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

[TPCShauna]

Good morning!! 40 more days!!!

Has anyone done the photo shoot at WL? I've been going back an forth about it. I think it would be great to have nice pictures of us in the beautiful surroundings of WL!

We are doing our photo shoot at WL on 12/10 at 9:30am. The setting was too gorgeous to pass up.

I assume that this is the same service you get at the parks? We have never used that, tho the one at the WL is a tempting thought. However, we are arriving in 5 days, so I bet we have missed out on booking. Do you know a number we would call to find out?

The first link mickeysmyboy posted above is to the thread I compiled about the Resort Photo Shoots. I would recommend calling as they typically have a lot of availability. These still aren't very well known and I'm sure you can get a good time.

All the info is in the first post of this thread, It's the same as the photopass in the parks except you get a session not just or 2 photos.

If you scan through this thread You'll find bunchs of beautiful pics from the photo sessions, not just at WL.

I think I'm going to go for it, but then I have to figure out what we're going to wear!

Thanks for posting the link to my thread. I was going to do it until I saw that you had.

The CM I booked with recommended solid colors and said that white and red both look really good and blue is good also. DH and I are wearing a cross between royal blue and Caribbean blue.

 

[#1MMFan]

I'm staying at the VWL for the first time in 8 days

How long will it take to get from Orlando International to WL useing DME? What resorts share the same DME loop was WL? Is WL first?

I'm always torn between hoping to be the first and last resort on the loop. I want to be first because im anxious to start my vaca, however I enjoy catching a glimps of each resort.

I think it's just the MK resorts. I'm just back. Apparently the journey time is about 30-35mins. It flies by because there is the video of WDW while you're on the coach. I think we were not the first stop on this occasion but we have been in the past. I can never recall fully!! Definitely on our return to the airport we were NOT the first stop. There were people already on board before we got on. Then we picked up at Poly and GF, so I reckon the first people were Contemporary.

 

[mcrabeck]

We got back from VWL about two weeks ago and DME. I think it took us about 45 minutes from MCO to VWL. Our bus had Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge guests. We were the third stop but as the earlier poster stated the movie is fun to watch so the trip goes pretty fast.

On the way back we were the first stop at VWL. We then went to the Poly and Grand Floridian again before heading to the airport. They had a movie on the way back so again the ride wasn't bad at all. Have a great trip!

 

[Tig-girl]

Just want to wish everyone a
Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[distherapy]

Hey all. Happy Thanksgiving!

We're going to the WL in January for the first time. I am so excited, but I'm a little nervous about character breakfast transportation and would love some advice. Our last trip we stayed at the GF and the monorail was very handy for early arrivals.

Should we try and catch the Character Breakfast bus (is there still one?). We have the earliest ADRs - 8:05 am - and I am just anxious about getting there in plenty of time. Or should we take an early morning boat to the Contemporary (do they still start before 7?) and then walking to the MK from there.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[vs1023]

When I made my ADR for Chef Mickey's the CM told me that the boat would be the fastest to the Contemporary. I'd love to hear if others agree as well.

 

[ransom]

Our strategy for character breakfasts in MK at 8:05 is to be at the bus stop at 7:00 sharp. Sometimes the bus gets there at 7, sometimes at 7:20, but we've always arrived with plenty of time to spare.

As for a boat-only strategy, when we're in a hurry we'll just take whichever is there at the moment if the preferred one isn't even in sight yet.

 

[#1MMFan]

We had a character breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. It's worth noting that the BB/AK bus from WL goes via GF, so we just hopped on that and got off at GF. You could do the same for the monorail I suppose, if you didn't want to take the boat to the Contemporary and monorail from there.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

When I made my ADR for Chef Mickey's the CM told me that the boat would be the fastest to the Contemporary. I'd love to hear if others agree as well.

I would definitely take the boat. If your going from WL to the Contemporary its just a short boat ride over. Otherwise you'll have to take 2 modes of transport and it will take a lot longer, IMHO.

Good luck! Have a magical vacation!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

We are doing our photo shoot at WL on 12/10 at 9:30am. The setting was too gorgeous to pass up.



The first link mickeysmyboy posted above is to the thread I compiled about the Resort Photo Shoots. I would recommend calling as they typically have a lot of availability. These still aren't very well known and I'm sure you can get a good time.



Thanks for posting the link to my thread. I was going to do it until I saw that you had.

The CM I booked with recommended solid colors and said that white and red both look really good and blue is good also. DH and I are wearing a cross between royal blue and Caribbean blue.

I'm going to call in afew days and make the reservation. I think we're going to wear red. I think it will look nice with all the greens and browns in the surroundings. Plus, purely selfish, I look good in red! LOL!!!

 

[robinbutterfly]

When I made my ADR for Chef Mickey's the CM told me that the boat would be the fastest to the Contemporary. I'd love to hear if others agree as well.

We are going to CHef Mickey's too and i was told the boat is the way to go.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

This is our first stay at the Wilderness Lodge. We have mostly stayed at the Pop Century Resort & All Start resorts. These value resorts have TERRIBLE little mini-sized hairdryers & I have very thick curly hair & always have to bring my hairdryer. You ladies know how much space these things take up in your suitcase. I was wondering what type of hair dryer's they have at the Wilderness Lodge?? Are they quality hair dryers or pretty cheap ones, like the ones at the value resorts???

Please reply quickly, I leave in the morning at 6:00AM.
I am trying to take out items from my suitcase that I can live without.

 

[swald91]

This is our first stay at the Wilderness Lodge. We have mostly stayed at the Pop Century Resort & All Start resorts. These value resorts have TERRIBLE little mini-sized hairdryers & I have very thick curly hair & always have to bring my hairdryer. You ladies know how much space these things take up in your suitcase. I was wondering what type of hair dryer's they have at the Wilderness Lodge?? Are they quality hair dryers or pretty cheap ones, like the ones at the value resorts???

Please reply quickly, I leave in the morning at 6:00AM.
I am trying to take out items from my suitcase that I can live without.

Sorry not sure what the ones at WL are like but the ones at the Poly are kind of small and considering they are both deluxe resorts-probably the same. I hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[swald91]

OK, found post #89 (sorry can't remember the page #) on resort photos. It shows the sink area & the hairdryer is there-hope it helps!

 

[jenjersnap]

When I made my ADR for Chef Mickey's the CM told me that the boat would be the fastest to the Contemporary. I'd love to hear if others agree as well.

It's fastest when the boats are actually running. On two occasions we've gone out to the dock for early character breakfasts and waited and waited but boats never came. There are no CMs out there or signs posted to tell you what is going on, but the concierge back inside told me that, when there is ANY fog in the a.m., the boats do not run until it burns off. So, judge it carefully and, if you don't see any other boats at all, have an alternate plan in mind.

My back up plan for CM is a taxi unless we are extremely early which is unlikely.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

Sorry not sure what the ones at WL are like but the ones at the Poly are kind of small and considering they are both deluxe resorts-probably the same. I hope you have a great trip!!!!

Thank you for the super quick info!! The hair dryers at the value resorts are EXTREMELY little small, white, hanging on the wall, size dryers. I used mine for such a long time trying to get my hair dry, it burned up the dryer & it did a pretty bad number on my hair as well.

OK, found post #89 (sorry can't remember the page #) on resort photos. It shows the sink area & the hairdryer is there-hope it helps!

Thanks for the info, I am actually the OP of that thread.
I have seen the hairdryer on the allears site, which looks a lot like that hair dryer on post # 89, but I just wanted to see if anyone has been lately & can confirm they are good hairdryers. They look much better in those photos than the ones at the value resorts, those are awful !!!!!

 

[jenjersnap]

This is our first stay at the Wilderness Lodge. We have mostly stayed at the Pop Century Resort & All Start resorts. These value resorts have TERRIBLE little mini-sized hairdryers & I have very thick curly hair & always have to bring my hairdryer. You ladies know how much space these things take up in your suitcase. I was wondering what type of hair dryer's they have at the Wilderness Lodge?? Are they quality hair dryers or pretty cheap ones, like the ones at the value resorts???

Please reply quickly, I leave in the morning at 6:00AM.
I am trying to take out items from my suitcase that I can live without.

Same hairdryers everywhere though I have only stayed at one Value: ASMO. I refuse to make space for one of my own so my thick hair remains permanently damp my entire trip no matter what I do!

 

[swald91]

O K ...now I know what type of hairdryer you are talking about!!!! The ones at the Poly are bigger than those- hard to tell in the pic though. Maybe someone will respond soon for you!! Have fun!!!!

 

[jenjersnap]

O K ...now I know what type of hairdryer you are talking about!!!! The ones at the Poly are bigger than those- hard to tell in the pic though. Maybe someone will respond soon for you!! Have fun!!!!

My point posted right above yours is that NONE of the hairfryers (pun intended) are powerful no matter what superficial differences they have in appearance. They are not high quality period.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

You guys rock !!! Thanks for all the quick replies, I think I will give it a try & give my suitcase a bit more space.