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

[Piglets Mommy]

Thank you for the information! My husband and kids really enjoy the boat although I confess that I prefer the quickest method possible to the parks but it is a vacation and when the family is happy, mom is happy too

I didn't know you could walk to Ft. Wilderness though! How long of a walk is it? Or would it be better to take a bus (that is, if there is a bus that stops there on the way to a park or something)?

I remember sharing busses with both the GF and Ft. Wilderness when going to parks. I don't remember which ones, though.

There is a boat that goes to Ft. Wilderness too...that could be a nice few hours...take a leisurely boat ride over, walk around Ft. Wilderness for a while and then either head to a park from there, or walk back to the Lodge.

I know this question sounds a little crazy, but after a day of walking at MK I would love to spend my down time at the WL in my bedroom slippers. They are actually quite nice looking (we are not talking fuzzy pink slippers here.) But I'm a little embarrased ( just a little bit) I would feel better if I heard that other "mid life women - with two kids - who have just done magic kingdom" also wear their comfy bedroom slippers in the common areas of the WL.
Thanks

I think if they are that UGGS style, you'd be fine...I can't tell which ones of those are supposed to be shoes and which are slippers half the time. You could always do the fleece lined Crocs too...they are as comfy as slippers. I have to say that I doube anyone would even notice if you ARE wearing pink bunny slippers...I think most people are so into the beauty of WL that they aren't noticing what kind of shoes somebody is wearing.

Hi Everyone!

We just booked a last-minute trip to WL from Sept 4-8 to celebrate our 1st Anniversary! Reading all of these posts is just making us so excited!!! I've been to WL twice before - but as a teenager and ~8-10 years ago or more....

I have a few questions that I"m hoping some of you can answer

What is the best/quickest way to get from WL to AKL? We have reservations at Sanaa one night....

We're on the DDP and are hoping to use a few snacks towards breakfast. What foods at Roaring Forks count as a Snack credit and would work for breakfast? Muffins, bagels??

We're booked in a Standard-View room now...and are hoping that WL won't be full and we'll have a chance of an upgrade to a Woods or Courtyard view room. My plan is to ask at check-in about a possible upgrade. Does that make sense?

Thanks so much for any info you can offer!!!! 18 days and counting...

Congrats on your trip!

To get to AKL, I'd take the Bus to AK, and then the bus to AKL from there. (or take a cab....We were running late on our way back from AK on our last day, and were afraid we'd miss the ME bus to the airport. We took a cab and it was only about $5.) It was less than 15 min from AK to WL that way.

 

[Lou-Ann]

You could also invest in a pair of Moccasins and fit right in with the indian lore....They are for sale everywhere and evr so comfortable.....

 

[tardin1964]

What is the best/quickest way to get from WL to AKL? We have reservations at Sanaa one night....

Taking the bus to AK and transfering there for AKL will work fine.

I think taking the bus to MK and then getting on the bus for AKL may be a bit faster. The bus from WL to MK is direct. The bus from WL to AK will stop at either GF or FW on its way to AK. Might make the most sense to get which ever bus shows up first

 

[dtr_angel]

I see a lot of people talking about upgrades... do they sometimes upgrade you for free, do you ask, or is automatic? We have a woods view, which I think is just a standard view that isn't of the parking lot... all I really care about is having a king sized bed - which I realize I should've requested when I booked, but it slipped my mind til I saw the room description when I did online check in say 2 queens or one king.

What about Fort Wilderness, we have never been there - is there a lot to do there?

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I see a lot of people talking about upgrades... do they sometimes upgrade you for free, do you ask, or is automatic? We have a woods view, which I think is just a standard view that isn't of the parking lot... all I really care about is having a king sized bed - which I realize I should've requested when I booked, but it slipped my mind til I saw the room description when I did online check in say 2 queens or one king.

What about Fort Wilderness, we have never been there - is there a lot to do there?

I have not stayed at WL before (not yet!) but have never received an upgrade at a Disney hotel. I don't know if none are available or it is because I don't ask or if it is because I am pretty specific with my room requests (or maybe because I stay for a week - many people that seem to get upgraded are only there a couple days). I've never been upset or anything because I figure it is just a bonus if it did happen and I've always been very pleased with the room type that I book.

With that being said, if anyone DOES know of any tricks to getting an upgrade I'm ALL EARS

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I think an upgrade is just "luck" or "pixie dust". WE stayed at AKL back in 2005 and I book standard. When we checked in, the CM stated we were in the Savannah area. I did nothing special and didn't ask for an upgrade, it just happened. I did thought they may have given it to us because it was 1st time at that resort and maybe to have us come back, put us in a special area. We are staying at WL (standard) for the 1st time in a couple of weeks. If I get an upgrade there then I will go with my origanal thought.

 

[rie'smom]

3 questions:

1. What view would I request if I booked a deluxe room and wated the inner courtyard view- that is a good view right?

2. If Disney should offer an AP rate, are the deluxe rooms included?

3. Would I have a better chance of getting a courtyard view if I booked 2 connecting rooms?

Thank-you

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Has anyone stayed in the Junior Suite (or Deluxe room as listed officially)? I'm interested in this type of room when my family stays and wondered how other people liked it. It says it has concierge level access too and I wondered if you got all the benefits along with it (like turndown service and checkin at the concierge level - or whatever the benefits are - I've never stayed CL!)
Thanks!!

 

[burberryplaid]

I see a lot of people talking about upgrades... do they sometimes upgrade you for free, do you ask, or is automatic? We have a woods view, which I think is just a standard view that isn't of the parking lot... all I really care about is having a king sized bed - which I realize I should've requested when I booked, but it slipped my mind til I saw the room description when I did online check in say 2 queens or one king.

What about Fort Wilderness, we have never been there - is there a lot to do there?

We've been upgraded from standard view to Courtyard view both times we stayed at Wilderness Lodge. (We have always stayed for a week) Both times we just got pixie dusted, did not ask for an upgrade. So yes, it does happen randomly, at times.

If you want a King bed, you can always call and have the request added to your reservation.

As for Ft Wilderness, there is tons to do there! There is horse back riding and carriage rides. They have a nightly campfire and movie. They have Hoop Dee Doo Review and Mickey's Backyard Barbecue. You can rent a bike or take the walking path between Ft Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.

 

[pao62]

We just switched from POFQ to WL - need opinions

We just got the room only fall code for our October trip and were able to swing a change to WL Courtyard view.

I know I want inner courtyard, but I'm curious, what's everyone's favorite location in the inner courtyard? Off the lobby? Or on a wing, up high or down low? What's your favorite floor? How many floors are in the lodge?

We once were upgraded to courtyard (2004 I think) but they put us up way high, top floor I think, we were in the roof, on the south side, and we had a cool view of the ELP, but we were way too high and way too far down the hall (end just about) and the balcony was too closed in. Didn't like that much.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[aspen37]

3 questions:

1. What view would I request if I booked a deluxe room and wated the inner courtyard view- that is a good view right?

2. If Disney should offer an AP rate, are the deluxe rooms included?

3. Would I have a better chance of getting a courtyard view if I booked 2 connecting rooms?

Thank-you

You don't want the ground floor. I paid for a courtyard view and all I saw was trees. They told me when I check-in that my view was of the pool, lake, and geyser. I loved the location of the room so I didn't ask for a new room but did tell them the view was not what they said it was. I had the bellman take a look too.

Here I took these from our patio. If you see the lake, pool, or geyser let me know.

 

[rie'smom]

The only one who could see a pool or geyser through that would be Superman with his X ray vision!!!

 

[pao62]

Thanks for the pics on the patio view. You're right, lovely, but certainly not courtyard!!! I'm thinking maybe a little higher up overlooking silver springs, which would place us close to lobby, etc.

Do you experienced WL goers think the courtyard rooms off the lobby are loud because of the lobby?

 

[aspen37]

The only one who could see a pool or geyser through that would be Superman with his X ray vision!!!

I thought the same thing.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Thanks for the pics on the patio view. You're right, lovely, but certainly not courtyard!!! I'm thinking maybe a little higher up overlooking silver springs, which would place us close to lobby, etc.

Do you experienced WL goers think the courtyard rooms off the lobby are loud because of the lobby?

I have never stayed in one, but have heard complaints of noise from WCC. At least that ends at a certain time though....I'll never forget the couple talking loudly in the hallway at 4 am. I opened the door and nicely asked them to go back in their room, they said "We're out here cause the kids are sleeping in the room." Ummmm...we WERE sleeping in our room too..if we can hear you, so can your kids.

I do think it would be really cool to open your door and see that gorgeous lobby. That said, other than the aforementioned morons, we had a very quiet 2nd floor room in the south wing...great view of the pool andf hot tub, same floor as the lobby, Mercantile, etc. We were a few doors from the stairs down to the pool, and would head out that way to the boat docks. We could hear the boat horns on occasion, but that was a nice sound to hear.

 

[Nicole786]

We stayed in a room off the lobby and there was no noise. As a matter of fact the view was spectacular, and i'm not talking about the outdoor balcony!!! It was amazing to be able to wake up and lean over the balcony watching the lobby in the morning. And the convenience of getting off the elevator and you're practically there was great!!

 

[cassidyk]

We will be staying at the WL for the first time this October and I am wondering a couple of things (I think the answer is no to both but wanted to double check to be sure):
1. Are there mini fridges in the rooms?
2. Are there coffee makers in the rooms?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

We will be staying at the WL for the first time this October and I am wondering a couple of things (I think the answer is no to both but wanted to double check to be sure):
1. Are there mini fridges in the rooms?
2. Are there coffee makers in the rooms?

Thanks in advance for your help!

The answer is YES to both.

 

[shippedtosea]

hi! Me and my DF are staying at the WL for our Honeymoon. This is both our first stay at the WL. We have looked over the map and are having a hard time making a decision so, I wanted opinions of other who have stayed at the WL. We are staying standard room club level currently, with a request inner courtyard view. We have been back and forth between Honeymoon suite and standard, along with the views. We originally had Honeymoon with MK view BUT they said there is no guarantee (and if I didn't get the MK view I would be sad..). So then we decided we didn't know what money would be like.....so we moved down to standard but staying on the club level. In your opinion is the Honeymoon suite worth it? Do you have any pictures? Also if we stayed in standard there is still the option of MK or Inner courtyard. Which is better? We can't seem to make up our mind of which would be nicer. How well can you see the MK from the 7th floor? Does anyone have pictures of the view from the 7th floor, both inner courtyard and MK? Thanks!

 

[pao62]

Nicole786, thanks for posting those pictures. Wow, that is a pretty cool view. I would think with "inner courtyard lobby room" you would be far enough away from WC to not have too much noise if any from the restaurant.

I really hate that I spend so much time fussing about a room location when it may or not be what you get (or wanted??) anyway.

I'm thinking I'll just put "inner courtyard, closer to lobby" on my requests. That way I might not end up way at the end of one of the North/South wings.

I might add "not too high up" so we can use the stairs to walk off those vacation treats.

Ugh. I am pathetic....