First trip to Wilderness Lodge in Jan. '06

[CRSTEPHE]

The last three trips to Disney were in MOD's --Dixie Landings in '99, CBR in '03, and POR-AB this past June. This time, my husband and our two sons (8 and 3) will be staying at our first Disney DELUXE hotel--Wilderness Lodge for Jan. 06. I've read the W/L fact thread but I'm really wondering about what is "must-see", and do all standard view rooms look into the lobby? All suggestions are welcome. Are there activities for the children to participate in during the Winter months?

Thanks!!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I'm really wondering about what is "must-see"

Definitely ask for the packet of information about the resort. You can get it at Guest Relations. If you have time and notify the folks at the DVC counter, they will give you a tour and tell you lots of lesser known facts about the resort. During our July/August trip (without the kids! ), dh and I finally took the time to ramble about the inside and outside of the resort. So cool! It probably will be too cool in January to do this, but we enjoyed hanging out in the pool one evening, catching the MK fireworks and Water Parade from the pool area.

and do all standard view rooms look into the lobby?

Sadly, quite a few look out on the dumpster/loading area for WCC and RF. Yuck! Why do they do this at the deluxes? None of the values or moderates have horrible views like this!!

 

[CRSTEPHE]

Thanks! I've been trying to get DH to do the DVC tours--maybe this is my chance.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've always wanted to do the hidden mickey 'tour.' I think we'll try this next time. Anyone out there done this?

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Sadly, quite a few look out on the dumpster/loading area for WCC and RF. Yuck! Why do they do this at the deluxes? None of the values or moderates have horrible views like this!!

The values and mods have separate buildings for their restaurants, separate from the resort rooms - all of the deluxes have rooms that are in the same building as the restaurants.

I agree that they could have come up with a better plan.

 

[kitkatsnindylou]

Most standard rooms open into the atrium, I have never had an issue with the noise but some may, the view is dumpster, roof or parking lot. Ask if there may be a chance you could be a flag family one morning.

 

[disneyrunner]

YOU WILL LOVE WL!!!!! We are returning for what may be our final BIG vacation as a family since my DD is now in High School and it is getting very hard to coordinate schedules in June 06 . We absolutely love WL. It holds a special place in our hearts as this was the resort when we took our first vacation after my youngest DD was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2001. The CM's at the lodge were great and couldn't do enough for us in coping with everything on that trip. I have a picture I took of the lodge from the pool area looking back at the resort as the wallpaper on my computer screen to help me get through the work day. Make sure you save some time to either walk the path to the campgrounds or rent a bike. Also the water mice are really cool. My favorite thing to do is sit in the lobby at night after my kids are in bed and do a little reading or just soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy!

 

[Gary M]

I enjoy going to the 4th or 5th floor above the main lobby entrance and sitting in the lounge areas in front of fireplaces. These areas also overlook the lobby. Below is from Deb Will's site.


WILDERNESS LODGE AND
THE VILLAS AT
WILDERNESS LODGE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Speaking of resort tours, the Wilderness Lodge offers a tour of this grand representation of a Pacific Northwest lodge. Wonders of the Lodge affords a special insight into the architectural details of both the interior and exterior of the lodge. This tour is usually offered on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 9 a.m., but check with Guest Services for times and days the tour will be offered during your stay.

If you're wandering around the six-story lobby of this resort, be sure to check out the totem pole outside the general store. It's not your normal Native American totem -- it features some familiar Disney faces!

While you're in the lobby, walk to the back and set a spell in one of the rough-hewn rocking chairs. There you can people-watch while listening to the sounds of the babbling brook that actually starts inside the resort and flows out to the pool area.

If you follow that stream, you'll find something pretty unusual for a Disney resort -- an actual geyser, just like Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful. At the Wilderness Lodge, it's called Fire Rock Geyser and it shoots up 120 feet every half hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take a walk out the back of the resort and head toward the pool area -- you'll see signs pointing you to the geyser viewing area.

If it's a cool day, you may prefer to just spend some time sitting in a huge rocker in front of the lobby's gigantic stone fireplace. Or if you crave more seclusion, take the elevators on the store side of the lobby to go up a floor or two (or three or four) and find the sitting areas overlooking the lobby. If you go all the way to the top floor of the lobby, you can even go out on the roof at the front of the resort.

If you're looking for an activity for the kids, ask at Guest Services for the lodge's Hidden Mickey list. My son and I once spent a good long while trying to find the images of the Mouse placed inconspicuously around the resort by the Disney architects and Imagineers, but we could only find one -- bet you can do better!

Don't forget to stop by the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. Its art and architecture tell of the pioneers who built and stayed in late 19th century railroad hotels in the national parks region of the American West. Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy the Iron Spike Room, a sitting room that features railroad memorabilia. Featured here is a special exhibit on loan from the Disney family with two of Walt Disney's personal scale-model train cars and a piece of the original track.

And after you check out the mementos, this room is the perfect place for a game of checkers (gaming tables provided) or simply whiling away the hours on a rustic rocker in the peace and quiet, either inside or out on the porch with a view of the rustling pines.

 

[Got Quattro?]

I've read the W/L fact thread but I'm really wondering about what is "must-see", and do all standard view rooms look into the lobby? All suggestions are welcome. Are there activities for the children to participate in during the Winter months?

Thanks!!

#1 - take the bike ride to Fort Wilderness camp ground. Petting zoo, pony rides, and some play grounds for the kids.

#2 - Water sprites from the WL marina, great way to see the back side of bay lake.

#3 - The cocktail lounge off of Artist point is a great place to relax with a nice glass of wine.

#4 - eat at artist Point..... The best Cedar Plank Salmon

 

[bicker]

We'll be there in January as well.

Just a note about the "Smokehouse view" rooms -- we LOVED staying in one. We woke to the smell of roasting bacon every morning. Yum!!!!!!!!!

 

[littlestar]

Don't those service area standard view rooms also look towards the Magic Kingdom for fireworks?

 

[pooh5594]

Hey!
I've had the best time reading your posts. We'll also be at the Wilderness Lodge in January. What are your dates?
We'll be there the 20 thru the 23.

 

[CRSTEPHE]

Thanks for the great tips. I'm about to drive my family crazy over this trip--can't seem to stop talking about the Jan. trip to Disney!

 

[bicker]

We'll be there MLK Weekend.

 

[Disney Fool]

Don't those service area standard view rooms also look towards the Magic Kingdom for fireworks?

That's exactly what I had last January, a standard room above the service area, and a direct view of the castle!!! (Apparently, Hurricane Charlie cleared the area of some trees, and gave the standard rooms a perfect view). Now, that was a nice surprise!

 

[HillPete]

Don't those service area standard view rooms also look towards the Magic Kingdom for fireworks?

Yes, they do. It was great to see the fireworks. We didn't mind the view of the service area. It didn't smell or anything. The only complaint was the noise from the AC compressors. It was loud on our balcony 24/7! We couldn't hear it when the door to the balcony was closed, but we couldn't enjoy our balcony at all. We were a little bummed, but mostly too tired to care that much. We were in 5066.