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

[kmccartney]

Thanks for the input. DH & I are thinking that the benefits of being at WL sure outweigh the chances of a bad room view. I do believe that I will be calling TA on Monday morning to move from CBR to WL.

 

[kimmar067]

Joining the thread.

After many trips - all offsite - we are staying on property for our next trip. We just booked our August trip (for DS's 16th bday) today with our AAA TA. We booked CBR, but she was showing us that for not too much more we can stay at WL.....

...good for YOU.... !!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Hi there,

We have never been to Disney to see the Christmas festivities. If we are down Nov.11-14, would the WL be decorated yet. I know they do the MK first, so I am thinking we would not get to see the resort with the tree that early.

Anyone confirm that??

 

[tydad]

Thats the same question I had.. Was wondering when the WL decorated for Christmas,as we will be done there in early november too. Matt

 

[minniejack]

Just got back to this thread and saw all of your thoughts. DH wants to try Poly this time. So, that's what we're going to do, but I'm thinking I want to try the Artist's Point for Supper one night--we've never been there and we can see the geyser again.

Thanks.

 

[es45]

Are there rooms at WL that have been recently refurbished? I've been reading more frequently in recent trip reports about "worn rooms." Perhaps WL just isn't suited to the reviewers' decor tastes?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I am sure someone will know better than I, but we were going to stay there several years ago and the refurb had just been completed - think this was 2005 to 2006. I've also heard from friends returning that rooms are pretty worn.

Disney does not keep up the in between painting and repairing the way they used to, so it's just the usual wear and tear taking place - and it is a very popular resort.

The last few years we stay at the most recently refurbished resort.

 

[Brenner965]

Are there rooms at WL that have been recently refurbished? I've been reading more frequently in recent trip reports about "worn rooms." Perhaps WL just isn't suited to the reviewers' decor tastes?

The last room refurbishment project at WL was completed the summer of 2006.

 

[goofy4prez]

Are there rooms at WL that have been recently refurbished? I've been reading more frequently in recent trip reports about "worn rooms." Perhaps WL just isn't suited to the reviewers' decor tastes?

This resort has been completely refurbished. I was there in August 08 and again this past Christmas(09) and the rooms looked great.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

This resort has been completely refurbished. I was there in August 08 and again this past Christmas(09) and the rooms looked great.

Have the Villas been refurbished or just WL (the hotel portion)?

 

[es45]

We have friends staying at another Orlando hotel and they want to visit WL during our stay. Will we be able to take them up to show them our CL room?

If I remember correctly, pics show a gate on the CL floor. Do you use your room card to enter? Or perhaps the rooms aren't even on the CL floor and this won't be an issue?

 

[kmccartney]

Thanks for the input. DH & I are thinking that the benefits of being at WL sure outweigh the chances of a bad room view. I do believe that I will be calling TA on Monday morning to move from CBR to WL.

Hi everyone! I just had to share.... yesterday my TA called me with some information I had asked for, and while on the phone with her we changed our ressie from CBR to WL!!! DH & I are excited, but my kids are even more excited! This will really be one awesome trip!!!

 

[goofy4prez]

We have friends staying at another Orlando hotel and they want to visit WL during our stay. Will we be able to take them up to show them our CL room?

If I remember correctly, pics show a gate on the CL floor. Do you use your room card to enter? Or perhaps the rooms aren't even on the CL floor and this won't be an issue?

During our recent stay during Christmas my parents had a room that was not in cl and we were able to bring them up to our room with no problems. Of course we did not take them into the lounge or any other cl services.

As for a gate; there is no gate at the cl level. Access to cl which is on the 7th floor is accessed by using your room key in the elevator. Once you insert your key you can press the 7th floor button and the elevator will take you to this floor. Without the key, the elevator will not give someone access to cl. Once you exit the elevator there is a reception desk next to the elevator.

 

[FamilyShortyAJP]

I just want to say thank you for this post because it answered all the questions I had about room types and where they are really located - the Disney reservation people were unable to give me details and were some what misleading. Now I feel like I know what to request. Thanks so much!!

 

[BlueFairy]

Just have to say . . .

EEEEEKK! OMG, we are only 11 days out! I have not started thinking about a packing list and I might panic.
I did get the suitcases out of storage, cleanup the car, go to the dollar store for goodies for the kiddos, and buy T-shirts for the little ones, but that's it so far!
Oh well, doesn't matter, we will be at WDW before I can blink!

Can't wait to hear from those who are there now about the beautiful lodge and the crowds.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

This resort has been completely refurbished. I was there in August 08 and again this past Christmas(09) and the rooms looked great.

You must have been very lucky because this resort has not been refurbished recently and there have been loads of complaints about the rooms being in shabby condition. It is misleading to tell someone a resort has been "completely refurbished" when the last time was 2006.

 

[goofy4prez]

You must have been very lucky because this resort has not been refurbished recently and there have been loads of complaints about the rooms being in shabby condition. It is misleading to tell someone a resort has been "completely refurbished" when the last time was 2006.

Sorry you feel a refurbish that is only 3 1/2 years old is not recent; I don't expect WDW to refurbish a hotel every year or so, and I'll bet many on here will agree with me on this. Perhaps, some of these people were expecting pastel colors and bright sheets instead of rustic woods that the WL is furbished in.

We were at WL in 08 and again in 09 and found it to be the same both visits. I found the carpet to be in good shape, clean, and not stained. We found the beds to be comfortable and clean. We found the walls to be clean. We found the bathtub, faucets, mirrors, and etc to be up to date and clean. Oh, and the flat screen was certainly not an old picture tube; it was either a plasma or lcd.

I have seen people complain about the Poly, GF, CR, YC, BC, CBR, and every other property on WDW and the WL is no exception. However, I see more people who love the WL and find it to be clean and updated. There are loads of people who complement this resort. Again, sorry you feel I misled, but a refurb in 06 is recent to me.

 

[kimmar067]

Hi everyone! I just had to share.... yesterday my TA called me with some information I had asked for, and while on the phone with her we changed our ressie from CBR to WL!!! DH & I are excited, but my kids are even more excited! This will really be one awesome trip!!!

....a wise decision! WL is WA-A-A-A-Y better than CBR, and CBR is my LEAST favorite of the Mods....

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Sorry you feel a refurbish that is only 3 1/2 years old is not recent; I don't expect WDW to refurbish a hotel every year or so, and I'll bet many on here will agree with me on this. Perhaps, some of these people were expecting pastel colors and bright sheets instead of rustic woods that the WL is furbished in.

We were at WL in 08 and again in 09 and found it to be the same both visits. I found the carpet to be in good shape, clean, and not stained. We found the beds to be comfortable and clean. We found the walls to be clean. We found the bathtub, faucets, mirrors, and etc to be up to date and clean. Oh, and the flat screen was certainly not an old picture tube; it was either a plasma or lcd.

I have seen people complain about the Poly, GF, CR, YC, BC, CBR, and every other property on WDW and the WL is no exception. However, I see more people who love the WL and find it to be clean and updated. There are loads of people who complement this resort. Again, sorry you feel I misled, but a refurb in 06 is recent to me.

Sorry my post came across as negative - I was in a hurry and should never post in a hurry.

Really, I am happy you've had such a good luck! Our friends had rooms both visits (2008 & 2009) with dented walls, everything covered in deep layer of dust, broken ends of a beds etc. I think when a resort has a very high volume of guests it takes more wear and tear, which shows sooner. Although 4 yrs is not a long time since a refurb, Disney has cut back in all areas therefore not keeping up (at any resort) they way they once did, so it shows in some rooms.

I just hate for a guest to arrive at any resort and have a high expectation of a beautiful room in tip top shape when there is as good a chance their room may in less than great condition. (A new style TV doesn't have much to do with the condition of the room.)

We did cancel a December stay at WL due to the reviews of the rooms we've read here and other resources. I am not bashing this resort at all - it's a fabulous resort and has so much to offer - only adding the other real possibility when it comes to room condition.

 

[kmccartney]

....a wise decision! WL is WA-A-A-A-Y better than CBR, and CBR is my LEAST favorite of the Mods....

Yes, we are so excited! Just cannot wait to go! August now seems so far away.