Just Back from Wilderness Lodge - Any questions?

[MNRMommy]

We are just back from the Wilderness Lodge. I booked a last minute AP rate for a standard view so expected to look at a parking lot or roof the entire week but my wonderful DH (who is braver than I) boldly said "what are my upgrade options" at check-in and we were given a lovely room overlooking the pool and the lake at no additional cost. We had to move later that week at the WL request for our safety (more on that later) and they moved us to the other side of the resort overlooking the lake where the Electric Water Pageant went by each night - AWESOME. Anyway like I said we had to move. There was a domestic situation that my DH could not sit by and just let happen so he interceded until WL security got there. Anyway they called within minutes after it was over and said they noticed we weren't checking out for a few days and wished to move us for our protection (we joked we were in the disney witness protection program). They handled everything so wonderfully and since it had basically reduced me to tears to run into such a situation at disney (my safe stress free place) they even sent us a huge fruit basket as a thank you in hopes that we would have a better rest of our stay. Anyway if anywone has any questions about the lodge (with the exception of the incident cause I really don't want to say anymore on that) ask away.

 

[Bracho]

Welcome back...

I have to say it.."Disney witness protection program".. way to funny..LOL Sorry you had to experience something like that, I too would feel put out because of something like that at WDW... what a shame but it sure does sound like you took it all in and didn't let it spoil your vacation.. shows alot of character on your part.. CONGRATS!!

The Wilderness Lodge is a wonderful place to stay.. it makes one relax for some reason.. when they moved you, was the room or view as good as the one you left? Was it busy when you were on vacation?

Again.. welcome home!

 

[mistaroo]

Glad you had a great time overall. Its always nice to start off a vacation with an upgrade.

I do have a question, thanks for offering to take some. Where was your room located (wing, floor, etc)? My 2 yr old wants to see the Electric Water Pagent from the balcony of our room if possible so I need room location suggestions. Also, could you see the geyser from the room with the water pageant view?

Thanks- again, glad you had a nice time

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi! You must have been there at the same times as us! We were there from Wed to Sat! We just LOVE that resort. We had booked a woods view and it is always my experience that they upgrade you when they have the room. that is why this is the perfect time of year to go...although I noticed the resort got VERY busy on Friday night!

Our room was 5041...GREAT room. Looked straight out over the pool and then to the lake. we really enjoyed watching the parade although we were only in our room one night at that time (9:35.)

We had drinks at the TL on Thursday night. We checked DD6 into the Cub's Den so we could have some "alone" time (we do this each trip, she LOVES the kid's club programs at WDW.) We ate at AP on Thurs night alos and it was fabulous. We had breakfast two mornings at the WCC and that all you care to eat deal for $9.69 is actually a greta value.

Yes, the WL is AWESOME. Everytime I leave I get a bit misty eyed! Glad you had a great trip, also, despite the incident.

 

[fun & fancy free]

TC Mattoon, We will be there in May and I think I will try asking about upgrades as well. I first am hoping for an AP code but either way DH really wants to stay at this resort. We will be in a standard room with 2 dd's(6&5) . I would love to be able to see the electrical parade from our balcony. Were you able to swim if so how was the pool? And transportation how was that? I am still waiting for the announcement that they have now built a track for the monirail to go to WL Thanks for sharing your expierence and I am glad you were still able to enjoy your visit dispite the disruption.

 

[dpic]

In all honesty, if safety was a concern they should have moved you to a different resort. At WL, you still had a very good chance that you would meet up with your "problem." I love WL--they have treated my family great--however, if they thought it was that big of a problem, they should have gotten you out of there. Beyond that, if they had someone on their property they were concerned about being potentially dangerous, they should have taken more "aggressive" action.

 

[grad_dis_nut]

Wow, sorry to hear that happened at Disney....I'm glad your DH felt able to help out. We were at WL for one night (Saturday) and it was packed! CM at checkin said they were nearly full. So, no upgrades for us and I didn't even try to change when our "woods view" room overlooked a roof, the bus station, and the parking lot. We were in 6094, right over the lobby (great view but very noisy from about 8AM till 11PM). It was our first time at WL, and I think we'd try it again, but I would request a room farther out away from the lobby. And I wouldn't pay for a woods view knowing that the view we got was considered "woods". Oh well.

 

[SkipperBubba]

My DW and I celebrated our honeymoon at WL in the beginning of November and we could not be happier with every part of our vacation. We were greeted at the gatehouse with a friendly "Welcome home" and proceeded up the drive. Bell services was there to help us unload the car and the CM working the desk was very chipper and friendly. She noticed our wedding mouse ears and upgraded us without asking to a beautiful courtyard view off the lobby (Rm 5075) that was right next to the sunrise overlook. It was wonderful to go out on the balcony in the morning and see the ducks swimming in the stream and in the pool. Very peaceful. But I digress. The room was not ready at check-in (around 9:30-10:00 AM) so we stored bags with bell services and walked down to the dock to head to the MK. After a lovely lunch at Cindy's, we headed back and were able to get in our room. Lovely, plenty of space for the two of us and a very comfortable king bed. Also there were balloons and a signed photo from Cindy and Prince Charming congratulating us on our wedding.

We showered up and headed to Margaritaville (it's off campus, but we're both serious Parrotheads). When we returned, mousekeeping had turned down the covers and left chocolates. What a nice touch. Throughout the week we would return to the room to find cute towel animals they had left for us, for which DW was thrilled.

On the whole, our WL experience was what Disney is supposed to be about... a wonderful, magical time. We were debating where to stay this coming December and were considering POFQ, but after such a wonderful experience, we're going back to the Lodge, and this time trying concierge.

A side note, take the tour with Ranger Stan and learn about the resort.

 

[prettyprincessmom]

Hi! We are leaving Thursday, 2-3-05 for 6 days at WL. Our plane lands at 3:00, so we won't be early for check in. This is our first ever trip to WDW! We also have a woods room reserved. How do we get the towel animals each night? Is it housekeeping that does that? Do we tip nightly? Our DD7 would love it! Is there anything else you would recommend to us? Thanks so much!!

 

[MNRMommy]

when they moved you, was the room or view as good as the one you left? Was it busy when you were on vacation?

The room was as good and the view was quieter. It overlooked the lake directly instead of the lake and the pool. The only park that seemed busy was MK and that was only in fantasyland.

 

[MNRMommy]

Where was your room located (wing, floor, etc)? My 2 yr old wants to see the Electric Water Pagent from the balcony of our room if possible so I need room location suggestions. Also, could you see the geyser from the room with the water pageant view?

Our first room was at the end of of the third floor on the artist point side. It was the last room on the pool side that had a balcony facing the pool. There were some rooms at the end of the hall that looked directly at the lake. This room had a great view of the geyser while erupting. I think any room on that side would be good for geyser viewing. We could see the electric water pageant from there as well but the view wasn't perfect (trees). Our other room was 3167 and it was the VERY VERY end of the wing between the pool and the villas. It had a perfect view of the pageant but I think the view may diminish once the trees leaves fill in. We could also see the geyser from this room but you had to be out on the balcony and kind of look over the rail. This room had a dead on view of the pageant and the music was very clear.

 

[MNRMommy]

Were you able to swim if so how was the pool? And transportation how was that?

We did not swim but every day there were people in the pool. Mostly kids. Transportation was great. We didn't wait more than ten minutes for anything.

 

[MNRMommy]

How do we get the towel animals each night? Is it housekeeping that does that? Do we tip nightly? Our DD7 would love it! Is there anything else you would recommend to us?

We didn't get towel animals but I think it is because we didn't have children. I believe it is housekeeping that does it so if you want to make sure I would leave a little note for them. I would recommend getting the hidden Mickey list from the guest services desk and hunting them out. We had so much fun that we bought a book on hidden Mickeys at Epcot and spend days searching them out. Also, request to be a flag family. They will let you go up in the morning and help hoist the flag over the resort. I believe they give you a little certificate at the end.

 

[ktink]

We had booked our 2nd WDW trip and planned on staying at CSR, but upgraded to WL today! I'm soooo excited. We stayed at POP last year so I feel we are in for a treat. I really appreciate all the info out there.

Tell me are refrigerators in all rooms at WL?

 

[UBSHANG]

...I need room location suggestions. Also, could you see the geyser from the room with the water pageant view?

We recently stayed at the WL on the 5th floor in room 5127. It was an exceptional inner-courtyard view looking directly out at Bay Lake, the geyser and the pool below. We were not located on either of the north or south "wings" of the general "U' shaped Lodge, but rather at the bottom of the "U". This provided a better perspective than just looking out at another wing which would have been directly across.

Although we did not have a view that allowed us to see the Wishes nighttime spectacular fireworks at the Magic Kingdom (Wishes is better enjoyed while at the Magic Kingdom), we did see the Electrical Light Pageant parade on Bay Lake at 9:35 PM each night.

WL staff had explained that rooms are typically not assigned until your day of arrival, based an availability. I don't believe that you can request a specific room, but before you arrive, you may want to request an inner-courtyard room in the general area of 5127, or one that looks directly out to Bay Lake.

 

[MNRMommy]

Tell me are refrigerators in all rooms at WL?

There wasn't one in ours. I saw one in the hall they were taking out of a room that someone was checking out of. I belive you have to request one and are charged something like $10 per night.

 

[Lawshark]

I believe that the refrigerators are free at the deluxe resorts.

 

[dmaz]

We also just returned and we were in 2 different rooms - neither one had a refridgerator in them.
Our first room was 5162 - nice woods view - upgraded from standard. This room is one of the farthest from everything. I requested a room change since I'm pregnant and found it very difficult to get around the lodge without it being a half hour walk. CM's were wonderful and switched us to a much more convenient room.
The boat was wonderful and the buses were empty.

prettyprincessmom - tipped every day - no towel animals and we have kids.

fun & fancy free - Do your dd's stay up late? The parade doesn't pass by the WL until 9:35 . Our dd who will be 5 in April was sound asleep every night so we didn't get to enjoy the parade.
We loved WL and were very sad to leave.

 

[SkipperBubba]

I honestly don't know what the towel animal criteria are, however, we were on the honeymoon, no kids and we got a nice bunny and to DW's delight, a penguin.

Also, since we just booked our next WL odyssey, our travel agent told us that the fridge is going to be standard in all deluxe and moderate resorts, at no charge. I imagine if there isn't one in your room, you can call mousekeeping and ask.

As for tipping, we left a lump sum at the end of our stay.

 

[scottrob]

We were there in December 2003 and had towel animals almost every day. By the time we left, there was quite a collection. We had snakes, bunnies, some sort of lizard in inside our front door, etc. The maid was very imaginative.

We tipped daily. Someone posted some neat images for Mousekeeping that we printed on our envelopes before going to Disney. We had an envelope for each day which saved us from having to make sure we had change to give to Mousekeeping. I think it generally depends on who you get to take care of your room. This was at the Wilderness Lodge. We will be returning this December for our first DVC visit. We own shares in SSR, but are hoping that we can get into VWL as we really like the place.

Bob & Penny