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

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

In MHO I can answer YES !!!
In busy hours (park closing for instance) we saw one bus loading people while one has just left and another one was arriving .
Never found a long line waiting for the bus .


laura

 

[wirki]

I remember waiting for a bus at AK. There were a bunch of busses just sitting at the end of the driveway (for lack of a better word). After about 5 minutes one of the busses started to move and the driver waved to us. It turned out that it was our bus driver. My guess was that he was doing something and then saw us waiting and came right over. It was wonderful. And this was in the afternoon, going back for a little nap. When leaving at night we saw a bus leaving and thought we would have to wait forever for the next one. The next bus was right behind it.

Enjoy and have fun.

Debbie

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I am horrified today after reading a bunch of comments about terrible WL bus transportation on various threads. I have heard comments about waiting for a bus at WL for Epcot for 45 minutes, being on a bus for an hour to get to MGM, etc. etc. Is this true? Is the bus service this terrible?

Lesley
I understand your concerns, but if you were to do a search you would find a HORROR story about every single type of transportant offered at WDW, as well as the resorts themselves. I have stayed in many resorts at WDW and have had transportation concerns at a few, Wilderness Lodge has never been a problem. (you don't want to hear my rants about seven deluxe resorts sharing one bus route)

Over the last 11 years I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge about 20 times during all seasons peak/regular/value, I have never had to wait very long for a bus or a boat. Sometimes it seems like forever, when you have small ones that are tired and ready for a nap, or when it feels like 100 in the shade, 10 min can seem much longer in the summer heat. I'm not going to say the other post wasn't correct because busses do sometimes have mechanical troubles, there are scheduling errors. When these problems happen they will effect someone. Disney will allways try and correct long waits because they want you to enjoy your stay.

Hope you enjoy your stay at Wilderness Lodge.

Edited to add: If you wait until park closing you may have to wait or stand on the busses. The MK closing may mean you would have to wait on sereral boats before you are loaded...WL does have a bus that goes to the MK now that would be a quicker return to the Lodge if this happens.
Beckie

1st visit pre-opening summer 1971:Off-site1971-1981:Poly,1982-1990,1995,1997,1998:CBR,1988:CR,1972,1989:
WL,1994,1995,April&May1996,1997,1998,1999,2001,Sept&Nov2003,May2004-Concierge,Sept2004,Dec2004:Feb2005:May2005:
Ft.W.Cabins,1997:OKW,1999: BWV, 1998,2003,2004:AKL,July&OCT2001:PO,2001:
ASSport,1998,2001,2002,2003:
ASMovie,2002:ASMusic,2004:BCV,2003,2004:VWL,2000,2001,May&Sept2002,March2003:
Pop Century, March,May,July 2004:March 2005

 

[kimmar067]

...got a hankerin' to visit the LODGE but can't do so at this very moment??? Well, click onto the link below and take a 'mini vaca'...ENJOY!

http://media.travel.discovery.com/convergence/familyvacations/videogallery/videogallery.html(Oh yeah, don't forget to click onto the last pic on the right at the top of the screen!! )

 

[boswellnakia]

Thanks for posting this site. I love watching my tape of the show, now I can watch it while I'm on the road and dreaming of being in a better place.

...got a hankerin' to visit the LODGE but can't do so at
this very moment??? Well, click onto the link below and take a 'mini vaca'...ENJOY!

http://media.travel.discovery.com/convergence/familyvacations/videogallery/videogallery.html(Oh yeah, don't forget to click onto the last pic on the right at the top of the screen!! )

 

[AllTheWorldsAStage]

I'm going on my first trip to Disney since New Years Day 1986. This will be the first for my wife since 1993. It will also be the first ever trip for our 2 kids (ages 5 and 3). We booked a Standard View room with a request for bunk beds from August 17-August 24. Needless to say, we know very little about what we are getting ourselves into. I love this thread and the great advice the "vets" give.

I have two questions. First, are there coffee makers in the room (or can they be requested for free upon arrival)? I am a coffee hound in the morning. I am well aware of the refillable mugs, but to be quite honest with you, there is a severe laziness factor involved. The thought of trecking down with the rest of the caffeine addicts and standing in line for our fix like junkies at a Methodone clinic does not sound like "vacation" to me (or "holiday" to my Canadian and British friends!) I'd rather pour the water, place the filter, hit start, and hop in the shower knowing my java will be waiting for me when I proceed to rip another layer of skin off my face, thanks to the folks at Gillette (and my wife, who won't let me go a day without shaving!)

And if these coffee makers do exist in the rooms, will I be charged for the coffee, or is that free too? If there is a charge, how much is it? I understand the current conversion of the U.S. Dollar to anything you buy at WDW is about $1 U.S. Dollar = $3 U.S. Dollars for everything you purchase while at WDW, so I'm prepared to hear the cost in "Disney Dollars" without having a heart attack. That is, if there is a cost.

Also, are the coffee packets replaced by mousekeeping, or do I have to go somewhere in the resort to buy them?

Secondly, given the I will be there from August 17 - August 24, can anyone give me odds as to the likelihood that I will score a room with bunk beds? Ever since we saw the 2005 WDW Planning DVD, all my kids talk about is sleeping in bunk beds at the Wilderness Lodge. I hope they aren't disappointed, but I need to prepare them for that possibility!!!

When I wish upon a star, makes no difference that I'm a rookie booking rack rate, I wish for bunk beds and a free coffee maker in my room...lets hope my dreams come true!!!

 

[julybride]

in October. We will probably take the boat to FW one evening for dinner at Trail's End. We might like to try the campfire after dinner. This is the only thing on DS to do list that we didn't get around to last year.

How far is the campfire from the Trail's End? Long walk? Long busride? What would be the best way for us to get from the buffet to the campfire sing-a-long? We will be travelling with DS (5) and DD (2).

 

[nancy drew]

hello! we are making our first rip to the wilderness lodge next month. i have a few questions, and hopefully some of you can answer them.

1) are there fridges in the rooms? how difficult is it to get one for the room? my daughter is allergic to dairy and eggs so i was hoping to have a fridge to keep some soy milk for her.

2) are the cribs actual cribs or pack n plays? it doesnt really matter, im sure they are safe either way, i just was wondering which sheets to bring.

3) what else should i know about traveling with a 15 month old at the WL?

thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Samsma]

Nancy Drew- First of all I have to say I was one of your biggest fans in my youth! LOL. Also, I don't think they have refrigerators in all the rooms yet, but I would request one before you go, and then again at check-in. Just explain to them about the baby. They have pack and play cribs, but my dd slept in one fine when she was about your baby's age.

I bet she would love the petting zoo at FW, so don't forget about that, and probably will enjoy the boat ride to MK too. I started showing Disney movies all the time before we went, like Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White. It really got her ready for her character breakfasts and she had a better time I think on the rides since she was familiar.

 

[yoopermom]

Julybride, the boat trip from WL to FW is very peaceful and nice. Just follow the footpath from the dock and you'll come right out at Trails End. Take time to do the petting zoo and pony rides with the kids, too (right behind TE). To get to the campfire keep walking on the path to the bus pickup, and ask the first busdriver which bus color you need (I can never remember from year to year!). Save room for the smores package (best deal on property!). Singalong is fun, too. Enjoy!
Terri

 

[timandlesley]

yoopermom,

This is the first I've heard of the smore's package, can you give me details??
Lelsey

 

[boswellnakia]

For a listing of the supplies/food items at the chuck wagon, check out
http://disneycampers.com/Fort_Wilderness/Chuck_Wagon_Menu.htm

You can bring your own supplies to make smores or for about $2.00, you get roasting sticks, marshmellows and chocolate.

yoopermom,
This is the first I've heard of the smore's package, can you give me details??
Lelsey

 

[julybride]

Julybride, the boat trip from WL to FW is very peaceful and nice. Just follow the footpath from the dock and you'll come right out at Trails End. Take time to do the petting zoo and pony rides with the kids, too (right behind TE). To get to the campfire keep walking on the path to the bus pickup, and ask the first busdriver which bus color you need (I can never remember from year to year!). Save room for the smores package (best deal on property!). Singalong is fun, too. Enjoy!
Terri

Thank you yoopermom!

Another question?

Is the bus ride longish? I just want to be prepared in case my little guys are tired/cranky.

 

[nancy drew]

Nancy Drew- First of all I have to say I was one of your biggest fans in my youth! LOL. Also, I don't think they have refrigerators in all the rooms yet, but I would request one before you go, and then again at check-in. Just explain to them about the baby. They have pack and play cribs, but my dd slept in one fine when she was about your baby's age.

I bet she would love the petting zoo at FW, so don't forget about that, and probably will enjoy the boat ride to MK too. I started showing Disney movies all the time before we went, like Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White. It really got her ready for her character breakfasts and she had a better time I think on the rides since she was familiar.

LOL!! thanks for the help! i did talk to someone about the refrigerator after i made my reservation and i will make sure to ask again at check in. and luckily my dd sleeps fine in a pack n play. yay!

the petting zoo is at FW? for some reason i thought it was at WL. is that where the campfire and movies under the stars is too?

i am totally doing the same thing with showing the movies!!! of course she really isnt interested yet, but its at least building my own excitement about going . i also bought her a set of disney board books since she seems more interested in books than in movies.

 

[tubachick]

...got a hankerin' to visit the LODGE but can't do so at this very moment??? Well, click onto the link below and take a 'mini vaca'...ENJOY!

http://media.travel.discovery.com/convergence/familyvacations/videogallery/videogallery.html(Oh yeah, don't forget to click onto the last pic on the right at the top of the screen!! )

[Thanks for posting the link. We don't get the Travel channel with our cable system, and it was nice to go home -- even for a short tv visit.

 

[mom2lilandem]

Nancy~
DH and I got back three weks ago from WL with our 24 month old and 8 month old. We chost to stay in a Villa this time but you can get a fridge for the room. I want to say it's 10/night but I'm not really certain.

The cribs that were provided by the hotel were pnp's which my DDs don't use. I called an outside service and they delivered two full size cribs to the room for me. It wasn't very expensive and the kids slept much better in them.

We skipped the petting zoos while we were down there because of that crazy petting zoo disease outbreak that was going on. (I know.... I'm paranoid but I wasn't risking it!) There were some traveling petting zoos where children who had come inc ontact with the animals were developinga disease that was shutting down there kidneys. While we were down there several children were hospitalized and one died from it. I realize for all intents and purposes that Disney's animlas are well kept and better medically supervised than some carnival petting zoo but it skeeved me so we skipped it this trip.

My kids loved the pool. And my older daughter took a hankering to the pins. We dropped a smal fortune on her "pin necklace."

If you have any questions feel free to email me at theconnors1124@AOL.COM

 

[kimmar067]

[Thanks for posting the link. We don't get the Travel channel with our cable system, and it was nice to go home -- even for a short tv visit.

...you are QUITE WELCOME!!! Her it is again for anyone that missed it:

http://media.travel.discovery.com/convergence/familyvacations/videogallery/videogallery.html

Click on the last pic in the middle of your screen...

 

[ROBIN4NY]

Are there any fellow WL fans going home this week.I can hardly wait .I will be there on Sunday and was wondering if anyone that loves WL like I do will be there at the same time? My DD wanted to see universal this year (we will be there Fri and Sat) and I want to blow right through it because I can't wait to get to Disney!!!!!!!Well I will return with a great report, pics rm#s, views ect.I will try to do justice to this great thread.Thanks to all the people that give such great info like Kimmar, Magic in my Heart,Majestic,Aspiring Cindy,Wildernesslodgelover and the many many more!!!!! You guys have provided such great, helpful information to help people make there special trip even better.Thank you for that,

 

[fun & fancy free]

We will be heading for our 1st visit to WL on May 7. I can't tell you regulars how excited I am to see all you have shared in person. In case I haven't already said it THANKS! Reading this thread has made the wait sooooo much easier and keep those trip reports coming. I love them all! I am already having trouble sleeping and I have 18 days to go. I hope I don't sleep through the trip. My only concern is that we have paid our room off and I have made 2 requests for a print out showing just that. I have not rec'd any. Each time I call the CM does say they show me paid in full in computer. Should I worry?


Hey I just noticed this is my 500th post!

 

[timandlesley]

Hello,
We will be staying at WL for the first time in June and I CAN'T WAIT. We have a woodsview room and I've read on this board of many rooms that have a view of the castle and WISHES. I would love to have one of these rooms since we have small children who are in bed nightly by 9 and we never are able to keep them up long enough to see WISHES. I think it would be so romantic for hubby and I to be able to watch it from our balcony (ahhhh) I was thinking of calling Disney and placing a request on the ressie, but wanted some advice. . .would you do this. . .would it be honored if at all possible or are we better off just asking at check in. From what I have read is it the northside we want on a high level facing MK??
Any help would be great before I make that call.
Thanks,
Lesley