Just Back From Wilderness Lodge!

[melomouse]

Just wanted to post and let everyone know what a fabulous resort WL is! Many thanks to 999 ghosts, who is definitely in the business of magic and joy and whose identity will remain a secret, though I now think I have uncovered her true pixie self!
From checkin to checkout everything was magical - it is truly more majestic than I had imagined.
You are all wondering about transportation, I'm sure. Had no problem except one day pickup at Epcot - maybe waited 10-15 minutes, but in the rain it seemed longer.
Room size was adequate - mousekeeping fine but not necessarily sterling - view from 5151 was spectacular and convenient to pool and Roaring Forks.
Cutbacks throughout the parks are slightly noticeable but it did not diminish our fabulous time. We were touched by miracles daily - large and small!
More VERY soon. Feel free to ask ????

Still in the magic!

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Welcome Back, fellow Long Islander! Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Chris

 

[JJustin8080]

Glad you had a good time, was your room courtyard or no? Where was it located, and what was the bed configuration (king, 2 beds, or one with bunkbeds)? =)

 

[melomouse]

Hi Justin -
Our room was on the 5th floor and had 2 double beds. Requesting the double beds provides some more flexibility in where they assign you because they are far fewer rooms w/ bunkbeds.
Our room was courtyard and had a great view.
Buy the mugs~have a great time!

 

[kimmar067]

So glad to read that you had a wonderful time! (hope the "WL FAQ!" thread helped!! ). Now you, too, can add to your siggie "WL VET".... !!

 

[Beanie]

Welcome back!! Glad you had a great time!!

 

[Ethelina]

Give us a hint on 999??? I would love to know who the person is behind all this great knowledge!!! We will be there in a few weeks and it would be neat to put a face with the name. Of course, I would never blow his/her cover.

 

[jwfla422]

Melomouse
We were also on the 5th floor this week although probably across the other side, we faced the otter pond, certainly have to agree with you, we haven't stayed at WL in 5 years, didn't realize how much I missed it

I spoiled us and used valet everyday, barely used the boats or buses, much easier since it was just 4 yr old dd and I. And, the Cub's Den was a great place for her to play for a few hours when I spent some alone adult time

Glad you had a great time & I also thank 999ghsts for her help!!

 

[melomouse]

jwafla -
Wish I could've found you - I am a newly single parent and was there at WL w/ my mom and DS(10)and DD(turned 6 during our stay). I was looking for Chancesmom and duckadoo - even had lime green ribbons on my beach bag - but no luck. Met many wonderful people. Pool games every afternoon at 3PM. Duck races Wednesdays. Hot-hot and cooler jacuzzis. Ducks in the pool in the morning. Snakes on the property - saw one be caught by a CM one morning out of balcony view.
Must do my trip report. Still getting my land legs back - we took a 4-day - non-Disney cruise for 4 days after leaving WL.
And do you know - I am just checking Southwest's packages for October, Novemebr and December?! I am bitten by the Disney bug - even upgraded to an AP on my 5th day! Now have to use it!



Ethelina - 999 ghosts face & name must never be known, otherwise she will vanish! Besides, it is really only a hunch I have.

 

[jwfla422]

OH melomouse--that AP upgrade is a sure excuse to go back to WDW!!! I did that on our last visit in May, talked dh into upgrading dd's Play 4 pass to an AP ("if we come just one more visit within the year, it'll pay for itself"), he he he what a sham i was!!!

What days were you at WL, we were at the pool on Wednesday around the game time but dd wanted to stay in the pool, if you we're there then we probably saw you and didn't know it. I always have a lime green bandana on the handle of dd's stroller and it was at the pool that day near the poolside bar. DD would have loved to meet your kids, she's only 4 but loves older kids!

We're going back Dec 5-8th but we're staying at the Dolphin, love that place!!We did have an awesome stay at WL though!! BUt, snakes, eeekkk! The snake bite can be nasty but the Disney bite is worse It's totally addicting!!!!!!!

 

[Krissalee]

melomouse - thanks for the great review! We stayed at WL in October 2001 for our 3rd anniversary and found the resort to be spectacular! I'm so glad you had an enjoyable time!

Krissy

 

[senga]

Sounds like you had a great time. Have just booked 7 nights at WL for November 2003. We will be travelling from Ireland, spending 14 nights outside the park and then the last 7 nights of our trip at the WL. Got a good rate with AAA discount - we had intending staying at PO but because of the rate could afford the WL and reckoned it would be worth it...after reading your review now I am glad we did. We booked a Woods view - hope this one will be ok - it was recommended to us as they are a little quieter and we will have a 3 year old with us, also her brother 10 and granny & grandad. It is a treat for Granny & Grandad as they will be 40 year married - they still think they are going to PO so it should be a nice surprise for them especially my Dad as it is his dream to do the WL.

Can I just check a few points with you - they have said check in is 3pm do you know are they strict on this????? Also what are the pools like for a 3 year old and do you think our choice of a woods view should be ok??? Sorry for all the questions but it is great to find somebody who has been and could advise me.....


Will be waiting to hear from you,

Thanks,

Irish Disney Fan

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We love our woodsview rooms at WL. It's very quiet! I think the courtyard views can have noise from the pool, and standard views get delivery truck noises. If you want to be closer to Roaring Forks and a possible MK view, do request that side. The other side is ok also. We love it there, enjoy!

 

[melomouse]

Senga -
You and your parents will love WL. Be sure to let everyone you can know about your parents' anniversary. We checked in VERY late when we arrived, but even though checkin is "officially" 4 PM, there are lots of folks checking in much earlier. If the room is ready, they will give it to you. If not, you can grab you suits and mugs and go to the pool - this is why I pack swimgear separately from the rest of the major luggage.
We had a view of everything - I think your woodsview will be quite fine and - who knows - maybe you will get an upgrade?! -
There is a kiddie pool, and the main pool is huge. The depths don't go more than 5 1/2 feet, I don't think, at any point. My 6 y/o was perfectly fine in the 3 foot area, tho lots of kids had swimmies and lifevests. There is also a cool water slide, tame by some standards.
One day I hope to visit Ireland - I"m pretty sure there's still a few cousins over there! Any other questions, feel free to ask!

 

[pennyplanner]

Melomouse,

Did you shop at all in the WL Mercantile? Apparently they have enlarged it since our stay in '99 and now sell food items.

Since we are arriving early in November, I won't be able to buy milk for our in-room breakfast during our grocery stop. I can not count on our room being ready for 11 a.m. I was just wondering if I can buy skim milk at WL without always getting it at Roaring Forks in small and probably way more expensive containers.

Thanks and glad your trip was a magical one!

--penny

 

[ddank]

i know you can buy milk. not sure about skim. the food selection in the mercantile had improved greatly.

 

[melomouse]

As I recall, milk at Merchantile was way less than RF for milk. Pretty sure they had skim.
More on milk, BTW - I drink my coffee very light. The mug was large. Only creamers are available at the soda/coffee bar at RF. You can ask for "real" milk, but they are only allowed to give you 1/2 a cup, otherwise you are supposed to buy a half pint for $1.29. Most days I put in less coffee, some days I got a CM who gave me enough milk, a couple of times I tipped the CM who got it for me, since they had to get up each time and leave their register
Another hint comes to mind - Bring some microwave popcorn if your family likes it. There is Microwave.toaster and toaster oven in RF's extra room they added on not too long ago. I'm sure some will think I'm headed for the Budget Board with this hint,but $2.09 for Act 2 is way beyond my comprehension, even at Disney. No one will bother you if you carried in your bag

 

[senga]

Melomouse,

Thanks for all the advice - would imagine if you are from Long Island that you will definately have cousins in Ireland..... Will remember what you said about my parents anniversary they are really excited about the trip already......

Senga

 

[kimmar067]

...you didn't add "WL VET" to your siggie, yet.....