Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[FunkyDuckToo]

We are so excited to be returning to The Wilderness Lodge...this is where our heart is. I had forgotten to ask to be added to the Lodger's Log...so here are our dates: 10/25-10/29. We are bookending our stay with some downtime at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress too (free points...can't beat that!)

Regarding all the construction...I'm just going to request inner courtyard and cross our fingers...there is no other resort I want to stay at and if things are too distracting for us...I know that the cast members will do everything they can to remedy it. That's the great thing about Disney!

 

[cinderkelly]

Hello Lodgers! I'm VERY excited to say that my DH and I have just booked a Cyv room for October of 2016!! We will be there Oct. 21-27 2016 and couldn't be more thrilled. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary and going without the kids. This will be our first ever stay at WL and our first deluxe resort. I wanted to say thanks so much to WDWKook and the rest of you for all the terrific info on this thread, I've been lurking for a while now here and am excited to join the WL group!

 

[bamastar]

We've decided to stick it out at the Wilderness Lodge, in spite of the construction. The kids are too excited about the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom and the pool for me to rebook.

I'm also almost out of the triple digits until our departure date!

 

[cakebaker]

Our stay at the WL 6/13-6/20 was wonderful! Bus transportation was fantastic with no waits longer than 10 minutes and most less than that! The boats worked very well.

Service was fantastic, friendly CM's and just no complaints at all. I miss it already!

We were on the dvc side facing the pool and no construction noise at all. There was some construction on the top floor on the bears face side, but never bothered us. The only downside was we were a long way from the elevators and roaring forks- but they did get our rooms adjoining and we didn't have to change rooms on our split stay, so really can't complain.

It is definitely our resort of choice- the convenience of transportation just can't be beat!

 

[Michael Jones]

I have finally decided to stop lurking and come out with a question. This will be my 5 yr old daughters' and wife's first trip to Disney and my first stay at the lodge. I booked a courtyard view bunk bed room for 8/22-8/28. Today marks 60 days from our check in and now that FP+s have been booked my attention is now on the room. I have read a lot of the info here and from other sites and honestly I'm at a loss as to what is the best way to go about requesting the best room and I'm hoping for some help.
1. Should I do the online checkin process and if so what should my two requests be? Or...
2. Should I avoid online check in and call Disney? If so what should I be requesting?

My daughters may not nap but we are definitely planning on some quiet time each day so I'm not sure how the construction could impact this but I was also hoping for a decent view of the main pool and maybe catch the electric light parade on the water. Any help you guys could give me would be appreciated!

 

[jen7233]

I have finally decided to stop lurking and come out with a question. This will be my 5 yr old daughters' and wife's first trip to Disney and my first stay at the lodge. I booked a courtyard view bunk bed room for 8/22-8/28. Today marks 60 days from our check in and now that FP+s have been booked my attention is now on the room. I have read a lot of the info here and from other sites and honestly I'm at a loss as to what is the best way to go about requesting the best room and I'm hoping for some help.
1. Should I do the online checkin process and if so what should my two requests be? Or...
2. Should I avoid online check in and call Disney? If so what should I be requesting?

My daughters may not nap but we are definitely planning on some quiet time each day so I'm not sure how the construction could impact this but I was also hoping for a decent view of the main pool and maybe catch the electric light parade on the water. Any help you guys could give me would be appreciated!

I'm here right now and we have a little bit of obstructed view of the pool due to a tree, but not really a big deal. I asked for courtyard view inner, and a higher floor. I wanted open balcony, for that. If you want enclosed ask for the 6th floor. I haven't tried looking at the electric parade from our balcony but saw it from near the pool area.
You can see it from the beach or dock.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I have finally decided to stop lurking and come out with a question. This will be my 5 yr old daughters' and wife's first trip to Disney and my first stay at the lodge. I booked a courtyard view bunk bed room for 8/22-8/28. Today marks 60 days from our check in and now that FP+s have been booked my attention is now on the room. I have read a lot of the info here and from other sites and honestly I'm at a loss as to what is the best way to go about requesting the best room and I'm hoping for some help.
1. Should I do the online checkin process and if so what should my two requests be? Or...
2. Should I avoid online check in and call Disney? If so what should I be requesting?

My daughters may not nap but we are definitely planning on some quiet time each day so I'm not sure how the construction could impact this but I was also hoping for a decent view of the main pool and maybe catch the electric light parade on the water. Any help you guys could give me would be appreciated!

We have always done the online checkin process and had our requests noted in our reservation ahead of time (by calling the central reservations number). We feel that doing both is fine, and the room assignor will have access to both your phoned in requests and anything noted in the online checkin process when they actually assign your room, which takes place about a week before your stay. We have had good luck getting our requests met using this process. By calling, you can make more specific requests which are not available in the online checkin, but I don't see any reason not to do online checkin as well to get the credit card info to Disney ahead of time and save you a little bit of time when you arrive.

Another thing to remember about WL is that while we tend to spend a lot of time discussing locations and requests, there isn't a terrible room at the lodge and you may find you like a location that you wouldn't have requested. This was the case for us as we learned that we like rooms that open to the lobby, but wouldn't have requested one. Now that's what we prefer. Either way though, the resort is great and you get the benefits of all the rooms being under one roof and a location that is further from the boats is closer to the buses and vice versa. Have a great trip and happy planning!

 

[Daisyfay]

I've been a long-time lurker and finally posting for the first time. Thanks to all who have posted such great information about the Lodge. Our first trip to the lodge in 2014 was influenced in part by the details and pictures lodgers have posted. DH, DS10, DD9 and I are headed back to the lodge from 8/1 through 8/8 with family. ADRs, FastPass, and online check-in are all done. Let the countdown begin !!!

 

[JKSWonder]

Booked the fastpasses and did online check in. Starting to feel real now!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Still curious when Disney is going to announce the construction. Is anyone else? Lol. Yes we've switched but in the back of my mind I would love if it got delayed.

 

[Dean Marino]

....By calling, you can make more specific requests which are not available in the online checkin, but I don't see any reason not to do online checkin as well to get the credit card info to Disney ahead of time and save you a little bit of time when you arrive.

Another thing to remember about WL is that while we tend to spend a lot of time discussing locations and requests, there isn't a terrible room at the lodge and you may find you like a location that you wouldn't have requested. This was the case for us as we learned that we like rooms that open to the lobby, but wouldn't have requested one. Now that's what we prefer. Either way though, the resort is great and you get the benefits of all the rooms being under one roof and a location that is further from the boats is closer to the buses and vice versa. Have a great trip and happy planning!

GREAT data, and all true . Calling will produce free-form requests - we often did this to try to get onto our favorite floor/wing (which was our favorite due to the world's best Mousekeeper ). But you can do on-line as well - they will still TRY to honor those free-form requests.

Now, exactly ONCE in six years, twice per year, the Lodge wasn't able to honor our listed "call in" request... they just didn't have a room in that area available night #1. So here is what they did. We stayed night #1 a floor lower, and these wonderful people then moved our bags while we were at the park UP into our requested area nights 2-8. They didn't have to do this.... they did it because it's the WL .

We're DVC members, HOMED at the WL now. This isn't just a Deluxe Resort... it's a Deluxe Resort that ACTS like a Deluxe Resort .

 

[tiger4me2]

Still curious when Disney is going to announce the construction. Is anyone else? Lol. Yes we've switched but in the back of my mind I would love if it got delayed.

I was on the phone just about ten minutes ago. She said nothing about construction .. I am staying put a as we are going the first part of Sept. Knowing Disney they will wait until the last minute from past experince

 

[Dean Marino]

Heads up - new Head Chef at AP .... we need the new menu.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/artist-point-alert-new-head-chef.3422497/

 

[daunty]

Can anyone there now report on the level of noise from the construction going on in some of the rooms at the moment?
Arriving 7/12, not long now!!!

 

[colagirl]

Can anyone there now report on the level of noise from the construction going on in some of the rooms at the moment?

We just got back a few days ago. We didn't hear any construction noise at all - other than seeing people up on the scaffolding of one part of the WL, we hardly noticed it.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Heads up - new Head Chef at AP .... we need the new menu.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/artist-point-alert-new-head-chef.3422497/

Thank you, and HERE is the direct link to the article.

 

[daunty]

We just got back a few days ago. We didn't hear any construction noise at all - other than seeing people up on the scaffolding of one part of the WL, we hardly noticed it at all.

Thank you. That's really good to hear.

 

[Mrdski]

There is a new FB site dedicated to the lodge: Humphrey's Unofficial Wilderness Lodge Pages. Check it out

 

[Capang]

So after our recent trip I came home ready to plan the next. Our family LOVED WL so it is our new first choice. I will be stalking this page over the next few months for construction updates. I really hope the construction that takes place does not disrupt the entire resort. cant wait to return!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

MILITARY SALUTE TICKETS AND ROOM DISCOUNT EXTENDED THROUGH DECEMBER - 2016 EXTENSION COMING SOON.

Steve first made the announcement HERE and then Disney officially announced it HERE.​