Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[jen7233]

We arrived late this afternoon and are in room 6134, which the map on the first page of this thread says is a courtyard even though we booked woods view. You can see the villa's pool, but through a line of trees, so not a good courtyard view. Due to our late arrival and the rain, we chose to stay at the resort for dinner and exploring. The upside to the rain was a beautiful sunset and a rainbow over the lodge! (First time posting pictures from my phone. Hope it works!)View attachment 104332 View attachment 104333

We have a late arrival when we go also, also planning just to hang out at the lodge the night we fly in! Beautiful pictures.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We arrived late this afternoon and are in room 6134, which the map on the first page of this thread says is a courtyard even though we booked woods view. You can see the villa's pool, but through a line of trees, so not a good courtyard view. Due to our late arrival and the rain, we chose to stay at the resort for dinner and exploring. The upside to the rain was a beautiful sunset and a rainbow over the lodge!

Thanks for posting those gorgeous pictures. I haven't tried posting from my phone but it looks like it worked for you.
We ended up getting a last minute ADR for dinner at Artist Point on our arrival night in January because it was too cold and windy to leave the comfort of the lodge. It is really nice to have a choice of three restaurants and the Territory Lounge, all under one roof.

 

[cart-mom]

Been lurking here for a bit so I guess I should finally post. We are booked for 8/27 -9/3 CYV. So with it getting close to online check in I am starting to think about what to request. This is our first stay at WL and DH is sad that we aren't staying Poly but I just couldn't swallow that price with only 3 of us going this time. I love it there but whoa, it's out of our budget this time. Maybe someone can guide me in figuring out what to request. I think upper floors would be better. We always somehow end up in a noisy area - last time at the Poly we could hear the music from Night of Joy over our TV and a/c! So someplace not so noisy maybe but not too far from everything. Once we stayed ASMu and were in the country music building way, way, way in the back. I figured out it was easier to take the bus from the ASSp from our room - how bad is that? I wish that I could do CL but it's not in the budget. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary (honeymooned here too) this trip so it would be nice if we got pixie dusted but I don't expect it. I will be trying to be a flag family during our stay which would be awesome as our DS13 is a boy scout and this would be an awesome flag ceremony to share.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nessz79]

Subscribing. We are FL residents and I'm hoping to snag a FL resident or Passholder deal for the Sunday thru Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year. We have never stayed deluxe (not counting the Dolphin) and I would love to do the Wilderness Lodge for this time of year!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Been lurking here for a bit so I guess I should finally post. We are booked for 8/27 -9/3 CYV. So with it getting close to online check in I am starting to think about what to request. This is our first stay at WL and DH is sad that we aren't staying Poly but I just couldn't swallow that price with only 3 of us going this time. I love it there but whoa, it's out of our budget this time. Maybe someone can guide me in figuring out what to request. I think upper floors would be better. We always somehow end up in a noisy area - last time at the Poly we could hear the music from Night of Joy over our TV and a/c! So someplace not so noisy maybe but not too far from everything. Once we stayed ASMu and were in the country music building way, way, way in the back. I figured out it was easier to take the bus from the ASSp from our room - how bad is that? I wish that I could do CL but it's not in the budget. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary (honeymooned here too) this trip so it would be nice if we got pixie dusted but I don't expect it. I will be trying to be a flag family during our stay which would be awesome as our DS13 is a boy scout and this would be an awesome flag ceremony to share.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would request either the fourth or fifth floor. The higher rooms have a little better view, usually, but don't request the highest floor. That will most likely give you an enclosed balcony. You won't hear any noise from the park, except for the noise from the fireworks. You'll also hear the music from the water parade that comes by every night at 9:35pm. And you might hear some noise from the pool party if you have an inner courtyard room.

 

[goopysolelady]

Subscribing. We are FL residents and I'm hoping to snag a FL resident or Passholder deal for the Sunday thru Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year. We have never stayed deluxe (not counting the Dolphin) and I would love to do the Wilderness Lodge for this time of year!

Good luck...we'll be there during those days arriving the Thursday before and checking out the Wednesday before Thanksgiving!

 

[colagirl]

We just returned this past Friday from a five night stay at Wilderness Lodge. We stayed Club Level in a standard CL room. I wanted to share a few thoughts about the lodge and our stay, but want to start by saying that we loved it and can't imagine staying anywhere else at Disney from now on (we had stayed previously at AKL, which we really liked, but there was something more "magical" about WL).

Room and view: We stayed on the 7th floor and had a direct view of Cinderella's castle and the fireworks, which was awesome. The daytime view was just OK - we were right over the smokehouse and its parking lot. Room itself was very nice - great "mousekeeping."

Club Level: We thought CL at WL was fantastic - the evening food offerings in particular were great. You could make a fairly substantial meal from them. We liked being on the same floor as the club. The service was excellent.

Construction: We were near the area with scaffolding. But, even mid-day when we went back to the room to rest, we couldn't hear any construction noise at all. I did not find the construction around the lodge to be intrusive.

Transportation: The boat service to MK is fantastic. We loved this. We also did boat/monorail combo to Epcot. The bus service, as we have found in the past, was very mixed. On the day we went to AK t worked great (got there earlier than expected). My sister and her family, however, ended up waiting over 40 minutes for a bus to Hollywood Studios the next day. In the future we may include cab fare/uber fare to Hollywood Studios and AK in our budget to just avoid the buses completely.

Other: We loved the restaurant offerings at WL - ate at Artist's Point (which was great); Whispering Canyon, which was fun and good food, and Roaring Fork, which was fine for counter service. We really liked the pool and being on the lake. We rented boats one afternoon.

I would recommend WL to anyone - it just had a more intimate feel than AKL. And, we loved being so close to the Magic Kingdom and not 100% reliant on the bus service.

 

[branv]

It occurred to me that maybe one of the plusses of being in a north construction-facing room is that, if they go nuts on tree removal, more likelihood of seeing fireworks from my balcony (that's about as optimistic an attitude as I can summon).

I assume if someone asks to move to another deluxe resort due to noise after they arrive, they will not apply any discounts used to book WL?

I've read the suggestions for using boat to CL, monorail to TTC, then monorail to Epcot. I have a toddler who will undoubtedly adore the monorail, so this might be an idea just for fun. My question is, doesn't the TTC also offer buses to DHS and AK?

A few weird random questions I cannot for the life of me remember: does Roaring Fork offer trays? And does the fridge have a freezer section (big enough for small freezer packs for small coolers)? Finally, is there a shower/dressing area at Sturdy Branches? If I work out, it'll be before the family wakes, so it'd be way easier to get ready for the day down there afterwards.

Thanks!

 

[colagirl]

A few weird random questions I cannot for the life of me remember: does Roaring Fork offer trays? And does the fridge have a freezer section (big enough for small freezer packs for small coolers)?

Yes, Roaring Fork has trays. No, I don't think the fridge had a freezer section - we brought a cooler with us and kept it filled with ice.

 

[attain]

Yes, Roaring Fork has trays. No, I don't think the fridge had a freezer section - we brought a cooler with us and kept it filled with ice.

It occurred to me that maybe one of the plusses of being in a north construction-facing room is that, if they go nuts on tree removal, more likelihood of seeing fireworks from my balcony (that's about as optimistic an attitude as I can summon).

I assume if someone asks to move to another deluxe resort due to noise after they arrive, they will not apply any discounts used to book WL?

I've read the suggestions for using boat to CL, monorail to TTC, then monorail to Epcot. I have a toddler who will undoubtedly adore the monorail, so this might be an idea just for fun. My question is, doesn't the TTC also offer buses to DHS and AK?

A few weird random questions I cannot for the life of me remember: does Roaring Fork offer trays? And does the fridge have a freezer section (big enough for small freezer packs for small coolers)? Finally, is there a shower/dressing area at Sturdy Branches? If I work out, it'll be before the family wakes, so it'd be way easier to get ready for the day down there afterwards.

Thanks!

Since I'm here now, I took a picture of the inside of our fridge so you can see it. We haven't eaten our snacks yet.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We just returned this past Friday from a five night stay at Wilderness Lodge. We stayed Club Level in a standard CL room. I wanted to share a few thoughts about the lodge and our stay, but want to start by saying that we loved it and can't imagine staying anywhere else at Disney from now on (we had stayed previously at AKL, which we really liked, but there was something more "magical" about WL).

I would recommend WL to anyone - it just had a more intimate feel than AKL. And, we loved being so close to the Magic Kingdom and not 100% reliant on the bus service.

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. It is always nice to hear good things about the WL. I don't know what it is about those boats, but they are really nice.

It occurred to me that maybe one of the plusses of being in a north construction-facing room is that, if they go nuts on tree removal, more likelihood of seeing fireworks from my balcony (that's about as optimistic an attitude as I can summon).

The standard view rooms on the north side as well as the woods view rooms over the lobby section might have some great views of the CR and the MK once the cabin construction begins. Right now it is just a bnch of scruffy looking tress.

I assume if someone asks to move to another deluxe resort due to noise after they arrive, they will not apply any discounts used to book WL?

I think they would try to find you a quiet room at the WL.

I've read the suggestions for using boat to CL, monorail to TTC, then monorail to Epcot. I have a toddler who will undoubtedly adore the monorail, so this might be an idea just for fun. My question is, doesn't the TTC also offer buses to DHS and AK?

I think they moved all the park buses to the MK resort bus depot. We found it convenient to take the MK bus from the WL and then switch to an resort bus when we had an ADR at resort that was not in the MK resort area.

Finally, is there a shower/dressing area at Sturdy Branches? If I work out, it'll be before the family wakes, so it'd be way easier to get ready for the day down there afterwards.

Thanks!

Sturdy Branches has full locker room facilities with a shower area.

 

[branv]

Thanks for the pic! Plus... Nomnomnom!

 

[MrsHammer]

Checking 2016 rates today for mid-April and it looks weird to me. A woods view room is nearly $75 per night more than a standard view, but a courtyard view is only $5 more than a woods view? Am I crazy? We stayed at the lodge 3 yrs ago, but I don't remember that sort of price gaps. I have a room booked at AKL, but my heart still belongs to WL. Dang construction!

 

[Dean Marino]

Checking 2016 rates today for mid-April and it looks weird to me. A woods view room is nearly $75 per night more than a standard view, but a courtyard view is only $5 more than a woods view? Am I crazy? We stayed at the lodge 3 yrs ago, but I don't remember that sort of price gaps. I have a room booked at AKL, but my heart still belongs to WL. Dang construction!

Dear MrsHammer - you are likely looking at Rack Rates. RACK generally prices WV and SV that way, but I would strongly advise that you ignore these numbers.... they are pretty much a myth.

Instead - book now where you would LIKE to be, but LURK. Check often for the inevitable 30% discount that will show up.... when it does? CALL. One of two things will occur:

1) WDW will just flat out give you the discount, if your room type is included.
2) Your room type is NOT included? No problem - In one phone call, BOOK the new room. Get a confirmation number. Step 2? CANCEL the previous room.

"Book and Lurk" is the practice Sandy and I engaged in for MANY years, prior to buying into DVC at the VWL. Exactly ONCE, over a 5 year period, going twice per year, did I have to employ option 2). The Disney folks are not that dumb .... they know savy guests will take the 2) nuclear option if need be. And it just creates more paperwork .

So - where would you LIKE to stay? In 2016, the WV rooms may very well FACE the construction of the new cabins, while CV MAY be more shielded. On the other hand, member Brnav brought up a point I NEVER considered.... "maybe one of the plusses of being in a north construction-facing room is that, if they go nuts on tree removal, more likelihood of seeing fireworks from my balcony". BRILLIANT! And Construction noise is pretty much 8 to 5.... depending on your Park Habits? That construction COULD end up being a positive .

 

[MrsHammer]

Dear MrsHammer - you are likely looking at Rack Rates. RACK generally prices WV and SV that way, but I would strongly advise that you ignore these numbers.... they are pretty much a myth.

Instead - book now where you would LIKE to be, but LURK. Check often for the inevitable 30% discount that will show up.... when it does? CALL. One of two things will occur:

1) WDW will just flat out give you the discount, if your room type is included.
2) Your room type is NOT included? No problem - In one phone call, BOOK the new room. Get a confirmation number. Step 2? CANCEL the previous room.

"Book and Lurk" is the practice Sandy and I engaged in for MANY years, prior to buying into DVC at the VWL. Exactly ONCE, over a 5 year period, going twice per year, did I have to employ option 2). The Disney folks are not that dumb .... they know savy guests will take the 2) nuclear option if need be. And it just creates more paperwork .

So - where would you LIKE to stay? In 2016, the WV rooms may very well FACE the construction of the new cabins, while CV MAY be more shielded. On the other hand, member Brnav brought up a point I NEVER considered.... "maybe one of the plusses of being in a north construction-facing room is that, if they go nuts on tree removal, more likelihood of seeing fireworks from my balcony". BRILLIANT! And Construction noise is pretty much 8 to 5.... depending on your Park Habits? That construction COULD end up being a positive .

Yes, I am aware that those are rack rates, but I don't ever remember seeing rack rates with those same dollar differentials between the various views. It's usually a little more evenly spread vs $75 and $5. I just thought it was odd.

 

[bluecastle]

Now that it is summer and my very challenging and exhausting school year is done, I can finally catch up and hang out here more! Of course, there is still my DD's wedding in August to keep me busy. My DD and I have been missing WDW so much that on the way to her dress fitting, we decided we needed a Disney trip date, not just "sometime in 2017." If we have to take unpaid leave days to do this, we are going to do that. We wanted to do something we have never done before, and Halloween and Food and Wine seemed like the perfect choice. (not to mention that we just couldn't face August in Florida again) So, I now have a ticker!! Nothing else, but that is something! Looking forward to catching up. I've really missed this place.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

Now that it is summer and my very challenging and exhausting school year is done, I can finally catch up and hang out here more! Of course, there is still my DD's wedding in August to keep me busy. My DD and I have been missing WDW so much that on the way to her dress fitting, we decided we needed a Disney trip date, not just "sometime in 2017." If we have to take unpaid leave days to do this, we are going to do that. We wanted to do something we have never done before, and Halloween and Food and Wine seemed like the perfect choice. (not to mention that we just couldn't face August in Florida again) So, I now have a ticker!! Nothing else, but that is something! Looking forward to catching up. I've really missed this place.

We love that time of year to visit.
Enjoy your daughters wedding in August, time will fly by.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Checking 2016 rates today for mid-April and it looks weird to me. A woods view room is nearly $75 per night more than a standard view, but a courtyard view is only $5 more than a woods view? Am I crazy? We stayed at the lodge 3 yrs ago, but I don't remember that sort of price gaps. I have a room booked at AKL, but my heart still belongs to WL. Dang construction!

I was surprised by the difference between the three rates when we stayed at the WL this past January. There was a big gap between standard view and woods view, something like $35 for our dates, and then just a small difference between woods view and courtyard view. Usually it was reversed and the big difference was between wv and cv. I have a feeling that the woods view rooms got very popular when people discovered that some of the rooms had a view of the fireworks.

 

[jon18uk]

Checking 2016 rates today for mid-April and it looks weird to me. A woods view room is nearly $75 per night more than a standard view, but a courtyard view is only $5 more than a woods view? Am I crazy? We stayed at the lodge 3 yrs ago, but I don't remember that sort of price gaps. I have a room booked at AKL, but my heart still belongs to WL. Dang construction!

We booked a few weeks ago through the Disney UK site and it was £5 per night more for woods view but a lot more (can't remember but maybe £20) for courtyard. We booked Woods as I don't want that service area view!

 

[izzylovesmickey]

Thought I'd get the thread back on the 1st page.30 days until we check into the WL for the first time! Seems like it's taking forever... Can't wait to be able to check out the club lounge, wander the grounds, etc. Magic bands are being shipped. Yay!