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

[CindyD]

Hello fellow Lodgers!!

DH just gave me the GREEN LIGHT to go ahead and start planning our next Disney vacation!!!

His only rules, we HAVE to stay at WL, and we HAVE to have the meal plan
Rules I have no problem with of course

He told me we could go at the end of 2005, or maybe in Jan/Feb of '06.
I am kind of leaning towards Feb 06, simply to try going in cooler weather (we usually go in late Sept, and it is hot!)

So, a few questions for you. If I book now for 2006, I will be charged the 2005 rates right?Or do they have 06 rates out? And if the rates go up by chance for 06, I will be locked in right?

Also---any Feb lovers out there? Tell me your experiences.

Hi, I am definetly not a VET as this will only be my second trip to WDW. But I am turning into a FEB. gal. We live in South LA. so kids have a week off for MARDI GRAS. Went in Feb 04 and returning in Feb 05. Weather was cool (jackets in the am) and warm from 10am on. Only rained one day. Little if any lines...rode almost every ride in MK in one day. Only used FP one time. Will update you after this trip. The funniest thing about Mardi Gras week is that we met up with so many kids/families that we knew!! Seems like half of my kids classmates were there!!! I would check the dates for Mardi Gras the year you want to go. Hear it is really packed if Mardi Gras and President's Week fall in the same time period. This will be our first experience with WL. Cannot wait!!! Cindy

 

[Majestic]

Woohooo! Woke up this morning and realized that I CAN DO THE SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Congrats Majestic, I'm right there with you! So looking forward to my check-in on Jan 10!

Have a final couple of questions:
Does WL have a gym or exercise facility? I couln't find anything about one, so I'm thinking NOT. My sister is looking for an aerobic workout in the morning, so is the pool our only option? I know bike rental opens at 8AM....would she have the option/ability to move along at a good clip on a bike, or is more sedate biking required on the path?

Does Artist Point offer breakfast? We'd like a nice breakfast departure day (no Whispering Caynon rowdyness). The town car is picking us up at 11:30AM and we had wanted to do Boma, but realize that just won't work without early rising, wild taxi rides, etc. Any recommendations if Artist Point isn't an option?

Thanks for all the help, hints and guideance on this great thread!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I'll dance with you Fred....

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

ibouncetoo

I'm not Majestic but may can help.

The Sturdy Branches Health Club, is avaliable over at the Villas your sister will love the facilities. She can pedal as fast as she likes on the bikes, I had a major workout just to keep up with my nephews.

Artist Point doesn't offer breakfast (Dinner only) You might try a nice breakfast from room-service. Or ask the CM to seat you in a quite spot at WCC. (that may backfire on you though)

 

[llrain]

Thank you very much for the praise.
I think that I have a bit more of them to add..>Still trying to go through
all of em...Took like over 1000 of them. Ill be sure to share ohters too, they came out just as nice as the WL ones did....

The trip itself went fine although the other part did not happen Because this trip was staying at 3 different resorts it was pretty hectic so I opted to wait until our 2005 trip hopefilly at the WL for the entire time(I hope)

We were in the villas. May's parents are DVC owners as this was how we were able to stay here.
December 3rd we arrived at MCO around 10pm. Ordginally we were not supposed to goto Disney until the morning of the 4th. But being the disney freak that i now am I told May that I wanted to leave the night of the 3rd(friday after work) rather than spend most of the day Saturday flying. THis way we will have all of saturday. So that friday night we checked into the Port Orleans Riverside, mind you at 11pm. Caught the rest of Bob Jacksons performance at the bar and went to bed.

The next morning we went to check in at Old Key West. We stayed here until the 8th. All in all this resort was just plain in my opinion. Nothing thrilling, spectatular. By the 3rd day here May began to tire of my anxious remarks about how much better the trip will get when we check into the lodge.

So december 8th arrived and it was time to head over to the lodge.
A little background of my ansey-ness.
2002: We book the lodge for october---> cancel and downgrade to POR
2003: We book the lodge for october again--> cancel and downgrade to CBR
2003: we cancel the ressie again and re-book the lodge
2003: we cancel the lodge AGAIN and go back to orignal plans of CBR

Can ya tell i wanted to stay here real bad but ended up not being able to afford it?
Anyways December 8th we left the OKW and didnt go straight to the lodge to check in. We had breakfast resservations at the crystal palace so we went there first. Following a great breakfast we just left, I was too anxious to get to the lodge. So to the boats we went. When the boat arrived I started gettin butterflies, no kidding. I know how cheesy, But remember that I personally went through 3 CANCELLATIONS of this resort, do you understand what a tease that is?
At this time it all beagn to build up, the emothion, the excitement, the addrenalin, the atmosphere, being at disney, all of it.
On the boat we go...I mean i had visited this resort before so whats the big deal, right? well theres a big difference from a visit to actually knowing that you are heading over there to actually check in!!!
We stopped at the FW first (more teasing) and then we were almost hitting the lodge(camera out already taking ton of pics). When we unboarded the boat and began that walk on the dock, thats when it hit me. Not just being at the lodge but thats when the whole entire trip hit me, i felt beside myself
May was wondering what the heck was wrong with me (in a kidding way)
as I began to,tear, because of the emotion. We started to walk up towards the front lobby as i was just taken away with awe of being here. wow!

we spent most of the day by the pool, outside, walking, and absorbing this beautiful resort. One thing that I did really notice this round was the background music and brought it in to the atmosphere that made it all the better. The music has changed though from the last time we visited and from the CD if the background music i currently have. I would really love to get a copy of the new music.

The SPECS:
room #1515 in the villas. It was a room obviously on the 1st floor but the bes that they had away from the main area. We did not want to be near the main lodge. They actually only had 3 choices for us at check in....You could tell be the lobby that it was very crowded here.

It was a fairly large room. I did take some pics that arent in the album yet that i will add.


Bry

 

[jcemom]

I also think your pics are some of the best I've seen. Thank you very much for putting them up for all of us to share! Honestly, you've made me that much more excited to get to the WL! I've never even visited, and so only know what I've read/seen here...which is actually a great deal thanks to all of you, LOL! Only about a month to go...WOO HOO!

 

[johnsonet]

llrain your pictures are exquisite! Thank you!
I am intrigued by the WLV. Can you experts help me out with what a stay at the Home Away Resorts is like? I have only ever stayed in the "hotels" and do love it...particulary concierge stays I am traveling w/ DSIL and our 3 children (my 8-y-o and her 6-y-o and 2-y-o). I'm thinking a 2-BR Villa would be amazing (if I could get one!) but wonder if it's a totally different animal. Is it true that if I book thru CRO I would have regular Mousekeeping?
Can anyone give me some VWL pointers? I think the Villas are beautiful from the outside!
Thanks!
P.S. I have WL Concierge booked for 4 nights in late March and then 4 more nights at GF in a garden view room...

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks so much for the quick response. I've e-mailed my sister a link to this thread so she can see the photos you posted.
AND...I've come up with another question. Can you walk from WL to Trails End at FW? Thought their breakfast buffet might be an option and would provide a lovely walk. If it's more than a 30 min stroll, what's the next best transportation opting to get there (does one of the boats circulate between the two resorts)?

 

[Majestic]

First, I know that many love the trails end but we had a bad meal there on our first time and have not returned since. Everything was overcooked and we waited quite some time for server assistance. May have just been that day and the fact that my wife and I are picky though.

As for walking, you CAN walk but it's a good long walk. Some think it's ok. Some think it's way too much.

The best bet is to venture off and try the walk one day before you go for breakfast there and judge for yourself. This way you aren't pressed for time and can get an idea.

What would "I" do? I would just take the boat.

Fred

Thanks so much for the quick response. I've e-mailed my sister a link to this thread so she can see the photos you posted.
AND...I've come up with another question. Can you walk from WL to Trails End at FW? Thought their breakfast buffet might be an option and would provide a lovely walk. If it's more than a 30 min stroll, what's the next best transportation opting to get there (does one of the boats circulate between the two resorts)?

 

[Majestic]

As Beckie already pointed out, AP is open for Dinner only.

However, don't pass up the all you can eat Skillet at Whispering Canyon. It's REALLY GOOD!

Congrats Majestic, I'm right there with you! So looking forward to my check-in on Jan 10!

Does Artist Point offer breakfast? We'd like a nice breakfast departure day (no Whispering Caynon rowdyness). The town car is picking us up at 11:30AM and we had wanted to do Boma, but realize that just won't work without early rising, wild taxi rides, etc. Any recommendations if Artist Point isn't an option?

Thanks for all the help, hints and guideance on this great thread!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

johnsonet

Oh my gosh...I love both the Lodge and the Villas. While I have only stayed Concierge once...it will spoil ya.

We usually stay in a two-bedroom when staying at the Villas, I'm a DVC member so all my stays are through MS not CRO. If you book through CRO you will have daily mousekeeping.

Our group is so large staying at the Villas saves us so much money just on breakfast, we still enjoy our favorite restaurants but are able to do one each day. The full size kitchens are wonderful, having a washer & dryer in the villa is great because you can pack less. You also have room to move around as your not confined to one room.

With the two-bedroom you'll also have three television sets, I love being able to watch an occasional program that doen't have cartoon characters in the starring roles.

Hope you ahave a Magical trip no matter where you decide to stay.

Beckie

 

[johnsonet]

Thank you Beckie!
Are the 2-BR hard to get? The WDW site is not working right now...I'm sure during Easter week it will be impossible to get one, but maybe just for a few days???

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

The small Blue flag boats travel to all three resorts on Bay Lake so the Contemporary Resort is also available for your dinning options.

Thanks so much for the quick response. I've e-mailed my sister a link to this thread so she can see the photos you posted.
AND...I've come up with another question. Can you walk from WL to Trails End at FW? Thought their breakfast buffet might be an option and would provide a lovely walk. If it's more than a 30 min stroll, what's the next best transportation opting to get there (does one of the boats circulate between the two resorts)?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Thank you Beckie!
Are the 2-BR hard to get? The WDW site is not working right now...I'm sure during Easter week it will be impossible to get one, but maybe just for a few days???

You may still be able to book through CRO as most of us DVC Memebers stay away during high peek times... I would call CRO.

 

[pigby]

Looking to go to WL for 4 nights in July after POP. I was thinking of booking a standard room to save $$. From the posts on here it seems we would get a view over the parking lot or the lobby, which I am concerned may be noisy. I really would like a quiet room and it must be non smoking - any view after this is a bonus.

Is a standard room likely to meet my requirements or would I be better off upgrading?

 

[Aisleleven]

Looking to go to WL for 4 nights in July after POP. I was thinking of booking a standard room to save $$. From the posts on here it seems we would get a view over the parking lot or the lobby, which I am concerned may be noisy. I really would like a quiet room and it must be non smoking - any view after this is a bonus.

Is a standard room likely to meet my requirements or would I be better off upgrading?

They will absolutely be able to accomodate you with a QUIET, non-smoking, standard view room...just mention it when you make your reservation and then again when you check in...I have NEVER had a problem with a noisy room and I have gotten some great rooms (I don't care about the view either, per se...don't spend enough time in my room to pay more for it) that have been very quiet.

FYI - During the day, the Lodge can be quite active and loud and the noise does travel up to the hallways on the upper floors overlooking the lobby, however, it is very quiet and peaceful in the evenings and once I am in my room, I don't hear a thing...

Good luck!

 

[Aisleleven]

Thanks so much for the quick response. I've e-mailed my sister a link to this thread so she can see the photos you posted.
AND...I've come up with another question. Can you walk from WL to Trails End at FW? Thought their breakfast buffet might be an option and would provide a lovely walk. If it's more than a 30 min stroll, what's the next best transportation opting to get there (does one of the boats circulate between the two resorts)?

You can ABSOLUTELY walk from WL to FW...and it is as you said, a lovely walk...less than a mile (approx. 3/4) and I know you can do that!!! It's about a 10-15 minute walk...not bad at all...You won't have to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace...lol!

Enjoy!

 

[krdisneybound]

Guess I have a glitch in my brain tonight. Please tell me what CRO stands for?? Haven't run across that abbrevition as yet.
Thanks so much

 

[ibouncetoo]

You can ABSOLUTELY walk from WL to FW...and it is as you said, a lovely walk...less than a mile (approx. 3/4) and I know you can do that!!! It's about a 10-15 minute walk...not bad at all...You won't have to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace...lol!

Enjoy!

LOL! I think by Thursday I should be recovered enough for that!
And sister is used to walking everywhere in the big city, so we should be just fine. I kind of like the idea of spending our last morning in 'the north woods'.

Kay, CRO is central reservations 704-W-DISNEY.