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

[christinelee]

Can anyone tell me if WL has the IHome Ipod docking alarm clocks? I saw them mentioned as being at the other deluxe resorts.

Also, did I read correctly that the room, along with the coffemaker gives a selection of teas?

Thanks!

Yes, they did have the Ipod docking alarm clocks. They have a box also with different kinds of tea in it....breakfast tea, herbal tea etc....

 

[dennisnlisab96]

WOOOOHOOO!!

I just booked WL for our trip in August. We will be there 8/13-23!!!:thumbsup

Can't wait to go back!!!!!

 

[Joie29]

We have just returned from a wonderful week at the Wilderness Lodge! Our experience there was exceptional. All of us found the lodge to be extremely comfortable but also majestic and truly extraordinary in many ways. We explored a few other resorts (even toured a club level room at the Boardwalk Inn) and felt terrific about our choice to stay at the Wilderness. Originally, we planned to do a split stay at the Grand Floridian (still want to stay there one day) and Boardwalk, but were so happy to have ended up at the lodge! From the stunning lobby to the cozy nooks all around, even the grand deck walkways to the boat launch edged with towering trees--it is an amazing place.

We were staying club/concierge level and the Old Faithful Club staff and offerings were fantastic. They were very helpful and prompt in responding to dining reservation issues, garden grocer order, and car service issues. The food offerings were exactly as others have described: muffins, bagels, cereal, juice, coffee, fruits, etc. for breakfast; cookies, gummy bears, crackers, drinks for snack time; for “wine and cheese” there was always a soup and hot entrée choice (mashed potatoes and pork tenderloin with veg soup one night, sausage and peppers and corn chowder another, and so forth) along with generous cheese and crackers, fresh bread with a spread (such as pesto), uncrustables, wine and beer; finally from 8-10 wine and cordials, a hot dessert (cobbler), frosted brownies, larger cookies, and magic cookie bars. We sampled things, but were also on the Deluxe Dining Plan, so never partook too much…everything we had was very good to excellent. The mini muffins in the morning were perfect to grab on the way out for the day. Just an aside, but we never used our refillable mugs included in deluxe dining. There was simply no need with the club offerings, plus what we received at meals. We did carry a bottle of water to the parks. The only thing I did not like was how the club closes periodically…that being said, when it was closed we were still able to ask for something or other and have it brought to us.

More evidence of the gracious staff in the club was their attentiveness, which we witnessed for many families (recognizing people, knowing your name and room without needing to remind them, being very friendly). At least four times we asked for a large bottle of Aqua Panna to take back to the room and were quickly presented with a fresh cold bottle.

There was a beautiful gift basket with chocolates and snacks waiting for us when we arrived (the room was ready when we arrived at noon!). We stayed in the Yellowstone Suite and it was beautiful and spacious, but not too large either. We loved it (despite a small problem below).

In-Room Dining was wonderful! We, being exhausted after long days in the parks, ordered dinner two nights. Service was quick and excellent, food was A+. The ribs, at a full rack, were delicious and such a large portion, yummy cornbread, pasta good, desserts great, pizza as well.

Our first evening we ate at Artist Point and had a fabulous meal (by the way, when I called for room service the wonderful CM offered me any of the fish dishes from Artist Point in addition to a yummy sounding fish special she had). This was our first meal and it was great to just walk downstairs. Artist Point seems to receive some mixed reviews, but we had a truly fantastic meal—well worth 2 credits, and service was flawless as well.

DH and I did not eat at Whispering Canyon, but DD did along with my DS and her DH while we ate at Victoria and Albert’s, they had a great time!

My DSis and her DH also stayed at the lodge as well in a standard, king bed, courtyard view room. It was lovely and spacious! They had recently stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and have already booked another trip back to the Wilderness--which they obviously preferred. They had as magical a stay as we did.

The IPO office was also extremely helpful and friendly in the months leading up to the trip.We went on the Wildlife Discovery Excursion (available to club level guests at Deluxe resorts) and it was a highlight of the trip. We spent 75 minutes out there on the safari and it was pretty amazing.

Transportation was very good overall. We do now see the appeal of a monorail resort, however, we only had to wait (longer than 5-10 minutes) a few times for a bus or boat. Loved taking the boat to MK. We did take a cab one night to dinner since it was much quicker ($6, plus tip, each way to the Grand Floridian).We met and kept running into the same few families on the buses and boats and had such nice discussions with them. This too made the trip and the lodge feel all the more homey—great people from all over.

We only had one real issue in the suite in which we were staying (a hot water problem) which, although disruptive several mornings, was handled very well and the general manger herself even called us to personally apologize and talk with us. Housekeeping was excellent as well. DD got two adorable, rather elaborate, towel animals which completely delighted her!

Can’t wait to return for another stay! We will certainly be staying at the Wilderness Lodge again…it was the perfect place to come home to each night… gorgeous and luxurious, but also very comfortable and perfectly rustic.

This thread was so helpful to me in planning our trip, I wanted to offer our positive experiences. Please let me know if I can answer any questions.

 

[billnang]

WOW... what a great.. report....

Sound like you had a wonderful time... You mentioned you were thinking of doing a split with GF... you decided against it... why was that?

We are booked right now for 4 nights at WL and 4 night a GF this Dec.

My children love the monorail...as do we.. and I know after my little guy turns 3 we would not do a deluxe 2 rooms...so we decided to do the split stay to make everyone happy...

Wetransportation really never an issue... I just worry about it coming back from Epcot....

How about the rooms.. were they dark? alot of pictures looks like the rooms are dark...

Thank you for the wonderful report
Angela

 

[Joie29]

WOW... what a great.. report....

Sound like you had a wonderful time... You mentioned you were thinking of doing a split with GF... you decided against it... why was that?

We are booked right now for 4 nights at WL and 4 night a GF this Dec.

My children love the monorail...as do we.. and I know after my little guy turns 3 we would not do a deluxe 2 rooms...so we decided to do the split stay to make everyone happy...

Wetransportation really never an issue... I just worry about it coming back from Epcot....

How about the rooms.. were they dark? alot of pictures looks like the rooms are dark...

Thank you for the wonderful report
Angela

Thanks! It was indeed so fantastic.

About the split stay...we decided not to do a split stay for several reasons. I originally went back and forth and we settled on the split, but then had to change our trip dates. We had booked deluxe club level rooms at the GF and BWI, and with the new dates the deluxe room wasn't available at the GF. SO, we looked at other options and chose a suite at the Wilderness for 4 nights followed by 4 nights at BWI. We then decided, after much deliberation, to pick one resort because changing resorts would leave us without a napping place one day (DD is 3), plus, I discovered I would have to buy two meal/ticket packages. (I think that is ridiculous BTW, and we did not want to shell out the extra hundreds, or whatever it would have been). We ultimately had to cut two more nights of the trip because of DH's work, and so picked WL for the entire stay, which worked perfectly for us...I also think we would have wept from exhaustion at the prospect of changing rooms--this was our first trip to WDW. I am sure for others it would be less of a deal if they'd visited previously.

Now, all this being said, I very much want to stay at the GF someday. It looks spectacular from what we saw when we ate at Victoria & Albert's. Also, we both agreed a split stay would be fun in the future if we stayed longer altogether (as you are) or DD was older. As I mentioned above, we would not book at BWI having seen it. The renovated Deluxe club level room was really lovely, but something about the vibe in the hallways and club lounge still felt tired and off. CMs were very friendly though.

I think you'll have a fabulous time with the split if you are not worried about losing a nap space! It seemed like such a fun idea to experience two different resorts...still appeals to me!

Transportation was really fine, funny you mentioned Epcot because this was the one we consistently waited long times for. Once we just missed the bus (running to try and catch it) and had to wait 35 minutes for one. Another day we took the monorail to TTC, then the Contemp to eat and the Wave (which was wonderful) and then the boat back to WL.

I wondered about the rooms being dark as well (from the pictures). Since we were in the suite this wasn't quite an issue, the decor is very different and it has many windows, however my Dsis and I talked about it for their room. When I walked into her room I was so pleased with how bright and very, very nice it was! Not dark at ALL. They felt AKL was dark.

Hope your trip is as magical as ours

 

[billnang]

Again, Thank you....

You have answered many of my questions...
I just said to my DH.. oh why can't i decide, what to do...
I, like yourself do not like have to pay for the tickets twice... to me paying twice for the 1 days ticket is spending like $480 extra.. because we do want the dining plan... but on the other handsometimes you bite the bullet and just do it.. we have tickets laft over from other trips, so I think it will give us a chance to use those. My 2 little ones are not goodnappers..if they are in a stroller they will...

The other things I question..is right now, because I booked with the 40% off discount.. they said the deluxe rooms are not available...so I am paying for 2 rooms at the WL and is is costing more to stay there vs the GF...

So... I think I have some more thinking to do...
Thank you so much for your feedback..
Angela

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

I've booked our first stay at WL for July! I was wavering between several resorts and because of the fantastic info in this thread, WL has won out. Thanks to all who have contributed and keep this thread going! GREAT JOB!!!

 

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

I was able to use my 40% code for Wilderness Lodge for our September 11th thru the 19th visit. You may want to call and speak to a different cast member.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

I've booked our first stay at WL for July! I was wavering between several resorts and because of the fantastic info in this thread, WL has won out. Thanks to all who have contributed and keep this thread going! GREAT JOB!!!

Oh I hope you love it! We certainly do.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

My DS has been asking me if fishing is available. Last year we stayed at POFQ and he caned fished at POR. What is available at WL?

 

[DizneyNutz]

This thread was so helpful to me in planning our trip, I wanted to offer our positive experiences. Please let me know if I can answer any questions.

We are glad you had such a wonderful trip at the WL. If you have any pictures that you would not mind sharing, we would sure love for you to post them at the link below, to help us keep the thread going.

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

 

[Joie29]

I will happily share photos after I organize and figure out how to post photos... I think maybe I do not have enough posts yet? Not the most saavy board poster yet!

 

[snowwhite325]

I was wondering if anyone knew how long it takes the ME bus to get to WL and if the bus stops at any other resorts?

TIA

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

I hope someone will correct this if I am wrong or it has changed.

The last time we used Magical Express I'm pretty sure the WL shared the bus route from the airport with the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian.

Wilderness Lodge was the 3rd stop. Can't remember how long it took, but I know it has varied in different seasons based on how long the line was at the airport to get on the bus etc.

I know I have read of people almost missing dinner reservations because it takes a little longer than they thought. I don't book reservations for arrival night so it wasn't a problem for us.

Hope someone else can answer with a time for you.

 

[drakes]

I hope someone will correct this if I am wrong or it has changed.

The last time we used Magical Express I'm pretty sure the WL shared the bus route from the airport with the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian.

Wilderness Lodge was the 3rd stop. Can't remember how long it took, but I know it has varied in different seasons based on how long the line was at the airport to get on the bus etc.

I know I have read of people almost missing dinner reservations because it takes a little longer than they thought. I don't book reservations for arrival night so it wasn't a problem for us.

Hope someone else can answer with a time for you.

We just got back yesterday. We arrived on jan 16th and took ME.

Poly
GF
WL
Contemporary

It was about 45-60 minutes total time from us landing and getting luggage. So this included waiting in the ME area, and driving to each resort. the bus was not that full - only a few parties at each resort.
It was actually very relaxing and the bus driver slowed down whe we went thru the gates so we could all take a picture!

 

[snowwhite325]

We just got back yesterday. We arrived on jan 16th and took ME.

Poly
GF
WL
Contemporary

It was about 45-60 minutes total time from us landing and getting luggage. So this included waiting in the ME area, and driving to each resort. the bus was not that full - only a few parties at each resort.
It was actually very relaxing and the bus driver slowed down whe we went thru the gates so we could all take a picture!

Thank you very much

 

[Tig-girl]

 

[DizneyNutz]

Wonderful picture and view! If you wouldn't mind would you please also post it at the thread below.

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

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Wish I were there! Thanks for posting.

 

[Tig-girl]

Wonderful picture and view! If you wouldn't mind would you please also post it at the thread below.

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

Consider it done!
It was our first time in one of the "wings", we always had lobby view before, which was really nice also. We actually had one of the bear face rooms on our first trip! But that's a once in a lifetime apparently....