Questions re: WL

[Troop o' Goofs]

This is our first post here, so please excuse the noobness. I am planning our children's first visit to WDW. My wife and I went 10 years ago for our honeymoon and we feel we are due a vacation.
I have booked a deluxe room at Wilderness Lodge for Halloween to Nov. 7th 2007 and I have a couple of questions. We have concierge level-- are there MK views available and since I booked is it too late to make an additional request if there are views of MK for the Fireworks?
I have read mixed reviews on concierge services at WL, does anyone have any suggestions to help make this trip as magical as possible?
and any suggestions on helping our 7yr old, 5 yr old and going to turn 2 yr old (during the trip), have fun without me losing more hair?

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
A Troop o' Goofs

 

[Mr. Pig]

Can't give you much info on concierge as we haven't done this at WL yet. As for views there really isn't a MK view at WL. There are woods in between and you can barely make out the Contemporary Resort from WL. You may be able to see fireworks above the trees but not to well. I'm not sure if any rooms that face the MK are concierge.

It's actually never too late to make requests but it's best to do so at least several days before you get there. In any case WL is a great resort in my opinion and I think the kids will like it. As far as seeing a night show you can go down to the beach and see the Electric Water Pageant which is a short show of floats on the water that light up into sea characters. Check with a CM when you check in for times.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

Thanks! I appreciate the reply. I had read a few posts that said there were some views of MK from WL, but I don't know. We enjoyed WL when we stayed 10 years ago (time split between WL and BW), that's mainly why we chose it, also because it is close to MK.

Our trip isn't until Nov. so I will be planning more as we get closer.

Thanks again!

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

This is our first post here, so please excuse the noobness. I am planning our children's first visit to WDW. My wife and I went 10 years ago for our honeymoon and we feel we are due a vacation.
I have booked a deluxe room at Wilderness Lodge for Halloween to Nov. 7th 2007 and I have a couple of questions. We have concierge level-- are there MK views available and since I booked is it too late to make an additional request if there are views of MK for the Fireworks?
I have read mixed reviews on concierge services at WL, does anyone have any suggestions to help make this trip as magical as possible?
and any suggestions on helping our 7yr old, 5 yr old and going to turn 2 yr old (during the trip), have fun without me losing more hair?

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
A Troop o' Goofs

first of all, that made me laugh really hard.
i'm not sure about the concierge level, but i've heard that in the wl the concierge balconies have obstructed views due to the alcoves they're built into.
but some of the standard wl views have great views of the castle. they're available upon request. we had a great view from a standard room.

 

[dogsmom]

We have a deluxe room booked in Dec. From what I understand, the deluxes are at the end of the wings, so you either have woods/lake or courtyard views (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I also don't believe that there are any deluxe rooms on the seventh floor where the enclosed balconies are.

I hope you have been in contact with the WL IPO. They will not only make all your ADR's but can also help with extra magic things, like maybe having some stuffed characters waiting in your room for your children. Another thing to consider maybe the Safari at AK. They take you on a bus with app. 15 other people and you get a much closer look at the animals.

When I contacted the IPO office I also requested a North Wing room on the highest floor available. From reading these boards, I believe that location gives you the best chance of seeing any fireworks at MK.

Good luck on your planning, and let us know how you like your room.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

I appreciate the input everyone is giving. From a former Cast Member (albeit from the Disney Stores) everyone reminds me of the magic Disney infects everyone with.
I will certainly contact WL as we get closer to our departure to ensure that the "Magic" extras will ensure my family has an enjoyable time.
One other item...is there a link to a post regarding the Acronyms everyone is using...I tend to get a little confused with the lingo...IPO...DH...DD..etc...

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[hoosll]

Everybody wants a view of MK but lack of a view is one of my favorite aspects of WL - it is one of the few resorts where you will feel like you are in another world - you cannot see any other resorts or the parks, you will feel like a lodge in the wilderness. THEN you get on a boat and come around the island and see the other resorts and the when you you come into sight of MK it is so special.

Enjoy the water parade, the birds, the geyser, the lobby, the animal tracks in the paths, the wildlife ....

 

[Mickymark]

Actually when I was there two years ago, it wasn't possible to get a "deluxe" room on the concierge level. At the other deluxe resorts you can but (at least 2 years ago) you couldn't.

We had a view of the otter pond and could see the fireworks at night, partially obstructed by some trees.

You may want to look into being the "Flag Family" on one of your days there. Also you can request a list of all of the "hidden Mickeys" that can be found at this resort.

 

[Ellasgirls]

I appreciate the input everyone is giving. From a former Cast Member (albeit from the Disney Stores) everyone reminds me of the magic Disney infects everyone with.
I will certainly contact WL as we get closer to our departure to ensure that the "Magic" extras will ensure my family has an enjoyable time.
One other item...is there a link to a post regarding the Acronyms everyone is using...I tend to get a little confused with the lingo...IPO...DH...DD..etc...

Thanks again for all the input.

Have a great time and my dream is to someday be able to stay at the Wilderness or Boardwalk! We were actually upgraded for our Aug trip from POP to Old Key West so we are very excited. Here is a link for all the lingo....
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

Welcome to the cult.....i mean boards

 

[grannyminnie]

My DGD and I stayed WL concierge in April. It was my first concierge stay and I am hooked, sorry to say...
You will be well cared for if you get the same staff we did.
In particular, Lisa is a gem!
We had a room from which the MK fireworks could be seen (without the music, of course). You could also see the monorails going in and out of the CR.
We saw the elec. water pageant. There are even lots of chairs on the beach so you don't have to stand to watch if you get there early enough. Even tho, as one poster said, it's a short parade, it's still very entertaining for the kids.
Be sure and check to see if your family can be the Flag Family one morning.
Also ask for a list of Hidden Mickeys to search for. "It ain't easy, either!"
Enjoy the resort. It's one of the best, and at a lower price than most of the deluxes.

 

[simonkodousek]

Everybody wants a view of MK but lack of a view is one of my favorite aspects of WL - it is one of the few resorts where you will feel like you are in another world - you cannot see any other resorts or the parks, you will feel like a lodge in the wilderness. THEN you get on a boat and come around the island and see the other resorts and the when you you come into sight of MK it is so special.

Enjoy the water parade, the birds, the geyser, the lobby, the animal tracks in the paths, the wildlife ....

This is also one of my favorite parts about staying at the WL! It is so secluded from the other resorts, but right around the corner is the Magic Kingdom!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Don't try to do it all, you won't and will make your self miserable trying. Plan in a down day if your staying a week or longer by going to a waterpark or hanging at your resort and enjoying the pool then head to DTD for dinner.

The magic for me seems to happen letting my kids be kids and having fun with characters and CM's.

Have you picked up a guide book yet? Try the unoffical guide or the Passporter both very good.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

I have my Birnbaum's Guide (x2 Kids Guide also). How far in advance should I contact Concierge to arrange for goodies in the room to surprise the kids and wife? We are arriving for Halloween and will be going to the Spooktacular, I would like to either ship costumes or have costumes for the kids put in the room, but I have to wait to make sure of sizes.

What other goodies are available to have put in the room?

Sorry, I have tons of questions and the answers are leading to more questions.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I have been following this thread as I am looking forward to my WL stay! Although I just did change my free dining/CL room ..another story....anyway....troop o goofs I have used memoriesbysarah.com...she will customize any basket, I have used twice now and think she is great! Check her website out...she is reasonable and can make themed baskets!! Last trip I did a Pirate/Princess themed basket for daughter aged 10 and a 1st timers basket for my mom (69)...this time one for baby, and one for Dh and me
Any questions....ok to ask

 

[grannyminnie]

Re: Birnbaum's guidebook, it's good, but as a poster above said, two other fine guidebooks are Passporter's and the Unofficial Guide to Disney. You can't go wrong with either. It has been stated that Birnbaum's gives the "official line" but the others turn up warts and all!! (my translation)
It's not too early now in my opinion to get together all your requests for concierge and let them start getting them taken care of.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

I am going to have to start making a list.

I appreciate all of the help everyone has been providing. We are off to the "rents" for BBQ and Fireworks.

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

Re: Birnbaum's guidebook, it's good, but as a poster above said, two other fine guidebooks are Passporter's and the Unofficial Guide to Disney. You can't go wrong with either. It has been stated that Birnbaum's gives the "official line" but the others turn up warts and all!! (my translation)
It's not too early now in my opinion to get together all your requests for concierge and let them start getting them taken care of.

I have purchased both suggested books and it looks like I have a lot of reading to do. I can see how useful they can be, with all of the additional information it should help me plan our vacation better.

I have been described as hyper-organized (aka anal compulsive), but I am only trying to plan dinner, shows and the "extras" that will make the trip magical for the family. The actual themepark visits will just be scheduled as far as what day we will be going to what park. The rest is really up to the kids and what they want to see. Luckily (or unluckily) my mother and father in-law will be joining us for their first trip and my parents will be joining us for the last few days. We didn't want them to miss their DGC's first visit.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful reply's.