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

[hpopa]

Agreed, last fall there was at least one available.

 

[hpopa]

A fun way to do it is to take the boat to front of Magic Kingdom and take the monorail from there. You'd probably want to leave plenty of time for this, maybe 1 hr 1/2, so you're enjoying the trip vs. rushing.

 

[TarzansKat]

The last time we were there we used one for our bagels.

Agreed, last fall there was at least one available.

Thanks!

 

[BlueFairy]

We are heading down for our first stay at WLV in 17 days (THANKS for all the fantastic info on this thread!!) I have an ADR for Akershus on 9/8 at 8:30, and was wondering what the best way would be to get to Epcot and how early we need to leave?

TIA!
Apple

We found the hostesses at Akershus to be very picky about your arrival at the restaurant. We were there for lunch. In light of that, I would not leave it to chance. That being said, we (among many other reports at the time) found the morning buses to Epcot to be late and few/far between. If I had a morning character breakfast at Epcot I would drive my own car or get a taxi. Call bell services before you leave the room and have them order one in case there isn't one waiting at the front. We had to use a taxi from Epcot to WL in an emergency once. The trip was about $12 and not more than a 10 min. ride. The bus will stop at FW first.
Additionally, allow 30 minutes to get through security and walk to the back of the park after you are dropped off.

 

[BlueFairy]

We are heading down for our first stay at WLV in 17 days (THANKS for all the fantastic info on this thread!!) I have an ADR for Akershus on 9/8 at 8:30, and was wondering what the best way would be to get to Epcot and how early we need to leave?

TIA!
Apple

A fun way to do it is to take the boat to front of Magic Kingdom and take the monorail from there. You'd probably want to leave plenty of time for this, maybe 1 hr 1/2, so you're enjoying the trip vs. rushing.

At an early hour they would need the boat to CR. They run every 20 min and the ride takes about 5 minutes to CR. The boat to MK is more like a 10 minute ride, but it doesn't begin operation until 30 min before MK opens. Also, from CR the TTC for transfer to Epcot is the 1st stop on the resort monorail line, I believe.

 

[stepdisney]

Quick question. On our arrival day, we plan to go to Epcot and then go back to the lodge when our room is ready. Can we take the "TRON" to the MK from Epcot? I thought I read that somewhere. Where does the Epcot Monorail leave from? We have never taken the Epcot "Tron". Sorry if this is a dumb question.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Quick question. On our arrival day, we plan to go to Epcot and then go back to the lodge when our room is ready. Can we take the "TRON" to the MK from Epcot? I thought I read that somewhere. Where does the Epcot Monorail leave from? We have never taken the Epcot "Tron". Sorry if this is a dumb question.

There's no such thing as a dumb question on the DIS!

We just got back and during our visit, the Tronorail (as my DD11 calls it) was only doing the TTC - Epcot route. So if you're going to/from the TTC to Epcot, you can take it. BTW, my DD noticed that it's actually monorail coral.

 

[camsmomE]

Quick question. On our arrival day, we plan to go to Epcot and then go back to the lodge when our room is ready. Can we take the "TRON" to the MK from Epcot? I thought I read that somewhere. Where does the Epcot Monorail leave from? We have never taken the Epcot "Tron". Sorry if this is a dumb question.

That is EXACTLY what we did! We took the boat to MK, monorail to TTC and TRONorail to Epcot. Took a while though (It took us longer than normal because for some ridiculous reason I thought we had to get through bag check at MK to get on the monorail... YOU DON'T so it took us almost an hour and a half.) Worth every minute!! The story is in my TR that is linked in my signature. Have a great trip!!!

 

[goin' again!]

First time staying at WL and I know I'll have to do laundry while there. Can anyone tell me if the laundry room is near the pool? I've seen the map but I'm spatially challenged and can't tell how far apart the two are. And what's the best time to do laundry?

Thanks!

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

First time staying at WL and I know I'll have to do laundry while there. Can anyone tell me if the laundry room is near the pool? I've seen the map but I'm spatially challenged and can't tell how far apart the two are. And what's the best time to do laundry?

Thanks!

Your from a state where 93 north and 128 south are the same road?

But that aside the laundry room is right inside the building by roaring forks and is an easy walk to the pool.

 

[appplel]

At an early hour they would need the boat to CR. They run every 20 min and the ride takes about 5 minutes to CR. The boat to MK is more like a 10 minute ride, but it doesn't begin operation until 30 min before MK opens. Also, from CR the TTC for transfer to Epcot is the 1st stop on the resort monorail line, I believe.

Thanks everyone for the great info!!

We will have a rental van - how long would it take to drive to Epcot from WLV? How complicated is it?

Thanks!
Apple

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks everyone for the great info!!

We will have a rental van - how long would it take to drive to Epcot from WLV? How complicated is it?

Thanks!
Apple

I'm guessing once you walk to your car it is about a 10 min ride to the Epcot parking lot. Your resort ID will get you free parking. Ask about the route on the Transportation board, but all roads at Disney are well marked in similar fashion to interstate highways.

 

[goin' again!]

Yes, Capt. Barbosa- they're the same. Been here my whole life and I still can't figure it out.
Thanks for the info!

 

[singlefan]

My SO and I have just booked a getaway to WL in January. I have visited there before, but never stayed there. I remember a CM friend of mine telling me years ago about watching the fireworks from the roof. Is this something that guests are allowed to do, or was that just a CM thing?

 

[LuvsBlueDiamonds]

Welcome home to all the August travelers! Sorry we missed the meet and greet. Sounds like you all had fun!!!

Here's my review of Disney/Wilderness Lodge:

We love the Lodge. This was our second time staying club level. The food offerings were very good, and the staff was very helpful, the pool/resort was well kept but the mosquitos were vicious. We love going to Disney, but you always remember the bad versus the good. I was disappointed our room wasn't ready for hours after arrival and housekeeping didn't make up our room one day until 2:30 in the afternoon. Other than that, the resort was outstanding. The lines at the parks moved quickly, were short and some rides we walked right on. Transportation was excellent. Fantasy Land was sad. One entire side is closed off by a construction wall. After 3 years we finally got to ride Soaring!!! I had a panic attack on Mission Space, now I know why people die on that ride!!! The wait for Toy Story Mania was 140 minutes and all fast passes were gone for both days by 9am.

Now the bad... remember when WDW laid off 1500 employees two years ago... it shows. The parks were dirty. Main Street was trashed after the parades. We closed MK down 2 nights for the kiss goodnight and were shocked with the trash on the streets. Cast Members are over worked. I stood at a register waiting to make a purchase while I had to listen to the two of them ***** about how stressed they were, wanting to quit WDW and go to Universal. Really? I know working stinks, but you don't have to air your grips in front of guests. Only one CM called DD Princess all week.

We did not use the meal plan, we paid for our food since we had the 45% room discount. Kona, Whispering Canyon, Beergarten, Garden Grill were EXCELLENT. Food has gone up about 20% since last year, $30 for a counterservice lunch. WOW! Chef Mickey's should be shut down. The place was filthly, the food was below par and unappetizing for $140! At Sci-Fi we waited 50 minutes past our ressie to sit down. Our server was top-notch and made up for it. I did complain to the manager about the wait. She was shaking like a leaf when I got done with her. LOL.

Funny story... my girlfirend and I wanted Dooney purses. We saw them all over MK. Waited all week to buy them Thursday night at Downtown. Low and behold, we get there and they're sold out!!! We get back to the hotel at midnight and have the concierge track them down. Only MK had the ones we wanted in stock. Friday morning she and I sent the men and children to Typhoon Lagoon and we went to MK. We were out of park tickets, so we got a SHOPPING PASS. Ladies pay attention... it's a little secret Disney guards like gold. You put a hold on your KTTW card for a park ticket and get one hour to enter the park for free without being charged. We waited at the gates at rope drop for the crowds to thin out and ran like two fools down Main Street. We grabbed out bags in 21 minutes and $400 dollars later, we had our bags!!! Then we strolled around picking up Christmas gifts for the kids, Disney Dollars at Main Street, etc. When we were in City Hall this woman was in front of us getting a pass for her "service" dog. Some little fluff ball she called Pumpkin. She claimed she was deaf and the dog alerted her to loud noises... really? I don't think so... you're deaf and your dog alerts you to noise? After she carried on a conservation with us I knew she was full of crap. She didn't want to put her dog in the kennel and pay the fee. Before City Hall we stopped at the Firehouse to buy our dogs toys. Being the ***** I am, I stood behind her in line squeaking the toys, driving the "service" dog nuts. I even followed her back up Main Street just to be a *****. That stupid little dog was ready to jump out of it's fur!! HAHA!

Overall, Disney has lost some of it's magic. No bounceback offers in the room. But, a slew of them hit the web while we were there. We will go back next year, but I'm not sure we'll stay for a week. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time... just some bumps in the road.

 

[skater]

Welcome home to all the August travelers! Sorry we missed the meet and greet. Sounds like you all had fun!!!

Here's my review of Disney/Wilderness Lodge:

We love the Lodge. This was our second time staying club level. The food offerings were very good, and the staff was very helpful, the pool/resort was well kept but the mosquitos were vicious. We love going to Disney, but you always remember the bad versus the good. I was disappointed our room wasn't ready for hours after arrival and housekeeping didn't make up our room one day until 2:30 in the afternoon. Other than that, the resort was outstanding. The lines at the parks moved quickly, were short and some rides we walked right on. Transportation was excellent. Fantasy Land was sad. One entire side is closed off by a construction wall. After 3 years we finally got to ride Soaring!!! I had a panic attack on Mission Space, now I know why people die on that ride!!! The wait for Toy Story Mania was 140 minutes and all fast passes were gone for both days by 9am.

Now the bad... remember when WDW laid off 1500 employees two years ago... it shows. The parks were dirty. Main Street was trashed after the parades. We closed MK down 2 nights for the kiss goodnight and were shocked with the trash on the streets. Cast Members are over worked. I stood at a register waiting to make a purchase while I had to listen to the two of them ***** about how stressed they were, wanting to quit WDW and go to Universal. Really? I know working stinks, but you don't have to air your grips in front of guests. Only one CM called DD Princess all week.

We did not use the meal plan, we paid for our food since we had the 45% room discount. Kona, Whispering Canyon, Beergarten, Garden Grill were EXCELLENT. Food has gone up about 20% since last year, $30 for a counterservice lunch. WOW! Chef Mickey's should be shut down. The place was filthly, the food was below par and unappetizing for $140! At Sci-Fi we waited 50 minutes past our ressie to sit down. Our server was top-notch and made up for it. I did complain to the manager about the wait. She was shaking like a leaf when I got done with her. LOL.

Funny story... my girlfirend and I wanted Dooney purses. We saw them all over MK. Waited all week to buy them Thursday night at Downtown. Low and behold, we get there and they're sold out!!! We get back to the hotel at midnight and have the concierge track them down. Only MK had the ones we wanted in stock. Friday morning she and I sent the men and children to Typhoon Lagoon and we went to MK. We were out of park tickets, so we got a SHOPPING PASS. Ladies pay attention... it's a little secret Disney guards like gold. You put a hold on your KTTW card for a park ticket and get one hour to enter the park for free without being charged. We waited at the gates at rope drop for the crowds to thin out and ran like two fools down Main Street. We grabbed out bags in 21 minutes and $400 dollars later, we had our bags!!! Then we strolled around picking up Christmas gifts for the kids, Disney Dollars at Main Street, etc. When we were in City Hall this woman was in front of us getting a pass for her "service" dog. Some little fluff ball she called Pumpkin. She claimed she was deaf and the dog alerted her to loud noises... really? I don't think so... you're deaf and your dog alerts you to noise? After she carried on a conservation with us I knew she was full of crap. She didn't want to put her dog in the kennel and pay the fee. Before City Hall we stopped at the Firehouse to buy our dogs toys. Being the ***** I am, I stood behind her in line squeaking the toys, driving the "service" dog nuts. I even followed her back up Main Street just to be a *****. That stupid little dog was ready to jump out of it's fur!! HAHA!

Overall, Disney has lost some of it's magic. No bounceback offers in the room. But, a slew of them hit the web while we were there. We will go back next year, but I'm not sure we'll stay for a week. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time... just some bumps in the road.

Appreciate the detailed report, but what on earth did you say to have the CM at Sci Fi shaking like a leaf ? Also wondering why you tried to drive the dog crazy? Did the lady say she was trying to get away with something? Sometimes someone who is hearing impaired but can hear a little will use a service dog. But even if the lady was cheating the system, I can't help but feel bad for the dog . I do agree that CM's are often overworked.

 

[JulieODC]

Hi fellow WLers!

We're booked for a visit on 12/8-12/13 at WL. We used a 40% pin code I got a few months ago - and can't wait!

Here's my question - when I booked, the only room available with the pin was a courtyard-bunk bed room - so we took that. Since, we've been able to get a woods view-bunk bed room. We're only 2 people - so don't need the bunk beds - and ideally would love just a regular woods view room.

I've been calling occasionally to see if something has come available - but no luck so far. What do you think the chances are that a regular woods view room will come available? If anytime it would probably be around the 45 day mark, right?

Thanks!

 

[yesmylove]

We have the same problem, we are there 3/12 - 11/12 with a courtyard bunkbed room and there is only my husband and myself. We tried to get a room without the bunkbeds but that is what the discount was offering. I just can't see taking a room with the bunkbeds that a family could use.

 

[yesmylove]

We have the same problem, we are there 3/12 - 11/12 with a courtyard bunkbed room and there is only my husband and myself. We tried to get a room without the bunkbeds but that is what the discount was offering. I just can't see taking a room with the bunkbeds that a family could use.

 

[yesmylove]

ooops double post