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

[DADof2Princesses40]

I've read many posts on taking the bus vs boat from WL to MK, but one thing confuses me ...the drop off points.
I understand the bus is faster (5 min vs 20 min according to this thread) but I remember reading that the boat drops you off closer?

My questions:

1. where exactly does the boat and the bus drop you off?
2. considering the drop off points, is the bus still the faster choise?

 

[tardin1964]

I've read many posts on taking the bus vs boat from WL to MK, but one thing confuses me ...the drop off points.
I understand the bus is faster (5 min vs 20 min according to this thread) but I remember reading that the boat drops you off closer?

My questions:

1. where exactly does the boat and the bus drop you off?
2. considering the drop off points, is the bus still the faster choise?

The bus drop off is to the right of the entrance of MK. The boat drops you off right in front. That being said, the additional walking time is only about 2 or 3 minutes.

 

[chickenskin]

At the risk of sounding lazy, I don't have the wherewithal to search all 199 pages of the thread to find pictures of the newly renovated rooms. Does anyone know where I can find them?

 

[ekball]

...as I just booked us yesterday for our first WL experience 9/25-10/2 (after a ridiculous amount of deliberation)!!!

I've started reading the many many threads for info (it's great! ),
but am wondering if someone can give me a quick answer here....

Looking for opinions on the best choice of a courtyard view if we are looking for the following (in order of importance):
1. Quiet (young children)
2. Nice view would be great
3. View of Wishes would be spectacular

Realizing this is a just a list of my wants - in a perfect world! And realizing that a request is just that, a request and not a guarentee. What room request would you WL vets make with the above considerations in mind?

Also, WL vets....any tips you can offer for making our first onsite stay with 2 toddlers easy (or easier)? i.e. transportation tips, resort tips (for those with toddlers), etc. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

I am soooooo excited for our WL vacation!!!!

 

[ash&abby'smom]

At the risk of sounding lazy, I don't have the wherewithal to search all 199 pages of the thread to find pictures of the newly renovated rooms. Does anyone know where I can find them?

Check out page 196 post #2935. A kind Diser TimandLesley posted some pics while on their vacation at the lodge. I think the rooms look great.

 

[JDavis98]

Oh it is very shallow.. I'm thinking *maybe* a foot deep..but my girls haven't used it in years..so I can't be positive. I know you wouldn't have to hold onto your 3 year old in there. Maybe someone who has some recent experience could tell you exactly how deep it is...but it's quite shallow. And for the main pool, remember the WL has free life vests for children to use in the main pool..that way you could let her float along while standing next to her

Thanks! I was actually concerned that it was too shallow for her, not that it was too deep. I don't want her to get bored too quickly.

Thanks for the tip on the life vests, we'll have to try getting her one for the summer to practice in our pool. We have a couple of pool floats/toys that we bought for her this year, so maybe it won't be an issue come the fall to have her in the "big" pool.

 

[timandlesley]

Check out page 196 post #2935. A kind Diser TimandLesley posted some pics while on their vacation at the lodge. I think the rooms look great.

A "kind diser" well THANK YOU! By the way, I believe the kiddie pool is 1 foot 9 inches deep. My 5 year old was even in there swimming around on his back yesterday and my 2 1/2 year old swam in there for awhile VERY happy. We brought her intertube and she swam in the big pool with us too. Boy have the pools been crowded while we've been here cause it's so darn hot! But hey, the sun came out so I can't complain! Off to MGM tonight to get in Fantasmic before our trip ends on Monday boo hoo!!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We have been back several days but I haven't been able to get much time in on the DIS. We had a great trip to WDW but I didn't have time to do everything I wanted but then again I never do.

We had our first Tropical Storm this past week and did recieve some much needed rain, most of the wild fires are now out.

Now some news from the Lodge:

Attention: The family plans have once again been discontinued as of June 1, 2006

At the marina I was referred to the new Disney Premium Plan that when booking this package offers unlimited use of the boats and bicycles, so for now no more Captain or Family Plans. I will note this information one page 1 on my post but as they have discontinued these plans before they may bring them back. If you are interested in either of these plans please check at the Marina for current discounts. As for now they have a 10% discount for DVC members and a 15% discount for AP pass holders

Mark Newman the manager at Wilderness Lodge who is one of the reasons the Lodge is such a Magical resort has been promoted. He is now going over to the Grand Floridian while it's a great move for Mark he will be missed at the Lodge. His last week was during our visit and I told him we would come over and see him when we return in October.

Mark asked if I would like to visit one of the new rooms...I told him I had seen the photo's and would rather see them on our next stay so I could not only look but get to enjoy staying in the new room.

Jeanne and I visited Humphrey we rubbed his nose for everyone and said a special...Hi to Roy.

DOES ANYONE KNOW if that huge, annoying floodlight with the extremely noisy generator is still by the pool?? We really felt last trip this cut down on the tranquil setting of the courtyard in the evening.

Not sure I'll let you know when I return

CuteAsMinnie

The generator and floodlights has been removed from the main pool area, they were preasure washing the roof using a generator during our stay but the work was only being done during the day and they should be completed by now.

That's all the news from this trip, hope everyone planning a trip to Wilderness Lodge has a Magical Trip.

Beckie

 

[Cupmom]

Page 3 will never do!
Bump!!!

 

[JulieWent]

for early ADR's at the parks - go to the bus stop around 7 am - tell the bus CM where you are going, then proceed

So, if we're going to MK for EMH (morning), we shouldn't try to use the boat? Is the bus better? About what times should we be at either boat or bus stops? (We're going in late July.) I had just assumed that the boats would almost always be the best way to GET to MK.

Thanks.

Julie

 

[gabbyrosebud]

Hi Wilderness Lodge Lovers! I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for this very informative thread. It's been so fun reading through it! We're staying Sept. 30 through Oct. 8 for the first time. We can't wait to walk into that beautiful lobby and hear someone say welcome home!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

at 200 pages this will be my reading tomorrow
i just switched to the WL from 10 nights CL from boardwalk
i wasnt happy with the CL service i was getting there and it?
i was wondering when renovations will be done there

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would like as much info about the CL level and rooms up there. What r the views? I assume the rooms are standard? Any tips for things to do with my boys wheile there?
I stayed at WL back in sept 2004 but was with my mom. My dh and 2 sons have never been.

 

[LisaRN]

I would like as much info about the CL level and rooms up there. What r the views? I assume the rooms are standard? Any tips for things to do with my boys wheile there?
I stayed at WL back in sept 2004 but was with my mom. My dh and 2 sons have never been.

Kelly..I stayed CL last December and we loved it..it was our first time. The rooms are exactly the same as they are in the other levels/views at the Lodge. No bigger. I hear after the room rehab however, the furnishings up there are supposed to be a bit upgraded from the other rooms..but one won't know until I get there I suppose I emailed the Concierge when I first heard about the renovations and asked if they would affect my stay up there, they emailed me back and said the whole lodge should be done at the end of July, including the CL. We had a Courtyard view in the North wing. There are also woods view and standards..the one bag thing is you can only reserve a CL room...not it's view..so you could get that standard view We really liked not having to wait in line to check in..but were escorted to our room first..got settled then went to the Concierge desk and checked in. It was so nice and quiet up there..nice sofas around the rails which really made us want to sit and relax for a bit. I didn't utilize the preplanning last trip, but definitely did this coming trip for ADR's and that was very nice! They do have certain times of the day when they set out some food items and drink items are always available. From when I went in December.. "Coffee Service.. 6:30am - 10:00pm" Continental Breakfast.. 7:00am - 10:30am"... "Snacks and Refreshments.. 11:30am - 4:00pm" ... "Wine and Cheese Selections.. 5:00pm - 7:00pm" (this was when we found the hot appetizers and soup were also put out).. and "Cordials and Desserts.. 8:00pm - 10:00pm". They really do stick with those times also, not a minute before and not a minute later
Here are the food offerings from when I stayed up there:

Breakfast. (each day, was the same)

*Blueberry and Chocolate Chip muffins (the mini kind..not full sized)
*Bagels (mini kind) flavors were: sesame, plain, poppy seed. A toaster was available as was cream cheese, butter, jelly, and peanut butter
*4 cereals, Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes, Froot Loops and Cheerios
*A pastry, usually filled with apple or cherry
*Croissants (some mornings, not every morning)]
*Coffee, different kinds of tea, hot cocoa, chocolate milk, white milk, orange and apple juice

Afternoon Snacks: (each day the same)
* Gummi Bears
* Nuts
* Pretzels
* Chocolate Chip or Sugar Cookies
Also..an assortment of sodas and juices was available in the fridge.

Evening Appetizers: Each day there was bread, butter, cheeses, vegetables and dip, crackers and those PB&J Uncrustables. Then each day the following would change.

Day 1 (Wednesday)
* Soup - Hearty Vegetable
* Appetizers - Buffalo Chili

Day 2 (Thursday)
* It was a cream soup and the concierge thought a "sausage" dish..we weren't here for this, this night.

Day 3 (Friday)
* Soup - Potato Cheese
* Appetizer - Salmon Pot Pie

Day 4 (Saturday)
* Soup - Hearty Vegetable
* Appetizer - Pulled Pork

Evening Desserts:
Each night there were brownies, cookies and magic cookie bars..and one hot dessert.

It would vary..between apple crisp and a blackberry/blueberry cobbler type dish. Very delicious.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thanks so much Lisa
that helps alot
how are the buses here i had a car last time
does the mk bus go direct to mk or stop?

 

[tardin1964]

So, if we're going to MK for EMH (morning), we shouldn't try to use the boat? Is the bus better? About what times should we be at either boat or bus stops? (We're going in late July.) I had just assumed that the boats would almost always be the best way to GET to MK.

Thanks.

Julie

I think taking the bus is better when you want to make sure your at MK at a certain time. The bus is a 5 minute ride plus wait time which at most is usually only 5 or 10 minutes.

I've seen the boat dock very crowded when there is EMH at MK. The first boat will get you there a few minutes before opening where as the bus starts running earlier to MK so you won't feel as rushed if you want to get there a little earlier.

 

[JulieWent]

Thanks! That helps.

Julie

 

[LisaRN]

thanks so much Lisa
that helps alot
how are the buses here i had a car last time
does the mk bus go direct to mk or stop?

Kelly..I think the MK bus stopped at GF and Poly also, but I am not positive. Some of the buses stop at Ft. Wilderness, but not at GF and Poly, I think those are the Epcot/MGM/AK buses. After awhile..all those bus trips run together I always have a car, but have always used Disney transportation when doing the parks. Sometimes we will use our own car to Downtown Disney..and definitely if we are going to another resort..but for the most part..I have never had a problem with long bus/boat waits at the WL.

 

[LisaRN]

Now some news from the Lodge:


At the marina I was referred to the new Disney Premium Plan that when booking this package offers unlimited use of the boats and bicycles, so for now no more Captain or Family Plans. I will note this information one page 1 on my post but as they have discontinued these plans before they may bring them back. If you are interested in either of these plans please check at the Marina for current discounts. As for now they have a 10% discount for DVC members and a 15% discount for AP pass holders

Wow..I never even knew of this type of plan. So, for a fee you get unlimited use of the bikes and watermice during your stay?? I tried looking at page 1...but am unsure of the price of the "unlimited" package.

 

[tardin1964]

The bus is DIRECT from WL to MK. That's what makes it so great