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

[dtr_angel]

my husband and I are just back from the WL - what an upgrade from our usual Pop Century, wow - we loved it!!

we got a better room, too... we were on the 4th floor, and had a perfect view out to the pool, geyser, and lake!!!

 

[rie'smom]

If I change my BLT 1 bd to the WL, do you think I have much chance of getting a specific room if I give them 3 room numbers? We really want an inner courtyard view. I have these from the thread:4123,5123,6123. Are there others or how would I go about requesting this view? The numbers are for deluxe rooms which is what we want. Thank-you.

 

[tardin1964]

If I change my BLT 1 bd to the WL, do you think I have much chance of getting a specific room if I give them 3 room numbers? We really want an inner courtyard view. I have these from the thread:4123,5123,6123. Are there others or how would I go about requesting this view? The numbers are for deluxe rooms which is what we want. Thank-you.

I believe the deluxe rooms are only located in two places. The first being all the way at the end of the north & south wings facing Bay Lake. The other location is half way down the wings where they make the zig...zag turn...hope that makes sense. I think as long as you request inner courtyard view you should be ok.

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks so much!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

my husband and I are just back from the WL - what an upgrade from our usual Pop Century, wow - we loved it!!

we got a better room, too... we were on the 4th floor, and had a perfect view out to the pool, geyser, and lake!!!

Welcome back! Any tips or news?

 

[rw_hadley]

We just got back from our stay at WL on Saturday.
We stayed in room 1165, which was first floor, mere steps from the pool. We had a free upgrade from woods view to courtyard view.

We've stayed there several times, and one new thing, for us at least:
We had new towel animals every day.


We ate at Roaring Fork a couple of times. DD used Cubs Den one night (and wanted to go back).

Just thought I'd see if anybody had any questions about the Lodge while everything is fresh in my mind.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We just got back from our stay at WL on Saturday.
We stayed in room 1165, which was first floor, mere steps from the pool. We had a free upgrade from woods view to courtyard view.

We've stayed there several times, and one new thing, for us at least:
We had new towel animals every day.


We ate at Roaring Fork a couple of times. DD used Cubs Den one night (and wanted to go back).

Just thought I'd see if anybody had any questions about the Lodge while everything is fresh in my mind.

Yes, I have some questions! Thank you

1. Did you eat hot breakfast at Roaring Forks and did you like it? Or did you notice if there were Mickey Waffles on the menu? (Allearsnet just lists 'hot breakfast items' and it is not specific!)

2. Did you walk to Fort Wilderness or take a bus and if you did, how long did it take?

3. Did you eat at Whispering Canyon or Artist Pointe? What did you think?

4. How was the transportation? Details are great and appreciated!!

I've never stayed at WL but would like to on our next trip. I'm the planner-type and love to get all the info I can. Thank you!!!

 

[rw_hadley]

See replies below.

Yes, I have some questions! Thank you

1. Did you eat hot breakfast at Roaring Forks and did you like it? Or did you notice if there were Mickey Waffles on the menu? (Allearsnet just lists 'hot breakfast items' and it is not specific!)

We did eat the hot breakfast one morning. We only saw pancakes; no waffles. They also had scrambled eggs, biscuits, breakfast potatoes (I think) and bacon included on the adult platter I had.
There was also an egg, cheese, and bacon croissant available.

2. Did you walk to Fort Wilderness or take a bus and if you did, how long did it take?

We took the boat to Fort Wilderness. They are the blue flag launches to the right hand side of the dock as you face the water. It took maybe 5 to 10 minutes; a short, pleasant ride. I think you can walk, but it was very hot, and we had our six year old DD, who would not have made it.

3. Did you eat at Whispering Canyon or Artist Pointe? What did you think?

We have eaten at both on past trips, but not this one. Whispering Canyon can be loud; you can hear it out in the lobby. The food is fine. We had breakfast there last time we visited (in 2006).
Artist Point has probably changed menu since we ate there some time back, so my comments probably wouldn't be meaningful. It was good, but expensive.

4. How was the transportation? Details are great and appreciated!!

Transportation to and from MK is fine. We never had to wait more than a few minutes for a boat. It's all the luck of the draw as far as when you get to the dock, I guess.
We ate a character breakfast at MK one morning and took the bus. MK transportation is direct, non-stop.

Bus service to AK, DHS, and Epcot all made stops at other resorts after WL. AK and DHS buses stopped at GF.
Epcot buses stopped at Ft. Wilderness.

Bus service back to WL from the parks sometimes took a while. We waited for a LONG time after Fantasmic for a WL bus. It might have been twenty minutes, but seemed longer since we were hot and tired.
The bus from AK stopped at Blizzard Beach before going to WL.
Fortunately, the buses that stop at other resorts stop at WL first when returning from the parks.

May

I've never stayed at WL but would like to on our next trip. I'm the planner-type and love to get all the info I can. Thank you!!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Thank you rw_hadley for responding to all my questions - the information on the transportation is great and I'm adding it to my personal 'mouse tips' document that I keep for my upcoming trips

 

[Minnie Rose]

Hello!
We were thinking of going to the WL for the first time, for my birthday, November 11th. I need your expert help: do you think the Christmas decorations will be up on that date? I really wish so!
Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[mouskagirlie]

Does the WL do anything extra special for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years? Just wondering if maybe we should plan our trip around being back at the lodge during the evening hours. Any advice would be welcome.

Great question, I had wondered that exact thing

 

[JPN4265]

Great question, I had wondered that exact thing

Still asking for some help on this question?

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

We are staying at WL again in September, but have a courtyard view booked.

Can anyone suggest a good room to request. I like a high room, so no ground levels need apply.

Of course, we hope for an upgrade, but I know that isn't likely.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We are staying at WL again in September, but have a courtyard view booked.

Can anyone suggest a good room to request. I like a high room, so no ground levels need apply.

Of course, we hope for an upgrade, but I know that isn't likely.

When we stayed there in March we had room 5005 which faced the inner courtyard. It was a corner room and was also right by the stairs that led closest to the marina/dock. It was a very nice room (but it was a bunkbed room too, not sure if that matters or not). It was so nice to sit out on our balcony and watch the people come in from the boat at night.

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

When we stayed there in March we had room 5005 which faced the inner courtyard. It was a corner room and was also right by the stairs that led closest to the marina/dock. It was a very nice room (but it was a bunkbed room too, not sure if that matters or not). It was so nice to sit out on our balcony and watch the people come in from the boat at night.

That sounds nice, but we would probably go for a 2 queen model since it is just DW and I.

 

[chewreck]

My wife and I just booked our vacation for 8 days/7 nights December 12-19, 2009 this afternoon. We're extremely excited about the trip as it will be our daughter's first trip to Disney World (she'll be 4 when we make the trip).


Any pointers or tips about the WL that we should definitely know about?

We booked at standard view room and we got the dining plan free with our reservation. Is it worth requesting a specific area for our "standard view" room? What are our chances of getting any kind of upgrade upon check-in?


My wife has only been to Disney 2 times previously while I have been over 20 times, however this will be our first time staying at Wilderness Lodge. We're especially looking forward to the Christmas decorations around the Disney property, especially at the lodge. Any recommendations or tips from people who have been during this time before?

Thanks!
Matt

 

[tardin1964]

My wife and I just booked our vacation for 8 days/7 nights December 12-19, 2009 this afternoon. We're extremely excited about the trip as it will be our daughter's first trip to Disney World (she'll be 4 when we make the trip).


Any pointers or tips about the WL that we should definitely know about?

We booked at standard view room and we got the dining plan free with our reservation. Is it worth requesting a specific area for our "standard view" room? What are our chances of getting any kind of upgrade upon check-in?


My wife has only been to Disney 2 times previously while I have been over 20 times, however this will be our first time staying at Wilderness Lodge. We're especially looking forward to the Christmas decorations around the Disney property, especially at the lodge. Any recommendations or tips from people who have been during this time before?

Thanks!
Matt

Welcome to the Dis Matt!

I believe most, if not all of the Standard View rooms are in the main building. You will either get a view of roof tops from other parts of the lodge or a view of the parking lot / service area. There is a chance with the service area view that you may be able to see the castle and some of wishes. But you do hear noise sometimes early in the morning from trucks etc. in the service area. I would request a room above the check in desk if you don’t want to take a chance on the noise.

Some other tips…. Roaring Forks the quick service restaurant can get very busy in the morning. If you’re a “get to the park at rope drop” type of family I would get down to RF early and then go back to the room to finish getting ready or go for a nice walk. So if you want to get to a 9:00am opening at MK don’t show up at RF at 8:15 and think you’ll have time to eat and get to the park in time.

The Bus to MK is quicker than boat. It not as nice a ride….. but if you are running late, or want to get there quickly take the bus. Be sure though to take the boat at least once since it is a great ride.

There are activities by the pool everyday that your daughter may enjoy.

If you and your wife want a nice dinner alone one night make a reservation at the Cubs Den for your daughter and make an ADR at the Artist Point restaurant for you and your wife.

I've never been during the holiday's so some else will have to help you with that.

 

[chewreck]

With a 3 (almost 4) year old, the noise outside will probably not be too much of an issue since we'll most likely be up early most days.

I appreciate the heads up on the RF restaurant. We're planning to take some breakfast stuff for the room, but when we eat there, I'll make sure we take enough time to do it right.

Do you know if the dining plan covers dinner at Artists Point at the hotel?

 

[Piglets Mommy]

With a 3 (almost 4) year old, the noise outside will probably not be too much of an issue since we'll most likely be up early most days.

I appreciate the heads up on the RF restaurant. We're planning to take some breakfast stuff for the room, but when we eat there, I'll make sure we take enough time to do it right.

Do you know if the dining plan covers dinner at Artists Point at the hotel?

Artist Point will count as 2 TS credits, but it is on the plan. We found that a lot of the "breakfast" items (bagels, muffins, yogurt, fruit) qualified as a snack on the dining plan. To save time in the morning, we would grab a few items the night before, and munch on them as we got ready in the mornings. The other thing you can do is send 1 person down to bring food back to the room, while everyone else is getting everything together.

 

[disneymami]

Hi Everyone
I just flew back today from the WL and I really couldn't wait to log on to tell you all just how fabulous the WL resort is. We had a great great time. This place is so memorable. I don't know where to begin to tell you about my experience. I have about 250 pics to upload (don't worry, I wont do that all here.) But I will upload shots from my room as soon as I get the kids to bed and I have a moment to myself.

Everyone at the WL is wonderful. They are truly dedicated to catering to thier guests. I felt so comfortable there. I miss it so much already.

I'm ready to field any questions you might have about anything - Roaring Forks, Whispering Canyon Cafe, the mercantile, the game room, the laundry room, the pool, the movie on the beach, the Cub's Den, the ferry to MK, the bus to EPCOT.... I can't think of anything else.
But my memories are still fresh so feel free to ask me anything.