NEW Wilderness Lodge FAQ!!

[askmickey]

Hi All...
I must stress this point when making reservations.....
PLEASE...If you want non-smoking..please say it at the time you make your reservation...even though it is not guaranteed, it does make a big difference when the room assigner has to make a choice of who gets what room....
The Flag Family is expected to meet in the Lobby at 8:15, 8:30...you can only sign up at check in....
I hope I helped........

 

[dream trip]

Originally posted by askmickey
Hi All...
I must stress this point when making reservations.....
PLEASE...If you want non-smoking..please say it at the time you make your reservation...even though it is not guaranteed, it does make a big difference when the room assigner has to make a choice of who gets what room....
The Flag Family is expected to meet in the Lobby at 8:15, 8:30...you can only sign up at check in....
I hope I helped........

Hi Askmickey, I would really like for our family to be choosen for the flag family(along with every one else in the place!!) Does the hotel choose the family based on special information or is it totally random. Also, I will be putting in my room request in a few days, can I ask for a specific room number or should I just give my general preferences? We are so excited, this is our first trip to WDW and this thread has been sooooo helpful!!

 

[the Legend]

Originally posted by Bear Necessities
Castaway Cay sounds like so much fun, cant wait, and thanks for the info , glad to know that the cameras work great. Would love to see any pics.

Thanks so much!

Hi Bear N, Your wish is my command!

Here are two photos from our 2001 trip to WDW both taken with the disposable waterproof cameras.

This picture is at the bottom of the drop on Kali River Rapids just a moment before the big wave came over and engulfed us all (including me). From the Left is my Mum, my Nieces Nadine and Adair and the gentleman on the right is Professional Tour Guide, Michael Hewell, the Man behind the TourGuideMike Website. We enjoyed his services for 16 days last year. A lot of what I know about WDW and other parks comes from Michael and the things I learned while test driving his web site over Summer.

This was taken by me floating in a Donut around the Lazy Creek at Blizzard Beach. Again, the Twins, Nadine left, Adair right. The Waterproof camera really turned out to be good value as we got many shots in the water, on slides and rafts that you dont see anywhere else.

Buying a waterproof camera gives you an added dimension to your holiday snaps and it would be a must have item for Discovery Cove! Hope this helps ya out!

 

[mivvers]

Yikes! I knew that you got wet on Kali River, but I had no idea you could be completely submerged! I think my 5yo would freak .... that's good to know, I guess we'll skip it.

The photos are great -- thanks for posting!

 

[pattyT]

Ohhh don't be to scared - you don't get submerged on Kali!
I don't want to ruin it for anyone here but - just ask the attendant when you get on the ride which seat and they will steer you to the drier of the seats
Thank Goodness I didn't get nearly as wet as that photo depicts!

 

[peachgirl]

askmickey....

I've been trying to decide what to do about a change in our reservation dates. We were unable to get a flight home for our original checkout date of the 2nd, so I booked a flight leaving on Jan 1st. I had originally intended just to cancel the last night of our stay sometime before the cancellation deadline. However, our flight doesn't leave until 6:40pm on the 1st. We will have been out really late due to New Years Eve and we want to be able to just rest and relax a little on our last day. So, finally, here's the question. What is the latest time WL allows for a late check out, if I can get it at all? And is it possible just to go ahead and keep that last night even though we won't be there after 4pm or so? I realize we'd have to pay for it, and it does seem a little indulgent, but it would be awfully nice not to have to pack up early and not have a room to hang out in for most of the day! Thanks for all your help!

 

[the Legend]

Originally posted by mivvers
Yikes! I knew that you got wet on Kali River, but I had no idea you could be completely submerged! I think my 5yo would freak .... that's good to know, I guess we'll skip it.

The photos are great -- thanks for posting!

Originally posted by pattyT
Ohhh don't be to scared - you don't get submerged on Kali!
I don't want to ruin it for anyone here but - just ask the attendant when you get on the ride which seat and they will steer you to the drier of the seats
Thank Goodness I didn't get nearly as wet as that photo depicts!

As you can see we are wearing Ponchos, which does keep you dry and I totally recommend you wear them if you intend to ride. Because of our timing, we managed to ride three times without getting off and if you intend to do this, Ponchos are a must. The other recommendation I would make is that you take off your socks and shoes because there is nothing worse than walking around in squishy socks all day.

As for dry seats, there is really no such thing unless they load the rafts a specific way. The people who go over the drop with their backs to the drop will be the ones who get soaked and because of the way the raft spins, there is no way to determine who these will be.

Please dont dismiss Kali just because of the photo. It is a great ride and we love doing this mid-morning when they let you ride as much as you like until a line develops. Hope you take the chance to try this out! You wont be disappointed!

 

[Retlaw]

quote

"As you can see we are wearing Ponchos, which does keep you dry and I totally recommend you wear them if you intend to ride. Ponchos are a must."

I heartily agree! The first time we rode, I was the "lucky" one who went over backwards and got drenched! It was so bad, I had to buy a new T-shirt when we got off! (Maybe that's their way to sell more shirts!).

So, in October when we returned, we brought cheap ponchos which we bought for a buck and wore them. They worked great and on the way out, we handed them to another family who was on their way in.

It appears to all depend on the weight distribution of the riders in the "boat". I'm the biggest, so I went over first. On the other hand, I've seen groups not get a drop on them. Go figure.

Cheers......Retlaw >>

 

[Tig-girl]

I also have a late flight home for our trip. 7:30 PM to be exact, and I also hate the thought of checking out at 11:00 AM. If you get any news on "late check out" please let me know! And have a wonderful time!

 

[Tig-girl]

Just bumping this up.

 

[askmickey]

Hi Peachgirl,
In answer to your question about late checkout.......
If available, the front desk cast member can give a guest until 1pm at no charge.....to 3pm at half the room and tax rate....after that a guest must pay for the entire night stay....if you decide to pay for the night, but intend to leave early, you do not need to inform anyone....I know alot of people that pay for the night and leave at 6pm or 7pm....It really is a matter of choice.....As your arrival gets near please let me know...I'll see what I can do....

 

[Poohbearmom]

I'm not sure if I just read this right. I saw something on Deb's website that says if you booked your trip through a travel agent you can't fax any room requests directly to the hotel, but have to go through the TA instead. Is this right?? If I can't fax, can I still request an upgrade at check-in? I am more than willing to whip out the credit card and pay for a courtyard/pool view if one is available. I didn't even know I WANTED a courtyard view until a few days ago, and by that time our doc's were already here. Also, we will be checking in at about 1:30pm on a Thursday, so will it help that we are arriving early in the afternoon?? I'm gonna be totally bummed if I can't fax a request.

 

[helenk]

poohbearmom,
Your TA should be able to do a request for you. When we stayed at the GF, I had gone through a TA (that was right before I found this site). Once I found out that I wanted Bocha Chica with a MK view I called the TA and asked her to put in the request. When we got to the GF, we got exactly what we had requested.
So call your TA and ask if they will put in the request.

 

[peachgirl]

askmickey....Thanks for the information. The 3pm check out sounds great, but I know how busy DW is at that time of year. I'll check back with you when we get a little closer to our arrival. Thanks again, your input is a huge help!

 

[Mom2DS]

If MK is opening at 9am, what time do the boats start leaving from WL? Thanks for the wealth of info you guys provide!!

Dawn

 

[askmickey]

Hi....The boat to The Magic Kingdom starts 30 minutes prior to park opening and stops 30 minutes after the park closes...

You can fax the resort directly, there is no need to go through your travel agent, unless you want to...It has been my experience that the requests you make through a travel agent doesn't always filter down to the resort... I have heard the saying
"but, I told that to my travel agent"...many times.....

Have a Magical Day

 

[Poohbearmom]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!! You just made my day! I can't wait to get there!

 

[Bear Necessities]

Originally posted by the Legend
[The Waterproof camera really turned out to be good value as we got many shots in the water, on slides and rafts that you dont see anywhere else.

Buying a waterproof camera gives you an added dimension to your holiday snaps and it would be a must have item for Discovery Cove! Hope this helps ya out! [/B]

Legend,

Thank you so much !! YOur pictures are great!! I only hope mine turn out like that, they look like you all were having such a wonderful time, and of course you were, you were in Disney world!!. Ill bet the water felt soooo cool. Thank you for sharing your pictures, just reinforcing my plans again! I just cant wait!!

 

[Disneymooners]

We are going to be at the WL on our Honeymoon Dec11-18th and have a courtyard view..

I would really like to be able to see the geyser and water parade from our balcony and have been pouring over these threads for the last two months..

I am going to send a fax a few days before I leave and would really love your input on room/location request.

Does this sound like I'm in the general area: South wing end, inner courtyard, 3rd or 4th floor??

I know it might be difficult to get what we want but it doesn't hurt to try

This is our first trip ever (we are from California) to Florida/WDW and the WL and we are soooooooooo excited!!!

thanks for your help....

Disneymooners...

 

[Mom2DS]

Thanks Askmickey!! You make our trips so much easier to plan!