Tell me about the Wilderness Lodge Concierge

[Minnie824]

So, we're trip planning for next year, and thinking of looking into Wilderness Lodge. We've seen the lobby, but never stayed there. How is transportation to MK? Is it only the boat? How is the pool? Also, tell me about the concierge services? Do they have more than beach/yacht club? Anyone stay in the deluxe rooms? Any photos and experiences noted would be great! We've done concierge at BC, YC and GF and LOVED GF, but thinking of trying something new. Thanks!

 

[nolagirl]

Have you checked out the WL FAQ thread....

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=658804

Lots of info! Several of your questions are answered on the first page of the thread.

 

[ccigliano]

While I have not stayed Concierge level, I can answer some of your other questions. You can take the boat or a quick 5 minute bus ride. I enjoy the boat as it is relaxing and I am usually in no big rush. The pool is great and heated if you there in January and the kids all seem to enjoy the slide. I myself sometime head over the the quieter pool at the Villas if things get too loud. I have plenty of photos but I don't know how to change the resolution to upload them. I take all my pictures at 7.2MP and I have a problem as they take up too much space when I attach them. I can tell you that the lodge is wonderful and my favorite Disney resort. I have stayed at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and WL. The theming on a scale of 1-10 is an 11. I love waking up early, sitting on the balcony with a cup of joe looking out onto the lake. I often take walks between the lodge and the campground along the nature trail and it's great to see rabbits, deer, and even the occasional turkey. The electrical light parade at 9:35 is a great bedtime ritual as the kids can watch it from the room and then hit the hay. Hope someone else can answer you concierge questions.

 

[disneyholic family]

the last time we stayed at the WL concierge was over 2 years ago, so my answer probably isn't up to date.

First i should say that we love the WL. It's our second favorite WDW resort (after the GF).

The concierge 'lounge' is very different from the other lounges you mentioned. It's not one room like the YC or BC, or a concentrated area like the GF.

The food area is in a room by itself (at least that's how it was when we were last there - right after the whole concierge area was remodeled).
The food room is an attractive room, like a nice kitchen with marble countertops on either side of the room. But as i said, the room is small, the size of a small kitchen. You only get your food there, you don't sit there.

Sitting is at tables all around the internal hallway/ balcony that wraps like a horseshoe around the atrium (the WL has a tall atrium in the center of it). So you hear all the 'goings on' down below in the atrium. There are no rooms in this area, so it's not as if you're sitting in a hallway by a room.
It's hard to explain if you haven't seen the set up. It's actually quite pleasant.

On one side of the atrium, there is a living room sort of set up with a big screen tv.

As for food, that may well have changed since we were there. But at the time, it was about the same as the YC/BC, and a bit better than the GF (which in my opinion has the worst food selection of any of the concierge lounges). The dinner selection at WL was a bit 'heartier' and less gourmet than the YC, more in line with the theme of the hotel. Lots of thick stews and things like that. I'm a vegetarian so i never actually tasted any of it, but people said it was excellent and were eating with gusto.

I also seem to remember a coffee machine, but i may be confusing it with another lounge.

Bottom line, we enjoyed staying in the WL concierge. The CMs were very nice (and had worked at WDW for years and years). One of the mousekeepers there is outstanding, but now i can't remember her name. Diane? Maybe. She makes the most outstanding towel animals of any mousekeeper.

 

[grannyminnie]

We had a mousekeeper named Diane who was very "into" the towel animals, and offered my granddaughter extra ones to take home to her baby brother!
I liked the arrangement of the concierge lounge and the spread out seating. Makes for a more quiet and enjoyable snacking experience...
And yes, there is a coffee machine. Makes a nice latte!

 

[pink_zebra]

I agree with Disneyholic Family. The sitting area was VERY pleasant! It was one of the best parts for DH and I. We loved waking up, having breakfast and coffee while looking out into the lobby enjoying all the sounds that happen down there!

The staff were always more than helpful, and we found the lounge to always be well-stocked and very tasty! I definitely recommend it!

 

[eliza61]

You can take the boat or a quick 5 minute bus ride. I enjoy the boat as it is relaxing and I am usually in no big rush. QUOTE]

Just wanted to highlight what ccigliano said about the transportation. There are a lot of complaints about the speed of the boat to MK, I think alot of people feel it should be a speed boat. it is a very relaxing boat. It only takes a few minutes to get to mk (maybe a little longer if you coming back and the boat hits Ft. Wilderness first) but it goes slow. I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes for one. Bus transportation to the other parks is great imo also. I did notice that around 1:00-2:00 pm buses were a little slower to come.

 

[disneyholic family]

i wouldn't say the boat gets you there fast, but it is wonderfully relaxing..
i LOVE going to the MK on the boat from WL......it's lovely....

we especially enjoy sitting outside (when we can get a seat)....

 

[sunee]

So, we're trip planning for next year, and thinking of looking into Wilderness Lodge. We've seen the lobby, but never stayed there. How is transportation to MK? Is it only the boat? How is the pool? Also, tell me about the concierge services? Do they have more than beach/yacht club? Anyone stay in the deluxe rooms? Any photos and experiences noted would be great! We've done concierge at BC, YC and GF and LOVED GF, but thinking of trying something new. Thanks!

"Concierge" has been re-named to "Club level," a much more accurate description. If you are familiar with the differences, you'll know what you're getting.

I have taken the boat to MK and it is relaxing - especially on the way back...if you don't have to wait too long for it. Taking the boat at closing (from the MK) is a nightmare of a wait. I'd rather drive.

WL has a decent pool. There are pools I like better and some I don't like as well. But water is water.

I don't think we stayed in a Deluxe room. I don't know, though. The rooms are on the dark side, as with AKL.

Club level at one is pretty much the same as any other, IMO. But I gave up on WDW's sorry excuse for "concierge" service years ago and really can't compare any longer. When I did them, the WL was fine - right in the middle. Not the best, not the worst.

 

[disneyholic family]

Taking the boat at closing (from the MK) is a nightmare of a wait. I'd rather drive.

we took the boat at closing several times (right after Wishes).....
while it's true the line was incredibly long, it went pretty quickly....
and the CMs running the line were really fun....they kept us singing and saying silly cheers.....it made the time pass enjoyably...

 

[sunee]

we took the boat at closing several times (right after Wishes).....
while it's true the line was incredibly long, it went pretty quickly....
and the CMs running the line were really fun....they kept us singing and saying silly cheers.....it made the time pass enjoyably...

LOL, everything depends on the person, you know? Some people don't mind waits. I hate them.

And I'd hate waiting even more if someone wanted me to cheer - or I had to stand there listening to a bunch of other people cheering/singing. Then there are people who would find that fun.

To each his own. Everyone brings something to the party!

I waited 62 minutes for that boat once...I'll never do it again. If I were staying at WL and knew I'd be at MK for closing, I'd be driving.

 

[disneyholic family]

LOL, everything depends on the person, you know? Some people don't mind waits. I hate them.

And I'd hate waiting even more if someone wanted me to cheer - or I had to stand there listening to a bunch of other people cheering/singing. Then there are people who would find that fun.

To each his own. Everyone brings something to the party!

I waited 62 minutes for that boat once...I'll never do it again. If I were staying at WL and knew I'd be at MK for closing, I'd be driving.

i don't mind waiting at WDW - i love talking to everyone else there....that's always a great way to pass the time...
and at closing you also get to see the electrical water pageant....they run it again for the people waiting for boats/buses.....that's nice too...
the waiting is part of the whole experience....it really doesn't bother us at all.....we always have food and drink for long hauls....so with the stars above, the water in front of us, the Magic Kingdom behind us, and a lovely boat ride in the offing, what more could we ask for...

i'm not always a glass half full sort of person....only when i'm at the happiest place on earth...