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

[AlexWyattMommy]

i know! eek!!! so excited i cant sleep! this is the only time out of 7 visits i've ever stayed at a deluxe resort.

yes i came across that thread last nite- looks like it got nasty fast! everything i have is either window clings or magnets....so no worry about damage there. but i don't want to decaorate if it's totally faux pas! thanks for your help.

You could always decorate the sliding glass door. This way YOU get the pleasure of seeing it. And offend nobody.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

You could always decorate the sliding glass door. This way YOU get the pleasure of seeing it. And offend nobody.

thanks! i think that was gonna be the back up plan...and the magnets we'll just stick on the fridge, gosh knows the kids are only going to play with them anyways....2 days left, our inlaws are treating us to a hotel by the airport tomorrow so they dont have to drive us at 3 am to the airport. so now i have even less time to get everything done....and 3 appts over the next two days.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Make many magical memories!!

 

[Manda_Lizabeth]

eek! we leave in three days for one nite at movies and 2 weeks at wl! so excited!!!!

silly question,i know at the values guest often decorate their room doors and windows, is this okay at wl? or is it frowned upon? are the doors wood or metal like the values?

thanks guys!

My sister and I stayed at the lodge over New Years and still decorated our room and windows! We didn't do anything to the doors (I do think they are wood), but we put window clings (we got so many for 50 cents at CVS) and signs that it was our first trip together on the sliding glass and mirrors. No one ever said anything and we made sure to take everything down when we left. There were a couple people who decorated their glass windows who looked out towards the main pool. Some even had the blowup Tiger and Pooh characters and Christmas lights on their balcony. It was pretty cool!

 

[Manda_Lizabeth]

thanks! i think that was gonna be the back up plan...and the magnets we'll just stick on the fridge, gosh knows the kids are only going to play with them anyways....2 days left, our inlaws are treating us to a hotel by the airport tomorrow so they dont have to drive us at 3 am to the airport. so now i have even less time to get everything done....and 3 appts over the next two days.

I really wouldn't bring magnets for the fridge. The fridge at the WL is "hidden" under a few drawers so there isn't any way you can put magnets on it.

 

[thefigueroas]

I have lurked on this thread off and on and I just wanted to thank everone for their great information. We are leaving on Friday for 8 days at the Wilderness Lodge and are TOO excited for words. We have stayed at POR, CBR, offsite, and SOG but never deluxe and decided to upgrade to celebrate the extension (finally) of our trio to a quartet. My son is a little disgruntled that my daughter's first stay is at a deluxe and not at POR like him but he is not complaining much since he gets to stay there too. Again, thank you for all of your helpful advice and I will be sure to give any updates needed when we get back.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

Make many magical memories!!

will do! ds is turnign 3 while there so it's sure to be an amazing trip!

My sister and I stayed at the lodge over New Years and still decorated our room and windows! We didn't do anything to the doors (I do think they are wood), but we put window clings (we got so many for 50 cents at CVS) and signs that it was our first trip together on the sliding glass and mirrors. No one ever said anything and we made sure to take everything down when we left. There were a couple people who decorated their glass windows who looked out towards the main pool. Some even had the blowup Tiger and Pooh characters and Christmas lights on their balcony. It was pretty cool!

thanks for letting me know- i appreicate it!

I really wouldn't bring magnets for the fridge. The fridge at the WL is "hidden" under a few drawers so there isn't any way you can put magnets on it.

great one less thing to pack then!

 

[mgeez]

We, family of 8, are staying at WL villas in 2 weeks. There will be many long days at the different parks, and i was wondering if there are any bars / lounges that I could grab a beer or frequent after the kids are in bed in the lodge. The inlaws are with us and the wife and I will definately need some time to unwind. I know of other "sit at the bar" bars in other DW resorts, but the wife wants to be in close proximity to the kids.

 

[disneyfan55]

We, family of 8, are staying at WL villas in 2 weeks. There will be many long days at the different parks, and i was wondering if there are any bars / lounges that I could grab a beer or frequent after the kids are in bed in the lodge. The inlaws are with us and the wife and I will definately need some time to unwind. I know of other "sit at the bar" bars in other DW resorts, but the wife wants to be in close proximity to the kids.

Yes, there is one off the lobby and is really great. It's not too big and it's just really neat and the barstaff are really nice. (one remembered us from a few years ago!!) They have a few very good appitizer type offerings. There is also a pool bar but we have never gone there. When we visited in 2003 it was the most rainy trip we ever had in WDW and it was our 3rd trip within 3 years. We spent a lot of time at the resort and had a great time. For our most recent stay there, the lounge was one of our favorite passtimes there as well; the first week of Feb was Very Chilly! Many evenings were spent there! Have fun!

 

[cburek]

We just returned from Easter week at the Wilderness Lodge. What a great stay. My 2 boys and I drove and arrived Easter morning about 11a.picked up my husband from the airport that night. Never would have thought that we would be able to have a room available at that time but it was. Check in was a breeze.I had requested a room in the North Wing near Roaring fork and got in.

Room was 2025. Great location we thought. Quick on and off the elevator. Room was a CY with Bunk bed. Very clean and mousekeeping did a fine job. I was surprised that the hotel was not sold out considering the time of year. Pools were awesome,weather was fabulous. Could not have asked for better. Whispering canyon was a little disappointing with the food and service, but overall fine, we have just had better is all Saw the shuttle launch the Monday after Easter from the beach and watched fireworks from there also. Great spot to watch too. Watched movies on the beach 2 of the nights. Did some swimming at night. Overall it was probably one of the best trips if not the best we have had. Would definitely do this same week again. Crowds were not bad at all. Yes there were lines but everything was very doable. Never made rope drop for MK.We went at night time and rode everything we wanted.
We love the WL and even ended up staying an extra night since the hotel was not sold out they even gave me the same room rate. Any questions let me know I have tons of pictures.... going back in August... couldnt resist

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

Just had to share my excitement. Got pin code today and was able to get 2 trips booked to WL this year. One with my mom and kids in Sept. and one in Nov. with husband and kids. We also have a short stop planned there in June on way back from beach. I have never so easily gotten the days I have wanted with a pin code before at WL, pretty much every room category was available. One was for thanksgiving week departing on thanksgiving. So excited I can't stand it.

 

[Little Lulu]

Just had to share my excitement. Got pin code today and was able to get 2 trips booked to WL this year. One with my mom and kids in Sept. and one in Nov. with husband and kids. We also have a short stop planned there in June on way back from beach. I have never so easily gotten the days I have wanted with a pin code before at WL, pretty much every room category was available. One was for thanksgiving week departing on thanksgiving. So excited I can't stand it.

Oh, how exciting!
Amazing that there's still rooms with the pin code! Well, they'll be gone soon!
Good thing you got your trips booked!

cburek- WOW~what beautiful pictures! And a TR too!

A little over 2 weeks for us, and time seems to be draggin' ! ACK!
Can't wait! That's why I am here on the DIS! LOL

 

[BlueFairy]

A little over 2 weeks for us, and time seems to be draggin' ! ACK!
Can't wait! That's why I am here on the DIS! LOL

Time is not dragging for us. I need to put the brakes on. We have sold our house and need to pack most of it before WDW in 17 days! Would you like to come help to give you something to do while you wait? LOL!
Luckily we planned this trip for January and got to within 5 days before rescheduling. So I have most of my packing lists and some touring plans already made. Now if I can just find time to tweak them and pack a suitcase . . .

 

[~MandR~]

Thank you so much for this fabulous thread, it is a wealth of information. We will be staying at VWL for the first time in July although we've been to DW countless times. Celebrating my daughter's 18th b-day and hs graduation. She will be bringing her b-friend who has NEVER been to Disney. We also will have my 15 yo son.

We're always looking for those things that get overlooked, what extra special things would teens like to do? Is the Flag Raising Family a good idea or am I reaching with that one? Are the only boats the mouseboats or are wave runners as well?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

My girls and I went for a Mother/Daughters trip. We stayed 5 days/4 nights at WL and loved it! I was not sure how I was going to feel about staying there since we usually stay at the BC, BW, or Swan/Dolphin, but we really enjoyed it. We thought that the service was exceptional and we would not hesitate to stay there again. I will post some room pictures later.

 

[Magic Family]

Just completed online check-in...tomorrow, we begin the single digit countdown!

 

[LovintheLodge]

Ahhh...always enjoy seeing pictures of WL. My family was there in 2005 and we LOVED our stay. This summer it looks like we're headed for BC, but we'll have to visit WL sometime for a meal...

 

[Lou-Ann]

Just wanted to re-subscribe to this neat thread.

 

[goopysolelady]

We, family of 8, are staying at WL villas in 2 weeks. There will be many long days at the different parks, and i was wondering if there are any bars / lounges that I could grab a beer or frequent after the kids are in bed in the lodge. The inlaws are with us and the wife and I will definately need some time to unwind. I know of other "sit at the bar" bars in other DW resorts, but the wife wants to be in close proximity to the kids.

There are great places at WLV to relax and have some quiet time if you want to stay close to your family. Bring your own "refreshments" and sneak off to the pool/hot tub area or grab a game table in the lobby or just sit on one of the porches. I loved the DSA outside the health club. Was the perfect place for "quiet time" and really close to our room. Have fun!

 

[goopysolelady]

About how long is the boat ride to MK?

I'm trying to schedule our last day and I'm wondering if a 2pm ADR in MK is too late to get back to the WL by 4pm. We'll have to catch the DME bus around 4:30 pm.

What time should we try to be at the boat dock by? I don't want to cut too close but I don't want to wait around the resort for an hour either. My kids get antsy waiting around.

Thanks!

You should be fine with 2pm ADR but I would plan on leaving MK between 3:15 & 3:45. Sometime there's a longer WAIT for the boat than the boat ride. I'd guess the ride is between 10 & 15 min.; depending on other "boat traffic". We've had to wait for other watercraft to pass before our boat could continue on it's route. WL is our 2nd favorite Disney Resort followed only by the Polynesian! Enjoy your stay.