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

[momjkm]

OK, I know this has been posted (I just read 114 pages of posts, so please forgive me!) - am I correct that bunk beds now cost more? So if I don't request them for non-CL, I won't get them? D wants to sleep in her own queen bed, and since there are only 3 of us . . .

And how long do the busses to Epcot, DHS and AK take? We're going in January; since the park operating hours are already so short, we wondering if we shoudl just rent a car so as not to waste time!

Thanks all!

I never made it to AK but the buses to DHS and Epcot took about 15minutes-with stops to pick up at Fort Wilderness or GF. But on the way home-- we were the 1st stop...
DD took forty minutes--- stopped at GF, TL, then DD (market).
As far as renting a car-- you still have to drive, park and have a farther walk into park? plus extra $$$$?
Not sure if it is worth it. I have never rented a car while on property so someone else might be able to answer better
Jill
Jill

 

[Ragnrok23]

Does anyone know how much coffee they supply in the rooms? will it be enough for both my wife and I, or should I bring some of my own (as well as sugar and cream?)

 

[momjkm]

The rooms have coffee filter packs- enough for the 4cup pot. Sugar and powdered creamer are included. I got my own 1/2 1/2, my own coffee, and USED BOTTLED WATER. The water thing seems to be key from my own experience and what I read. I am sure they will give you as many coffee packets as you request--- Jill

 

[yensid_71973]

Hi Stephanie, This has far as I got. I haven't found your profile picture. My computer skills aren't that good. Sorry, Jackie from Be Our Guest

 

[Ragnrok23]

The rooms have coffee filter packs- enough for the 4cup pot. Sugar and powdered creamer are included. I got my own 1/2 1/2, my own coffee, and USED BOTTLED WATER. The water thing seems to be key from my own experience and what I read. I am sure they will give you as many coffee packets as you request--- Jill

Thanks!

 

[Ragnrok23]

I asked this in the DDP board, but no one seems to know, maybe someone here can answer it

I read that there is a surcharge for kids on the DDP at Whispering Canyon if they order the all you can eat skillet, does anyone know if this is true, and how much it is?

Thanks again

 

[Angel16]

Giving this a little bump Several of us are looking for answers. Please help.

 

[distherapy]

OK, I know this has been posted (I just read 114 pages of posts, so please forgive me!) - am I correct that bunk beds now cost more? So if I don't request them for non-CL, I won't get them? D wants to sleep in her own queen bed, and since there are only 3 of us . . .

And how long do the busses to Epcot, DHS and AK take? We're going in January; since the park operating hours are already so short, we wondering if we shoudl just rent a car so as not to waste time!

Thanks all!

I think you're right - we requested bunk beds and were charged a higher rate. Can't hurt to request 2 queens in your reservation though, so you aren't given a special "upgrade".

Can't help with the buses - but a poster just posted some current travel times!

 

[stepdisney]

I'm feeling a little nostalgic. Last year at this time I was finding out all I could about WL and getting ready for our first stay there. I went back and looked at the pictures and I'm going to miss sitting on the balcony while the inner courtyard is quiet and the lake is still. I'm also going to miss taking the boat to the MK. It is so funny, last year i was stressing about whether or not I would like WL because I wanted to stay at AKL. This year, we are staying at AKL and I'm thinking about WL. If anyone has any doubts about WL, take it from me, it is a beautiful, peaceful resort. It is just the right size and cozy, cozy, cozy. (I still can't figure out my photobucket account to post the pictures). I set up the account but can't figure out how to get the pictures from the Kodak easy share to photobucket. (anyone??)

 

[GatorLady]

Booked a Studio at the Villas in September.
Does anyone have any tips for the studio location?Rooms with good view etc.

We stayed in a studio last month. I requested an upper floor, lakeside,
non-connecting room. Some of the studios overlook a service area, that is why I requested lakeside.

We ended up with an upper floor lakeside. It was a connecting room, but that was o.k., I got two out of three!

Hope that helps. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

GatorLady,

That is a great picture in your signature. Was that from a photosession? I would love to get a picture of DD with princess!

 

[HARASW]

GatorLady,

That is a great picture in your signature. Was that from a photosession? I would love to get a picture of DD with princess!

Yes, it is beautiful!

 

[HARASW]

Hi all... I got back last night and had one of the best vacations of my life! Topped only by girlfriend only trips--- this trip was with ds 11 and me--- dd 14 and dh stayed home--- IT WAS MAGICAL for ds and I.
it was our second trip there (1st in 2003 August)... had an inner courtyard room--- view fine, not outstanding (in corner of courtyard) but fine. had to look over rail and to left to see pool, lake but could also do this and see the eletrical pagent water parade ( I could here the music to it from my balcony).

a couple of things about the transportation I read from WL threads last week--- concierge does have some incorrect/outdated info about buses, ect. And there definitely needs to be a covered area at MK to wait for the boat back... we did get to see WISHES from this spot at the dock twice (so the canvas covering being absent worked to our advantage ). But everyone was so nice--- and helpful----

I used the bus to Mk more than I planned as it was AIR CONDITIONED-- and the quick 4 minute ride was a bonus. but the AC was a key factor--- especially since we got stuck more than once just idling in the lake waiting for traffic, boat traffic.... in the hot sun;

Also, using the boat to MK or CR to get to other places via monorail is great but remember the direction to monorail runs--- MK via monorail to GF is a long ride--- the resort monorail goes clockwise (MK-CR-TTC-Poly-GF-MK) I often got to mk by bus THEN used the poly/GF boat (very quick) to the resort....

What else? check in, baggage services excellent- a bell person named arnie was awesome--- explained things to us as he was unloading bags, groceries from green grocer (no problems with this service btw)
mousekeeping--- works incrediblely hard--- always clean dry pool towels, rooms impeccable....
food: roaring forks (counter service)--- breakfast quick and good, I liked their different sandwich offerings... ds lived on the chicken tenders... we got fresh fruit there often- no problems....HINT: check fresh by dates-- nothing was outdated but was good only until that date( I might get a bowl of grapes for dessert but save them for another day--- and by then getting mushy)

Did WCC for dinner and breakfast--- not outstanding but no complaints----
minor antics--- which was fine with us.

what else??? hmmm..... having withdrawal--- do wish they sold soda in 6 packs (like beer) instead of single cans... but that isn;t with the resort itself... Laundry- $6 total for a load (wash/dry) not anything heavy.... but worth it as less to pack, carry. ect

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions....
Jill

Jill,
Thanks for the informative report! This will be my 3rd year staying at WL, though this time only with DS. DH and DD are staying behind due to their jobs. I was pretty familiar with most that you mentioned but I was glad to hear that you had a good experience with Garden Grocer. There are a number of things that I need to keep in my room for medical reasons and I usually pay for a taxi to take me to and from Publix. I am planning on trying this service this time. Are there any suggestions that you can offer in reference to ordering from them?
I am glad that you had such a good time!

 

[earthelves]

Does WL do anything special for Christmas? I know they have a beautiful tree in the lobby. However, I understand other deluxe resort have special things going on for Christmas.

Is there anything they do on Christmas Day? Do the characters visit? Do they leave a little trinket gift for guests? Do they do anything special in the concierge (club level )?

Looking foward to learning all I can about Christmas/New Years and Wilderness Lodge.

Thank you in advance.

Angel16

BUMP

 

[Lou-Ann]

When you check in they will give you an itinerary of what is happening what day and time. They usually have groups caroling or bell ringers nearly every night. Area churches love to come there to perform. We usually book the Whispering Canyon for one of these times and listen to the show while eating. I have heard that Santa comes Christmas eve and the kids gather around the tree in their jammies. I do not know if this still happens as each year I am sure is different.

 

[earthelves]

When you check in they will give you an itinerary of what is happening what day and time. They usually have groups caroling or bell ringers nearly every night. Area churches love to come there to perform. We usually book the Whispering Canyon for one of these times and listen to the show while eating. I have heard that Santa comes Christmas eve and the kids gather around the tree in their jammies. I do not know if this still happens as each year I am sure is different.

WOW I Wish It Was Christmas NOW

Thanks For The Response

 

[GatorLady]

GatorLady,

That is a great picture in your signature. Was that from a photosession? I would love to get a picture of DD with princess!

Thanks for the nice comment! It was actually taken at Princess Storybook
Dining in Norway after we had been to BBB. It was the photo in the package you get with the meal. I then cropped and embellished it in my PhotoPass account.

I don't know if you have been there before, but we found the best place to get good princess time and pictures is in Toontown in the MK. If you are going during a busy time, make sure you are just outside the entrance (they have their own little "rope drop") when they open. We were the second group to see the Princesses and by the time we got out the wait was already 60 minutes!!

 

[CT_Bev&Jeff]

Hello Everyone!

My wife and I will be enjoying our first visit to VWL this December. However we are beginning to plan our trip for next year. My DD asked a simple question that I could not answer and hope that someone here can. My wife and I will be taking Amtrak from CT to Orlando, our DD, her husband and our 4 grandkids will be taking the plane. They will probably be getting to VWL before us. I know that I will need to provide their names when I book the room, but will they be able to check in when they get there. Or would they need to wait for us, as we are the DVC owners?

I hope this is a simple question.

CT_Jeff

 

[surprise07]

I apologize if this has been asked already in this thread. I've read a lot of it, but haven't read all of it yet. After reading some of the reviews of the Wildnerness Lodge on AllEars, it seems that quite a few people who booked Standard view rooms were upgraded to Woods view and sometimes Courtyard view rooms. Does this happen often? What is the likelyhood of this happening? I have a standard view room booked for 3/5-3/10/09. I was considering upgrading the view once the 09 rates come out...should I upgrade or keep my standard view and hope for an upgrade?

 

[tardin1964]

I apologize if this has been asked already in this thread. I've read a lot of it, but haven't read all of it yet. After reading some of the reviews of the Wildnerness Lodge on AllEars, it seems that quite a few people who booked Standard view rooms were upgraded to Woods view and sometimes Courtyard view rooms. Does this happen often? What is the likelyhood of this happening? I have a standard view room booked for 3/5-3/10/09. I was considering upgrading the view once the 09 rates come out...should I upgrade or keep my standard view and hope for an upgrade?

My opinion is you should just go ahead and book the room you want otherwise you set yourself up for disappointment. Is there a chance you could get upgrade...sure...... but there are so many factors involved that I would think it's unlikely.

I think you'll have a great time at the lodge no matter what room you're in.