NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[kimmar067]

)...we will be leaving WL Aug 4 and should be arriving back in NJ by Aug 5 (driving straight thru ~ we have 4 drivers !) So, I will definitely post my observations re: the transportation. My outlook on WDW transportation vs. a car is this: after driving for 19+ hours, who the he** wants to drive ANYWHERE???!?!?! Besides, that's why I am paying good money to stay ON-SITE rather than $40/nite at a Sheraton (or any other chain, for that matter! Don't quote me on the price; I just threw that figure out for comparison purposes... I also like the idea of the buses pulling RIGHT UP IN FRONT (call me a snob, but it's like saying to the non-Disney guests, "na-na-na-na-na-nahhhhh!! You have to find your caaaarrrr, then you have to cool it, then you have to beat the traf-fffic, blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah!!!! See ya - eat my dust!!!) Anyhoo, for the part of our vacation when we will be staying at WL (the 1st half of our trip will be spent at CBR), there will be 20 of us, and, even though we have a conversion van, I don't want anyone thinking, "Wow! Twenty people getting out of that thing. Are they part of Cirque d' Soleil?"

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

Just Back From 5 fabulous nights and six magnificent days!

Wilderness Lodge was everything I had hoped for and more! We have stayed at most of the other deluxes and I have to say Wilderness Lodge is at the top of my list. Thanks to everyone on this board for all of the useful information.

Weather: All the rain has kept the temperature about 10 degrees cooler than usual (that's what a CM told us). Only used the mister fan one day. It was usually nice and sunny until about 1:00 or 3:00, then it rained for an hour or two and stopped. We had one day with no rain! YOO HOO!

Room: We were offered an upgrade to concierge for $35.00 a night. However, the room we were initially assigned was exactly what I requested, so this made the decision very difficult. I wanted to see our room (#4159)before deciding to upgrade. Well it has a fabulous view! It was perfect. My DH however thought it would be silly not to upgrade. He suggested that I ask to see which concierge room I would be in before deciding to switch. The CM, Roxie, was very helpful and actually showed us two different concierge rooms. We chose the one right next to the Yellowstone Suite. Room #7129. It had a breathtaking view looking out toward the courtyard and lake. Concierge was definitely worth upgrading to! We could see the fireworks from the MK explode above the lodge or we walked down the hall to the other wing, opened the shutters and could see the castle and fireworks perfectly. The snacks were great. We had all the soft drinks and water bottles we wanted, and I loved eating breakfast while gazing down at the lobby.

Transportation: We had a car, but used Disney transportation a lot. It worked smoothly for us. Almost every time we walked down the dock a boat was just approaching. When we went to the MK our boat went directly there each time except once. Returning from the MK we usually stopped at Fort Wilderness first. Once we went directly from MK to Lodge. The ride was relaxing. In the morning we were on the boat at 8:30 and arrived at 8:40.

I celebrated my birthday while I was there. At the beginning of our stay, I received a beautiful cake with candles. On my actual birthday, I received a fabulous balloon bouquet with totem pole chocolates. All from the staff at the Wilderness Lodge.

My 12 year old daughter loved the Wilderness Lodge (It's #2 on her list of 5). My husband places it #1.

I'll be glad to answer any questions. I envy those of you who still have the anticipation and excitement of preparing.

 

[woody5]

WLD

The room that you mentioned with the lobby/fireworks view was it a standard room or something other. I assume it is a standard view since you overlooked the service area. Was the beeping loud at night? I don't mind the view but don't want to be woke up due to trucks beeping on vacation.

 

[dreamflight99]

I love READING all the great posts on this thread (Otters...did someone write otters?! I never saw these on our stay...hmmm) the varying views and banter! Have a great trip Pluto14...and you too Kimmar! I'm leaving next Friday for the 6 week (43 day TRIP!) around the world (practically!). We Fly Delta FC non-stop...to MCO. We pick up a navigator/expedition & head to the Peabody Club level suite for ONE eve (all for DD, as she Adores DUCKS!). We then check-in to the Portofino B.H. in a 2-room suite for three eves (and the FOTLA @ U.S.). then, it's over to Disney's VERO BEACH for a 4 eve stay in a 1BR Villa. Off we go next to Cape Canaveral for a 7-night Western CC on the Magic! We reserved a cat. 5 w/private verandah (& booked excursions at each stop including:swimming w/dolphins in Cozumel, Stingrays & Hell in Grand Cayman, Teen fury Cat too, Wild side in CC, and the train/trolly in Key West!) Finally...we p/u a truck again & drive to the WDW Dolphin for 26 eves in a 2-room exec. suite! YEA! This year we also have to buy new Prem. AP's! It should be FUN...with all the other things we have planned (Emeril's @ U.S., Nascar Cafe, etc.~Shula's @ Dolphin and Cirque DS at WDW, Sea World, etc!). I have not even cracked open a suit case...and I have so much to do! (CAN you tell I'm excited?!?) I'll have to plan some time at WL in the Villas for our next trip. All these posts make me want to stay there again. We will visit Artist's point (LOVE IT)...and possibly the whispering canyon cafe (is it worth a trip?).
I wish you all the BEST SUMMER, and to all of you traveling to WDW...SAFE & HAPPY MAGICAL TRIPS! Always, DF99 (From The Dolphin thread...stop by anytime!)

 

[wld]

Woody5

I never noticed the beeping at night and only maybe 3-4 times our entire stay maybe around 8-9am and in late afternoon. I didn't find it obtrusive and probably wouldn't have noticed it if others hadn't posted about it before.

We could see the service area because the trees had grown so tall. Straight out from our balcony lots of branches, but looking down you could see the area quite clearly as the branches were much less numerous do to the height of the trees.

As I said before though I loved this room, end of the hall, lobby and fireworks view!!!

 

[kimmar067]

...for joining us in our neck o' the woods (no pun intended! ) Hooboy, you aren't even STARTED on your packing??!?!?!? You sure love to live on the EDGE!!!! (BTW - I started packing today~ 1st item: a lg box of NJ salt water taffy for the CM's!! ) I can't believe that we will be at WDW during the same time (will you be the one with the smashed Oreo mustache above your upper lip? -lol-) We will be the deranged group of "tourists" a`la Brazil-style (remember: there will be 20 of us!!! Maybe I should invest in one of those flags w/matching t-shirts like the Braz****** do!

Anyways, I was just "surfing" the Disboards for pics of CBR, WL, and the parks to help get me in the Dis-mood (yeah, like I NEED help with that!! )

To all you DIS'ers who will be visiting WDW in the near future: have a safe, healthy, and memorable vacation, and here's to hoping all your Dis-wishes COME TRUE....!!

 

[boudreaux0]

What times do the boats run to MK, Contempo, etc.?
I have to be to the MK early one morning for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and was wondering if I would have to catch a bus to the TTC.

Thank You!

 

[kimmar067]

...now that I've directed boudreaux0 to this thread, I'm sure you won't have any trouble answering his/her (?) post...thanks again, 999 !!!

countdown to WDW:
19 days - 7 hours - 3 minutes - Woohoo!!

 

[kimmar067]

...999!!

 

[dreamflight99]

To THANK YOU KIMMAR for the warm reply and magical wishes! (OH SWAMI of WL!) Yes...I SHOULD start the packing...as the items are mostly all acquired and waiting in a large BOX (Including the SSS Bath Oil for the NO-SEEUMS & MOSQUITOES & special gifts for the CM's too!) "LA TOURISMO ALA KIMMER STYLE!" I will be looking for you...a wild group of 20, wearing **"I'M WITH KIMMAR"** shirts & holding the DISer FLAGS! (Yes, I may have residue from OREO'S or a MM CREAM BAR on my UPPER LIP! I'm VERY TALL (5'10", with LONG DARK HAIR~Always SMILING!...So stop every woman you see fitting this descrip and ask, ARE YOU DF99?) LOL...ROTFL! Thanks again, for being such a FUN & DEAR DISer Friend! Take care...Safe travels & magical memories! DF99

 

[kimmar067]

...on your countdown thingie ~~ that is so KEWL!!!


999 -
can you tell me if the "Florida rains" have let up yet?
(PS - How is "hurricane season" in Orlando?)

 

[lucki4]

How wonderful to get back from a long weekend and read up about more WL trips
I am so glad that transportation issues don't seem to be a big problem anymore

 

[kimmar067]

...I think that we will just miss each other (aren't you checking out 8/30?) My DS(ister) and her family will be there, though. She'll be the one with her three ADORABLE DD's (I'm not too prejudiced!!! )

Hope you and yours have a FANTASIC (and safe) vacation!!!!


Countdown to WDW:
17 days - 16 hours - 36 minutes - HAPPY DANCE!!!

 

[Chance's Mom]

Hi guys!

I have a question for 999ghosts-

I called in my final payment today for my August visit (somehow got plugged into DTC instead of CRO -oh well, the room will be paid for before the trip-not a bad thing! )

I asked the CM to put in a request for my standard room to be on the fourth floor, over the front desk. She said, "You can't have a lodge view, you only paid for a standard view."

I said, "I'm pretty sure there are standard rooms in this location, could you please put this down as a request?"

She said, "I have never heard of this before."

My question- Did I word this right? Hope so! We don't really care about looking out at the roof-we just want to avoid beeping trucks and the smokehouse smell. It also doesn't matter if the balcony is enclosed or not.

Just wondering if I should have worded this another way.
Thanks!

I am seeing all of these countdown clocks in the teens now--how exciting for everyone leaving in the next 2 weeks. Can't wait to hear your trip reports.

 

[Chance's Mom]

Thanks a million 999ghosts!

I've got my fax ready to go

I'm really getting excited about our trip! I feel very encouraged about transportation, too. On www.wdwig.com, she even has the lodge transportation listed in her updates this week! very positive comments on this site, too.

Can't wait to get to Florida!

 

[Wenlitz]

I noticed that someone recently was upgraded to concierge level. The fee they were charged was $35.00. Is this the standard charge?? Does this very?? What do you get for this amt? If your not offered and ask for this is the upgrade cost $35.00??
Thanks for all of your help.

 

[kimmar067]

...I am trying to get an answer for you (I am kinda curious also!) so just be patient....

 

[lucki4]

Originally posted by kimmar067
...I think that we will just miss each other (aren't you checking out 8/30?) My DS(ister) and her family will be there, though. She'll be the one with her three ADORABLE DD's (I'm not too prejudiced!!! )

Hope you and yours have a FANTASIC (and safe) vacation!!!!


Countdown to WDW:
17 days - 16 hours - 36 minutes - HAPPY DANCE!!!

We are checking out 7/30, though a month long stay sounds nice

 

[Chance's Mom]

Have you all seen the pics at this site:

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/resCC/costCalc.asp?pageFunction=researcher&resId=WL

WOW- 78 of them. Even shows the shower and sink!

 

[Wenlitz]

Kimmar,

Thanks I appreciate your help. Trying to figure out if this would be beneficial for breakfast, snacks and drinks!!