NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[plutospup]

wld
We were in 4087, 4th floor, north side, directly above Whispering Canyons. It was surprisingly quiet. I would have changed rooms if we had noise, but it really wasn't necessary. Our only request was for bunkbeds (DD4 loved it!). Our "woodsview" room was of ...woods. It was a closed balcony that looked over grass, and trees. To the far left you could see the road that led up to the lodge. The view outside wasn't anything special (We live in Pennsylvania with lots of trees), however, as you stepped outside of the room you looked over the lobby. It was GREAT! I was so impressed with the lobby. Also DD4 could see the characters in the lobby each morning. The best "outside view" is at "Sunrise Terrace" on the 4th floor overlooking the courtyard and lake. We saw several weddings there. It was a great place to sit back, relax, and gaze at the lake. There are numerous nooks around the lodge to relax by a fireplace, etc. and relax.

 

[hmp2z]

Kimmar067,
What a great tip, about giving a gift to the CM when you check in! I would really love to do this on our August trip to WDW. How do you go about introducing it to the CM, if you don't mind me asking? Do you just hand it to them with a "thank you for helping us check in" when they're done? Or do you give it to them as soon as you check in? Just curious as to how to introduce the gift itself
Thanks!
Heather P

 

[wld]

Thanks plutospup

The lobby view sounds great. We're from MI and we have lots of trees too. So its a great window view or great lobby view.

If memory serves my friend will be on your cruise. The one I told her about, the one I mentioned about a hundred times how great it would be. She just said book one too!!!!

But our PAP's will still be good and the flower and garden festival.......

Too many choices and not just the views.

 

[ByJiminy]

One: I'll try and make this as brief as I can, but I want to explain the situation a bit. We will be spending three nights at WL in July. It is part of a longer visit to Florida as we have family down there, and I just couldn't resist a quick trip to WDW as we'll be so close. I'd like to request a room with a view of the MK if possible. We have a standard room, so from what I've read here it might be possible within that category. We did not request bunk beds, so we have no requests currently. I know it's a busy time, and so we may not get that, but I'm trying to make it a special trip as it's also in celebration of DS birthday and it took alot of arm-twisting to get DH to agree to it. I want things to go well so he'll agree to come back! It's really my "dream" resort to stay in, so I'm sure I'll be in heaven. Since we'll be staying in a relative's home, it is probably not going to be easy for me to be able to call the room assignor a few days before, nor to get to a fax machine. Is calling CRO now and asking them to note my request good enough? Would it be completely wrong to send a actual letter? That would be the easiest thing to do, but it never gets mentioned as an option and I don't want to annoy anyone by not following the "rules".

Two, I also thought the gift for the CM was a nice idea, I'm curious to know what others do. We were actually going to do this on our last trip, but with all the post 9-11 scares, we wondered if people would actually eat candy, etc, from a stranger, even if it was packaged? Does anyone have any other ideas, or is candy the best option?

Finally, we're planning on using the Cub's Den one night for our kids (4 and 6) so DH and I can enjoy a nice dinner. Our anniversary is in August and this will probably be our only chance to have a dinner by ourselves in celebration. But we've never left the kids in that type of situation. Will they let us poke our heads in prior to the designated night and check things out? Any thoughts on the Cub's Den would be appreciated.

If you're still with me, thanks for reading! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[corvair]

999 ghts, pm you back, I am not sure how to do it. Let me know if you got it. thanks,,,corvair amy

 

[kimmar067]

Glad to have you back !!! (BTW - sent you a pm )

hmp2z -
The last time I did this was when we were checking in the Dolphin back in Nov (2001). I had packed a gold tin of chocolate cookies from Costco (BJ's Warehouse, or any other one of those places carries gift tins) in my luggage [between the undies!!]. Before we entered the lobby, I quickly retrieved the tin from my suitcase. As I approached the front desk, I said something like, "Boy, a certain mouse just e-mailed me last night, reminding me of the dozens of "chocoholics" posing as CM's at WDW. Being a "self-confessed" chocoholic myself, I can really relate. I know WDW has always been known for its superior service and friendliness, and I'm sure we won't be disappointed this time either! Enjoy!" Of course, you can improvize with your own dialogue, but make sure to keep it on a light note and be sincere.
Some other suggestions for gifts may include: homemade "goodies", chocolate covered pretzels, biscotti, caramels,individual packets of flavored coffees or hot chocolates, any item that is not TOO perishable and can be shared by several of the CM's......

 

[corvair]

Thanks for the tip Kimmar.....sure am glad 999ghts is back...Loved those pictures that were posted of WL have a great day....corvairamy

 

[doodle]

We like to take small gifts to WDW for special CMs. However, we always give them AFTER the encounter (i.e. after the meal, at check - out, etc.) My kids really enjoy giving a special thank - you.
I don't mean to imply that there is anything wrong with giving a gift at check - in but I would never want a "gift" to be mistaken for wanting something extra.

 

[whtyger97]

I called today to see how much it would be to upgrade my room from a woods view to the honeymoon suite, and it would cost more to upgrade the room then the room. I guess we are staying where we are.
I got the room with taxes for 800
the upgrade would be 760
for one night it would be 215

 

[Wenlitz]

ByJiminy

When I made our reservation I was using a discount code, the code was for a standard room. They offered to upgrade me to the woodsview. I requested bunkbed room with a good view. When I received my confirmation in the mail all of these requests were on my confirmation. I am under the assumption that all of this infor regarding my requests will be in the computer. Nothing wrong with asking in advance. I was told that the rooms with bunkbeds were usually the first to go.
Hope this helps...

 

[kimmar067]

...when are you going to be at WL? I think we will be there the same time!!

 

[lucki4]

Julie - I will be wearing a lime green ribbon. Found some at Hobby Lobby

999ghsts, question? Where do you go on vacation?

 

[whtyger97]

kimmar067 - I don't know who you were refering to, but i'll be there august 11 - 16

 

[donaldsduck]

lucki4--

Great! I will definitely look for ya! I will have to try and find a lime green ribbon so I'll be easier to spot!

I just talked DH into one more night at WL! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!
So now we will stay 23-28 July. I am so excited.


ByJiminy-

We are planning on having our daughter spend one evening at Cubs Den too. From what I understand it's a really fun program with crafts, movies, and free arcade type games. When I spoke to a nice CM at WL over the phone, she said that they give you beepers in case they need to get in contact with you. That made me feel much better about leaving our daughter with them. The CM also said that we could stop by and check it out anytime to make sure we would be comfortable with it or just to introduce ourselves and our daughter. Hope this helps.


Julie
WL 23-28 July

 

[ByJiminy]

Wenlitz,
Thanks for the input, I didn't request anything originally because I really had no idea what to request and I was just so overjoyed to be making the reservation at all! But maybe I'll call back and add a request for a MK view.

doodle,
Any suggestions on gifts for the CMs? I'd love to have something to carry with me for spur of the moment gifts.

Julie,
Thanks for the Cub's Den info. I had heard they give pagers, but I'm glad they won't mind if we stop in before and just show the kids where they'll be, etc. Our 4yo does better if he knows exactly what to expect, so that should make it much easier for us if he has seen it before we drop him there.

 

[doodle]

Hi ByJiminy and welcome to the DIS! I always take boxed chocolates for CM gifts. When we're within 2 months of a trip I look for sales on Whitman's assortments or Russell Stover's assortments (1 lb. boxes). I usually can find them for around $5.00 or so. I've even found the 4 oz. boxes of Godiva chocolates for not much more. Then we take several with us and have so much fun giving them to the most wonderful, magical CMs ---- a great server at a meal, a wonderful performer, guest services, as we check out and head home, etc. Hope your trip is great!

P.S. We always have a backpack with us and usually tried to carry one with us.

 

[ByJiminy]

doodle,

Thanks for the reply. I am quite fond of chocolate myself and think it is a wonderful gift
My concern is that if I carry a box of chocolates around the parks on a 92 degree day, I'm going to present a CM with a box of melted goop! I'll see if I can scout out any sales on chocolate, but any other suggestions are welcome also.

 

[kimmar067]

You can try these ideas:
hard candies like butterscotch
butter mints
Danish butter cookies
individual packets of flavored coffees or tea bags
granola/fruit pretzel mixes

I'm sure there are other things, but my brain has not had its daily dose of caffeine yet!!

(p.s. - 999ghsts, were you able to get that info re: rooms w/bunk beds yet? thanx!!!)

 

[doodle]

ByJiminy, I see what you mean. We usually go to WDW during the "cooler" months. I think kimmar067 has some good ideas.

 

[Jen80370]

Kimmar, nice place you've got here...just a Dolphie stopping by for a cup of Pixie Dust. For CM treats, I have a few thoughts (I always do )

How about Seashore Taffy?


If it is someone who is working ourside where it is really hot...how about one of those neck coolers that you freeze? Maybe with a design on it?

A box of FlavorIce popsicles they can freeze at work and enjoy with friends?

Gift certificates for an ice cream shop in Orlando?

Hmmm...as soon as my Diet Dr. Pepper takes effect...I'll stop by with more. In the meantime, don't be a stranger at the Dolphin thread...we miss you over there...