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

[mrstomrice]

We have a standard room booked for our August trip. It doesn't appear that there are any castle view rooms in a standard room...is that right? Thanks!

 

[autigger]

I have not heard of anyone getting an un-refurbished room. You are probably seeing old photos. I believe ALL rooms were updates with the new TVs and headboards.

Thank you very much for your response! That is great to know.

After we booked the Wilderness Lodge, I read a number of online reviews that were pretty critical of the mousekeeping and the general condition of the rooms. I have never been to the Wilderness Lodge and was curious how the rooms that were just recently refurbished could be in such bad condition. Then I became worried that perhaps not all the rooms were refurbished.

This trip will be the first time that my family has stayed at a Disney deluxe resort and we are very excited! I just became somewhat discouraged at the reviews after deciding to make the jump to a deluxe resort.

 

[zipuzee]

My family just booked a five-night stay at the Wilderness Lodge during July! We booked a “standard” view room. We have stayed on Disney property three other times (‘06 All-Star Movies, ‘07 Pop Century, and ‘08 Port Orleans French Quarter), but never before at the Wilderness Lodge.

My question is whether all of the Wilderness Lodge rooms were refurbished/renovated during 2008? Meaning, were all the rooms updated and now include, among other things, a flat-panel television and new headboard? I have looked a good bit on-line and I see pictures of the non-refurbished rooms and I was curious whether these still exist or whether the pictures are just pre-renovation.

My concern is that since we book the least expensive room would we get a non-refurbished room.

Thanks for any help and/or sugestions!

When we stayed there in July 2006 they were wrapping up renovation of all rooms; they were finishing up the suites and CL rooms that week. We were told they were the last set of rooms to be completed.

 

[Nebula]

After we booked the Wilderness Lodge, I read a number of online reviews that were pretty critical of the mousekeeping and the general condition of the rooms. I have never been to the Wilderness Lodge and was curious how the rooms that were just recently refurbished could be in such bad condition. Then I became worried that perhaps not all the rooms were refurbished.

This trip will be the first time that my family has stayed at a Disney deluxe resort and we are very excited! I just became somewhat discouraged at the reviews after deciding to make the jump to a deluxe resort.

We stayed at the WL last week (March 20-27). We had a woods view (room 5034). The rooms were great and Mousekeeping was awesome. We had absolutely no problems at all!

 

[Applemomma]

Speaking of Mousekeeping.... when we last stayed at the World it was 2007 and we (four of us) were at Pop Century. We left $5 a day for our Mousekeeper in envelopes that the kids decorated. Is that still a reasonable rate to do at a deluxe?

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Speaking of Mousekeeping.... when we last stayed at the World it was 2007 and we (four of us) were at Pop Century. We left $5 a day for our Mousekeeper in envelopes that the kids decorated. Is that still a reasonable rate to do at a deluxe?

Personal preference only.

Some will tell you this isn't a tipped position and others will tell you it is.

I don't see a difference between how much to tip at a deluxe vs moderate vs value. The Mousekeepers should all be doing the same level of cleaning.


If you are going to tip, my advice is to tip daily. Your Mousekeeper will change and you will probably want to be as fair as possible.

Have a great trip and make many magical memories!

 

[princessallegra]

Thank you very much for your response! That is great to know.

After we booked the Wilderness Lodge, I read a number of online reviews that were pretty critical of the mousekeeping and the general condition of the rooms. I have never been to the Wilderness Lodge and was curious how the rooms that were just recently refurbished could be in such bad condition. Then I became worried that perhaps not all the rooms were refurbished.

This trip will be the first time that my family has stayed at a Disney deluxe resort and we are very excited! I just became somewhat discouraged at the reviews after deciding to make the jump to a deluxe resort.

Hi! Congrats on booking WL! It is a breathtaking resort, that we personally love. We stayed back in 2005 and have been aching to get back since! We didn't have any problems with mousekeeping back then. I think ANY hotel can have bad reviews, but it is what you-and they, make of it. When we checked in to WL we had requested a King bed. When we got to our room we realized it was on the ground floor (had to take an elevator DOWN to the room), which we were not interested in at all, we called the front desk and went right back up to fix it. They were very nice, understood why we didn't want a ground floor room (privacy mainly), and put us in a new room at once. We didn't have a problem after that. I would hate to think you are discouraged about staying somewhere as spectacular as WL. I'm sure you are going to have an amazing trip! If you do encounter problems, try to take them in stride, and keep calm. Always go straight to the front desk and ask to speak with a manager, and voice your concerns nicely. Nicely being the key word Wishing you a magical trip!!

 

[autigger]

We stayed at the WL last week (March 20-27). We had a woods view (room 5034). The rooms were great and Mousekeeping was awesome. We had absolutely no problems at all!

Great News. Thank you for responding. We are very excited about our trip!

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I've seen pictures of rooms with enclosed balconies. Are there specific rooms/views that have this? I can't imagine paying for a deluxe room, hoping to sit on the balcony while DH rests and then getting one that looks like that. I'm not usually too picky, but I just thought the picture was awful!

 

[autigger]

Hi! Congrats on booking WL! It is a breathtaking resort, that we personally love. We stayed back in 2005 and have been aching to get back since! We didn't have any problems with mousekeeping back then. I think ANY hotel can have bad reviews, but it is what you-and they, make of it. When we checked in to WL we had requested a King bed. When we got to our room we realized it was on the ground floor (had to take an elevator DOWN to the room), which we were not interested in at all, we called the front desk and went right back up to fix it. They were very nice, understood why we didn't want a ground floor room (privacy mainly), and put us in a new room at once. We didn't have a problem after that. I would hate to think you are discouraged about staying somewhere as spectacular as WL. I'm sure you are going to have an amazing trip! If you do encounter problems, try to take them in stride, and keep calm. Always go straight to the front desk and ask to speak with a manager, and voice your concerns nicely. Nicely being the key word Wishing you a magical trip!!

Thank you for your reply!

I completely agree that a few view bad reviews don’t mean much. We have stayed at onsite two other times and had a great experience. Not that there weren’t glitches, but as you said, it is all in how you deal with it, and in my experience, if you are kind and reasonable, Disney “deals with it” very well.

I suppose that I just had a little “buyer's remorse”, when after making the decision to stretch for a deluxe, I read some unfavorable reviews on the condition of the rooms and mousekeeping.

 

[wdw71]

We have friends who stay there every time they visit WDW (and that is a lot). They never complained so I called her and she said they have always felt the rooms were very clean. I think there are people out there who just love to complain. We will be there the first week in June for our first stay at WL. We are soooooo excited.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Every day is one day closer to our first stay at VWL! (...WL for that matter!)

 

[autigger]

We have friends who stay there every time they visit WDW (and that is a lot). They never complained so I called her and she said they have always felt the rooms were very clean. I think there are people out there who just love to complain. We will be there the first week in June for our first stay at WL. We are soooooo excited.

Great to hear, thank you for posting!

We are very excited about our trip as well.

 

[LJD2143]

Hello WL fans!
I'm excited to finally join this thread since we just booked our 3rd stay at the Wilderness for Sept 25th - Oct 2nd!

DH and I have been here twice before, but once our family grew to 5, we've been staying at the Poly & GF instead. Thankfully, my inlaws decided to join us this year so now we can share 2 rooms at WL! Based on the request of our 3 boys, we decided on 2 Courtyard View BunkBed Rooms.

I understand the Courtyard View BunkBed rooms are scattered throughout the resort. Is there any chance of getting CONNECTING BunkBed rooms? Are there any BunkBed rooms located on the Bear Face?

With 3 boys (ages 11, 8 & 8), we will most likely not want to be too far from the pool. DH also likes to stop by Roarin' Forks frequently to refill his mug. So if not Bear Face, what would be your room location suggestions?

That's all my questions for now. But I still have 178 days to go, so I know I'll have more!

TIA!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/03/dont-be-shy-whispering-canyon-cafe-offers-fun-family-dining/

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Thank you for your reply!

I completely agree that a few view bad reviews don’t mean much. We have stayed at onsite two other times and had a great experience. Not that there weren’t glitches, but as you said, it is all in how you deal with it, and in my experience, if you are kind and reasonable, Disney “deals with it” very well.

I suppose that I just had a little “buyer's remorse”, when after making the decision to stretch for a deluxe, I read some unfavorable reviews on the condition of the rooms and mousekeeping.

In 2008 we did have an encounter with some fast moving ants in our room that took two days to fix. Even though I wasn't exactly thrilled with that [I can say that now, at the time I was most unhappy], I also understand that it is just a thing that can happen. Anywhere.

We are currently booked for 14 days this August. I just can't picture staying anywhere else.

 

[goofygal531]

Rather than post this on the Restaurant Board, I figured I'd ask the WL experts.

Could someone tell me exactly what the hot breakfast items are at the Roaring Forks?

I know the menu says "breakfast platter" but what does it comes with? I know other resorts have the "bounty platter" that comes with everything (french toast, pancakes, eggs, etc..). Also, does the kid's pancakes come with bacon?

How can they NOT have Mickey waffles!!

In the past, I'd get the boys each a kid's meal then they'd pick at my bounty platter. Our own little buffet breakfast

It just looks like the hot menu is limited. I'm wondering if I should stop by the CR's Contempo Cafe instead.

I'm planning a quick breakfast before MK EMH AM. (we're on the DxDDP and plan on using 1 dining credit for breakfast)

 

[Little Lulu]

How can they NOT have Mickey waffles!!

Wow! What other kind of waffles does Disney have?

Well, I do remember the pine cone ones there at the WCC.
They're good but they're not mickey.

If you want the bacon, I'm sure you can get bacon, as we've done the DxDDP and they'd let us add sides with that plan. IME.

 

[Little Lulu]

Found these in the food porn threads.......from RF!
Child's pancakes with bacon!

and the breakfast platter!

Hope this is what you were looking for, goofygal!
One month and counting!

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks for the photos.

I'm now considering ordering room service that morning, the breakfast menu looks very good. Does anyone know what time room service begins? All Ears has 7am, but I'm thinking that's incorrect. I'm pretty sure it's 5:30 am but I can't remember.

Hey LittleLULU we're checking in on the same day!!