Just back from five nights at WL

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by NJFabFour
We were also there all last week 8/24 - 8/31 ( you can get detailed info in my trip reports on the trip reports board). We only used the boat transportation to MK and found it very convenient UNTIL Saturday night. This was a VERY busy weekend (I think the capacity of the Lodge tripled as of Friday night/Saturday!). We waited at the WL over 35 minutes for a boat, then still had to pick up at Ft. Wild. Not sure why it took so long. Overall, it took an hour to get to MK! (This was the only night for Spectromagic, the reason we were going, and thus probably a big factor in the huge crowds headed over that evening.) For every other park, we used our own transportation and found it to be quick and easy (no waiting!).

Our room was upgraded from standard to woodsview on the South Wing facing villas, fifth floor. It was nice and quiet and a rather convenient location. I can't believe all the people who got upgrades to courtyard! Wow! We really wanted bunk beds so were happy to get those.

I was there the same time as you! Yes, that one night of 8/24 was bad for boat transport. We wound up waiting for that same boat (hey we were probably on the same one!), and it did take a while to get there.

I guess we got a courtyard upgrade as well. We requested 5th floor (standard), and wound up with room 6140, with a view of the Villa pool, and a side view of the lake and the EWP!


We wound up using our own car after Sunday as well. Sunday afternoon it took over an hour from Animal Kingdom to WL! First the WL/GF bus came became full, went to Blizzard Beach at Closing , it was overfull.. then stopped at WL! (all in all a overfull bus and an hour wait)

I also had a problem getting a Downtown Disney bus one night as well.. it was over a 45 minute wait with 12 other busses showing up. Still 45 minutes later, no bus.. so we wound up going to Ticket/Tran--then transferring, etc...

We wound up at Epcot that night instead of Downtown Disney.

 

[Phi-Kappa-Phi]

How were you able to get the room at $109 a night? I am using the military special rate they have going on right now (40% off) and our nightly rate is approximately $133. Is there a better way for us to go other than the military special? My wife and two children (8 and 9) arrive on September 5th. Any info about the crowds or the Lodge in general is greatly appreciated.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by Phi-Kappa-Phi
How were you able to get the room at $109 a night? I am using the military special rate they have going on right now (40% off) and our nightly rate is approximately $133. Is there a better way for us to go other than the military special? My wife and two children (8 and 9) arrive on September 5th. Any info about the crowds or the Lodge in general is greatly appreciated.

Some people got a postcard or e-mail with that rate ($109 + tax) for WL and AKL standard with a PIN to use. A few got an Annual Pass rate on July 30th for August/September dates and then they pulled them from the system and never offered them again. $133 is a great rate since the postcard rate with tax is about $121!

 

[MEM]

We are just back from WL -- stayed 8/23-9/2 with A/P rate of $114/night. We were apparently upgraded too, from standard view to courtyard. I very politely pressed for a bunkbed room and waited almost 2 hours after checking in at 4 to get my room. I had asked for bunkbeds when I made the original reservation and listed bunkbeds as a preference on the fax I sent 2 days before. I do realize there are no guarantees. I also managed to get our friends in a connecting room. We were on the 4th floor with a view of the pool, geyser, Bay Lake, EWP and MK fireworks. Judging by the number of newspapers left outside rooms at 6:30 a.m., the fourth floor was about 75% occupied. Very quiet, even during Labor Day Weekend.

We were Flag Family on Labor Day -- definitely ask to be FF when you first check in. The view is spectacular and you are made to feel important.

As reported, the pool is too small for a resort of this size. Always bumping into people or being bumped into. The kids liked the slide but there was usually a line of 20 people and kids ignoring the lifeguards and going down two at a time, headfirst, etc. etc. Pool was closed five different afternoons we wanted to use it due to thunder in the distance.

Transportation was excellent all around, except for going to DTD during the daytime, even though the same bus goes to Typhoon Lagoon. There was always room for us on the boat to MK -- they allow some folks to stand.

Wildlife is abundant -- saw armadillo crossing bridge near the pool, a rabbit that was more like a hare, ducks, other water birds, anoles, toads, butterflies, dragonflies. Took the nature walk from WL to Fort Wilderness for breakfast at Trail's End. A brisk 15 minute walk.

Love bugs were out in force -- saw mousekeepers sweeping the balconies daily because of them. Mousekeeping in general was good but despite tipping everyday, nothing special. I did call the first day and ask for early mousekeeping (9-10) throughout my stay.

We ate at WCC -- had a hilarious server -- my daughter innocently asked for ketchup for her fries -- only I knew what was coming. She was made to stand on her chair and bellow "I need ketchup!!" (She added "please"). Food was good but the skillet provides huge, filling portions and I couldn't even finish half.

My DH was deeply impressed with WL -- I usually only get grunts of "its okay" or "its fine" out of him but he raved about WL.

Any questions? I took detailed notes, for future lengthy trip report on MousePlanet.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Now, this is FUNNY! OUr room number was 6149. (Aug 27, leaving Sept 1.)

 

[cfewell]

Floridacat:

??????

I believe we are talking about the Lodge in this thread, at least that was my impression LOL.
If we are talking about the campground then 6th floor rooms are something new LOL.

 

[NJFabFour]

Cindy B,
Yeah, we must have been on the dock together that Saturday night (of Labor Day Wkend)! (along with half the Lodge! LOL!) I'm soooo jealous of your upgrade and mousekeeper! Did you have bunks? I was happy we had those, but sure was hoping for courtyard! Lucky you!

 

[MassMom94]

Originally posted by MEM
We are just back from WL -- stayed 8/23-9/2 with A/P rate of $114/night. We were apparently upgraded too, from standard view to courtyard.

As reported, the pool is too small for a resort of this size. Always bumping into people or being bumped into. The kids liked the slide but there was usually a line of 20 people and kids ignoring the lifeguards and going down two at a time, headfirst, etc. etc. Pool was closed five different afternoons we wanted to use it due to thunder in the distance.

Interesting. I was there for most of the same time you were (8/23 - 8/30), but did not have the same impression of the pool being overcrowded. We must have gone at different times of day, because we were down there every day, sometimes twice a day. There was sometimes a line at the slide, but never 20 kids. It was down two times that I remember, and I don't recall kids misbehaving on it very much. I do remember the lifeguards having to shoo the parents away from the end a few times (they were waiting for their kids to come down, but they were in the way).

I am one of the (apparently) few people on these boards who didn't (initially) get an upgrade - I was actually assigned one of those rooms overlooking the service area! Well, it was probably my own fault, because I forgot to fax in a request. To borrow a phrase from another company's cartoon character, what a maroon. Anyway, after stewing briefly, I went back down to the check-in desk and nicely said that I wasn't happy with my room. The CM disappeared for a few minutes, came back and said they were upgrading us to a woods view room, "but it mostly looks out at rooftops." Hey, if it's not over the service area, fine with me! Both rooms were on the sixth floor.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by NJFabFour
Cindy B,
Yeah, we must have been on the dock together that Saturday night (of Labor Day Wkend)! (along with half the Lodge! LOL!) I'm soooo jealous of your upgrade and mousekeeper! Did you have bunks? I was happy we had those, but sure was hoping for courtyard! Lucky you!

I have no idea how we even got the upgrade.. I didn't ask for it or even fax anything in.

Although I do think at checkin the checkin attendant (Freddie) was really nice to us..


We get to the desk, and are truly ooohiing and ahhhing about the hotel.. and I'm sure we looked really stupid to him (we were pointing things out in line, and literally stopping , etc. )

I then say "Its our first time here, its prettier than the TV special". And it is! I wasn't greasing for an upgrade or anything like that.

He did ask about the preferences for the bunks, and I stated the bunks were more important than the 5th floor standard which we also requested.. I even said to him the Bunks were more important than the view...

Since it was early, (like 830!) he couldn't give us our room number, but told us to go to the parks and call the desk about the room number when we called.

Imagine my shock when I called, got the luggage all rounded up, and found out it was room 6140! I was shocked!

 

[MassMom94]

Originally posted by cfewell
Floridacat:

??????

I believe we are talking about the Lodge in this thread, at least that was my impression LOL.
If we are talking about the campground then 6th floor rooms are something new LOL.

I think the confusion is because your signature says "Fort Wilderness Lodge" instead of "Wilderness Lodge."

 

[NJFabFour]

MassMom, I agree that we also did not find the pool overcrowded. It was often busy with people but never problematic. DS repeatedly got in line for the slide and usually only had a few kids in front of him (maybe 5 - 7).

Cindy B - I, too, was kicking myself and I actually DID fax a request! However, I should have asked for the specific wing that I wanted. I was happy, though, with what we had!

Day Four is posted on Trip Reports for those interested!

 

[FloridaCat]

we never saw the big pool over crowded, but we would move over to the Villas pool in the afternoon when people started returnng from the parks. We knew there would soon be a lot of kids. I enjoyed that pool better as the lobby music is piped to rock speakers and that was relaxing.

 

[cfewell]

Just wondering - which wing should I request or side?
We only have a standard view reservation. We are not really picky however I really do not want to have a room that overlooks the service area LOL. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Thanks

 

[PatriciaH]

We did not fax a request either-I never do. I just asked for non-smoking, king bed if they had one when I made the reservations. So far we have been upgraded to a king/water view at Corondao Springs, a 2 bedroom suite (from concierge) at AKL (!!!) and now the WL courtyard (from standard) upgrade. I think I will stick to no faxes

 

[cfewell]

Since it looks like October is going to be a VERY busy month... I have a few questions...

How do you get upgraded?

Also, we will be checking in EARLY the first morning that we arrive at the WL because we are spending our very first night at ASMusic (non package just hotel night). So we will leave first thing Sat. Morning to go to WL to get our room, will this make a difference for room prefrence? Which room should I ask for?

Any help would be FANTASTIC... Thanks so much!

 

[NJFabFour]

cfewell: I'm not an expert, but my guess is that they assign upgrades based on availability. It seems that many going the last few weeks have received upgrades, probably based on decreased capacity. (I think it only makes sense for the resort to do this if available, as it may make guests happier and even encourage them to book a higher-cost room next visit!) Since you are checking in very early on a Sat., that should also increase your chances. I have not heard of anyone requesting an upgrade, although if they do not say that you have received one when you check-in, I don't think it would hurt to ask!

We were in Room 5116 on the South Wing (facing villas - North wing faces MK), upgraded from standard to woodsview. (our "view" was just a bunch of trees) I would note on your request that you have booked standard and would like something over the front desk and overlooking the LOBBY . This will help ensure you do not get a room over the service area. I would say these are very nice rooms and have a nice view that varies little from woodsview. If you are upgraded then, it's a bonus! Good luck!

 

[MassMom94]

Originally posted by PatriciaH
We did not fax a request either-I never do. I just asked for non-smoking, king bed if they had one when I made the reservations. So far we have been upgraded to a king/water view at Corondao Springs, a 2 bedroom suite (from concierge) at AKL (!!!) and now the WL courtyard (from standard) upgrade. I think I will stick to no faxes

Well, if you don't make a request, be prepared to get a room over the service area. It happened to me. Though the fact that you asked for a king bed probably saved you from that fate. I don't know that they have any king (or bunkbed) rooms over the service area.

 

[FloridaCat]

One criteria is the Room Assigner has to distribute the work load for the Mousekeepers.
They have also been known to shut down part of a resort during slow periods.

 

[TooBoyz4us]

We were in Room 5116 on the South Wing (facing villas - North wing faces MK), upgraded from standard to woodsview. (our "view" was just a bunch of trees)

Hi NJFabFour,
I think that we want to request a courtyard view, and I think I read somewhere here that some of the South wing facing the Villas is now considered courtyard view as well.
Do you have any photos of the view you had?

I beleive I would prefer an inner courtyard view,and would love to be near the waterfall,but we may have to take what we get

 

[NJFabFour]

TooBoyz4Us:
I should get the first 10 rolls of film from the trip back this wkend and will hopefully get the next 10 next week (yes, 20 rolls!). I'm going to see if DH can post some from his office (we have some of the "view"). The courtyard is definately a nicer view. I don't think that the rooms facing the villas are courtyard but I could be wrong!

Hmmm, is this thread becoming the "NEW" WL thread?!