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

[Majestic]

Ok, I will go ahead and set something up. Give me an hour or two. Will post a place to go to upload your pictures then.

Also, I now have dates from two people for a september stay.

Corky805
rugratsmom66

Anyone else?

 

[AspiringCindy]

Fred, if you get enough people together, you can organize an illuminations dessert party!
I wish I could join ya all!

 

[Majestic]

AspiringCindy: Sounds like a cool idea!

As for the photo album, I made it now I need people to send me pictures.

Keep them at a reasonable size please.

Here is the link to the photo albums:
http://community.webshots.com/user/wildernesslodgefans

Want your photo added? Send it over to:
wdwwl@majesticnetworks.net with "Wilderness Lodge FAQ Member Photo - NICK" as the subject of the message where "NICK" is replaced with your nickname/username on the boards.
(Obviously you know what wdwwl stands for. Heh!)

Majestic Networks is a consulting business I do on the side. (In case anyone was wondering...)

Lastly, due to time constraints I may run into, please give me time to add your photo.

 

[rugratsmom66]

Pretty cool and fast! How do you find the time to have a side business? I'm assuming you work full-time (Yes I know what they say about assuming). I work full-time and have a side job I do at home - but I just can't seem to find the time to do it anymore especially since I've been visiting these boards so much.

 

[lisadisney2003]

I love that idea as well. We are definately in!

 

[NJFabFour]

Originally posted by corky805
Loubelou....


I always wanted to be a twin!!
We are going to take our son to the Cub's Den for a night and do dinner as well.....we just can't agree/decide on where to eat. LOL

We too are among the anniversary celebrants (but we're only on our tenth!). Also planning to utilize the services of the Cub's Den one evening - has anyone else used it before? Positive experience? Any criticisms? BTW - we selected California Grill - seemed to have good reviews and a more romantic than family ambiance!

Okay, some more questions to break up the "fluff". . .
Are irons/ironing boards available?
Still can't decide about a fridge!! Did you all feel it was worthwhile? Can I freeze water bottles in the small freezer?
Is there a "mini bar" ? Is there is, can I request that it be removed?
Thanks all you wonderful WL Vets!

 

[Majestic]

Well, I actually work two jobs. 5 days a week I work as a Network Operations Tech for an Internet / Telephone company. One week a month I am on call 24 hours a day. Tuesday and Wednesday nights I work at Radio Shack for extra cash.

All other time is devoted to being a daddy and my side business which deals with Network Consulting plus email and web site hosting. (Anyone want web hosting? Let me know! I would appreciate the help!!)

I am really a pretty busy guy so you can imagine how much I cherish my time at the lodge!

Fred

Originally posted by rugratsmom66
Pretty cool and fast! How do you find the time to have a side business? I'm assuming you work full-time (Yes I know what they say about assuming). I work full-time and have a side job I do at home - but I just can't seem to find the time to do it anymore especially since I've been visiting these boards so much.

 

[BlueFairy]

I am wondering about Cubs Den also. Except I want to know about the daytime activities. Ratpack mentioned them in his trip report. Are they supervised? Is there a fee? What kind of activities? How often, etc? I think our 6yo might like these. Three years old is too young for the evening program, right?
Thanks!

 

[Majestic]

Originally posted by NJFabFour
we selected California Grill - seemed to have good reviews and a more romantic than family ambiance!

Ambience it has!! Great view of the fireworks! They even dim the lights to make it easier to see.

As for the food??? YMMV but my wife and I found the food to be "eh" or "so-so". Very pricey! It's supposed to be good from what many say but we won't be going back. Only thing we enjoyed there was desert and the view. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear. Just giving it to you straight.

Okay, some more questions to break up the "fluff". . .
Are irons/ironing boards available?
Still can't decide about a fridge!! Did you all feel it was worthwhile? Can I freeze water bottles in the small freezer?
Is there a "mini bar" ? Is there is, can I request that it be removed?
Thanks all you wonderful WL Vets!

Yes I remember irons were there. Board is tucked away in the closet.

Skip the fridge and get a cooler per an older post I made in this thread. Saves you money. (Unless you are doing concierge where a fridge is included.)

Can't answer about the mini bar but I don't recall seeing one last year when we were there in July in a Woods View Room.

 

[rugratsmom66]

NJFabFour

Although I have not been to WL yet - I have "rented" fridge's before at other resorts. I don't anymore as IMO it's not worth the $10 a day. They are pretty small (can hardly fit a six-pack in them) and not super cold. In the past we have gone to Walmart and purchased a cheap styrofoam cooler and some ice. All we need it for is drinks, milk, beer, etc. We keep the cooler in the bathtub as they tend to leak. I find this works out fine and when the ice melts... I know where to get more . This year I purchased a soft-sided collapsible cooler on wheels. I will use it as my carry-on bag (able to store DS's game boy, CD player, reading material) etc for the flight down and then once we're there, I can use it as a cooler. I don't recall if you could freeze water bottles or not - but I'm thinking the freezer part is pretty small as well.

As far as the mini bar, we had one at YC but need a key to access it. I just hide the key so no one could get into it. Maybe you could just tell them you don't want the key when you check in.

I can't help on the irons/ironing boards - I refuse to iron on vacation.

Okay, some more questions to break up the "fluff". . .
Are irons/ironing boards available?
Still can't decide about a fridge!! Did you all feel it was worthwhile? Can I freeze water bottles in the small freezer?
Is there a "mini bar" ? Is there is, can I request that it be removed?

 

[corky805]

It sounds like the cooler is the way to go over the fridge!



Does anyone know if they provide hairdryers? It would be one less thing I have to find room in the suitcase for if they do?

rugratsmom66.....I just noticed that you live in PGH too!! Reminds me of the "small world" thing again....where are you at in PGH?

 

[kimmar067]

...but I don't even bother with that. Since WL rooms have 2 sinks, I fill one sink with ice from the ice machine and stick the bottled water, juice boxes, cans of soda, etc. in THAT! And, yes, there ARE irons/ironing boards in each room. They are located in the closet.

As for the California Grill, I agree that it is pricey, and you don't get hugh servings. Besides, the food is "just ok"....go to O'Hana instead! (or, are you specifically looking for a place that's romantic??)

CUB'S DEN
The Cub's Den is absolutely supervised. However, if you send your child there during the day, although there is NO FEE, a parent must accompany the child. There is a wide range of things for your child to do ~ watching Disney movies, playing on the computer, coloring, reading, board games, etc. I found that it was a nice "break" for about an hour, from the hustle-and-bustle of the parks. The front desk will be happy to give you info on all evening fees....

[BTW ~ Fred, notice the NEW pic??? Still lookin' fer that "speedo" one !]

 

[FloridaCat]

Kimmar, you crack me up. LOL

 

[lisadisney2003]

Does anyone know what the age limit is? I mean how young they will watch in the evenings? This is our first trip to WL and I am not familiar with this at all. We are going with our dd for her 1st trip and she will be 6 mths. I had planned that we would probably have to plan on her being with us every minute but, thought this might be an idea for one evening?

 

[Majestic]

I'm pretty sure that the child must be potty trained OR supervised by the parent. I've been wrong before though....

Fred

Originally posted by lisadisney2003
Does anyone know what the age limit is? I mean how young they will watch in the evenings? This is our first trip to WL and I am not familiar with this at all. We are going with our dd for her 1st trip and she will be 6 mths. I had planned that we would probably have to plan on her being with us every minute but, thought this might be an idea for one evening?

 

[AspiringCindy]

We have also used Cub's Den and found it to be inexpensive, well supervised(at night) and fun for the kids. They find ways of keeping your child entertained. Your child must be 4 years old though! This is due to childcare licensing laws. Otherwise, you can use Fairy Godmothers(which we also used once)!Your child only needs to be 6 weeks or older(if my memory serves correctly).
We rented a fridge from WL last summer because DD#3 was still drinking formula. I don't think I would ever go that route again! $10/night is a little steep for a tiny fridge. I 've heard others post ideas of bringing their own plug-in cooler(especially if you are driving), and using that in the hotel.
No mini bar in rooms-except in deluxe rooms and larger.

 

[lisadisney2003]

Originally posted by AspiringCindy
We rented a fridge from WL last summer because DD#3 was still drinking formula. I don't think I would ever go that route again! $

When you say that you would not do that again, was it because of the cost or some other reason. We are facing that baby formula problem and since we are flying in, just figured we would have to get the frig.

 

[rugratsmom66]

corky805

We are from Murrysville which is about 30 miles east of Pgh - what part are you from?

 

[BlueFairy]

Kimmar and others - thanks for the info on Cubs Den. I will encourage the mom in our group to leave some of those extra toys behind. Sounds like we can find plenty at Cubs Den.

We kept milk iced in a small cooler last year and had no trouble. Just changed the ice each afternoon.

For those interested in the California Grill - Here is my review from last August, a contrasting opinion to the "the food is ok" crowd.
"Dinner – California Grill
Once again, $6 for valet at the Contemporary. We arrived at 7:45 for our PS. There was a 10 min wait, perfect for viewing a spectacular sunset over the MK from the deck outside! Wow what a meal. I can’t describe how nice it is to go back here on each trip and top the meal before. We have never been disappointed here with any aspect of the dining experience! This was no exception. Dinner was a gift from Alan’s employer, so the price is for the whole table (2 couples), and I’ll try to describe everything. We were seated almost at the furthest table from the entrance. It was a round booth like table with 2 chairs on the outside. We could see the pastry chefs perfectly and the wine room. This part of the restaurant is much quieter. Seeing out the window is a bit difficult, so we walked to the deck at fireworks time. However, there are decks on this end of the room too, and we could see the Chinese theater at MGM as well as Spaceship Earth. Very good location. We started with a sushi platter of 12 items. I believe it was Yoshie’s deluxe sushi platter. Yum! We had nigiri: octopus, snapper (melt in your mouth!), yellowfin tuna (citrussy!), Ahi tuna, shrimp, and salmon. Also maki: 2 pieces each of California roll, tuna roll (2 kinds of tuna) and shrinp roll. We enjoyed this tremendously!!! Also, our server Eden, was fantastic in recommending the appetizers as well as pairing the wine. She let us taste a couple of whites to go with the sushi. The sushi was superb! Very fresh, tasty and the pieces were large. Not knowing the time, we had also ordered the Triple cheese, triple garlic, sun-dried tomato and oregano flatbread. It had to sit at the table through the fireworks, but they covered the platter for us. We did join the folks on the deck outside to watch the fireworks. Very nice as usual! This time the music seemed better in sync with the show and was loud enough to hear. We returned to the table and enjoyed the flatbread. It was enough for 4 people to have 2 small pieces each. Very rich. We’re going all out here, so we ordered more appetizers to share. First, a whole tuna roll (8 pieces) since we liked it so well. Then 2 items of the Sonoma goat cheese ravioli first course. Wow! The broth is rich and mushroomy, and the cheese ravioli very creamy. We finally each (all 4!) ordered the Grilled Pork tenderloin with creamy polenta and cremini mushrooms in zinfandel glaze. I will DIE if they ever remove this from the menu. It is my all time favorite. No wonder it is pictured on their wall of fame by the restrooms and featured in Cooking with Mickey. I’m so glad I have the cookbook. Eden was nice enough to help Alan choose this wine, too. She was very helpful in tasting more than one, and didn’t squirm when we had trouble finding something we liked. Eden was a great waitress, very friendly. We were visited by the manager at one point to see if everything was ok. Later he asked again on our way out. These people know service! For dessert, we had 1 frangelico and 3 coffees. Also, butterscotch crème brulee (very rich, large portion), chocolate peppermint ice cream in profiteroles with hot fudge and mint sauces (so chocolatey, but minty too. Fantastic). I had orange crepes with a custard filling, raspberry coulis and raspberries and blueberries. The best dessert I’ve ever had here!!! I cannot rave about this meal enough. I consider it well priced at $307.93 for 2 bottles of wine, 1 cordial, 3 coffees, 4 entrees, 2 first course, 2 sushi items, 4 desserts and 1 flatbread. Easily 5 STARS!!!!!! My hats off to Eden and the rest of the staff. What a memorable evening."

Sorry it's long and straying off topic. Just trying to add a little unfluffy info. As for Artist Point, I have a review that I can share, but it isn't nearly as glowing. We didn't enjoy our last visit and don't plan to return during our WL stay. The prices are similar to CG, but in my book there's no comparison.

 

[lisadisney2003]

Thanks for your report on the California Grill. We have ps for the night of our arrival at about fireworks time. We hope to enjoy it, but plan on a nice meal most everyday, so if we find it only so-so, it certainly won't ruin our week.