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

[Majestic]

I tried that already with Pamela Anderson but it didn't work. (She's too dumb and ... well....what's a word I could use here....she looks too yttuls. Hows that for masking?)

Good luck finding the box! It's not too hard to find but I did it three times I liked it soo much!

The walk is nice too.

Originally posted by KCDISDAD
I have already printed out the directions and put them in the file. The girls will love going on a treasure hunt to find "The Box".

Fred, we need to find a good picture of Anna Kournikova (is there a bad one?) to post.

 

[FloridaCat]

dizneykid
It was not green, but it did look like it was there to stay.

KCDISDAD
Orlando is bleesed with many great places. I worked in a office at the corner of Sand Lake and Orange, so I know th area well.

corky805

Going back to your trip report, when I would wander around the courtyard waiting for the girls to get up I observed the Mommies are more into the surroundings and that would be true at the parks. Most DH's seem to be just tagging along. I guess Majestic, Ratpack and I are odd balls. LOL


SnowWhiteIsDreaming

FYI: Rooms 5032 to 5012 have an excellant view of the Castle. Any further towards the lake is blocked by trees.

I love spending as much time as I can in the Courtyard, but I also like my quite time on the balcony looking over the trees and just relaxing.

 

[mom2poohfan]

Hello WL Vets!! Thank you so much for the great information you have on this thread. I have been lurking for a while, and I have read the whole thing. It took a while!! We are so excited about our upcoming trip to the Lodge!! We will be there November 8-15. This is our first stay. Our DS will be almost three on this trip. We celebrated his first birthday at the AKL in December 2001. I liked the idea of the boat to the MK, so we decided to try the WL this trip. After reading your posts, I am so glad we did. We have booked a woodsview room, and I am going to request a view of the castle over the otter pond, but like all of you, I don't care where it is, I'm just glad to be going back to WDW!! We only live about six hours away, but can't seem to get down more than every two years. I am going to have to work on that one. My husband said I couldn't go without him, though!!

Majestic, I am excited about the memory box. We will be going on a search for it when we get there!! Congrats on the fantastic upgrade!! We would love any suggestions you can make since our DS is close to your DD's age.

Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all of you for the information!!

 

[mom2poohfan]

 

[Majestic]

No lurking allowed! I met a few lurkers while I was down at WL and told them THEY MUST POST and add to our community.

Welcome to what I call my Internet home away from home. This FAQ THREAD has kept me busy and I have had lots of fun with everyone here. You will too.

Have fun finding the memories box. I thought it was a good idea.

As for advice, go around their schedules and you should be fine. (as in, be prepared to nap when they do and swim at the pool when they want to....)

You'll have a blast!

Fred

Originally posted by mom2poohfan
Hello WL Vets!! Thank you so much for the great information you have on this thread. I have been lurking for a while, and I have read the whole thing. It took a while!!

Majestic, I am excited about the memory box. We will be going on a search for it when we get there!! Congrats on the fantastic upgrade!! We would love any suggestions you can make since our DS is close to your DD's age.

Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all of you for the information!!

 

[FloridaCat]

GGRRRRR Time outs

 

[FloridaCat]

My advice to everyone and particularly with little one’s is to take what I call a Resort Day. No parks, just hang out at the resort. This lets everyone catch their breath and recharge their battery. Swim, nap, read a book, whatever. It gives Mom a chance to relax and soak in the surroundings.

At WL, there is a white board on the back of the Life Guard Stations. Each morning they list the weather, park hours AND WL activities.

There is a craft time in the Cubs Den, must be accompanied with one parent.

Jump on the small Launch, blue flag, and take a nice ride over to FW. There is a petting zoo, farm Animals. Also Pony rides, and in the evening they have a Campfire Sing A Long and then show a full featured Disney Cartoon and Movie at no cost, except snacks.

Trails End has a very good buffet and very reasonable.

Like Majestic says, NO LURKING, If you are only 6 hours away, then after your stay at WL, you will be down to see us more often. LOL

 

[corky805]

I totall agree with Floridacat and Majestic about the little ones....you can read about it first hand if you need any encouragement in day 3 of my trip reports which is now posted....enjoy!

 

[tardin1964]

Wow...I think I'm starting to get a complex.

I can't seem to get any of the recent visitors to WL to comment on their experiences with the transportation at the lodge. I had to convince my DW to overlook some of the negatives we have read regarding the transportation and switch our ressie's from the Boardwalk to WL.

I hope the following rule doesn't apply here:

If you don't have anything nice to say...don't say it at all.

 

[rugratsmom66]

Just got back and all I can say is

WOW - What a place

Absolutley a perfect place.

Have alot of reading to catch up on (as well as laundry) and will post trip report soon.

tardin1964 - Sorry I can't comment on the buses as we had a car. We did use the transportation on two separate occasions and had very little wait - in fact, we had PS early one morning and the bus driver took us directly to MK - not TC. I thought that was great.

It's sad to be home but I did miss my dog and I'm happy to see him.

 

[Majestic]

We never had good success with transportation when we were at the world for our honeymoon in 1998. Since then we have always sprung for a rental car just to have it in case and it always comes in handy.

We are too impatient to wait around when we want to go do something. It's nice to just say Hey! I want to go to blah blah blah and just jump in the ride and go!

Fred

Originally posted by tardin1964
Wow...I think I'm starting to get a complex.

I can't seem to get any of the recent visitors to WL to comment on their experiences with the transportation at the lodge. I had to convince my DW to overlook some of the negatives we have read regarding the transportation and switch our ressie's from the Boardwalk to WL.

I hope the following rule doesn't apply here:

If you don't have anything nice to say...don't say it at all.

 

[Majestic]

Beth and everyone else interested, I just posted my pics of the Cubs Den at WL.

Enjoy!

http://community.webshots.com/album/91734211DTpyEw

 

[FloridaCat]

We have not had but a few problems with Disney transportation. During our July stay I never moved the car from check in to checkout. We blitzed 4 parks in 4 days, got where we wanted to be when we wanted to be..

During our Sep. trip I used the car one night because we went to an off site dinner that is a favorite of ours.

Like Majestic says, he is in a hurry and uses the car. I have also used a car at times that I wished I had taken the bus. Getting out of the parking lots on some nights can be a chore.

Just keep in mind it is bus service, not limo service.

 

[mom2poohfan]

FloridaCat, we are planning to visit Fort Wilderness while we are there, I think our son will really enjoy it. I stayed there as a little girl, but I don't remember a lot about it. We are going to Mickey's Backyard BBQ on Thursday night. Do you know anything about this?

Do they have crafts in the Cub's Den for children under or around 3? I think this is something we would enjoy. I saw the pictures and it looks great.

Also, what is the weather normally like during the first part of November? Here it can really fluctuate. We will be having our Festival at home the week before, it usually turns freezing cold during this for some reason!! Even if it was 90 the week before.

I am so excited!!

 

[FloridaCat]

Originally posted by mom2poohfan
FloridaCat, we are planning to visit Fort Wilderness while we are there, I think our son will really enjoy it. I stayed there as a little girl, but I don't remember a lot about it. We are going to Mickey's Backyard BBQ on Thursday night. Do you know anything about this?

Do they have crafts in the Cub's Den for children under or around 3? I think this is something we would enjoy. I saw the pictures and it looks great.

Also, what is the weather normally like during the first part of November? Here it can really fluctuate. We will be having our Festival at home the week before, it usually turns freezing cold during this for some reason!! Even if it was 90 the week before.

I am so excited!!

I have not done MBYBBQ, post your question on the restaurant thread and I am sure someone will help you with that.

I will leave the Cubs Den questions for other WL Vets

Our highs will be around the range of 75-85, lows in high 60 to low 70. The rain season is over so should be dry for the most part. I would pack a light jacket or sweater for the nights, but days are fine. Still can get some swimming in.

 

[reldridge]

This will probably be my last post for awhile, since we are leaving tomorrow AM and I will be busy later today with mowing, final packing, etc.

Our trip is almost here. To recap just a little, this will be my wife's first real trip to disney. She has never been to WDW, with the exception of a trip in 1999 when she accompanied me to a business meeting for 3 days @ BWI. I only had one afternoon free, so we spent a few hours at MK. As I stated in my first ever post back in June, I promised her then that I would take her back someday. I have a physical disability due to a 1993 accident that makes walking for long distances difficult. I know, WDW takes a lot of walking, but as long as I can sit for a few minutes every so often I can make it okay. That's why we picked this time frame for our trip. Hopefully the crowds will be such that I can have a better chance of finding a sitting place!! If any of you there from 9-26 to 10-1 see an old, chubby (that's better than fat, right?) gray haired 57 year old man with glasses and a beard sitting around somewhere, that will probably be me.

We originally booked POFQ, due to the size and transportation benefits. Well you all know how that went. Utter confusion due to closing, panic and hysteria on the boards, etc. We waited it out and finally got "the call". $ 10 upgrade to WL woodsview. We are now so excited and have been really looking forward to staying at the WL. All of the info on these boards has been tremendously helpful. We have some PS's for meals, our Britta water bottles, fanny packs, 5 day PHP's (courtesy of one of my business material suppliers), and a reasonable plan put together. So, barring any last minute complications, we are good to go.

Thanks to you all for your help. Even though the Tag Fairy don't like me too much, I've really enjoyed reading all the various comments contained on these boards, and replying in some cases with my "Oldtimer's" wisdom. If the trip does not completly do me in, I will try to give you a basic report when we return.

Again, thanks to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're off to see the Mouse!!!!

 

[annamonte]

reldridge: Have a great trip! Enjoy it!

 

[FloridaCat]

The parks have wheelchairs for $8.00 near their front entrance. WL also provides wheelchairs at no cost, just inform Guest Relations. WL is pretty wheelchair friendly, to go out to the courtyard, take the ramp hallway on the left side of the lobby, then the far door by RF.

Enjoy your trip and stay at the lodge.

 

[tardin1964]

rugratsmom66, Majestic & FloridaCat

Thanks for the info on your recent experiences with the transportation. This is the only part of the trip I am stressing out about a little. We are driving from Jersey so I really don't want to get in a car at all while we are in WDW. Maybe just to DTD.

I've stayed at the Poly 3 times as a kid, once at the GF with just my wife before we had kids, so I've always stayed at a monorail hotel. I've not had much experience with the Disney bus system.


Fred, thanks for posting those pictures of the Cub's Den. They are the first ones I've seen showing what it looks like inside the Den. I have two DD's 5 & 7, I think they are going to love spending some time there.

 

[kimmar067]

NC Oldtimer ~
Well, since you need to find a place to "park it" every so often, you will be staying at JUST THE RIGHT SPOT! One of the most wonderful things about WL is that the lobby is absolutely condusive for "settin' a spell" and just 'people-watch'! (make sure you've got mug in hand filled with hot cocoa !)

tardin1964 ~
I will try to address your transp. question. In general, the buses run pretty regularly at WL. NEVER did we have to wait longer than 10 minutes to go ANYWHERE in the "World". This holds true for the ferry rides, as well. However, I can't even begin to describe the horror and frustration we felt when visiting DTD. UGGGHHH! What a nightmare! With the exception of that, its was, pretty much, "smooth sailing"....

KCDISDAD ~
There is another awesome place to eat, located on Sand Lake Rd (just off International Drive) called Fishbones. Not too fancy, a bit pricey, but I GUARANTEE you will not leave the place HUNGRY!! Best steak I've ever eaten (also I tried my first 'gator here...not bad; tastes JUST LIKE CHICKEN - really!)

mom2poohfan ~
Take your little one to the Cub's Den for a little bit of "down time". There are a variety of craft-type and coloring activities to do (you must accompany your child) and it's a relaxing way to re-energize for those "commando" park days!