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

[snogger]

What a GREAT Place. We stayed ther 12/09 - 12/14 and LOVED it!!

It was so nice to leave the parks at night and go back to the Wilderness and not even feel like we were in Disney.

I hope to get around to posting a trip report with Pictures, but for now enjoy:

 

[DisneyParkFan]

I stayed at the WL from December 6-10, 2006 to celebrate the Christmas holidays early. My requests were for an inside courtyard view with a balcony and a non-smoking room. Since I arrived at 11:20pm my room was an outside WLV view on the first floor with king size bed and handicapped accessible. At first I was disappointed, but with time I came to like the room. I didn't have to wait long if I took the elevator up one floor to the main lobby or bus transportation, and since I was on the first floor I could walk out a side lobby door to the main pool, hot tub, and boat dock. Every morning I sat on the patio and ate breakfast and I guess I could have walked over the the pool area of the Villas (but I never did).
The bus to the MK was running although I took the boat over there and back everytime. I found the boat to be quite relaxing and this is one of the reasons I will always want to return to the WL. Another reason is that is is so warm and cozy and rustic for the Christmas season. At the end of a day at the parks I really did think: "I want to go home." and I meant the WL. I looked forward to returning during the day and at night. I loved finding myself a secluded fireplace and just sitting there and relaxing in front of it. If I missed the Green flag boat, I took the Blue flag boat over to the CR and then walked to the MK.
This was my first time in a Deluxe resort. I had wanted to stayed here in 1997 but couldn't afford it at the time and settled for the ASMu. After that it was CSR and then twice at CBR. Now I have a new favorite. I felt like I was far far away from the outside world. I loved catching the Electrical Pageant on the lake at night. When I went to DLP I stayed at the Sequoia Lodge and when I went to DL I've stayed at the DLH and when I was at the PPH I would walk through DGC to enter DCA and was quite impressed. I guess I must have a soft spot for these "National Parks" themed resorts.
I highly reccommend the WL (but then I guess anyone here at this thread already know that?!).

 

[beehive123]

I booked our vacation for February for the POFQ but I haven't been
to the WL in over 10 years. So I switched to WL. I just found out
that during my stay, the Silver Springs pool and hot tub along with
the kidde pool will be closed during my stay. If I remember right,
the Silver Springs Pool is the one right outside the lobby. Are there
any other pools close by????? If there is another pool, is it big?

 

[DLBDS]

I booked our vacation for February for the POFQ but I haven't been
to the WL in over 10 years. So I switched to WL. I just found out
that during my stay, the Silver Springs pool and hot tub along with
the kidde pool will be closed during my stay. If I remember right,
the Silver Springs Pool is the one right outside the lobby. Are there
any other pools close by????? If there is another pool, is it big?

The WLV pool will still be open I believe. I never walked over to see it (when could we have found the time?!) so don't know anything about it. All I know about the Villas is what I saw on the way to the bus stop!

 

[ekball]

We will be there too! December 20-28th!

[/QUOTE]

Just noticed my name on the Dec. 07 list and have to make a correction.... we were considering those dates, but changed our plans to 9/7-16. Though I am now chomping at the bit to visit in Dec. sometime after seeing the Samantha Brown "Holidays at Walt Disney World" show... Maybe '08!

And while I'm here...can anyone direct me to more info about WL CL. Specifically recent (or last documented) menu offerings in CL. Thanks!

 

[FlyingBelle]

The WLV pool will still be open I believe. I never walked over to see it (when could we have found the time?!) so don't know anything about it. All I know about the Villas is what I saw on the way to the bus stop!

The WLV pool is decent size - but don't expect any slides or waterfalls (there are some bubbling "springs" throughout the pool if I remember right). They have their own hot tub too.

 

[KristinU]

Hi WL-ers - I have a question for you guys...have you ever seen a WL or wilderness themed version of the playsets that are available at WDW? The kind I'm talking about are maybe 5 plastic characters. I'm able to find a theme park themed set and a pirate themed set on eBay, but I'm thinking that a WL themed set would be perfect for what I want to do...we're staying at WLV for DS's birthday in January and I'm planning on getting a cake from Publix. I'm not nuts about their only Mickey selection (he "needs" Mickey), so I've been noodling on an alternative. I'm thinking it would be really cute to top a cake with figures, especially wilderness-themed ones. So, does this even exist???

TIA!!!

 

[TMB1203]

I booked our vacation for February for the POFQ but I haven't been
to the WL in over 10 years. So I switched to WL. I just found out
that during my stay, the Silver Springs pool and hot tub along with
the kidde pool will be closed during my stay. If I remember right,
the Silver Springs Pool is the one right outside the lobby. Are there
any other pools close by????? If there is another pool, is it big?

The pool by the villas will be open and so will the kiddie pool and hot tubs. I was also told that there would be buses in front of WL taking people to Poly and CR to use their pool.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Yes I admit it-I have the Disney sickness... My family literally just got back from a fabulous week at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and are already planning a short 5 day, 4 night stay at the Wilderness Lodge at the end of November, beginning of December 2007 (with the grandparents) The suitcases aren't even unpacked yet...

Anyhow it looks as if there is an amazing amount of info here and does anyone have a suggestion how to go through it-should I start at this thread or go back to the 1st one?

I really want to gain as much info about the Lodge and what makes it special and all the activites there-I think we'll only concentrate on 2 parks since its a shorter stay-Magic Kingdom of course and MGM...but I really want to emphasize the Lodge experience for them (my inlaws and kids and DH and myself of course)

So WLodge experts-where would you begin?

 

[ransom]

So WLodge experts-where would you begin?

I'm not an expert, but where I began was by reading the first few pages of this thread, then reading the last few pages. Then I asked questions, and the experts who frequent this thread filled me in on everything I needed to know to have a great stay!

It's that easy.

 

[blessedby3]

Just back from a 7 night stay at WL and had a great time!!! Just wondering what if any upgrade we may have received. We booked 4 standard view rooms and I requested connecting rooms at the booking. CM booking the rooms did not tell me that there are NO connecting rooms for standard view. Found that out here later. Well, figured we would deal with that at check in and take whatever they booked us with. My DSIL checked us in as our flight came in later that night and we had connecting rooms. We were located on 4th floor right above the check in desk overlooking the lobby. Great location for us. Loved coming out of our room and looking down into the lobby. Just wondering what that was considered because I would love to have that same location if we are lucky enough to stay there again. Our balcony view was not great- a view of a dormer right outside our balcony and to the right was the bus area. Thanks for any help.

 

[XantheFan]

We are going Jan. 10-15 and booked a Bunk Bed Courtyard View using our passholder discount (saved $80 a night!). Since in 2007 they are actually separating the Courtyard View and Bunk Bed Courtyard View (and charging more for the bunk beds), we were wondering if anyone has stayed in a Courtyard View with bunk beds before and where these rooms are located.

Any help is appreciated! 16 days and counting!

 

[barefootMom]

Help me decide guys. I have never stayed at WL but have been lurking here for over a year in anticipation for my upcoming trip to WL 1/29-2/3. One of the things my family was so excited about was the pool/waterslide etc. as I have two DDs that are fish and even though it might be chilly when we are there they plan on swimming every day (we're from Maine so nothing is too cold for us to swim in!). So I just found out today by reading the DIS that the main pool and hot tub will be closed starting the day of our arrival. I am so sad and yes, I know the other pool and hot tub will be open it doesn't seem the same. I am trying to decide if I want to try to switch to AKL, or maybe rent DVC points at Beach Club or somewhere that has great swimming set up. I know there are a lot of other reasons I wanted to stay at WL (namely proximity to MK, compact size of resort, lake activities) so tell me if I will find anything else that will satisfy me more or if I should keep what I have....Thanks!

 

[bengalbelle]

Help me decide guys. I have never stayed at WL but have been lurking here for over a year in anticipation for my upcoming trip to WL 1/29-2/3. One of the things my family was so excited about was the pool/waterslide etc. as I have two DDs that are fish and even though it might be chilly when we are there they plan on swimming every day (we're from Maine so nothing is too cold for us to swim in!). So I just found out today by reading the DIS that the main pool and hot tub will be closed starting the day of our arrival. I am so sad and yes, I know the other pool and hot tub will be open it doesn't seem the same. I am trying to decide if I want to try to switch to AKL, or maybe rent DVC points at Beach Club or somewhere that has great swimming set up. I know there are a lot of other reasons I wanted to stay at WL (namely proximity to MK, compact size of resort, lake activities) so tell me if I will find anything else that will satisfy me more or if I should keep what I have....Thanks!

We'll also be at WL during the pool closure and we just received a letter saying we can use the pools at Poly and CR. I know it's not that convenient, but we love the Poly pool (we've never stayed at CR so I know nothing about their pool).

I assume the pool closure also means the creek running through WL and the geyser will be closed too ?

ETA: If the pool is that important to your family, definitely switch to the Beach Club. We plan to stay there on our next trip during warm weather mainly for SAB.

 

[Majestic]

Well if it bothers you enough to post the question I'd say move to another resort. AKL will do you just fine however I highly recommend you have a rental car if you want to come and go whenever you want without waiting for the bus.

If it was me? I would stay elsewhere. The quiet pool will be PACKED.

Fred

 

[SuBeat]

We are going Jan. 10-15 and booked a Bunk Bed Courtyard View using our passholder discount (saved $80 a night!). Since in 2007 they are actually separating the Courtyard View and Bunk Bed Courtyard View (and charging more for the bunk beds), we were wondering if anyone has stayed in a Courtyard View with bunk beds before and where these rooms are located.

Any help is appreciated! 16 days and counting!

We just got back last night and had a great courtyard view, bunk bed room in the inner courtyard, north side, 5th floor, near the end of the wing (5005). Great view of the falls, deep end of the pool and the lake through the trees. It was a pleasure to sit on the balcony watching all the activity below.

Just an FYI, initially they had us assigned to a 1st floor room facing the villas, then offered the same view on a higher floor until the CM went to the person in charge of room assignments and got us the one we ended up with. Both of the other options also had bunk beds, but weren't the view we were hoping for.

Have a great trip!

 

[TiggerAllie]

Hi all!

I just wanted to let you know that I started my trip report from the WL and Poly! It has lots of pictures!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16101236#post16101236

 

[MastaMind]

Does anyone know if the stream running through the lobby and the geyser will be closed due to the pool closure? I'm not so concerned about the pool or hot tub, but I think my daughter would really like to see the stream and geyser.

 

[Majestic]

Well considering that the stream flows into the pool I would have to assume that it too will be closed/disabled. Not too sure about the geiser though.

Does anyone know if the stream running through the lobby and the geyser will be closed due to the pool closure? I'm not so concerned about the pool or hot tub, but I think my daughter would really like to see the stream and geyser.

 

[barefootMom]

Another question about the main pool closure. Are there 2 hot tubs at the main pool area? I know the closure states the pool and hot tub and am wondering if there are 2 hot tubs right there (not including the one near the villas)...if there are two, would they both be closed? I called the WL yesterday but the person was not sure!