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

[WDWKOOK]

You probably don't remember me, but I was one of the original resort changers - yep....but I let conscience get the best of me and bowed out of the thread very early one...I was actually the one who came up with "resort changers" true - it was going to be dubbed hotel changers, but I suggested being Disney, resort would be more appropriate. This was prior to the actual unofficial thread. Yep, been around the block a number of times...every resort for 30 years and more trips that I can keep track of now. Well, not every resort - unlike Karen, I've no desire to try an AS resort. The rest we've tried - oh, not YC yet, but every time I book it, I back out. Blame Disney for a great code or AP rate that gets me back over to GF or Poly again.

Back to WL...The theme of WL is incredible, but I cannot take the narrow hallways and small rooms - as you no doubt know (I like to quote room size too ) WL & AKL rooms are the same size as CBR rooms - but both feel smaller to me than CBR, probably due to the heavier furniture and darker color scheme.

Anyway.....now I've digressed so far, forgot what I meant to say!!! Aging ain't pretty...

(p.s. Way back when, Holiday Inn did not offer newspapers - think that was one of those ideas borrowed from the good 'ole days of outstanding Disney Guest Service )

Oh, my I did not know who I was dealing with! - you're the one who came up with the Resort Changers' thread? Your title is perfect and "hotel" just seems so wrong. Why isn't this in your tag? (BTW, I love how your Peeps match your tag color). You really need to come back to the thread and offer moral support to everyone, especially Karen

It's sad when a company starts cutting corners because seldom do they ever go back to how things were before the cuts. If you've been going to WDW for 30 years then you've seen many changes, both positive and negative. But I guess all of this talk is for another thread and now I'm digressing (it's catching).

Personally, I've never had an issue with the WL hallways, but at 340 SF, those rooms really are small when compared with all the other Deluxes (except for AKL). But, what you give-up in room size, the WL makes up for in theming and atmosphere. It is an amazing resort.

See you both (WDWKOOK and Minnie&Nana) are rubbing off on me. Now I've got WL/CL for December and I'm thinking of changing to CR/CL for the second half of the trip. I don't know how many times I changed my last trip before doing the CSR/WL split.

I also broke down with the AP rate that came out today and booked a little weekend getaway for June 3-5 to WL. The little princess is staying her first weekend with Grandma. We so deserve the weekend away. This AP has definitely paid for itself!

Gotta change the ticker!!

Brian

How exciting! If it makes you feel any better, my DD is 12 and DH and I have yet to go away together without her so you're way ahead of the game as far as I'm concerned!

I originally had AKL/CL and WL/CL booked for our next trip, too. Then I changed AKL to CR (it wasn't available originally) and changed WL to a BC Deluxe room since it's bigger and I couldn't book the WL Deluxe room with our pin. BC is now YC and CR is still CR and everything is staying the way it is since I couldn't switch back to a WL/CL room with 40% off.

So you see, there is no shame in changing and getting your trip perfect. And you know how I feel about the split - do it! Will you have a car?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I was thinking of doing one night at the Honeymoon Suite too! We are leavin on the first... How did you make your reservation??? Is it worth the $$$$$$$????

You should book it! The Honeymoon Suite is the exact same size as a regular room, but with the addition of a whirlpool tub and only a king bed.

Here is a site that has some HS photos and a description:

http://www.wdwluxuryguide.com/ex/accom/mk/wilderness.php

And, Nathanyell offers great advice to request the 2/4 MK-facing rooms.

 

[MusiqChic99]

Breakfast ressie for 8:50@ Boma.

What's the best way to get there from WL?

 

[tlhbdm]

Breakfast ressie for 8:50@ Boma.

What's the best way to get there from WL?

The most common answer you are going to get is take a cab. I say take the bus, you'll have to go to one of the theme parks and then transfer, but it's free. We live in a city that isn't too small, but we also don't use cabs a whole lot here, but it's going to be personal preference.

 

[nathanyell]

So you see, there is no shame in changing and getting your trip perfect. And you know how I feel about the split - do it! Will you have a car?

Nope we decided against a car last time and loved it. So we'll just let them move the luggage and we'll chill out on the boat from WL to CR. Probably one of the easiest split stays to do without a car. LOL!

Brian <-- Who took his nephews at ages 9 and 7 to Disney, it was their first overnight away from their mom.

 

[nathanyell]

Breakfast ressie for 8:50@ Boma.

What's the best way to get there from WL?

Bus to AK, then bus to AKL is probably the easiest.

Brian

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Oh, my I did not know who I was dealing with! - you're the one who came up with the Resort Changers' thread? Your title is perfect and "hotel" just seems so wrong. Why isn't this in your tag? (BTW, I love how your Peeps match your tag color). You really need to come back to the thread and offer moral support to everyone, especially Karen

Oh, no, I did not start the thread - just came up with the "resort" in changers title when we were all joking about making so many changes and tossing around tags - no idea who actually began the (un)official thread - I was too embarrassed to hang around for long. I did have "member of the official resort changers" in my tag for a short time, but some DIS "friends" began making rude comments so I slithered away. No more though!! For guests like us I truly don't think it is possible to choose a resort and never make a change - even for a last minute trip. Heck, the first stay at POP I wanted to make a resort change at check-in!!!

It's sad when a company starts cutting corners because seldom do they ever go back to how things were before the cuts. If you've been going to WDW for 30 years then you've seen many changes, both positive and negative. But I guess all of this talk is for another thread and now I'm digressing (it's catching). If I keep hanging around you'll notice how contagious it can be....

Personally, I've never had an issue with the WL hallways, but at 340 SF, those rooms really are small when compared with all the other Deluxes (except for AKL). But, what you give-up in room size, the WL makes up for in theming and atmosphere. It is an amazing resort. Agreed!! EXCEPT a friend, who stays there often tells me to be sure to look for the snakes in the sand at night and early morning!!!! Never saw a single creepy crawlie at WL.



How exciting! If it makes you feel any better, my DD is 12 and DH and I have yet to go away together without her so you're way ahead of the game as far as I'm concerned!

I originally had AKL/CL and WL/CL booked for our next trip, too. Then I changed AKL to CR (it wasn't available originally) and changed WL to a BC Deluxe room since it's bigger and I couldn't book the WL Deluxe room with our pin. BC is now YC and CR is still CR and everything is staying the way it is since I couldn't switch back to a WL/CL room with 40% off.

So you see, there is no shame in changing and getting your trip perfect. And you know how I feel about the split - do it! Will you have a car?

Shame and resort change does not belong in the same sentence. Back to WL discussion. Sorry, for going off topic.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

For those who mentioned a VWL studio, thought I would post a couple of photos of our room view - the Villas would not be known for it's views, so these are pretty good...the trees were not as thick in person - we could sort of see the Electrical Water Pageant and hear the music perfectly - that was straight ahead on the balcony. To the left of the balcony and out the side window of the studio (corner room) we could see the Villas pool and back side of the Lodge courtyard view rooms (Villas pool would be considered one of the courtyard views when booking that Lodge category, so if you do not want a view of the villas pool be sure to request Inner Courtyard view for the Lodge). ...and we could see the top and hear the music from MK fireworks. It was a fabulous room location - short walk from the elevators past the atrium. If anyone wants the room # I will post it - have to find it in my notes.
View from balcony - Bay Lake through the trees:

View from side window in studio and left side of balcony:

Have a couple of Christmas decor pics from the Villas if anyone is interested.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

You should book it! The Honeymoon Suite is the exact same size as a regular room, but with the addition of a whirlpool tub and only a king bed.

Here is a site that has some HS photos and a description:

http://www.wdwluxuryguide.com/ex/accom/mk/wilderness.php

And, Nathanyell offers great advice to request the 2/4 MK-facing rooms.

Thanks so much!!! Ok Nathanyell.... how do I request????

 

[WDWKOOK]

Bus to AK, then bus to AKL is probably the easiest.

Brian

Yep, that's your best "free" option at that time and someone already mentioned the cab.

For those who mentioned a VWL studio, thought I would post a couple of photos of our room view - the Villas would not be known for it's views, so these are pretty good...the trees were not as thick in person - we could sort of see the Electrical Water Pageant and hear the music perfectly - that was straight ahead on the balcony. To the left of the balcony and out the side window of the studio (corner room) we could see the Villas pool and back side of the Lodge courtyard view rooms (Villas pool would be considered one of the courtyard views when booking that Lodge category, so if you do not want a view of the villas pool be sure to request Inner Courtyard view for the Lodge). ...and we could see the top and hear the music from MK fireworks. It was a fabulous room location - short walk from the elevators past the atrium. If anyone wants the room # I will post it - have to find it in my notes.
View from balcony:

View from side window in studio and left side of balcony:

Have a couple of Christmas decor pics from the Villas if anyone is interested.

What a wonderful view!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks so much!!! Ok Nathanyell.... how do I request????

You're welcome.

Any room requests should be placed in your reservation at least 5 days prior to arrival. You can make the request when you book it or call the WDTC with your reservation number and have them add it. If you went through a TA, I think they will have to make the request for you. I've never used one, so I'm not positive about that.

 

[WDWKOOK]

So we'll just let them move the luggage and we'll chill out on the boat from WL to CR. Probably one of the easiest split stays to do without a car. LOL!

When I've seen people on the monorail with luggage, I often wonder, are they doing a monorail resort split-stay? Wouldn't it be hilarious if you tried to bring your luggage on the boat?! I'll bet someone's already done that

 

[nathanyell]

When I've seen people on the monorail with luggage, I often wonder, are they doing a monorail resort split-stay? Wouldn't it be hilarious if you tried to bring your luggage on the boat?! I'll bet someone's already done that

You could get away with it on the big boat, but not the CR boat. My suitcase is usually smaller than the strollers I see at Disney. Last trip I saw on that had to be the Hummer of strollers.

But I will definitely let Disney move the luggage for me!

Brian

 

[nathanyell]

You're welcome.

Any room requests should be placed in your reservation at least 5 days prior to arrival. You can make the request when you book it or call the WDTC with your reservation number and have them add it. If you went through a TA, I think they will have to make the request for you. I've never used one, so I'm not positive about that.

Also since it is a CL room you can contact the IPO(Itinerary Planning Office). Look on the club level thread for more information on contacting them.

Brian

 

[Minnie&Nana]

You could get away with it on the big boat, but not the CR boat. My suitcase is usually smaller than the strollers I see at Disney. Last trip I saw on that had to be the Hummer of strollers.

But I will definitely let Disney move the luggage for me!

Brian

Can you believe the strollers these days?!

 

[Nermel9]

Hi everyone!

I'll be at the Wilderness Lodge in October, this will be my second stay there! I was booked at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but my DH and I loved WL so much, we decided to switch a few days ago, and I'm so happy I did! I can't wait to be back there!

I just have a question or two...last time we were there, we had a woods view room, and our room was facing the villas, and it was lovely and quiet. This time, we have a courtyard view booked, and I'd like to take advantage of it and have a nice view of the lake and the pool and everything (and maybe even MK if I'm really lucky? )...is the inner courtyard very loud?

I would probably request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, and inner courtyard, do you think if I have a room that high up it will be quiet enough? We usually come back to the room in the middle of the day to rest and nap and everything.

Thanks!

 

[yarlenna]

Maybe someone can help me -
I am trying to preordor the $99 photo pass and my computer won't let me do it. Is there a way to deal with a human and get it done?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone!

I'll be at the Wilderness Lodge in October, this will be my second stay there! I was booked at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but my DH and I loved WL so much, we decided to switch a few days ago, and I'm so happy I did! I can't wait to be back there!

I just have a question or two...last time we were there, we had a woods view room, and our room was facing the villas, and it was lovely and quiet. This time, we have a courtyard view booked, and I'd like to take advantage of it and have a nice view of the lake and the pool and everything (and maybe even MK if I'm really lucky? )...is the inner courtyard very loud?

I would probably request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, and inner courtyard, do you think if I have a room that high up it will be quiet enough? We usually come back to the room in the middle of the day to rest and nap and everything.

Thanks!

I am very noise sensitive and the inner courtyard has never seemed too noisy to me. Just make sure your sliding glass door is shut, otherwise, you might hear the pool music when they're doing the kids' activities in the afternoon. Also, you're going in October which is a period of low attendance so there probably won't be huge crowds.

I hope you have a great vacation!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Maybe someone can help me -
I am trying to preordor the $99 photo pass and my computer won't let me do it. Is there a way to deal with a human and get it done?

Try this:

If you would like to speak to one of our team members, you can reach us at 407-560-4300. Our live phone hours are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. eastern time, seven days a week.

 

[bcuinohio]

Any word on when the bus stops are going to be done? DH and I are leaving May 7, staying one night in the Honeymoon Suite and then 7 days at VWL.

Thanks!

If I see Ranger Joe tomorrow I will ask him. We had a long converstion today. We both attended Ohio State at the same time. Great Guy.