Wilderness tips

[Bill K]

Will be staying at the VWL for the 1st time. Can anybody give me any tips or advice on resort?

 

[wildernessDad]

Make sure that you ask for ketchup if you dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Seriously, I think that you will be blown away by this magnificent lodge. I know that I was.

 

[Bill K]

We are really looking forward to this resort! In my top 2 DVC Resorts!!!

 

[Muushka]

Tips for VWL? Hmmmm. Let me think......

We find when we are VWL that we just don't do a lot of running around. Basically we just enjoy the resort. For us, that means catching the EWP on the beach or ringing the bell that is between WL and VWL or exploring the WL's nooks and crannies (sitting areas, fireplaces, balconies), trying to find hidden Mickey's (list is at front desk), going for a swim, taking pictures around the different areas, taking the boat from WL over to CR and getting on the Monorail and riding around the world, playing checkers at VWL Iron Spike Room, sit in the lobby and watch people walk in for the first time and watch their jaw drop (come to think of it, mine drops each time we walk in!).

I am sure my other Groupie friends will be here soon with more suggestions. I hope you love it as much as we do. Enjoy!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Read the activity sheet that you get, there may be something going on that you or someone in your family will like to do.

Bobbi

 

[Bill K]

Muushka,
What does EWP mean?

 

[starbox]

I really like the boat ride, so I'd say avoid the bus and do the boat whever you can. We also ate at AP on our last trip and it was the second best meal I've ever eaten in my life (and the first was a four-course rehearsal dinner at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation that I thought nothing would ever come close to comparing to) - so I'd give a big recommendation to dining at AP if you like that sort of thing! Every now and then I still stop and ponder just how great the meal was.

 

[MarylandMommy]

We rented bikes and took bike ride over to the Wilderness Campground. I, unfortunately, had my 3 year old rent a bike with training wheels, instead of putting him on the back of my bike. However, was a really nice bike ride and you get a really nice DVC discount on the bikes.
Another thing I didn't know before I got there, the Wilderness Campground (that isn't the right name, is it?) has free outdoor movies every night. They had some really good ones and sometimes they had two movies (something like a 7pm and a 9 pm). You can take the boat from the Wilderness Lodge to the Campground.
Another little bonus for us was we had the water view. We could see the water pagent on the lake come through every evening through the trees. We were on the top floor, the second to last room, on the left-hand side (as you are walking down the hall away from the elevator). That was a nice perk, too!

 

[wildernessDad]

Muushka,
What does EWP mean?

(The part of Muuska is now being played by wildernessDad.)

EWP stands for Electrical Water Pageant. You can see it from WL at around 9:35 pm subject to good weather. Check with the lobby concierge for exact times.

 

[jimmytammy]

Ask at Guest relations to be flag family during your stay. Once you get your room #, tell GR what days you will be there, then they will see if it is available. Wed thru Fri, Ranger Stan does this. Other days, Im not sure who the Ranger will be. Be flexible about the days if you really want to do it. You go up on the roof of WL and raise the flags, five in all. Take your camera. On a clear day you can see all of WDW!!

Another thing is do the Lodge tour. We havent done it, but have heard it is wonderful. Planning on doing this in Oct.

Take in the sights and sounds of the Lodge. Music plays in the background. Crickets chirp at night out by the pools while the lanterns flicker. You might catch a glimpse of deer.

Most of all enjoy!!

 

[Muushka]

Muushka,
What does EWP mean?

Thanks, WildernessDad! You did a great job!

Sorry about the acronym. I thought about typing it out, but then I got lazy.

 

[wildernessDad]

Thanks, WildernessDad! You did a great job!

Sorry about the acronym. I thought about typing it out, but then I got lazy.

You are welcome, and of course I was kidding about the 'the part of ...' part.

 

[Bill K]

Can you actually swim at the beach? Is there a community hall for activities? Seems like an adventure just walking thru the resort!!!

 

[Muushka]

Seems like an adventure just walking thru the resort!!!

Oh yeah, you are going to like VWL just fine. You are a quick study .

Nope, no swimming in the lake. And no 'community hall' per se. There are several games to play in the Iron Spike Room.
And lots of great Walt Disney memorabilia to look at. The VWL groupies thread has a lot of (all right, maybe too much)
information. Feel free to grab a moose from someone's sig!