Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[mrsap]

Please do! As always, feel free to share any of my stuff. This trip it was hard to separate the CC stuff from the general Lodge stuff, but feel free to link and share it. I also have some room view photos for you that I will post there.

Thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing them!

 

[badeacon]

I wanted to write a post about some of the COVID related changes and procedures at Wilderness Lodge, and since I have some time on the plane I decided to put something together. I may add to it as I download more pictures and think of more things.

We were naturally concerned about how COVID related changes would negatively affect our trip to WL. Fortunately, we had nothing to worry about and for us the changes are a net positive. Here are a few things that are different than a year ago:

• Roaring Fork is primarily mobile order, and you pick up in the old dining room. There are still a few tables in there to eat at, and sometimes they will open up the cash register in the original location, but in general you order through the app and pick up your stuff when it is ready.
• Mug “refills” are new paper cups (and plastic lids) each time. They have set up a “counter” with tables in the dining room, and CMs are behind the tables to get you the drinks from the machines. The CMs have a system where you can take a picture of you with your mug and use it to get a refill, which avoids having to carry a mug around. This worked for us consistently at RF, and we also did it at Beach Club. There is no official Disney policy on the refills with a photo, but it is working well in our experience. I also was able to get two cups since I had a picture with my wife’s mug. Also the cups are larger than the mugs are, but not the large size paper cups.
• Traffic flow: Roaring Fork, the Mercantile, and other locations have defined entrances and exits. This generally makes sense, but can take some getting used to at first
• Bus Transportation: For us we did very well. All buses only went to one resort, and we never had to wait too long. The situation at WL was far better than what we saw at other resorts, likely due to decreased crowds with the WL hotel side being still closed. The bus drivers do usually assign you to a section with your party, and larger parties may take up multiple sections. Sometimes you enter through the back door, but it varied quite a bit for us.
• Boat Transportation: Here is the first significant loss, since the Blue Flag boats are not running between WL, CR, and FW. Your only boat option is to MK where you can connect to a FW boat (without going through security). Getting to CR requires getting to MK and then walking or taking the monorail. We chatted with a CM, and found that they must rotate boats out of service for cleaning many times during the day, so the routes are limited. I hope the blue flag boats return soon, but I see why they are not there yet. The same smaller boats are in use for the MK trip, and usually were alternating with the bigger enclosed boats. The captains of the smaller boats assign your seats to maximize capacity and keep groups separated. This made their job way harder, and I feel sorry for them.
• Front Desk: Despite the messages from Disney that you might not need to go to the front desk, CMs are available at the desk to help you as always. There are plexiglass dividers and sanitized pens, but the same service is available.
• Room Service is not available. We aren’t sure if this is due to staffing or safety concerns, but you can’t order in room dining. Many people do bring QS up from Roaring Fork or getting Geyser Point to go. Watch the clock though, because there wasn’t any food available between 10pm and 7am.
• Mask use is mandatory. Like all of Disney, you must wear your mask properly or CMs will let you know. This is actually quite reassuring.
• Temp checks were happening for reservations at Whispering Canyon, but not anywhere else at WL. I believe all resort TS locations are doing temp checks, as are the parks and Disney Springs, so it became quite routine.
• The hotel side is a construction site and not accessible to guests. This has little effect on guests, but you can not access the elevators by Roaring Fork since there is a construction wall just past the restrooms. This is a significant inconvenience for anyone staying in the first 12 cabins, since they have to walk all the way around the wing by the boat dock. In the lobby the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors have doors closed preventing access to the North wing. On the bright side, the room renovations are almost done and look beautiful from the outside windows.
• Resort Airline Checkin and Magical Express Luggage Services are gone. The front of the lodge is cleaned up and there is no evidence of where these used to take place. It was really not a big deal to claim and check our own bags, and the Magical Express driver helped carry our bags from the lobby. Bell services would also have taken our stored bags directly to the bus, but we didn’t do that.
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Thanks for the info. Checking into WL today

 

[mrsap]

Thanks for the info. Checking into WL today

Have a great trip! Please take some pictures for us.

 

[disny_luvr]

I wanted to write a post about some of the COVID related changes and procedures at Wilderness Lodge, and since I have some time on the plane I decided to put something together. I may add to it as I download more pictures and think of more things.

We were naturally concerned about how COVID related changes would negatively affect our trip to WL. Fortunately, we had nothing to worry about and for us the changes are a net positive. Here are a few things that are different than a year ago:

• Roaring Fork is primarily mobile order, and you pick up in the old dining room. There are still a few tables in there to eat at, and sometimes they will open up the cash register in the original location, but in general you order through the app and pick up your stuff when it is ready.
• Mug “refills” are new paper cups (and plastic lids) each time. They have set up a “counter” with tables in the dining room, and CMs are behind the tables to get you the drinks from the machines. The CMs have a system where you can take a picture of you with your mug and use it to get a refill, which avoids having to carry a mug around. This worked for us consistently at RF, and we also did it at Beach Club. There is no official Disney policy on the refills with a photo, but it is working well in our experience. I also was able to get two cups since I had a picture with my wife’s mug. Also the cups are larger than the mugs are, but not the large size paper cups.
• Traffic flow: Roaring Fork, the Mercantile, and other locations have defined entrances and exits. This generally makes sense, but can take some getting used to at first
• Bus Transportation: For us we did very well. All buses only went to one resort, and we never had to wait too long. The situation at WL was far better than what we saw at other resorts, likely due to decreased crowds with the WL hotel side being still closed. The bus drivers do usually assign you to a section with your party, and larger parties may take up multiple sections. Sometimes you enter through the back door, but it varied quite a bit for us.
• Boat Transportation: Here is the first significant loss, since the Blue Flag boats are not running between WL, CR, and FW. Your only boat option is to MK where you can connect to a FW boat (without going through security). Getting to CR requires getting to MK and then walking or taking the monorail. We chatted with a CM, and found that they must rotate boats out of service for cleaning many times during the day, so the routes are limited. I hope the blue flag boats return soon, but I see why they are not there yet. The same smaller boats are in use for the MK trip, and usually were alternating with the bigger enclosed boats. The captains of the smaller boats assign your seats to maximize capacity and keep groups separated. This made their job way harder, and I feel sorry for them.
• Front Desk: Despite the messages from Disney that you might not need to go to the front desk, CMs are available at the desk to help you as always. There are plexiglass dividers and sanitized pens, but the same service is available.
• Room Service is not available. We aren’t sure if this is due to staffing or safety concerns, but you can’t order in room dining. Many people do bring QS up from Roaring Fork or getting Geyser Point to go. Watch the clock though, because there wasn’t any food available between 10pm and 7am.
• Mask use is mandatory. Like all of Disney, you must wear your mask properly or CMs will let you know. This is actually quite reassuring.
• Temp checks were happening for reservations at Whispering Canyon, but not anywhere else at WL. I believe all resort TS locations are doing temp checks, as are the parks and Disney Springs, so it became quite routine.
• The hotel side is a construction site and not accessible to guests. This has little effect on guests, but you can not access the elevators by Roaring Fork since there is a construction wall just past the restrooms. This is a significant inconvenience for anyone staying in the first 12 cabins, since they have to walk all the way around the wing by the boat dock. In the lobby the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors have doors closed preventing access to the North wing. On the bright side, the room renovations are almost done and look beautiful from the outside windows.
• Resort Airline Checkin and Magical Express Luggage Services are gone. The front of the lodge is cleaned up and there is no evidence of where these used to take place. It was really not a big deal to claim and check our own bags, and the Magical Express driver helped carry our bags from the lobby. Bell services would also have taken our stored bags directly to the bus, but we didn’t do that.
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This is great information! Thanks for sharing. We aren’t traveling to Disney until August and who knows how things will be then, but this is so helpful for those traveling soon.

 

[Jhondy]

In my opinion you can’t go wrong staying anywhere at Wilderness Lodge. BR is right next door to the main building and all under one roof, and this trip we particularly enjoyed mornings in the cozy Carolwood Pacific room in the BRV lobby.
Last year we had a first floor CC room and most of our party would have preferred a higher floor. It is super easy for transportation not having to take an elevator, but we missed having a nice view and walking through the beautiful lobby.
Whichever side you stay in be sure to take some time and explore it all. It is such a beautiful place.

thanks for the insight. We will be sticking with BR cause CC studio is not available with discount (and either is BR anymore but we already have it booked). I’d really love to walk out of my room and be in the WL lobby but my DD (who will be 20 months) has always loved playing outside on the balcony and I like on a balcony she is contained verse a patio where she will want to go off and explore and I’ll be chasing her lol.

I’m so excited to for this trip cause we are planning a lot more down time at the hotel and taking things easy. Also kinda sad cause this will be our last disney trip for awhile since DD will be 2 soon.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

thanks for the insight. We will be sticking with BR cause CC studio is not available with discount (and either is BR anymore but we already have it booked). I’d really love to walk out of my room and be in the WL lobby but my DD (who will be 20 months) has always loved playing outside on the balcony and I like on a balcony she is contained verse a patio where she will want to go off and explore and I’ll be chasing her lol.

I’m so excited to for this trip cause we are planning a lot more down time at the hotel and taking things easy. Also kinda sad cause this will be our last disney trip for awhile since DD will be 2 soon.

It is a beautiful resort to spend time at. I am actually a little sad when I am gone from it all day during a trip, since it is my favorite part of WDW.
Sounds like there may be a chance for one more trip before she turns three... We thought our trip when our daughter was 3 would be a last one for a while, and it started a string of them, and now she is 11.

 

[Jhondy]

It is a beautiful resort to spend time at. I am actually a little sad when I am gone from it all day during a trip, since it is my favorite part of WDW.
Sounds like there may be a chance for one more trip before she turns three... We thought our trip when our daughter was 3 would be a last one for a while, and it started a string of them, and now she is 11.

oh there will definitely be more trips in DD’s future but not till either masks go away or she is old enough to understand. This will be her 3rd trip to WDW already. She is just a very stubborn kid that a mask will not be an option for her when she is 2...I’d like to hope if when she is closer to three maybe we can make a mask work but I’d be surprised if it will work. I can’t even get her to stop pulling her ponytail holders out of her hair.

 

[Disney Ron]

I'm sorry but I didn't read this thread so I would like to know are all the WL rooms now refurbished?

TIA.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm sorry but I didn't read this thread so I would like to know are all the WL rooms now refurbished?

TIA.

Some resort side floors had started to be renovated pre COVID (and some had opened before the shut down). They stopped work for awhile, but are now actively finishing off all remaining floors. When WL reopens, all resort side rooms will have been renovated.

 

[Disney Ron]

Some resort side floors had started to be renovated pre COVID (and some had opened before the shut down). They stopped work for awhile, but are now actively finishing off all remaining floors. When WL reopens, all resort side rooms will have been renovated.

Thanks GA I am booked for 6/15 and that is great news. The rooms look great.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks GA I am booked for 6/15 and that is great news. The rooms look great.

If you’re lucky, you may be the first person to occupy your room. Or maybe the second.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[maryj11]

oh there will definitely be more trips in DD’s future but not till either masks go away or she is old enough to understand. This will be her 3rd trip to WDW already. She is just a very stubborn kid that a mask will not be an option for her when she is 2...I’d like to hope if when she is closer to three maybe we can make a mask work but I’d be surprised if it will work. I can’t even get her to stop pulling her ponytail holders out of her hair.

Sounds like your normal 2 year old lol. My granddaughter is the same. She pulls her ponytail out and you can forget about a mask

 

[iujen94]

DH and I are doing a resort-only Disney trip the first weekend in March. We are staying at YC, but one of the things I really want to do is check out WL, because I’ve never been there. Any suggestions on things to do? We’ll likely be there in the afternoon, after lunch at Poly and before dinner at Contemporary. I definitely want to get drinks at Geyser Point. Any other fun things to explore (that are open)?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

DH and I are doing a resort-only Disney trip the first weekend in March. We are staying at YC, but one of the things I really want to do is check out WL, because I’ve never been there. Any suggestions on things to do? We’ll likely be there in the afternoon, after lunch at Poly and before dinner at Contemporary. I definitely want to get drinks at Geyser Point. Any other fun things to explore (that are open)?

Fun!

Def drinks at GP like you said.

I’d walk around the grounds - go from one end of the cabins to the other.

Walk through the middle courtyard/waterfall area of the main building.

Of course stroll the main lobby, grab a seat by the fireplace for a bit.

I always enjoy the shopping at Wilderness Mercantile - to me it has a homey feel that makes me want to depart with my money.

The geyser blows on the top of the hour - it’s worth seeing if you happen to be around.

The lobby of the Boulder Ridge building is worth a visit too.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Deb & Bill]

DH and I are doing a resort-only Disney trip the first weekend in March. We are staying at YC, but one of the things I really want to do is check out WL, because I’ve never been there. Any suggestions on things to do? We’ll likely be there in the afternoon, after lunch at Poly and before dinner at Contemporary. I definitely want to get drinks at Geyser Point. Any other fun things to explore (that are open)?

You'll need to take a boat from the MK to WL. So after your Polynesian lunch (which you will get to by Disney transportation as well), take the monorail from the TTC or possibly the boat from the Polynesian boat dock to the MK. The take the MK boat to WL. Then take the boat back to MK from WL and either walk or take the monorail to the Contemporary.

 

[chimommy]

Is Wilderness Lodge currently open? We booked at breakfast reservation there and Im curious if the boat will be running to and from magic kingdom or if the hours are limited? Thanks!

 

[Dave006]

Yes the WL is open however the north side regular resort rooms are still closed and the second and first floor on the north wing are still being renovated just past the restrooms near the Roaring Fork QS location.

Yes the boats are running between the WL and the MK. There is also bus services. The boats begin to run before MK opening and at least 1 hour after MK closing.

How early is your breakfast reservation?

Dave

 

[Jhondy]

Sounds like your normal 2 year old lol. My granddaughter is the same. She pulls her ponytail out and you can forget about a mask

yep and there is no reasoning with her. So, sadly, disney trips will not be possible in the near future unless the mask mandate goes away. It makes me sad but rules are rules even if I don’t like them. At least our last trip will be a laid back mom/daughter trip at the wilderness!

 

[BuzzLightyearDad]

Anyone who has been recently know how early before the MK opens that the boat starts running?

 

[Kay7979]

I booked a CCV deluxe studio yesterday on sale (not sure what the “deluxe” designation indicates). We’ll be there May 5-May 7, then on to Ormond beach in an oceanfront condo for a week. I think I’m more excited about the Lodge than going to the beach. It’s just my husband and me, and we won’t be doing any parks this trip. We just want to hang out and enjoy the ambiance!