The NEW WL FAQ (Part 5) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY! Part 2

[FlashScout]

I'm new to WL. What is a bear face room???

WELCOME to the WL!

The Bear Face rooms are the ones off the lobby facing the courtyard that are arranged to look somewhat like a bear's face when seen from a distance.

 

[morepsi1]

WELCOME to the WL!

The Bear Face rooms are the ones off the lobby facing the courtyard that are arranged to look somewhat like a bear's face when seen from a distance.

Ah, that sound kind of neat. I'll have to look and check it out when I'm there in Oct.

 

[DLBDS]

Ah, that sound kind of neat. I'll have to look and check it out when I'm there in Oct.

In the pic below the Bear Face rooms are directly in the center facing you (the courtyard). It always helps to have a visual!

 

[morepsi1]

In the pic below the Bear Face rooms are directly in the center facing you (the courtyard). It always helps to have a visual!

Great, thanks for the picture! I get more and more excited about our upcoming trip each time to log into the boards.

 

[branv]

I do not know WHERE to post this! It's sort of a Wilderness Lodge, Kona Cafe, DCL posting But perhaps someone can help me on the Wilderness side of it, and if anyone happens to know the answers to the rest, that would be lovely.

We are staying at WL for the first time. On our last morning, we want to go to Kona cafe for breakfast before we leave for our DCL cruise. Essentially, this is how it will work:

Our last morning (it will be a Sunday) we need to get up, get ready and finalize packing, check out (DH likes to get final receipt from the hands of the front desk...don't ask me why), and get luggage to the car. Then drive to Polynesian-Kona cafe for breakfast, and afterwards drive straight to Port Canaveral.

The crux is that though we don't feel the need to be first on the boat, we need to return car by 1 pm to avoid a late fee.

Since I've never stayed at WL, let alone driven over to the Polynesian, or eaten at Kona, I don't really know how much time I need to put aside for everything.

So I guess on the WL side of it: can someone tell me how long it should take to check out at the front desk (and if someone knows, how long it takes to drive from the WL to the Poly)?

If I can get those answers, then I just need to find out how long a breakfast at Kona tends to take. Logistics, logistics...

 

[kabbie]

So I guess on the WL side of it: can someone tell me how long it should take to check out at the front desk (and if someone knows, how long it takes to drive from the WL to the Poly)?

If I can get those answers, then I just need to find out how long a breakfast at Kona tends to take. Logistics, logistics...

The time it checks out will depend how many people are in front of you. Driving from WL to Poly takes about 5-10 minutes (parking, walking) and breakfast again will vary based on how long you have to wait for table, food, check, etc. Sorry I can't be more concise.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

We just booked WL for the end of January! My question is this though, do we need to pack bathing suits? I'm thinking it will be too cool to swim, but I understand the pool is heated. Is the WL pool heated enough to make swimming comfortable even during the cooler months?

 

[FlashScout]

I do not know WHERE to post this! It's sort of a Wilderness Lodge, Kona Cafe, DCL posting But perhaps someone can help me on the Wilderness side of it, and if anyone happens to know the answers to the rest, that would be lovely.

We are staying at WL for the first time. On our last morning, we want to go to Kona cafe for breakfast before we leave for our DCL cruise. Essentially, this is how it will work:

Our last morning (it will be a Sunday) we need to get up, get ready and finalize packing, check out (DH likes to get final receipt from the hands of the front desk...don't ask me why), and get luggage to the car. Then drive to Polynesian-Kona cafe for breakfast, and afterwards drive straight to Port Canaveral.

The crux is that though we don't feel the need to be first on the boat, we need to return car by 1 pm to avoid a late fee.

Since I've never stayed at WL, let alone driven over to the Polynesian, or eaten at Kona, I don't really know how much time I need to put aside for everything.

So I guess on the WL side of it: can someone tell me how long it should take to check out at the front desk (and if someone knows, how long it takes to drive from the WL to the Poly)?

If I can get those answers, then I just need to find out how long a breakfast at Kona tends to take. Logistics, logistics...

Since we didn't check out of our room last month - just accepted the statement on the door and left - I can't answer that part of the question. I remember only seeing 1 or 2 people in line as we moved our luggage out.

Walk to car, load, drive to Poly, park and walk in would probably take 10 minutes. If you have ADR's at Kona (or even not on most days) a relaxing breakfast should take no more than an hour. We did that 4 years ago. Driving to Port Canaveral should be less than 1 1/2 hours - have change for tolls. We didn't have a car before our cruise so I don't know about rental return.

Bottom line, my guess is that if your goal is 1 pm car return, you need to go down to the lobby by 10 AM. Anything before that is gravy.

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

We just booked WL for the end of January! My question is this though, do we need to pack bathing suits? I'm thinking it will be too cool to swim, but I understand the pool is heated. Is the WL pool heated enough to make swimming comfortable even during the cooler months?

Take the swim suits! There is a chance things will be comfortable enough to swim. It all depends on how warm you need it. The weather will definitely play a role in it but I'd rather be prepared than not. I know swimming has been ok in February on some days!

 

[branv]

Cool, thanks for the answer! I'm trying to get the timing right b/c we're running poor DH ragged the rest of the week We're hitting opening at the parks every day, and then the first full-day of the cruise our first excursion meets at 9:15. I'm just trying to see if I can at least let DH sleep in SOME on that last day while still getting us some Macadamia pancakes

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

In the pic below the Bear Face rooms are directly in the center facing you (the courtyard). It always helps to have a visual!

wow I am really liking the look of those rooms! I was planning on requesting the north side courtyard, but I think those are awesome! I looked at the room map, and am I correct to assume those bear face rooms are all courtyard view?? (that is what we have reserved). I mean, I realize that is the view, but are they club level or anything special like that, or just plain courtyard? And are the views good for the electrical water parade, or is it too far? I am so excited for our trip, I know that wherever we get it will be awesome but I want to put some requests on our reservation anyway. Thanks!

 

[BlueFairy]

Cool, thanks for the answer! I'm trying to get the timing right b/c we're running poor DH ragged the rest of the week We're hitting opening at the parks every day, and then the first full-day of the cruise our first excursion meets at 9:15. I'm just trying to see if I can at least let DH sleep in SOME on that last day while still getting us some Macadamia pancakes

Will you have kids in tow? Will you be able to start packing the night before? We had a baby with us the last time we did Kona on checkout day, and dealing with the luggage and checkout took much longer than when DH and I travel alone. Anyway, I think 3 hours from walking out of the room to dropping off the car should be enough time. We've never spent more than 1 hour at Kona for breakfast, but we always have an ADR. You could always check with the front desk before bedtime to be sure the bill looks correct. They can do a printout. That way you have time to plan for settling discrepancies. Also, we have left one person in the room to finish packing up while the other settles the bill. Just be sure not to leave the room, because your key shouldn't work after checking out.

 

[FlashScout]

wow I am really liking the look of those rooms! I was planning on requesting the north side courtyard, but I think those are awesome! I looked at the room map, and am I correct to assume those bear face rooms are all courtyard view?? (that is what we have reserved). I mean, I realize that is the view, but are they club level or anything special like that, or just plain courtyard? And are the views good for the electrical water parade, or is it too far? I am so excited for our trip, I know that wherever we get it will be awesome but I want to put some requests on our reservation anyway. Thanks!

Yes and no.
Yes, they are courtyard. No, they're not concierge. Yes, you can see the parade. No, there's no guarantee you can see all of it. It depends on which room and exactly where they start the parade, but you'll likely miss either the front end or the back end of it. Good luck in getting them.

 

[DLBDS]

wow I am really liking the look of those rooms! I was planning on requesting the north side courtyard, but I think those are awesome! I looked at the room map, and am I correct to assume those bear face rooms are all courtyard view?? (that is what we have reserved). I mean, I realize that is the view, but are they club level or anything special like that, or just plain courtyard? And are the views good for the electrical water parade, or is it too far? I am so excited for our trip, I know that wherever we get it will be awesome but I want to put some requests on our reservation anyway. Thanks!

What FlashScout said plus...If the parade is more important to you than the actual courtyard view then ask to be 'facing' Bay Lake. The rooms at the ends of each wing face Bay Lake but are considered Courtyard rooms. We requested "facing Bay Lake" and were given room 3167 (South Wing). It's right on the beach with the parade directly in front of you. Just step onto the balcony to watch it every night!

 

[MBELSANTI]

I am going to be at WL for my first stay next month and I am very excited!!!

Does anyone know if the smoking rooms have been redone and if so, what was done to them? I wanted to request a 6th floor room on the North side, but I am not sure if they will be done by then.

Also can anyone tell me about turndown service? I was pretty spoiled by it on the cruises, and would like this during my stay. How do I request it? Do I need to tip for it in addition to my daily tips?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MickeyT]

/edited/
Oops I Think I asnswered a non existant question!!!! Sorry!

 

[morepsi1]

I am going to be at WL for my first stay next month and I am very excited!!!

Does anyone know if the smoking rooms have been redone and if so, what was done to them? I wanted to request a 6th floor room on the North side, but I am not sure if they will be done by then.

Also can anyone tell me about turndown service? I was pretty spoiled by it on the cruises, and would like this during my stay. How do I request it? Do I need to tip for it in addition to my daily tips?

Thanks in advance!

It was my understanding that there are no longer any smoking room as of June 1st. But I believe all rooms have been renovated. As far as turndown service, I think you have to be on the concerige level for that, but I'm sure someone else could answer that better.

 

[punkinsmomma]

We have a Standard Room booked for our Sept. trip. What area should I request that our room be in? It will be me, DH and DS who is almost 2. I would love to be able to see the MK fireworks since DS will prob already be asleep in bed by that time. That way DH and I could still enjoy them from the room. I know that is probably hoping for too much with only a standard view room!

 

[scraplady]

Can a certain room be requested when reservation are made or do they only let you do them at check in. We are checking in on a Sat. and leaving on Sat. I am thinking most people go Sunday to Sat.
Thank you
Tina

 

[Renee1061]

We have a Standard Room booked for our Sept. trip. What area should I request that our room be in? It will be me, DH and DS who is almost 2. I would love to be able to see the MK fireworks since DS will prob already be asleep in bed by that time. That way DH and I could still enjoy them from the room. I know that is probably hoping for too much with only a standard view room!

Ask for north side, upper floors.