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

[Geekerbell]

Sorry if this is on here somewhere. I tried doing a search, and it doesn't seem to be working at the moment.

I was just wondering when the Christmas decorations come down at WL? DH and I will be going the first weekend in January (4th -6th) and was wondering if we would have the pleasure of seeing WL decorated?

Thank you!

 

[bkyrdmoviemom]

That's too bad. hard to believe they are already gone a year beforehand.

I just had our travel agent at AAA check for deluxe rooms and she said they were all booked up for Aug 08! DRATS! I was surprised too that they would all be booked out a year prior. We'll just have to settle for the Q/2bunks that we already have reserved. I can't wait!!!!

 

[4-for-Disney]

Bumping!! I am soo excited!!

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Hi fellow Wilderness Lodgers! I'm hoping some of you vets can help me. Our only preference to stay is at the WL. Being a family of 6, we find the deluxe rooms are perfect. We plan to go back Oct 2008. I was looking online at WDW for a price quote, and it said no deluxe rooms avail at that time. It's over a year away!! Last time I booked in 2006, I booked in Feb for the following Oct. Could this be true? I really can't imagine staying anywhere else, and don't want to take a risk with connecting rooms not being guaranteed. I also called WDW Travel Co. They also said no rooms avail at this time. What to do??

I *think* that they just haven't opened up all of 2008 yet because I couldn't get Woodsview rooms for December of 2008. I would book the connecting rooms now and just keep checking back. We booked courtyard views temporarily until something else opens up. My TA said that the gal she spoke to at Disney said that she thought that more rooms would be opening up in the next few weeks.

 

[FlashScout]

I *think* that they just haven't opened up all of 2008 yet because I couldn't get Woodsview rooms for December of 2008. I would book the connecting rooms now and just keep checking back. We booked courtyard views temporarily until something else opens up. My TA said that the gal she spoke to at Disney said that she thought that more rooms would be opening up in the next few weeks.

I believe that is correct. Others have said that not all rooms and room types have been released for next year. You could check on-line for other dates and you'll probably find the same thing. Try again in a few weeks and there will probably be plenty of rooms. Good luck!

 

[WildernessBride]

I too booked WL for 2008, December 23-30th. I wanted a woods view with bunk beds, but booked a courtyard with bunk beds to hold our place because I am just the impatient type Now I am considering just keeping the courtyard view, I was thinking the ouside of the Lodge and pool area may be decorated, at least with lights and that may look cool.

 

[GatorEye]

Does anyone have any photos of share of what the view is like if you get a courtyard view facing the villas? Thanks!

I have some that I just took this weekend! I have a few day shots and a night shot of the pool. We were in room 5150 which is almost at the end of the wing overlooking the Villas pool. We usually get inner courtyard when we go in Decmeber but I figured it was ok to try something different since we were only there for 3 days.

Doesn't the forum have a way to attach photos directly to a post? I don't have an account with any type of photo sharing sites. If you have some way for me to post them, I'd be more than happy to.

 

[DLBDS]

I've seen this mentioned here and there but can't find it doing a search on the DIS. I know the tour starts at 9:00 and is available Wed-Sat. Can anyone tell me how long the tour lasts? Would like to fit it into our itinerary if possible. Thanks, you guys!

 

[MickeyT]

I participated last week (Saturday) with none other that Ranger Stan leading the way. It lasted @ 30 minutes and was a very nice addition. I was just sitting in the lobby reading my morning paper while the family was sleeping in. I joined in. You just meet in the lobby and he gives a little intro and then a short walk around. Worth every minute.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I I was just sitting in the lobby reading my morning paper while the family was sleeping in. .

Slightly OT - but isn't this just the best part of vacation? I get up even earlier to enjoy my time alone just reading the paper.

Carry on.

 

[Mad Tea Party]

Does anyone know if the WL does anything special for halloween?

 

[J&L Love Disney]

We are staying at WL during the Christmas holiday this year (Christmas week). The last time we stayed at WL during Christmas was our honeymoon in 1995. Since then, we've stayed at WL several times, but not at Christmas. As a matter of fact, we have not stayed at WDW during the Christmas holiday since 1995, so I'm sure there have been HUGE changes since then.

For those vets of WL (and holiday times), how is the WL (and WDW) during this time i.e. it is uber crowded, do buses run well, is restaurant availablity a nightmare, gorgeous decor, etc? Anything we MUST do? Anything to AVOID? We have stayed during the February President's week (our Mardi Gras holiday) and spring break so we have been at WDW for holidays. How does Christmas compare?

There is just the three of us - me, DH & DS (10), looking to spend some quality time together. We love visiting the parks and participating in recreation activities and we have our own car.

Any hints, tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Lisa

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

Page 4??? Where have all the WL posters gone? Is school that important that you can't take a minute away from missing your kids lmao: ) because they are at school again and post to keep this wonderful thread going?

My...my...my...what has come of you?

Anyway 45 days out and there is no going back for us.

Hoping all the WL Thread Posters are doing well.

 

[teacher5]

Has anyone stayed at WL during the winter and still enjoyed the pool? How late is the pool open? Do they serve drinks by the pool?
Thanks for your help!!!

 

[DLBDS]

I participated last week (Saturday) with none other that Ranger Stan leading the way. It lasted @ 30 minutes and was a very nice addition. I was just sitting in the lobby reading my morning paper while the family was sleeping in. I joined in. You just meet in the lobby and he gives a little intro and then a short walk around. Worth every minute.

Wow. If we don't get to be the flag family with Ranger Stan, it would be great to have him be our guide for the Wonders of the Lodge Tour. He's a WL icon himself. I'll probably want his autograph!

 

[GatorEye]

Does anyone have any photos of share of what the view is like if you get a courtyard view facing the villas? Thanks!

Ok I registered with a photo sharing site so here ya go! View of the Villas from room 5150. Three early morning shots (hence the haze) and a night shot of the Villas pool. Private and quiet.

 

[Liz]

Thanks for the pics, GatorEye! Looks like you had a great view! I appreciate you sharing them!

 

[GatorEye]

Thanks for the pics, GatorEye! Looks like you had a great view! I appreciate you sharing them!

No problem! Hope they help you make a decision on room choice if that is what you were looking for.

I'm almost considering requesting that view instead of inner courtyard when we go back in Dec. However, the rooms on the club level don't extend that far down the wing so I'm not sure the view will be close to the same. We were spoiled getting a bear face room without requesting it the first time we went to the WL. Getting the great view of the lake and the Christmas tree in the lobby our first time there just made it perfect and it's one of the things I miss being on the club level.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

We are going 01/31-02/06. Can't wait to be back at the lodge. There are 9 of us going. I've booked woods view for my family and my parents. The other couple going with us will be bringing their newly adopted baby. My question is: Are there any standard view rooms by woods view rooms? If not, they will have to book woods view so that we can hopefully be in the same area. TIA.

 

[MickeyMirth]

Has anyone stayed at WL during the winter and still enjoyed the pool? How late is the pool open? Do they serve drinks by the pool?
Thanks for your help!!!

We were there 12/26-1/03 in 2003. It was pretty darn toasty when we were there, think most days it was in the lower 80's and our family definitely enjoyed the pool. Not sure if those temperatures were highly unusual. I think central Florida weather can be rather fickle during the winter. Not sure about the time the pool opened or closed. I sat outside, near the pool, with my coffee and breakfast pizza early every morning and it was definitely open to the ducks! There is a poolside bar that we enjoyed. Hope you have a grand time!