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

[ethansmommy]

I am planning a suprise trip for my husband this january and was hoping someone could help me with a couple of questions. First I would like to rent the Sea Raycer or some other type of boat for my husband as a suprise but it doesnt say anything on the first page about reservations for this. Does anyone know if I need reservations or do you just walk up and rent? Also I just booked our room at the lodge yesterday, we will be staying Concierge level. Can anyone tell me how long it takes before the IPO staff will contact me?

 

[Lou-Ann]

I don't know if you can rent the boats ahead of time but I am sure the conscierge will be happy to do this for you. When we stayed you just walked up to the desk.

Just wanted to say how we wish you a magical stay and how lucky your hubby is. My hubby would love a surprise like this. I did it for him for his 60th birthday but it was not conscierge..... Enjoy..

 

[SpaceGirl]

I am planning a suprise trip for my husband this january and was hoping someone could help me with a couple of questions. First I would like to rent the Sea Raycer or some other type of boat for my husband as a suprise but it doesnt say anything on the first page about reservations for this. Does anyone know if I need reservations or do you just walk up and rent? Also I just booked our room at the lodge yesterday, we will be staying Concierge level. Can anyone tell me how long it takes before the IPO staff will contact me?

No reservations are required for the Sea Raycers it's first come, there will be paper work to complete so you will need your personal ID (valid Drivers Licensed) plus your room key. If you have an AP or if you're are a DVC member there are discounts available so take your AP or Member card.

Whenever I have booked Club Level I have always received an E-mail within a few days, so check your E-Mail. If your trip is over 190 days out they may wait until they contact you, but you should make sure you don't wait past 190 days so they will have time to make your dining request.

 

[Kimberly815]

They used to have postcards available at the front desk. You might call the gift shop and try to buy something over the phone if they have it.

Thanks Lou-Ann! I will look into that!

 

[lissiesmum]

I'm thinking probably not, but figured I'd ask since the EWP does go by??? If you did want to see the fireworks, where would be the best place to go? The Poly, or the CR? Can someone tell me briefly about how quick the boat ferries are to the MK? How long does it take to get back to the WL from the MK? How frequent are the ferries?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I'm thinking probably not, but figured I'd ask since the EWP does go by??? If you did want to see the fireworks, where would be the best place to go? The Poly, or the CR? Can someone tell me briefly about how quick the boat ferries are to the MK? How long does it take to get back to the WL from the MK? How frequent are the ferries?

You can see the MK fireworks at least from the beach area. I don't know where else at WL.

Suzanne

 

[lissiesmum]

Oh wow, that's great! I had my heart on staying at the Poly during value season and a big part of that is that I wanted to watch the fireworks from our hotel and have heard so much about it at the Poly. So from the beach you can see the MK fireworks? Fantastic news, that just made my night

 

[TarzansKat]

You can see the MK fireworks at least from the beach area. I don't know where else at WL.

Suzanne

Oh wow, that's great! I had my heart on staying at the Poly during value season and a big part of that is that I wanted to watch the fireworks from our hotel and have heard so much about it at the Poly. So from the beach you can see the MK fireworks? Fantastic news, that just made my night

Me, too! I didn't know you could see MK fireworks from the WL beach? And I thought I'd read this whole thread...guess it's hard to take it all in.

Thanks so much for that tip.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Oh wow, that's great! I had my heart on staying at the Poly during value season and a big part of that is that I wanted to watch the fireworks from our hotel and have heard so much about it at the Poly. So from the beach you can see the MK fireworks? Fantastic news, that just made my night

So glad I could help

Suzanne

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Me, too! I didn't know you could see MK fireworks from the WL beach? And I thought I'd read this whole thread...guess it's hard to take it all in.

Thanks so much for that tip.

I don't see any reason you can't. We were able to see them very clearly from FW beach and it is further away. I know I have read that others have been able to as well.

Suzanne

 

[TarzansKat]

I don't see any reason you can't. We were able to see them very clearly from FW beach and it is further away. I know I have read that others have been able to as well.

Suzanne

I meant it was hard to take in reading the whole faq thread.

Not the fireworks.

Sorry for the confusion, I am truly grateful for the advice. DS is 3, and we don't know how he'll react to fireworks this year, last year he hated them, so if I can catch them from farther away, it's great!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I meant it was hard to take in reading the whole faq thread.

Not the fireworks.

Sorry for the confusion, I am truly grateful for the advice. DS is 3, and we don't know how he'll react to fireworks this year, last year he hated them, so if I can catch them from farther away, it's great!

I wasn't confused, I was talking about the fireworks as well. I didn't even read the rest of your comment.

Suzanne

 

[TarzansKat]

I wasn't confused, I was talking about the fireworks as well. I didn't even read the rest of your comment.

Suzanne

I'm sorry! I had a rough day yesterday and must have totally misread your comment. Phew. Many apologies, and again, thanks for the great tip.

 

[TarzansKat]

thought you vets might have an opinion!

This year for free dining, DH, DS3, and I are staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I know Artist Point is a signature restaurant, but I've thought about going for appetizers and desserts and paying out of pocket, since those are really, really appealing to me. We've already planned our maximum number of ADRs, so I'm looking for your opinions. My reasoning for just apps and dessert is that with my 3 year old, I'd like to have a shorter meal so that we'll maintain good behavior and hopefully not disturb other guests. Usually, he's very good, but I know we won't be able to have a relaxed signature dining experience. That being said, would you go and just enjoy the atmosphere of the Wilderness Lodge?

How is the food there, I see very few reviews for it, so I'm curious.

Thanks in advance!

Now, someone responded as to the possibility of enjoying a few apps/drinks/desserts at Territory Lounge. Does anyone know if they serve any of the items similar to Artist Point or if the menu is totally different?

 

[SpaceGirl]

I'm thinking probably not, but figured I'd ask since the EWP does go by??? If you did want to see the fireworks, where would be the best place to go? The Poly, or the CR? Can someone tell me briefly about how quick the boat ferries are to the MK? How long does it take to get back to the WL from the MK? How frequent are the ferries?

Hi, I'm just back from a trip to the lodge, unfortunately you can not see the fireworks from the beach. The pp that posted said she could see them from FWC was correct, the campground is further away and you are watching from a different angle, but all you would be able to see from the beach at the lodge would be a few of the tops of higher fireworks from the MK.

The reason is the north wing of the lodge is between the beach and the MK.

We could see the very tops of a few fireworks from our 6th floor room we were on the south side of the lodge, the north wing blocked 98% of them.

So sorry but I thought everyone should know not to expect this to be a good viewing area. Maybe thats why no one had read about this here on the FAQ thread.

I do remember reading about there being a location some where in the lodge you can see them really good, maybe a WL Vet will answer soon.

 

[Sk8Leigh]

I could see the top of the fireworks from the boat dock, although that might have been Hallowishes as opposed to Wishes, I'm not sure. Maybe someone knows if you can see regular Wishes from there?

 

[burberryplaid]

I can't say for sure about Wishes, but on our trip last September we did see some of the Pirate & Princess Party fireworks. We didn't see the whole show, just some of the higher fireworks and it wasn't a great vantage point in my opinion.

 

[ang38]

You can see the FW from the WL but they aren't close up. They look nice but not as great as from the CR. We saw them every night from our room at the WL, but they were so much better from the CR!
The ferries aren't that quick. You some-times have to wait awhile for one then I think it's anywhere from 10-20 minutes across depending on stops and people getting off and on. The fireworks are a lot better from the CR. You can go up to the 4th floor and walk outside to see them or you can go up to the California grill and say you are stopping for a drink at the bar...then you can walk outside on the observation deck. From the PR you can see them from inside and from the beach. Out of the 3 places I would go to the CR first~

I'm thinking probably not, but figured I'd ask since the EWP does go by??? If you did want to see the fireworks, where would be the best place to go? The Poly, or the CR? Can someone tell me briefly about how quick the boat ferries are to the MK? How long does it take to get back to the WL from the MK? How frequent are the ferries?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

WOW you guys have been busy...

First let me say that trying to view Wishes or the other firework displays from the beach...not a great viewing area. SORRY like another poster said the Lodge (North Wing) is in the way. Yes you can see a few of the higher fireworks from the beach area it's more hearing than seeing. I would hate for anyone to be disappointed by incorrect expectations.

Now Hallowishes and the fireworks during MVMCP are spectacular and seem to have higher explosives. Disney has stopped all traffic during these firework displays, cars, monorails and boats stop because Disney synchronizes addition fireworks all around Seven Seas Lagoon. These fireworks are much closer and yes you could see some of them from the end of the dock.

Many rooms on the North side of the North Wing may have good viewing during Wishes, if your not located in one of these rooms, there is still a way to see the fireworks.

You need to walk over to the North Wing where there are large windows located on each floor with beautiful shutters, these are located just around the corner from the elevators that are located half-way down the North Wing.

If you are on the first floor they are just down from Roaring Fork so take the elevator up to the sixth floor then take a right and you will see the windows.

You may open these shutters to view the fireworks from this location. Of course the 7th floor would only be for guest staying Club Level but the views are just as good from the 6th or 5th floors.

I have even meet several DIS'ers while watching from this location.

Beckie

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

If you did want to see the fireworks, where would be the best place to go? The Poly, or the CR? Can someone tell me briefly about how quick the boat ferries are to the MK? How long does it take to get back to the WL from the MK? How frequent are the ferries?

Lisa
I enjoy Wishes from the Magic Kingdom the most, and the Contemporary Resort is the closest, the Polynesian being further away yet they are still magical, the view across Seven Seas Lagoon with the reflections of the fireworks on the water is priceless.

The Red Flag Boats between the Magic Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge run about every 10 minutes or so, but it's the waiting for your turn to board after park closing or Wishes that may take much longer. Remember there is a direct bus back to the Lodge which may be a quicker trip, it is located at Bus Stop # 1 at the Magic Kingdom.

Beckie