TinkerBelle_325
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2001
- Messages
- 4,267
Hi everyone,
I just got back last night from 9 wonderful days at WDW and the WIlderness Lodge. This was our first time staying at a Deluxe resort the entire stay and our 2nd stay at WL (we had stayed there for 2 nights during a split stay several years ago) Let me tell you, we're hooked!
We arrived at the Lodge on May 12th around 2pm and there was maybe 2 people in line ahead of us waiting to check in. When we got up to the desk the cast member told us he had to go to the back to get something for us. He returned with a "Magical Moment" certificate. The certificate was in recognition of my parents 25th wedding anniversary and was from the cast member I had originally booked my reservation with in January (thanks Allison Elaine!!) My parents were positively giddy about this and knew right away the trip would be a magical one.
So, our room was ready (which was great!) and the Cast Member did a double take at his computer screen then looked to us and grinned saying, "You must have friends in high places, this is an awesome room." He told us the room number (5125) and let us go to discover how amazing it was. The room was located right at the end of the first section of the South Wing, closest to the elevators that are located at the middle of the wing. It faced straight out towards Bay Lake, had a perfect view of Silver Creek Pool and the overlook and waterfalls. I dont think there is a better room in the entire hotel! We were stunned. Even more surprising was the fact that the Lodgekeeping manager was IN our room making sure everything was in order as we entered.
I called for extra towels, pillows and a fridge which all came within about 5 minutes. We took in the gorgeous view from the balcony before heading out to Goodings to grab a few gorceries (mostly water and juice.) UPon returning to our room we found a card from Minnie and Mickey and a huge fruit basket from the Staff at Wilderness Lodge. So sweet!
When we returned from Epcot that evening our beds had been turn-down (we requested this) and there were little foil wrapped WL mints as well as a beautiful chocolate heart with the WL logo on the front of it and a Native American Proverb We got this service every night, but the only other night we recieved a chocolate heart was on the 15th (my parents actual anniversary)
The Room: I know some have said they found the rooms to have a bit of wear and tear, but other than the wood on the bedframe and the chairs looking a little "distressed" (which i believe adds to the rustic feel of the hotel) They looked as good as they did when we stayed there in 1997, IMO. The beds were soooooooo comfortable and we are usually bed snobs who never get a good nights sleep at hotels. Our lodgekeeper, Norma, was out of this world! We had towel creations EVERY DAY. There was a duck to hold our remote, an angel perched atop the TV guide triangle thing, a razor holder for my dad, 2 little love birds, 2 swans, and 2 of the most adorable bunnies i've ever seen! They all had pipe cleaners and stickers and decals, they were just incredible!
The Pool: We didn't see any sign of attempts to save pool chairs at 7 - 9am etc...and although the pool was crowded we never had a problem getting chairs exactly where we wanted them. We went to the pool on 3 different days around 1pm and got 3 chaisses that were located right beside the runoff section of Silver Springs Creek, closest area to Roaring Fork and furthest from the kids pool
It was no problem. The pool was a bit on the warm side for my liking, I prefer around 80 degrees whereas this was probably 85.
The Restuarants: We aren't big fans of Roaring Fork, but it will do in a pinch to grab drnks in our mugs and a quick bite for breakfast. I never went down to get breakfast myself but my mom said the lineup didn't stretch too far. She was there at all different times (7am, 8am, 9am etc...) and said the line was pretty much the same, regardless of time.
We tried Artist Point for the first time this trip and let me tell you, it was wonderful!! We will definately be adding it to our list of "must do" restaurants. I'll write a more detailed review on the Restaurants board a little later
The Transportation: We dont take buses when we go to WDW, insted we rent a car. But we did use the Valet Service at the resort and found it was very prompt and well worth the $7 a day plus tips. We were even able to Valet park at the Boardwalk twice when we were only going to World Showcase for dinner and didn't feel like treking from the front of the park. WE did use the boat service a few times. The first morning (Fri May 13th) was MK EMH and we took the blue flg resort boat to the contemporary and then took the monnorail to MK. We also took the green flad MK boat and found you never really had to wait more than 10 minutes for either.
The Experience: Ok, we are now officially spoiled. An entire stay at a Deluxe appears to have converted us. I still adore my dear CSR, but I dont think we will ever stay an entire week there again. We love the perks of the Deluxes, closer location to the parks, larger beds, valet, turndown etc... We are already trying to figure out where to stay for our next trip in May 2007. The resorts that are high on the list are WL, Poly and GF Any of which I'd be thrilled to stay at.
Overall, we had an incredible stay at the Wilderness Lodge and are eager to get back there as soon as we can
Any questions? I'll be happy to answer
I just got back last night from 9 wonderful days at WDW and the WIlderness Lodge. This was our first time staying at a Deluxe resort the entire stay and our 2nd stay at WL (we had stayed there for 2 nights during a split stay several years ago) Let me tell you, we're hooked!
We arrived at the Lodge on May 12th around 2pm and there was maybe 2 people in line ahead of us waiting to check in. When we got up to the desk the cast member told us he had to go to the back to get something for us. He returned with a "Magical Moment" certificate. The certificate was in recognition of my parents 25th wedding anniversary and was from the cast member I had originally booked my reservation with in January (thanks Allison Elaine!!) My parents were positively giddy about this and knew right away the trip would be a magical one.
So, our room was ready (which was great!) and the Cast Member did a double take at his computer screen then looked to us and grinned saying, "You must have friends in high places, this is an awesome room." He told us the room number (5125) and let us go to discover how amazing it was. The room was located right at the end of the first section of the South Wing, closest to the elevators that are located at the middle of the wing. It faced straight out towards Bay Lake, had a perfect view of Silver Creek Pool and the overlook and waterfalls. I dont think there is a better room in the entire hotel! We were stunned. Even more surprising was the fact that the Lodgekeeping manager was IN our room making sure everything was in order as we entered.
I called for extra towels, pillows and a fridge which all came within about 5 minutes. We took in the gorgeous view from the balcony before heading out to Goodings to grab a few gorceries (mostly water and juice.) UPon returning to our room we found a card from Minnie and Mickey and a huge fruit basket from the Staff at Wilderness Lodge. So sweet!
When we returned from Epcot that evening our beds had been turn-down (we requested this) and there were little foil wrapped WL mints as well as a beautiful chocolate heart with the WL logo on the front of it and a Native American Proverb
We got this service every night, but the only other night we recieved a chocolate heart was on the 15th (my parents actual anniversary)The Room: I know some have said they found the rooms to have a bit of wear and tear, but other than the wood on the bedframe and the chairs looking a little "distressed" (which i believe adds to the rustic feel of the hotel) They looked as good as they did when we stayed there in 1997, IMO. The beds were soooooooo comfortable and we are usually bed snobs who never get a good nights sleep at hotels. Our lodgekeeper, Norma, was out of this world! We had towel creations EVERY DAY. There was a duck to hold our remote, an angel perched atop the TV guide triangle thing, a razor holder for my dad, 2 little love birds, 2 swans, and 2 of the most adorable bunnies i've ever seen! They all had pipe cleaners and stickers and decals, they were just incredible!
The Pool: We didn't see any sign of attempts to save pool chairs at 7 - 9am etc...and although the pool was crowded we never had a problem getting chairs exactly where we wanted them. We went to the pool on 3 different days around 1pm and got 3 chaisses that were located right beside the runoff section of Silver Springs Creek, closest area to Roaring Fork and furthest from the kids pool
It was no problem. The pool was a bit on the warm side for my liking, I prefer around 80 degrees whereas this was probably 85.The Restuarants: We aren't big fans of Roaring Fork, but it will do in a pinch to grab drnks in our mugs and a quick bite for breakfast. I never went down to get breakfast myself but my mom said the lineup didn't stretch too far. She was there at all different times (7am, 8am, 9am etc...) and said the line was pretty much the same, regardless of time.
We tried Artist Point for the first time this trip and let me tell you, it was wonderful!! We will definately be adding it to our list of "must do" restaurants. I'll write a more detailed review on the Restaurants board a little later
The Transportation: We dont take buses when we go to WDW, insted we rent a car. But we did use the Valet Service at the resort and found it was very prompt and well worth the $7 a day plus tips. We were even able to Valet park at the Boardwalk twice when we were only going to World Showcase for dinner and didn't feel like treking from the front of the park. WE did use the boat service a few times. The first morning (Fri May 13th) was MK EMH and we took the blue flg resort boat to the contemporary and then took the monnorail to MK. We also took the green flad MK boat and found you never really had to wait more than 10 minutes for either.
The Experience: Ok, we are now officially spoiled. An entire stay at a Deluxe appears to have converted us. I still adore my dear CSR, but I dont think we will ever stay an entire week there again. We love the perks of the Deluxes, closer location to the parks, larger beds, valet, turndown etc... We are already trying to figure out where to stay for our next trip in May 2007. The resorts that are high on the list are WL, Poly and GF
Any of which I'd be thrilled to stay at. Overall, we had an incredible stay at the Wilderness Lodge and are eager to get back there as soon as we can
Any questions? I'll be happy to answer
