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

[postmanrings]

The four of us adults stayed for the first time in the WL Villas, a studio, 7-7 through 7-14 and had a great time. Was afraid staying in the villas would be a downer from the main lodge, but it was so peaceful and quiet to go there after visiting the main lodge and the parks. I truly felt at times that we were the only ones there. We were on the 3rd floor facing the lake and to be honest it was so hot last week that we spent maybe 5 minutes all week on the balcony! I think next time I won't sweat (except outside) where our rooms are as far as a view. Did notice that there was no music in the Villas lobby until about Thursday. Also noticed how fast the elevators were which made it nice. Maybe the Villas were not filled? Anyway we loved staying there and may even prefer it to the main lodge. If going look for the hidden mouse under the rattlesnake in the Villa's main lobby. Cute!

 

[sewer]

Awhile back someone posted that the wonderful Lodge music was not playing during their visit. Has anyone been there recently and listened in the lobby? Has the soundtrack resumed or been altered?

The music by Aaron Copland, and from Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans, How the West was Won, etc. is firmly a part of my memories from the Lodge. I could sit in the lobby quite awhile just listening. Over the past couple of years I have built up 2 full CDs of Lodge music, so I can get my Lodge "fix" when the need stikes!

Can't wait for our Thanksgiving visit.

Artemus

We were there last week, and it has changed. It's ok, but I do enjoy the old music much more!

 

[marlower]

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times so i apologize in advance. I just got moved to WL from AKL and am very excited but have so many little questions:

1. Is it faster, wiser to take a resort boat to CR and then walk to MK, I need to make sure I am at MK by 830am?

2. If I took a bus to MK in the am, where exactly does the bus drop you off at, in front of MK or at TTC?
2a. I will be leaving MK around 1pm, what is the fastest way to get back to WL at that time and I will be going back to Mk around 5pm.

3. Should I take a taxi to AK, I hear that bus ride is rather long? how much would a taxi ride cost to AK from WL?

4. What about getting to DTD, should I call a taxi for that as well?

5. On arrival day, we plan on checking in early , around 11 or so and then heading straight to TL, taxi again???

6. Has anyone rented the bikes, can you ride them over to FW?

I'm sure I will have more questions in the near future but for now, thank you in advance for all your help!

 

[tinkerbell60]

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times so i apologize in advance. I just got moved to WL from AKL and am very excited but have so many little questions:

1. Is it faster, wiser to take a resort boat to CR and then walk to MK, I need to make sure I am at MK by 830am?

2. If I took a bus to MK in the am, where exactly does the bus drop you off at, in front of MK or at TTC?
2a. I will be leaving MK around 1pm, what is the fastest way to get back to WL at that time and I will be going back to Mk around 5pm.

3. Should I take a taxi to AK, I hear that bus ride is rather long? how much would a taxi ride cost to AK from WL?

4. What about getting to DTD, should I call a taxi for that as well?

5. On arrival day, we plan on checking in early , around 11 or so and then heading straight to TL, taxi again???

6. Has anyone rented the bikes, can you ride them over to FW?

I'm sure I will have more questions in the near future but for now, thank you in advance for all your help!

I think the fastest route to MK is either the direct boat or the bus. We actually found the bus to be a bit quicker. The boat may also stop at FW. The walk from the CR is a bit longer than it looks....

The bus will drop you off right in front of MK. In the afternoon, if the boat is there, take that... the bus may be a bit quicker, but you might have to wait a little longer for it.

We relied completely on the buses. They are not the quickest but they are the best price (free!) We really did not have an issue with them. The longest wait we had was waiting for the bus that was going to DTD, these just didn't seem as frequent. That is the same bus that stops at TL.

We did not rent bikes so I can't give you any suggestions.

 

[marlower]

I think the fastest route to MK is either the direct boat or the bus. We actually found the bus to be a bit quicker. The boat may also stop at FW. The walk from the CR is a bit longer than it looks....

The bus will drop you off right in front of MK. In the afternoon, if the boat is there, take that... the bus may be a bit quicker, but you might have to wait a little longer for it.

We relied completely on the buses. They are not the quickest but they are the best price (free!) We really did not have an issue with them. The longest wait we had was waiting for the bus that was going to DTD, these just didn't seem as frequent. That is the same bus that stops at TL.

We did not rent bikes so I can't give you any suggestions.

Sorry, I knew I would have another question. Do you know what time the buses start running in the am?

 

[tinkerbell60]

Sorry, I knew I would have another question. Do you know what time the buses start running in the am?

I think it is at least an hour before the park opening. I would ask when you check in. You will love the Lodge!! We have stayed there twice and it is my favorite resort!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I think it is at least an hour before the park opening. I would ask when you check in. You will love the Lodge!! We have stayed there twice and it is my favorite resort!

Also, I've seen the info a million times, but never processed it. We have 8a CRT reservation, how will we get to the MK? Is a cab the best bet. We don't mind the expense if it buys us a few minutes as well.

 

[FlashScout]

Also, I've seen the info a million times, but never processed it. We have 8a CRT reservation, how will we get to the MK? Is a cab the best bet. We don't mind the expense if it buys us a few minutes as well.

You can take either the bus or the boat. We had an 8:20 CRT ADR and rode the boat direct to MK. Arrived about 5-10 minutes before 8. There were boats before ours as well. Buses to MK are fast and frequent.

If waiting and riding buses is an issue, the AK and DTD/TL buses can be long waits. The ride is relatively long to both places, so a taxi doesn't help that. But we did have to wait as much as 20 minutes for a bus sometimes. We weren't in a hurry, so it didn't bother us.

 

[marlower]

Thanks everyone for the tips! Another question:

Does anyone know exactly which rooms are the courtyard bunkbed rooms? Also, how and when do you go about requesting a room?

 

[sewer]

Also, I've seen the info a million times, but never processed it. We have 8a CRT reservation, how will we get to the MK? Is a cab the best bet. We don't mind the expense if it buys us a few minutes as well.

Take the cab, it will only be about $15.00, and they can get one for you asap when you ask.

 

[FlashScout]

Thanks everyone for the tips! Another question:

Does anyone know exactly which rooms are the courtyard bunkbed rooms? Also, how and when do you go about requesting a room?

I've never seen published any listing of exactly which rooms are courtyard bunkbed ones. If you reserved and paid for one, that is what you'll get. Try requesting an area rather than individual rooms, because if that exact room is not available you may end up not even being close to it. Is there a particular view or something you want to be close to? We got upper courtyard on the north wing and thought it was ideal for us. Oh, 4049 is not a bunkbed room.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

You can take either the bus or the boat. We had an 8:20 CRT ADR and rode the boat direct to MK. Arrived about 5-10 minutes before 8. There were boats before ours as well. Buses to MK are fast and frequent.

If waiting and riding buses is an issue, the AK and DTD/TL buses can be long waits. The ride is relatively long to both places, so a taxi doesn't help that. But we did have to wait as much as 20 minutes for a bus sometimes. We weren't in a hurry, so it didn't bother us.

What time did you catch the boat for your CRT ADR? 7ish? What time do the boats start running?

 

[FlashScout]

Boats start running an hour before park opening. This was a day with 8 AM EMH, so I guess they start at 7. We went down to the boat dock about 7:35 or 7:40, waited maybe 5 minutes and caught the boat.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Good to know. So I guess that Disney transport isn't an option if you have an 8a ADR for a park that opens at 9a and non EMH.

 

[FlashScout]

Good to know. So I guess that Disney transport isn't an option if you have an 8a ADR for a park that opens at 9a and non EMH.

The boat is not an option that early. I seem to recall that there is a special running of the bus that is early every day for CRT and CP ADR's. We were waiting for a bus to another park's EMH one morning and saw the MK bus about 7:30. I remember the driver saying he was picking up for breakfast reservations at MK. Check the concierge desk to confirm before asking for a cab.

 

[DisneyTech]

Arbonnette- Our favorite Deluxe room is 2123 which is right around the corner from the lobby! Look at a map. It is right around the corner and by a door that goes outside to the pool. Just like it says on the first page of this post, it does have a balcony that is solid at the bottom so you have to stand up to see anything but because of the location, it is perfect for us. We have stayed in the ones on the very end of the wings and they are SO far away that we prefer that room. I hope this helps!

 

[arbonnette]

Thanks so much for the room tip, DisneyTech!

We are not big "balcony people", so the wall would not affect us so much. That location sounds fantastic for us, and I will request it if we book WL. (I am still struggling with my decision between WL, GF, and BWI!!!)

 

[ransom]

Good to know. So I guess that Disney transport isn't an option if you have an 8a ADR for a park that opens at 9a and non EMH.

We took the bus from the WL to MK for our 8 AM ADR at CP (on a day when MK didn't have EMH and opened at 9 AM). We got to the bus stop at 7:00 AM and were picked up shortly thereafter.

 

[disneyquilter]

Subbing

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Just booked my very stay at WL for 3 nights in December to celebrate a couple of special birthdays! Booked Courtyard view

Truly, I tried to go through this thread, but there are 450 pages of posts! I got lost after awhile

Could someone please tell me if there are rooms in the center of the U of courtyard (to the right and left of the center)? And if so, how would I make that location a room request? No privacy balcony though, so guess that would be any floor under the 6th?

Looking straight ahead seems about perfect to me. Of course, a room there may not be available for our stay - any suggestions for Courtyard view requests so we are not on the Villa side? Too quiet for me

So excited I can hardly stand it! Will be jsut 3 nights, but the resort is so pretty that time of year.

Thanks so much!