NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[Mom2Em]

Candlelady~
Yes, 999ghsts is now going by HumphreytheBear!

 

[dwddad]

We were at WL 9/19-9/25. We had a wonderful time. Whispering Canyon was great for dinner. We didn't have any plans to eat there, and we are so glad we did it. Our reservations indicated that we wanted connecting rooms, which was incorrect (travel agent mistake). Upon check in we said we didn't want connecting rooms, just two rooms in the same general vicinity. We were so fortunate. We got two rooms on the 4th floor overlooking the main pool. It was excellent. Roaring Forks counter service was great. We hung out in the lobby and the 4th floor nooks and played games, watched the light parade from our balconies and other viewing areas, went swimming every day, and, in general, had a great time.

2 complaints.

Transportation was not a problem. All of the busses and boats arrived at least as regularly as they have for us at each other moderate resort we have stayed at. The only exception was returning from MK after the fireworks. Since the fireworks are only once a week this time of year, the park was packed, and only 1 boat was taking guests from MK to WL and FW. It was ridiculous. We waited in line for around 1.25 hours. There was no reason for this.

The rain gutters at WL are pathetic. Most of the elbows are rusted through, and the water just comes off the huge roof and pours straight down, getting many balconies wet, and causing a problem with most of the door areas in the lodge. Each time it rained, staff had to put towels and wet floor areas around doors on the lobby level due to the poor drainage system. Suprisingly Un-Disney.

We only went to parks 1 day during our stay. We found there was much to do at WL. The quiet pool at the Villas was also great. It was deserted, and the kids loved the bubble jets made to appear like bubbling springs.

Overall, we are not at all sorry that we chose WL. Previous visits have included CB and POFQ. We like trying new resorts all the time, and will probably pick another one next time. But no regrets, WL was great.

 

[LoveMickey]

Good monring

dwdda's trip sounds wonderful The lodge is just beautiful isnt' it. I cannot wait to go back.

If anyone ever has a chance to visit during the holiday season, be sure to. It's so magical.

I have a concern, maybe Humphrey or kimmar can help.

The concern is with dwddad's comment about the wait after the fireworks at MK.

We were there in April/May and did experience the same issue. I had hoped before another return trip that this issue would have been resolved.

Does anyone know if Disney is looking into this opportunity for improvement, or is there a name and address of someone who can be contacted.

I don't like to complain, but in reading some of the posts, this has been continuing for six months.

I love the Spectro parade and I do want to see it, but the only way back to WL is via the boats.

Remember the magic!

 

[aring75]

LoveMickey - DH and I decided not to wait in that line. CM standing at the back of the line said we'd probably wait an hour and a half! We took the monorail to EPCOT and rode a bus to WL. This took about 45 minutes. Might not seem that great, but at least we were moving the whole time, and it's better than 90 minutes! Just one option. Is there a bus to WL that runs from TTC? That might even be faster.

 

[Ratpack]

Yes, there is a bus or buses running from TTC to WL. DW and I took the route of monorail to TTC and bus to WL on our last night there since we stayed in MK until after the boats had stopped running all together. The boats are more direct, but if there was much of a line, I would take this route.

 

[cheriesam]

We leave in a few days too! Getting excited!
If we left MK on monorail to Contemporary to take a boat to WL, would there be access, or is it on the route from MK, whose boats would already be full? Thanks for any input!

 

[dwddad]

Fireworks suggestions.

Last year we watched the fireworks from the Poly beach. This was by far one of the best experiences we have ever had. Our kids played in the sand for a while, and my wife and I relaxed on a swing on the beach. We got to watch the castle turn colors while we waited. After the fireworks, which look extra spectacular from the Poly, glittering over the water, we were only a short walk from the TTC to catch a bus back to POFQ.

If in MK for fireworks or the parade, when leaving take monorail to Contemporary (or walk). Go the Contemporary boat dock and catch an extremely uncrowded boat to WL. We would have done this if we knew they only run one boat from MK to WL after fireworks. By the time we saw this problem, we were already in the middle of the very crowded line, with 2 small children, and decided to just wait it out.

 

[kimmar067]

...with Ratpack; we had dinner at Cindy's castle on our last night at WDW and meandered through the stores on Main Street for almost an hour. Much to our dismay we had missed the last boat to WL, so we hopped the monorail to the TTC and caught a bus to WL from there!!

 

[kimmar067]

....this link may help you!

www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/wildlodge.jpg

here's another:

www.wdwig.com/map_wl.jpg

 

[LoveMickey]

Thank you all for your alternate suggestions. I guess we'll play it by ear and see how it goes.

 

[the Legend]

Originally posted by dwddad
We were at WL 9/19-9/25. We had a wonderful time.

2 complaints.

Transportation was not a problem. All of the busses and boats arrived at least as regularly as they have for us at each other moderate resort we have stayed at. The only exception was returning from MK after the fireworks. Since the fireworks are only once a week this time of year, the park was packed, and only 1 boat was taking guests from MK to WL and FW. It was ridiculous. We waited in line for around 1.25 hours. There was no reason for this.

Agreed. You were there the same time as us so there was a good chance we were waiting on the dock that same hot and humid night. My heart goes out to those poor kids who had to endure that wait. What I thought was more ridiculous was a person with the loud hailer telling people that this was the FW/WL dock and still ignoring her thinking they could get to the TTC somehow. It also amazed me the number of people who cannot or choose not to read the sign which clearly states that this was the FW/WL dock.
There was no real excuse for what happened. Lets hope somebody does something about it!

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by cheriesam
We leave in a few days too! Getting excited!
If we left MK on monorail to Contemporary to take a boat to WL, would there be access, or is it on the route from MK, whose boats would already be full? Thanks for any input!

The boat that runs between the Contemporary and WL only does that route. It does not go to MK, it just runs between the 2 hotels so you should have no problem getting on that one

 

[Ratpack]

The boats can actually change their route if needed. We were there in July and had a WL-CR boat pick us up at WL and take us directly to MK since that is where the group wanted to go and no one else was waiting.

 

[Ratpack]

Humphreythe bear,

Is there a room in WL that will accomidate 4 adults, 1 child and 1 infant?

 

[AspiringCindy]

Yes! The junior suites(deluxe suite) can accomodate up to 6 guests. I believe there is even a barrier that separates 4 people from the other 2.

 

[pattyT]

Getting ready to go here!

DH had to 'unpack his suitcase' to find clean undies this am - seems I packed a little too soon! and he is to lazy to go get clean laundry out of the dryer!

I just want to THANK YOU all for all of your help!
I had originally booked through TA and you guys got me tremedous savings and I upgraded!

Special thanks to Humphrey the bear (aka 999ghst), Kimmar, and Askmickey!

Only problem now is that you all have my expectations SO high I hope WL meets them and I am sure that it will!

 

[aring75]

Hope you have a great trip pattyT!! Can't wait to hear about it!!

 

[dreaming]

have a wonderful time pattyT - you are going to love the lodge! Remember to post when you get back with all the great details!

 

[LoveMickey]

pattyT

Have a great time at the Lodge and at the World.

You will definitely fall in love with the Lodge.

 

[Ratpack]

Patty T,
I feel certain WL will not disappoint!