Wilderness Lodge -- First time there

[Luv2Roam]

We are looking very forward to this. We booked a last minute trip for the end of this month. This is my first deluxe (standard room)
What's the in's and out's of WL?
What are the on site eating places and what are they like? (2 adults)

Suggestions? Tips? How's transportation?
Anything I need to know?

 

[ktulu]

Arrrr...


Me and me wife be bunkin there, leavin home port this saturday for 7 nights.

There be a few places to eat, Artist Point, Whispering Canyon Cafe are sit down places, Artist Point has character breakfast, Whispering Canyon is the noisy one. Roaring Forks is the counter service. Territory Lounge is the lounge, and there is room service.

Ye need to be goin here for lots of info, arrrr

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/wildlodge.htm

Arrr, me hopes ya have a good time, arrrrrrrrrr

darrrrrrrrrrrrrrren

 

[loubelou]

There are 3 restaurants at the WL. Roaring Forks is counter service and has a nice selection of burgers, pizzas, sandwich items and a good variety of breakfast foods. We ate at least one meal at Roaring Forks everyday and were never disappointed. Whispering Canyon Cafe is a full service restaurant with the option of ordering off a menu or their all you can eat skillet. I've only had the skillet at dinner, but we all thought it was great. My SIL and BIL had the breakfast skillet and raved about it. They said it was the best meal of their trip. Artist Point is the upscale restaurant at the WL. I've never eaten there but it gets great reviews as one of the best restaurants at WDW. There is also a lounge and a pool bar at WL as well. The pool bar was never opened when we were there in Nov. 2001.

I've heard complaints about transportation, but our longest wait was maybe 10 minutes at the most for a bus. We found the transportation ran very smoothly our entire trip. There is not a bus to MK. WL has a boat that takes you to MK instead. The boat ride was a great bonus IMO.

You can also take a boat to FW. We've heard so many good things about the Trail's End Buffet there that we plan to check it out in Sept.

The lobby and pool area of the WL are absolutely breathtaking. I could spend all day just enjoying the lodge. I don't have many tips. Just enjoy your stay!!!

 

[loubelou]

There is no longer a character breakfast at Artist Point. There hasn't been one there in a few years.

 

[ktulu]

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr me has been lied to.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/wildlodgedining.htm

that scurvy land lubbin internet web thingy lied to me!!!

darrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrren (not a happy pirate)

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I hope you take the time to really, really, tour that totally georgeous lobby. Go to the upper floors that overlook the lobby.
Examine all the nooks and crannies on those upper floors.
Believe me.....taking the time to do that is totally worth it !
You will barely believe your eyes at the beauty !

Do not take long distance pics of the lobby with a disposable camera. None of mine came out at all. I am so glad I can come here on this site to get pics of the lobby.

 

[Eeyore1954]

You will love the Lodge. The 7-story lobby is awesome. Be sure to check out the rocking chairs in front of the huge fireplace. It's a great place to relax after a day at the parks.

Check with Guest Services and ask for the Hidden Mickey Hunt sheet. There are HM's all over WL, so hang onto the sheet and see how many you can find!

Check out the Otter Pond and the geyser which is behind the main pool. There are great walkways and a small beach with watercraft rentals. You can also rent bikes there.

I believe the EWP passes by the WL, so you can stake out a place on the beach to watch it.

Park & show hours are posted daily by the Guest Services desk, so check this for last minute changes.

Take the WL Tour. This is a great way to find out about the architecture and history of WL.

Flag Family -- ask at the front desk at check-in to see if there is an open slot for a Flag Family. One per day; they get to climb to the top of the lodge to raise the flags each morning. It's early (!) and it's a LOT of stairs to climb, but the view is breathtaking. On a clear day you can get some outstanding pix.

Check out the newsletter they give you at check-in. It will list all sorts of info that will make your stay magical.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I'm staying at WL for the first time next month. I can't wait!!! I'm so excited. I have a Courtyard view but haven't made an specific requests.

I can't wait to explore and look for those Hidden Mickey's!!!!

 

[trbrophy]

I was at the WL for 11 days in early July and it was the best time I've ever had.

I'm going back in the near future.

Have a good time!!!

 

[timC]

You are going to have such a good time... This is one of the truly magical WDW resort experiences.

Here's a tip. If you're an early riser, grab a cup of coffee and take a walk down to the boat launch to watch the sun rise over Bay Lake. It's an amazing view, very peaceful and only available to WL guest!

Oh yeah... and the electric water pageant on the lake every night. The front desk can tell you exactly when it show comes around.

 

[FloridaCat]

Go to WL FAQ and then to page 22, look for WL PT. 1,2,3,4

You will have most of your questions answered and some you did not know to ask.

You are warned a part of you will remain at WL and you will be obsessed to return.

 

[Starz723]

Thanks to the FTP I am able to go to the Wilderness Lodge Oct 25 - Nov 1. Every time I visit WDW, I always come and spend time at WL. I eat at Whispering Canyon, which is so much fun. At Christmas time, the tree is spectaular!! I absolutely love the place and now Im going to be able to stay there..Thats a wish come true for me!! Im so excited. Dreams really do come true.

I requested the 5th floor and I have a woods view.
I also love the music in the lobby.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

We just got back from the WL on Tuesday. It is a beautiful resort, we loved staying there. We booked a standard room, but they upgraded us to a couryard, we looked out over the pool and Bay Lake, it was room # 4037 if anyone is interested.

My only problem with WL was the bus transportation. Getting a bus from the Lodge to a park wasn't too bad, but you share the route with Ft. Wilderness, it would take us about 30 minutes to get anywhere. That kind of stunk. The busses from a park back to the Lodge were slow, we usually waited 20-30 minutes, which I guess isn't so bad, but it's discouraging when you're hot and tired and you see 3 busses for the All Stars and none for WL.

All and all we had an awesome trip (despite the monsoon season ), and I would definitely stay there again. We loved sitting in the lobby and listening to the music, people watching and hearing the occasional "who asked for ketchup?" coming from Whispering Canyon. The CM's there are also fantasic--we got our first towel animals from mousekeeping!

You will have a great time--enjoy!!