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

[sweetpea29488]

Hi Everyone.

We had a wonderful couple of days at WL. We were there Jan. 18-20. It was a short trip for me to celebrate (early) my 40th birthday (real birthday is Feb. 11) We got a great deal on WL (I've always wanted to stay here) so we did this as an early birthday present. I think we got an upgrade because we booked a standard view room and ended up with a courtyard/villa view. I think that's what we got because we could see the lake, the villa pool and the villas. We had a blast and I'm sad to be back but at least there's always next time.

Sorry I didn't bump into anyone from the board. It seems like we had a few of us there at the same time.

 

[kmccartney]

Hi Everyone.

We had a wonderful couple of days at WL. We were there Jan. 18-20. It was a short trip for me to celebrate (early) my 40th birthday (real birthday is Feb. 11) We got a great deal on WL (I've always wanted to stay here) so we did this as an early birthday present. I think we got an upgrade because we booked a standard view room and ended up with a courtyard/villa view. I think that's what we got because we could see the lake, the villa pool and the villas. We had a blast and I'm sad to be back but at least there's always next time.

Sorry I didn't bump into anyone from the board. It seems like we had a few of us there at the same time.

Happy Birthday early, and glad you had a good trip! Congrats on the room upgrade, cannot wait to read a trip report!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

This is the exact reason why we take a cab to MK for our early ADR at CP. Taking it from the WL is the cheapest too.

You just tell the cabbie that you want to go to CR, but before he makes his right turn to go into the CR driveway, just have him drop you off. Its a five minute walk to the gates of MK. It steps aways from the furthest bus stop.

That $5 cab rides buys us that extra 45minutes of sleep...PRICELESS!

Yeah...we took a cab to the Poly for an early Ohana breakfast on our last trip. Should have done the same to MK this time. Lesson learned!

Thanks .. and SHOOT!

So I guess I would be better off booking a stuido if we have to be close to eachother. Then there will be no real need to worry for a 2 BR villa because we are making our own or trying to

And there is still the points possibility but I am not counting on that one.

Are you booked at Wilderness Lodge or Wilderness Lodge VILLAS?
The Studios, 1 Br and 2 Br Villas are all in the villas building. The "regular" rooms are in the Main Lodge building.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I forgot to say Welcome Back to everyone who just got back. I can't wait to read some of your trip reports!

 

[wickey's friend]

It's hard coming back I know so HUGS!

We had room #7085 from 1/16-18 and then #5031 from 1/18-25. I totally agree that being close to the Roaring Fork elevator was real nice. I'm really surprised I never ran into you since we were on the same elevator all the time. I did run into another person (Hi Lili!) on the board who came up to me the second to last day. she recognized me from my pic.

It was great sharing stories with her. I am working on a trip report now, but I'm sure that work and school will have to take priority.

I have not even downloaded the pictures from the camera yet.

Brian

YOUR'RE BACK! Now, if you get your trip report and pictures up before me, I will have to hang my head in shame. But, I can't wait!

I'm sort of planning a solo trip for May, and I'll probably be staying at Pop. But, just for grins, I looked at WL. For ONLY $481 more, I could stay at WL 4 nights standard view (which I would gladly do!). Do you think I can convince DH I NEEEEED to stay at WL?

 

[Cinbride]

YOUR'RE BACK! Now, if you get your trip report and pictures up before me, I will have to hang my head in shame. But, I can't wait!

I'm sort of planning a solo trip for May, and I'll probably be staying at Pop. But, just for grins, I looked at WL. For ONLY $481 more, I could stay at WL 4 nights standard view (which I would gladly do!). Do you think I can convince DH I NEEEEED to stay at WL?

welcome back everyone. I can't wait to get out of here. I think you should tell him you need the peaceful surroundings.

 

[BlueFairy]

Welcome back everyone!

I can't wait to read trip reports. Just wanted to check in here. We are having illnesses and house troubles, so our trip next week is on hold until May. I am holding out for warmer weather for swimming and some birthday celebrating.

Thanks to everyone for the great thread. It's keeping my spirits up.

 

[weswife]

Glad all of you had a grat trip! Can't wait to read your trip reports!!!!

 

[Loopner]

It's hard coming back I know so HUGS!

We had room #7085 from 1/16-18 and then #5031 from 1/18-25. I totally agree that being close to the Roaring Fork elevator was real nice. I'm really surprised I never ran into you since we were on the same elevator all the time. I did run into another person (Hi Lili!) on the board who came up to me the second to last day. she recognized me from my pic.

It was great sharing stories with her. I am working on a trip report now, but I'm sure that work and school will have to take priority.

I have not even downloaded the pictures from the camera yet.

Brian

I really wish that I had made plans to try to meet you in the lobby one day, even for 5 minutes, you know? You were almost right above us the second half of your stay! I agree - how ironic not to see you in the elevator, at least. My two boys were the kids who *had* to press the buttons every time. LOL. Oh and we had a funny "angry beaver" joke going on about the beavers who hold the gold bar (on the back wall of the elevator). I even took a picture of one of the beavers.

I can't wait to read your trip report after you get it done. I should work on mine tomorrow. Do you guys post them here at the Dis (and if so, where?)? On blogs?

 

[DisFanAmI]

We have booked a woods view room with a bunkbed for July.
Can anyone tell me where on the map this type of room is located? Any DISers have a similar room?

Thanks!

 

[Nole95]

Does anyone know if they sell autograph books in the gift shop at WL?

We will be arriving late afternoon on May 30, and do not want to have to worry about picking one up when we arrive at MK the next morning.

 

[Loopner]

Does anyone know if they sell autograph books in the gift shop at WL?

We will be arriving late afternoon on May 30, and do not want to have to worry about picking one up when we arrive at MK the next morning.

They definitely do! That's where we purchased them last week, so I know this one for a fact.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

How funny... we were there at the same time (1/16 - 1/23) and were right down the hall from you. We had room # 4028! I loved being closer to the elevators and we didn't hear much noise from it. We also loved being able to see the castle (thru the trees), the Contemporary and the monorails going by. My DH & I would eat our breakfast out on the balcony each morning (we'd get it down in Roaring Forks, then bring it back to our room). Our boys *loved* being able to see the Wishes Fireworks from our balcony, too!

My husband loves the boats to MK. I think it's always a highlight for us when we stay at WL.

I honestly didn't think our room looked worn, but you probably saw things that we didn't. I probably look past a lot of stuff because I'm on such a high the whole time we're there.

We only got towel animals twice (with a 7 night stay), but that was okay! I'm just mentioning it because we've gotten them a lot more in the past and I know that some people like to know more current info on this stuff.

My kids *loved* the activities by the pool one afternoon. We're going to schedule more pool time into our next WDW vacation. My boys both won board games at a Hula Hoop contest by the pool. They did the Cha Cha Slide & the Chicken dance, played with a huge beach ball and played Giant Jenga. They could've stayed there all day and bypassed touring a park.

I thought that the crowds were so/so on MLK weekend. We expected some lines and utilized FP when necessary. It was awesome on Tuesday (day after MLK) when the crowds lessened (a lot). We were walking on rides. Now don't get me wrong, the popular rides still need FPs. The Fast Passes for TSM were gone by 11:30 am on a moderately busy day in DHS. Peter Pan was 45 min + the whole time. BTMRR was busier than usual because Splash Mtn was closed.

We made the mistake of changing plans and going to DHS on a Fantasmic night (and we weren't seeing the show). It looked like every vacationer was thrown up into this park and I was sorry we changed our plans the second we got off the bus. Lesson learned!

We had to cancel a LeCellier ADR because my DH wasn't feeling well. I totally understood about not spending the $$$ when he wasn't up to par. We still put the kids into the Cub's Den (They love it there) and we went to The Territory Lounge. You can get a few food items there, so it worked out nicely for us.

We spent time in the arcade for the first time. The games are by "points" and not by amount of money. You load points onto a card and swipe it to play. I thought the games were pretty pricey. I laughed because with my package I got a voucher for 100 free points and the first game my son played was 75 points all by itself! LOL

I'll miss seeing my boys ring the bell outside of the arcade every time we're headed to the bus stop.

There *is* a photopass guy taking pictures from like 4:30 - 9:30. It's different than the pictures they take with the advanced bookings and it is "free" on your photopass like any other photopass picture. We, unfortunately, never did this because I waited to ask the guy what exactly he was doing until it was too late. He was situated in the lobby, towards the back window by the little bridge.

Hmm...what else? If you have questions, please ask! I could probably sit here and ramble on for another half hour.

FABULOUS INFO!!!!!!!
Thank you!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

It's hard coming back I know so HUGS!

We had room #7085 from 1/16-18 and then #5031 from 1/18-25. I totally agree that being close to the Roaring Fork elevator was real nice. I'm really surprised I never ran into you since we were on the same elevator all the time. I did run into another person (Hi Lili!) on the board who came up to me the second to last day. she recognized me from my pic.

It was great sharing stories with her. I am working on a trip report now, but I'm sure that work and school will have to take priority.

I have not even downloaded the pictures from the camera yet.

Brian

Welcome Back!! I totally noticed your absence from the boards and thought about what a fabulous time you were probably having. Can't wait to read the trip report and see photos!!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

We leave in 8 days. I'm wondering how many pillows they give you on the beds and if anyone has had any trouble asking for more?

 

[BlueFairy]

We leave in 8 days. I'm wondering how many pillows they give you on the beds and if anyone has had any trouble asking for more?

We made the mistake in 2007 of not bringing our pillows since we flew. I think I recall 2 on each queen bed (not certain). In any case they were horrible, but I know that people's tastes in pillows varies wildly.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

In 2008 the pillows were very squashy. We drove, so we brought some of our own. We prefer a firm doesn't fold around your face kind of pillow.

 

[PrncessA]

I even took a picture of one of the beavers.

LOL I have one too! The kids loved them and named them Ottie, because I love river otters and they resemble them.

 

[Loopner]

We leave in 8 days. I'm wondering how many pillows they give you on the beds and if anyone has had any trouble asking for more?

We were just there and there were 3 pillows on each bed (each Queen bed). Two smaller squishy ones & a larger firmer pillow. Then, there were two firmer pillows in the closet already. I doubt you'll have a problem asking for extras and I hope that between the two types available, one works well for you!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Thanks. I need lots of pillows right now. My body pillow won't fit in my suitcase. lol Maybe I should bring a 2nd suitcase just for a couple of pillows.