Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[bjck99]

I have a standard room booked for September (I know...boring). I will have my 76 year old mother with me. Is there any wing or floor that you would suggest that I request? I'm just looking for quiet, and I realize room requests are just that, requests but not guaranteed.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I have a standard room booked for September (I know...boring). I will have my 76 year old mother with me. Is there any wing or floor that you would suggest that request? I'm just looking for quiet, and I realize room requests are just that, requests but not guaranteed.

A standard room at such a great resort is still far from boring. If quiet is your top priority, I would suggest a high floor in the North Wing. We really like the standard view rooms that open to the lobby in the South Wing for their central location and great lobby views, but there is some noise that you can hear from WCC in the evenings.

 

[pixarmom]

Hello all! My first post to Disboards

This thread is so informative and has really sealed how I'm feeling about WL. So I'll just leap in with a question:

My family and I are booked to come to WDW for our first visit ever as a family (DH has visited 3 times in childhood, but has never stayed onsite). We're going to be there 26th March - 9th April. We booked into ASMu as we didn't think we'd spend much time at the resort and thought it'd be a good, fun place to stay with our kids (11 and 3). Now the big HOWEVER!

I have fallen so, so in love with WL and loads of new possibilities and experiences have opened up with the thought of us staying there. More resort time, more relaxing, awesome dining options, more convenient travel, beautiful surroundings. The resort speaks to my SOUL (if that doesn't sound to dramatic) and I can't believe it passed me by when I made my initial research before booking.

I'd love to switch our reservation. I'm very nervous about the scheduled construction though. We're a UK family, so won't be coming back to WDW for a few years after this trip - we'd need to save, save, save.

Any advice? If we took a watch and wait approach, when is the latest we could make the switch?

We've stayed at both WL and ASMu and I'd definitely go with WL, even during construction. ASMu is our favorite of all the value resorts, and is a great value for a short stay. But given the ages of your kids, the length of your stay and the distance you will travel, WL would make a significant difference in overall feel of your trip for all the reasons you mentioned. Having traveled from the U.S. to London with three kids last summer, I can confirm that WL would be a welcome relaxing retreat after all that travel! While we can't be certain of all the construction details/timing, I do like the fact that the information KOOK and others have provided indicates it will be on the outskirts of the main resort area.

 

[outahere]

We recently booked one of the Deluxe rooms with CL access. Does anyone know if we can use the IPO folks for requests and/or reservations?

Thanks.

 

[MoominMamma]

We've stayed at both WL and ASMu and I'd definitely go with WL, even during construction. ASMu is our favorite of all the value resorts, and is a great value for a short stay. But given the ages of your kids, the length of your stay and the distance you will travel, WL would make a significant difference in overall feel of your trip for all the reasons you mentioned. Having traveled from the U.S. to London with three kids last summer, I can confirm that WL would be a welcome relaxing retreat after all that travel! While we can't be certain of all the construction details/timing, I do like the fact that the information KOOK and others have provided indicates it will be on the outskirts of the main resort area.

Thank you so much for the reassuring reply! The length of our stay and the added convenience are my main considerations, alongside how beautiful and romantic the resort seems. Now to convince DH

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are departing WL on July 5th. Our plane doesn't depart until 7 pm. We plan to spend the day at the pool. Does anyone know if/how they accommodate late checkout, and how late that might be? If not, how are the facilities? Are there family changing areas and showers (for example, we need to shower a small child)?

When we wanted a late check out we went to the desk the night before to see if we would be able to check out late. Sometimes the request has been granted and other times it hasn't. It all depends on availability. We've only asked to have the room for an extra hour or so. There is an additional room charge if you want the room past a certain time of day, so you need to check on that.

You can take showers and change at the Sturdy Branches Health Club, located in the villas building, across from the quiet pool.

We recently booked one of the Deluxe rooms with CL access. Does anyone know if we can use the IPO folks for requests and/or reservations?

Thanks.

Guests staying in the deluxe rooms receive all the club level services, so, yes, you can use the IPO folks.

 

[wzwild]

Not sure if this has been asked yet or not, so I apologize in advance if I am repeating a question, but...does anyone know if you can have beverages in non-glass containers in the pool area? I know in the pool you cannot, but I am not exactly sure what the pool wet deck is (I'm assuming it is the shallow ledge area in the pool). Just wondering if we could bring drinks to the lounge chairs from the pool bar for DH and I, and bottled water for our DD.

 

[jen7233]

I've heard that you could, I'd like to confirm also.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I've heard that you could, I'd like to confirm also.

We've taken our drinks from the pool bar to the pool area. That's why they serve it in a plastic cup.

 

[VbChristy]

Hello all! My first post to Disboards

This thread is so informative and has really sealed how I'm feeling about WL. So I'll just leap in with a question:
...
I'd love to switch our reservation. I'm very nervous about the scheduled construction though. We're a UK family, so won't be coming back to WDW for a few years after this trip - we'd need to save, save, save.

Any advice? If we took a watch and wait approach, when is the latest we could make the switch?

I say switch to this hotel and if the reviews aren't great right before your trip, switch back. There should be a value to switch to if needed.

 

[gschon]

You can definitely bring your drink to the lounge chairs or tables. And, I have had my drink pretty close to the hot tub too. It seems to be most important that you don't set it down in the path of the lifeguards, who are constantly walking along the edge of the pool.

 

[dansdad]

We are departing WL on July 5th. Our plane doesn't depart until 7 pm. We plan to spend the day at the pool. Does anyone know if/how they accommodate late checkout, and how late that might be? If not, how are the facilities? Are there family changing areas and showers (for example, we need to shower a small child)?

Call housekeeping on check out day and ask if you can have a late check out. If you can, the latest that you will have is until 1:00PM.

I have not stayed at WL yet, but at other resorts we have stayed at there have been showers/lockers next to the Main Feature pool.

 

[wzwild]

You can definitely bring your drink to the lounge chairs or tables. And, I have had my drink pretty close to the hot tub too. It seems to be most important that you don't set it down in the path of the lifeguards, who are constantly walking along the edge of the pool.

Thanks. Looking forward to our first trip to this resort. Looks so beautiful!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Has anyone seen the new DVC clothing at Wilderness Lodge? Supposedly all the DVC resorts will be getting new merchandise.

 

[thewilderness3]

Last night we decided to take advantage of the last MK closing and the earlier rain storm...it was practically empty. We arrived back at the lodge around 2am. The plan was to sleep in, but every one in my family is currently laying awake in bed hating life because of all the construction noise around us. (6th floor, courtyard view, above roaring fork) it's above us, and it's below us. Suggestions? We've been here since Saturday, and don't check out until next Tuesday.

 

[moonshadow]

Last night we decided to take advantage of the last MK closing and the earlier rain storm...it was practically empty. We arrived back at the lodge around 2am. The plan was to sleep in, but every one in my family is currently laying awake in bed hating life because of all the construction noise around us. (6th floor, courtyard view, above roaring fork) it's above us, and it's below us. Suggestions? We've been here since Saturday, and don't check out until next Tuesday.

I would definitely try to switch rooms, if any are available. Makes me a little nervous about our September visit coming up. Hope you are able to find a quieter room.

 

[daunty]

You have to complain. It's not acceptable to be kept awake with noise from construction when you were not informed it would be happening.

 

[colagirl]

The plan was to sleep in, but every one in my family is currently laying awake in bed hating life because of all the construction noise around us. (6th floor, courtyard view, above roaring fork) it's above us, and it's below us.

Have to say I am pretty nervous about the construction noise reports. We arrive on Sunday, and will be Club Level (7th floor), which I thought would be sort of immune from the noise. But maybe not. We're won't be sleeping in, but we do like to go back to the room for a mid-day rest. Hope it is OK.

 

[jon18uk]

Last night we decided to take advantage of the last MK closing and the earlier rain storm...it was practically empty. We arrived back at the lodge around 2am. The plan was to sleep in, but every one in my family is currently laying awake in bed hating life because of all the construction noise around us. (6th floor, courtyard view, above roaring fork) it's above us, and it's below us. Suggestions? We've been here since Saturday, and don't check out until next Tuesday.

Walk down to the lobby and ask to be moved, to another resort if necessary.

 

[sock2you]

We will be dining at the Whispering Canyon Cafe before our MVMCP in December. We will be staying offsite and renting a car, will I have to pay for parking at WL if I have a reservation? Can I take the boat after our late lunch to MK and leave the car there?