NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[pennyplanner]

Ratpack,
How were the boats to MK? That seems to be the biggest complaint from people about the WL transporation.

Did you wait long to pick up a boat? Were they crowded with guests from FW?

I'm glad you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing!

--penny

 

[Ratpack]

pennyplanner,

The boats were great. Never waited more than 5 - 10 minutes max. Seemed to be pot luck though as afr as if you went to FW or not before MK. But it was an enjoyable ride either way. In my opinion, the transportation at WL is as good as any other resort there. However there are always exceptions to the rules. The only thing I would worry about is having enough time to see and do all the things you want to do.

Tim

 

[hightown]

I've booked a WL Courtyard room after finding out that CBR will be closed a week after making reservations there. With the good discount decided to come back to the lodge. The price of the courtyard room at 139 a nite is good and much better than last year's rate for my standard room. I didn't want to be up in the air as far as where we'll be. Will be at the lodge 11/9-16. Have a few questions:

1. Does anyone know where I can get a nice full screen picture of the W/L courtyard area to use as wallpaper? Can't seem to find anything full screen.

2. Are Courtyard rooms always on the inside of the U? I'd like a really nice view of the inner courtyard and pool.

3. We want close to the lobby due to mobility issues but higher floors are fine. Can someone recommend a block of room numbers or what to ask for at room request time?

Thanks....

 

[Gorechick]

Ratpack, Glad to hear you had a great time! I have a few questions: How was check-in, particularly CM attitude? Did you get your room request if you made one? How crowded was the resort pool/hot tub? Any other info would be appreciated as I arrive in less than 2 weeks. Thanks!

 

[Ratpack]

Originally posted by Gorechick
Ratpack, Glad to hear you had a great time! I have a few questions: How was check-in, particularly CM attitude? Did you get your room request if you made one? How crowded was the resort pool/hot tub? Any other info would be appreciated as I arrive in less than 2 weeks. Thanks!

Gorechick,
Check in went great, no wait at all. Of course we were there at 9:30 am. CM attitude was the nicest anywhere, they seemed reall eager to help and answered any question I had. I di have requests and got all of them and even got upgraded from standard to courtyard without even asking. When I checked in, the first thing the CM said was that I had been upgraded. Pool was not crowded at all, plenty of space for you to enjoy. Definitely buy the refillable mugs. They are well worth the money. Hope you enjoy your stay, I am already looking at next year.

 

[LoveMickey]

Hightown,

I've found some nice wallpaper pics at laughingplace.com You have to search a bit, go to resorts. Good Luck.

I've got one now of the pool, facing the lobby. ooooohhhh ahhhh.

 

[kimmar067]

Boy, do I have alot of posts to read!!!! But, it's kinda good to be back. If anyone has any questions about the WL, just post 'em here!!!

NOTE TO 999 GHSTS: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! Hope you received(and enjoyed) NJ's finest Salt Water Taffy !!

 

[corvair]

Kimmar,, Glad you are back. We missed you.... Can not wait to hear all about your trip at WL and CBR....Corvair amy

 

[pepperidge]

Hi Kim,

I've been reading all your pre-trip posts and it's nice to see you're back! I know how depressing it is leaving WDW, so I don't know how happy you are to be back, but you know there will more trips.

I sure would like to hear all about it!!

Mimi

 

[melomouse]

Glad you had a great trip - of course we are breathlessly waiting for your report - don't even unpack!

Seriously, tho, how was the transportation for you? Did you try to guess who was 999 ghosts? How crowded did the parks seem?

I don't remember if you had a car or not? Any thoughts about the valet parking and fee? Big conflicts going on on the other board re: parking and other deluxe resorts. I was thinking I would just pay the daily fee and forget about it, because then I think you are good for the day/ night anywhere.(Anybody feel free to jump in on this one!)

What did you love the very most about WL? Was it everything you expected? Or more?

Ninety pages! Look what you started! Troublemaker - LOL - now you've got everyone wanting to go to WL!!!

6 days to go!

 

[Chance's Mom]

Welcome Back Kimmar!!!

Anxiously awaiting all the news of WL.

How was transportation?
How was the heat?
Did you get your room requests?
Did you loose your mind keeping your group together?

Can't wait to hear. Will you post a trip report or a report on this thread?

Look at my countdown thingy !

 

[duck_adoo]

Hey there Kimmaro,
Glad you had a safe trip. Which room did you get? How was transportation? How was mousekeeping? Crowds?Did you see any lime green ribbons? We're leaving Wed for Atlanta, than onto the World.
Thanks,
Duck

 

[Ratpack]

Originally posted by kimmar067
Boy, do I have alot of posts to read!!!! But, it's kinda good to be back. If anyone has any questions about the WL, just post 'em here!!!

OK kimmar067, we were at the lodge for 6 nights and saw NO green ribbons. I know the lodge is not that big! We were in room 4113, where were you?

Oh and by the way, do you see what is at the bottom of my posts?

 

[kimmar067]

...where do I begin??? Well, anxious readers, grab a cup o' joe, a comfy seat and get ready to read.........
(I am only going to write about the WL portion of our vacation; the rest will probably be on the Trips Board))

Tuesday, July 30 ~~
We checked out of CBR the night before (around 11PM) so that we could just leave and head out to WL. I called to make sure that bell services would be picking up our luggage and transferring it to WL.We requested a 7:30 pick-up and they were right on time. We did not need transportation because we had rented a Dodge Sport Caravan from Dollar($39.99/daily ~ not bad, eh? ) The van had to be returned to Courtyard Marriott near DTD by 9AM, so we headed to WL by around 7:40AM. What a breathtaking view as you are driving to the front doors! The first word that comes to mind is "majestic". The lodge sits amidst the tallest of pine trees, flags swaying in the breeze. Valet let us keep the van parked near the front door as long as someone stayed in it, while we went inside to check in. Tammy, the CM at the front desk, was SOOO nice, such a delight for so early in the morning. We had 3 rooms( in our party of 7) booked, and an additional 2 rooms for the rest of our family, who would be arriving around 11AM from NJ (my sister had arrived a few days earlierand had gotten room 6043). Well, we received rooms 6045, 6047, and 6049. Only one of the rooms was ready, so we were allowed to put some of our belongings in that room. By the way, we did not know that when a Disney resort is transferring luggage to another Disney resort, they do not do this service right away. It usually gets transferred between 1-3PM, so, anyone doing a split/stay, should consider this (so they may pack a "carry-on" for any items that they may need). It was now almost 8:45AM; my oldest DS accompanied me to return the van. It was quick, easy, and relatively pain-free. Dollar also offered to drive us back to the WL in one of their company vans. When we returned to WL, the rest of my family was so anxious to "give us a tour", so off we went. We walked past the brook, around past the waterfalls, past the pool, through the volleyball area at the sandy beach, down to the marina to check out the "Mickey Boats", and back around the hot tubs. Our last stop before heading upstairs to our room was Roaring Fork, where we quickly purchased our WL mugs. (DO NOT STAY AT WL WITHOUT BUYING A MUG!!!!!!!) Directly to the left of Roaring Fork are 2 elevators(BTW - opposite these elevators is the guest laundry), where we ascended to the 6th floor (I kept saying that if the transportation was as timely as the elevators, WL would have to "beat off guests with a stick"!! But, more about the transportation situation later...In fact, if you want a "tidbit", check out my post on page 116 of "NEW...DOLPHIN/SWAN "questions and answers"...tips and hints..." thread on the Resorts Board) Once on the 6th floor, we turned left and around the corner, down that short hall, and our room was the 2nd one to the left. At the end of that hall(the short one) were 2 windows (when you looked out of them, you looked down at Artist Point) We were in the North wing inner court and the view from our room was FANTASTIC!!!! It was the perfect location for us; our DS's could easily descend the elevator (that I just mentioned) and quickly get a refill at Roaring Fork, exit the door opposite Roaring Fork entrance, and head to the pool. Or, if we walked the other way (down the hallway away from the "Artist Point windows") at the end of that hall, you turned left and you could look down at the lobby. Across that open hall were 3 elevators that lead to the lobby, the Mecantile store, the arcade (VERY important to my DS's!), and to the bus stop. I thought that I would want a "lobby view" room, but I was so happy with our rooms (if I figure out how to download my pics onto this computer, I will show you the view from our balcony ) We then waited in the lobby for the rest of our family to arrive, and by 1-1:30 we were heading to AK. Some of the highlights of that park were: Dinosaur (I hurried to the Safari to get Fast Passes for everyone and met up with them at Dinosaur) It was very hot (but not really too humid) and we tried to stay in the shade, thru Africa and the Safari (we've been on this attraction several times ~ we saw the MOST animals on this trip!!), African acrobats, It's Tough to be a Bug!, Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade, and, finally, Primeval Whirl (DS didn't care for this but I loved it!) Back at WL, we inquired about our luggage from CBR. It, indeed, had arrived. Boy, those guys brought our luggage upstairs so fast, it almost arrived before us!! Finally, we capped off this perfect day with another trip to AKL and dinner at Boma. This place is awesome, too. The theming is done so authentically, you really feel like you are on another continent! We met a young girl (sorry, I forgot her name !!) who was 6 months into her 1- year "internship". She was from Praetoria, South Africa, and we chatted with her for quite a while (at least 15-20 minutes). Again, we met up with our server from our dinner at Boma on Friday, Debbie, from Tennessee. She was absolutely delightful, even when she poked fun at us (saying "CAWWW-fee" when we ordered the press pot of Kenya coffee). We then returned to WL by 9:30 and headed for bed, after a long 1st WL day, eager to wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for a fun-filled day at Blizzard Beach......
[NOTE: I inquired about being a "flag family" but it wasn't available until 8/5 ~ we would be checking out on 8/4 ]
[ ALSO: Be sure to order a "Green Geyser by Kim" at the bar near the pool; there is a gal working there who will make them for you, and tell her Kim sent you!! (999ghsts: tell her I am "angry" that she didn't put this on her "Specials" board -LOL-!!)]

 

[Bear Necessities]

WOW Kimmar! Your first day at WL sounds wonderful. I cant wait to hear the rest!!! Your descriptions sound so much like what we experienced on our Honey moon in 96 that I can just see it in my minds eye. Now I REALLY cant wait till May. Im Chomping at the bit. LOL
is there more report coming/??????

 

[duck_adoo]

Kimmaro...we're those standard or woods views? I'm faxing our request on Thursday (from Atlanta) and am having a hard time trying to decide what to decide. We booked std views.

We're driving in..I forget the route number (4?) are there signs that clearly mark Wilderness Lodge? Also, on the way to the Lodge, can you see the castle and SM? We weren't planning on telling our dd's until we pulled up and the CM says "Welcome to Disney!"
Thanks,
Duck

Thanks,
Duck

 

[Chance's Mom]

Sounds like a wonderful first day. Your transfer seemed to be flawless. Okay, I think you are smitten with AKL now . More, More, More!

Thanks for the great report.

 

[Pluto14]

Duck- We drove to WL from NJ and took I-4 over to Orlando/Lake Buena Vista area....it was so congested once we reached the WDW area, that we took the first WDW exit we saw and found WL from there. Once you get on the WDW roads, it is smooth sailing and everything is pretty well marked. Just keep looking for signs that say "Magic Kingdom Resorts" and follow those. What we thought was neat was having to go through the actual entrance to the MK (you know, where you pay for parking for the MK) everytime we drove back to the hotel!! You cannot see the castle or SM as you drive up to the WL, but I'll bet your children will be excited when they see the MK entrance!!


Kimmar- Welcome Home!! I loved reading your 1st installment! I hope there is more reporting to come! Reading your report took me right back! We also had Tammy as a CM at check in! Can't wait to hear more about your trip! Soooo...when do you think your next visit will be?

 

[helenk]

Kimmar,
your rooms sound awesome, did you send in a request ahead of time or were these assigned to you. They sound like the area I would like to be in, convenient to roaring forks and yet a nice view of the pool. Did you have a regular or privacy balcony?

 

[kimmar067]

helenk:
I didn't fax any requests to WL. Instead, when I called, I requested a certain area. I wanted to get rooms that were:
1) on the same floor
2) as close to each other as possible
3) North wing
4) bunk room, if possible
(P.S. - I think 999ghsts performed a bit of Disney "Magic", too !!)

duck_adoo:
I believe that our rooms were inner courtyard view (they certainly were NOT std. rooms!) When you walked out to our balcony, the waterfalls were directly in front of us. Also, you drive south on I-4 and there are several WDW exits. Definitely avoid the DTD area - there is much traffic, lots of traffic lights, and construction going on! You may want to use the "Epcot" exit and loop back around. You will wind up driving to the entrance of MK ~ stay to the far right and tell the "booth" person that you will be checking into the WL. Stay straight on that road; up ahead you will make a right turn at the sign "WL".

Chance's Mom:
Actually, when you think about it, the transfer really WAS flawless! I would think about transferring again, as long as I had my own vehicle to move from one resort to the other...