Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[disneylover81]

Congratulations, and as someone who also plans trips for fairly large groups, I know what you're going through, and going to go through. If everyone stays calm and is fairly easygoing it will be a lot easier, but we know that's not how it always happens.

You've accomplished the first task getting everyone together at a great resort. You might want to have "traveling with" notes on each reservation so that you all wind up somewhat close together, but it isn't a huge deal at WL, and you sister will be in the other wing anyway, but that's not a big deal. We dealt with having some of us in WL and the rest at CCV for our last trip and it was fine. Scheduling a time to meet in the lobby or at the bus stop worked well, just make sure everyone knows which place...

As for room requests that is one area where you really can over analyze it. Our choice for a Courtyard View room would be "open to lobby" to try to get a "Bear Face" room that opens to the lobby and has a balcony that faces straight toward Bay Lake. It would also be one of the closest WL rooms to CCV. Some complain about noise from the lobby and WCC, but you probably won't be napping in the room at dinner time so it shouldn't be an issue. If you get to "downgrade" to Nature or Standard view, our choice would be high floor, near the elevators. Our favorite view we've had was from room 6046, and the castle and fireworks view was spectacular, and we got it with a Standard View reservation. As always, your luck may vary.

10 people was the most we planned for on a trip, and we cheated since four of them did most of their planning on their own. We coordinated park days and tried for some overlapping ADR times, but it was nice for each family to have some flexibility. We routinely plan trips for 8 people where I do all of the ADRs and Fastpasses for everybody, and we generally plan on one big meal together each day, which everybody makes it to. I also usually make fastpasses for everyone, but it is rare that we all stay together long enough for everyone to use all of them, and that is ok. The members of the party who want to go do something different can cancel their fastpasses (if they want something else) or just let it be. Often Grandma will head back to the resort early or meet us at a park once we got there earlier. Not having too many ADRs for everyone in a day really helps keep it flexible, which keeps people happy and makes sure they can do what they want.

We don't tend to be all day park people, and that does help with flexibility. We are often just as happy walking around a resort or Disney Springs as we would be in a park. Some members of our party might prefer more park time, and they are free to stay in the parks, but in general once they see what else WDW has to offer they enjoy that too. I do have a planning spreadsheet that shows our planned parks and schedule, and I also make a .PDF that shows the key events (ADRs, Fastpasses, and park hours) for everybody and I send it out so they can have it on their phones. It is surprising how many times I answer the "What do we have planned for today?" question, but that's ok, at least they have the info if I'm not there to answer it.

For HS dining, I really don't have much to offer you. We often have done Hollywood and Vine and really didn't find it to be bad at all. I far preferred the food there to Chef Mickey's. We also did Sci Fi this last time and the food was ok, but the kids liked the atmosphere. Both Mama Melrose and 50's Prime time are on our short list for a future trip, and we'll probably give 50's Prime Time a try first.

Overall, enjoy it all, keep calm, and you will have a great trip. Realize that you can't control everything for everyone, and whether they have a good time is up to them in the end. Since they are at WDW and have a great set of things to do they should be fine. Don't worry though if people want to do their own thing, especially after a few days. Some like to shop, others prefer catching every possible ride. That's ok, you can all meet for a nice meal to discuss your great day.

Congratulations, and as someone who also plans trips for fairly large groups, I know what you're going through, and going to go through. If everyone stays calm and is fairly easygoing it will be a lot easier, but we know that's not how it always happens.

You've accomplished the first task getting everyone together at a great resort. You might want to have "traveling with" notes on each reservation so that you all wind up somewhat close together, but it isn't a huge deal at WL, and you sister will be in the other wing anyway, but that's not a big deal. We dealt with having some of us in WL and the rest at CCV for our last trip and it was fine. Scheduling a time to meet in the lobby or at the bus stop worked well, just make sure everyone knows which place...

As for room requests that is one area where you really can over analyze it. Our choice for a Courtyard View room would be "open to lobby" to try to get a "Bear Face" room that opens to the lobby and has a balcony that faces straight toward Bay Lake. It would also be one of the closest WL rooms to CCV. Some complain about noise from the lobby and WCC, but you probably won't be napping in the room at dinner time so it shouldn't be an issue. If you get to "downgrade" to Nature or Standard view, our choice would be high floor, near the elevators. Our favorite view we've had was from room 6046, and the castle and fireworks view was spectacular, and we got it with a Standard View reservation. As always, your luck may vary.

10 people was the most we planned for on a trip, and we cheated since four of them did most of their planning on their own. We coordinated park days and tried for some overlapping ADR times, but it was nice for each family to have some flexibility. We routinely plan trips for 8 people where I do all of the ADRs and Fastpasses for everybody, and we generally plan on one big meal together each day, which everybody makes it to. I also usually make fastpasses for everyone, but it is rare that we all stay together long enough for everyone to use all of them, and that is ok. The members of the party who want to go do something different can cancel their fastpasses (if they want something else) or just let it be. Often Grandma will head back to the resort early or meet us at a park once we got there earlier. Not having too many ADRs for everyone in a day really helps keep it flexible, which keeps people happy and makes sure they can do what they want.

We don't tend to be all day park people, and that does help with flexibility. We are often just as happy walking around a resort or Disney Springs as we would be in a park. Some members of our party might prefer more park time, and they are free to stay in the parks, but in general once they see what else WDW has to offer they enjoy that too. I do have a planning spreadsheet that shows our planned parks and schedule, and I also make a .PDF that shows the key events (ADRs, Fastpasses, and park hours) for everybody and I send it out so they can have it on their phones. It is surprising how many times I answer the "What do we have planned for today?" question, but that's ok, at least they have the info if I'm not there to answer it.

For HS dining, I really don't have much to offer you. We often have done Hollywood and Vine and really didn't find it to be bad at all. I far preferred the food there to Chef Mickey's. We also did Sci Fi this last time and the food was ok, but the kids liked the atmosphere. Both Mama Melrose and 50's Prime time are on our short list for a future trip, and we'll probably give 50's Prime Time a try first.

Overall, enjoy it all, keep calm, and you will have a great trip. Realize that you can't control everything for everyone, and whether they have a good time is up to them in the end. Since they are at WDW and have a great set of things to do they should be fine. Don't worry though if people want to do their own thing, especially after a few days. Some like to shop, others prefer catching every possible ride. That's ok, you can all meet for a nice meal to discuss your great day.

Wow!! Thank you for all that feedback! It really helps put my mind at ease - great tips!! It really has made me nervous especially sine they are all basically first timers at WDW. I've been stressing out on how to make it wonderful and blow them all away so they get how much my family loves it there. Honestly, they all think it's way too overpriced for a vacation so it puts the pressure on to make sure they enjoy themselves and not feel like they wasted their money! Either way, it won't ruin my trip because nothing gets me down when I'm there! I think splitting up it definitely important because too much togetherness can lead to disaster and unhappiness - been there, done that, not doing it again!! Again, thank you so much - you were a great help!!

 

[disneylover81]

I hope she realizes that the CCV studio only sleeps four persons. If all of her children are going, they all count towards occupancy meaning she will have five persons. Unless one of her kids is going to share either your or your parent's rooms. CCV studios are pretty small and there is no space for a fifth person in the studio. She will not be able to book five in the studio and won't have access to the benefits of staying onsite for the fifth person either.

You are correct, we have my sister's fifth person booked in my parent's room.

 

[princessesintraining]

Yay! Booked WL CV for July 6-11. Originally planned on going for Thanksgiving, but my parents and my sister and her family are joining us (after years of begging them to come along) but they would only go for Free Dining. Ten of us in all; me, DH, DD 13. This is my parents' first time visit to WDW ever. Then my sister's family - she went with her older kids 8 years ago and never went back because that trip was a disaster from the start - we went April 2011 and it was raining the whole time, not like the daily Florida rain shower that you are thinking - I'm talking about like a hurricane kind of storm every single day for the whole week we were there. So needless to say she did not get the Disney Bug and just never went back unlike me who has a Disney addiction. But since then she's had 2 more kids and is giving it another try, so it'll be herself, her DH, DS 13, DS 7 and DD 4).

So my family LOVES WL so naturally we booked it again (3rd time here), my parents said they want to stay where I stay since I know the lay of the land so booked them CV also. Well my sister, who was not wanting to spend the extra money decided they would stay at Ft. Wilderness instead of WL with the rest of us. Well, after weeks of talking to her about it, I finally convinced her to switch from Ft. Wilderness to WL, but by this time it was all booked up so in the end she booked at Copper Creek . . . she got a Deluxe Studio for only an additional $162! Shouldn't have taken as much convincing as it did - in my opinion it was a no brainer!! For that little amount of extra money I told her she was insane not to upgrade there, better location, better pool, better resort.

I really want Nature View so I can watch the Fireworks, but one hasn't come up yet, never stayed in CV. I know I want to be on the 6th floor, so now I gotta pick out a room to request. Probably want one that over looks the pool and the lake - any suggestions? Just started looking on TP at the different room views . . . everyone else in my group doesn't care where their room is or what the view is . . . they just don't understand! They all think I am crazy because I do care so much!

I got all the dining reservations made. They basically just told me to pick for everyone and that's where we will eat. So that's what I did. 'Ohana, BOG, Chef Mickey for the little kids, Rainforest Cafe, booked Hollywood and Vine, but I really don't care for it, so will probably change it to something else at HS, not sure yet. We don't usually eat there except for QS, didn't care for Sci-Fi either. Never ate Mama Melrose or Prime Time. Which would be a better choice??

Just wait until it's time for Fastpasses - - - - now that's going to be interesting. I pretty much know what my family wants, but I can't pick out everyone's because there are little kids, and my older parents who won't be able to ride all the same things as us and they will want mid-day breaks, where my family doesn't take them. We get there at Park Opening and stay til Park Closing every day! I have tried to tell them, but they don't get it. I plan with a spreadsheet for each day to keep up with FP and DDP. I think they all want to wing it, but I can't be with them all day every day. We will have to separate some so everyone can do what they want. Has anyone had to plan a trip for this many people who don't have a clue what they are getting into? I need some tips!

Thanks for letting me vent - any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!!! 162 more days . . . .

WE love 50’s Prime Time. My girls love the antics and the food is great. It’s a must do for us. You set your own table and it’s like eating at grandma’s house.

 

[ariane37]

I have stays at WL in May and Oct, and today we booked it again for NYE! I'll never get enough of my Lodge and I'm excited to spend our first NYE trip to the World there

 

[disneylover81]

WE love 50’s Prime Time. My girls love the antics and the food is great. It’s a must do for us. You set your own table and it’s like eating at grandma’s house.

Oh, yeah! That does sound fun! I am definitely going to tell my family about that and see if they want to give it a try! I am such a creature of habit - we hardly ever eat different places than our normal spots while at WDW. We really do need to branch out and try some new places each time we go.

 

[paradesintherain]

I get to finally stay at Wilderness Lodge in May! And we have a Courtyard view booked!

 

[patty57]

Hi All. Question about upgrading a regular room to club level. Has anyone ever been shut out of doing this, because there were no more spaces available? Especially wondering about the holiday season. We have a regular room booked Nov. 30-Dec. 5th, and wondering if the CL might get totally booked up. I know past experiences don't necessarily predict future success, but would love to hear anyone's take on this.
Any experiences?

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Hi All. Question about upgrading a regular room to club level. Has anyone ever been shut out of doing this, because there were no more spaces available? Especially wondering about the holiday season. We have a regular room booked Nov. 30-Dec. 5th, and wondering if the CL might get totally booked up. I know past experiences don't necessarily predict future success, but would love to hear anyone's take on this.
Any experiences?

I just answered you over on the CL thread, but I’ll add my two cents here too in case there’s anyone else reading this who’s interested. I was able to add on CL access during Thanksgiving week. I haven’t yet read of anyone who’s been unable to add it at check-in, but I know there’s limited availability so theoretically it could happen. I think outside of this board (and even somewhat on this board as there are often questions about it), it’s not really known that guests can add on CL access. I’ve never seen it advertised anywhere at WL.

 

[patty57]

Thank you @ColoradoMom12

 

[ksromack]

I'm really hoping they offer something like this to those of use booked on points via DVC since Reunion Station is no longer available for us! Has anyone heard of any ramblings regarding this?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm really hoping they offer something like this to those of use booked on points via DVC since Reunion Station is no longer available for us! Has anyone heard of any ramblings regarding this?

I'd bet not since they don't offer this at other DVC resort connected to hotels. I think Reunion Station was just a fluke and it wasn't successful. They'll turn it into another cash option sooner or later.

 

[ToyStory3]

We finally booked a stay at WL for the first time ever! It's my dream resort and I've always wanted to stay there. We love the Beach Club and usually stay there. We are again for a week in May. But, the last day we are moving over to WL for one night and staying Club Level! I'm hoping to go into the parks very little so we can just be in the resort as much as possible and use the CL lounge. Not sure if this group keeps a log of people staying here like some of the other pages so. But if so please put us down for 6/1-6/2. Will be reading this page up and down until our stay!

Any suggestions for room requests? Is it correct that all of the CL rooms are on the 7th floor? Thanks!!!

 

[Jfsag123]

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time this summer and I am so excited! We’ll be there July 19-23 before moving to BLT for 4 nights. In the meantime, I’m trying to study up on the resort as much as possible. It looks gorgeous.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

 

[bphilb]

I'm all booked for my first WL stay April 3rd through the 9th. I running in the Star Wars races and will be spending a fair amount of time at the resort. I have visited often but can't wait to make this my home for a week. We have a Courtyard view and will be eating at Whispering Canyon one night (my kids love it there).

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We finally booked a stay at WL for the first time ever! It's my dream resort and I've always wanted to stay there. We love the Beach Club and usually stay there. We are again for a week in May. But, the last day we are moving over to WL for one night and staying Club Level! I'm hoping to go into the parks very little so we can just be in the resort as much as possible and use the CL lounge. Not sure if this group keeps a log of people staying here like some of the other pages so. But if so please put us down for 6/1-6/2. Will be reading this page up and down until our stay!

Any suggestions for room requests? Is it correct that all of the CL rooms are on the 7th floor? Thanks!!!

Hello and congratulations! I'm glad that you get to stay at your dream resort. The original author of this thread isn't very active on the DIS anymore, so our Lodger's Log doesn't get updated with upcoming trips. That's ok, we have a great thread with lots of helpful people and great information.

You are correct in that all of the regular Club Level rooms are on the seventh floor. WL also has Deluxe rooms that come with CL access and they are on floors 1-5 at the end of the wing nearest the boat docks. Finally as others have mentioned people have been able to add CL access to a reservation elsewhere in the resort based on availability. In your case, having a CL reservation, you'll be on the 7th floor, which gets you nice views. Your balcony will have enclosed railing, but we've had those rooms and enjoy them, and it is a more secure feeling. The downside is you don't have as great of view while seated.

As for room requests, with CL either side of the hallway is the same bookable category, so you can either request to have a balcony that overlooks the main pool or faces towards MK. We would probably prefer the MK view, since our favorite view we've had at WL was in that same area of the resort, just on the 6th floor (since we haven't stayed CL).

Happy Planning and have a great time at WL!

 

[BridgetR3]

Hello and congratulations! I'm glad that you get to stay at your dream resort. The original author of this thread isn't very active on the DIS anymore, so our Lodger's Log doesn't get updated with upcoming trips. That's ok, we have a great thread with lots of helpful people and great information.

Has anyone considered starting a new WL thread that can be kept current?

 

[dansdad]

Has anyone considered starting a new WL thread that can be kept current?

Go for it!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Has anyone considered starting a new WL thread that can be kept current?

The information on the thread is current and accurate, and the first pages are updated as necessary with new information, we just don't have an up to date trip log of planned trips. This requires a lot of work to maintain, and we've done fine without it. Feel free to post about upcoming trips as others have, and anyone can search the thread for a particular month to see who's posted their dates.

 

[donnypump]

Looking for recommendations/advice on room requests for our stay. We are staying at WL for first time May 8th-14th, currently have a standard room reservation. We will have a 10 year old and 3.5 year old along with my wife and I, so while a view of the fireworks would be nice we also value convenience and a somewhat quiet location as the little guy still intermittently naps and we are generally early risers, early to bed type people (weird I know). Having never been it's hard for me to visualize what would be good spots to request (aside from higher floors). I don't mind if there's a "parking lot" view if I look down, I just don't want to hear delivery trucks all night keeping the kids awake. Anyone with experience at the WL have some advice for me? Thank you kindly in advance for your response(s).