NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[Bear Necessities]

Welcome to the DIS!

It will DEFINITELY NOT be too cold to swim. May is not as hot as July but it's still hot. The average high is 88.

Hope you all have a great trip!!!


__________________
BrianD

Thank You for your reply Brian! Since we live in northern Ia w wouldnt think of swimming until the 2nd week of june or so, depending on the year. Great to know we will be able to next year in MAY!!!

BTW Thanks so much for the warm welcome!

Laura

 

[Christina78]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! First to Kimmar for starting this great thread (my favorite - I read it everyday) and especially 999ghsts for taking her time to make everyone else's trip as special as possible, and everyone else who contributes great questions and answers about the Wilderness Lodge.

I have a question for anyone who has had Otter Pond Views. Are there any Woods View rooms that overlook the Otter Pond, can see Magic Kingdom, and have open balconies? (I know I ask for a lot and I don't expect everything I ask for, but I like to know that at least I tried!) More than anything, I would love to spot some otters. Seeing Cinderella's Castle in the distance would be icing on the cake, but I would rather have the open balcony so that I can sit outside and drink coffee in the morning and be able to look out over the beautiful grounds. Is this an impossible combination? Any insight would be so very appreciated! I am booked for Sep 16-21, Yippee!!! (DH thinks I am NUTS for all of my overplanning, but I think it's almost as much fun as getting there...OK, not really, but it helps me sleep at night! )

 

[Chance's Mom]

Looks like we've lured several lurkers to join our thread!

Welcome to the best thread on the DIS!

 

[Christina78]

THANK YOU 999ghsts! I hope all of the kindness you spread to others always comes backs to you! I'm not expecting anything but what I've paid for - a wood's view, but I like to know I've done what I could to try to make this the best vacation ever. Thanks again!

 

[jwfla422]

999ghsts you are so incredibly helpful!!! SO much appreciated! I have yet another question from another poster (I keep telling them to check out the WL FAQ thread)

msim writes:

I'm trying to figure out if I should rent a car. Someone told me at the WL, that there's a special character breakfast bus that takes you straight to Poly or Grand Floridian. CRO denies any such thing. I called WL back and that person said the bus takes you to the TTC or MK, then you have to get on the monorail. Then, CRO says none of the busses will run until one hour prior to park opening. WHO DO YOU BELIEVE????? I really want a hassle free trip, but I didn't want to rent a car. Any suggestions? Thanks!

You'd probably need to know when exactly they are visiting WDW though, wouldn't you?

 

[HRCCrazy]

Christina78

We will be at the WL the same time you are, we get in on the 15th after doing the cruise, and fly back home to cool Phoenix (only 112* today) on the 21st.
Just look for a big guy wearing "Big Dogs" t-shirts and "Hard Rock Cafe" hats. That will be me.

Big John aka HRCCrazy

 

[plutospup]

Storytelling takes place by the fireplace in the Mercantile...NOT the main lobby fireplace. Upon checkin you will be given an activity sheet for the week. DD4 loved storytelling, as well as the duck races that were held on Silver Spring. She also enjoyed craft time during the mid afternoon. There is so much to do just at the Lodge!

 

[jwfla422]

Plutospup-
can you tell me more about the duck races and the craft time? I'll be taking dd who will just be turning 4 next month. I am curious about other activities at the WL. Is craft time inside? Where are the duck races?

We plan to do the parks in the mornings for just a few hours and then go back to the hotel after lunch (1ish) for pool time and naptime. I was even thinking about a bike ride to FW and/or the Petting Farm (she's not big on petting goats and horses though), but it may be too hot that time of day and we may want something a little less physical (that might put the duck races on the bottom of the list?)

If the weather is yucky I'd love to have alternatives for when we come back. She usually won't nap til 3 or so.

Also have you used the Cub's Den? Or has anyone else? I've seen occasional posts about it, but just thought I'd ask again. Any opinions??

Thanks,....I just love this thread!!

 

[plutospup]

Duck Races: Low stress. Each child is assigned a number/duck. The CM's dump tubs of yellow ducks into the creek. The first duck that passes the finish line wins, and the corresponding child wins a prize! Occasionally, a duck might accidentally go over the falls. Lots of cheering and excitement. Overall with two races this event takes about 30 minutes.
Craft Time: This takes place at the Cubs Den. No charge. DD4 loves crafts. This was a great place for her to wind down after a morning in the parks.
Petting Zoo: We took the boat to FW from WL. It is very relaxing. Unlike several years ago, you won't get butted by a goat. You can feed the animals, but they are behind a fence, so you really can't pet them. We found this to be a great place after a morning in the parks. The animal pens are well kept and clean, the horse barn is fun to walk through, and pony rides are available ($3). After a morning at MK, go to FW for lunch, and then check out the Petting Zoo.
Mouseboats: Take your DD for a ride on a mouseboat. I will never forget going full throttle, and my DD4 saying, "Daddy, go faster!!!".

 

[kimmar067]

....ditto on the Mouse Boats!! I think my DS's think that the only reason we go to WDW is to ride the "Mickey boats"(water mice)!!

But seriously, they ARE a lot of fun... !


Countdown to WDW:
11 days - 1 hour - 8 minutes - WOOHOO!!

 

[Luvdisney]

I have a ressie for a woods view in August. I need sugestions on ways to better my chances of getting a woods view room looking over the otter pond that we might still be able to see MK. Any ideas?

 

[ColetteN]

I posted on the main board, but was hoping 999ghosts would have an answer for me (as I've come to trust you and respect and appreciate all you do for this thread!).

Is it possible (if there's space available) to add an additional night onto the end of our room reservation?(we're staying from 8/2 thru 8/7 - I'd like to check out on 8/8 now if possible.) How would the charges work? (i.e would it be at the rate of the rest of my reservation or would it be at the current higher rate? I did book a discount, through expedia.com.)

I'd like to take care of it ASAP, so any info (even from other's who have done this) is appreciated.

Feel free to PM me or email me.

Thanks,
Colette

 

[Christina78]

BigJohn aka HRCCrazy, you sound like you will be hard to miss! I am looking forward to running into you!

Does anyone know if there is internet access in the rooms at Wilderness Lodge? If not, does anyone know somewhere where we can e-mail our digital photos to our friends and family through our laptop? Christina

 

[pepperidge]

Can anyone help me out on this one? I am Looking for... (in order of importance)
1.the best possible view in a non-smoking 1BR villa.
2. the most convenient to the pool
Stairs are not an option as we will be pushing 2 strollers.

On another note does anyone know if the pool has a zero depth entry.

If not, Has pool hopping been banned for DVC guests?

Many thanks in advance,

Pepperidge

 

[Gorechick]

999ghosts, Thank you for your reply about the room locations, it is very helpful to have detailed info about what I'm looking for. I have a few other questions for you, 1) Is it ever possible that a room request not be met because the fax was TOO nice? (I'm hoping to find a happy medium that doesn't sound like I'm brown-nosing the staff. Any suggestions are appreciated!) and 2) I read another post saying that the pools have been crowded with guests from Ft. Wilderness, have the pools been really crowded? Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[Luvdisney]

I have a ressie for a woods view in August. I need sugestions on ways to better my chances of getting a woods view room looking over the otter pond that we might still be able to see MK. Any ideas?

 

[BeckyV]

999ghosts,
Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to respond to questions on this board and the DVC one. Please explain the difference in the rooms on the fourth and fifth floors of the VWL. Are the neat ceilings you made reference to in a prior post on both floors or just one? Are all of the balconies enclosed on the top floor? I was told during my last stay that corner rooms were larger. Is this true? Where are the dedicated two bedrooms located?

 

[lucki4]

999ghsts - I just read that you are off Mondays and Tuesdays, darn it we are checking in next week Tuesday and will be bringing a treat for the CM's from WI. Hopefully there will be some saved for you.

 

[BeckyV]

999ghsts,
Thank you for all of the info about the rooms at VWL. We arrive Sunday for our second trip as DVC owners at VWL and can't wait. We knew as soon as the announcement came about VWL that we would addon. We fell in love with the Lodge and would always make a trip to visit. I really miss the character breakfast at the Lodge and wish it was still there. Any ideas about who to send a complaint to? I wish Disney would bring it back. We would always request the same waiter. He was from Alabama and had red hair. Said he had been there since it opened. I cannot remember his name, but would love to know if he is still there.
Thanks again and hope we will be able to say hi while we are there.

 

[donaldsduck]

lucki4~

Can you believe we will be there in one week? I am so EXCITED! We leave for Fl. this Friday to visit relatives in the St. Pete area and then Tuesday- check in at WL!!!

About what time are you arriving Tuesday? I think we will be there around 11am or so. I'd like to get there early even though the room probably won't be ready yet. Then we can check out the WL and enjoy the pool for awhile.

I will have my lime green ribbon on my bag so look for me! I am tall and have long brown hair.

I too was disappointed to see that 999ghsts was off on Tues. I would love to see her and personally thank her for all her help. I am bring some goodies too

Hope to run into you!

Julie