Hello everyone! I just read all the posts from the last 202 pages. At first, I was thinking I was nuts, but then realized you all are probably just as enthusiatic as I am!
We stayed at WL last Dec. It was our first trip to WDW is quite a long time. I was a CM for about 6 months back when they were building the GF. Needless to say, things are quite a bit different now.
We lucked out and got a Bear Face room without requesting it.
It was on the fourth floor, the room just to the right of the public balcony. We had a great view and were right above the live band when they played the Christmas music. It was incredible.
The only 2 things I could complain about were waiting 45 minutes for a bus to MGM and the fact that the stream running through the lobby wasn't working (I heard it had been damaged in the hurricane). The latter was no big deal really, but the former was kind of annoying trying to wrangle my DS3 for that long waiting for the bus. We had no problems at all with the boats.
The really bad news: it was so perfect we're afraid it won't live up to the expectations this year. I decided I'd try to top it this year by booking the CL for the first week of Dec. Then I was disappointed to find out that I can't get a courtyard view and a lobby room. I know a lot of people don't like the lobby because they think it's noisy, but for some reason (perhaps it being Christmas), it REALLY made us feel like we were in the middle of everything. Now I'm afraid we'll lose that.
I have a few questions...
1) I paid full price for the package (w/ dining) as there were no AAA rooms available. I'm anxiously awaiting the FL Res discounts to see if they come out with anything good. How are people still getting AAA discount rooms? Should I book now for Dec. 2007 to get a chance for a AAA discounted room?
2) I've read a few posts here mentioning specific CMs in the CL and emailing them back and forth. I thought if you sent an email to the wdw.wlodge.itinerary email address that you aren't dealing with the CMs in the lounge. How do you contact the CMs in the CL directly?
3) If I've already booked my room and made all my ADRs myself, what would the itinerary planners be able to do for me before my trip?
4) Will the CMs in the CL be able to help me select a room with a good view?
5) Has anyone bought one of the Giant Sequoia trees in the gift shop? I bought one last time we went and planted it with my DS3. I plan to get another one for my new DS this year. It will be something they will each have forever to commerate their first trips there. I sure wish they grew faster! The trees, not my DSs that is!
I love hearing about the CL. I'm REALLY hoping it's worth the extra $. I mainly got it for the purpose of hoping we'll be able to get a quick breakfast and get a quick start to the parks. I'm also going to be glad to eliminate the trips up and down "Death Valley" (the nickname that my DW who was pregnant at the time gave to the ramp by Roaring Forks) just to refill our mugs with free drinks.
We were celebrating our daughter's receiving their black belts that trip..and the entire trip they made a big deal out of it whenever they saw them. So many of the "you can't put a price on it" moments..which was just people caring and knowing who you are!
Pretty soon we can both say.. "Next month we are going to the Wilderness Lodge!" 
my boyfriend and I are celebrating 4 years together 
) and was wondering if anybody could help me out. We are looking for a courtyard room with 1 king bed that either has a view of MK/fireworks 
(preferred) or a view of Bay Lake. A higher room number would be great too. What should I request when I make my ressie so I can have the best chance of getting these specifics? I don't know the "terminology" to use to better my chances 
! Thanks SO much in advance! 
and hubby gives me a big hug 
and says "don't worry, we'll be back!!" 
