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

[nathanyell]

Just wanted one last chance to see my ticker before we go. We'll be arriving for our first stay at WL tomorrow.

National Weather Service is predicting a 20% chance of snow/sleet for Orlando tomorrow!?!?! Guess I'll just have to warm up in the Epcot WS. I'm sure that Germany has some beverages that will do the trick.

for WARM WEATHER!!! Though WL would look quite beautiful with a little snowfall. Hope you have a great trip!! We leave in a week!

Brian

 

[kimgg]

This thread helped me decide - we booked WL for 5/29 - 6/4! Less than 5 months! Our family's first visit to WDW. So excited but I have so much to learn, read, and plan. Those of you ahead of me, have fun and please post any advice or experiences.

I know my kids will have fun, they are cub scouts so I think it will be perfect for us.

 

[ginbom]

for WARM WEATHER!!! Though WL would look quite beautiful with a little snowfall. Hope you have a great trip!! We leave in a week!

Brian

My DH (also a Brian) keeps saying that the lodge would look so awesome with snow on it. We'll try to convince some warmer temps to come in before you get there.

 

[dizneykid]

for WARM WEATHER!!! Though WL would look quite beautiful with a little snowfall. Hope you have a great trip!! We leave in a week!

Brian

Just checked our weather and it looks like it should be cold through Monday! We are expecting a wintry mix today, so all who are venturing down here will need to be careful. We have been having flight delays just because it's so "cold" here! The state is not used to it being this cold for this long. We usually only get one or two days in a row, not weeks!

The good news for all you vacationers is that it should warm up by Thursday of this week. Looks like next weekend will be in the low 70s.

Just always remember, that Florida weather is VERY unpredictable in the Winter months. So, be prepared.

 

[BlueFairy]

We have booked standard view. I'm about to request a lobby room for us. Our kids are 4 and 1 and will be in bed by 8 or 9 at the latest. In 2007 we had inner courtyard, south on the 5th floor. I found the WL walls to be thin, so this year we are bringing our white noise sleep machine. (Last night I was able to have my kids sleep through the football party noise happening in the next room). Given that consideration, do you think the noise from the lobby is tolerable? I don't remember hearing any loud yelling and banging when I enjoyed the lobby fireplace on our last stay. As to the view, rooftops don't bother me, but I think beeping delivery trucks probably would.
Also, I know in years past it was common for AKL guests who booked standard to get bumped to savannah view. I'm wondering how often this happens at WL since it also has few std rooms.

 

[ptlycloudy]

Our trip is officially booked! We will check in at WL on 6/23 moving to the Swan on 6/30 until 7/3. My family is so excited!! This is our first time at WDW , we took a DCL cruise in 2004 but our girls were too small to remember it. Since we were fortunate enough to get a pin code we were able to book this instead of CBR. Now on to all of the other planning details!!

 

[maman_et_fille]

Wondering if any of the veterans could recommend checking in online or not? Are we more likely to get our requested room either way? (We will be arriving in the morning.) Also, my husband is hoping for an upgrade (I will be mortified if he actually asks for one), I assume we have a better chance of getting an upgrade if we check in when we arrive? Any advice? I appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[Sophie's Mom]

Wondering if any of the veterans could recommend checking in online or not? Are we more likely to get our requested room either way? (We will be arriving in the morning.) Also, my husband is hoping for an upgrade (I will be mortified if he actually asks for one), I assume we have a better chance of getting an upgrade if we check in when we arrive? Any advice? I appreciate it! Thanks!

I think it just depends on how busy the resort is when you are going. DH and I checked in the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We completed on-line check in prior to leaving home. When we got to WL at about 9:30 am on that Saturday we were upgraded to a pool view room and the room was ready!

 

[nathanyell]

I've done online check-in, did not get upgraded, but got my requests. This time I'm staying CL so did not do online check in.

I don't think it makes much difference.

Brian

ONLY ONE WEEK!

 

[hockeybabe]

We have booked standard view. I'm about to request a lobby room for us. Our kids are 4 and 1 and will be in bed by 8 or 9 at the latest. In 2007 we had inner courtyard, south on the 5th floor. I found the WL walls to be thin, so this year we are bringing our white noise sleep machine. (Last night I was able to have my kids sleep through the football party noise happening in the next room). Given that consideration, do you think the noise from the lobby is tolerable? I don't remember hearing any loud yelling and banging when I enjoyed the lobby fireplace on our last stay. As to the view, rooftops don't bother me, but I think beeping delivery trucks probably would.
Also, I know in years past it was common for AKL guests who booked standard to get bumped to savannah view. I'm wondering how often this happens at WL since it also has few std rooms.

The only "noise" from the lobby I can think that might bother you would be some of the antics from Whispering Canyon Cafe. Our first trip adn first night we had a lobby room on the corner in front of the fireplace, and there was a bridal party having fun at WCC...I know because the whooping and hollering was keeping me awake and I had to go out and see what it was. Once I knew what it was, it didn't bother me as much, and all was quiet again by 11:30 p.m..

As far as upgrades, we were at the WL twice, std room both times, the first time, no upgrade, but the second we got a courtyard view upgrade. We are woods view this year, but sure would be nice to get bunk beds!

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

This will be the first time my DH and I stay at the WL. I read about the Flag Family participation you can request at check-in but I understand once you get to the 7th floor there are 66 steps you have to climb to get to the roof. Is this correct? If so, do the have an elevator for the disabled or elderly who would enjoy doing this? My DH is retired military and would really enjoy this but I think he would have a hard time walking up these steps. He would still do it if he had to but I was wondering if there was an easier way to get there. TIA

 

[Loopner]

This might be a silly question, but......

When it's colder, are the busses busier because people avoid taking the boats?

5 More Days!!!!!!!!!

 

[baj0505]

Did a split stay at BCV starting on New Years Eve and then over to the VWL for the last 3 days of our trip. It was our first visit to the VWL and we LOVED it! We didn't go to the parks at all for our last 2 days. We stayed at the resort and walked the Nature Trails and over to Fort Wilderness--we had to put on 'layers' of clothes part of the time but it warmed up a little on Thursday for us and we really enjoyed it. DS9 saw some of the Disney horses and pony's and talked to the farrier who was repairing one of the horses shoes. DS9 also had a blast just walking the trails with us and making lots of 'hidden' mickeys out of natural materials along the trail ways--pine cones, bark, leaves, he got pretty creative and came up with 20 different ways. We met lots of people walking who were trying to find them all and amazed at the natural phenomenon that was occuring those 2 days. DS9 said its his new best favorite resort and he didn't miss Buzz Lightyear one bit. It was a very relaxing way to end our vacation, we played checkers in the lobby of the VWL and sat by the fire and read for a while. A very pleasant change from the hussle of New Years at the BC/BW area and we fell in love with nature again.

We did ride the boat over to the Contemporary for dinner at the Wave on Thursday nite--it wasn't too bad on the boat and pretty quick. Only 5-6 other people were on it and they didn't wait around long at each stop. We sat in the center back and the wind wasn't bad at all.

 

[PolyAddict]

Can you walk to CR from WL? or is it just the boat ride that is available? Can you tell me either way how long it takes to get there?

thanks

 

[baj0505]

Can you walk to CR from WL? or is it just the boat ride that is available? Can you tell me either way how long it takes to get there?

thanks

You can't walk to CR, only direct way was by boat. You can also catch the boat or bus to Magic Kingdom and then walk over to CR. We did talk to some people that walked to the transportation center and caught the monorail to CR - you have to walk on the grass beside the road- there is no walkway and I'm not sure about how safe it would be to cross with the traffic but the couple said the did it all the time with no problem. The boats come every 15 min. and going from WL to CR you have a stop at Fort Wilderness for pickup then directly to CR right at the back entrance by the pools and walk straight into the center of CR. The ride including the stop was really quick about 15 min. total. We allowed 40 min just in case we had just missed the boat -- the boat was there when we got to the ramp and the guy driving the boat didn't tarry long at Fort Wilderness.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

This will be the first time my DH and I stay at the WL. I read about the Flag Family participation you can request at check-in but I understand once you get to the 7th floor there are 66 steps you have to climb to get to the roof. Is this correct? If so, do the have an elevator for the disabled or elderly who would enjoy doing this? My DH is retired military and would really enjoy this but I think he would have a hard time walking up these steps. He would still do it if he had to but I was wondering if there was an easier way to get there. TIA

No elevator. You have climb the stairs.

Sorry.

But you can take your time. There is no rush to be up the stairs.

 

[PolyAddict]

You can't walk to CR, only direct way was by boat. You can also catch the boat or bus to Magic Kingdom and then walk over to CR. We did talk to some people that walked to the transportation center and caught the monorail to CR - you have to walk on the grass beside the road- there is no walkway and I'm not sure about how safe it would be to cross with the traffic but the couple said the did it all the time with no problem. The boats come every 15 min. and going from WL to CR you have a stop at Fort Wilderness for pickup then directly to CR right at the back entrance by the pools and walk straight into the center of CR. The ride including the stop was really quick about 15 min. total. We allowed 40 min just in case we had just missed the boat -- the boat was there when we got to the ramp and the guy driving the boat didn't tarry long at Fort Wilderness.

This is great info..thanks alot! We have ressies at the Wave and i was also considering trying out Contempo Cafe for dinner one night.

 

[Nole95]

Just booked online for our second stay at WL from 5/30 - 6/4.

Last time we booked through a travel agent and she handled all our room requests. What's the best number to call to request a specific area.

We have a woods view bunk bed room, and I would like to request an upper floor in the north wing.

Matt

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

No elevator. You have climb the stairs.

Sorry.

But you can take your time. There is no rush to be up the stairs.

Thank you for the reply. I'm sure he'll want to do it regardless.

 

[wickey's friend]

Hi, all -- I've been MIA from this thread since we got back from our Dec stay at WL. I've been lurking, but RL has made it hard to have time to post much.

Our stay was great! I'm still working on a trip report and pictures. For all of you about to be there -- I'm jealous!