Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[McKelly]

So are there standard view rooms that have bunks? We would like to have one, but I know it's not a bookable category with standard view! Is it something people can request and hope to get? Thanks

I'm curious about this too.

 

[ClareH37]

So happy and excited that my reservation is now confirmed and I'm returning to WL CL 17-24 November. Love love love feeling so chilled and relaxed, it's really a very special place and I'm grateful to Kook for introducing me to the fabulous WL through this great thread.

Quick question though please as my last stay I didn't really use the boat at night due to my only have a very short stay, I seem to remember posts about spiders and other horrible things that would come out onto the boat at night Please tell me this isn't true.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just booked a Studio at WLV never stayed here before but looking for any tips or pointers ! We are going Sept 11- 15th !

Read the first couple pages of this thread and then you will know quite a bit about the WL and VWL. Then ask any questions you want. Someone here will be happy to answer them.

So are there standard view rooms that have bunks? We would like to have one, but I know it's not a bookable category with standard view! Is it something people can request and hope to get? Thanks

I'm curious about this too.

I've heard that there are some bunkbed rooms in the standard category but they need to be requested. I would call resort reservations and have them add the request to your reservation. Who knows, you might get a free upgrade. There are always people who get stuck with bunkbed rooms that don't want them because they are often the last category to get booked.

Quick question though please as my last stay I didn't really use the boat at night due to my only have a very short stay, I seem to remember posts about spiders and other horrible things that would come out onto the boat at night Please tell me this isn't true.

That was a rumor that was going around last summer. I think there was one person who saw a spider and about 300 who said they never saw a spider at all. I will admit to seeing a cobweb or two, but never a spider. I would not worry about it.

 

[jennab]

We just booked at WL 9/6-9/13!!!! This will be our first time staying here so very excited! We did stay in the cabins at FW one year but didn't have time to explore the restaurants or sing-a-long with Chip & Dale. This time I planning some time to go over and eat at Trails End and do the campfire since we will be right next door! Also looking forward to trying out the restaurants at WL and the kids club for a date night It will be me, DH, and DS (3)!

 

[ClareH37]

That was a rumor that was going around last summer. I think there was one person who saw a spider and about 300 who said they never saw a spider at all. I will admit to seeing a cobweb or two, but never a spider. I would not worry about it.

Thank you, feeling a lot better now

 

[brood of belles]

Yay, we booked our first trip to WL for June 18-22! We love the lodge and always do dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe regardless of where we stay, so we finally booked it for our 10th anniversary trip! We were going to do a Moderate this time around, but I think CR spoiled us last visit and when we got a summer discount code, we pulled the trigger on another deluxe. Cannot wait!

 

[jen7233]

Yay, we booked our first trip to WL for June 18-22! We love the lodge and always do dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe regardless of where we stay, so we finally booked it for our 10th anniversary trip! We were going to do a Moderate this time around, but I think CR spoiled us last visit and when we got a summer discount code, we pulled the trigger on another deluxe. Cannot wait!

I'm staying the next week after your vacation. Any recommendations at the Whispering Canyon? I reserved a breakfast and a dinner there.

 

[alhurricane]

One thing I thought of...

We have an 820am reservation for Crystal Palace one morning. Will we be good if we get to the bus stop at 715-720?

 

[hill6]

We have a Chef Mickey reservation at 8:45 am does the boat run that early to the Contemporary or should we take boat/bus to MK and walk. Other option is we drive. We are going to MK after breakfast

 

[VbChristy]

One thing I thought of...

We have an 820am reservation for Crystal Palace one morning. Will we be good if we get to the bus stop at 715-720?

I probably push the time. But I probably wouldn't go until 7:30. It is a 5 min bus ride, so even if you want an hour for the busses... I think the busses start an hour before the park opens though, right? So will the busses be started then? That is always the tricky part...

 

[Wood Nymph]

One thing I thought of...

We have an 820am reservation for Crystal Palace one morning. Will we be good if we get to the bus stop at 715-720?

If the MK opens at 8am that morning there will be a bit of a crowd waiting for the bus. So I would get there no later than 7:30am. But if the MK opens at 9am, then you can probably get to the bus a little later.

We have a Chef Mickey reservation at 8:45 am does the boat run that early to the Contemporary or should we take boat/bus to MK and walk. Other option is we drive. We are going to MK after breakfast

The boat will be running by then. You could take the bus and walk to CR, too, but I would not drive. Either of the other two options would be better.

 

[loislanegta]

This is an amazing thread, thanks to everyone who participates and answers questions!

We arrive at VWL soon - March 28th! We are there for just 5 days, dining and fastpasses booked. We are a group of 15 in total - 9 adults and 6 kids. We have booked 2- 2 bedroom villas and one studio villa ... is there a way for us to request rooms close together? And any recommendations overall on room requests?

My other question would be around the kitchen and what to bring ... I think I read it is a drip coffeemaker so filters and coffee from home might be a good idea for the picky coffee drinker. Any other thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[ttfn3]

4 days and counting down before we check in to the Wilderness Lodge!! If anyone would like me to check anything out, let me know. We're spending some down time at the resort to enjoy all the amenities. Really looking forward to the Territory Lounge and hoping it is warm enough to spend some time lounging at the pool. We're also going to explore Fort Wilderness - a first for us. And maybe even rent the sea racers - it's been on my Disney wish list for a long time. Got my fingers crossed that the weather cooperates!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

4 days and counting down before we check in to the Wilderness Lodge!! If anyone would like me to check anything out, let me know. We're spending some down time at the resort to enjoy all the amenities. Really looking forward to the Territory Lounge and hoping it is warm enough to spend some time lounging at the pool. We're also going to explore Fort Wilderness - a first for us. And maybe even rent the sea racers - it's been on my Disney wish list for a long time. Got my fingers crossed that the weather cooperates!!

We love Territory Lounge and spending time at Fort Wilderness.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This is an amazing thread, thanks to everyone who participates and answers questions!

We arrive at VWL soon - March 28th! We are there for just 5 days, dining and fastpasses booked. We are a group of 15 in total - 9 adults and 6 kids. We have booked 2- 2 bedroom villas and one studio villa ... is there a way for us to request rooms close together? And any recommendations overall on room requests?

My other question would be around the kitchen and what to bring ... I think I read it is a drip coffeemaker so filters and coffee from home might be a good idea for the picky coffee drinker. Any other thoughts?

Thank you!

When we stay in a villa I bring coffee, basket type coffee filters and extra sugar, because they never give you enough sugar. They will have some complimentary coffee and packets with sweeteners and stir sticks, but it is never enough for the real coffee drinkers.

If you plan to eat meals in the villa then you will also need to stock up on a few necessities. They completely clear out the kitchen cabinets of everything, so you would have to be prepared to bring everything you would need. Fortunately, you can run to Roaring Forks for things like salt, pepper, butter, syrup, peanut butter, etc.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Yay! I kept checking all day yesterday and nothing, and then about an hour ago, Boom! Courtyard View opened up! I love my CV room... I don't mind the noise from the pool, I love the views and being able to see EWP

Yippee - it pays to be persistent

Howdy!!!

I just booked a return visit to WL today. We stayed in a bunk bed room there in November 2012 for my son's first trip. It was my husband and myself, my then 3 year old son and my then 16 year old daughter. This trip will be a mother/son trip which I am so excited about. We are booked in standard view room from August 24th-28th. Kook and posters here were such a huge help last time. I'm so glad to be heading back "home".

Howdy!

A mother-son trip sounds wonderful and I'll log your dates in POST 1.

So excited to be heading back to WL Aug 21-28th after staying at BC and YC the last 2 years. Thanks to
bounce back offer Free Dining for us.

Congratulations on booking and I'll log your dates, too.

So are there standard view rooms that have bunks? We would like to have one, but I know it's not a bookable category with standard view! Is it something people can request and hope to get? Thanks

The Standard View booking category does have some bunks, however, it's the only category where you can't actually book the bunk, they're by-request only. Just call the WDTC/CRO and have the request added to your reservation.

I'm looking forward to returning to WL in May! My husband, daughter and I will be there 5/20 - 5/24. My first and only stay there was 10 years ago when our kids were 12 and 14. We had a bunk bed room which worked out great at the time for the extra available space in the room.

Kerry

Welcome back, it's been a long time. I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log

Just booked a Studio at WLV never stayed here before but looking for any tips or pointers ! We are going Sept 11- 15th !

Sounds like a great time of year to go and let us know if you have any questions. I'll put your dates in POST 1.

So happy and excited that my reservation is now confirmed and I'm returning to WL CL 17-24 November. Love love love feeling so chilled and relaxed, it's really a very special place and I'm grateful to Kook for introducing me to the fabulous WL through this great thread.

Quick question though please as my last stay I didn't really use the boat at night due to my only have a very short stay, I seem to remember posts about spiders and other horrible things that would come out onto the boat at night Please tell me this isn't true.

Now that it's official, I'll log your dates

We just booked at WL 9/6-9/13!!!! This will be our first time staying here so very excited! We did stay in the cabins at FW one year but didn't have time to explore the restaurants or sing-a-long with Chip & Dale. This time I planning some time to go over and eat at Trails End and do the campfire since we will be right next door! Also looking forward to trying out the restaurants at WL and the kids club for a date night It will be me, DH, and DS (3)!

Congratulations on booking your first visit. We really like Trail's End, particularly for breakfast and you might want to try Territory Lounge on your date night

Yay, we booked our first trip to WL for June 18-22! We love the lodge and always do dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe regardless of where we stay, so we finally booked it for our 10th anniversary trip! We were going to do a Moderate this time around, but I think CR spoiled us last visit and when we got a summer discount code, we pulled the trigger on another deluxe. Cannot wait!

Happy Almost Anniversary! It's so hard not staying Deluxe when you're used to it, if for no other reason than the multiple transportation options (except for AKL). But, it is nice that all the Mods. have queen beds now. I'll log your dates

This is an amazing thread, thanks to everyone who participates and answers questions!

We arrive at VWL soon - March 28th! We are there for just 5 days, dining and fastpasses booked. We are a group of 15 in total - 9 adults and 6 kids. We have booked 2- 2 bedroom villas and one studio villa ... is there a way for us to request rooms close together? And any recommendations overall on room requests?

My other question would be around the kitchen and what to bring ... I think I read it is a drip coffeemaker so filters and coffee from home might be a good idea for the picky coffee drinker. Any other thoughts?

Thank you!

Welcome to the thread! Only 10 more days and what a big group. Are you all doing ADRs together? Make sure that you call the WDTC/CRO right now and have them link the 3 reservations (they'll need last names and confirmation numbers). This way, the Room Assignor will see that you are all together and will try to either put you close together, the same floor, adjoining and/or connecting, if possible.

4 days and counting down before we check in to the Wilderness Lodge!! If anyone would like me to check anything out, let me know. We're spending some down time at the resort to enjoy all the amenities. Really looking forward to the Territory Lounge and hoping it is warm enough to spend some time lounging at the pool. We're also going to explore Fort Wilderness - a first for us. And maybe even rent the sea racers - it's been on my Disney wish list for a long time. Got my fingers crossed that the weather cooperates!!

Your trip is almost here! Just a reminder that you can order entrees and kids' meals from Artist Point at TL. I highly recommend FW and Sea Raycers - so much fun!

We love Territory Lounge and spending time at Fort Wilderness.

 

[annekreel]

We are staying at WL in a 2BR villa beginning April 22 for three nights followed by 3 nights in a 2 BR villa at AKK and then 1 night in a 2 bedroom Boardwalk Villa. Does anyone have any speicif room numbers they can recommend for the best view at WL which might also be close to transporation? Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

From this week's AllEars Newsletter:


FEATURE ARTICLE

"Overlooked Attractions" at Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts
by Debra Martin Koma
AllEars® Editor

WILDERNESS LODGE and
The Villas at Wilderness Lodge


Speaking of resort tours, the Wilderness Lodge offers a tour of this grand representation of a Pacific Northwest lodge. Wonders of the Lodge affords a special insight into the architectural details of both the interior and exterior of the lodge. This tour is usually offered on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 9 a.m., but check with Lobby Concierge for times and days the tour will be offered during your stay.

If you're wandering around the six-story lobby of this resort, be sure to check out the totem pole outside the general store. It's not your normal Native American totem -- it features some familiar Disney faces!

While you're in the lobby, walk to the back and set a spell in one of the rough-hewn rocking chairs. There you can people-watch while listening to the sounds of the babbling brook that actually starts inside the resort and flows out to the pool area.

If you follow that stream, you'll find something pretty unusual for a Disney resort -- an actual geyser, just like Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful. At the Wilderness Lodge, it's called Fire Rock Geyser and it shoots up 120 feet every half hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take a walk out the back of the resort and head toward the pool area -- you'll see signs pointing you to the geyser viewing area.

If it's a cool day, you may prefer to just spend some time sitting in a huge rocker in front of the lobby's gigantic stone fireplace. Or if you crave more seclusion, take the elevators on the store side of the lobby to go up a floor or two (or three or four) and find the sitting areas overlooking the lobby.

If you're looking for an activity for the kids, ask at the Lobby Concierge desk for the lodge's Hidden Mickey list. My son and I once spent a good long while trying to find the images of the Mouse placed inconspicuously around the resort by the Disney architects and Imagineers, but we could only find one -- maybe you can do better! (In fact, searching for Hidden Mickeys at all the resorts can be a fun pastime. You may want to consider purchasing Steve Barrett's Hidden Mickey guide.)

Don't forget to stop by the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. Its art and architecture tell of the pioneers who built and stayed in late 19th century railroad hotels in the national parks region of the American West. Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy the Carolwood Pacific Room, a sitting room that features railroad memorabilia. Featured here is a special exhibit on loan from the Disney family with two of Walt Disney's personal scale-model train cars and a piece of the original track.

And after you check out the mementos, this room is the perfect place for a game of checkers (gaming tables provided) or simply whiling away the hours on a rustic rocker in the peace and quiet, either inside or out on the porch with a view of the rustling pines.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are staying at WL in a 2BR villa beginning April 22 for three nights followed by 3 nights in a 2 BR villa at AKK and then 1 night in a 2 bedroom Boardwalk Villa. Does anyone have any speicif room numbers they can recommend for the best view at WL which might also be close to transporation? Thanks!

Welcome to the thread and congratulations on booking. It's best not to request specific room numbers because if that room/villa is unavailable, the Room Assignor won't know why you were requesting that room and that will make it hard for them to find a similar room. It's best to make more general requests like proximity to something, floor or view, if you have a preference. The VWL room map in the VWL chapter of the thread and the VWL/DVC Room Finder that's hyperlinked at the beginning of that chapter should be helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

Our first stay at WL is booked for 9/4 to 9/8 and I am getting more and more excited; if we really like it, we're probably booking again in 2018 when we head down with the whole family. This thread is full of great info; thanks a million to everyone posting!