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

[Pixiedust34]

Is the WL tour still being given on Saturday mornings? I'm hoping to take the tour next month.

 

[MsHershey]

Even though it's done automatically for Club Level guests, the one exception to that rule is at the Grand Floridian where all their guests will have it each night.

Is there an additional charge for turndown service for guests not staying at Club Level?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Is there an additional charge for turndown service for guests not staying at Club Level?

No, but some guests choose to leave a tip, thought it isn't required.

 

[MsHershey]

No, but some guests choose to leave a tip, thought it isn't required.

Would this be in addition to the daily Mousekeeping tips and how much tip is common?

 

[Junebugwv]

We'll be staying at VWL in Sept and it has been 3 years since we stayed at WL. I would like some reliable info about bus routes. We will be driving to most parks, but our teen boys will probably stay at parks later than we do, or want to go to DQ on their own. I am not very familiar with the routes, times, etc. I remember one year 2 people in our group stayed for fireworks at MK and the buses to BC were packed so they thought they would just go to TTC and take a bus to BC. They had to return to MK to get a bus. They were older teens so it wasn't a problem, but I would prefer accurate info for these 2 high schoolers.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We will be there in 8 days On my reservation I noted we were first timers. Do they do anything for first timers? We have a standard room, what should I expect for a room? Do you have to request nightly turndown daily or just once at check in? Thanks in advance to whomever helps with answers

How exciting - you'll be there so soon! I'm not aware of anything special they do for first-timers, however, from my experiences and others' on this thread, it is highly likely that you will be upgraded to at least a Woods View. A STD view will have a parking lot/roof view. But, I really think you'll be upgraded, though I can't guarantee it (let us know what happens).

You will need to request turndown upon check-in. Just tell them that you'd like daily turndown service.

Is the WL tour still being given on Saturday mornings? I'm hoping to take the tour next month.

They used to be offered Wed-Sat at 0900 in the lobby. Hopefully, someone will verify that for you. If not, I'll be checking-in in 15 days and will post an answer for you.

Would this be in addition to the daily Mousekeeping tips and how much tip is common?

I just want to start out by saying that tipping housekeeping is completely optional and up to the discretion of each guest. With that out of the way, we tip the daily mousekeeper in the morning and when we come back to the room in the late afternoon before dinner, I leave a couple of dollars for turndown. However, I have had some turndown mousekeepers leave the tip and not accept it.

We'll be staying at VWL in Sept and it has been 3 years since we stayed at WL. I would like some reliable info about bus routes. We will be driving to most parks, but our teen boys will probably stay at parks later than we do, or want to go to DQ on their own. I am not very familiar with the routes, times, etc. I remember one year 2 people in our group stayed for fireworks at MK and the buses to BC were packed so they thought they would just go to TTC and take a bus to BC. They had to return to MK to get a bus. They were older teens so it wasn't a problem, but I would prefer accurate info for these 2 high schoolers.

Maybe this WDW bus schedule link will help you:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/bus_schedules.htm

 

[WDWKOOK]

I was organizing my upcoming trip binder (OC planner) and I came across my brochure of the 2010 holiday activities which some have asked about:

 

[Pixiedust34]

They used to be offered Wed-Sat at 0900 in the lobby. Hopefully, someone will verify that for you. If not, I'll be checking-in in 15 days and will post an answer for you.

Thank you! That would be great!

Have fun planning the last minute details of your trip.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

We are headed to WDW August 20th and will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time. We are surprising the kids with the trip (my daughter is nine and my son is only two, so he isn't going to get it. He was seven months old last time we visited Mickey!) We will be leaving from my parents house in NC, so our plan is to just drive and see how long it takes our daughter to realize that we aren't going home. Anyway....my daughter is obsessed with the Wilderness Lodge because we always eat there when we visit Disney and she is going to be beside herself when we pull up to the place. I think that it is going to be awesome! I just had a couple of questions:

1. We have a standard room and the only request that I would like to make is that we are not on the bottom floor. Should I bother making this request ahead of time, or can I just wait until we get there? I won't die if we don't get it.

2. Also, since I've made the reservation, my son has moved into a big boy bed and we are worried that he won't sleep in a pack and play. Do they have a side rail that can be added to the bed on one side for him, or should we plan to bring our own?

We are soooo looking forward to staying at WL. I almost wish my daughter knew about this trip because she is my co-planner on all our Disney outings and while my husband loves Disney too, he won't obsess over everything, spend time reading the internet and watching the touring DVDs. Of course, I can't do too much of that without causing my daughter to get suspicious either.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you! That would be great!

Have fun planning the last minute details of your trip.

You're welcome. Funny you should mention "last minute details." With two weeks until check-in, DH announced that we should do the DxDP for the WL/CL portion of our stay. I scrambled last night to add 10 more TS ADRs to our first five nights

We are headed to WDW August 20th and will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time. We are surprising the kids with the trip (my daughter is nine and my son is only two, so he isn't going to get it. He was seven months old last time we visited Mickey!) We will be leaving from my parents house in NC, so our plan is to just drive and see how long it takes our daughter to realize that we aren't going home. Anyway....my daughter is obsessed with the Wilderness Lodge because we always eat there when we visit Disney and she is going to be beside herself when we pull up to the place. I think that it is going to be awesome! I just had a couple of questions:

1. We have a standard room and the only request that I would like to make is that we are not on the bottom floor. Should I bother making this request ahead of time, or can I just wait until we get there? I won't die if we don't get it.

2. Also, since I've made the reservation, my son has moved into a big boy bed and we are worried that he won't sleep in a pack and play. Do they have a side rail that can be added to the bed on one side for him, or should we plan to bring our own?

We are soooo looking forward to staying at WL. I almost wish my daughter knew about this trip because she is my co-planner on all our Disney outings and while my husband loves Disney too, he won't obsess over everything, spend time reading the internet and watching the touring DVDs. Of course, I can't do too much of that without causing my daughter to get suspicious either.

I think the WL is a wonderful choice for your family's first on-site stay. I don't know how you can keep it all a secret from DD. I could never keep quiet about an upcoming trip to WDW. Do you think she'll notice in NC or GA that she isn't headed north?

Any room requests should be noted in your reservation at least 5 days prior to arrival so that the room assignor will see them and can try to accommodate your request. If for some reason they give you a ground floor, just ask them at check-in for a higher floor and I'm sure it won't be a problem.

I have never done this so I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the side rails can be requested at check-in. Hopefully, someone else will chime in here to verify.

Have a great trip to the Lodge!


ETA: My mistake - it's your first stay at WL, not your first on-site stay.

Also, to set the record straight, we ended-up not adding the DxDP and I was able to switch back our ADRs).

 

[mishkamushka]

Have a great trip to the Lodge!

Kook I just want to say THANK YOU for all the advice/help on the lodge.

This is our 3rd time at the lodge but our first at Christmas season. We wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else. What I find amazing is even though we've stayed there twice, there's still so many things we don't know.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Kook I just want to say THANK YOU for all the advice/help on the lodge.

This is our 3rd time at the lodge but our first at Christmas season. We wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else. What I find amazing is even though we've stayed there twice, there's still so many things we don't know.

You're very welcome, mishkamushka! I'm glad I could help my fellow Lodgers.

You're going to love Christmastime at the WL. It's the perfect holiday setting, IMHO. And, you're right about always discovering something new. But, I still look forward to the familiar, too. I really don't like it when they change things around at WDW, KWIM?

Have fun planning!

 

[Cupmom]

WL does have side rails..we used them when my ds was little. He slept in the bootom bunk and they sent us 2.. one for each side.

 

[WDWKOOK]

WL does have side rails..we used them when my ds was little. He slept in the bootom bunk and they sent us 2.. one for each side.

Thank you for verifying this, Cupmom since I wasn't 100% certain.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Have any of you done both the DxDP AND CL? I would love to read about your experience!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I think the WL is a wonderful choice for your family's first on-site stay. I don't know how you can keep it all a secret from DD. I could never keep quiet about an upcoming trip to WDW. Do you think she'll notice in NC or GA that she isn't headed north?

Any room requests should be noted in your reservation at least 5 days prior to arrival so that the room assignor will see them and can try to accommodate your request. If for some reason they give you a ground floor, just ask them at check-in for a higher floor and I'm sure it won't be a problem.

I have never done this so I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the side rails can be requested at check-in. Hopefully, someone else will chime in here to verify.

Have a great trip to the Lodge!

Oh we always stay on-site, we've just never stayed here. We adore Pop Century and usually stay there. My husband and I have done the Contemporary on our honeymoon too. I was actually a little worried that Katie will be sad to discover that we aren't staying at Pop, but I think that because it is the WL, she will be thrilled. Anywhere else she would probably be a little sad at first.

Thanks for the info!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

WL does have side rails..we used them when my ds was little. He slept in the bootom bunk and they sent us 2.. one for each side.

Thank you for letting us know this! That will make life so much easier.

 

[cinderella73]

My mom considered booking here . She was asking me when it was due for a room renovation. I was thinking its gotta be pretty soon but wasn't sure. Anyone have any info ?

 

[rie'smom]

Hi, when I wake up later I want to book a deluxe room and I would like a view of the the Silver Creek Springs Pool. Instead of booking online, I figured my chances might be better if I book by phone. I realize that views are non specific. So should I request inner courtyard instead of Silver Creek Springs pool?

 

[WDWKOOK]

My mom considered booking here . She was asking me when it was due for a room renovation. I was thinking its gotta be pretty soon but wasn't sure. Anyone have any info ?

Yes, it's due for a room rehab soon. A PP talked to a CM at the WL recently who mentioned that a room rehab is (unofficially?) scheduled to begin in the fall. I will be there in two weeks and I'll ask about this and report back here.

Hi, when I wake up later I want to book a deluxe room and I would like a view of the the Silver Creek Springs Pool. Instead of booking online, I figured my chances might be better if I book by phone. I realize that views are non specific. So should I request inner courtyard instead of Silver Creek Springs pool?

It sounds like you will be booking a Courtyard View room and want to add a request for a VWL Courtyard (pool) View? The room location request will have to be put in your reservation at least 5 days prior to arrival for the room assignor to see it and I don't believe this is possible online. You can book online and then call the WDTC/CRO to add your request. Whatever means you use to book (online, phone, TA) just make sure the request gets noted in your reservation. Even if upon arrival you aren't happy with the location, you can certainly ask if your preferred location is available.