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

[WDWKOOK]

I can't even fathom anyone not wanting to stay at the Lodge if the opportunity was present! I would love to visit the lodge during Christmas plus my birthday is in December so it would be nice to have a little celebration there. Was it beautiful? It always looks so lovely in the pictures with the decorations.

You can take me anytime! At least your DD still wants to go. My fiance won't set foot in Disney, so my trip last year was with my parents and this year it's just me and my mom.

Disney just wouldn't be the same if I weren't staying at the Lodge. It'd be like going to your home town and not stopping by your house.

Your DF doesn't want to go to WDW? I was always under the impression that all males LOVE the Lodge - they're born that way. You've got to get him to the Lodge once and then I think he'll have to go back. Does he like fishing, horseback riding or boating? Maybe you could entice him with all the great recreational activities at WL and FTW. There's got to be something we can do!

It's extra special at Christmas. Walking into the lobby and seeing Santa sitting in his big, red velvet chair under the enormous Christmas tree is heartwarming. They have cookies in the evening and families gather for photos and there are bell ringers and singers - it really gets you in the spirit.

WDWKOOK, yes, I did get the automated reply. I just checked my email and I have received a welcome from the Old Faithful Club too! Thanks for the link! We have never stayed at the club level at WL so we are very excited!

Success! You're going to love the Old Faithful Club. I love how they greet you in their emails with a warm "HOWDY!" The lounge staff do a great job of keeping the lounge neat and tidy and replenishing everything. I will say that I didn't find the concierges particularly friendly, but again, the lounge CMs are fantastic.

Have a great vacation!

 

[HubbDave]

What is your single favorite thing about WL?

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

That awwwwww that hits you in the face when you walk through the doors... ya'll know what I'm talking about.

 

[sjs314]

I have to jump in here and just say, DH was just sorta ho hum about our upcoming trip in October until we switched from BC to WL which is his all time favorite resort. He is excited now and taking so much more of an interest in the trip. I knew he loved the lodge but I honestly did not know how much.

 

[goin' again!]

What is your single favorite thing about WL?

The fact that the resort is not as huge as the others. It's not a mile to the bus stop...oh, and the boat ride to MK!! Yes, the boat ride, that's my favorite!

 

[diskids2]

Can I take you instead of DD?. DD last stayed at the WL/CL over Christmas so now she doesn't want to stay there this summer since she was "just there"

What a wonderful memory you have of the Lodge. As an adult, will you only stay at the WL?

I had to laugh when I read this...my DD is the same way, but with other resorts. In fact, she is looking forward to the WL because "we never stay there".

 

[Meowalycat]

Your DF doesn't want to go to WDW? I was always under the impression that all males LOVE the Lodge - they're born that way. You've got to get him to the Lodge once and then I think he'll have to go back. Does he like fishing, horseback riding or boating? Maybe you could entice him with all the great recreational activities at WL and FTW. There's got to be something we can do!

It's extra special at Christmas. Walking into the lobby and seeing Santa sitting in his big, red velvet chair under the enormous Christmas tree is heartwarming. They have cookies in the evening and families gather for photos and there are bell ringers and singers - it really gets you in the spirit.

I won't give up on trying to find a way to entice him to go. He's not really one for outdoor activities, he's more of a bookish type. Mostly what he doesn't like about Disney is that he finds it to be very "campy", but the Lodge is far from campy. I just think he hasn't done Disney properly before.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, and after I experienced MNSSHP I knew I had to again around the time of year. But now you've totally sold me on going for Christmas! That sounds so nice and heartwarming! Gotta work on convincing the DF. Hmmm.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

This thread convinced me to stay at the WL last year when I was looking for a place to stay at WDW. Now we are less than a month away from our trip July 18th - 21st, and I'm still on cloud 9 after reading about it again on this thread! I am not the wealthiest person, so requested a standard room. I got a discount code, and with it I was able to upgrade to a Courtyard View at a cheaper price, so that will be exciting . Hopefully it is a bear face room!

I have a very simple question, that way back at the original post was mentioned, but I wasn't sure of the answer.

We want to go to MK for EMH before the park opens. Now I know the boat starts 30 minutes before the park opens. The bus starts even earlier before that. I'm not sure if the boat starts 30 min before EMH or just the regular opening time? Also, would it be better if I want to get to the park before rope drop to go for the boat or the bus?

I plan on taking the boat home from MK to get to experience it either way, but what do you think I should do?

It's funny but I planned and planned and planned for our "early" CRT breakfast (30 minutes prior to MK opening) and heard that I was supposed to take the bus. I waited and waited for a bus and none came so I used the transportation phone that was right at the WL bus stop. They said ONLY the boat went that early (BEFORE 1 hour prior to MK opening). I was hesitant but we ended up going to the dock because they said so. Well, the boat ONLY went to Contemporary where we had to take the monorail (or you could walk but I was out-voted). We ended up being fine on our time but I was a little annoyed that I was told to take the bus, but we ended up taking the boat because no bus came that early. SO, no matter what advice you get...ASK the night before at the lodge!!!!

 

[The Princess]

I will be at the Lodge again (3rd time yaa!!!) in 20 days!!!! Well my question is now I have an i-pad and would love to bring it do you think it would fit in the safe??? I can't remember the size of it. And if not does anyone have any suggestions to keep it safe while we are at the parks???

 

[HubbDave]

I bought a Nook Color... very nice device (no iPad, but only $250)
Should fit nicely if I bring it next month. No Wi-Fi though at WL

 

[Meowalycat]

I will be at the Lodge again (3rd time yaa!!!) in 20 days!!!! Well my question is now I have an i-pad and would love to bring it do you think it would fit in the safe??? I can't remember the size of it. And if not does anyone have any suggestions to keep it safe while we are at the parks???

I can't remember the exact size of the safes. I am bringing an i-Pad too, and I had planned on leaving it my locked luggage, just like I used to do whenever I brought my laptop on a trip.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

WDWKOOK, Thanks...again for the Old Faithful Club info. We requested 2 queen beds because with 2 teens we don't need bunks. Any suggestions on room requests? I read that all club rooms are on the same floor as the lounge, that sounds good to us!

 

[MMrules]

Our Magical Express slips and luggage tags arrived in the mail today!

It's real!

Is that not the best mail ever!!!!

Sure beats getting bills

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[MMrules]

I will be at the Lodge again (3rd time yaa!!!) in 20 days!!!! Well my question is now I have an i-pad and would love to bring it do you think it would fit in the safe??? I can't remember the size of it. And if not does anyone have any suggestions to keep it safe while we are at the parks???

I brought my nook (with a leather cover) and it fit in the safe with plenty of room. I think you should be all set. Not sure how big the ipad is but I think you will have room.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I have to jump in here and just say, DH was just sorta ho hum about our upcoming trip in October until we switched from BC to WL which is his all time favorite resort. He is excited now and taking so much more of an interest in the trip. I knew he loved the lodge but I honestly did not know how much.

That's great to hear. Sounds just like my DH. He wants to try out an Epcot resort because we love walking to a park, but we always stay at a MK resort and it's hard to make the switch and leave Bay Lake behind. He gets a big smile on his face when I mention the WL, but not when I mention other resorts, except the CR.

Your DH might enjoy some YouTube videos of the resort. Has he seen any?

I had to laugh when I read this...my DD is the same way, but with other resorts. In fact, she is looking forward to the WL because "we never stay there".

I have a plan. We just have to switch DDs for our next trip! Do they have a child resort swap at WDW?

I won't give up on trying to find a way to entice him to go. He's not really one for outdoor activities, he's more of a bookish type. Mostly what he doesn't like about Disney is that he finds it to be very "campy", but the Lodge is far from campy. I just think he hasn't done Disney properly before.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, and after I experienced MNSSHP I knew I had to again around the time of year. But now you've totally sold me on going for Christmas! That sounds so nice and heartwarming! Gotta work on convincing the DF. Hmmm.

Mine's not really outdoorsy either and would rather read a good book. But, he loves all the nooks and crannies at the WL where you can cozy-up and people watch or read. He loves the jog around WL/FTW and a good shady spot where he can people watch or look out at Bay Lake (his favorite resort view). He's looking forward to doing the Archery Experience at FTW and he LOVES the food at WC and AP. Especially the breakfast with those biscuits and gravy. Would any of that appeal to DF?

It's funny but I planned and planned and planned for our "early" CRT breakfast (30 minutes prior to MK opening) and heard that I was supposed to take the bus. I waited and waited for a bus and none came so I used the transportation phone that was right at the WL bus stop. They said ONLY the boat went that early (BEFORE 1 hour prior to MK opening). I was hesitant but we ended up going to the dock because they said so. Well, the boat ONLY went to Contemporary where we had to take the monorail (or you could walk but I was out-voted). We ended up being fine on our time but I was a little annoyed that I was told to take the bus, but we ended up taking the boat because no bus came that early. SO, no matter what advice you get...ASK the night before at the lodge!!!!

This is wonderful advice for all resorts. Thanks for posting this

I will be at the Lodge again (3rd time yaa!!!) in 20 days!!!! Well my question is now I have an i-pad and would love to bring it do you think it would fit in the safe??? I can't remember the size of it. And if not does anyone have any suggestions to keep it safe while we are at the parks???

The safe is on the wall in the closet:

It will fit, but the suggestion of locking it up in your luggage is also a good one if you have other things you want in the safe.

While there isn't WiFi in your room, if you have a Mac, you can use an Apple AirPort Express to WiFi enable your Mac devices. They're only about $100 and they're great to have in hotel rooms. My DH used one in Afghanistan and loved it.

WDWKOOK, Thanks...again for the Old Faithful Club info. We requested 2 queen beds because with 2 teens we don't need bunks. Any suggestions on room requests? I read that all club rooms are on the same floor as the lounge, that sounds good to us!

You're welcome. Yes, all CL rooms (except suites and the Deluxe rooms) are on the 7th floor. The views can be of the WL courtyard, the woods or the VWL courtyard. Just email the IPO and let them know which view you'd prefer.

 

[sjs314]

That's great to hear. Sounds just like my DH. He wants to try out an Epcot resort because we love walking to a park, but we always stay at a MK resort and it's hard to make the switch and leave Bay Lake behind. He gets a big smile on his face when I mention the WL, but not when I mention other resorts, except the CR.

Your DH might enjoy some YouTube videos of the resort. Has he seen any?

Funny you should mention the videos on utube, I was just looking up some this am before DH got up to show him.

He was actually excited about staying at CR or so I thought before we switched to BC, said he always wanted to stay there but nothing like when we finally decided to go back to WL.

 

[Meowalycat]

Mine's not really outdoorsy either and would rather read a good book. But, he loves all the nooks and crannies at the WL where you can cozy-up and people watch or read. He loves the jog around WL/FTW and a good shady spot where he can people watch or look out at Bay Lake (his favorite resort view). He's looking forward to doing the Archery Experience at FTW and he LOVES the food at WC and AP. Especially the breakfast with those biscuits and gravy. Would any of that appeal to DF?

WL does have so many great spots to sit and read or people watch. I think he would really enjoy sitting by the lake. His idea of a vacation involves a lot of sitting, reading and just relaxing. Whereas I tend to go on vacation and need to get out and explore everything, which is why we often butt heads vacation planning. The breakfast at WC are great, and I think he would enjoy those, minus the kooky (but friendly!) waitstaff. I've got my mind set on planning a brief December trip now, not sure if I can convince him or not as the sheer amount of people down there may be too much for him. In that case, gotta convince someone else to come along with me.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

Thanks!

 

[marymac123]

50 Days!!

 

[ilovegrumpy]

Will be staying for the first time at the Lodge this Nov with my DH. Can you request nightly turn down service if you aren't staying CL? I know at the other deluxe resorts you can, didn't know about the Lodge...

Thanks...