Just back from Wilderness Lodge

[disneyfor3]

Just got back from a Wilderness Lodge stay 1/2 to 1/8. This is our third time staying at this hotel (2x before in concierge) and this time in a regular woodsview room. We were in room 5006 which had a nice view of the otter pond and the lake as well as a screened view of the castle but a very nice view of wishes at night. We liked this room at the end of the hallway because it was very quiet. It was a short walk to the elevator to go downstairs to the pool or boat dock. Our mousekeeper was amazing - she left towel animals and arranged my son's stuffed toys every day (an alligator, turtle, and crab to name a few). We requested a refrigerator upon arrival in our room and it arrived in a few minutes. I have always found mousekeeping at this hotel the best (we have stayed at all the MK resorts and one Epcot resort) with the room always made up before we got back in the early afternoon and turndown (we requested this when we requested the refrigerator) done every night between 5 and 7 pm with extra chocolates left after we mentioned our son loved them. The radio was always playing softly and fresh towels were put out and trash emptied as well as our son's toys arranged again.
We enjoyed the relaxing boat ride to the MK and took the smaller boat to the Fort Wilderness campground for a pony ride and a nice brunch at Trails End.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous this past week - hated to come home. The parks were more crowded than I am used to (usually go late September, early October) but with use of fastpass didn't wait for anything more than a few minutes.
Any questions, I'll be happy to answer.

 

[TLinden16]

Glad you had a great stay! Thanks for posting!

Karen

 

[magicmouse2]

We were in room 5006 which had a nice view of the otter pond

Sorry if this is a stupid question, are there real otters in the pond ? or is just named that ?
PS Where did you get the alligator and turtle stuffed toys my dd would love those ?

 

[njmousefan]

Had the same view in December and yes, we saw one otter.

 

[disneyfor3]

To MagicMouse2: Much to my son's disappointment we never did see any otters in the pond (although on a previous occasion we did). The animals were made out of towels by the mousekeeper (after we had accumulated a couple I left her a note that she could take them back and share the pixie dust with some other lucky family). After that, I think she went ahead and turned whatever the current towel animal was into something else new for the next day. Our last towel creation was a turtle which we left when we checked out. I have to say I love the staff I have encountered at the Lodge - the ones I have run into all seem to love working there. We did request to upgrade to concierge at check-in (we did this earlier this year for a nominal fee) but were told they are no longer doing this (new policy) and was quoted difference in cost between rack rate and current ap rate I had (ouch). We didn't go into it expecting to upgrade and were very happy with our room.
Also, my husband went down our last morning and asked the front desk if there was somewhere we could get our boarding passes printed and the front desk did it with a smile (A passes for Southwest).

 

[kar313]

Do you find concierge worth the extra money? We are trying to decide on concierge or dining option for next trip. I guess what I really want to know is are there enough different food options that whole family will be happy, kids and adults.

 

[rkrivas]

Thanks for mentioning the part about having the front desk printing your boarding passes -- my dh was just asking about this last night and I was going to post this question.

I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful stay -- we'll be staying at WL for the first time on 2/13 and I'm probably just as excited about WL as I am for going to WDW!

 

[disneyfor3]

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I did enjoy concierge at the WL. It is nice not having to worry where to go for breakfast (and the two breakfasts we had at Whispering Canyon for the 3 of us ran us $40 with the all you can eat skillet) and having sodas, juices and an entree out at night. Would I do concierge again - probably not. I paid to upgrade for $60 extra a night a year ago and earlier this year I got an ap rate of (I think?) $250 a night which was a splurge for my mother-in-law. Do I think it is worth $125.00 more per night? No, not for us. I make our priority seatings ourselves and now that there is no charge for a refrigerator, we did a grocery stop and bought soda, juice, beer, water, and assorted snacks, cereal, yogurt, uncrustables, etc. for $35.00 for the whole trip. We just ate breakfast in our room several days and had snacks available for our son. We also found with concierge that we tended to plan our day around the different offerings so we were there for them which I found inconvenient. Other pluses to concierge are check-in (we had to wait quite a while on the 2nd to check in) and having someone right there to cancel or make priority seatings (sometimes there would be a short line at guest services for this). I think the discounts recently on concierge have been very disappointing compared to the regular room discounts at the WL and cannot justify the price difference to do it again. If it is a special trip and the cost isn't an issue go for it - you will love it; if not you will love the regular room too.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a great room!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks for your review! we will be there at the end of the month and I was going to ask about that concierge upgrade. I am sorry to hear they are not offering it anymore...although I still plan to ask. we have never stayed concierge and I would love to try it one day...but certainly not at the rack rate! I would do it for $60 extra dollars a night, though.

 

[anut4disney]

Did you have bunk beds?

 

[disneyfor3]

To ANUT4DISNEY: Nope, no bunkbeds. Our son turned 4 on this trip (they had balloons and a signed autograph picture of Sorcerer Mickey in the room the first night) and he loves to climb - I could just picture him climbing up and down, up and down, up and down so did not request them.

 

[anut4disney]

I understand that, I have 5 year old twins and that is what they sleep in now, so problem for them. Thanks for the info.

 

[rgbmommy]

Have you been in one of the Deluxe rooms? The ones that have the sitting area separated from the bedroom by french doors? We're thinking about going to WDW with our 2 kids (3 & 5) and they WILL NOT go to sleep if we are in the same room with them. I've priced suites and just getting adjoining rooms, but that seems a bit much. (DH isn't too keen on getting a villa, btw) I was looking at the Disney reservation site and it gave a description of this "Deluxe" room, but no pics. I just want to make sure the foldout couch is in the sitting area and that it really is separate from the bedroom.

TIA to anyone that might be able to answer this!

 

[disneyfor3]

to RGBMOMMY: I have not personally been in one of the junior suites, but I did research them a little before our stay. I know allearsnet.com has a couple pictures of a junior suite. I do know they have two rooms, one with two queens and another with the sleep sofa with a bathroom between the two. I think if you look at the WL FAQ there is probably a drawing of the room layout. I think (not positive) that most of them are at the ends of the wings (I know we were in the last regular room in our hallway and the suites were at the very end right past us), and that the ones near us had a nice view of Bay Lake. You could also consider renting points from the DVC Board to stay at the Villas at WL right next door - then you could have a washer/dryer in the room also.

 

[rkrivas]

Does anyone know how frequently the WL boat to MK runs and how long the trip takes? We have PS's at WC at 5:20 on 2/14 and we'd like to get to the parade and fireworks that start at 8:00 -- I'm just hoping we have enough time.