Resort Thread Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE

[DisneyMama24]

They are first come, first serve.

Thank you! I always thought they had to be rented! This is surprising and great news! Hoping to snag one next week for my daughter’s Bachelorette trip!

 

[tgropp]

I was searching YouTube for Wilderness Lodge History, and came upon this family made video of a suite from 1994. I was just amazed at the details of the furniture and fixtures in the room. The chandelier over the dining room table is just wow!

We spent Christmas at the Lodge in 1994 and the appeal was the theming of the resort. Now it’s just a shell of what it used to be like. Thanks for posting

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thank you! I always thought they had to be rented! This is surprising and great news! Hoping to snag one next week for my daughter’s Bachelorette trip!

I think the reason the cabanas are free is because they don't have the food service and dedicated CM's that the rental cabanas have. But the cabanas at the villas pool will be perfect for your bachelorette trip. Both the main pool and the villas pool have servers that circulate the pool areas and take food and beverage orders.

 

[Tink-osophy]

We spent Christmas at the Lodge in 1994 and the appeal was the theming of the resort. Now it’s just a shell of what it used to be like. Thanks for posting

It doesn't seem right to like your post, when it's so sad! Weren't we all lucky to go to the parks and resorts in the 90s, though.

Doesn't Disney realize that the whole company was built on outstanding theming, whimsy, detail, entertainment and exceptional Guest Service?!

Fingers crossed they stop just wringing and start rehydrating (so-to-speak).

 

[Minnie1222]

We spent Christmas at the Lodge in 1994 and the appeal was the theming of the resort. Now it’s just a shell of what it used to be like. Thanks for posting

We're very new to the Lodge since our first stay was post-Covid. I have lost count at the moment, but I believe we have returned 3 or 4 times after that. The resort is exceptionally charming with details very similar to the Pacific Northwest, although being in central Florida.

 

[PrincessGidget]

Thank you! I always thought they had to be rented! This is surprising and great news! Hoping to snag one next week for my daughter’s Bachelorette trip!

I just returned home from 5 nights at WL. One morning we were up early and my husband went for a swim. It was 8am and he said there were 3 other people in the pool but 5 of the 6 cabanas were “saved” with towels draped on the chairs. Just an fyi. (Personally I would say “thanks for the towels” and park it in the empty cabana but that is me. I also wouldn't “save” a cabana I was not using until hours later)

 

[RanDIZ]

I think the reason the cabanas are free is because they don't have the food service and dedicated CM's that the rental cabanas have. But the cabanas at the villas pool will be perfect for your bachelorette trip. Both the main pool and the villas pool have servers that circulate the pool areas and take food and beverage orders.

Yes, our last trip to WL in Dec had CMs walking around pool areas. I don’t remember this in the past. Either way it’s so close to Geyser Point.

 

[Minnie1222]

It doesn't seem right to like your post, when it's so sad! Weren't we all lucky to go to the parks and resorts in the 90s, though.

Doesn't Disney realize that the whole company was built on outstanding theming, whimsy, detail, entertainment and exceptional Guest Service?!

They still have everything you listed above, plus several more incredible lands.

 

[tgropp]

It doesn't seem right to like your post, when it's so sad! Weren't we all lucky to go to the parks and resorts in the 90s, though.

Doesn't Disney realize that the whole company was built on outstanding theming, whimsy, detail, entertainment and exceptional Guest Service?!

Fingers crossed they stop just wringing and start rehydrating (so-to-speak).

You are so right! In 94 and 96 on Christmas eves they had a bar set up in the lobby serving any drink imaginable. There was a country trio strumming their guitars, a four person brass band and Victorian Carolers all at various times throughout the evening playing Christmas music. There were so many characters roaming and Santa was there all evening The lobby was literally Packed. Christmas stockings filled with goodies were hanging on every door and by 2000 everything was gone. In the 80’s and 90’s it was so magical and a treat to visit WDW. It still is now but not as much

 

[missingdisneymore]

Yes, our last trip to WL in Dec had CMs walking around pool areas. I don’t remember this in the past. Either way it’s so close to Geyser Point.

Just returned from a 2 week WL trip. We only use the BR pool so can’t speak to the other. We never saw any poolside service or servers our entire trip.

 

[RanDIZ]

Just returned from a 2 week WL trip. We only use the BR pool so can’t speak to the other. We never saw any poolside service or servers our entire trip.

Hmm. Wonder if it’s just hit or miss.

 

[Cybertruck]

It doesn't seem right to like your post, when it's so sad! Weren't we all lucky to go to the parks and resorts in the 90s, though.

Doesn't Disney realize that the whole company was built on outstanding theming, whimsy, detail, entertainment and exceptional Guest Service?!

Fingers crossed they stop just wringing and start rehydrating (so-to-speak).

Echo that! 90s Disney magic is missed by our family, entertainment, parades and holidays Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas firing on all cylinders. Kids still talk about E-Ticket nights (now adults).

 

[Mle8308]

Hmm. Wonder if it’s just hit or miss.

I think it depends on how busy Geyser Point is and how they are staffed. We have had pool days where the server comes around frequently (during the day) and other days where we never saw anyone. I agree on the hit or miss.

 

[PrincessGidget]

We definitely saw/ordered from a server at the pool. But it was fourth of July weekend.

 

[bluecastle]

Echo that! 90s Disney magic is missed by our family, entertainment, parades and holidays Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas firing on all cylinders. Kids still talk about E-Ticket nights (now adults).

I loved Eticket nights! I remember one summer trip, going down to the front desk and asking if there was an additional Eticket night and they had added one. $10.00 a ticket for staying in the park an extra 3 or 4 hours! We had already done one, and it was no financial hardship to spontaneously add another one. I can’t imagine doing anything like that now.
The 90’s were truly a great time to go to WDW and we feel very fortunate that we were able to make that trip every year or two and even afford to stay in places like the Polynesian. It was also a great time to go to Epcot. So much music, improv, and interactive activities!
Even though we can’t have the same kind of trips with our DGD that we did with our DD, we still manage to find magic. But now, we have to wait longer between trips in order to save up enough to have the kind of trip we enjoy. We try to focus on what makes us happy instead of what used to be. (Although I still miss the original Image Works!!)

 

[Tink-osophy]

They still have everything you listed above, plus several more incredible lands.

It's subjective, of course, for many reasons, including previous experience.

For many of us, they have it, just not as much; as they have been chipping away at lots of details and 'perks' of old. And we don't like that direction, when we know what they could/can be.

For example, as @tgropp and @Cybertruck posted: -

You are so right! In 94 and 96 on Christmas eves they had a bar set up in the lobby serving any drink imaginable. There was a country trio strumming their guitars, a four person brass band and Victorian Carolers all at various times throughout the evening playing Christmas music. There were so many characters roaming and Santa was there all evening The lobby was literally Packed. Christmas stockings filled with goodies were hanging on every door and by 2000 everything was gone. In the 80’s and 90’s it was so magical and a treat to visit WDW. It still is now but not as much

Echo that! 90s Disney magic is missed by our family, entertainment, parades and holidays Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas firing on all cylinders. Kids still talk about E-Ticket nights (now adults).

P.S. Sorry, I don't mean to derail this thread from its topic of the WL. It was just meant to be a passing response to tgropp's comment.

Back to the Lodge...

 

[WhoDatDisney]

Definitely hit or miss. Just got back from 2 weeks at WDW with 9 nights at Boulder Ridge. 2 of the 3 days we spent at cove pool had a server. Struck up a conversation with her and turns out she was from same area as we are and her brother went to high school with my oldest. Small world

 

[ClaraOswald]

I vaguely remember seeing grocery items in the gift shop at Wilderness Lodge when we were there in January. But I honestly wasn't really looking in that area. Can anyone tell me if they sell milk there and if so, what size?

Thanks!

 

[missingdisneymore]

I vaguely remember seeing grocery items in the gift shop at Wilderness Lodge when we were there in January. But I honestly wasn't really looking in that area. Can anyone tell me if they sell milk there and if so, what size?

Thanks!

Yes. Half gallon and smaller.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Perfect, thanks! I want to avoid having any cold stuff in my grocery order so that helps.