Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge

[Jhuff8181]

How many of you visit Wilderness Lodge while staying at Fort Wilderness? How often? Just wondering because we've stayed there and it is one of our favorites and I know we'll be close when at FW.

 

[sippican]

How many of you visit Wilderness Lodge while staying at Fort Wilderness? How often? Just wondering because we've stayed there and it is one of our favorites and I know we'll be close when at FW.

Hmmm ..... have never even though of going over there when at the Fort. Tell us what we have been missing please.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

Yes, we often go over to Wilderness Lodge, our favorite resort when not staying at the Fort. There is a bike/walking path that connects the two. The two restaurants there are nice. We have also put on bathing suits, biked over and used the pools a few times (I'm sure that admission is going to get me flamed, lol).

 

[Teamubr]

We usually take the boat over at least once a trip. Just go shopping and wandering to see the place. If it's nice outside, we'll grab a drink and head outside and find a place to sit for awhile.

j

 

[FLBBQMAN]

we always go over to lodge. we almost always get breakfast there at least once on our stay at the fort

 

[bama_ed]

I am hoping to take the FREE tour at WL next time we visit.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50126405&postcount=16

And not to flame Fanatic who said,

Yes, we often go over to Wilderness Lodge, our favorite resort when not staying at the Fort. There is a bike/walking path that connects the two. The two restaurants there are nice. We have also put on bathing suits, biked over and used the pools a few times (I'm sure that admission is going to get me flamed, lol).

We don't like it when the general public/locals invade the Fort pool during the summer (especially 4th of July) so please don't pool-hop. Same common sense applies - we have to practice what we preach.

Now, wasn't that gentle?

Bama Ed

 

[sippican]

I am hoping to take the FREE tour at WL next time we visit.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50126405&postcount=

Bama Ed

Now that looks like something that might be of interest! The pics remind me a bit of the lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

As for getting a drink and sitting outside, we enjoy doing that on our little slice of paradise at the Fort and "our bar" offers free refills.

The pool thing has got me questioning current resort policy. Some years ago, while at the Fort, we were told we were welcome to visit the pools at other resorts. I remember taking the kids over to the Polynesian so they could use the pool with the slide. (Just wondering. We barely have time to use the FW pools!)

 

[retired and happy]

Supposed to be a no-no these days. Apparently the Fort pool is the only one where this policy is not enforced.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

Supposed to be a no-no these days. Apparently the Fort pool is the only one where this policy is not enforced.

I have never noticed people from outside at the pools. Where do you think they are coming from?

 

[jbrostek]

Been over there for dinner and drinks. But thats about it.

 

[North of Mouse]

Love going over to the WL at least once during our stay at FW. Ate at WCC once and had the dinner skillet, but wasn't wild about it, or the 'over the top' antics of some of the waiters. A little banter is fine, a lot is 'too' much!

We love the fireplace - so interesting where all the different type/color stones are from - relaxing to sit there and rock a 'spell'!

 

[bama_ed]

I have never noticed people from outside at the pools. Where do you think they are coming from?

We've had reports in the past of people at the Fort pool in the summer months who in open conversation would disclose that they were locals coming in to cool off. Sometimes they talk their way into the Fort parking lot claiming to be doing something on property. Sometimes they park at Downtown Disney and ride the bus over in bathing suits and towels. Locals coming in for the site-to-site Trick or Treating at Halloween was a problem too till the Fort started passing out wristbands to guests (or taking other steps to ensure only guests got to receive guest-only benefits).

Some aspects of the Fort are open to other guests or the general public but pool hopping is not permitted (I think DVC allows some level of hopping at DVC properties but only for DVC guests). The movie/singalong is open to anyone. Anyone can come to spend money at the Trading Posts, restaurants, tours, pony and horse rides, etc.

Bama Ed

 

[Magic Fanatic]

We've had reports in the past of people at the Fort pool in the summer months who in open conversation would disclose that they were locals coming in to cool off. Sometimes they talk their way into the Fort parking lot claiming to be doing something on property. Sometimes they park at Downtown Disney and ride the bus over in bathing suits and towels. Bama Ed

Not doubting you, but this sounds like a lot of work just to go swimming. If I were inclined to try and slip in somewhere, I would choose the Beach Club with its sand bottom and lazy river.

 

[CampingDad]

We went to WL a few years ago when the forts pool was being refurbished. They told us when we checked in that we were allowed to use it but I tell you what when we parked our bikes we got some if the dirtiest looks from people that we're staying there. Nice pool but the forts is just as nice.

We are trying whispering canyon for breakfast one morning this March when we will be there.

 

[luckycharm19335]

We always go for a visit to the Lodge.
It is just too beautiful to be missed.
Plus, Artist Point is one of our favorite resturaunts.

 

[articfox676]

You will love breakfast at Whispering Canyon. As for Artist Point is one of our favorites. Had our 40th anniv. dinner there couldn't have been better. As usual service was fantastic.

 

[frankp01]

We've gone over both times we stayed at the Fort; it's a nice trip over by bike (we took folding bikes along both times). Of course, it's also easy to get to by boat.

This last trip (ended 2/14/14) we took the one-hour guided tour which was very good and would recommend taking. The handout that we were given at the end had some additional material on the design. Yes, it is modeled after the Lodges of the Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Zion Parks.

We also took refuge there during the bad thunderstorm that blew in on Wed evening 2/12/14; we hung out in the lobby and had dinner there.

Artist Point is very good (ate there in 2011); Whispering Canyon Cafe was a blast (had lunch there 2/11/14).

 

[walker614]

Hello all,
My name is Chris. My family and I camped out last December at the FW campground and loved it. I love the fact of getting around by golf cart and seeing all the carts decorated for christmas last year and the fact I need one for hunting got me to purchase one recently and we are going back this December and cannot wait to be apart of the christmas cart parade!

 

[Disneyhabs]

I am hoping to take the FREE tour at WL next time we visit.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50126405&postcount=16

And not to flame Fanatic who said,



We don't like it when the general public/locals invade the Fort pool during the summer (especially 4th of July) so please don't pool-hop. Same common sense applies - we have to practice what we preach.

Now, wasn't that gentle?

Bama Ed

The only guests that are allowed to pool hop are DVC members this is one of the benefits they give us when you become a member. My kids and I use this feature often and quite enjoy it. You are correct though ED if not a DVC member please do not pool hop.

 

[Mmketeer]

We ride our bikes over at least once during our Fort Stay. We like to look at their merchandise shop vs what's in ours here at the Fort. We have also been known to pop over for an alcoholic drink at their pool bar. We enjoy the theming at all of the resorts and this one is so easy to get too for us. We'll also grab an ice cream treat at their snack bar oh and their breakfast skillets at the Wispering Canyon Café are really good too.

I guess until they figure out how to bring my Dole Whip back at the Poly during their renovation, I'll be getting more soft serve ice cream at the Wilderness Lodge this time in May than I usually do.