Live from Villas at Wildnerness Lodge - *Added Pics Pg. 2*

[hrsmom]

We actually arrived to the VWL on Sunday, but this is the first I'm online. This is our first time staying here and we are :lovestruc IN LOVE:lovestruc ! We both said we want to sell our SSR and buy a resale here (maybe we'll just do an add-on, you can never have too many points, right? :laughing:)

We stayed at POP on Fri and Sat nights, never again! We were never more happy to hear "Welcome Home" then we were on Sunday morning. Our villa was ready when we checked in, but it was quite early (around 9:30 am). We got checked in and then went and had breakfast at the Whispering Canyon. After that we headed to Epcot for some fun. The crowds there weren't too bad, my daughter got to ride test track twice, so she was happy and therefore we were all happy. They told me call back in a couple hours to see if our room was assigned and when I called at 2pm, they were able to tell us our room number. We had an early dinner resesrvation at Biergarten so we ate and then headed back to our villa so DH could watch the Superbowl (we're originally from NJ, so YAY GIANTS!).

We're in a one bedroom - number 3508. Everything was nice and clean and in working order when we got in. We didn't do anything Sunday night but watch the game. the kids fell asleep relatively early, so it was a nice relaxing night.

On Monday, we used the pools. It wasn't too crowded and the kids had a blast. Not much else to report, other than the water was great!

Yesterday, my daughter had her BBB appointment and got to be a beautiful Princess and we spent about 1 hour at MK. She has a Belle dress that her Grammy bought for her for Christmas. We went back to our villa to relax for a couple hours until our reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern and the P&P party. We had a wonderful dinner, the Character interaction there was great! The party was a lot of fun and my daughter had a wonderful encounter with Belle at Belle's storytime.

Today we're going to relax in the morning and not sure where we're heading this afternoon.

[DisDaydreamer]

Glad you're having a good time. We've only been there once, but we really love the national parks and VWL really has that feel.

[keishashadow]

isn't the boat to the MK the best thing ever after a long day in the park?:thumbsup2 sure makes going back to the room for a break easy.

[bobbiwoz]

I really smiled when I read that if your DD is happy, you are as well!

We love VWL, and I'm glad you're having a great time there.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[mr. figment]

Great report! We can't wait to get there in May!

[wildernessDad]

Glad you and yours are having a great time at our beloved lodge!

[DVC Mike]

We actually arrived to the VWL on Sunday, but this is the first I'm online. This is our first time staying here and we are :lovestruc IN LOVE:lovestruc ! We both said we want to sell our SSR and buy a resale here (maybe we'll just do an add-on, you can never have too many points, right? :laughing:)



Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself at VWL. It's one of our favorite resorts!

[50 years Too!]

hrsmom,

Why don't you come join the VWL groupies on our thread!

Deb

[Jimdvc]

Great resort. Folks who own there are lucky. I can see why the OP wants to own there. Only stayed one time and then only for 1 day, but I too hold this repsort in very high regard. Being able to get to the MK by boat is wonderful. To me that is what is so great about DVC, being so close to the parks.

[LIFERBABE]

Great Report!

Have a great trip!

[dunbarfamily]

We just stayed there for the first time Jan 17-22 after a 4 night Disney cruise and LOVED it! I don't think we'll ever stay at AK Villas because its so nice to be so close to MK where we spend most of our time.

Add me to the "I wish I could buy at WL" list!

[Muushka]

Great resort. Folks who own there are lucky. I can see why the OP wants to own there. Only stayed one time and then only for 1 day, but I too hold this repsort in very high regard. Being able to get to the MK by boat is wonderful. To me that is what is so great about DVC, being so close to the parks.

What a thoughtful thing to say. I like your style :thumbsup2 .

hrsmom,

Why don't you come join the VWL groupies on our thread!

Deb

Yes! And whoever else on this thread who has a special place in their hearts for VWL.
And grab a Moosie Siggy! Can't have too many Groupies!

[photobob]

Hey neighbor, we just left this morning from down the hall in 3550! What a beautiful place..

[Goofy's apprentice]

We just stayed this past weekend for the first time and absolutely loved it ! We had pool-hopped one afternoon last year and weren't really impressed but decided to try it anyway. We live in Canada so the wilderness feel isn't really a novelty to us. Somehow that didn't matter. We loved it from the first moment we opened our room door (ready for us at 11:08 am ! - probably doesn't happen often but we were thankful). The quiet pool was great during the day. The kids enjoyed the big pool after dark when it was quiet. We biked to Fort Wilderness and watched the Electric Light parade over the water at night. Our teenagers bought breakfast supplies from the mercantile and they made breakfast for us each morning. Just wish that we had more time to stay but we will surely try to get in again.

We love the spa at SSR and the closeness to DTD but VWL is a new favourite as well.

Owners can count themselves as very fortunate to spend their Christmases in this very beautiful 'home' !!

[Muushka]

Owners can count themselves as very fortunate to spend their Christmases in this very beautiful 'home' !!
We do :santa: . This past Christmas was our first 'at our VWL home'.

[smjj]

My wife and I will be staying 4 nights 02/24 - 02/27 . Can't wait. We stayed at the WL a few years ago with the kids but that was before the villas. Glad you had a good time..smjj

[squitty]

Good to hear you're having a great time at VWL, we love it too:)

[hrsmom]

We got home last night from our wonderful trip. I thought I'd share a few pictures with you all. (Don't mind any messiness you see in the villa ;) ):

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3961.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3960.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3852.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3874.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3892_edited-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3881.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3963.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3962.jpg


This was a first for me at Disney. While we were at Epcot there was a skywriter in the air. He definitely had a message:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/btraatz/IMG_3813.jpg

[Muushka]

Great pics! Thank you for sharing with all of us.

[WoodysRoundup]

I really enjoyed your report AND the great pics. Loved the look of the villa and your kids are adorable too.

Question for you......How far is the walk from the villas to the boat dock and bus stop??? (Curious for three sets of little legs)!

[D&R love Disney]

I can't wait, I just changed from SSR to VWL at our 7 month mark for our Labor Day trip. It'll be our 2nd stay and I'm hoping to get it again the 1st week of December (I know I'll have to wait list).

[hrsmom]

I really enjoyed your report AND the great pics. Loved the look of the villa and your kids are adorable too.

Question for you......How far is the walk from the villas to the boat dock and bus stop??? (Curious for three sets of little legs)!

The bus stop is very close to the villas. The boat ride is a short walk - maybe 5 minutes, if that.

Plenty to see on the walk to the boat too, you pass both pools and the geyser.

[jimmytammy]

Glad you had a great trip! We are sorta partial to VWL;) (ahhh, Home)

Just curious, what didnt you like about POP? We will be staying there a couple nights soon before moving over to VWL. I like to be prepared:thumbsup2

[hrsmom]

Glad you had a great trip! We are sorta partial to VWL;) (ahhh, Home)

Just curious, what didnt you like about POP? We will be staying there a couple nights soon before moving over to VWL. I like to be prepared:thumbsup2

It was just SO busy when we were there. This was actually our second time staying there. The first was fine and that was over 4th of July! This time, we couldn't believe the crowds in the food court. My mom was staying at POR the same dates and said it wasn't that crowded. It would have only cost us $30 more to stay where she was and I think it would have been worth it (hindsight is always 20/20 though:laughing: ).

[emma'smom]

We're doing the exact same thing you did in March. We have Pop booked for Friday/Saturday night and will switch on WLV on Sunday. We're planning on being out and about for most of the time we are scheduled for POP and are just using it for sleeping. We plan to be at WL for breakfast on Sunday morning (even though I'm sure our villa won't be ready that early...it will be a shift in home-base).

[bobbiwoz]

We're doing the exact same thing you did in March. We have Pop booked for Friday/Saturday night and will switch on WLV on Sunday. We're planning on being out and about for most of the time we are scheduled for POP and are just using it for sleeping. We plan to be at WL for breakfast on Sunday morning (even though I'm sure our villa won't be ready that early...it will be a shift in home-base).

I KNOW that check in time is at 4, but really...we have been very fortunate. Last October, my DSis and myself stayed in a studio on Saturday night, and I went to desk around 8AM Sunday to check-in for the 2 bedroom that I and the rest of the family would be using for the week. Well, OUR 2 bedroom wasn't ready, (the nice folks at VWL booked us in the 2 bedroom right next to DSis studio) BUT the 2 bedroom down the hall just a bit WAS, and I was asked if I minded not being right next to DSis! Well, no I was thrilled to be as close as the ready villa was, it enabled me to do shopping and filled the refrigerator with goodies just in time for the family, who arrived at noon. So, here's hoping you have the pixie dust we had. :wizard:

For us, having a studio available when the large group gets to WDW, even if the main room isn't ready, is worth the Saturday night points. So for many of our whole family trips, some of us plan to get down the night before, so a room is available. We learned how important this could be by accident...a 2 year old with indigestion on ME, luckily DG-Grandma had a room with a bath!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[Bojo]

The bus stop is very close to the villas. The boat ride is a short walk - maybe 5 minutes, if that.

Plenty to see on the walk to the boat too, you pass both pools and the geyser.

Plenty to see @ the boat dock as well; off the top of my head I remember seeing eagles, osprey, otters, ducks, and fish (other guests as well :thumbsup2).

[mygirl]

mmmmm...sounds wonderful!
can't wait to get my wdw fix later this year!

[vbarry]

Just got back home from VWL today. It is -7 here in Illinois. Boy I wish I were back at VWL!! Have fun!

[wildernessDad]

We have about 304 days to go until we're back there. I will have to try to keep from going bonkers in the meantime.

[stormer]

Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for the photos. We will be staying at VWL in April for the first time. Just bought our P&P tickets yesterday!

[disneymom8589]

Lovely pics!! :)

[CRSNDSNY]

Oh, it is SOOOO easy to fall in love with the WL, isn't it? We cannot wait to stay there again this August!

Love all the pics...your kids are ADORABLE! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!

[50 years Too!]

Your children are so adorable!
Thanks for sharing.


Deb