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

[Tig-girl]

You guys are making me more excited about our trip in less than 3 weeks! I can't wait to get back "home" to the lodge and sip cocoa in front of the roaring fire.....(or wine in a roaring hot tub). It's going to be such fun. I just hope that all of us that are "under the weather" right now get all better before the trip!!!!!

 

[disney newb]

You guys are making me more excited about our trip in less than 3 weeks! I can't wait to get back "home" to the lodge and sip cocoa in front of the roaring fire.....(or wine in a roaring hot tub). It's going to be such fun. I just hope that all of us that are "under the weather" right now get all better before the trip!!!!!

I love it when we take the Disney shuttles back to the lodge from the parks and they say "Welcome Home" We just got back last Friday and everything was just GREAT! Disney sure does run a tight ship. I hope all you guys get better!! I made sure DH and I drank our Emergen-C's before we took off lol

 

[robinbutterfly]

First time at WDW and stayed at WL. We just loved it! We were in room 6068 (Woods view) We had a room that overlooked the lobby area (& awesome Christmas tree) and with our outside view, we watched the MK fireworks every night. We didn't have to ask for the turndown service. It was done every night we were there (except a couple times when we were in the room and turned down the service but were able to keep the chocolate mints! lol)

I'm sure my pictures will look like everyone else's but I will post them when I get them uploaded on the net!

I would love to see the pictures!!

 

[ElenitaB]

Going back to WL in January, but we're trying out Club Level for the first time ever!

Our last stay at WL was in 2006, this is our first non-DVC stay since then. Does Cub's Den still have family time in the afternoon? If so, what are the hours?

And what time does Roaring Forks close? Do they stop serving hot food earlier? DH arrives later than we do, and I want to pick up a sandwich for him before they close. I don't suppose there's anywhere I can microwave his food when he arrives? His flight flies in at 1020 pm and he's taking Magical Express, so I'm not expecting him until after 1130 or so.

Thanks!

The Cub's Den still does have family "craft time" every afternoon. I saw it and seem to remember something like 2:30 but I'll admit I'm not sure.

Roaring Fork closes at midnight (we were corrected by a 13 yr old and he is right: it's Roaring Fork — singular), but hot food isn't served after 11:00. If you're staying club level, maybe there's a microwave you can use in the concierge lounge. If not, there is one in the RF seating area.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I'm on right now! I thought that we wouldn't be able to take a trip next year, but DH just had me book 3Nts/4Days in WL Woodsview BB room next year from 12/5 to 12/8 I wish it could be longer, but with Financial restrictions and the Kid's school schedule, I am just thrilled to have an early Christmas present!!! We will tell the kids on Christmas Morning....as long as Mommy can keep her big mouth shut until then I just had to tell somebody, and knew that me fellow WL lovers would understand!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

I'm on right now! I thought that we wouldn't be able to take a trip next year, but DH just had me book 3Nts/4Days in WL Woodsview BB room next year from 12/5 to 12/8 I wish it could be longer, but with Financial restrictions and the Kid's school schedule, I am just thrilled to have an early Christmas present!!! We will tell the kids on Christmas Morning....as long as Mommy can keep her big mouth shut until then I just had to tell somebody, and knew that me fellow WL lovers would understand!

I'm SO VERY HAPPYFOR YOU ALL !!!!!

What a brilliant Christmas present !!!!!

 

[TPCShauna]

We are just back from 7 nights at the lovely Wilderness Lodge. Thanks to all of the info on this thread, we scored a Bear Face room right on the lobby with an excellent view of the pool and the Electric Water Pageant each night. We were in room 4075 which is directly to the left of the 4th floor balcony area composing the bear's nose. It is a King room with full tub and was just what we asked for. We received un-requested turndown service almost every night of the trip and the only noise we ever experienced came from Whispering Canyon Cafe which was just a cacophonous din all around.

We found Roaring Fork to be efficient despite the number of people it serves and it's exceptionally small size. The staff at the hotel were exceptional and we felt well cared for the entire time. Transportation service by bus and boat was quite good and consistent and the valet staff was fabulous! Mousekeeping was perfectly adequate if not terribly friendly and maintenance was extremely prompt in dealing with a leaky tub faucet upon check-in.

We didn't dine at WCC but did eat at Artist Point. We found the restaurant itself to be quite beautiful but didn't find the food to be anything special. Mind you, this meal came at the end of a long vacation filled with signature dining experiences so that might have tempered our review.

I will post photos of the view and of the location of the room from the courtyard once I get them uploaded. Please let me know if you have any questions as I would be happy to answer them if I am able.

Hi Ho WL fans!!!

I posted this Q the other day but didn't get a response.

If I wanted to send a box ahead of time what would the address be and about how soon before the trip should I send it?

I'm still going back and forth about sending the box or ordering from Garden Grocer!

TIA!

The person at Bell Services told me not to put our reservation number on the package I had shipped as many people see that number and can get access to your personal info. He told us to just put our names and arrival dates and that would guarantee that it would get to us. We had no problems retrieving our package with just that info.

And what time does Roaring Forks close? Do they stop serving hot food earlier? DH arrives later than we do, and I want to pick up a sandwich for him before they close. I don't suppose there's anywhere I can microwave his food when he arrives? His flight flies in at 1020 pm and he's taking Magical Express, so I'm not expecting him until after 1130 or so.

Thanks!

I was able to purchase a flatbread pepperoni pizza at 11:45pm. It was the only thing they still had available as they close the rest of the grill at 11:00pm. The pizzas are made, pre-packaged and kept warm in the back until midnight. You can get any variety of fruit bowls, pastries, chips and beverages until midnight.

 

[ReneeDisney]

We are just back from 7 nights at the lovely Wilderness Lodge. Thanks to all of the info on this thread, we scored a Bear Face room right on the lobby with an excellent view of the pool and the Electric Water Pageant each night. We were in room 4075 which is directly to the left of the 4th floor balcony area composing the bear's nose. It is a King room with full tub and was just what we asked for. We received un-requested turndown service almost every night of the trip and the only noise we ever experienced came from Whispering Canyon Cafe which was just a cacophonous din all around.

We found Roaring Fork to be efficient despite the number of people it serves and it's exceptionally small size. The staff at the hotel were exceptional and we felt well cared for the entire time. Transportation service by bus and boat was quite good and consistent and the valet staff was fabulous! Mousekeeping was perfectly adequate if not terribly friendly and maintenance was extremely prompt in dealing with a leaky tub faucet upon check-in.

We didn't dine at WCC but did eat at Artist Point. We found the restaurant itself to be quite beautiful but didn't find the food to be anything special. Mind you, this meal came at the end of a long vacation filled with signature dining experiences so that might have tempered our review.

I will post photos of the view and of the location of the room from the courtyard once I get them uploaded. Please let me know if you have any questions as I would be happy to answer them if I am able.

Thank you for the wonderful review! We'll be checking into the lodge on January 24th for 8 glorious nights and I'm happy to hear you had a good experience! I can't wait to see you pictures...

 

[buzz1fan]

Does anyone have any recent pictures of the main pool and the kiddie pool? We are looking at AK and WL, and pools are important to us.

 

[javaj]

The Cub's Den still does have family "craft time" every afternoon. I saw it and seem to remember something like 2:30 but I'll admit I'm not sure.

Roaring Fork closes at midnight (we were corrected by a 13 yr old and he is right: it's Roaring Fork — singular), but hot food isn't served after 11:00. If you're staying club level, maybe there's a microwave you can use in the concierge lounge. If not, there is one in the RF seating area.

Thanks for this info!

Does anyone know if there's a microwave in the concierge lounge? If so, would it be available for use after 1130 pm? I think the lounge closes at 10 pm?

And wow - I always thought it was Roaring Forks!

 

[javaj]

Thanks to everyone that takes the time to answer people's questions on this thread! People on this WL thread are SO helpful

 

[goofyshell]

Are there still Jr. suites (or something similar) for five at the WL?

 

[bookwormde]

The deluxe rooms (junior suites) are good for 6, but are almost 2x the price of the same standard room. The really nice thing about them is that they include club level access (even thought they are not on the 7th floor) and if you eat light can replace a lot of meals.

bookwormde

 

[tardin1964]

Does anyone have any recent pictures of the main pool and the kiddie pool? We are looking at AK and WL, and pools are important to us.

There are a ton of pics on this WL photo thread which include a lot of pool pics:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1717127

I think the AKL main pool is a little larger then the WL main pool. Also I believe the AKL pool is zero entry.....

That being said I think the theme of the whole pool area is nicer at the WL...but that is personal preference of course.

 

[designermv]

We got back last night from a magical vacation at the Wilderness Lodge! We arrived Dec. 11. We had a standard view room, 4060, which overlooked the service parking lot, a questionable body of green slimy water, and the Whispering Canyon's BBQ smoke house. The best part of our "view" was the delicious smell of smoking meat coming from the smokehouse. Last year we had a courtyard view overlooking the villas pool on the 5th floor, and I wrote off the importance of a view because we didn't spend much time on the balcony. In hindsight, last year's view was *much* nicer. However, the room was nice and I paid for standard view so I can't really complain.

Mousekeeping was not as "magical" as last year, but they did a satisfactory job. Last year we had a mousekeeper (I know her name but I am not sure I can post it here?) who made wonderful towel animals for our then 2-year old daughter, and it was one of the most memorable parts of her trip. this year, DD expected that we would get the same service, and she was hysterical when we returned to the room after our first day in the parks to find that there were no towel animals. I know it's just something extra that some mousekeepers do, and not an entitlement, but that logic didn't fly with our 4-year old. She would run in every afternoon hoping for one of those darn animals, and nothing. There was one day where they only made one of the beds.

The weather was cool for most of our stay, but the staff at the pool did a great job hosting games and dance parties poolside every afternoon. DD loved that.

The lobby was, as expected, breathtaking. They had a photopass photographer there every evening to take photos by the tree. The Christmas Carolers were a wonderful addition to the ambience.

DD spent one night at the Cub's Den so DH and I could go to dinner at Cali Grill, and she had a great time despite being the only kid there.

I have a ton of great photos that I will post tonight. We are already planning our WL 2009 trip, and looking into DVC.

 

[bookwormde]

No otters or other animals around the pond? They must hide when it gets cold, they were everywhere in the summer.

bookwormde

 

[TPCShauna]

We never saw the pond but saw bunnies EVERYWHERE! And the ducks in the pool were quite friendly as well.

 

[NHDisneyMom]

We got to be a flag family on our last morning and Stan brought us up to raise the flags. What a magical morning!!!

We had a great trip and the Lodge is just beautiful! We had a Courtyard view room on the 5th floor and had a great view of the main pool and Bay lake. We watched the water parade from the balcony almost every night.

One night we went over to the HDDR. The show was GREAT and my kids (5 and 7) had a great time too. We were taking the boat back to the Lodge and our captain was Danny. He was GREAT!!!! He had everyone singing Christmas carols or Disney songs. He put a smile on everyone's face and really got us all in the Christmas mood.

I will post pictures soon.

 

[tardin1964]

We got to be a flag family on our last morning and Stan brought us up to raise the flags. What a magical morning!!!

We had a great trip and the Lodge is just beautiful! We had a Courtyard view room on the 5th floor and had a great view of the main pool and Bay lake. We watched the water parade from the balcony almost every night.

One night we went over to the HDDR. The show was GREAT and my kids (5 and 7) had a great time too. We were taking the boat back to the Lodge and our captain was Danny. He was GREAT!!!! He had everyone singing Christmas carols or Disney songs. He put a smile on everyone's face and really got us all in the Christmas mood.

I will post pictures soon.

That's awesome that you got to be flag family. Can't wait to see some pics.

We love HDDR too!!!!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

We got to be a flag family on our last morning and Stan brought us up to raise the flags. What a magical morning!!!

We had a great trip and the Lodge is just beautiful! We had a Courtyard view room on the 5th floor and had a great view of the main pool and Bay lake. We watched the water parade from the balcony almost every night.

One night we went over to the HDDR. The show was GREAT and my kids (5 and 7) had a great time too. We were taking the boat back to the Lodge and our captain was Danny. He was GREAT!!!! He had everyone singing Christmas carols or Disney songs. He put a smile on everyone's face and really got us all in the Christmas mood.

I will post pictures soon.

Sounds like you had a great trip!!! We love HDDR!! One of our favorite Disney memories will forever be the first time we went there in 05. DS was 2 1/2 and laughed hysterically the entire time!! It was classic!!!