NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[Blondie]

Kimmar, I still am I die hard Swan/Dolphin fan, and we were originally booked to stay at the Swan...but our dates got changed, and the Swan could only accommodate us for 2 of the 6 nights we needed. Bummer because we love the Epcot resort area.

Anyway, we are all set to try something different this time, and I'm sure we won't be disappointed!

 

[jwfla422]

Hi Blondie
One S/D fan to another...you will enjoy the WL very much, it is very different than the EPCOT area. We stayed this past August at the WL and had a wonderful time. Make sure to take advantage of the fun things there are to do at the FW campground area and all around the MK resorts.

Sometimes you feel like you're a little isolated at the WL when your used to the EPCOT resorts because WL is by itself. Take the boat to CR and take advantage of what the MK resorts have to offer. Also, keep in mind you can rent bikes at WL and then ride them through the campground. We found that a lot of fun when dh and I went a few years ago (it was a little tough to do that with my 4 yr old dd this past trip)-you're 13 yr old may enjoy that and wish him a happy birthday! ENJOY!

 

[Blondie]

Jwfla422 thanks for the tip about the bike rental! We always have one "resort day" where we just hang around the pool/resort area and skip the park hopping. I think a bike ride would be fun....but I haven't been on a bike in years! Could prove interesting!! I'm just hoping it's not too too cool while we are there! I've been checking the weather daily!

 

[Elk34]

I've been reading this post for days and my head is tired.

Help please.

1.) I will be taking my family to the Wilderness Lodge and DisneyWorld for the first time ever this Spring Break (March8-16). Can someone help me with a room choice so that I can fax my equest 4 days ahead of time. I have a reservation for a Courtyard view. I have a 7 and a 4 year old daughter ( she turns 4 on the trip) and therefore we would like the bunk beds. Both girls and my wife are asthmatic so it must be a non-smoking room and preferably on a non-smoking floor. And, it is really important that we have a good view of the pool, stream, lake etc. A secondary thing that would be nice would be if we were close to the cafe where you get drinks as I plan on buying the refillable drink cups. I have heard that noise is a concern with some rooms but that is not much of a concern for me. We all sleep pretty heavy and I always travel with earplugs. I also think it would be kind of neat to look down into the lobby from the hall.

Any ideas of a specific room or a range of rooms that would be best. Someone mentioned 5071 but I don't know if it has bunk beds and I think that the 5th floor is the smoking flooreven if that isn't a smoking room. Would 4071 be the same location and view etc but on a no smoking floor?

2.) Tipping: I have heard great things about the housekeepers with towel animals etc. How much do you usually tip them?

We are set up to take a Tiffany Towncar to and from the airport. What would you tip the driver for that. I understand to tip each way since you might not get the same driver on the way back.

Thanks to any veterans for help.

 

[DisneyFan79]

Elk34,
When you are faxing your room request, be sure to put the most important request first. If they can't fill all your request they will usually do at least the first. I am assuming that the non smoking room would be first for you, so I would even throw in they reason why you need to non smoking room. The others will be hit or miss according to the occupance of the lodge. Hope this helps!! I would hate to get down there asking for a Great view room, but couldn't be accomodated by a non smoking room. Enjoy

 

[vbfamily]

It sounds like non-smoking is pretty important to you so request that first.

We had a courtyard view 2151 (actually on the lobby floor) and could see everything-sometimes the water parade was obscured by a tree.

If you want to be near the snack bar maybe request something one floor higher than we had but in the north wing.

It wasn't much of a walk for us to Roaring Fork-because we just went out the door and cut across the courtyard to where the RF is.

I think the 5th floor is smoking-one of the CM's said it was when we were there.

They do have rooms with bunks-you can also put this in your request-decide what request is most important and go from there.

We were there in October with our 3 and 6 yr olds and they had a wonderful time.

Don't forget to mention that it is your child's birthday when you check in-I would even add it to your reservation and also mention it at check in-you may get a little gift or something.

Finally, it never hurts to ask if there are any upgrades when you check in. I don't know how often they do that during the busy months but I would still ask.

We didn' tip the housekeepers when we were there-didn't know we were supposed to-I have since learned otherwise from these boards-I think $1 per person per day is normal. If they are not good and you have problems then I wouldn't tip at all.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[browdl]

Can anyone out there help me with best location / selection for a 2BR villa at WL? I have reserved one with requested "woods view" for next month, but am 1st time visitor, so really don't know what's best. Would love quiet with a view to MK, but don't even know if that's possible. Any input is appreciated. Is "999ghsts" still out there offering help?

Thanks, and can't wait!!!

 

[vbfamily]

You can't see MK from the Villas-at least as far as I know.

I would guess that you would probably be happy with a pool view-the woods view isn't bad from what we saw-I think some of the woods views overlook the area that you walk through to get to the main lodge and bus area.

I'm sure someone can help you more. If we stayed in a Villa, I think we would request a pool view or a villa near the little beach area/walkway to the main lodge courtyard and boat.

I think the main floor rooms have patios and I thought I read on these boards that not all rooms have balconies.

 

[ufalum]

I'm so excited, we will back at WL in a couple of weeks! I convinced my in-laws that it is worth it to stay at WL, instead of PO-FQ. (Of course, I had already made the WL reservations the day that we left there in Dec!)

Does anyone know if there is a microwave that can be used for popping popcorn? I know that there is one in Roaring Forks, but didn't know if you had to buy something there to use it. I just thought it would be a good snack to bring from home.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

First I have to say, ufalum, wow moving to Japan! So cool I hope to visit Japan one day

Does 999ghosts work @ WL? And can I still ask 999 questions?

Here goes:

I'm hoping to stay at WL in Aug. I also hope to use an AP code. Is it possible to use AP codes for Jr. Suites? Where exactly are the Jr. Suites located?

Also, If I call CRO now and reserve Jr. Suites then call back and change it when code comes out would that work? (We have a back up ressie @ CSR in case no code comes out for our stay)

 

[ufalum]

I noticed that there were some questions about WL on the first page and knew that this thread will help them.

 

[NJFabFour]

This board is such an overwhelming, yet informative, adventure! I would love to be able to stay on the MK side and possibly see fireworks at night and am looking to book a standard room. Are there standards available with a good view of the MK? Should I ask for one on the 6th floor? If I want to avoid the beeping of the loading trucks, should I stay closer to the lobby and how does that affect the view? Any suggestions are TERRIBLY appreciated!

P.S. I love the idea of the towel animals, but don't like the idea of buying more stuffed animals to our already much-too-large collection!! Do the stuffed animals increase your chances of getting the towel animals??



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[kimmar067]

...anyone can use the microwave in the RF dining area as long as they are a guest at WL.....happy popping!

 

[shafke]

Originally posted by ufalum


Does anyone know if there is a microwave that can be used for popping popcorn? I know that there is one in Roaring Forks, but didn't know if you had to buy something there to use it. I just thought it would be a good snack to bring from home.

When we were there last Oct. we were able to user the microwaves at Roaring Forks to warm milk for DS at bedtime without trouble so you should probably be able to use them for popcorn.

 

[Lou-Ann]

We have never had children or stuffed animals with us and have always come back to find towel animals on the bed.

 

[cmmam]

bump

 

[Ratpack]

Had a 8 night stay at WL for July and just found out that they are closing our plant in June and I will be laid off. Had to cancel the trip.

 

[cmmam]

Oh Ratpack, I am so sorry!! Everything will work out.

You will get to go, have faith and stay strong!

 

[kimmar067]

...so sorry to hear about your bad news....perhaps you may find a better job that the one you had (although it probably doesn't seem like it now! ) and things have a way of working out for the better! I'll send some PIXIE DUST * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * your way filled with good wishes that things hopefully get better and sunny skies are heading your way!!!

 

[Ratpack]

Thanks Kimmar and cmmam,
I truly believe things will only get better. Notice I did not remove my countdown. I am still hoping a job will turn up and we can still go.

Of course I am applying to jobs in WDW. Wouldn't that be nice to be able to be in the magic everyday!!