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

[Smee]

How cool is that, Capt. B !!!!!!! I will be there tomorrow!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DROCKS]

I have a year to go before my first stay at WL. I am just LOVING all these posts!!! Keep the posts coming and don't leave out any details!!!

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Anyone ever been on the sleigh ride? How was it and what was it like? Thanks.

 

[vwlfan]

We did the sleigh ride four years ago. The weather was more than Florida nippy and lent to an air of "authenticity". The driver was polite and friendly. Obviously it was dark and we didn't see much but it was certainly a nice change up and worth the experience.

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

Wow found this thread way back. I'm home now from a week at WL had wonderful trip. The rooms were clean and the staff was wonderful. The Resort look beautiful in all its Holiday splendor.

 

[pinkxray]

Hi, I haven't spent much time on this thread yet but I just changed out ressie to the VWL for May.

I have checked out the menu for room service but I am wondering if like some deluxes like GF you can get room service from Artist Point? We might try the dxdp and that this would be a nice use of credits. (assuming of course room service can be ordered at the villas?)

Thanks for any help.

 

[KSBelle]

Just got home tonight from a Nov. 27-Dec 3 stay at WL. I'll start out by saying that the Lodge does not disappoint at Christmas. It is awesome! I had a couple of issues at Check-in tho. We arrived by ME at about 4pm. We were the only ones to get off the bus. Went to the counter. No line- 2 other guests being helped which left one woman standing there doing something with her computer. She did not look up or acknowledge us in any way. We stood there about 5 minutes and someone came from the back to check us in. We got our room number and went up to the room and I knew right away that our room was wrong.(This was our 4th stay here.) We had paid for a courtyard room and was assigned a woods view on north side. We went right back down and I explained to them that I'd paid for Courtyard view and showed them where I'd been placed and they had to admit the mistake and we were assigned a 6th floor inner courtyard. I had not made any requests because I've not ever had much luck with getting what I request but I at least want what I pay for. After we got up to the room I realized that they had not given me a WL packet but decided that I knew the lodge well enough that I could probably do without it. We were tired from the long day and decided to walk around the lodge and look at decorations and just have supper at Roaring Fork. Supper was good btw. Went to the pin cart to get the holiday WL pin and the man said they did not have them and to check at the Mercantile so went over there and they said it's only sold at the pin cart and one of the store clerks went back over with me and the pin was there (it was on a side table).Luggage hadn't arrived by 8pm (4 hours after check in) so I called down and they said it would be up to us by 9pm. At 9 pm I went down to Bell Services who said our luggage had gone to the Contemporary by mistake and would be delivered with-in 10 minutes. After 30 minutes I called back down and was told it would be there in 10 minutes. At 10pm went back down and they had just put it on a cart to bring up and it still took another 15 minutes to get it. So 6 hours after check in we finally had our luggage and could get to sleep. From then on everything went smoothly. We even had turndown service every single night of our stay. I had not requested this or even thought about it being an option so this was a pleasant surprise to come back to the room to. Housekeeping was very good and only wear I could see was the bedside table was scratched up quite a bit. We watched the Electrical Water Parade from our balcony one evening. Ate breakfast at Whispering Canyon and it was delicious. WL is still my favorite!!

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Just back from our stay at the WL 11/30 to 12/3 and I must say it was wonderful! We had a standard view room, but were able to see the holiday fireworks from our balcony! At checkin we were upgraded to concierge level service (but not the room since the WL was totally booked) for our anniversary which was a nice touch. Wasn't thrilled with the CL at the WL, but it was very considerate that they gave it to us. The WL has beautiful decorations for the holiday season...some of the best IMO. The room was very clean and adequate for my dh and I, but if we had our two teens with us, the beds would have been too small...I think they are doubles, not queens. Roaring forks was pretty good for counter service and we never did get to eat at Whispering Canyon...no time/not enough TS on dining plan. We did however manage to snag a ressie at CRT......very disappointed this time around...seems they have a new chef with a redesigned menu...not our favorite and we won't be going back till they change it again. All in all I would say that the WL is a wonderful comfortable resort to be at during the holiday season and we were glad we changed from POR to WL.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Just got home tonight from a Nov. 27-Dec 3 stay at WL. I'll start out by saying that the Lodge does not disappoint at Christmas. It is awesome! I had a couple of issues at Check-in tho. We arrived by ME at about 4pm. We were the only ones to get off the bus. Went to the counter. No line- 2 other guests being helped which left one woman standing there doing something with her computer. She did not look up or acknowledge us in any way. We stood there about 5 minutes and someone came from the back to check us in. We got our room number and went up to the room and I knew right away that our room was wrong.(This was our 4th stay here.) We had paid for a courtyard room and was assigned a woods view on north side. We went right back down and I explained to them that I'd paid for Courtyard view and showed them where I'd been placed and they had to admit the mistake and we were assigned a 6th floor inner courtyard. I had not made any requests because I've not ever had much luck with getting what I request but I at least want what I pay for. After we got up to the room I realized that they had not given me a WL packet but decided that I knew the lodge well enough that I could probably do without it. We were tired from the long day and decided to walk around the lodge and look at decorations and just have supper at Roaring Fork. Supper was good btw. Went to the pin cart to get the holiday WL pin and the man said they did not have them and to check at the Mercantile so went over there and they said it's only sold at the pin cart and one of the store clerks went back over with me and the pin was there (it was on a side table).Luggage hadn't arrived by 8pm (4 hours after check in) so I called down and they said it would be up to us by 9pm. At 9 pm I went down to Bell Services who said our luggage had gone to the Contemporary by mistake and would be delivered with-in 10 minutes. After 30 minutes I called back down and was told it would be there in 10 minutes. At 10pm went back down and they had just put it on a cart to bring up and it still took another 15 minutes to get it. So 6 hours after check in we finally had our luggage and could get to sleep. From then on everything went smoothly. We even had turndown service every single night of our stay. I had not requested this or even thought about it being an option so this was a pleasant surprise to come back to the room to. Housekeeping was very good and only wear I could see was the bedside table was scratched up quite a bit. We watched the Electrical Water Parade from our balcony one evening. Ate breakfast at Whispering Canyon and it was delicious. WL is still my favorite!!

We had the same room issue a few years ago. We had paid for a courtyard view with bunk bed and when we got to the room it was facing the villas with a small view of the villas pool but mostly the roof of the walkway to the villas. When we went back down to inquire about it, we were told it was a courtyard view bc you could see the villas pool but since it was in Feb and they weren't booked they moved us to inner courtyard. I now request that with the hopes that we don't get the same view that we had that time!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

We just made a surprise change for Marathon Weekend - WL passholder plus dining was less expensive than our originally booked POR marathon package with dining. We have never stayed at WL before - my husband has always wanted to, but we usually cannot afford deluxe! My only deluxe resort was GF when I was 15, but I did once stay at Fort Wilderness campground and adored it.

I know almost nothing about WL even though we've been in the lobby and eaten breakfast at Whispering Canyon one morning on another stay before visiting MK. This thread was very helpful!

I am just thrilled to be staying at WL!

 

[MMrules]

I will be checking in to the WL for the first time in 2 months!!!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Here is the current Outdoor Movie schedule:

December 6 - Princess Diaries 2
December 7 - Wall-E
December 8 - Sorecer's Apprentice (PG)
December 9 - Mystery Movie Night
December 10 - Princess and the Frog
December 11 - Finding Nemo
December 12 - Invincible
December 13 - High School Musical 3
December 14 - Pinocchio
December 15 - Bolt (PG)
December 16 - Mystery Movie Night
December 17 - Toy Story
December 18 - Cars
December 19 - The Santa Clause
December 20 - Santa Clause 2
December 21 - Santa Clause 3
December 22 - Muppet Christmas Carol
December 23 - Mystery Movie Night
December 24 - Nightmare Before Christmas
December 25 - Snow Buddies
December 26 - Toy Story 2
December 27 - Aristocats
December 28 - Cool Runnings
December 29 - Beauty and the Beast
December 30 - Mystery Movie Night
December 31 - Prince of Persia - Sands of Time (PG)

This program is open to all guests of Walt Disney World, not just to those staying at the resort. Refreshment stand and restrooms available. The movie starts at 8:30pm. These movies are projected on to a large permanent screen on the beach near the marina and bike rentals. Disney has changed their policy, the schedule can change weekly, so check back before you leave.

http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-outdoormovie.php#wilderness

 

[skater]

I will be checking in to the WL for the first time in 2 months!!!!!

Me too! I'm so excited. I've only stayed at WL for one night and fell in love with it. This trip is just me and my teen DD. We'll have 4 great nights there .

 

[nathanyell]

Just back from our stay at the WL 11/30 to 12/3 and I must say it was wonderful! We had a standard view room, but were able to see the holiday fireworks from our balcony! At checkin we were upgraded to concierge level service (but not the room since the WL was totally booked) for our anniversary which was a nice touch. Wasn't thrilled with the CL at the WL, but it was very considerate that they gave it to us. The WL has beautiful decorations for the holiday season...some of the best IMO. The room was very clean and adequate for my dh and I, but if we had our two teens with us, the beds would have been too small...I think they are doubles, not queens. Roaring forks was pretty good for counter service and we never did get to eat at Whispering Canyon...no time/not enough TS on dining plan. We did however manage to snag a ressie at CRT......very disappointed this time around...seems they have a new chef with a redesigned menu...not our favorite and we won't be going back till they change it again. All in all I would say that the WL is a wonderful comfortable resort to be at during the holiday season and we were glad we changed from POR to WL.

SO glad that you had great trip. I was hoping that it would be wonderful!!

Brian

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It is so nice to read of everyone's returning from the Lodge and having enjoyed it as much as we did. If we make another late November/early December trip I could not imagine staying anywhere else - it is just so pretty during the holidays - we especially enjoyed the Villas.

Only a warm month visit might find us elsewhere as that's when I enjoy looking out my balcony seeing palm trees.

 

[elleinad16]

Only 155 days left for me!!
My first time staying here--3 nights of "sleeping like a rock"! Horray!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Wonder if anyone is in the pool this week??? We will get there Friday night and hoping the weather will warm up a bit to get into the pool at least 1 day SOOOOOOO excited to see the Christmas decorations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jesseybell]

We just got back today - we were there since Thursday and it was definitely chilly. But there were people (okay, mainly kids) in the pool - but that was late afternoon - not sure about during the day. Maybe older people were when there was sun on the water. The lifeguards were all bundled up. But the hot tubs were definitely being used.

We had a wonderful 4 day trip - our first as a family to WDW and our first to WL. We loved it! Not sure if it will be in the cards $wise when we do a much longer trip in 3 years, but DH and I will definitely be returning to WL at sometime (and definitely at Christmas) - It was so beautiful!

 

[nathanyell]

Got our ME tag today. Getting excited!!!

Brian

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Got our ME tag today. Getting excited!!!

Brian