Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

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Hello! It took me 2 months but I finally read thru all 350+ pages of this thread! Our family (me, DH, DS8, DS6, DD4, DS2) is booked Mar4-10 in a BRV studio and it will be our first stay at WL! Our first family trip to WDw was in 2014 and I knew we needed to stay here someday. It has been a dream of mine ever since. Our youngest turns 3 next June so it's our last chance to fit in a room for 5. So yes we will be maxing out the space in The studio but that's ok, we are used to it! We have a small house and all 4 kids sleep in the same room at home (that's their choice, there is an extra bedroom.)

My only question for now is about arriving via car. We drive from MO and our SUV will be packed! It will take several trips to unload the car because we will also stop for groceries. I know bell services can help but it would probably be 20 plus bags (lots of small bags that we cram in different places with only 2 suitcases, backpacks for the kids...etc). Tipping the bellhop $2 per bag seems a little out of our budget so we would prefer to do this ourselves. I am familiar with the layout of the resort and parking lot. Would it be best for us to just park then walk to check in then go back to the car to start unloading and make several trips? I know it's a bit of a walk also. Or can we park by the lobby check in and unload or will the bellhop start doing it automatically? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

@ArielSRL how did your unloading go?
We did use Bell Services and we had a lot of stuff. We filled an entire cart arriving and needed two for leaving. I think I tipped $20 or $25 for the whole thing bc we too had small bags and boxes and not a lot of "suitcases". But I read somewhere that you can just get a cart - maybe ask Bell Services - and do it yourself. Not sure if the validity of that though. Good luck!
 
We did use Bell Services and we had a lot of stuff. We filled an entire cart arriving and needed two for leaving. I think I tipped $20 or $25 for the whole thing bc we too had small bags and boxes and not a lot of "suitcases". But I read somewhere that you can just get a cart - maybe ask Bell Services - and do it yourself. Not sure if the validity of that though. Good luck!
When we were there the first week in July I saw at least a couple people who had done this, though it appeared to be for when they checked out. I would think it should be available for both, though.
 
I think my husband and bell services unpacked in front of the hotel. My DH may have started the process by getting a cart and then the BS guy joined in. I think we used 2 carts ( we had been at Uni and had a bit more than when we left home) It was August and hot so I don't think we left anything in the car to unpack later. I am sorry that neither of us can remember how much we tipped him.
 
We did use Bell Services and we had a lot of stuff. We filled an entire cart arriving and needed two for leaving. I think I tipped $20 or $25 for the whole thing bc we too had small bags and boxes and not a lot of "suitcases". But I read somewhere that you can just get a cart - maybe ask Bell Services - and do it yourself. Not sure if the validity of that though. Good luck!

When we were there the first week in July I saw at least a couple people who had done this, though it appeared to be for when they checked out. I would think it should be available for both, though.

I think my husband and bell services unpacked in front of the hotel. My DH may have started the process by getting a cart and then the BS guy joined in. I think we used 2 carts ( we had been at Uni and had a bit more than when we left home) It was August and hot so I don't think we left anything in the car to unpack later. I am sorry that neither of us can remember how much we tipped him.

Thank you all for the quick responses! Maybe I will just ask Bell Services if there is a cart available. And then leave it up to DH if he wants to use bell services for help. I remember our first stay at GF they just opened the back door of our expedition before we had a chance to stop them and our groceries came tumbling out!
 


We had tons of bags from a grocery stop too and suitcases etc. for 4 adults. I am sure we must have used 2 carts- our villa wasn't ready yet when we checked in so it was all stored, including the refrigerated items.
Remember, the check-in time for the villas is 4, not 3 like for the rooms. A studio might be earlier. We had a 2BR and they take a long time to clean and resupply.
 
We had tons of bags from a grocery stop too and suitcases etc. for 4 adults. I am sure we must have used 2 carts- our villa wasn't ready yet when we checked in so it was all stored, including the refrigerated items.
Remember, the check-in time for the villas is 4, not 3 like for the rooms. A studio might be earlier. We had a 2BR and they take a long time to clean and resupply.

Good point about the check in time. We plan to arrive late morning so will most likely need to store our stuff if room isn't ready. I will be prepared and adjust the budget just in case!
 
We are still here and loving the Lodge. Tonight I got some more pictures around the resort, including the new seating area outside Roaring Fork
IMG_2592_zpseugvzahh.jpg


IMG_2593_zpswc8azg7s.jpg


I also got some more of Geyser Point
IMG_2565_zpseaw2szii.jpg

IMG_2564_zpssgfpt3zu.jpg


And finally a few traditional night time Lodge shots.
IMG_2602_zpsv3mm9p26.jpg

IMG_2611_zps4cocmkwy.jpg

It is a beautiful resort, and in our opinion as good or better than it has ever been.
 


Returning for a visit in 2 weeks - so excited! We are staying in a 2 bdrm CCV. Can the fireworks be seen from any of the new CC villas?
 
We are still here and loving the Lodge. Tonight I got some more pictures around the resort, including the new seating area outside Roaring Fork
IMG_2592_zpseugvzahh.jpg


IMG_2593_zpswc8azg7s.jpg


I also got some more of Geyser Point
IMG_2565_zpseaw2szii.jpg

IMG_2564_zpssgfpt3zu.jpg


And finally a few traditional night time Lodge shots.
IMG_2602_zpsv3mm9p26.jpg

IMG_2611_zps4cocmkwy.jpg

It is a beautiful resort, and in our opinion as good or better than it has ever been.
I feel more relaxed just looking at your photos! Thanks so much for posting them.
 
Returning for a visit in 2 weeks - so excited! We are staying in a 2 bdrm CCV. Can the fireworks be seen from any of the new CC villas?
The view won't be unobstructed, but if you get a room on a high floor on the North side of the CCV wing you might be able to see some over the other wing. You also can see them from the waterfront by Geyser Point and they play the music from the fireworks show. There's also the mid-wing windows on the North wing that you could walk over to on the 4th floor or above.
 
We are here now! We were surprised with a bunk bed room in a new location for us. The kids are super excited. We had a great dinner at Roaring Fork and are looking forward to a great trip.

ETA:
We walked around the resort tonight and are very impressed with the additions and changes. The new villas pool is beautiful, as is Geyser Point and the waterfront area surrounding it.
It is great to see you back at the WL. Your pictures are always beautiful and it is great to see more of the lodge. :) I bet the kids love the bunkbed. :)

Isn't Geyser Point nice? I think the construction made the WL even better.

Finally, I was also glad to see the balcony on the 4th floor by the front of the resort is again accessible.
I missed the balconies. It is nice to have access to them again.

I know bell services can help but it would probably be 20 plus bags (lots of small bags that we cram in different places with only 2 suitcases, backpacks for the kids...etc).
Don't worry about unloading 20 bags. people do that at every resort every day. They are used to it. :)
 
@GrandCalifornian - Thanks for those great photos. I must be behind and hadn't seen pics of that outdoor seating area at Roaring Forks... I was wondering what they were up to behind the construction walls when we were there last November! That looks like a great use of the space! Thanks again.
 
I've completed the conversion of all of my Photobucket photos on the first two pages to "Disboard photos." This was a tedious task, but now none of those photos will "disappear," and I won't have to pay a yearly fee any longer:thumbsup2. I also updated photos and information in all 23 posts and added current CCV & Cabins info. and videos in POST 7. I will get to adding names/dates to the Lodgers' Log tomorrow:)

Thank you to all who answer questions and post photos and trip reports!

And, thank you most recently to @GrandCalifornian for posting LIVE photos. If you are able and willing (OR ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD BE), the first page is in need of photos of the current interior of RF and current resort-branded merchandise from The Mercantile. Some daytime Boulder Ridge Cove pool photos would also be a nice addition.
 
I've completed the conversion of all of my Photobucket photos on the first two pages to "Disboard photos." This was a tedious task, but now none of those photos will "disappear," and I won't have to pay a yearly fee any longer:thumbsup2. I also updated photos and information in all 23 posts and added current CCV & Cabins info. and videos in POST 7. I will get to adding names/dates to the Lodgers' Log tomorrow:)

Thank you to all who answer questions and post photos and trip reports!

And, thank you most recently to @GrandCalifornian for posting LIVE photos. If you are able and willing (OR ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD BE), the first page is in need of photos of the current interior of RF and current resort-branded merchandise from The Mercantile. Some daytime Boulder Ridge Cove pool photos would also be a nice addition.
Thank you for the AMAZING job you do here! :thanks:
 
And, thank you most recently to @GrandCalifornian for posting LIVE photos. If you are able and willing (OR ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD BE), the first page is in need of photos of the current interior of RF and current resort-branded merchandise from The Mercantile. Some daytime Boulder Ridge Cove pool photos would also be a nice addition.
Will do. I have the RF pics already and will upload some tonight. I also have some swimming pics from Boulder Ridge Cove. I'll get them up soon. Merchandise hasn't changed much at all but I will show the current offerings.
 
Thank you for the AMAZING job you do here! :thanks:

Thank you, @Mopedmom1 :)

Will do. I have the RF pics already and will upload some tonight. I also have some swimming pics from Boulder Ridge Cove. I'll get them up soon. Merchandise hasn't changed much at all but I will show the current offerings.

Perefect! No rush, enjoy your vacation, and as always, thank you!
 
We are still here and loving the Lodge. Tonight I got some more pictures around the resort, including the new seating area outside Roaring Fork
IMG_2592_zpseugvzahh.jpg


IMG_2593_zpswc8azg7s.jpg


I also got some more of Geyser Point
IMG_2565_zpseaw2szii.jpg

IMG_2564_zpssgfpt3zu.jpg


And finally a few traditional night time Lodge shots.
IMG_2602_zpsv3mm9p26.jpg

IMG_2611_zps4cocmkwy.jpg

It is a beautiful resort, and in our opinion as good or better than it has ever been.

Thanks for posting the beautiful pictures! Can't believe we will be checking in next Wednesday, we have not stayed at WL since 2015. Enjoy the rest of your trip & safe travels home:flower:
 
Does anyone know if they have a lot of ball-throwing in the new quiet pool at WL? When we stayed at BWI last summer there were people throwing full size footballs in the quiet pool which I did not find relaxing (I was afraid of getting beaned in the head with the ball! o_O)
 
I've completed the conversion of all of my Photobucket photos on the first two pages to "Disboard photos." This was a tedious task, but now none of those photos will "disappear," and I won't have to pay a yearly fee any longer:thumbsup2. I also updated photos and information in all 23 posts and added current CCV & Cabins info. and videos in POST 7. I will get to adding names/dates to the Lodgers' Log tomorrow:)

Thank you to all who answer questions and post photos and trip reports!

And, thank you most recently to @GrandCalifornian for posting LIVE photos. If you are able and willing (OR ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD BE), the first page is in need of photos of the current interior of RF and current resort-branded merchandise from The Mercantile. Some daytime Boulder Ridge Cove pool photos would also be a nice addition.

@WDWKOOK thanks for all your hard work keeping up with things! It's greatly appreciated! :thanks: :worship:
 
Does anyone know if they have a lot of ball-throwing in the new quiet pool at WL? When we stayed at BWI last summer there were people throwing full size footballs in the quiet pool which I did not find relaxing (I was afraid of getting beaned in the head with the ball! o_O)

Hard to say, there's no one pool at WDW that is more prone to it than another. Completely depends on who is in the pool.
 
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