NEW (and IMPROVED, if THAT's possible!)Wilderness Lodge FAQ

[JBurke]

disneyatl-I wouldnt count on an upgrade to a Deluxe Room. I have never heard of anyone getting that. I have heard of asking for an upgrade to Concierge at check-in, you would have to pay for it,
but the price is less than if you booked it yourself.

I wouldnt count on any type of upgrade thoug, so if your heart is set on it you'd better book what you want.
You might get an upgrade from Standard to Woods or Corutyard view, but all rooms are the same size.

We have had 4 people in the normal room at WL with no problems. Not sure how old your daughter and her friend are, but if they are young then maybe the queen/bunk bed option would be good for you. That way they could each get their own bed and you and DH get the queen.
We are staying 5 in the room this time (youngest is 2 and in play pack). We did this 2 years ago with no problems. We wernt really in the room that much to mind the close quarters.

The only thing I wouldnt like about the WLVillas is that its not in the main building. The best about WL in my opinion is that its all one building. I love walking through th lobby everytime we come back to the hotel room!!

 

[FloridaCat]

I agree, book what you need. Upgrades happen because they want to fill a certain area. To a Deluxe would be reaching for the stars.
With the large number of people and I think I hear budget, you may want to consider Fort Wilderness. They have cabins and some really attractive rates.

We pop over there to eat once and it looks pretty nice. You can take a boat over to WL to see te lobby.

Just a thought.

 

[BlueFairy]

Have never been to WL villas or stayed at WL. But I have stayed in a 1 BR Boardwalk Villa. 2 couples and a 2 yo. Plenty of privacy, and cheaper than 2 rooms. Plus 2 full baths, etc. I think it would be great atmosphere at WLV based on what little I've heard. We also considered the FW cabin, and it does seem cheaper for the same amount of space, but then I don't know if you could rent points there.

 

[FloridaCat]

I forgot one item. Go down to the boat dock a little after 9:00 PM. Take some DEET, and watch for a line of green boat navagation lights go across the lake in front of WL. You will enjoy what happens next.

 

[bkw86]

Thanks, Florida Cat. I had just requested a room on 6th Floor North close to the Lobby. I'll request 5th floor since we aren't smokers.

 

[annamonte]

Thanks so much FloridaCat!!!

I have never been to WL.... but now I have an awesome picture in my mind!

Can't wait to walk in the lobby for the first time with the family!!

 

[FloridaCat]

So happy to help, but as those that have been there can attest. The pictures and my report does not do it justice. It took my DD & DGD about ten minutes before they started breathing again, after we enter the lobby.

They took off in every direction while I handle the check in.

 

[kimmar067]

FloridaCat ~
Wow! It really sounds as if you had a wonderful experience! Reading your posts brought me right back to WL. One thing I noticed that no one ever mentions when they describe the lobby -- when you first enter, to your sharp right, there is a little "alcove" that the young ones may enter to sit and watch Disney movies. FloridaCat, you truly are a WL VET!!!

Ratpack ~
Now, the days are seemingly going to go by V-E-R-Y slowly until you are actually behind the wheel of your vechicle on your way to WDW!! [envy-envy ] Actually, keep your fingers crossed; just moments from now,I will be inquiring about RV rentals and we [possibly] will be visiting Ft W in the next 2 weeks or so....

Beth ~
Thanks for the link to your wonderful pix; (your little DS's are cute as buttons!) hope you can add some more....(PIX, that is!! tee-hee-hee )

 

[FloridaCat]

Thanks,
like I said there are many things to "Explorer" &" Discover" and I don't want to take that away from the Newbies.
Good luck on doing the FW trip, we were impressed on our trip over there. We looked at other Resorts while at WDW and these two are the only one's that would be of any interest to us.

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

kimmar067 - I'll hopefully be adding more this weekend. I have SO MANY to put up there!

Another thing that no one mentions when walking into the lodge is the smell/aroma. That's all part of the experience too!

Enter the lodge, the automatic doors open and you feel the cool breeze. You walk in and there's a smoked wood aroma. You enter further and your jaw drops as you notice the enormous lobby.

Aaaah

 

[kimmar067]

...ya sher sed ah "mouthful"!! And, what about the MUSIC???!?!?!

 

[dizneykid]

everytime my dh and i go to the wl. we have a tradition when we first get there. we have to both walk into the lobby together holding hands, it is really a neat feeling. then you can't help but just stand there in awe.

 

[Tesabat]

Just wanted to mention that we returned from the WL on Friday and we had room 6118 - Non Smoking (Woods/Lodge View)...and all the rooms around it were non-smoking as well. I double checked as I walked by looking for the non-smoking sign on the doors as my son has asthma and sometimes if you are near heavy smokers, it seeps into your room regardless. When we checked in, we were told there are very few smoking rooms left at the Lodge.

 

[FloridaCat]

Thanks for adding that.

 

[FloridaCat]

My DD picked of a packet of information from the Pioneer Hall , FW, when we were there for breakfast. Here is the phone & fax if you do not have it. It was pretty complete and maybe they can pop it in the mail for you.

4510 North Fort Wilderness Trail
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Telephone: (407) 824-2900†
Fax: (407) 824-3508†

 

[FloridaCat]

Sorry to say there is not much fun in WDW because of lighting and rain today. Forecast says it will continue through Monday.
This means pools and water parks are closed until an hour after the lighting is finished.
This link is for Orlando TV Channel 2 and you can save it to check the weather before coming down. Hope this is some help for you.

http://www.wesh.com/

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

Originally posted by kimmar067
...ya sher sed ah "mouthful"!! And, what about the MUSIC???!?!?!

Thought about that after I posted. How could I forget

 

[joats]

Thanks everyone for your posts. I'm sitting here with fond memories and also sadness!! I feel as bad as I did the day we checked out of the honeymoon suite...I literally cried!!

This year for fiancial reasons we are staying at CSR and sadly not WL. I don't know how my DH and I are going to handle it...Hope we aren't too disappointed. There is nothing better than the WL!

I'll be living vicariously through all of you for this year but will be back to WL next year no matter what. Of course, if I keep reading all of your posts, I may end up making a call to change our resort!!

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks!

 

[Ratpack]

Originally posted by kimmar067

Ratpack ~
Now, the days are seemingly going to go by V-E-R-Y slowly until you are actually behind the wheel of your vechicle on your way to WDW!! [envy-envy ] Actually, keep your fingers crossed; just moments from now,I will be inquiring about RV rentals and we [possibly] will be visiting Ft W in the next 2 weeks or so....

Kimmar,
If you get to come down in the next two weeks or so, then you may be there when we are. You will have to come to the Mini DIS Meet on 7/29 at 9:30 pm at the Plaza Pavillion. We missed each other last year, can't let that happen this year if you come.