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

[tubachick]

Yeah!!!

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

My DH and I stayed at WL about five years ago and had a small disabled access room in the basement and were very under impressed, but I have decided to give it another shot as a surprise for my DH for Fathers' Day.

We will be staying July 3 & 4 on the CL. I am very excited and I am not telling DH until Sunday (Father's Day)! So, I have come to you to get loads of facts and information to make a little card for him with the surprise in it!

So, help me, please!

Any tips, information, or pictures that I could put in his "Father's Day" card would be appreciated! It will also be our annniversary when we are there!

You all are the experts, so help me make this surprise and trip to WLCL the best ever!

Thank you, Sazzo'sMommy

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Also, can someone tell me what to request, as far as rooms go, for a monorail view? My DD is crazy about monorails!

 

[mistaroo]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to add a room request at the WL. I have a ressie for a deluxe room/jr suite in mid-July and would like a regular see-through balcony with an unobstructed view of the water pagent. I do not want a first floor room because I don't want my toddlers to be able to walk outside.

Any particular wing or floor or room numbers I should request? I'm not sure where the EWP goes on Bay Lake. Is there a proper name for the see-through balcony?

This is our first trip to WL and we can't wait!! Thanks for reading this!
Liz

Sazzo'sMommy- I can't answer your questions as this is my first trip to WL but I hope have a great anniversary trip!

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

Whats a flag family?

Here is an article printed in the Daily Independent newspaper(Ashland, KY) in October 2004 that tells you what a flag family is.......I had to cut and paste because the link would not work!

"My family and I recently had an enjoyable vacation at Walt Disney World. The days were filled with the expected park visits, food, and fun. My six year old daughter met with Mickey, Minnie, and more characters than I could name. (She can!) My hopes and expectations were fulfilled in this year’s visit even though there was some apprehension about the hurricanes and damage. (Disney survived remarkably.) However, I never dreamed my six year old would also gain a simple patriotic lesson of respecting the American Flag.

Our adventure included a stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Simply picture the grand lodge of Yellowstone National Park with the Disney twist. The facility is remarkable in every aspect and the staff went beyond expectations to meet our needs. One particular staff member is well-known as Ranger Stan. Ranger Stan is an icon around the Lodge and I had read about him as I searched the internet for details on the Lodge. He stands proud in his ranger attire and beams with the kind of joy that would make Walt Disney himself proud. While I don’t know his age, I would presume that Ranger Stan is a retired gentlemen who is living his second childhood through his work at the Lodge. He is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable source of any information regarding the Lodge. Through my vacation planning I discovered that families staying at the Wilderness Lodge could request to be the “flag family” for the day. Although not advertised, this privilege is still sought by many. If selected, your family will receive a notice to meet Ranger Stan at the front desk early on your selected morning to begin your adventure. I had a basic idea what may occur but didn’t yet have the appreciation.

My wife, daughter, and I met Ranger Stan early Thursday morning. He immediately connected with my daughter and asked her if she would accept the privilege of carrying the American Flag on our journey. She beamed with delight at the honor and he placed her small hands around the Flag and she held it tight. He then handed the other flags to my wife and I and we began the journey to the top of the Lodge. After an elevator ride and a climb of 66 steps, (Ranger Stan provided the detail), we were on top of the Lodge, beholding the lands of Disney. The view was awesome but it wasn’t our mission. Ranger Stan guided my daughter to the center flagpole and kindly instructed her on how they would work together to raise the colors. He told her the American Flag was in the center because it deserved respect from the other flags and all those who viewed it. My daughter joyfully assisted him in preparing the colors and pulling the rope to raise them for the day. It was then that it occurred to me this was more than simply a gimmick. As we watched the wind unfurl the Flag over the kingdom, I’ll admit, I swelled with pride at what I had just observed. Ranger Stan then asked us to line up and face the Flag. I was expecting a photo-op but he asked my daughter to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. She proudly started and he snapped to a salute as we pledged our allegiance. My six year old had just received a valuable lesson in flag respect that too many children and adults have not. In the simple minutes of our adventure with Ranger Stan, she had learned how to carry, honor, and care for the colors. I’m sure she has heard some of this taught in school or hopefully even from me. However, the memories and pictures with Ranger Stan will undoubtedly be the lasting lesson for her.

How many others need the privilege of a few minutes with Ranger Stan? Simply attend a local ballgame and you will find your answer. As we visited for the next few minutes and completed our tasks of raising the other flags, I was able to appreciate the additional knowledge and kind demeanor of Ranger Stan. Later in the day, while swimming in the pool my daughter pointed to the Lodge roof and said, “ Look Daddy, my Flag is still flying!” Yes sweetheart, your Flag flies proudly! While there may be some things about the Disney Corporation that Mr. Disney may not be proud of today, I’m sure old Walt would be thankful for the work of a ranger named Stan.....I sure am."

 

[Majestic]

Thank you! A really great representation of the ceremony. I loved it when we did it. I got to do the US flag. Ranger Stan really makes you feel like part of the moment.

This belongs in the official FAQ. Beckie, would you want to add it to one of your posts?

Here is an article printed in the Daily Independent newspaper(Ashland, KY) in October 2004 that tells you what a flag family is.......I had to cut and paste because the link would not work!
"

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Thank you for the best wishes for my anniversary!

 

[TyRy]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the great information on this thread. While our trip is still FAR away (end of sept 06) we have already booked our 7 nights woods view at WL. This will be our first time staying there and staying at a deluxe - we've previously just stayed at POFQ each time. Thanks to the last 97 pages (!) I knew what to request and what to book...this is a great thread with awesome people!!!!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the great information on this thread. While our trip is still FAR away (end of sept 06) we have already booked our 7 nights woods view at WL. This will be our first time staying there and staying at a deluxe - we've previously just stayed at POFQ each time. Thanks to the last 97 pages (!) I knew what to request and what to book...this is a great thread with awesome people!!!!

Just a bit of advice. Since you are not going for a while. I am not sure what rate you got. But, you might want to keep checking back and seeing what discounts Disney or AAA might be giving. I once booked a room a year in advance and about 6 months later. Checked back and got the room a little cheaper.

 

[caroline]

Here is the response received March 23, 2005:

Hello,

Thank you for your email. I have confirmed that there will be construction on the 7th floor. They will creating a new lounge for concierge. The construction is to begin approximately April 3rd and will last approximately 3 months.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a Magical day.

Thank you,

Tara

Hi Tara,

Do you know what the menu is like for concierge service?
And can you upgrade from a junior suite to enjoy concierge services? I thought I had read on the thread that you could upgrade and have a card to use in the lift, or I may have dreamt this!
Thanks

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I just made reservations for WL concierge standard room for October. This is our first time at WL and concierge. We decided to do concierge because we are celebrating our 10th anniversary and you only live once. Anyway, I want to soak up all the info I can about WL. So I will be reading the FAQ. I'm thinking it will take me about a week to read the entire threads, but it will be worth it. I do have one question for now. When I go to the disney web page and look up my reservation, it doesn't say anything about concierge services. Do you think they made a mistake? Also, what view does standard concierge room have?

Thank you in advance for the info. Also, sorry if this has been asked before.

Lynne

 

[princess4life]

I was reading back a few pages & have a questions regarding Disney transportation . . . if you want to leave MK and go to EPCOT, can you take the monorail directly or do you have to switch at the TTC? If so are you better off going that route or taking a bus?

Also, we are staying (in 5 days) at WL. We made PS for lunch at the GF, would our best bet be to take the fairy over the CR and monorail to GF? Or, are we in the same situation where we will need to change monorails to get to GF?

Thanks for all the great info! I'm learning so much for our trip.

Amy

 

[dkrause716]

You can ride the monorail from the Contemporary to the GF. Just be sure you are on the resort monorail. You will not have to change at the TTC. That's only if you want to go to EPCOT.

Have a magical time!

 

[timandlesley]

I got a postcard today from the WL asking me to fill out a survey about my recent stay. Does everyone get this? Of course I'm hoping by filling it out MAYBE I'll get something (a pin: ) in return some day, sure would be nice.
Lesley

 

[Majestic]

Out of my last 6 stays, I've gotten it once. I filled it out online as requested and never heard another word. FYI, I gave an honest review of the resort and everything they asked for. (Which was mostly good anyway....)

If you're not honest, the surveys don't work.

Sorry to burst your bubble. (Who knows though....Disney works in mysterious ways!)

Good luck!

Fred

I got a postcard today from the WL asking me to fill out a survey about my recent stay. Does everyone get this? Of course I'm hoping by filling it out MAYBE I'll get something (a pin: ) in return some day, sure would be nice.
Lesley

 

[Frank_M]

We're heading down for our second WL stay at the end of July. We love the Junior Suite option... it makes it so great to be able to put our son to bed while my wife and I can stay up and relax.

To echo a question asked earlier... does anyone know if junior suites get you conceirge privileges? That would be awesome... and certainly seems like it would make some sense as the suites are more expensive, right?

Also... do any other deluxe resorts have the junior suite option? It didn't seem like it to us, but we might have missed something.

Looking forward to our trip... but if we could get the conceirge option too (oh, and maybe be a flag family?) wow... it could be ever MORE great (if that is possible!!)

 

[Majestic]

We haven't stayed in a JS yet and to be quite honest, I have sent a few emails to WL regarding this very same question but nobody has ever gotten back to me.

I will try a 3rd time today and see what I get.

Note, as has been posted, the concierge floor is going to be called the club level in the near future and quite possibly as of now. I don't recall exactly.

For Flag Family, ask them to check the book for availability AS SOON AS YOU CHECK IN!! This is your best chance.

Fred

To echo a question asked earlier... does anyone know if junior suites get you conceirge privileges? That would be awesome... and certainly seems like it would make some sense as the suites are more expensive, right?

Looking forward to our trip... but if we could get the conceirge option too (oh, and maybe be a flag family?) wow... it could be ever MORE great (if that is possible!!)

 

[kimmar067]

....dy, WL Vets!!!

 

[Majestic]

Hi Kim! Miss you around here...

 

[Frank_M]

We haven't stayed in a JS yet and to be quite honest, I have sent a few emails to WL regarding this very same question but nobody has ever gotten back to me.

Hope they respond to you, I'm really curious. Although, as much as I'd like to try the conceirge option... we love the Junior Suite. You'll have a blast. It makes such a huge impact if you have young kids.