Like the Phoenix, out of the ashes arises THE NEWEST WL FAQ! (Part 3)

[KCDISDAD]

To TIG-GIRL and the others asking about room 5032:

It's sure is fun to be able to give some answers finally instead of just asking all the questions.

Room 5032 is not a lobby view. Refer to Florida Cat's wonderful description a page back. As you are leaving the lobby and heading down the ramp past Roaring Forks you come to the elavator where the 2 buildings in the North wing meet. 5032 is the room directly to the left as you exit the elevator. It has 2 double beds. I don't know if there are bunks or kings anywhere near. It also does not adjoin with another room in case anyone was wondering.

It does however have an absolutely wonderful view of the castle and the otter pond. I am sure they keep the pine trees trimmed to keep that view open. We literally could watch the fireworks from bed. Look for my pix of the balcony view on the picture sight that Fred set up. I e-mailed them to him last night.

Hope that helps.

Now will someone please tell me how I can attach a picture from my trip on my siggy? Pleeeaaassse.

 

[AllisonG]

Kimmar,
Here is a start to WL VET. (Notice new picture below)
We have stayed 8 times at the WL and bought into VWL. I even had my first trip to WL printed in the 2001 PassPorter Guide Book.

Any closer?

 

[JadeTiger]

FYI: Today (10/14/03) the Travel Channel has a show that will feature the Wilderness lodge. The show is Great Hotels, it will be on at 12eastern time.

It is time to warm up the VCR's

My family will be going to Disney for the first time in January. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge, I am so excited

 

[kimmar067]

...I dunno about the number of WL stays, but the PIC CAN CERTAINLY STAY!!

I'd say, you are about "half-way" home! Jes' don't be a stranger, ya hear??

 

[corky805]

Just dropping by to say on the new awesome thread!!!

We are so lucky to have each other here!!
Hope everyone has a great day!!

 

[annamonte]

FYI, DAY 5 is up on Trip Reports:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=452345

and DAY 6 too!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=452362

 

[rgionet]

Hello WL Gang!! I have finally made it through the whole last thread
I booked our family first ever WL stay for Jan 11-20th. I am so excited (even more so after reading all the great info hear on the WL threads) - my vcr is ready to tape the travel channel show of the WL today!
Question - is it warm enough to swim in the pools in January? We have only gone in August/September before so I am not sure of the weather at that time.
I thought I would add a few photos to my post to start me off on the right foot! Not sure if you already have these Kimmar!!

GO RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FloridaCat]

Welcome
January can be pot luck. Nights will be chilly to cold, 40-50, and days will be moderate to chilly, 40-70. Mother Nature can slip us a 75-80 day so just keep an eye on things. There will those that be swimming and the pools are heated. One point to keep in mind is it can be cold in the morning, recovery is fast and by 10:00-12:00 it can be great. Not like back in the Midwest where what we had in the morning is what what we had for the whole day.

Buttering up to the Keeper of the Thread w/pics is cool, but posting your from MA is not a good thing to do right now, LOL.

 

[mickeycw]

Don't know about an otter pond but when we stayed in room 5032 last month we were told by Ranger Stan that it overlooked a retention pond. Didn't see any otters but did see an alligator in it!

 

[KCDISDAD]

Day 2 - A not so rude awakening. is up on the trip board.

Florida Cat- I am hoping for a Cubs/Sox Series so one of these 2 towns can break the jinx. However a buddy of mind stated that if that happens, we are likely to experience some catastophic disaster that will cancel the Series altogether-HA!

 

[tardin1964]

kimmar

lets just hope they win today. 4:00 start time though. I will have to miss the beginning and listen to most of it in the car.

So...doesn't Hugh start on Broadway this week?

 

[Starz723]

Hi WL Family

Im here, Im here! Woo my countdown clock is heading towards single digits. Im beside myself with anticipation.

Im going to fax my request for room 5032 being that sounds like a winner of a room.

I will search out the Memory Box on my first day there. Too bad I wont have a laptop, so I guess Ill have to wait til I return on Nov 1. WooHoo, 7 days at WL!!!

I will be returning with plenty of pics to add to our WL Family Album.

Is anyone else at WL while Im there..Oct 25-Nov1. Anyone? Give me a shout. Id love to say HI to you. You can find me wearing a green Dis Lanyard and button. Or,,let me know if you are there and we can meet by the fireplace!

 

[FloridaCat]

A word to the wise, don't go in the water of Bay Lake. During our July trip to WL DD, DGD & I were walking around by the beach. A young Mother was reading while two little Tots were playing in the water. DD told her that was not a cool thing to do and the Mother became upset with us. It is not a question if there are any in the water, it's they are in all water including back yard pools. Alligator have been seen and captured all over WDW.

KCDISDAD
The world would start spinning in the opposite direction LOL

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Hmmm..can I be a WL Vet?? Below are my qualifications:

1. Stayed at WL 2 times, 5 days each stay (hell, felt like I lived there)
2. Have pictures of said Lodge hanging in my house
3. Going back to said Lodge in February for what will most likely be 5 days
4. Designing home to look like miniture Lodge!

 

[JBurke]

Just wanted to make sure I was a part of the new WL thread!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Originally posted by DisneyDmbNut
Hmmm..can I be a WL Vet?? Below are my qualifications:

1. Stayed at WL 2 times, 5 days each stay (hell, felt like I lived there)
2. Have pictures of said Lodge hanging in my house
3. Going back to said Lodge in February for what will most likely be 5 days
4. Designing home to look like miniture Lodge!

PS....
I LOVE Hugh Jackman..

(does that help my chances?)

 

[ShaneV]

I cant believe Im away for a day and wind up on page 4!!!!


Im also jumping on the wanting to be a WL Vet bandwagon. Got back from a week of at theLodge (Concierge level) 2 weeks ago!

 

[Starz723]

FloridaCat: Yes indeed. Florida is Gator Country. They were there first. We tend to foget, seeing all the modern buildings, etc. Being that Im a volunteer Park Ranger (that would be my real job, but I have a singing career), Im an advocate for the Everglades (which covers alot of Fla) and for all of Earths creatures, plants, etc.

I can remember many many years ago during a trip to Orlando on my way over to the west coast. They were building the Raddison Resort Pkwy on 192. I saw plenty of displaced gators.
It was sad. Im hoping some got relocated. I wasnt around long enough to ask.

Floridacat: What do you think,,do they relocate them at a refuge, or put them back into the Everglades these days.

 

[BluOrchid2]

Wow, great new place Kimmar! I love what you've done to the place!

You know, on our next trip to WDW, we were not able to get ressies at the WL, so we're staying at the Swan for the first time. I went to the Swan/Dolphin FAQ thread, and on their very first post is all kinds of great, informative stuff. I was wondering if you'd be willing, Kimmar, to edit your first post on this thread and all all of this great stuff in, starting here: (btw, Hugh Jackman RULES!!! does that help? LOL)

************************
From ASPIRINGCINDY/999GHOSTS

WL ROOMS INFORMATION

Standard Rooms: All non-smoking rooms with 2 Queen beds.
Located on Floors 4,5 & 6. On the North Side
(MK), they face the Service area. There are
also 4th Floor rooms that overlook the lobby
look out to roof peaks. Some of the more
desirable rooms facing MK are rooms4032,
4034, 6012 & 6022
Lobby rooms do have balconies!

Woods View Rooms: These rooms are located above the
Front Desk on Floors 5 & 6. North side
Woods View rooms are on Floors 1-6 and
face the "Otter Pond"(a handful face MK).
Rm 5032 faces MK & Otter Pond!

Courtyard View Rooms: Courtyard view rooms can be
located on top of the lobby, down the
South Corridor facing either the falls/pool
or facing the Villas, on the North side overlooking
falls/pool or at the end of the hallways facing
towards the Lake. For best views of the Electric
Pageant, request 4th floor Southside.

Deluxe Rooms: They are at the end of the hallways are
considered non-specific views. They can be
courtyard or woods view.

Concierge Rooms: All are located on the 7th Floor as well as the
Vice and Presidential Suites. Views vary! *talk to
Majestic!

*Even room numbers are to the outside of the WL shape and odd room numbers are rooms towards courtyard side.
* All smoking rooms are located on the South Wing on the 6th
floor(but this could have changed)
Floor plans-

http.//disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...=WILDRoomGrping

Room views(photos) http://community.webshots.com/album/92055292CMxMOV

***********************
From MAJESTIC

To donate a room view picture for the WL Fans Website, please email a photo taken from the balcony of your WL room to wdwwl@majesticnetworks.net. Make sure to include WHO YOU ARE and what the ROOM #s are!! 800x600 resolution works best.

I left a Wilderness Lodge Memories Box somewhere on the property. See, I wanted to have a place where all us DIS'rs could go to sign our names and list our stay dates (arrive and depart) plus room numbers, WRITE DOWN WHERE YOU ARE FROM too, leave a pin or small trinket, take a pin or small trinket, photographs, etc.

Feel free to put a picture of you and yours in but make sure you print name and info on it so we know who you are. Put all pictures somewhere where light won't shine directly on them for obvious reasons. How about something from the local area you are from so we have an international collection of goodies?

For more info, see the box's own thread at:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=442267


************************
From FLORIDACAT

WILDERNESS LODGE LAYOUT

Upon entering the massive front doors, you will find on your left public rest rooms, Whisper Canyon Café, The fireplace and then to Artist’s Point. You then descend down a wide ramp hallway to the doors to the courtyard. Turning left you will find Roaring Forks Food Court, Public Restrooms, elevators and across from the elevators is Guest Laundry.

Back at the main entrance, turning to your right will be the Bell Service desk, behind them is a small room where the Meeses can watch Disney Movies while M&D are getting checked in.
Then along the right wall is the check in counter. At the end of the counter is an INFORMATION CENTER where you can pick up maps and time sheets for the parks. The CM will give you a packet with Wilderness information and a Lodge activities sheet. Continuing along that wall is the elevators.

Going down the hall at the end of the check in counter is Mercantile Gift Shop, across from them are elevators. Then there is the Arcade room and Cubs Den. Going out the doors takes you to the bus terminal. There are signs informing you where each bus will stop and where it is going.

BUILDINGS:
For the sake of clarification I am naming the buildings LOBBY, NORTH WING A, NORTH WING B, SOUTH WING A, SOUTH WING B. With the A buildings close to the lobby and the B building connected to the A buildings; towards Bay Lake. The North buildings are on your left facing the lodge and South buildings on your right.

Rooms are numbered “Floor-Building-Room”. An example is 6008 is sixth floor, north wing, room 8. 6108 is sixth floor, south wing, room 8.
Even room numbers are to the outside and odd numbers are rooms towards the courtyard side.
Room numbers are somewhat confusing as in the North wing, room numbers are ##6 to ##00 from the lobby towards the boat dock. They are the opposite in the South wing, ##60 at the end and ##00 at the lobby.

NORTH BUILDING, WING A: Outside is all Standard View overlooking the service area parking lot. This is where all deliveries are being made to the Lodge. This would work if you are only in the room to sleep. During the day there is a lot of activity of trucks making deliveries. The view is not distasteful; it’s the truck traffic during the day.
Inside rooms are Courtyard View in the general vicinity of the Waterfalls.

NORTH WING BUILDING B: Outside is Woodsview and is very quiet and private. We enjoyed it very much and would request it on future trips. We had a good view of Otter Pond, while we never saw any Otter’s there were plenty of Ducks swimming and Rabbits having dinner. The MK fireworks are very plain to see and my estimation is rooms 5012 to 5032 had the same opportunity as well as the same rooms on 4th and 6th floors. Rooms #008 to the end of the building are blocked by two large trees to view MK and to far from Otter Pond to see except a small end of it.

Courtyards views on the inside offer a fantastic view of the pool area and are somewhat noisy until the pool is closed for the day.

NOTE: If you are in the South wing,you canstill view the MK fireworks. Go to the 5th or 6th floor where the two wings meet. pull back the shutters on the big windows. Fastest way to get up it the elevater by RF.
SOUTH BUILDING A & B: Both sides are considered Courtyard View; however the outside rooms view the Villas and are quiet. Inside view is the courtyard.

Elevators in the wings are located where Wing A & B connect. Rooms to the far end have a long walk to the elevators or use the stairwell on the end to go to the pool or boat dock. It is my opinion that the North side offers more in convenience then the South side. Both sides are equal in access to Courtyard and pool, but the North has a greater convenience to Roaring Fork area of the lobby and to the boat dock. 5028 was a few steps from the elevator, not a noise problem, which opened into the RF hallway, Pubic restrooms and the Courtyard area just outside RF.
All end units facing Bay Lake are suites

Room numbers will not be given to you under any circumstances until it is ready for occupancy, security is the reason given.
If you arrive early you can check in, but your room key is not activated until Housekeeping clears it as ready, then you will be told what room you are in.

You should note the 6th floor rooms have a “pit” for your balcony. You can identify it in the pictures by where the roof looks like it was cut and raised. This is the 6th floor. They are very private, but you do have to stand to see over them. The lobby is 7 stories high

The best way to get to the North Wings from the lobby is to take the main elevator to your floor and walk across the hall overlooking the lobby.

Coming from the boat dock or pool, entering by RF is best for the North Wing. The entrance close to where A & B connect is best for the South Wing.

POOLS: Silver Spring and Silver Creek meanders down to the waterfalls and into the pool. There is a small slide and it is in the rocks that jut out into the pool. Two large hoppers by Trout pool bar have abundance of towels. The main pool is very pleasant during morning hours and does become somewhat crowded in the afternoon. Our plan was to stay at the main pool and after lunch move over to the Villas pool. While smaller is very nice and less crowded. A bonus is they have piped the lobby music to Rock Speakers in the surrounding landscape. We had a table in the shade and a speaker nearby and was very relaxing and enjoyable. WL sound track offers a very good selection of Western songs.
On the back of each Lifegaurd station is a white board. Each morining they list Park Hours, that day's weather and Lodge activities, like Duck races.

DINING:
ROARING FORKS: The 20oz. Refillable mugs, 10.99, are a must. Coffee, tea, hot or cold, soda, lemonade and Hot Chocolate. A must if you have children. This is a high quality mug good to be used as a travel mug. While you observe a ton of food going out there, it is never a wait of more then ten minuets. The line at the drink station is just a few minuets. Prices are reasonable for the surroundings and comments were favorable.

WHISPERING CANYON CAFE: Food is very good and a fun filled atmosphere. CM’s had the kids do a “Pony Ride”. Boy’s had to sing Happy Birthday to the Girls and same for the girls

Artist’s Point is more upscale and very good comments.

MENUS
WHISPERING CANYON CAFE
Breakfast
http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_wcb.htm
Lunch
http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_wcl.htm
Dinner
http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_wc.htm

ROARING FORKS
http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_rf.htm

ARTIST'S POINT
http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_ap.htm


TRANSPORTATION: During the morning and at park closings, the trip is one resort. It is during the day going or coming that more then one stop was encountered. Going to DTD is slow and should drive if you have a car.
Boats have two colored flags. A small Launch runs a continuous circle from WL to FW to Contemporary. It has a blue flag. The MK boat is larger and flies a green flag.
round trips with her and got a lot of information from her. She was very friendly and we enjoyed her company immensely. It was very relaxing and enjoyable and you should consider it. We did it just before sunset and it was beautiful out on the lake. One minor annoyance was it seemed the bus trip to FW to pick up people was one time a few minuets and the next run seemed to take forever. It seems not all drivers are up to speed on the shortest routes.

WILDLIFE: They seem to have adapted very well to guests. One morning an Armadillo came up the walk searching for tidbits. Egrets and many other birds had no problem standing by a table for any fallen morsel. Ducks have no problem getting the pool for a swim with you.

From CORKY805
Concierge Offerings:

a.m.- cereals, milk, oj, apple juice, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, danish, fruit salad, bagels, croissants, muffins....We also requested and received chocolate milk and one day some whole fruit

afternoon- lemonade, iced tea, coffee, pretzels, assorted nuts, cookies, gummy worms, whole fruit

early p.m.-one hot dish-ex: buffalo chili, soup, crustless peanut butter and jelly, assorted cheeses with crackers, veggies/olives, bread with a spread, assorted sodas, coffee, 2 types of wine

late p.m.- warm dessert, wines, assorted cordials, hot cocoa, coffee, cookies, bar desserts, milk

 

[FloridaCat]

It will depend on the attitude of the Gator. If it shows signs it has lost its fear of man, and is aggressive, it is put down, otherwise it is relocated to a safer area. Yesterday they had to put down a 12 footer as he was threatening workers building a wall on Lake Monroe, near me.

Florida has done a poor job, in my opinion, of warning tourists and new resident arrivals. YOU DON’T FEED THEM, because you could be their next meal. I can post a dozen horror stories of kids playing in the water to a man that wanted to pet one, to a Mother that lost her arm saving her DS. You do not get up close to take their picture as they have short distance high speed and their tail can knock down a brick wall.
Leave them alone and if you see one where it is not suppose to be, call Gator Patrol.