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

[pinkpiglettlover]

subscribing

 

[kimmar067]

...morning, WL Vets!

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Great news!!!!! After a decent amount of visits to Walt Disney World, we will most likely be staying at the "resort we always wanted to stay at" aka Wilderness Ldoge for the FIRST TIME! Every visit to WDW has included a stop at Wilderness Lodge and whether it was to eat or just walk around, my parenst always noted how much they liked the resort. At this moment we are going to either book the package with free dining or rent DVC points, not sure at this moment though. We are really trying to look at how much theme park we want to experience on this trip and other factors that make both offers great deals! Once the reservation is confirmed I definetly plan on posting here more and hopefully everyone can help us prepare for this great stay.

One quick question, since we would be booking a Standard room .... how many of the rooms look over the delivery/garbage area on the side of the resort?

 

[Ratpack]

Anyone ever take their bikes down that stay in the lodge and not the villas? Where do you keep them while in your room?

 

[floridafam]

Ratpack,

The only time we have ever taken bikes down is for the triathlon at FW. During that, everyone keeps their bikes in their rooms.

I don't know what is allowed at other times.

 

[LisaRN]

One quick question, since we would be booking a Standard room .... how many of the rooms look over the delivery/garbage area on the side of the resort?

it would be 4 floors of rooms (as the lobby is on the 2nd floor and the 7th is the Concierge Level).. and I would guess that there are about 8-10 rooms on that side, on each floor. I'm not positive..but that's a rough estimate.

 

[Luvamouse]

Me again. I'm still trying to figure the whole concierge vs deluxe choice and having just returned from a weekend at a Comfort Suites, I wanted to ask if anyone knew the actual measurements of the standard rooms at WL. Our room at Comfort Suites was 12' wide and 32' long. That gives square footage of 384 feet. It does include a half wall and a separate love seat sleeper which I realize is not comparable to the WL rooms which are described as 340 sq. ft. But as I really sat and looked at the room, multiplying it by 9 nights at WL, I wanted to find out if any of you actually had measurements so I can compare it to the room we are very familiar with staying in (several times a year). Also, I assume when the square footage is given for rooms, it is on the outside dimensions, right? Including the bathroom and closets, etc?. I also realize that the balcony will add to the useful space as will bunkbeds for our family of 4.
I love the idea of the extra space in the Deluxe Room, but we really try to keep our room picked up (couple of times daily) for our sanity and since our trip to Disney isn't really to stay in the hotel, I got really analytical this weekend about justifying the cost since we were in no way crowded in the room we had there. Just what I needed to do on a cold day in Maine, sit in my room and dream of Disney...18 months and 3 weeks away.

Thanks anyone! I know someone out there must be as bad as me about measuring this stuff...right?

Heidi

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Heidi,


Although I do not have the measurements you are looking for, my guess is if you take away the half wall with sofa that is in the Comfort Suites rooms and add in the balcony, you are probably pretty close in size to the WL rooms. We consider the balcony part of the living space because you can sneak away, close the doors (and drapes if it is early in the morning and the kids are still sleeping) and enjoy the peacefullness of the Lodge. We always request (and have been granted) bunk beds so our kids can have their own space and it has worked out wonderfully. We (kids included) too keep our rooms picked up - nothing laying on the floor, beds etc. That is just the way we are. We have stayed at Comfort Suites before in TN, KY and GA and assuming they are all just about the same, you will not be missing any space.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe any of the Deluxe rooms at WL have bunk beds.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Heidi

I wanted to get you yet another option that is actually better for your family of 4, if you are thinking of the Deluxe Room. (Jr. Suite)

If you look at the rack rates for the Deluxe rooms, then check out the One-Bedroom Villas (rack-rate)

Prices are for.....Value-Regular-Peak-Holiday
Deluxe..................$410...$465....$530...$575
1Bed-room Villa..$400...$453....$550...$600


The Junior Suites offer another alternative for families. They are approximately 500 square feet and offer 2 rooms; a living/kitchen room and a Large Bedroom with 2 beds. The Living Room Couch also opens into a bed. In addition to the couch, the Living Room has a TV, table, 2 chairs, wet bar and mini refrigerator.



The One-Bedroom Villas are 727 square feet and have one bedroom with a king-sized bed and its own whirlpool tub and TV, a living room (which has a queen-sized sleeper sofa, and TV), one full bathroom, plus a sink/vanity area in the room with the Jacuzzi , a fully equipped kitchen (which includes a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave), dining area (which includes table and four chairs), stacked washer and dryer, hair dryer, a nice walk-in closet as well as a smaller closet, and a private balcony or patio which includes two chairs and a small table. There will also be a private porch/balcony. The One Bedroom Villa can accommodate a maximum of 4 adults and one child under 3 in a crib.

Regular room 340 Sq Ft

Deluxe Room 500 Sq Ft

One-Bedroom Villa 772 Sq Ft

 

[Luvamouse]

CuteAsMinnie and MagicInMyHeart...

Thanks to both of you for the info. Cute-- I am glad you knew what size I mean and I was thinking just the thing you explained about the balcony balancing the extra "suite" space-- Thank you! I sit in the near dark to journal or read in the early morning while the rest of my (later rising) crew sleeps in.

Magic-- I had looked at the Villas (online photos and the info) but had a few thoughts-- 1) I really love the idea of being in the lodge and wondered if I would feel a loss of the theme by being in the Villa? (DH is dying for the lobby) 2) In all of the pictures I have seen of the Villas, the fabrics, etc. were pretty unmatched for my taste (sorry if you love them) and 3) My DD's can't share a bed so although I'd love the King size bed and the laundry facilities, I think the sleeping arrangement won't work. However, I still have plenty of time to decide and since I hadn't realized they are even cheaper than the deluxe, I will have to really look into those too. I've actually been looking into the villa info while writing this.

Thank you both for the help on that, I love coming to this thread every day to see the questions and the answers from all the "regulars".

Heidi

 

[JennyMominRI]

Does anyone know what the food offering are on concierge level? I'm thinking of booking it in Nov and wonder what it it offers

 

[LisaRN]

Does anyone know what the food offering are on concierge level? I'm thinking of booking it in Nov and wonder what it it offers

This is what they offered in December when we went


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.

 

[LisaRN]

Has anyone been recently..than can verify that they no longer have the chili and the nacho's in Roaring Forks since the rehab?? Geez..I keep hoping that info is wrong. Even in the heat of summer..I needed to get a bowl of that chili...and my DD Jenna..lives for those nacho chips, those are hard to find in Disney.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

When we were at the Lodge last summer, there was a flood light by the bridge between the main pool and the kiddie pool. It really put a damper on the pool deck atmosphere. I don't recall it being there on previous trips.

Any know if this annoying flood light is gone??

Thanks!

 

[HERSEY]

Has anyone been recently..than can verify that they no longer have the chili and the nacho's in Roaring Forks since the rehab?? Geez..I keep hoping that info is wrong. Even in the heat of summer..I needed to get a bowl of that chili...and my DD Jenna..lives for those nacho chips, those are hard to find in Disney.

If you can hold out for a couple until May 7 I'll try to remember to post when I return.

 

[latharia]

Thanks for all the information, everybody! We'll be leaving in about a month for WL! I didn't read all 173 pages...but I did read about 50 of them! Great info!

I've already called up CRO and asked for a king sized bed & will roll the dice & see what kind of view we get. Sounds like we are in for a truly fun time!

Just one question -- we have reservations at California Grill for dinner -- what would you veterans recommend as the easiest way to get there quickly? How much time should we allow to get from WL to CR?

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

The easiest way to get to the California Grill is to go down to the boat dock and board the boat headed for the Contemporary. I'd allow about 45 minutes just so you can take your time and not rush. It's always cool to stroll around the Contemporary if you're early.

OH, ask (maybe even call ahead and request) to be seated in the wine room. There are only about 6 table in that room and it is very, very peaceful.

ENJOY!

 

[ameraumi]

Does anyone know how long the bunk beds are? DS will be 14 when we go next and I am hoping he will still fit in one.

 

[LisaRN]

If you can hold out for a couple until May 7 I'll try to remember to post when I return.

Oh..I will be looking forward to a full report on that when you return then Oh..and a full report on what you see in regard to the room rehabs You better take a notebook!

 

[tardin1964]

Does anyone know how long the bunk beds are? DS will be 14 when we go next and I am hoping he will still fit in one.

They are a standard size twin bed.