Wilderness Lodge Questions

[sydprincess]

Please fill me in on...

1) The best rate you have gotten and when you got it prior to your trip to WL

2) How long is the boat ride to MK?

3) Best room # suggestions for a standard view room with balcony and view of MK fireworks

4) Overall satisfaction with stay there

Thank you!

 

[Minky]

Okay here we go

The best rate I believe was $114 a nite in May, but that was the passholder discount...not sure about the other discounts.

We had a courtyard view, which is considered the BEST view, however there are rooms on the 5th floor that face the magic kingdom that are WOODS VIEW that you can see the fireworks from. Someone always posts that picture and room number here, so I am sure you will see it.

The boat ride (in my opinion) took FOREVER.....it stopped at fort Wilderness where like 20 people poured in an already full boat then we slowly chugged our way over to MK. Needless to say we only did the boat once.

We had a 6th floor room, ALLLL the way at the end of the hall, but overall we did love the place....its close to our fav AKL. The layout is nice, cozy, everything is convenient. Its a beautiful place....you could easily take vacation there and not ever leave the lodge.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

IMHO, the boat ride is wonderful and doesn't take long at all, 20 minutes tops.

It would take at least that long to get a bus to the TTC and then the monorail or ferry to the MK.

Relax and enjoy the boat ride!

 

[Amy]

We got a great rate at WL last summer, BUT that was only because we were booked at POFQ when WDW decided to close it for renovations, so we were moved to WL for $104/night.

We had a woods view room, 5012, could see the castle thru the trees, fireworks, great view of the otter pond.

The boat ride to the MK wasn't bad at all - every time we took it, it did NOT go to FW first, just straight to MK.

We LOVE the WL; in fact, DH and I are returning later this year without the kids to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I can't wait!

 

[Valera]

Is is possible to request a specific room or side of the resort at WL?? We have booked a woods view.

 

[Geoff_M]

You can basically request whatever you want... getting it is the trickier part.

As for the length of the boat ride, it depends what time of day. In the mornings the boat following this pattern: MK-FW-WL-MK, so the time from WL to MK is only about 10 minutes tops. In the afternoon, the route changes to: MK-WL-FW-MK so it'll take closer to 20 minutes to get from WL to MK.

Another route to consider is the resort launch boat to the Contemporary. This is often an overlooked means to get to the MK that can get you past a line of people waiting for the "MK boat". Hop the smaller, but faster CR boat and then either do the short walk to MK or hop the Monorail at CR.

 

[Gary M]

The boat ride from WL to MK takes 10 minutes or less after it leaves the WL dock until it reaches the MK dock. Before 3:00 pm the boat goes directly from WL to MK after stopping at FW, after 3:00 pm the boat goes from MK to WL first then FW.

Don't forget some room rates given may be before tax.

 

[720L]

We just stayed at AKL and were thinking of trying WL for our next stay
because it is closer to MK. Is the boat or going through the TTC the only
way to get to MK from WL? If both of those take 20 min. then what is the
advantage of being located close to MK at WL? The bus ride from AKL to MK
is only 15 min and AKL is closer to all the other parks than WL is. Does
WL have direct bus transportation to any of the other parks? AKL goes
direct everywhere except MGM which makes a stop at Blizzard Beach.

 

[disneyfor3]

We thought we would hate not being at a monorail hotel this past May when we stayed at the WL. Nothing could have been further from the truth. We loved the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. It was a very short, relaxing ride. Once you ride the monorail so many times, the VOICE can get to you a little (especially when your 3 year old has the monorail train at home and you get to hear it every day over and over ). If you take the resort monorail, you still have to sit at each stop and wait for people to get on and off. We found the boat ride just as quick as the monorail for the most part, and if you needed a monorail fix (like our son) you could take it to Epcot or one of the monorail resorts for dinner or breakfast.

 

[weluvpluto]

Are the boats to MK in the morning (before park opening) crowded or hard to get on because of them stopping at FW first?

 

[Ronald Duck]

My wife and I are staying at WL for the first time in August. For me, picking a preferred location is huge fun, so I can really give you some info about that...especially on Standard Rooms, since that's what we have too.

Moving from the front of the Lodge towards the back, The North (MK)-facing Standard Rooms are 6/5/4089 thru 6/5/4081 (these rooms have balconies that face the MK AND they open up on the Lobby) and also 6/5/4060 thru 030 (even numbers only...these are on the first North Wing, have MK-facing balconies, and open onto a regular hotel hallway).

In terms of getting a room with a view of the Contemporary, MK, and fireworks, obviously the higher the better, but be aware that 6th floor balconies are a bit less spacious and more "closed-in". Some specific room numbers that posters have said have good MK views are 6060 (right at the start of the North Wing), 5084, and 4085 (both opening onto the Lobby).

Hope that helps you decide.

 

[ALDISNEYFAN]

For all of you who are filled with questions PLEASE go to the WL FAQ page that is contained on these boards. ALL things can and will be answered for you. The experts are there.

 

[ADisneygirl]

Thank you Ronald Duck for the info on the room locations. I couldn't figure out on my own which room numbers might be lobby rooms with a MK view. Now, if only to get our requests fulfilled!!!

Yes, there is a WL FAQ page that is loaded with a wealth of information about the Lodge. Many of the experts on WL will try to answer your questions there.

Can't wait to get there! Our first time at the Lodge in a little over two weeks from now!

 

[720L]

ALLDISNEYFAN: My question is not answered on that page I already searched. That's why I posted here.