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

[kanderson89]

Just got back from a great WDW stay...my first at WL. I LOVED IT and will be back. We explored other resorts, and while all were nice, WL was a good fit for us and how we travel...no kids, unpretentious, like good food but don't need extravagant, don't require the monorail, etc. It was just perfect.

We could see the castle and fireworks from our room...4016 if anyone is interested. Could almost see the electric light pageant...definitely could hear it...but couldn't quite see it from our room.

We found the transportation convenient. Between busses and boats, we thought it was great since we're more MK people than other parks. It was too darned cold to rent a boat or bike so we'll need to save that until next time. No day got above 57 degrees. Yikes.

Oh, the xmas tree was still up until mid-week (Jan 6th or so) and that was nice. Anyway, just wanted to report in and am happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability.

Cheers.

 

[mrsd1]

Thanks for your reply, Beckie. We've never gone hungry when we were in Disney, so I'm sure we will be okay!!

Kanderson, thanks for your report. I hope we have some warm weather while we are there. We are leaving 3 weeks from today.

Mrs D

 

[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.

Anyone else have an opinion or experience?

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!

Thanks. This helps a lot.

 

[tydad]

Just booked the wl villas for nov 7-13. First time staying here, have stayed at saratogo springs before but thought we would try something different. Can hardly wait for the months to pass by

 

[Loopner]

With going to MK I think its the same as it is in the summer. They have the smaller open boat and also have a larger boat that is inclosed by the windows. I love taking the boat so I just put up the hood on my sweatshirt! It only takes about 7-10 min tops anyway so I can handle the briskness of the lake!

Thank you so much for your response!

I did not know there were boats with the enclosures/windows and this will be our 3rd time at WL! Learn something new every time.

I'm with you and love to take pictures from the boats! I'll "rough it" a few times just to get my pics.

 

[Loopner]

Loopner,

I'll be thinking of you already in FLORIDA when I'm trying to get to sleep on Friday night.

I'll probably not be able to sleep anyway!

Brian

3 1/2 days!

When I got the "formal" announcement yesterday that school was out early on Friday, I was whooping and hollering. LOL. I'm so happy that we can leave mid-day on Friday!

I'm also happier with the temps for next week, but they keep changing when/if we'll get rain. I gave in and bought the new ponchos yesterday at Walmart. Better to be safe than sorry!

I'm at the point where nothing else matters besides planning & packing!

 

[nathanyell]

Just booked the wl villas for nov 7-13. First time staying here, have stayed at saratogo springs before but thought we would try something different. Can hardly wait for the months to pass by

Congrats tydad! I'm sure you will love the Lodge!!! The months will fly by, as mine did!

Brian

 

[nathanyell]

3 1/2 days!

When I got the "formal" announcement yesterday that school was out early on Friday, I was whooping and hollering. LOL. I'm so happy that we can leave mid-day on Friday!

I'm also happier with the temps for next week, but they keep changing when/if we'll get rain. I gave in and bought the new ponchos yesterday at Walmart. Better to be safe than sorry!

I'm at the point where nothing else matters besides planning & packing!

Congrats of the formal half-day announcement. That makes me miss my days of teaching in the classroom! Believe it or not, I'm all packed, but I still can not leave early because of the Hunny's schedule.

I'll just be quite a few hours behind you, so make sure the fire is going and turn on the lights at the waterfall!

I had to go to another WalMart to find ponchos, but that is now checked off my list. Kind of strange that my list is done and I still have 4 days.

Good luck with the packing!!

Brian

(Disney Announcers Voice) In just 4 days....

 

[PrncessA]

Thank you so much for your response!

I did not know there were boats with the enclosures/windows and this will be our 3rd time at WL! Learn something new every time.

I'm with you and love to take pictures from the boats! I'll "rough it" a few times just to get my pics.

We only saw the larger boats running at night at MK closing time and once during the early morning on our way to the MK.

 

[tydad]

Thanks nathanyell, I know the time will pass quickly. (hopefully). Have had friends stay at the lodge and have told us how great it was. Last time we went to wdw was in 2008,first trip for me since 1985 and I was sick all week so can't wait to go back and enjoy it the right way.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

.... hello, fellow Lodgers!

Hi!

Hi, I'm new to this board, but not new to Disney. My family has been 8 times, I think. My husband and I will be staying at Wilderness Lodge for the first time in February. We are very much looking forward to it. We will be staying in a courtyard view bunkbed room. In the past we have stayed at Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Carribbean Beach, Port Orleans and off site.

We have only made dining reservations for 2 days so far. Will this be a problem in February? We just hate to be tied to reservations.

I so appreciate all the info here and enjoy reading the posts.

Mrs D

I think you will be fine as long as you are flexible. The only time that you may have issues getting into a TS is during Prest's Day weekend. Plus, there are so many great CS places, esp. in World Showcase, I think you will be fine. Have fun!

I know . . . I'm not one of the original gang of WLers. Can I still stay and play?

of course! I've missed you all!

All players are WELCOMED, I'm not a original either.

Yet I am original.

Beckie

Just got back from a great WDW stay...my first at WL. I LOVED IT and will be back. We explored other resorts, and while all were nice, WL was a good fit for us and how we travel...no kids, unpretentious, like good food but don't need extravagant, don't require the monorail, etc. It was just perfect.

We could see the castle and fireworks from our room...4016 if anyone is interested. Could almost see the electric light pageant...definitely could hear it...but couldn't quite see it from our room.

We found the transportation convenient. Between busses and boats, we thought it was great since we're more MK people than other parks. It was too darned cold to rent a boat or bike so we'll need to save that until next time. No day got above 57 degrees. Yikes.

Oh, the xmas tree was still up until mid-week (Jan 6th or so) and that was nice. Anyway, just wanted to report in and am happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability.

Cheers.

Sounds great!

Anyone else have an opinion or experience?



Thanks. This helps a lot.

We were assigned a lobby room in Dec. (4081) I was really worried at first, but it was fine. We had a little noise from WCC, but it was over by 10-11. Your white noise machine should drown that out.....we could only hear it when it was dead quiet in the room.

3 1/2 days!

When I got the "formal" announcement yesterday that school was out early on Friday, I was whooping and hollering. LOL. I'm so happy that we can leave mid-day on Friday!

I'm also happier with the temps for next week, but they keep changing when/if we'll get rain. I gave in and bought the new ponchos yesterday at Walmart. Better to be safe than sorry!

I'm at the point where nothing else matters besides planning & packing!

YAY!!! Have fun!

Congrats of the formal half-day announcement. That makes me miss my days of teaching in the classroom! Believe it or not, I'm all packed, but I still can not leave early because of the Hunny's schedule.

I'll just be quite a few hours behind you, so make sure the fire is going and turn on the lights at the waterfall!

I had to go to another WalMart to find ponchos, but that is now checked off my list. Kind of strange that my list is done and I still have 4 days.

Good luck with the packing!!

Brian

(Disney Announcers Voice) In just 4 days....

Well, tell your Hunny that getting to the WL is more important than work! (one can dream, right!)
I hope you have a magical time!

 

[BlueFairy]

Hi!

We were assigned a lobby room in Dec. (4081) I was really worried at first, but it was fine. We had a little noise from WCC, but it was over by 10-11. Your white noise machine should drown that out.....we could only hear it when it was dead quiet in the room.

Just what I needed to hear. Thank you. I don't think I can do any more planning. Time to start the packing list.

 

[nathanyell]

Well, tell your Hunny that getting to the WL is more important than work! (one can dream, right!)
I hope you have a magical time!

I wish!!! We'll be there soon enough!

 

[nathanyell]

Just what I needed to hear. Thank you. I don't think I can do any more planning. Time to start the packing list.

The only problem with starting the packing list is that sooner or later you run out of things to do (like me), and the only thing left to do is work.

I can't believe I'm totally packed.

Brian

 

[Loopner]

We only saw the larger boats running at night at MK closing time and once during the early morning on our way to the MK.

Thanks for that insight.

YAY!!! Have fun!

Thanks! We're so excited! We cancelled our Sept '09 trip, which was a huge bummer, so we are doubly happy to be going back this month.

The only problem with starting the packing list is that sooner or later you run out of things to do (like me), and the only thing left to do is work.

I can't believe I'm totally packed.

Brian

All packed? You're crazy! LOL. I just did 2 loads of laundry to get us through the week, then I'll be doing more laundry on Thursday to make sure we have *everything* we need. I'm so worried about the amount of clothes we'll need.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

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.

BlueFairy
Standard View rooms located off the Lobby: (Southside)
There are only 9 standard view rooms located directly over the Check-in (Southside of lodge) area on the 4th floor and open to the main Lobby. While all of these rooms have outside balconies the views are of the roof peaks. Guests have also complained of noise coming from Whispering Canyon Café while staying in these rooms.

I have stayed in Lobby rooms before (not standard view) after my room door was closed I never heard any outside noise. I love the bustle of all the activity you are able to enjoy while seating in rocking chairs that have been placed around the banisters looking down on the Lobby. During the Holiday Season you will have a beautiful view of the Christmas tree and Holiday entertainment that is preformed in the Lobby.

These rooms also have easy access to an alcove with a fireplace and reading area just over the front doors, a large outside veranda over the front entrée of the lodge plus a great alcove and balcony overlooking Bay Lake. Looking on the map Wilderness Lodge room #’s and locations these rooms would be room # 4091-4099.

Photo by DizneyNutz​

Standard View Rooms located in the North Wing on floors 4, 5 and 6:
There are 39 standard view rooms located in the north wing overlooking the service area, all have balconies with open railings. (None are enclosed) Guests have complained of noise coming from the delivery trucks arriving at the lodge with supplies.

I have stayed in these rooms and while the view isn’t that great if you look straight down, these rooms do face the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom giving you the possibility of seeing the fireworks from your balcony. Rooms located on either 5th or 6th floor would put you higher above any noise and offer a better view of the Magic Kingdom. Looking on the map Wilderness Lodge room #’s and locations these rooms would be even # rooms 042-066 on floors 4, 5 & 6. (4042-4066, 5042-5066, 6042-6066)

So those are the options for a Standard View....possible noise from Whispering Canyon Café or possible noise from the loading dock. I have stayed in both the areas that these rooms are located and I personally didn't have any problems with either area.

The possibility of a upgrade at the Wilderness Lodge depends when your trip is. I have been upgraded many times so it is always possible, much more of a possibility then over at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I did not know there were boats with the enclosures/windows and this will be our 3rd time at WL! Learn something new every time.
I'm with you and love to take pictures from the boats! I'll "rough it" a few times just to get my pics.

Loopner

Here are photos of both types of watercraft that are used at Wilderness Lodge for transportation to the Magic Kingdom, the larger enclosed Motor Cruisers also have open seating areas forward and aft so photos can be taken in the open.
Red Flag Motor Cruiser

Photo by MassJester

Red Flag Motor Launch

Photo by DizneyNutz

 

[newrygirl]

so from reading the post above does this mean there are only 48 standard view rooms at WL, are all the rest courtyard and woods view?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Just booked the wl villas for nov 7-13. First time staying here, have stayed at Saratoga Springs before but thought we would try something different. Can hardly wait for the months to pass by.

Tydad
I know you will love your stay over at the Villas, you will find everything so much closer...no long walks to restaurants or bus stops and the buses won't be packed when they arrive. There are only 136-units at the Villas @ Wilderness Lodge compared to over 522-units @ Saratoga Springs.

Beckie

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

So from reading the post above does this mean there are only 48 standard view rooms at WL, are all the rest courtyard and woods view?

Newtygirl

For the most part yes....there are also Deluxe, Honeymoon and the
Presidential & Vice-Presidential Suites.