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

[rie'smom]

The only problem with that is that we aren't bringing a car seat for Lorelai and I have heard it is hit and miss with cabs and car seats.

Call down about 10 -15 minutes before you're ready to leave and request a taxi with a car seat. The taxi can drop you at the Contemporary and it's a very short walk to the MK.

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Hi everyone! We are only 13 days away from our first trip to WL, our first trip to Disney World actually. I am literally jumping with joy and cannot wait to get there. I do have a couple questions if anyone could help out.

I am a little nervous about transportation since this is my first time using it. My questions about that are:
*We have alot of early morning ADR's for Character Breakfasts how early do the buses start and how long should we leave in advance.
We have: CP-8:05, H&V-8:20, Akershus-8:30, 1900 Park Fare-8:05, CM-8:10

The only transportation I am sure of is taking the boat to the CR for CM! How do I get to the GF that early? Do they have special buses for the early character meals? Do I need to take the bus to get the MK that early or will a boat ride be just a fast? How long should I give to get there?

*We are going to DD one day and have an ADR at 3:30 at Planet Hollywood. Does a bus run to DD that early or do we need to go to the TTC? Where should we get off the bus? Do they tell you?

Can you tell I am stressin' over the transportaion? I am easy peazy over everything else. LOL

*Last but not least what time does the pool close at night. I know DS and DH will want to get a night time swim in. They are FISH!!!!!!

Thank you sooooo much in advance!!!!

Hi there! Isn't it so exciting when you get this close to your planned trip.

Anyway, we don't do very many early breakfasts but the busses and boats should start 1 (one) hour before the parks open. Now, if the MK has morning Extra Magic Hours they run an hour prior to that. Sorry I can't be much help with this. Oh and also, the boats WILL NOT RUN if the weather is really bad or if the fog is too bad. DownTown Disney opens at 9am so you won't have any trouble with the busses. When you get the bus for DD just tell the bus driver where you are going and ask where to get off. Please make sure you give enough time to get to DD because busses from the Lodge are notoriously long in getting there. We have found out that the busses at the Lodge are pretty good getting to the MK, AKL and even Hollywood studios. BUT, try getting to Epcot and back is sometimes a major pain. We don't know why it's so bad with Epcot. Maybe we just notice it more because we are always there.

Now, we have been at the bus stops at the Lodge and seen parents frantic because the busses were late that day and they were trying to get to their dining appointments.

Cabs are a good choice if this happens.

Now, the pool is opened 24 hours. But, is only manned by life guards until 10pm. After that it is at your own risk. The pool on the Villa's side does not have life guards at all. The pool's slide will only be opened when life guards are on duty.

If you have questions or are doubtful when you are there just stop by the Conceirge Information at the front desk and they will sure help.

Have a fabulous time!!! And, enjoy.

 

[PrncessA]

Thank you all!

Edited: Because DH changed his mind and doesn't want the stress of driving. So taxi's it will be if the buses aren't running as early as we need.

 

[JoJo1980]

Does anyone have any info or photos from the sleigh rides that the wilderness offer during december? I'd love to book one of these

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

I did the online check-in for WL and was a bit confused by the "refrigerator(fee)" question. I had not paid a fee in the past so I called the desk. This part of the online checkin is simply for other resorts that don't already have a refrig and they pay extra. WL still has refrigerators in the rooms with no additional fee.

Just a little information in case anyone needs it. Also, a good excuse to see my ticker again !!! Few more days..........

 

[PirateMel]

Just back from my very first stay at WLV and all I can say is OMG - WOW.
Two bedroom villa and this resort is Awesome!

I will just make sure to rent a car next time - the busses were terrible from here, which was very dissapointing.
We spent two additional days at POFQ and the busses were so much better.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Just back from my very first stay at WLV and all I can say is OMG - WOW.
Two bedroom villa and this resort is Awesome!

I will just make sure to rent a car next time - the busses were terrible from here, which was very dissapointing.
We spent two additional days at POFQ and the busses were so much better.

Do WL & the Villas share a bus? Or are they different or just different stops? I hate to hear that the transportation may not be good - that is a make or break deal for me

 

[Lou-Ann]

Yes, it is the same bus stop. you do not stop to pick up the Lodge or vise versa. I honestly think that the buses at any resort can be hit and miss depending on the weather, crowds, detours for road construction etc. We have stayed there many, many times and never had a problem.

 

[Brian Noble]

Just put a 2BR VWL on hold today for a week in late July 2010. Will confirm tomorrow, and am really looking forward to it!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Just put a 2BR VWL on hold today for a week in late July 2010. Will confirm tomorrow, and am really looking forward to it!

I've often wondered about 'holding' a room. I'd like to do that but definitely want to change to any deals that may come out! Is that possible? How do you do that?

 

[DizneyNutz]

Do WL & the Villas share a bus? Or are they different or just different stops? I hate to hear that the transportation may not be good - that is a make or break deal for me

WL and VWL share buses, but I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker....we've had times when buses were GREAT at VWL and other times when they were slow. We also had a TERRIBLE bus experience at CSR, while others rave about it. We've waited 30+ minutes for a bus from the GF to DTD. The only sure advice to give anyone on buses, is that on any given day, the service is a toss up, no matter where you are staying. One trip, everything may be smooth sailing, another, may be a bumpy. I do think that WDW does EVERYTHING possible to keep folks moving.

The one GREAT thing you have going at VWL/WL that you don't have ANYWHERE else outside the MK resorts area, is that you have three modes of transportation, the bus, the boat, and a hop skip and jump from the Monorail.

We rent a car when flying in, and if you have time sensitive events planned, I would have access to a vehicle, if you're pron to running late, or resign yourself to getting to the bus/boat stop in PLENTY of time to get to where you need to be.

 

[tgropp]

Yep, we were certainly neighbors. We spent eight terrific days at the Lodge. My daughter and I spent most of our evenings relaxing by the fourth floor fire place. I wish that I were there right now.

We have been spending our time at that fireplace and on the fifth floor for the last 15 years. I always go there in the morning with a coffee and newspaper, even when we stay in the villas. We have spent may a Christmas eve by the fourth floor fireplace, with a glass of wine and watching all the festivities going on down below. Then on Christmas day, as a family we would go to the fifth floor fireplace and open Christmas gifts. What a treasure those fireplace areas are.

 

[PirateMel]

Do WL & the Villas share a bus? Or are they different or just different stops? I hate to hear that the transportation may not be good - that is a make or break deal for me

Some days we shared a bus with the GF, but depending on the park - they usually stopped at the camp grounds as well. Except for the boat to MK, most bus rides took the better part of an hour to get to the parks and DTD.

Not the fastest means of travel this trip.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've often wondered about 'holding' a room. I'd like to do that but definitely want to change to any deals that may come out! Is that possible? How do you do that?

This was actually through RCI. For a regular reservation, you just have to put a deposit down, and can rebook if better deals come along. The Codes sub-forum will have more details.

 

[krmlaw]

three modes on transportation ...

i know the boat and bus, but monorail? how do you get there quickly?

 

[Piglets Mommy]

three modes on transportation ...

i know the boat and bus, but monorail? how do you get there quickly?

You can take the boat to the Contemporary, and get on the monorail there...not really quick, but you can get pretty easy access to it.

 

[daughertyk]

I just heard from a friend who spoke to a cast member about staying at the WL in Oct. They said there was a lot of construction going on there, maybe they might select a different resort. That was news to me, we are staying there in Oct. and no one told us anything about it. Anyone know?

 

[chewreck]

If the rumor of construction is true, any chance it's done by December?

 

[zipuzee]

three modes on transportation ...

i know the boat and bus, but monorail? how do you get there quickly?

We've used the busses at WL and ASMu and they were hit and miss at both locations. My DH and I travel leisurely now and since busses are so "common", we prefer to take the boat and monorails when possible, even if it may take a bit longer. Makes the trip more "disney-like"!

 

[DizneyNutz]

We have been spending our time at that fireplace and on the fifth floor for the last 15 years. I always go there in the morning with a coffee and newspaper, even when we stay in the villas. We have spent may a Christmas eve by the fourth floor fireplace, with a glass of wine and watching all the festivities going on down below. Then on Christmas day, as a family we would go to the fifth floor fireplace and open Christmas gifts. What a treasure those fireplace areas are.

Not the fourth floor, but one of the fireplaces