work out exactly like that for you, and it will depend on your ADR time as well.

Good luck, and have fun on your trip!!

Editing to add the chapter from my old TR with that morning in it : http://www.disboards.com/threads/ke...2014-trip-report.3317206/page-2#post-52098396

I remembered pretty accurately, lol!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Hmmm @xlsm I think your post about bus to MK than bus to Poly will work for us better. Less stress about worrying when a boat will come.

 

[xlsm]

Hmmm @xlsm I think your post about bus to MK than bus to Poly will work for us better. Less stress about worrying when a boat will come.

It worked out really well for us! My best advice would be to double check when you're there to make sure it's an option, but I don't know why it wouldn't be! Just give yourself plenty of time in case you find yourself in need of a Plan B

Enjoy Kona! We're fans of Tonga Toast and the Macadamia Pineapple pancakes...and the press pot coffee!

 

[goopysolelady]

It worked out really well for us! My best advice would be to double check when you're there to make sure it's an option, but I don't know why it wouldn't be! Just give yourself plenty of time in case you find yourself in need of a Plan B

Enjoy Kona! We're fans of Tonga Toast and the Macadamia Pineapple pancakes...and the press pot coffee!

Another fan of the Macadamia Pineapple pancakes! I LOVE that breakfast at Kona's!

We took the boat from WL to CR and walked to MK intending to take the Riverboat back to TTC and walking to Kona (beautiful stroll, especially early in the morning!). As we were nearing the MK entrance area the Poly/GF boat arrived; we jumped on it and arrived at the Poly with 30 minutes to spare. We had allotted an hour for "travel time".

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

It worked out really well for us! My best advice would be to double check when you're there to make sure it's an option, but I don't know why it wouldn't be! Just give yourself plenty of time in case you find yourself in need of a Plan B

Enjoy Kona! We're fans of Tonga Toast and the Macadamia Pineapple pancakes...and the press pot coffee!

Thanks! We've always taken the monorail to Poly so with the modified schedule it has really thrown a kink into things.

We LOVE Kona so it's a staple every trip since the hubs is obsessed with their Tonga Toast. Kona breakfast is also what we play for in our NCAA brackets lol and somehow I always lose so I have to pay. Good thing it's now listed as getting 10% off with the disney credit card!

 

[disneyandme]

I am having to move my Swan reservation-- and the dates I need to switch to are sold out. So, I'm looking elsewhere. WL has a pretty good deal, so I'm looking at a standard room. Can someone tell me about the ongoing construction, noise, mess, room conditions, etc. We usually stay at Contemporary or GF.

 

[Grand Admiral]

I am having to move my Swan reservation-- and the dates I need to switch to are sold out. So, I'm looking elsewhere. WL has a pretty good deal, so I'm looking at a standard room. Can someone tell me about the ongoing construction, noise, mess, room conditions, etc. We usually stay at Contemporary or GF.

There is a thread dedicated to the construction here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wilderness-lodge-dvc-expansion-details-thread.3410778/

People have been posting occasional photo updates.

 

[disneyandme]

Thanks. I'll go check the construction thread.