NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[dandave]

Hi to all! Bear Necessities, Kaycee, and Kimmar thank you so much for the kind wishes!! Ya'll must have wished really hard, because we had the most fabulous time. It was better than I could have imagined and more fun than I could have wished for! My sisters absolutely loved the WL, and I loved it as well.
I can honestly say that I will be returning with DH and my boys in October because I "want" to, and not simply because we have reservations. Our Sisters weekend was absolutely perfect. I am completely exhausted, but had to post to tell you all that we were amazed by the WL. We had a woodsview room (5114), and it was just great!
After I get some rest, I'll post more.



Kaycee, I promise to give you Turnpike info tomorrow!

 

[Kaycee]

Welcome home, Dandave!

I'm so glad you had a great sisters weekend!

Get some rest, then come back and give us lots of details about your WL visit. I'll especially be watching for those turnpike tips.

Kaycee

 

[Bear Necessities]

Welcome back Dandave!!!!! So glad you all had such a great time. Cant wait to read your reports and tidbits about WL. So your sisters really loved it huh????

 

[Gorechick]

Hi all! Just back from my honeymoon at WL! If you have any questions, I will be happy to try and answer them.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Well we want to hear all about it. Well you know what I mean!

Do the rooms have hairdryers or coffee makers?

Where was your room?

Was it crowded?

 

[dandave]

Hi Kaycee and Bear Necessities! Yes, they absolutely loved the WL! I did, too. It is now only my second favorite behind AKL. That's probably not a very fair comparison, though, since I stayed concierge level at the AKL. It was just beautiful and almost all the CM's were fantastic. The only grumpy CM we encountered was working at the cash register at Roaring Forks. She was sour to the point that we couldn't help laughing about it... Everyone else was very helpful and friendly. The beds here, we all agreed, are some of the most comfy we have ever slept on. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat!
We had absolutely no problems with the boat or busses. We never waited more than around 10 minutes for a bus. It didn't rain a drop on us, the longest we waited to ride anything was 10 minutes, and we all got along really well.
Day 1 is on the Trip Reports Board, and Kaycee I posted about my turnpike experience on the Transportation Board.

 

[purdue92]

gosh i can't believe that i will be at the WL in almost 2 months. i have been reading everyone's reports and am so excited to go!

thanks kimmar for starting this thread! it has been so helpful!

 

[purdue92]

i have only read a few postings of those who have used concierge and was wondering what everyone thinks the pros and cons are.

 

[Denmage]

Hi Everyone!

We are staying at the VWL in December. We have never stayed there before (we joined DVC about a year ago). Our DD3 will be celebrating her 3rd birthday, her first Christmas in America (we just adopted her from Russia), and her first time to Walt Disney World and we wanted to make it an extra special trip.

Are there any 1 bedroom villas that have an open balcony and a view of the Magic Kingdom?

Thanks for your help and for putting together such wonderful information.

Denis

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[dandave]

FeeFeeWhite, Hi! Our room had a very good hair dryer, but no coffee pot. I probably could have requested one, but I just brought along my little one cup pot. My sisters don't drink coffee, so this small one was perfect for me.

Day 2 of our trip is up!

 

[dandave]

A few more WL tidbits, while they are fresh in my mind:

Room service pizza is extremely good! It's right up there with AS Music pizza (I've had) and AS Movies pizza (Gina has had). We loved the AS pizza, and this one was just as good! The only thing is that you cannot pick it up. It has to come via room service with the extra 18% and $3 service charge tacked on. Trust me. Gina asked and even called the front desk. We are very frugal, and she hated the idea of me having to pay for the extras of having it delivered. What a sweetie! The pizza was worth every penny, however.

The lifeguards left the pools at around 10p.m., but you could still swim after that. We went out on our last night after 10p.m., and the main pool and hottub were quite crowded. We went over to the quiet pool and hottub, and found them fairly empty.

The sticky buns at Roaring Forks are fabulous, if heated in the microwave a little!

The walls are rather thin at the WL. Be kind to your neighbors when in the halls and coming in extremely late at night.

Remember, there is no bus directly to the MK! I had to help several different families with this at the bus stop. Take the boat to MK or the bus to TTC, then monorail to MK.

Sit in the very front of the boat rather than inside the boat, if you can. It's very cool and breezy out there.

After e-ride night, catch a monorail to TTC. The bus to WL will pick you up there.

That's it for now!

 

[the Legend]

I was wondering if anyone can clear up the mystery that is charging to your room key.

There are many threads and messages on the subject but none seem convincing or are varied.

We are four weeks away from our first stay at the WL (yeah!). My Brother and I will be asking for an upgrade from Courtyard to Concierge if the price is right ($30 was mentioned in earlier threads) but I am not keen on having a $1500 hold placed on my card for room charging privileges.

Based on what Ive read so far, can anyone verify especially in relation to WL. Some statements are conflicting by design but reflect what I have read in other threads:

1. If room charging is requested, a $1500 hold is placed on your card but not charged until it is exceeded or you check out. However the $1500 is unusuable in the interim.

1. If room charging is requested, a $1500 line of credit is opened, your card is verified for the amount but no hold is placed on that amount. Like above, You are not charged until it is exceeded or you check out. However the $1500 is usuable in the interim.

3. You can ask for automatic rollover (when $1500 exceeded it is charged and another $1500 is placed on hold)

4. You can ask for no automatic rollover (when $1500 exceeded it is charged and card holder must authorised another $1500 hold)

5. You can request smaller blocks. Value resorts have $500, moderates $1000 and deluxes $1500 by default.

6. You can use alternate means to pre-pay for your room charging such as cash, travellers cheque or use bank cards.

With our multi-resort vacation (WL, AKL, RPR and the Grand Californian) and the value of the exchange rate, I can see my New Zealand-based credit card drying up real quick. I am looking to maybe $750-$1000 in travellers cheques up for charging with no rollover. I am assure that this is possible on request. Can anyone help me with this dilemma?

 

[Nickimouse]

Denmage, congratulations on the adoption of your daughter! What a special way to celebrate her birthday! The VWL are on the south side of the WL so you won't be able to have a view of the MK (which is on the north side) .But, you can take a short walk to the lagoon at about 9:35 and see the Electric Water Parade. I bet she would love it! Enjoy your trip!

 

[aring75]

Just a few more days to go and I made my big trip to WalMart last night for all the "essentials." I'm just about going crazy trying to remember everything. I told my husband if there's anything we forgot, we'll just have to get it while we're there! (I'm not going back to the store. It's absolutely nuts with back-to-school shoppers! - LOL!)

I was really pleased to hear you say the beds were comfy, dandave! DH will be happy too. That's one thing we were wondering about.

Well, kimmar, I've been here since your first post and now it's almost my turn to go. I can hardly believe it! I've already got my notepad so I can write down everything for a detailed trip report!!

My heart goes out to 999ghsts, and my prayers are with her. I continue to hope that she and her family are doing well.

Still haven't found lime green ribbon! I think I'm going to have to use curling ribbon and tie it on my backpack. Maybe that wil work . . .



After all this planning, I think I've pulled most of my hair out!! And what's left is getting grayer by the minute!! I really need to be in WDW!!!!

 

[faeflora]

I am in the big time WL planning mode for our December Christmas Trip so I was wondering if anyone knows if the Ladybug Release still happens at WL and if so what day etc......
Thanks
faeflora

 

[kimmar067]

Been off the "DIS" for a few days; boy, did I have alot of reading to do!!! First of all, our my hopes are that our resident "fairy godmother", 999ghsts and her family is doing well, and all are safe and healthy. Yes, aring75, remember when we almost couldn't get anyone to post here???!?!?! Now looks how its grown over the last few months!! And, yes, those beds WERE comfy!!

Dandave, so super to read that WL was everything you'd hoped it to be. Now, you too, are a "WL expert", so when you return in October, you can "show off" to the rest of your DFamily!!

Denmage, best wishes on the "newest" addition to your family. Sounds like a family filled with lots of love (my neighbors adopted a little boy -he's now 3-1/2- when he was about 5 months old and they flew 21 hours clear across the world [Russia] to get him!!) By all means, for a little bit of "quality quiet time" take your daughter to the Cub's Den during the afternoon. You will both love it!!

FeeFeeWhite, there ARE hairdryers in each room, but no coffeemakers (these can be requested, though). I found it easier to purchase the $9.99 WL mugs and go downstairs to Roaring Forks for a quick cup ' joe!! BTW, the elevator service is EXTREMELY fast! I don't think I ever waited more than 1 minute for an elevator (and I used them quite often).

Gorechick, welcome back, and CONGRATS on your wedding!! May your marriage be filled with Pixie Dust wishes and Disney dreams!

the Legend ~~
Unfortunately, probably a CM has to answer your question; I am not familiar with the charging policies (so sorry! ) I suggest calling CRO (or WL directly)

Purdue92, I'm sure you must be very excited about your upcoming trip!! As far as concierge goes, it depends upon how much it costs per day to upgrade, and whether you and your family really LOVE the assortment of snacks provided (or even if you are a family who likes to munch on snacks throughout the day). If you plan on doing the parks "commando style" and will be spending, basically, the entire day at a park, then it's probably not worth it. However, if you tend to leave the parks around 12:30/1PM to return to your resort to enjoy that, then I'd say, go for it! The assortment of breakfast items that you can enjoy will probably cost about the same as getting a quick bite to eat first thing in the AM at Roaring Forks. (if you DO decide on conceirge, don't bother getting the mugs!)

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Glad to hear about the hairdryers. BUT Wonderful to hear about the great coffee there. We are going to try for a room near RF and the otter pond. I will definitely get me a mug for coffee. Thanks again to everyone. I will be a WL vet by this time next month.

 

[Denmage]

Thank you to everyone for your great tips and kind comments. This discussion has been extremely helpful. I am sure our vacation this year will be extra special because of the help and advise we have received here.

Denis

 

[Mom2Em]

where can I find the names of the songs that play at the resort?

 

[Kaycee]

Ooh ooh ooh...I know this one! Woo hoo!

Oh, yeah, I guess you want the answer, right? Sorry, I was just so excited to be able to answer a WL question.

Go to Deb Wills' site www.wdwig.com and look under resort faq's for WL. She has a listing of all the WL background music.

Kaycee