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

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone on this thread for your info and pictures. We will be arriving at the WL on Sunday and we soooo excited!

We've booked a courtyard view and cannot wait to sit on the balcony and just take in all the beauty!

 

[tlhbdm]

Hi all
While we are on the subject of buses, can I get a bus to Downtown Disney from WL and back easily?
We will have a car but plan on going to DTD on our first night but thought parking would be difficult as A) it will be a Saturday and B) it would be 7/8pm
Plus I thought it would give DH a rest after a long flight
If it's very much quicker and easier by car though I think we would both prefer to drive

Yes you can catch a bus from WL to DTD. They say they come about every 20 minutes, but it could take less time than that. I think the longest I have ever waited for a DTD bus was 10 minutes. Enjoy your trip!

 

[tlhbdm]

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone on this thread for your info and pictures. We will be arriving at the WL on Sunday and we soooo excited!

We've booked a courtyard view and cannot wait to sit on the balcony and just take in all the beauty!

How long will you be there? I arrive next Saturday

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

How long will you be there? I arrive next Saturday

We're leaving on the 8th.

 

[tlhbdm]

We're leaving on the 8th.

Our trips will overlap by a day! I'm so excited to get there, I have a busy week next week so I'm hoping time will fly!

 

[MMrules]

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone on this thread for your info and pictures. We will be arriving at the WL on Sunday and we soooo excited!

We've booked a courtyard view and cannot wait to sit on the balcony and just take in all the beauty!

You are in for a wonderful, relaxing vacation!!! I had an inner courtyard room and loved listening to the rushing waterfall sound from my balcony

 

[Kricketnp]

My friends and I had originally booked Pop for our trip in August using the pin code, but after some thinking, have decided to UPGRADE and stay at the WL. None of us have ever stayed there before, but we cannot wait!!!!!

 

[pooh2001]

Has the pool at the WL improved since 2006 ?

We did love WL when we stayed there. We had bunkbeds and a view of the water and pool.
But,
The pool was used 24/7, never empty, people swam at all hours, making noise.
One day the pool looked really dirty.
The ducks swam in the pool when people were in the pool - yes cute - but think of duck poop in the pool with you
Bottom line - we swam in the pool once in, then avoided the pool (except from the view from our room) the whole week we were at WL.

So,
Are there enforced rules for hours to use the pool, or is the pool still open 24/7 ?
Do ducks still swim in the pool?

Please help - I would like to convince my family WL is still a great place to stay.

 

[amandaw]

Well, tomorrow is the big day! We're finally going back to WDW and it'll be our first ever stay at WL & on CL! Just wanted to say "Thank You!" to all here who have helped answer any questions for me.

 

[bcuinohio]

Well, tomorrow is the big day! We're finally going back to WDW and it'll be our first ever stay at WL & on CL! Just wanted to say "Thank You!" to all here who have helped answer any questions for me.

Have a great trip.

 

[amandaw]

Have a great trip.

Thank you so much! I am sooo excited! I really need to get off of these boards and finish up some household stuff and get to bed! I have to wake up in 5 1/2 hours!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Has the pool at the WL improved since 2006 ?

We did love WL when we stayed there. We had bunkbeds and a view of the water and pool.
But,
The pool was used 24/7, never empty, people swam at all hours, making noise.
One day the pool looked really dirty.
The ducks swam in the pool when people were in the pool - yes cute - but think of duck poop in the pool with you
Bottom line - we swam in the pool once in, then avoided the pool (except from the view from our room) the whole week we were at WL.

So,
Are there enforced rules for hours to use the pool, or is the pool still open 24/7 ?
Do ducks still swim in the pool?

Please help - I would like to convince my family WL is still a great place to stay.

I have never stayed at WL (one more month and I'll be there! ) but I have stayed at many of the Disney resorts and have found that the ducks swim in all the pools (it's difficult to keep them out unless you have duck police ). I have not experienced a 'dirty' pool at a Disney resort though - they all have been very well kept up and cleaned so I hope that your experience with that dirty pool was an isolated one. I would definitely say something about that to the hotel because that is the number 1 reason we pick these resorts - to swim in the afternoon in a cool pool!

Also, the pools at all the resorts are open 24/7 (but lifeguards may only be at the main pool during certain hours and then they will close down the slide if they aren't there) and the pools can get crowded (don't get me started on the Poly main pool!!). I've found that the additional pools (sometimes called quiet pools) offer a great way to enjoy the water without the throngs of people. Typically these pools are less crowded or rarely have anyone in them at all and aren't as noisy.

If pool noise is a concern from your room, perhaps ask for a room not facing the pool or a room further up. And if there is excessive noise at night, call the front desk and they should ask the folks to either keep it down or pack it in for the night.

With any Disney resort, you are getting a LOT of families that want to enjoy the pool and if it is pleasant enough to swim, many people will be in the pool. I wouldn't say that is isolated to WL...but I'm sure the lodgers will respond as well with their thoughts!

Well, tomorrow is the big day! We're finally going back to WDW and it'll be our first ever stay at WL & on CL! Just wanted to say "Thank You!" to all here who have helped answer any questions for me.

Yeah!!! Enjoy and let us know how it goes!!

 

[jennifer in canada]

Anyone at WL now and know if the construction is still going on at the bus shelters and if the geyser is up and running yet?

 

[pas130]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi I'm one of those Resort changers (hi WDWKOOK and minnie&nana) Just switched to a WL Deluxe room from a GF Sugarloaf Suite All about "harmony over $$$" But my kids are SUPER excited. Also I was able to change some ADRs and our first night we're eating at WCC (thanks WDWKOOK).

Thanks for all the great info here. Brian you especially have a lot of insight. And enjoy your "new parents weekend away" trip. I'm sure Gramma will love having the Princess all to herself

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi I'm one of those Resort changers (hi WDWKOOK and minnie&nana) Just switched to a WL Deluxe room from a GF Sugarloaf Suite All about "harmony over $$$" But my kids are SUPER excited. Also I was able to change some ADRs and our first night we're eating at WCC (thanks WDWKOOK).

Thanks for all the great info here. Brian you especially have a lot of insight. And enjoy your "new parents weekend away" trip. I'm sure Gramma will love having the Princess all to herself

I know that I was out-numbered on the Resort Changer's thread, but I think you made a fantastic decision switching to the WL Deluxe room, pas130!

I'm very confused though. You were keeping this a secret from your family, but you wrote that your kids are super excited. Is the secret not a secret anymore? Does this mean you can talk about it and show them WL photos? I posted Christmas CL photos, have you found them?

You and your family are going to love CL at the Lodge. There's plenty of seating and a separate area for your kids to watch Disney shows. The view down to the lobby is spectacular. And while you won't be on the CL floor, you're going to have a fantastic view from your Deluxe room. This would be the last year you could book the room because DS will count as a 6th person, right?

WCC is such a hoot. Make sure you book one breakfast there, too. They have an all-you-can-eat breakfast served family style that will fill you up. The gravy is yummy. Make sure you have one of the kids ask for ketchup at dinner. The WCC also has many Lincoln Logs to play with before dinner and the kids will love "racing" around the restaurant with their wooden horses. Try and request "MT Wallet's" area - she's a lot of fun.

I'm so excited for you, pas130. If you have any questions, fire away!

 

[bcuinohio]

Anyone at WL now and know if the construction is still going on at the bus shelters and if the geyser is up and running yet?

The geyser was working just before Easter when I was there. Construction was still going on but the busses were back to their old stop.

 

[ctjsowens]

I may have missed this but what are they doing to the bus stops?

 

[1971DBday]

Hello everyone! I would love to see some of your photos at the WL. We have not been there since our honeymoon in 1995. However, DD14 was there in 2000 with Grandma and Grandpa. We are looking forward to taking a nice family picture while there to show our complete family 16 years later.

Also, I love the tips and secrets. We are doing a courtyard view and DSIL, DBIL, and eldest DNiece will be joining us. We will be celebrating a 50th (BIL), 40th (me ) and 21st (DNiece).

We have been doing the Poly the past two years and will miss it, but this was a chance for our family of 5 to stay at the WL one more time. I will miss the Volcano Pool and the monorail....so what will keep me happy at the WL???

 

[DizneyNutz]

I may have missed this but what are they doing to the bus stops?

Hello Ole Friend. They are doing some repaving in the bus stop area at WL and they have some temporary awnings set up to use out near the edge of the parking area. Not sure if the work has been completed though.

 

[pas130]

I know that I was out-numbered on the Resort Changer's thread, but I think you made a fantastic decision switching to the WL Deluxe room, pas130!

I'm very confused though. You were keeping this a secret from your family, but you wrote that your kids are super excited. Is the secret not a secret anymore? Does this mean you can talk about it and show them WL photos? I posted Christmas CL photos, have you found them?

You and your family are going to love CL at the Lodge. There's plenty of seating and a separate area for your kids to watch Disney shows. The view down to the lobby is spectacular. And while you won't be on the CL floor, you're going to have a fantastic view from your Deluxe room. This would be the last year you could book the room because DS will count as a 6th person, right?

WCC is such a hoot. Make sure you book one breakfast there, too. They have an all-you-can-eat breakfast served family style that will fill you up. The gravy is yummy. Make sure you have one of the kids ask for ketchup at dinner. The WCC also has many Lincoln Logs to play with before dinner and the kids will love "racing" around the restaurant with their wooden horses. Try and request "MT Wallet's" area - she's a lot of fun.

I'm so excited for you, pas130. If you have any questions, fire away!

I'm off to book a breakfast Yep this IS our last chance to book in one room. Seeing DH excited over Disney again makes me SO happy. A future WL lover And the kids already have a "Mommy we have to do this....." list. Thanks for the photos on the RC thread.