Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[hstrickland]

Excited to find this thread - we are staying at WL in Dec!

This thread has some of the nicest people around, AND our "hostess with the mostess"...aka KOOK... has an unlimited supply of Disney knowledge

Congrats on your WL booking & Happy Planning!

 

[Jon84]

Great thread, lots of tips here

We don't arrive till Thanksgiving 2016, but the planning has already started!

 

[moonshadow]

Personalized our Magic Bands today!!! Funny I stilled had 2 Magic Bands from our Feb trip to AKL, I thought those would still be valid for this trip. Now I get to try a new color. Only 61 more days before we arrive home at WL.

 

[imthegoose]

Hi all. I posted this separately but no one replied so I'll try here.

At the Teton boat and Bike Rental at WL, do they accept the Disney Visa Points Redemption Card or is it regular cash/credit?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Excited to find this thread - we are staying at WL in Dec!

to the DIS and the thread! December will be here before you know it

This thread has some of the nicest people around, AND our "hostess with the mostess"...aka KOOK... has an unlimited supply of Disney knowledge

Congrats on your WL booking & Happy Planning!

Awwww, thank you kindly, neighbor. Puttin' in a plug in for Heather's fine FW Information thread located HERE. She has lots of detailed information and photos on everything FW. If you're staying at WL, you've got to make time to walk or boat over and checkout all FW has to offer.

Great thread, lots of tips here

We don't arrive till Thanksgiving 2016, but the planning has already started!

Thank you and welcome! The planning is half the fun

Personalized our Magic Bands today!!! Funny I stilled had 2 Magic Bands from our Feb trip to AKL, I thought those would still be valid for this trip. Now I get to try a new color. Only 61 more days before we arrive home at WL.

You can use "old" MBs, and/or you can order new ones. The batteries are good for several years. For example, for our upcoming trip next month, I only ordered our AP ones so I could get the 2015 slider. But, I didn't bother ordering our MBs for our booked trip since we have dozens.

Hi all. I posted this separately but no one replied so I'll try here.

At the Teton boat and Bike Rental at WL, do they accept the Disney Visa Points Redemption Card or is it regular cash/credit?

I've only charged to the room at Teton. Is the Redemption card used like a gift card? Is is something you could apply to your room charges at the front desk and then just charge the Teton rental to your room?

 

[Jon84]

I only ordered our AP ones so I could get the 2015 slider.

I was really disappointed that non-U.S AP holders did't get the AP Bands and Sliders. Since we got them I now see they'll ship to any U.S address

 

[imthegoose]

I've only charged to the room at Teton. Is the Redemption card used like a gift card? Is is something you could apply to your room charges at the front desk and then just charge the Teton rental to your room?

Yes, it's like a gift card. I didn't think about using the card at the front desk. I'll have to find out if I can do that but I can't see why not. Thanks

 

[WDWKOOK]

New "photo tour" article on WL HERE. It includes a link to Jim Korkis' 2011 article on the backstory of WL.

 

[Octoberbaby]

23 days and counting until WL! I am starting to have my usual "trip anxiety" though and thinking of everything that could go wrong.

 

[michael's mom]

Yes, it's like a gift card. I didn't think about using the card at the front desk. I'll have to find out if I can do that but I can't see why not. Thanks

Unless things have changed (and I can't see why they would), you can use it to pay off a balance on the room as you could with any gift card as they are accepted anywhere you can use a gift card. I hope things haven't changed...we just ordered our card and planned to use it to pay off some expected room charges.

 

[michael's mom]

Finally called and put in my room request! I can't believe after all these months, I'm now just 19 days away! Normally, I would already have started gathering things to pack and start filling suitcases but we still need to wear most things between now and when we leave. That's probably my biggest "panic" that I will have to pack in a rush and then I'll forget something.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Someone posted some updates on the expansion thread...apparently they are starting the announcements about the construction tomorrow.

 

[kmorlock]

That would be me. At first the reservations rep. Read me what they had received today basically stating proposed start of late Sept/early Oct. for the next 2 yrs. Then the GS rep said that it's not official for the public until tomorrow? Strange but, I don't expect consistency or accuracy much anymore.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

That would be me. At first the reservations rep. Read me what they had received today basically stating proposed start of late Sept/early Oct. for the next 2 yrs. Then the GS rep said that it's not official for the public until tomorrow? Strange but, I don't expect consistency or accuracy much anymore.

Still bad! Was hoping it would be delayed and we could move back.

 

[WDWKOOK]

That would be me. At first the reservations rep. Read me what they had received today basically stating proposed start of late Sept/early Oct. for the next 2 yrs. Then the GS rep said that it's not official for the public until tomorrow? Strange but, I don't expect consistency or accuracy much anymore.

Thank you again for posting the details of your call, kmorlock

If anyone receives this letter, please post it here or to my DVC Expansion thread. Thank you!

For those not subscribed to the WL DVC EXPANSION THREAD, this is what kmorlock posted this evening:

Rep. In WDW Reservations confirmed WL DVC construction notice was released to them today. Waiting for GS now, will follow up later.

* Follow-up: transferred from River in Reservation to Brandon in GS who was so not helpful but did say letters should start going out in "waves" soon. Also, public confirmation he said actually starts tomorrow 7/10. FYI - GS Reps Wilson and Winston are superstars!!!! They were so nice earlier this week that I hope they are rewarded for outstanding magical kindness somehow! Funny how you can talk to 10 reps and get 10 very different answers.

 

[kmorlock]

Still bad! Was hoping it would be delayed and we could move back.

Me too - I really want that WL Magic at Christmas! If it turns out not so expansive for our dates, we're there. Anything like the Poly, see you old friend in 2017....

 

[bluecastle]

Yes, it's like a gift card. I didn't think about using the card at the front desk. I'll have to find out if I can do that but I can't see why not. Thanks

Last summer, I used my redemption card, plus Disney gift cards that I had bought when a previous redemption card was going to expire, plus some cash, and then charged the balance on my room to my credit card. This was all done when I checked in, and those Dis Visa points, that I had been saving for a very long time, really brought the balance down. We do a Room Only reservation. But if your trip is paid in full before you arrive, you could always wait a few days and then use it to pay down your room charges. I'm fairly certain that redemption cards can be used anywhere in WDW that takes credit cards. I hope this rewards program lasts for a long time. I intend to use all the points I'm earning with the expenses from my DD's wedding for our trip in 2017!

 

[hstrickland]

Good morning all

We're in Orlando this week...not at Disney, though. DH has a convention, so we're tagging along. However...what's a trip to Orlando without a quick visit to WDW?! Going over to the WL tonight for dinner at Whispering Canyon. Thought I would nose around and see what I could find out about construction I'm always up for a good scavenger hunt! I'll report back tomorrow

 

[WDWKOOK]

These are the guests from the Lodgers' Log who will arrive in September and October. I suspect they will be the first group to receive letters from the GM outlining some details of how the DVC expansion might impact their stay and the scope of the project. If you are on this list (or even if you aren't!), please post your letter here or to my DVC Expansion thread. Thank you on behalf of all curious Lodgers and potential Lodgers!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Good morning all

We're in Orlando this week...not at Disney, though. DH has a convention, so we're tagging along. However...what's a trip to Orlando without a quick visit to WDW?! Going over to the WL tonight for dinner at Whispering Canyon. Thought I would nose around and see what I could find out about construction I'm always up for a good scavenger hunt! I'll report back tomorrow

Thank you, Nancy Drew!