Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[Wallflower]

Do rooms usually fill up for November and December by August? I didn't think they did. I stayed up late last night and managed to get Nov 16-19. I would have preferred not to pay for the bunk bed though. Does the fact they are filled up this early mean the rooms being rennovated inside the main lodge will still be closed through to 2017? I'm wondering if the crowd level in the lodge will stay fairly low through the holidays if the rooms are still closed.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Do rooms usually fill up for November and December by August? I didn't think they did. I stayed up late last night and managed to get Nov 16-19. I would have preferred not to pay for the bunk bed though. Does the fact they are filled up this early mean the rooms being rennovated inside the main lodge will still be closed through to 2017? I'm wondering if the crowd level in the lodge will stay fairly low through the holidays if the rooms are still closed.

They had expected the south wing to be closed at least until December. But it looks like the south wing will not be finished until 2017.

 

[MonaMN]

Do rooms usually fill up for November and December by August? I didn't think they did. I stayed up late last night and managed to get Nov 16-19. I would have preferred not to pay for the bunk bed though. Does the fact they are filled up this early mean the rooms being rennovated inside the main lodge will still be closed through to 2017? I'm wondering if the crowd level in the lodge will stay fairly low through the holidays if the rooms are still closed.

It is a very popular resort during the Christmas season - often lauded as the most lovely decorated resort. Decorations go up by late November (depending on schedule - sometimes earlier, sometimes later), so that drives traffic there too.

 

[5ofus]

Can somebody please let me know the best way to get in contact with the front desk or people who handle/hold mail for guests? I ordered something from the Disney Store by phone (their website was having 'opportunities', which doesn't even make grammatical sense in this context - at least in English) and the CM who did my order did not add our check in date to the address. I got the shipping confirmation today; she also got the street address wrong (Pimberline Dr!?!?!) It'll arrive a LONG time before we do so I'm worried that now it'll be sent back We're coming from Australia and we've had things held for us before, but we've always had the arrival date on the front. I would like to contact them and, I don't know, make a note or something??!?! Any ideas?

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Can somebody please let me know the best way to get in contact with the front desk or people who handle/hold mail for guests? I ordered something from the Disney Store by phone (their website was having 'opportunities', which doesn't even make grammatical sense in this context - at least in English) and the CM who did my order did not add our check in date to the address. I got the shipping confirmation today; she also got the street address wrong (Pimberline Dr!?!?!) It'll arrive a LONG time before we do so I'm worried that now it'll be sent back We're coming from Australia and we've had things held for us before, but we've always had the arrival date on the front. I would like to contact them and, I don't know, make a note or something??!?! Any ideas?

Direct contact information to the WL front desk can be found on page one of this amazing thread only because our very own KOOK is, well... amazing.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Can somebody please let me know the best way to get in contact with the front desk or people who handle/hold mail for guests? I ordered something from the Disney Store by phone (their website was having 'opportunities', which doesn't even make grammatical sense in this context - at least in English) and the CM who did my order did not add our check in date to the address. I got the shipping confirmation today; she also got the street address wrong (Pimberline Dr!?!?!) It'll arrive a LONG time before we do so I'm worried that now it'll be sent back We're coming from Australia and we've had things held for us before, but we've always had the arrival date on the front. I would like to contact them and, I don't know, make a note or something??!?! Any ideas?

@CuteAsMinnie pointed you in the right direction of the contact number for WL: (407) 824-3200. While this number does not actually get answered by someone at WL, a WDW CM will make sure that your situation is conveyed to the appropriate WL area, most likely Bell Services, who will hold your package. Make sure you have your reservation number and arrival date when you call. They will probably want to know when you expect the package to arrive and from whom. How far before your arrival do you think it'll arrive?

You should email or call the Disney Store and give them the correct address. POST 15 HERE has the information you need to ship to WL, @5ofus.

Direct contact information to the WL front desk can be found on page one of this amazing thread only because our very own KOOK is, well... amazing.

OK, now you got my attention. Thank you for the very kind Aussie re-direct, @CuteAsMinnie . Hey, you changed your avatar!

 

[Wallflower]

It is a very popular resort during the Christmas season - often lauded as the most lovely decorated resort. Decorations go up by late November (depending on schedule - sometimes earlier, sometimes later), so that drives traffic there too.

That's true. Although, it's probably not as bad as Grand Floridian with that gingerbread house. I've noticed a pattern with Wilderness Lodge putting up the tree later lately. When I look it up, it appears it went up the wee hours of Monday morning just before Thanksgiving the past 2 years as opposed to mid November in years before this. I don't know why but I have a feeling it will be late again with the construction going on. I'm kind of disappointed by this as I was hoping to enjoy the tree and decorations at Wilderness yet avoid the craziness of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

OK, now you got my attention. Thank you for the very kind Aussie re-direct, @CuteAsMinnie . Hey, you changed your avatar!

Yes I did! DH and I will return to WDW for our -gasp- 30th Wedding Aniversary so I thought it appropriate! Still have NOT taken that trip without our no longer kids but young adults! And here you are embarking on your solo trip!
We will most likely be staying at the Poly and have NO CLUE what type of room to request!

 

[WDWKOOK]

That's true. Although, it's probably not as bad as Grand Floridian with that gingerbread house. I've noticed a pattern with Wilderness Lodge putting up the tree later lately. When I look it up, it appears it went up the wee hours of Monday morning just before Thanksgiving the past 2 years as opposed to mid November in years before this. I don't know why but I have a feeling it will be late again with the construction going on. I'm kind of disappointed by this as I was hoping to enjoy the tree and decorations at Wilderness yet avoid the craziness of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Every year there is a lottery which determines the order in which each resort is decorated, (I learned this from @dansdad ). So, every year the order changes and can't be predicted.

Yes I did! DH and I will return to WDW for our -gasp- 30th Wedding Aniversary so I thought it appropriate! Still have NOT taken that trip without our no longer kids but young adults! And here you are embarking on your solo trip!
We will most likely be staying at the Poly and have NO CLUE what type of room to request!

Well, the new avatar is very schmoopy and fits a 30th anniversary very well (Ours is next year.) Do you need a solo trip, too? You can change your avatar again!

IMHO, best Standard View longhouse is Fiji, 3rd floor, facing north toward GF and the beach. For an extra special stay, book a Water or TPV CL room

Fiji, 3rd floor, 8/15:

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Well, the new avatar is very schmoopy and fits a 30th anniversary very well (Ours is next year.) Do you need a solo trip, too? You can change your avatar again!

IMHO, best Standard View longhouse is Fiji, 3rd floor, facing north toward GF and the beach. For an extra special stay, book a Water or TPV CL room

Fiji, 3rd floor, 8/15:
View attachment 187321

OMGosh I just laughed so hard.... Shmoopie is my nickname for DS!!!! LOL
Our 30th IS next year. We will be going in early May. I did see that view pic and it's pretty nice!!! Thx!!!

 

[mateojr]

I just LOVE the Wilderness Lodge I like the pool the splash pad the club level just EVERYTHING about it but the thing I most like is the rooms. if this was helpful to you please like and bye!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pixarmom]

I just LOVE the Wilderness Lodge I like the pool the splash pad the club level just EVERYTHING about it but the thing I most like is the rooms. if this was helpful to you please like and bye!!!!!!!!!!!!

KOOK, we have a new poster! He also likes BWI, so he might have a few thoughts to add on that thread too.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just LOVE the Wilderness Lodge I like the pool the splash pad the club level just EVERYTHING about it but the thing I most like is the rooms. if this was helpful to you please like and bye!!!!!!!!!!!!

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, @mateojr!

I can tell you know a great resort when you see one. Are the rooms with the bunkbeds your favorite? The new splash pad is so much fun and how about the Club Level cobbler? Yum! Have you been to the arcade?

KOOK, we have a new poster! He also likes BWI, so he might have a few thoughts to add on that thread too.

He has great taste in resorts so it must run in the family

 

[mateojr]

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, @mateojr!

I can tell you know a great resort when you see one. Are the rooms with the bunkbeds your favorite? The new splash pad is so much fun and how about the Club Level cobbler? Yum! Have you been to the arcade?




He has great taste in resorts so it must run in the family

Thank you I have lots of experience with LOTS of resorts and the bunk bed part yes and no because I get my own bed but I have to worry about anything happening to me if i'm on the top bunk. And I do like the desserts at the club level and no I have not been to the arcade and I am not staying at the WL on my next trip but if you would be ok with this I will post pictures of the BWI arcade if thats ok with you

 

[goopysolelady]

That's true. Although, it's probably not as bad as Grand Floridian with that gingerbread house. I've noticed a pattern with Wilderness Lodge putting up the tree later lately. When I look it up, it appears it went up the wee hours of Monday morning just before Thanksgiving the past 2 years as opposed to mid November in years before this. I don't know why but I have a feeling it will be late again with the construction going on. I'm kind of disappointed by this as I was hoping to enjoy the tree and decorations at Wilderness yet avoid the craziness of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We got lucky last year and watched this amazing tree "go up" the week before Thanksgiving, not sure if it was Sunday or Monday night ...

Yes I did! DH and I will return to WDW for our -gasp- 30th Wedding Aniversary so I thought it appropriate! Still have NOT taken that trip without our no longer kids but young adults! And here you are embarking on your solo trip!
We will most likely be staying at the Poly and have NO CLUE what type of room to request!

CuteAsMinnie...DH and I will be back at Disney World this December celebrating our 45th anniversary ... totally without children or grandchildren! Our first trip as only a couple since 1978!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you I have lots of experience with LOTS of resorts and the bunk bed part yes and no because I get my own bed but I have to worry about anything happening to me if i'm on the top bunk. And I do like the desserts at the club level and no I have not been to the arcade and I am not staying at the WL on my next trip but if you would be ok with this I will post pictures of the BWI arcade if thats ok with you

That makes sense about the bunk. We love resort photos so please use the link to the BWI thread that's in my signature to post your BWI photos, @mateojr

 

[WDWKOOK]

CuteAsMinnie...DH and I will be back at Disney World this December celebrating our 45th anniversary ... totally without children or grandchildren! Our first trip as only a couple since 1978!

45th anniversary AND retirement AND first trip with just you and DH in 38 years??!! This is going to be one epic trip, @goopysolelady. CONGRATULATIONS and enjoy every single minute! Are you staying at WL the entire trip? Did you add Club Level? Don't forget to add your anniversary and retirement to your reservation

 

[MushyMushy]

Hey all! We're first timers at WL. We've only ever stayed at AKL or SSR. We got a really good deal for September, so we decided to check it out. I've seen some not so good things said about transportation here. Is that typical? I prefer to use Disney's transportation, but if it's that slow, then we'll probably go ahead and use our own car.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hey all! We're first timers at WL. We've only ever stayed at AKL or SSR. We got a really good deal for September, so we decided to check it out. I've seen some not so good things said about transportation here. Is that typical? I prefer to use Disney's transportation, but if it's that slow, then we'll probably go ahead and use our own car.

I am not sure where you have seen reports of bad transportation at WL, but overall and in most instances, transportation is pretty good. You will always find instances of a long wait for a bus, but that happens at every resort at every level. The buses tend to be good, especially during this construction period when half the lodge is closed but the transportation runs on the same schedule as when the resort is at full occupancy. And the best part is that WL is the first stop when leaving a park or DS.

But the boats are the best part. Once you take a boat to or from MK, you'll see why the WL fans love it.

 

[dansdad]

Hey all! We're first timers at WL. We've only ever stayed at AKL or SSR. We got a really good deal for September, so we decided to check it out. I've seen some not so good things said about transportation here. Is that typical? I prefer to use Disney's transportation, but if it's that slow, then we'll probably go ahead and use our own car.

In our opinion WL has no better or worse transportation than any other resort. Although the 5 minute bus ride to MK is great when you're in a hurry. The boat ride to MK is definitely nice and relaxing, but not as quick as the bus.