The Wilderness Lodge FAQ (Part 6) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY!

[DizneyNutz]

Hey thanks for posting the picture of the bikes. Just made my daughters day. Of all the things to do at Disney , she cant wait to get a bike! My legs are still aching from peddling over Hilton Head a month ago!

I believe you will do a BUNCH more peddaling at HHI than WDW.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Sorry Double Post

 

[justintime]

I posted this on the Resorts Board, but thought maybe I should have posted it here instead. Can someone tell me what the sleigh ride is like at WL? We are going the 1st week of December, and thought it might be nice to do.
What are the differences between the sleigh ride at WL and the carriage ride at FW?
I tried to seach this thread, but the search function didn't show anything (or it wasn't working ??)
Thanks.

 

[DizneyNutz]

I posted this on the Resorts Board, but thought maybe I should have posted it here instead. Can someone tell me what the sleigh ride is like at WL? We are going the 1st week of December, and thought it might be nice to do.
What are the differences between the sleigh ride at WL and the carriage ride at FW?
I tried to seach this thread, but the search function didn't show anything (or it wasn't working ??)
Thanks.

But others have said that the one at the WL just takes you through the dark woods between WL and FWC. The one at FWC takes you around the campground and you can see a lot of Christmas decorations at the different campsites.

 

[cybertea201]

Thanks for all the responses! We have a 4yr old and a 18month yr old. (is that how you say it?? LOL))

That will be perfect for them!

One more question. We are having breakfast at the KONA cafe (tonga toast here i come)
Would it be correct in thinking there are two ways to get there.

1) Boat to Contemporary - Monorail to Polynesian
2) Bus to TTA

Which would be better?

or
3)Boat to Disney / then Boat to Polynesian?

That is one of the best things in Disney in my opinion, traveling from place to place. It's part of the fun for me, : Am i crazy in thinking that???

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[anne928]

great thread, but I gave up looking through all the pages for the answers to my questions! Which drinks are you allowed to use the refillable mugs for? My kids don't drink soda, do they have lemonade, milk or chocolate milk?

also, how bad is the coffee, really? I NEED my coffee in the morning, so I am probably going to bring some from home to make it the room, but it would be so much easier to just use my refillable mug at roaring fork. I'm not a total coffee snob, but is it instant?

last question, I didn't make any special request with my courtyard room reservation, is it too late to call and ask? we arrive in 6 days!

thanks!
anne

 

[jenjersnap]

Thanks for all the responses! We have a 4yr old and a 18month yr old. (is that how you say it?? LOL))

That will be perfect for them!

One more question. We are having breakfast at the KONA cafe (tonga toast here i come)
Would it be correct in thinking there are two ways to get there.

1) Boat to Contemporary - Monorail to Polynesian
2) Bus to TTA

Which would be better?

or
3)Boat to Disney / then Boat to Polynesian?

That is one of the best things in Disney in my opinion, traveling from place to place. It's part of the fun for me, : Am i crazy in thinking that???

Thanks again for all the help!

There isn't a bus to the TTC so your second option is actually bus directly to MK then monorail or boat.

I take whichever WL boat shows up first (one to Contemporary or MK) then monorail it. We did this a lot last week as many of our meals were at the Poly or GF.

 

[jenjersnap]

great thread, but I gave up looking through all the pages for the answers to my questions! Which drinks are you allowed to use the refillable mugs for? My kids don't drink soda, do they have lemonade, milk or chocolate milk?

also, how bad is the coffee, really? I NEED my coffee in the morning, so I am probably going to bring some from home to make it the room, but it would be so much easier to just use my refillable mug at roaring fork. I'm not a total coffee snob, but is it instant?

last question, I didn't make any special request with my courtyard room reservation, is it too late to call and ask? we arrive in 6 days!

thanks!
anne

They have lemonade, hot cocoa, coffee, hot tea and all the usual sodas but no milk or juice available for the refillable mugs at WL.

The coffee is not good but it is drinkable, if you are not too picky. It does not have a very strong flavor so a little sugar and creamer and I can deal with it. I don't know if it's instant, it doesn't exactly taste like instants I've tried but it doesn't taste freshly brewed either ... sorry, if that sounds wishy washy but that about describes the brew.

 

[ctjsowens]

I believe you will do a BUNCH more peddaling at HHI than WDW.

Cant remember how far we peddled over the island but my legs tell me it was a lot!!! Going to leave the peddling to my wife at WDW and i'm going out and ride with my oldest daughter since she just got to the age to operate the sea raycers.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

great thread, but I gave up looking through all the pages for the answers to my questions! Which drinks are you allowed to use the refillable mugs for? My kids don't drink soda, do they have lemonade, milk or chocolate milk?

also, how bad is the coffee, really? I NEED my coffee in the morning, so I am probably going to bring some from home to make it the room, but it would be so much easier to just use my refillable mug at roaring fork. I'm not a total coffee snob, but is it instant?

last question, I didn't make any special request with my courtyard room reservation, is it too late to call and ask? we arrive in 6 days!

thanks!
anne

Most everywhere around WDW has Nescafe which I guess is a sort of instant coffee. It is horrible in my opinion and I'm not a coffee snob. I have found a few places around WDW that sell the real stuff. At WL I just made it in my room. They have the little coffee maker and provide a packet of regular and decaf each day. You can buy those little packets in the grocery store too. Here is a list I found of where to find the real stuff around WDW.

http://allears.net/din/coffee.htm

I have had it in Epcot near Canada, back by Test Track, and I always try to note those locations before we head back.

 

[anne928]

thanks jenjersnap & dory, for the replies about the refillable mugs & coffee (especially the link to real coffee!). I still can't believe that disney goes above & beyond in so many ways, but it's a challenge to get a real cup of coffee!

Anyone know about the room request? I'm thinking I might want to try to get a room to see the water pageant. Being able to see it from the balcony would be cool, especially since my kids are going to need to be in bed by then most nights. That means I should request inner courtyard - north wing? (assuming it's not too late to add a room request to my reservation)

thanks!
anne

 

[PoohsFan1]

Anyone know about the room request? I'm thinking I might want to try to get a room to see the water pageant. Being able to see it from the balcony would be cool, especially since my kids are going to need to be in bed by then most nights. That means I should request inner courtyard - north wing? (assuming it's not too late to add a room request to my reservation)

I wouldn't think it would be too late. I was told, and don't quote me on this, that they assign rooms 3 days before your arrival. So if you call them today with your room request, you will be able to get it in on time....just remember that a request is only a request, it is not guaranteed. We are booked there in March with a Courtyard view with Bunkbed and my DH really wants to get into the Bearface rooms. I called and requested it and when we go to check in (since it will be about noonish), I am going to see if there are any of those rooms opened up, or at least will be opened up.

 

[TxRabbit]

I believe you will do a BUNCH more peddaling at HHI than WDW.

I've never been to WL. When you get the bikes, where do you go? What do you do on the bikes?

 

[swald91]

Just back from WL & want to thank all of you with all of your info!!! All in all we enjoyed our stay-was a bit nervous b/c we uaually stay at Poly & LOVE it there.... Anyway, had room 1016 & I think it was Great!!!! Close to RF, lobby, laundry & the boat dock. Loved the lobby-very relaxing & much more quiet than the Poly. The halls were very noisy-could hear all conversations between families. I personally thought the beds & pillows were great. I hated the buses -wait times were longer than I expected-but we've been spoiled by the monorail in the past. I would stay there again during a slow season-met Ranger Stan & knew some info about him from all of you here-he's was so nice. The rooms are alot smaller than the Poly-but we had 4 in our party this trip instead of 5. If you have kids-make sure they are careful on the patio. Of course our kids had to explore the area around the pond-grass was a bit wet & my son slipped & just missed smacking his head on the raised concrete there-not a good way to have started a trip-at least one to the ER. Guardian angel watching yet again!!!! Had a great trip!

 

[Princess_Jo]

I too just returned from the Wilderness Lodge (1/28-2/2). Like the previous poster, I was apprehensive about this trip since I love the Grand Floridian so much but the two are very different and not really comparable so I was ok. The resort is absolutely beautiful and I loved sitting in the lobby taking it all in. We stayed in room 5041 and had a fantastic view of the lake, pool and geyser. It was noisey with pool activities but the view made up for it. We were right above Roaring Fork which was very convenient.

I found transportation to be fast and we never waited more than 10 minutes. I found the beds to be terrible though, but from the sounds of it I may be in the minority.

Overall, we had a great time and will stay there again in the future!

 

[distherapy]

Thanks for all the responses! We have a 4yr old and a 18month yr old. (is that how you say it?? LOL))

That will be perfect for them!

One more question. We are having breakfast at the KONA cafe (tonga toast here i come)
Would it be correct in thinking there are two ways to get there.

1) Boat to Contemporary - Monorail to Polynesian
2) Bus to TTA

Which would be better?

or
3)Boat to Disney / then Boat to Polynesian?

That is one of the best things in Disney in my opinion, traveling from place to place. It's part of the fun for me, : Am i crazy in thinking that???

Thanks again for all the help!

We just got back and enjoyed taking the boat to the Contemporary in the morning and then the monorail. For one thing, that boat starts earlier in the morning than any other mode of transportation from WL, so in many cases it may be your only choice. I think that would be faster, too.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Just back from WL & want to thank all of you with all of your info!!! All in all we enjoyed our stay-was a bit nervous b/c we uaually stay at Poly & LOVE it there.... Anyway, had room 1016 & I think it was Great!!!!

Had a great trip!

I too just returned from the Wilderness Lodge (1/28-2/2). Like the previous poster, I was apprehensive about this trip since I love the Grand Floridian so much but the two are very different and not really comparable so I was ok. The resort is absolutely beautiful and I loved sitting in the lobby taking it all in. We stayed in room 5041 and had a fantastic view of the lake, pool and geyser. It was noisey with pool activities but the view made up for it. We were right above Roaring Fork which was very convenient.

I found transportation to be fast and we never waited more than 10 minutes. I found the beds to be terrible though, but from the sounds of it I may be in the minority.

Overall, we had a great time and will stay there again in the future!

Welcome back and glad to hear you had a great time and enjoyed WL. We haven't had to wait so long on the bus but have had issues with it at other resorts. It seems to be a hit/miss situation. I love the boat ride though so we always use it to MK and to the Contemporary for the monorail.

 

[Nicole786]

Im at work so I dont have time to go through the thread, so this may have been asked so I apologize. Does anyone know if they did away with standard view rooms at the WL? I can't seem to get one no matter what dates I plug in

 

[shmedly123]

Im at work so I dont have time to go through the thread, so this may have been asked so I apologize. Does anyone know if they did away with standard view rooms at the WL? I can't seem to get one no matter what dates I plug in

they still have standard view. I would try talking to a phone rep too as I had the opposite happen to me where over the phone they said they had no availability but online they did...my point being that I think the system is very buggie.

 

[Lou-Ann]

I would also add that with this buy four, get three, the first thing to go is probably the standards.....