DH and I are going to possibly have 4-6 hours of down time to just hang out at the Wilderness Lodge on our arrival day before it's check-in time. The Territory Lounge will be closed (much to my chagrin).
How should we spend the time? What should we do?
How do you mean the Territory Lounge will be closed??? It's one of our favorite places to relax.
What time of the day/night will you be there?
You could hang out in the lobby, the outside seating area over the porte-cochere, or some of the seating nooks on the second floor balcony.
Hang out by the pool (adult beverages are available out there).
You could get some food at Roaring Fork and eat AT the tables outside
Wander next door to the reading/game room at the Wilderness Lodge Villas and check out Walts train exhibit
Take a stroll along the jogging path between the WL and FW
Of course there's the quiet, relaxed ambiance of the Whispering Canyon (don't forget to ask for some ketchup)
There are bike rentals
Don't forget the guided tour
Sit in the rocking chairs by the fireplace
Admire the ugly tall backed chairs on the chevron rug. (don't get me started on these monstrosities)
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Depending on how early you're there and what day it is, you can take the Lodge Tour. Go out to the dock and watch the parasailers or just enjoy the breeze. Hop on one of the boats that go between the resorts and enjoy the lake from on the water. There's also a cool room in the villas 'lobby' I think it's called The Carolwood Pacific Room (I could be way off on that) it has a lot of train memorabilia. And of course, the geyser if it's operating.
Hmmmmm not sure I'd follow BuffaloBill's advice and eat the tables..."You could get some food at Roaring Fork and eat the tables outside"....you could also walk down to the beach .....or go over to FW and rent the little Mickey boats.....whatever you do...you'll have fun!
Thanks, NHShorty, for pointing out my typo! 
Don't forget the great time we had when I left the backpack unattended in the lobby and we had that discussion with the security guy at the front desk.....
Territory will only be closed because our time from is likely Noon-4pm and they open at 4:30. No worries, it's not going anywhere!
I like the idea of grabbing food from Roaring Forks and heading down to Trout Pass with it for a cocktail, or maybe vice versa. Oh! The trains, I've never been in the Carolwood Pacific room yet, that would be fun to explore.
My mouth is watering thinking about a big salad and chilli...mmmmmmmmm yummy. We love to eat at the roaring forks.
You know I've never been to wilderness lodge, but this all sounds so good I might have to check it out 
Our Very Merry 24 nighter Nov/Dec 15
Watson's go West May 15
The one with all the birthdays Oct 14 4 Big Birthdays and a Vow Renewal thrown in
The OMG trip June 14 30th Birthday present from the hubs
Girly trip March 14 A last min cheapy week
September 13 our first all DVC stay
TR May 2013 the last min bargain trip offsite
Oct 2012 TR with a cruise!big family trip featuring the beach club, AKL, the dream and a villa offsite
TR on a budget May - June 2011offsite condo
TR Sept - Oct 2010 big family trip in an offsite villa
You can ask at the desk for a list of clues to find hidden mickeys
In the afternoons there is often a pool party where they play games and quizzes. It is very loud!
Do you have any children in your group? They offer children's craft sessions in the afternoons and they also have cookie decorating in Roaring Forks.
We love WL 
Fiona
Do you have any children in your group? They offer children's craft sessions in the afternoons and they also have cookie decorating in Roaring Forks.
The youngest will be just about 14, but I would like to decorate cookies!
If you were planning to do parks that day you can pre-check in and they will issue KTTK and you can check in later when you return from the parks. Also on your reservation have put in that you are arriving early. Unless it is a major busy time the room blocker may be able to assign you to a room that was vacant the previous night. So even if your were not planning parks the first day you can unpack.
You can go to Roaring Fork, get a bite and drink and hit the marina and rent a boat and cruise Bay Lake and enjoy lunch. Or grab a good book and snuggle into the many nooks the lodge has on various floors
Vinnie
77 visits and counting
Thanks WDW Vet! I am sending the kids off to the park early, but hubby and I are going to relax around the hotel a bit and meet them there later. I have to wait for my camera rental to be delivered and I like to get settled in to a hotel room when I arrive so I am hoping for one to be ready when we arrive. I've done my online check in already and did let them know that we would be early.
I'm really hoping to get a "519" room in the Villas, those are sunny corner suites overlooking the Hidden Springs Pool. We'll happily wait a little longer if I can in one of those. I planned on sending a fax the week before asking if they can arrange that. We had great luck for DD's 18th Birthday Trip with room requests. Ultimately though, we just have to cross our fingers on that one.
