NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[Wenlitz]

999ghsts or anyone who knows

We have ressies at WL. We were upgraded when I called to make the ressies from standard view to woodedview. Heres my question is the only difference between these two rooms the view?? I did request the queen/bunkbed as my son is over 6ft. tall and so is my husband we wonder what to do if we dont get the bunkbeds?? Are sleeper couches in these rooms? Can we request a roll a way?? What would you suggest??

Also 999ghsts do you work at the resort?? or just a moderator??
Thanks for you help!!

 

[rla5d]

If your son is over 6 feet tall you should reconsider the bunk beds. I'm 5'10" and just barely fit. A Queen bed is longer.

Yes, the rooms are the same other than the view/location.

 

[Wenlitz]

kimmar067

We will be there on Aug. 3rd. We are only staying at WL as I cant imagine moving between resorts!! I dont like to pack and unpack that much. We have a woodedview too..

 

[kimmar067]

...Duh! We are from Jersey. Why didn't I think of it sooner???? Jersey's famous SALT WATER TAFFY!!! Problem solved.....thanks for stopping by and "settin' a spell". I'd visit you more often, 'cept I don't know too much about those AMEX points and SPG (?) points and upgrading...sometimes I feel like you guys are talking another language. I visit your board occationally cuz' I just LOVE the "D"!! (now, you can't expect me to just blurt out "Dolphin" on a WL FAQ thread, can you.... ??)

 

[Jen80370]

Sorry if we tend to be in code...we started a separate thread to dispel that problem. I just love to save the $$$ where I can. The taffy works well in the heat. I've used it before and people love it! Cookies work well too, but the taffy is easy to pack.

I'm heading down in TWO WEEKS!!!! I plan on checking out WL while there. I've never been there, but after this thread, you've peaked my curiosity.

TGIF!

 

[kimmar067]

If relaxation is what you have in mind, then the WL is THE PLACE TO BE!! If you can, get a PS to Artists Point....check out pics and menu at www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/dd.asp?step=4. It has a review of Artist Point, too! Wow, just 2 weeks to go; how can you contain yourself??!?!?!? [A friend's parents just got back 3 days ago - Florida was HOT, HOT, HOT !!]

Countdown to WDW:
1 month - 19 days - 3 hours - 12 minutes

Here'sanother link to check out:
www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/rescc/costcalc.asp?pageFunction=researcher&resld=WL&submit1=go!

 

[Jen80370]

I've heard raved about Artist Pointe...how would I get there from the D?

 

[kimmar067]

You can take a bus to Downtown Disney and get a connecting bus to WL. Or, you can take a bus to MK and catch a ferry from there to WL (it's a lovely boat ride, going past CR)....

 

[MickFreak]

We just got back Tuesday from our trip. What a great time we had!

1. Loved the lodge! Great atmosphere! The lobby was spectacular. We had a woodsview room (5086). When you stepped out of the room you faced the lobby and we were over Whispering Canyon. We had a Magic Kingdom side room, but you couldn't see anything past the trees. We were able to see some fireworks from the room, but not many unless they went real high up. As for the room, we had 2 queen beds. The room was okay. We thought our room at Port Orleans last year might have been a little bigger.

2. We ate at Whispering Canyon. We ordered the skillet all you can eat. It was okay, nothing to write home about. Our server was not very informed on lodge information. She thought the lodge was one of the original hotels built when Disney first opened! I looked at her like she was crazy. Anyhow, like I said, we didn't care too much for the all you can eat and wished we had ordered something else, but we made do with what we ordered.

3. Transportation: We took the bus to MGM on our first day and only waited about 10 minutes. Leaving MGM, we waited about 20 minutes. When a bus did come, we found out that the delay was from some kind of problem at Ft. Wilderness Campgrounds. The first bus that came was going to the campgrounds. Then another bus pulled up and we jumped on it. We were the only ones that boarded this bus and he took us directly to the lodge!
Saturday morning we decided to take the boat to Magic Kingdom. Had to wait approx. 20 minutes for our boat. A boat for CR pulled up first then about 10 minutes later the boat for MK came. As we were pulling into the dock at MK, the same boat for CR was just pulling away. Seemed faster if we had boarded the first boat to CR. Then we took the monorail mid day over to Epoct. The bus back to the lodge was confusing. The bus said Wilderness Lodge, but it was really going to the Campgrounds first, then back to Epcot, then to the lodge. Luckily we asked and the driver told us this, so we waited for the next bus. When it came it went directly to the lodge. Bottom line....ask the driver before boarding the bus exactly where it is going. The drivers aren't very good about changing the signs.

3. We also went to Downtown Westside on Saturday night. Transportation was very good from there although the west side bus stops close earlier and the only buses are available from Pleasure Island. We were out at the House of Blues for a private event and at the end walked all the way to the west side buses only to find a sign saying it was closed. Wished the sign was posted a little closer so we wounldn't have had to double back.

All in all we had a great time and although we didn't spend a lot of time in the lodge we loved it and would definatly stay there again!

Sue

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

School is out (I'm a teacher), so I finally have had time to read the Dis boards and research our trip! Thank you to all who have provided such wonderful information in this thread. Kimmar067 and 999ghsts have been especially helpful.

DH, DD, and myself will be staying at Wilderness Lodge July 1-5 to celebrate the big one-- my 50th birthday! AAck Unfortunately WL was sold out for June 30 so we will be at POR for one night. Since I know the resort is full during our stay, it will probably be more difficult for a room assigner to grant requests. I realize it must be difficult to find the "perfect" room for someone that coincides exactly with someone checking out of that room. Therefore I'm trying to decide what is truly important to me. So far I only have figured out the following:
1. Must have nonsmoking (Two of us have asthma)
2. Prefer 4th floor or higher.
3. The view is more important to me than convenience or long walks.
So my question is for those of you who have had a courtyard view, if view is important to me should I request to be out toward the end of a wing with a view of the inner courtyard and lake, or is stepping out of your room and seeing the lobby more breathtaking? When looking straight out into the courtyard from a lobby room, do trees block the view or is it just as gorgeous?

Thanks again. I know I will love our stay no matter what room we end up in, but this has been so much fun. It's like already being there to be able to read and dream about our trip.

 

[whtyger97]

Do they ever offer discounts on upgrading rooms at check in? I mean besides the free ones.

 

[dreamflight99]

...Hi Kimmar! Thought I'd stop by with a few suggestions of items to bring the front desk Angels! Special "lollipops"always go over well *(See's), and so do other individually wrapped gifts like taffy, chews, etc. These are great treats, as they are not fragile like chocolates-especially during the summer. Also, last summer I brought Mrs. Prindibles "Pretzel" sticks which are individually wrapped (Available on QVC.com), dipped in soft caramel and rolled in m&m's & peanuts! These are scrumptious..and were very well received! Another year I brought a large tub of specialty gourmet caramel popcorn. It was a huge hit! I have also brought little bears with hobo sacks of jelly belly beans...the staff swooned over the cute little plushes, and the tasty treats. It's really the thought which counts...so truly anything is a surprise, as it's never expected. Enjoy the weekend! This is a GREAT thread...DF

 

[ByJiminy]

Dreamflight, those pretzels sound too delicious, I don't know how I'd ever make it there without eating them all myself! Thanks for all the good suggestions.

 

[melomouse]

I can't believe this thread is still going strong. I am getting quite knowledgeable myself just drinking in all the wisdom shared by all.

So here's my latest nervous obsession.... We are booked 6 nites at WL woodsview for me, my mom - coming from Houston for 1st WDW ever - DD(turning 6) and DS(10). Requested - actually was offered - by CM Queen and bunks.

I'm afraid the room will feel small - tight - will the balcony help? My thinking has been I always want as much room as possible with my son, who sometimes seems to triple in volume in enclosed spaces!.
We were at POFQ last year, and Courtyard DD last year. I know WL's rooms are smallest of the deluxe.

I should still stay at WL vs. thinking... I could spend the same off in a house for goodness sakes! Can't afford to pay more than the $959 I'm paying for 6 nites - yes, great rate but..???


Feedback, please ,please from all you pros out there?????

 

[kimmar067]

You should definitely seriously think about requesting the "bunkbed" rooms for 2 reasons:
1) your DD and DS will have separate beds, instead of sharing a large one (plus, it's really cooool!!!)
2) rooms with bunks take up less space than rooms with queen beds, so there is more "living/walking/"breathing" space; keep the drapes open (you can close the lace curtains for some privacy) a well-lit room tends to seem larger in size, and gives it a feeling of airiness.
I wouldn't worry too much about room size; you won't be spending too much time there anyway. We recently returned from Dolphin (Nov 2001) and we (DH, DS age 15, DS age 13, DS age 7, and myself) stayed in 1 room!!! We will be at WL in July; however, we will be staying in 2 rooms (not because of size of room, but rather, because of the number of bathrooms!)
Good luck with your decision....
kimmar

 

[Iago's Mom]

Hi Everybody!!!

I JUST discovered these boards and I LOVE the people and information.
Thanks to everyone for adding their "two cents worth"

ummm... hope I'm doing this right.

I'm going to Disney World for June 23-30 and am staying in the WL. My last visit was in 1994 when they were building WL and I remember thinking that I would like to stay there when it was finished!

After reading this thread, I'm going to try to fax a request to stay in a certain area.
Does anyone know the room numbers for the rooms closest to the end of the South Wing, on the 4th floor overlooking the Trout Pass Pool Bar?
My res is for non-smoking, courtyard view and I am SO excited.

My 5 yr old nephew is joining me for the 1st half of the week and it will great seeing everything thru his eyes.

He went at 3 and 1/2, and has already said he wants to see the Haunted Mansion again! He really remembers it and was describing it to me over the phone.

Anyways, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[wld]

Hey Iago's mom....We're going to be there the exact same time in a woods view. Welcome to the boards.

I don't know what rooms you want but someone will. You usually want to fax about 4 days before you are do to arrive.

My question is....it's really hot here in MI today and I really want a Mickey Ear ice cream the minute I am at WDW. Do they sell them at the WL?

Thanks

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by wld
My question is....it's really hot here in MI today and I really want a Mickey Ear ice cream the minute I am at WDW. Do they sell them at the WL?

Thanks

You betcha! They're in the freezer right before you get to the cash register at Roaring Forks.

 

[plutospup]

The Mickey Ice Cream Bars are great! DD4 & Daddy NEEDED one almost every night. However, if you can't wait until you get to Roaring Fork, right around the corner from the check in desk is The Mercantile. In the back of the store you'll find the best Haagen Daaz ice cream bars! Oh my, were they good! In fact I wish I had one now

 

[kimmar067]

Iago's Mom-
Just be patient; your query should be answered soon...