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

[diberry]

May I post ... not a question ... just a fun memory of a GORGEOUS dinner at WCC ?!?

Laura, GREAT pic of DGH!!! Can't wait to go to WCC and order the large soda and a teeny bit of ketchup!!!

 

[LisaRN]

I booked Magical Express for our trip..first time using it. Does anyone know where the resort check in is for the trip home?? Thanks so much

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I booked Magical Express for our trip..first time using it. Does anyone know where the resort check in is for the trip home?? Thanks so much

Lisa
I have never used Magical Express but I'll post the information that The Silver Creek Star (newsletter) has:

Magical Express Service: If you are utilizing this service and would like assistance transporting your luggage to the motor coach departure location. Please call LUGGAGE/VALET on your in-room phone.

Airline Check-in: You can check your luggage and receive your airline boarding pass at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk, located in the Porte Cochere. If you are departing on a domestic flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO) on participating air carriers, you can check in no less than 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.

 

[horselover]

4 days & counting! Thank you so much to everyone (especially the Vets ) for all the great info. This is our 4th trip, but 1st stay inside the world. A whole new adventure! Will post reviews & lots of pics when we get back.

 

[burberryplaid]

I booked Magical Express for our trip..first time using it. Does anyone know where the resort check in is for the trip home?? Thanks so much

As MAGICinMYHEART posted, the check out is right outside the front doors. We used Magical Express last trip and it was wonderful. It took us all of 3 minutes to check out!

horselover - Have a magical vacation!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Thank you everyone for the great posts - tonight I finally convinced DH to let me book our last trip before the AP's run out and we managed to get a Courtyard view room at the WL the 2nd week in April. Can't wait. We've never stayed at a Deluxe resort before, but love the looks of WL. Appreciate all the help these posts have given us & can't wait to stay at the WL.

 

[lizcro326]

3. Which do you think 2 boys ,8 and 12 years old, would enjoy better, the Campfire sing along or dinner at the Whispering Canyon for a birthday celebration?

Since the campfire is free why not both? Get a early ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe then take the bus or boat over to Ft. Wilderness.

Thanks for all the great feedback. I kinda took your advice. We're going to FW Thursday night to TE and campfire, then lunch ressie Fri afternoon at WCC. This way we won't feel rushed since we're arriving early evening on Thursday due to school.

The DVCowner and myself both believe it was Disney MAGIC !! She got a last minute call on waiting list pts that were to expire and there I was wanting that same exact night. The ressie was for VWL where I had planned all of our activities!!

These boards are the greatest !!

 

[Kristybell]

We're booked and ready to go back to the Lodge and I cannot wait!!! We've traveled extensively and stayed at many different locations, but the WL is absolutely the best by far. I can't say enough wonderful things about this resort.

If you're undecided about what resort to pick (as I was at this time last year) I would strongly encourage you to give WL a try. You won't be sorry!!!

Kristy

 

[tinkerbeth]

We have stayed at AKL before and eaten at WCC (LOVED IT). How does WL compare to AKL? Other than the animals, of course...

I have read that the pool may be too crowded and not as big but there is also a quiet pool... Proximity to MK is a plus of course.

Any opinions? We're looking at the last week of August and we'll be getting APs and hoping for a discount.

Thanks!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I have read that the pool may be too crowded and not as big but there is also a quiet pool...

The Main feature pool with the slide, Silver Creek Springs Pool is smaller than Uzima Springs pool but the Wilderness Lodge only has 728 guest rooms while Animal Kingdom Lodge has almost 1300 rooms.

So the pool doesn't need nor was it designed to hold as many guest. I believe this is why so many guest are surprised at the size of Sliver Creek Pool when they compare it with the other resort pools. The Uzima Springs pool was designed to potentially hold or service an additional 2,000 more guest than the pool at WL. That's alot of people.

This is not counting the Villas at either resort, though when completed AKV will have a total of 458 Villas and the Villas @ Wilderness Lodge only has 136 Villas. So when Kidani Village is complete the AKL & Villas will be massive.

The Wilderness Lodge is so small in comparision making the ambiance cozy and welcoming.

I have stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge many times and love the resort. I think Zawadi Marketplace is the best gift shop on property.

Another area of comparison is Mara and Roaring Fork:

When the Wilderness Lodge was built Roaring Fork was designed as a snack bar not a counter service. As guest staying at the moderates and values started visiting and staying at the WL they wanted more quick counter service food. Even though the resort had two full service restaurants. the lodge expanded Roaring Fork as much as they could while keeping the integrity of the Lodge's architecture. When Animal Kingdom Lodge was built they had learned so Mara was designed more along the lines of what guest wanted. I love simple food not spicy so the food offerings at Roaring Fork are fine with me, while the size of Mara is larger I don't enjoy the food any better.

Have a great trip

 

[tinkerbeth]

Thanks!

That puts my mind to rest somewhat about the pools. I didn't realize that WL was so much smaller! Methinks it might be worth a try....

 

[burberryplaid]

When we were there we found the pool to be very uncrowded, except for one day, Labor Day. Almost everyone left the following day though so we saw much less people around after that. The quiet pool is pure heaven..very, very few people there. That's where DH and I swam most days because it's so relaxing..you're sourrounded by trees and there were usually less than 10 people there in the afternoons. I hope we find the same to be true next trip.

 

[LoveMickey]

We have planned a breakfast at the Poly, O'Hana for one morning.

Our ressies are at 8 am.

What is the best way to get over there for our early morning breakfast?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Also, do you remember how much the snow globes are? We purchase a snow globe for DD each place we visit.

Look what I found over on the DVC Board. One of these will be coming home with me next trip. Cheer4bison is visiting the Villas now and posted this today.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Look what I found over on the DVC Board. One of these will be coming home with me next trip. Cheer4bison is visiting the Villas now and posted this today.

I definitely need one of those! Hopefully they will still be around in December.

 

[burberryplaid]

We have planned a breakfast at the Poly, O'Hana for one morning.

Our ressies are at 8 am.

What is the best way to get over there for our early morning breakfast?

I would either take the bus to MK and then the monorail to the Poly. Or you can take the boat to the Contemporary and then hop on the monorail from there. Just make sure to give yourself some time to get there.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We have planned a breakfast at the Poly, O'Hana for one morning. Our ressies are at 8 am. What is the best way to get over there for our early morning breakfast?

LoveMickey

If you will have a car driving would be the easiest way, a Taxi would also be quick, easy & inexpensive.

You could also catch the direct bus to the Magic Kingdom then take the Resort Monorail back around the the Polynesian or even the boat but it may take to long.

Last option is catch the Blue Flag Boat from the Lodge over to the Contemporary Resort then take the Resort Monorail around to the Poly...The only thing about this is you may have to ride the boat to Ft. Wilderness Campground first then continue on to the CR.

Beckie

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

OPPS...Sorry Burberryplaid we were posting at the same time. Great minds think alike.
Beckie

 

[DreaGirl]

Look what I found over on the DVC Board. One of these will be coming home with me next trip. Cheer4bison is visiting the Villas now and posted this today.

I love it! I'll def. be getting on in May!!

 

[LisaRN]

This will be our first time in October..are there any special decorations around the WL this time of year??