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

[FINFAN]

Does anyone know the cost of the gallon size of water at WL shop? Another poster mentioned this larger size is sold at WL....or is it only at FW?
Also, when we stayed at WL in Dec. 04 I saw foam coolers for sale in the gift shop, are they still there?
Thanks,


Pam

 

[Amy]

Hello everyone! Thanks again for all the great information and pictures! We'll be staying at WL for our first time and we can't wait! We decided to book the WL with all your help from this amazing thread!
I just have a couple of questions? Could someone explain to me what I have to do to possibly become a Flag Family? It sounds like a truly wonderful experience!

Good luck with Flag Family! We've stayed at WL 3 times so far and Flag Family is always booked! What you do: you can't request to be Flag Family until you check in. Either the person who checks you in or at the conceirge desk - they keep a list of the flag families. If there's an open date, you're in! They'll also put you on the waiting list in case somebody cancels (they'll write down the dates you'll be staying), but nobody ever canceled while we were there. The longer your stay, the better your chances. All I know is they take you up to the roof to help raise the flags and the view is awesome! There are some pix on the DIS somewhere.....

 

[LisaRN]

If you are down one of the corridors, are there elevators at that end or do you have to walk ALL the way down towards the lobby for elevators? I want the shortest route to the buses and boat. When I was making reservations the gal asked if I would want a first floor room because of my health issue and I told her not to request that. Would a first floor room be better. Can you get outside directly from your balcony?
Another thing I am a little worried about is I hear the lobby rooms are noisy. Is this only during the day hours (because that wouldn't bother me) or is this all night? My dd has sensory issues so I'd like a quiet area. Thanks

yes..at the end of each wing, is an elevator. That would make you closer to the boat dock, but not the bus stop. I would request a room nearer the lobby. The lobby can get noisy, but I've never found it to keep me awake or wake me up or anything. I love my door opening to the lobby! The first floor rooms have ground level patios, not balconies. Hope that helps!

 

[LisaRN]

Hi all. I just switched our July ressie and we will now be splitting our stay between BC and WL. Standard view was all that was available with an AAA discount. What should I request? I would like as nice a view as possible and I think I read something on allears about renovated rooms? Does anyone know if the renovations are complete?

TIA!

If you request a standard on the north side of the resort..you'll be over the service area..but you will get a partial view of the fireworks at the MK at night, just request a "higher floor" room. The south side of the resort is a parking lot view. You can hear service vehicles during the day on the north side, but it didn't bother us..and you're really not in your room during the day anyway The renovations should be completed end of July...they started with the 6th floor and are working their way downward, with the Concierge level (7th floor) being the last to be renovated.

 

[LisaRN]

Hello everyone! Thanks again for all the great information and pictures! We'll be staying at WL for our first time and we can't wait! We decided to book the WL with all your help from this amazing thread!
I just have a couple of questions? Could someone explain to me what I have to do to possibly become a Flag Family? It sounds like a truly wonderful experience!
Also, we have a 8:05AM ADR at the castle. Should I be nervous about the buses getting us there on time? Or do you think I should get a taxi to take us over to the MK? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. We know that we made the right decision by choosing WL!

I've done Flag Family twice..once was on a longer trip..and once was when we came/left during mid-week. Chances are if you go, say, Wednesday - Wednesday..you'll get it for one of the last days you are there..but it is hard to book. AS SOON as you check in..inquire about it! I"ve had early ADR's at the castle..and always took Disney transporation. What I would do is check with guest services and see what time the buses/boats start running that day..and then decide If they only start running at 7:30..I would choose to take my own vehicle. And don't forget..the bus to MK is quicker than the boat.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Is there a map that shows the detail of the rooms and where elevators, etc are?

Sleepingbeautymama

The first map is an overview of the Lodge...the second map has room #'s and the locations of the elevators., The elevators are located in the Lobby and halfway down each wing not at the end of the wings. They are indicated by the X on the room lay-out. Remember the layout is also a general overview, each floor is different hope it will help you.

Where can I find a Map of Wilderness Lodge?

Wilderness Lodge area Map

Wilderness Lodge Room #'s and Locations

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Does anyone know the cost of the gallon size of water at WL shop? Another poster mentioned this larger size is sold at WL....or is it only at FW?
Also, when we stayed at WL in Dec. 04 I saw foam coolers for sale in the gift shop, are they still there?

Fin-Fin

I don't ever remember seeing the gallon size water or foam coolers at the Mercantile maybe someone else will have more information. I'm sure they would have both items over at the Meadows or Settlement Trading Posts at Ft. Wilderness Campground.

 

[Bev J]

I too would like to know if Gallons of water are available at the WL store and aprox the cost. We love to brew a pot of coffee in our room first thing in the morning but water is soooo nasty in Orlando that even the coffee brewed with it is horrible...
If I can't buy it in the shop we will be adding it to our shopping list from wegoshop

Thanks to all who contrubute to this thread, I am learning so much about WL and it makes me so excited to be staying there for the first time!

Bev

 

[LisaRN]

I do know they carry the styrofoam coolers..but I also don't ever recall seeing the gallon sized jugs of water.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We have a 8:05AM ADR at the castle. Should I be nervous about the buses getting us there on time? Or do you think I should get a taxi to take us over to the MK? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

gabbyrosebud

Lisa is correct, you should be able to use Disney transportation to the Magic Kingdom, the buses start running earlier than the boats.

I have always taken the direct bus for early ADR at the MK, I believe they start running at 7:00am the smaller Blue Flag Resort Boats start runing before the large Green Flag Boats so you could take one of the smaller boats over to the CR then catch the monorail around to the MK or even walk to the MK (this would be faster than the Monorail) the direct bus would be the quickest way.

Remember if you take a taxi it would only take you to TTC where you would still have to catch the Monorail around to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We just returned from our first WDW trip on Sunday and spent 7 wonderful days at WL. Prior to going I spent many hours reading these boards and learning as much as I could. My DH appreciated my new knowledge, but also laughed at my addiction. My daughters (4 and 6) loved rubbing Humphrey's nose every morning for good luck.

Vatchr

First WELCOME TO THE DIS and WELCOME TO THE WILDERNESS LODGE FAQ THREAD I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip and that you loved the Lodge. Thanks for posting and stop by anytime to help answer any questions others might have. Now that you can now help answer. Did't you just love Humphrey we always take a new photo with him each visit.
Beckie

 

[eeyore45]

Just to add, it really is close enough to walk from CR to MK - but the morning bus seems like the best plan!!

Thanks for the info!!

 

[flea1267]

Subscribing...thinking of doing WL in December 2008. Thanks!!!

 

[gabbyrosebud]

Thanks to all of you for your quick responses! You guys are great! I swear this is the most helpful and welcoming thread on The Dis! We can't wait for our first stay at WL. I know that we'll fall in love!

 

[GatorEye]

Anyone know if the CL has a microwave we can use so we don't have to trek down to Roaring Forks?

Anyone?

As to those asking about water, if you aren't flying in, I'd bring some bottled water with you. We brought a half case of bottled water and a half case of mini bottles of Gatorade with us last year and it was great. Much cheaper than buying them at the park. Even staying on the CL this year I still plan to bring them.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

GatorEye

Yes there is a microwave located on the 7th floor in the Old Faithful Club Lounge. Sorry I missed your question the other day.

Beckie

 

[GatorEye]

GatorEye

Yes there is a microwave located on the 7th floor in the Old Faithful Club Lounge. Sorry I missed your question the other day.

Beckie

Great news! It was a pain walking up and down that hill just to heat something up. Did I mention my DW nicknamed it Death Valley? Who wants to walk up that thing after walking around the park all day?

Trying to think of every little thing I can to justify to myself the extra $ on the CL. I REALLY hope it's worth it.

Thanks Beckie!

 

[Ronald Duck]

at what is now "officially" DW and my "home" at WDW . The stresses created from severe tstorms at Disney and severe flooding back home didn't keep us from having a spectacular time. Humphrey says hello to all.

It will be a couple of days before I have time to post pics (and I have a TON of great ones ) and to do a full trip report (we stayed at SSR too), but here's a pic taken yesterday (Wednesday early a.m) to whet your appetites:

 

[Alicnwondrln]

cant wait to see your pics and read the trip report

 

[tardin1964]

I can't wait to see more pictures Ronald Duck. Love to see new pics of the Lodge first thing in the morning

For those who try to be flag family make sure they put you on the wait list if it's booked up. That's how we got picked.

Back in November I didn't even know there was a wait list. I asked about availablity when we checked in on a Saturday for our 8 night stay. The only day that was available was the day we were checking out. My wife an I stood there at the check in desk a few minutes talking with the CM trying to figure out if we whould have enough time to do flag family before we had to leave for our flight. We decided we were cutting it to close and had to pass...I was so bummed out.

The CM must have put us on the wait list but she didn't tell us. We got back from our room after a day at the park on Tuesday and there was a message asking us if we wanted to be flag family the next morning

It was one of the highlights of our trip