Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[GrandCalifornian]

There are some articles around discussing 2016 WDW resort pricing, and while much of the discussion centers around how prices went up overall, WL is standing out as a comparatively good value.
They mention it, and specifically the lack of price increase for Standard View rooms, in this article: http://**************.net/2015/06/25/many-disney-world-resorts-show-major-price-increases-for-2016/
That site has another interesting graphic showing the relative prices of some representative resorts, including WL. It is at: http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Disney-World-2016-Price-Seasons-from-**************.net_.jpg

The fascinating thing I see here is that the price difference between WL and Poly (both Deluxe resorts) is almost as big as the difference between AOA and WL for many times of the year. This emphasizes that WL is the value of the Deluxe category, which sounds good to us.

 

[WDWKOOK]

There are some articles around discussing 2016 WDW resort pricing, and while much of the discussion centers around how prices went up overall, WL is standing out as a comparatively good value.
They mention it, and specifically the lack of price increase for Standard View rooms, in this article: http://**************.net/2015/06/25/many-disney-world-resorts-show-major-price-increases-for-2016/
That site has another interesting graphic showing the relative prices of some representative resorts, including WL. It is at: http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Disney-World-2016-Price-Seasons-from-**************.net_.jpg

The fascinating thing I see here is that the price difference between WL and Poly (both Deluxe resorts) is almost as big as the difference between AOA and WL for many times of the year. This emphasizes that WL is the value of the Deluxe category, which sounds good to us.

Very interesting and thank you for the links. I also thought it was interesting that WL and AKL STD rooms will no longer be virtually the same price per square foot:

However, traditionally Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms have been very close to the prices of standard Wilderness Lodge rooms, but in 2016 Wilderness Lodge standard rooms see hardly any increases, while Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms are up 7-12% in all the major seasons except Fall. So more daylight is emerging between the two Lodges whose cheapest rooms used to be near-equivalent in price.

 

[WDWKOOK]

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!)

Thank you for posting your photos

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.

Welcome to the thread and I'll log your dates. I hope you get to be FF and please post some photos if you do

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!

I hope you get your discount and welcome to the thread

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.

Thank you for your CL and WL review and I hope you get to book another CL stay soon.

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!

I've moved after check-in from a couple of resorts and had no problem at all. In one case they just charged me the exact same amount, even though where I moved to had a higher nightly rate. And, another time they applied my military rate I used to book the resort I moved from to the new resort room.

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!

GrandCalifornian posted some links today on PAGE 96 with interesting information on this.

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.

HOORAY for the ticker and welcome back

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!

You're going to love the OFC and all WL has to offer

 

[WDWKOOK]

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!

Welcome and I'd be happy to add your dates. Your request sounds perfect

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!

Welcome! Thanks for your kind words and I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log. Your first stay at WL and an adults-only trip sounds perfect.

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!

That's the spirit

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!

Thanks for posting about your stay and I hope you get to book another stay soon.

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!

Well, it's about time you stopped lurking! to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread - we're honored your first post is here on our little thread.

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 !!!

Another Lodger coming out of lurkdom. A big to the DIS and the thread! I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log

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

It does! Your trip will be here before you know it

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!!!

Most of the construction will be on the periphery and by the VWL pool area. Happy planning of your next trip.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Very interesting and thank you for the links. I also thought it was interesting that WL and AKL STD rooms will no longer be virtually the same price per square foot:

However, traditionally Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms have been very close to the prices of standard Wilderness Lodge rooms, but in 2016 Wilderness Lodge standard rooms see hardly any increases, while Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms are up 7-12% in all the major seasons except Fall. So more daylight is emerging between the two Lodges whose cheapest rooms used to be near-equivalent in price.

Devil 's Advocate here... The lack of WL 2016 price increase could be a result of the proposed, alleged construction (mess).

 

[WDWKOOK]

Correction alert: Last Saturday, I accidentally posted a reply that, "inflatables aren't allowed in the pool," when I meant they "are" allowed in the pool.

Devil 's Advocate here... The lack of WL 2016 price increase could be a result of the proposed, alleged construction (mess).

Always fun having a resident DA

Only the STD view rooms aren't increasing, the other categories are and in the major season some increase 10%.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Devil 's Advocate here... The lack of WL 2016 price increase could be a result of the proposed, alleged construction (mess).

Could be. Could also be that the WL's occupancy is so low that they're doing everything they can to prop it up. Likely a combination. Josh at easywdw.com mentioned in a recent post that WL's occupancy has been averaging around 50% and that's part of the reason they're doing the DVC conversion. Personally, I think the #1 thing they could do to attract more people to the WL (if that's what they want) would be to make a walking path to the TTC. But I've harped on this before, so I won't get into it again.

 

[Dean Marino]

Could be. Could also be that the WL's occupancy is so low that they're doing everything they can to prop it up. Likely a combination. Josh at easywdw.com mentioned in a recent post that WL's occupancy has been averaging around 50% and that's part of the reason they're doing the DVC conversion. Personally, I think the #1 thing they could do to attract more people to the WL (if that's what they want) would be to make a walking path to the TTC. But I've harped on this before, so I won't get into it again.

This. The occupancy rate IS very, VERY low, and has been for several years. And I have no doubt that this is EXACTLY why there will be a DVC expansion. WDW has sort of pinned themselves into a hole....

WDW now has several new cheepy hotels, created to compete with off site hotels. The good news? They are working. The bad news? They are working.
The side effect of this effort continues to be the establishment of a practical CEILING to per night hotel "real price" rates at WDW. Notice I didn't say "Rack Rates"? "Rack Rate" is a myth established for the un-informed.

WDW continues to offer a 30% GP discount, virtually 310 out of 365 days per year at just about ANY Deluxe, and most moderates. They don't have to.... unless they want someone to actually BUY that room. Ehhhhh - people aren't buying.

Enter DVC conversions - (and yes, I AM a DVC member). First, the Poly. Now, WL. I expect we'll see a CONVERSION next at the Floridian, then the Contemporary. CONVERSIONS are different than just "building a DVC" - recent events at the WL show that an EXISTING DVC, at a Deluxe, is not a barrier to Hotel Room Conversions.
This process will work best at those Deluxe Hotels that are built on a "separate building" model. "Separate Buildings" lend themselves well to Florida Property Description laws.... one can identify the property, encapsulate it, and sell it.

Now, I'm already a DVC member.... please don't get angry with me . Having gone to the Lodge twice per year, for a good 12 years? I can understand why they are doing this.... all you have to do is to talk a bit to the CM's working the restaurants - and listen to them worrying about the hotel being pretty empty . This model of "rooms for $450 a night" isn't working for the WL, the GF, and a number of other places.... all of which I love. I think WDW is doing what they really NEED to do: stop competing with all the Motel 6 equivalents surrounding the park - simply because they CAN NOT win.

 

[dobirdsmommy]

Please update our dates to 8/21-8/30.

 

[StephandDick]

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.​

YAY!!!!!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Could be. Could also be that the WL's occupancy is so low that they're doing everything they can to prop it up. Likely a combination. Josh at easywdw.com mentioned in a recent post that WL's occupancy has been averaging around 50% and that's part of the reason they're doing the DVC conversion. Personally, I think the #1 thing they could do to attract more people to the WL (if that's what they want) would be to make a walking path to the TTC. But I've harped on this before, so I won't get into it again.

I'm not sure how the 50% figure was ascertained nor the reasoning that "low occupancy is the reason for DVC conversion." Those statements don't match reality. The fact is, WDW domestic resort occupancy was almost at their highest level ever in 2014 with occupancy rates of nearly 90%, (they hit 90% in '08). The Orlando Sentinel published an article on this in February HERE. WDW Resort occupancy rates for 2013 averaged 81%. In the industry, a 90% occupancy rate is considered about as high an average as you can go due to the logistical constraints (think Tetris) of being able to match all guests in all rooms with the room type and number of nights they desire. The room occupancy rate for off-site lodging in Orlando during the last quarter of 2014 was only 72%.

The decision to build more DVC is a purely economic one, though Disney touts the expansion as a way "to meet guest and market demand for expanded options." The Orlando Sentinel published an article back in December on Disney's time-share expansion HERE.

Converting rooms grows its time-share business more quickly, income is injected almost immediately through the sale of points and Disney can then use those rooms for both cash reservations and DVC bookings on points. It also increases occupancy rates when more guests can fit into larger rooms and it's a lot cheaper to convert existing rooms than to build new such as VGF and BLT.

Please update our dates to 8/21-8/30.

Done. It's great adding a day

YAY!!!!!!!

Always grateful for this wonderful discount

 

[jen7233]

I will give my quick review of WL on our stay. We've checked out, but doing a split stay so still technically here in Orlando. We used Roaring Forks quite a bit. I loved that quick service place, and the refillable mugs paid for themselves. We had a third story room courtyard view. The view wasn't that great, we had a tree blocking us, but the patio was nice. It's also close enough to not walk too far to Roaring Forks and get my morning coffee. I loved the room theming, and it's like the room had its own nightlight with the soft glow from the lamp above the table. Loved the shower, spacious and had the rain-type shower head. The only cons were bus service, and the front desk person we had checking in seemed not with it, or something. The bus service, one morning we waited 40 minutes and never saw the HS bus show up, ruined our plans for the day sort of. We wanted to do a half morning Hollywood and then afternoon Epcot, never got to HS because we knew we missed rope drop due to the bus so said forget it. Also, bus service one night coming back from MK not sur what the deal was but it was late on pickup, we watched many other busses come in and out, and our line for WL was the same and filling while we watched others go. It was lighting, so the boats were shut down. That was my only thing. Otherwise the resort was lovely, and, the boat service was awesome. We ate in Whispering Canyon, cool place to try out. The courtyard pool is great, and I actually enjoyed it wasn't very deep. Couldn't get a late checkout, not available when I asked at checkin. But, the valet bell service served just fine and held our bags no problem until we left in the afternoon. Overall a super trip.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I will give my quick review of WL on our stay. We've checked out, but doing a split stay so still technically here in Orlando. We used Roaring Forks quite a bit. I loved that quick service place, and the refillable mugs paid for themselves. We had a third story room courtyard view. The view wasn't that great, we had a tree blocking us, but the patio was nice. It's also close enough to not walk too far to Roaring Forks and get my morning coffee. I loved the room theming, and it's like the room had its own nightlight with the soft glow from the lamp above the table. Loved the shower, spacious and had the rain-type shower head. The only cons were bus service, and the front desk person we had checking in seemed not with it, or something. The bus service, one morning we waited 40 minutes and never saw the HS bus show up, ruined our plans for the day sort of. We wanted to do a half morning Hollywood and then afternoon Epcot, never got to HS because we knew we missed rope drop due to the bus so said forget it. Also, bus service one night coming back from MK not sur what the deal was but it was late on pickup, we watched many other busses come in and out, and our line for WL was the same and filling while we watched others go. It was lighting, so the boats were shut down. That was my only thing. Otherwise the resort was lovely, and, the boat service was awesome. We ate in Whispering Canyon, cool place to try out. The courtyard pool is great, and I actually enjoyed it wasn't very deep. Couldn't get a late checkout, not available when I asked at checkin. But, the valet bell service served just fine and held our bags no problem until we left in the afternoon. Overall a super trip.

I loved Roaring Forks when we were there...I think the quality of the food was great. Did you hear construction?

 

[michael's mom]

Just wondering if scaffolding has moved around to the woods view side of the north wing yet or is it still in the courtyard?

 

[kmorlock]

How do we get a ticker? Our dates are 12/11/15-12/19/15 WL.

 

[diddldonna]

Hi how easy is it to get a taxi from Wilderness Lodge in the mornings at front desk?

 

[FunkyDuckToo]

How do we get a ticker? Our dates are 12/11/15-12/19/15 WL.

I use this site: http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/stepone/vacation.html

 

[Daisyfay]

Wahoo---got my little booklet with all the discount coupons and luggage tags yesterday! It's finally starting to feel real

 

[Deb & Bill]

Could be. Could also be that the WL's occupancy is so low that they're doing everything they can to prop it up. Likely a combination. Josh at easywdw.com mentioned in a recent post that WL's occupancy has been averaging around 50% and that's part of the reason they're doing the DVC conversion. Personally, I think the #1 thing they could do to attract more people to the WL (if that's what they want) would be to make a walking path to the TTC. But I've harped on this before, so I won't get into it again.

A walking path won't do it. They'd need to install a tall walking bridge over the road so no one gets hit by cars or buses.

 

[kmorlock]

I use this site: http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/stepone/vacation.html

Thanks FunkyDuckToo!