WL Room Location

[SpeechGuy]

Hi, This is my first post. Our family of four will be staying at WL over Christmas this year. I know the lobby area is very impressive, especially during the holidays. I was wondering if the lobby area in the main building is considered to be one of the prime locations to book a room? I think this would be a nice area to book for Christmas. Would these rooms be in the standard, woods, or courtyard view areas? Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

[campinggal]

Welcome to the DIS and WL!!

Although I have only stayed at the WL once- I am hooked and will try to answer your question.

You can also check out the first few pages of the 'WL Frequently Asked Question Thread on this board' to get lots of WL info.

I think that 'Lobby Rooms' are either 'Standard' or 'Woodsview' locations. 'Courtyard' refers to the rooms that overlook the pool, geyser, lake etc.

Everybody has their preference- so it is hard to say which is the most sought after locations. Some really like 'Courtyard' with a view of Bay Lake so they can see the Electric Water Pageant at night. Others request a 'Woods View' with a view of the MK- a few rooms in that class look out over trees and you can see the castle.

We had a 'Woods view' last October. The balcony was a view of 'roof with trees'. Quiet but not much of a view. I discovered that it didn't matter much to me as I ended up being on the lobby so every morning, I could open my door and the lobby greeted me. I loved that and would do it again.

Hope that helps-sorry so long, but there is no definitive answer to your question as it is all a personal preference.

I'm hoping to head to the Lodge in early December to take in the Christmas decorations!

Happy Planning!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

opps.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

SpeechGuy,

WELCOME to the DIS
You are going to love The Wilderness Lodge actual there are three room types that open into the Lobby area Standard Woods & Courtyard we have more room information over on The New (Part 4) WL FAQ Thread...just click the link below most information is located on the first page:

The New (Part 4) WL FAQ Thread...

 

[SpeechGuy]

Campinggal and MAGICinMYHEART, Thank you so much for your help and also welcoming me to this great site. I am now able to find everything that I need for selecting the right room location within WL for our family. We haven't been to WDW since our kids were little tots. They are now 11 and 13 and DW and I really want to make this a very special Christmas. This will be our first visit to WL.

When I told some of our friends that we would like to stay in the beautifully decorated main lobby area of the resort, they thought I was a little crazy, especially since the resort also offers nice views of the lake. We happen to be people who really like crowds and activity. I can think of nothing better and more in keeping with the spirit of the holidays, than having our room door open to that wonderful lobby. We got a good AAA discount rate for a courtyard view for $212 per night for 11 nights. I just hope that having a courtyard view won't hurt our chances for a room in the main building lobby area. The link you provided me was wonderful and I will use that as a reference for finding the right room and helping me to explain to the cm exactly what we prefere for room location within the resort.

Once again, a very big THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

 

[SpeechGuy]

Hi,

I posted my first thread yesterday on the resort page and received some great information about the WL. I thought I would follow that up with something specific and hope some of the good folks who are WL experts can help me out.

We are a family of four (w/two pre-teen kids). We will be at WDW this Christmas for an 11 night stay at WL. Our last trip to WDW was when the kids were very young, so everything will be like new for all of us. We are looking at obtaining a room at WL that is in the main building overlooking the lobby that will have those beautiful Christmas decorations. I just think it would be nice to open up your room door and immediately feel the magic of the Christmas Season. We have booked a courtyard view with a AAA discount but could certainly change the view to fit a room in the main lobby area.

My question is....has anyone stayed in this part of the resort and if so, is there a specific room number(s) that we should request. I realize Disney can't guarntee anything specific but if we could at least put in a request and follow it up with a call a few days before our arrival, that would help us a great deal. We may even fax them closer to the date. Thank you very much for any help you might be able to give us!

 

[campinggal]

Just me again-

I would classify myself as a 'Lobby' lover after only one stay. As I mentione above, our room was right over the 'Check In' desk off of the lobby.

Regarding room requests, you don't need a specific room number but can just say 'MK view'; 'Villa view' or 'Off the Lobby' and they can go from there. I don't know if there are 'Courtyard' rooms that open out to the lobby- one of the true WL vets might know. I know that 'Woods View' and 'Standard' rooms are lobby side.

I am headed to WDW again in early December and had my TA put a request for 'Off Lobby, above Check In Desk' on my 'Woods View' reservation. Of course nothing is guaranteed but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Oh- I prefer being over the 'Check In' desk for two reasons- one, you can peer out to see how busy Whispering Canyon is when you don't have a PS and time things accordingly and two- I heard that on the Whispering Canyon side (which is right opposite the Check In desk) you could get WC noise and smoke house smells.

You mentioned faxing before the date- unfortunately, WL stopped accepting faxes for room requests a few months ago. Noting it on your reservation is the best you can do.

Keep the questions coming- it is fun to help out!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

SpeechGuy,

There are courtyard views right off the lobby that overlook the main pool and Bay Lake they are refered to as the bear rooms in the picture below if you use your imagination you can see a bear face in the main lobby area looking from the outside back toward the Lodge.

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The eyes to the bear's face would be the top two dormer windows under the Flag. All the rooms facing out are InnerCourtyard View Rooms. As well as all the rooms facing the Main pool.

Any thing else just ask....

 

[SpeechGuy]

Thanks again, campinggal. The area you suggested sounds great and would fit our needs perfectly. If you don't mind, another question or two.....or three......

1. Any suggestions about floor level? Is higher better than lower? I heard smoking was on 6th floor so for our kids sake we will try to stay away from that level, if possible. I like the idea of looking out of room and checking out WC.

2. If we have booked a courtyard view should I specifically ask for a woods view that is over the check-in lobby? The courtyard AAA discount rate is actually cheaper than the woods view rate by $7 per night. Will WL allow us to keep our rate and move to a lower level room?

So I will request a room above the check-in desk off lobby on the MK side. I will wait until I hear from you to determine if there is a floor level that is better.

Hope I don't make a pest of myself with these questions...and thanks again!!!!

 

[SpeechGuy]

MAGICinMYHEART,

YES.....I can see the bear and I didn't have to use my imagination at all! Thanks for the info. I now have another option to include on my request....Bear Rooms with a courtyard view overlooking the lobby or a room above the check-in desk with a lobby view. Maybe if I give them a couple of options I am more likely to get one of them.

Do guests miss out on any "fun" stuff, being in the main lobby rather than having a room by the pools, food court, boat docks, ect?

Thanks Again!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

SpeechGuy,

You do realize that the doors only open out into yhe Lobby area, If you want a great Inner Corutyard View and the Lobby one of the bear rooms would be great. I would pick the Fourth or Fifth Floor as there are some lovely seating areas with a fireplace & fire, that you can watch the comings and goings of the Lobby and watching the Christmas Trees.

Opps, sorry the rooms off the Lobby over the check-in desk are standard room views and you can only see the roof and parking lot (for the most part)...rooms off the Lobby but over WCC are woods views and over look the roof with some trees (for the most part) the balconies are looking toward the MK but I don't think you can see the Castle or Firewooks at night from these Lobby woods view rooms. We WL vets have a web site that Majestic did for us that shows views from different room location around the Lodge just click on the link below and it will take you to the WL Photo's:

Balconey Photo's

 

[campinggal]

Keep the questions coming!

I think asking for 'Inner Courtyard Lobby' to give you a 'Bear Face' room is your best bet- you will have action out both the door and the balcony! I would echo what Magic said about requesting 4th or 5th floor. The little lounges are a nice quiet spot- great for coffee when the rest of the family is still sleeping.

The rooms and views are confusing- as are the rates- but I was in a 'Woodsview' on the 5th floor over the check-in desk- view was of trees and roofs but no parking lots. I think further down the hall I was on were more 'Standard' rooms thus more asphalt views.

On the opposite side of the Lobby (over WC) are more 'Woods Views' as Magic said. Technically MK side but view is mostly trees.

Sounds like you got a great rate thru AAA on a Courtyard room- keep it and request 'Inner Courtyard' Lobby room- and keep your fingers crossed.

To one of your other questions about 'missing' stuff- I certainly didn't feel like I missed anything- you can go down to the beach at night to view the Electric Water Pageant and rent boats with ease. We were fairly close to one of the elevators so I felt we got around efficiently.

Hope all the room stuff isn't too confusing. When all is said and done, you are at the WL and WDW!!! I found we were hardly at the Lodge during the day as we were out and about in the parks. I appreciated the Lodge in the early hours while my DD was still sleeping- I would crack our door, wander out a few paces to the railing and admire the lobby and soak in the sights and music. At 6 AM there is hardly a soul. Loved it!

 

[SpeechGuy]

Hi again! Just wanted to thank you both very much for supplying me with the great information, photos and FAQ threads. I have enjoyed reading and seeing everything and will continue to use this information as a reference. I hope my questions are not too boring, simple or nit picky. I figure when you want answers....go to the experts.

If you don't mind (again)........a few more questions.

As you enter WL front door and stand with back to front door and facing the back of the building (courtyard), is WCC on my right or left? If it is on my left then a safe assumption is that check-in desk is on my right. if so, do the balconies on check-in side overlook villas? I am assuming this as you stated that balconies on WCC side overlook woods and MK.

When I call Disney and talk to cm about my reservation, should I give them two options for rooms? For instance, choice number one is a 4th or 5th floor Inner-Courtyard Lobby Room that is part of the Bear Face in the main lodge building. Option two is a 4th or 5th floor lobby room in the main lodge building overlooking the check-in desk. Would this be too confusing for the cm I talk to or would my chances be greater staying in this part of the odge if I give them 2 options?

Is AP restaurant in the lobby area?

Would it be better if I move my future questions to the FAQ threads that MAGICinMYHEART provided or is it better to post them here?

Again, thanks so much. I have tried other boards but this one has so much in-depth info about every possible area of discussion regarding WDW.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

You can post over on the FAQ Thread because more WL vets check that thread everyday, they may miss your thread if there is a lot of activity on The Resort Board and your questions get pushed to the bottom.

Now, if you walk into the front doors of the Lobby the WCC will be to your left, and Check-in and Guest relations will be to your right.
So you are correct the room balconies over WCC would be toward the North MK side of Resort. (View would be roof or Woods view, maybe very small maybe the Castle)
While the rooms over Check-in would have balconies overlooking roof or parking area but south toward the Villas.

First request, "Inner Courtyard View over the Lobby 4th or 5th Floor,"

Other request, "Room located over Lobby 4th or 5th floor either North or South side."
The CM will just type the information on your reservations while she/he might not understand the room assigner at WL will.

The Artist Point (yummy) The location of the Artist Point is on the same level as the Lobby, from the Lobby you would walk toward the left and down an incline then up a few steps, it is located on the corner that overlooks the waterfall, pool area, and Bay Lake.
The kitchens of WCC and Artist Point are connected (The Lobby is actualy of the second floor.) Hope this isn't to confusing.

 

[SpeechGuy]

Not confusing at all, MAGIC....hope my posts are as clear as yours. I am surprised that I am beginning to get a "mental layout" of the WL. It is as if I am already there in my mind....just need to get my body and rest of the family there, too!

I will move my posts to the WL thread that you provided.

Thanks again!!