The Wilderness Lodge and Villas FAQ (Part 7) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY!

[PamelaKay]

Our next trip will be our first time staying at WL.....and on CL! I'm really excited but I still have a couple of questions.
1. One day we have a 7am ADR @ Chef Mickey's. What will be the best way for us to get there? I understand the boat that goes to CR doesn't begin running until 645am, so that would probably be no good. So, should we do one of the early morning character breakfast buses or do a cab? Would the bus take us to CR or just to MK? Also, can we even take a cab if we have a 3yr old, since we wouldn't have a car seat? Don't mean to sound ignorant, I've just never done cabs with a little person along for the ride.

2. The night we arrive, we have a 5:40pm ADR @ Kona Cafe. I figured we would take the boat to MK. From MK, would it be best to take the monorail to Poly or a boat? Also, about what time should we leave WL to make our 5:40 ADR?

3. This is the 1st time that we will be going in the spring. We normally go in Nov or Dec. We will be there April 30th - May 5th. For anyone who has gone around this time, how are the crowds?

Thanks so much for any advice/input! I am beyond excited for our 1st WL/CL stay. I'm even more excited for it than our cruise on the Dream!

1. I highly recommend a cab, if you request it, many of them will have a car seat. It is a very short drive and should not be very expensive

2. It takes about 20 minutes to go from WL to MK by boat. If you take the boat from the MK to the Poly, remember it stops at GF first so about 20 minutes. If you take the resort monorail, it will stop at CR so probably 20 minutes for that one too. I would try and leave the WL no later than 5 for a 5:40 ressie.

3. I haven't gone during that time, but Touring Plans has that week as a 4-6 out of 10 for crowds. The 2 busiest days are listed as May 2 and May 5.

 

[amandaw]

Thank you, PamelaKay, for the helpful information!

 

[WDWKOOK]

From AllEars.Net's Deb Wills, reporting from Walt Disney World this week:

-- The Wilderness Lodge geyser is not operating, and will be off for at least the next few weeks while awaiting parts and repairs.


-- The Wilderness Lodge bus stop is under renovation -- sections of concrete are being replaced, and the work is expected to take several weeks.

Also...

... from Tricia Wilkens: I just called about a Disney Photopass Portrait session. Apparently, Disney Fine Art Photography has taken over this role and there are a few changes. The Wilderness Lodge is no longer an option.

 

[bcuinohio]

The path from WL through FTW is great. It's paved and has a great "woods view." The path starts near the bus stop at WL and continues across a street to FTW. You can continue on foot or on bike all the way through FTW on their sidewalks, but you will have to cross one or two streets to continue on them.

The bike barn and the front desk have a map you can take with you.

Thanks.

 

[bcuinohio]

From AllEars.Net's Deb Wills, reporting from Walt Disney World this week:

-- The Wilderness Lodge geyser is not operating, and will be off for at least the next few weeks while awaiting parts and repairs.

I hope it is up by mid April.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks.

You're welcome!

 

[diskids2]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a rough time making a decision about our next trip. Good news is we know we want to stay at the WL.

The decision is this:

Do we rent a 2BDR villa at the WL and have access to laundry, kitchen?
or
Do we rent a deluxe room with a connecting room. This will give us access to club level?

I'm spinning around and around on this one. Usually I can make decisions

The villa is about $1200 less (I did a comparison with the tickets we need). The villa will give me access to a kitchen and laundry. The laundry is huge...kitchen will be helpful in that I would do a garden grocer order and we would use that for breakfast and of course have snacks and drinks in room.

The deluxe room combo would give us access to the CL which we have NEVER done at WDW and I'm in the mood to do so

We are all basically adults. My DH and I , DD - age 21, her Bf, and my DS age 17.

One of my hesitations is being in the villas will I feel removed from the main lodge? I find it funny that I even think this when I've stayed at CBR and have never felt removed .

Then I'm wondering about possible pin codes (we aren't going until JUly 2012 - yes, you can wonder why I am freting about this now....well I have some downtime in planning before my Canada trip, so I'm filling in the obsessive compulsive planning gaps ) I'm wondering if pin codes are more readily available for deluxe hotels vs. villas. Not that I'd get a pin in the summer anyway.

Any thoughts, sage wisdom or advice?

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a rough time making a decision about our next trip. Good news is we know we want to stay at the WL.

The decision is this:

Do we rent a 2BDR villa at the WL and have access to laundry, kitchen?
or
Do we rent a deluxe room with a connecting room. This will give us access to club level?

I'm spinning around and around on this one. Usually I can make decisions

The villa is about $1200 less (I did a comparison with the tickets we need). The villa will give me access to a kitchen and laundry. The laundry is huge...kitchen will be helpful in that I would do a garden grocer order and we would use that for breakfast and of course have snacks and drinks in room.

The deluxe room combo would give us access to the CL which we have NEVER done at WDW and I'm in the mood to do so

We are all basically adults. My DH and I , DD - age 21, her Bf, and my DS age 17.

One of my hesitations is being in the villas will I feel removed from the main lodge? I find it funny that I even think this when I've stayed at CBR and have never felt removed .

Then I'm wondering about possible pin codes (we aren't going until JUly 2012 - yes, you can wonder why I am freting about this now....well I have some downtime in planning before my Canada trip, so I'm filling in the obsessive compulsive planning gaps ) I'm wondering if pin codes are more readily available for deluxe hotels vs. villas. Not that I'd get a pin in the summer anyway.

Any thoughts, sage wisdom or advice?

I don't believe you can confirm connecting rooms so you would have to be okay with the room being away from the deluxe room if you book that.

I was in the same boat as you - deluxe or villa??? We chose the villa since it is larger than the deluxe room, has laundry, and saved us money. I would love to try CL but I'd rather save my money for the extras - like fine dining, or parasailing, or shopping!

I know I'm not much help (I've never stayed at WL but will be at VWL this May), but I think it is really a personal choice. If you really want Concierge, then there you go! If not, go with the villa.

 

[diskids2]

I don't believe you can confirm connecting rooms so you would have to be okay with the room being away from the deluxe room if you book that.

I was in the same boat as you - deluxe or villa??? We chose the villa since it is larger than the deluxe room, has laundry, and saved us money. I would love to try CL but I'd rather save my money for the extras - like fine dining, or parasailing, or shopping!

I know I'm not much help (I've never stayed at WL but will be at VWL this May), but I think it is really a personal choice. If you really want Concierge, then there you go! If not, go with the villa.

That actually does help...any opinion is great. I knew about the lack of confirming a connecting room....my kids are much older so I would be ok with it, although I did want that suite feeling. You do point out that I could shop my way through WorldShowcase with the extra money...now that would be fun!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

That actually does help...any opinion is great. I knew about the lack of confirming a connecting room....my kids are much older so I would be ok with it, although I did want that suite feeling. You do point out that I could shop my way through WorldShowcase with the extra money...now that would be fun!

That would be VERY fun!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In December they had WL sweat jackets, sweatpants, mugs, photo holders, magnets, hats and key chains.

It seems the WL and the Poly have the most resort specific merchandise while the other resorts have little to none. The CR, for example has none. When I asked the BVG store mgr. about this, she said they'd love to have some and keep asking for it, but they never get any.

The Grand Floridian also had some resort logo shirts, however they didn't have any of the other types of items you mentioned.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Does anyone have a photo of the menu at the main pool bar?

I would like to know what food they serve (is it just some chips?) and what drinks they serve - especially specialty adult drinks!

Thanks!

 

[tlhbdm]

Does anyone have a photo of the menu at the main pool bar?

I would like to know what food they serve (is it just some chips?) and what drinks they serve - especially specialty adult drinks!

Thanks!

I would like to know as well

 

[Carlyzmom]

OK, I've tried to read through this thread (it's VERY long)! What is the current condition of the rooms? When have they been updated? I was thinking about one of the POR/FQ rooms because they are being renovated, but my heart is set on WL!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does anyone have a photo of the menu at the main pool bar?

I would like to know what food they serve (is it just some chips?) and what drinks they serve - especially specialty adult drinks!

Thanks!

I don't recall seeing food served. Here's a photo from: http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/content/trout-pass-pool-bar-0 (with old prices)

Here's a menu from Magical Kingdoms:

Trout Pass Pool Bar Menu

Beer and Wine
Draft Beer $5.25 - 6.00

Bottled Beer $5.75 - 6.75

Wine $6.95
Chardonnay, pinot grigio, or merlot

Sangria $6.95

Non-Alcoholic Specialties
Sour Apple Freeze $4.69
Sweet-and-sour and Sprite blended with Monin Granny Smith apple

Lava Smoothie $4.69
Raspberry puree blended with pina colada mix

Frozen Orange Burst $4.69
Orange puree blended with nonfat yogurt

Specialty Drinks - Frozen
Southern Sunrise $9.50
Southern comfort blended with orange puree and monin passion fruit

Mango Margarita $10.25
Patron silver tequila blended with mango puree

Specialty Drinks - Rocks
Grand Margarita $9.50
Jose Cuervo gold tequila, grand marnier, lime juice and sweet-and-sour

Caribbean Limeade $8.50
Skyy infusions pineapple vodka, midori melon liqueur and simply lemonade

Paradise Punch $9.50
Coruba coconut rum, veev, pineapple juice and grenadine

Full bar also available

Beverages
vitaminwater $2.99

smartwater $3.25

Soft Drinks $2.19

Sales tax not included


Menu date: November 2010

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I don't recall seeing food served. Here's a photo from: http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/content/trout-pass-pool-bar-0 (with old prices)

Here's a menu from Magical Kingdoms:

Trout Pass Pool Bar Menu

Beer and Wine
Draft Beer $5.25 - 6.00

Bottled Beer $5.75 - 6.75

Wine $6.95
Chardonnay, pinot grigio, or merlot

Sangria $6.95

Non-Alcoholic Specialties
Sour Apple Freeze $4.69
Sweet-and-sour and Sprite blended with Monin Granny Smith apple

Lava Smoothie $4.69
Raspberry puree blended with pina colada mix

Frozen Orange Burst $4.69
Orange puree blended with nonfat yogurt

Specialty Drinks - Frozen
Southern Sunrise $9.50
Southern comfort blended with orange puree and monin passion fruit

Mango Margarita $10.25
Patron silver tequila blended with mango puree

Specialty Drinks - Rocks
Grand Margarita $9.50
Jose Cuervo gold tequila, grand marnier, lime juice and sweet-and-sour

Caribbean Limeade $8.50
Skyy infusions pineapple vodka, midori melon liqueur and simply lemonade

Paradise Punch $9.50
Coruba coconut rum, veev, pineapple juice and grenadine

Full bar also available

Beverages
vitaminwater $2.99

smartwater $3.25

Soft Drinks $2.19

Sales tax not included


Menu date: November 2010

Thank you WDWKOOK - you always have the answers...and with pictures to boot!!!

I did read on someone's TR that they liked the Patron margaritas so I assume that is the Mango Margarita. But if anyone else has a favorite poolside libation at WL, let me know! I mean, I could try them all but I'd like to know what the favorites are - thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you WDWKOOK - you always have the answers...and with pictures to boot!!!

I did read on someone's TR that they liked the Patron margaritas so I assume that is the Mango Margarita. But if anyone else has a favorite poolside libation at WL, let me know! I mean, I could try them all but I'd like to know what the favorites are - thanks!

You're welcome, Tinkerbellie16

I love your attitude about "trying them all." That's the spirit!

 

[2littlez'sandme]

Southern Sunrise sounds like it would be my drink of choice. I'd love a Mango Margarita, as well.

Can't wait to get there!!

 

[diskids2]

Looking for clarification on something.

The description of a 2BRM villa states king in master and two queens in the other bedroom.

But, when I look at the floor plan on this thread it shows and queen and a double sleeper sofa in the second bedroom.

Can anyone clarify this for me. It would be a deal breaker for me if the second bedroom did not actually have two "real" beds. I would then get the deluxe room with a hopefully, connecting room.

Thanks!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Southern Sunrise sounds like it would be my drink of choice. I'd love a Mango Margarita, as well.

Can't wait to get there!!

That Southern Sunrise sounds yummy too!