Ideas for VWL non-park itinerary

[dr&momto2boys]

We're spending 3 nights at VWL this September prior to our Disney cruise. We're not going to any parks, but really looking forward to exploring Wilderness Lodge and the surrounding area. Please give me ideas about what to do while were there. I'm hoping to learn about something I don't know or have forgotten about. We're very active so want plenty of ideas. Sitting back and relaxing gets old after an hour!

Here's what we've thought of so far:
Pool at Wilderness Lodge
Campfire and Sing-along and movie at Fort Wilderness
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Hoop Dee Doo
Kona Cafe for Tonga Toast--can't wait to try it
Pool hop at the Poly


What else would you recommend? Any comments or tips for what we've already thought of?

 

[Disneypirate85]

Well water parade I think its about 9:35 from the beach but double check that.
Fireworks (WISH's)from BLT lot/Poly Beach
Shopping DTD
Evening at the Boardwalk (1 of our favorites)
Have a GREAT time....Shawn

 

[DiznyDi]

This was posted some time ago and I copied it for future reference. Sorry I can't attribute it to anyone specific. Though it may have been Granny hhmmm???



Things to do at VWL
• Ask for the list of Hidden Mickeys at Guest Services, and get hunting!
• Watch Fire Rock Geyser erupt every hour on the hour.
• Sit in the rocking chairs or one of the comfy chairs in the lobby and watch the world go by.
• Take a good look at the fireplace, a 2-billion-year geological record of the earth with fossilized remains of prehistoric animal and plant life. Colorful rock strata layers are re-created in the proportions they occur in the Grand Canyon.
• Spend some time exploring the resort, the paintings and artefacts on display.
• Take the Wilderness Lodge Tour, to find out lots of interesting facts and see parts of the Lodge you might not normally think to explore.
• You don't have to sit inside to eat your food from Roaring Forks Snack Bar, take it just outside where you'll find shaded tables to sit at.
• Dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe for a fun mealtime, but don't whatever you do ask for the ketchup (don't say you weren't warned!).
• Look out for the portrait artist in the lobby area most evenings.
• If you're approaching the Lodge by ferryboat at night, see if you can make out the large bear's face on the Lodge building.
• Check out the smaller totem pole, featuring some familiar faces, next to Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. You can buy a miniature version inside the shop!
• Lots of unique souvenirs can be found in Wilderness Lodge Mercantile, especially the Pacific Northwest crafts and themed items on sale.
• Check out the animal tracks in the cement outside of the Wilderness Lodge.
To this list I'd add that the bike and boat rental at WL is really nice. Bay Lake is a beautiful lake and of course connects to Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the monorail resorts & MK. Biking can take you down to FW along a lovely paved path through the woods. Or you can walk/jog the same path for some exercise.

 

[DVC Mike]

To this list I'd add that the bike and boat rental at WL is really nice. Bay Lake is a beautiful lake and of course connects to Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the monorail resorts & MK.

I agree. It's fun to rent a boat and explore Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. You get some great views that you wouldn't get elsewhere, and it's fun.

 

[DonnaL]

I second renting a boat (we like the pontoons) at WL marina and cruising Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon for an hour.......one of our very favorite "relaxing" things to do when at VWL........don't forget.......you also get a DVC discount on boat rentals .....I think it's 15%.....not sure.

 

[Rob S.]

Rent a bike down by the lake. You can ride the path over to Fort Wilderness.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks for the great ideas! And many I didn't know about! Thanks DVCers!

Regarding boats: We'll have a 4yr old, 3yr old, and 7month old with us. So it's probably a stupid question. Not for us, right? I'm always overly ambitious, so I want someone else to tell me that.

Where else would you dine? (Our kids are good in restaurants, but I wouldn't do anything super fancy.)

 

[danielle782001]

Rent a bike down by the lake. You can ride the path over to Fort Wilderness.

water parade
Shopping DTD
Evening at the Boardwalk (1 of our favorites)

What I would suggest as well

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Hi, I have read that you can go to the campfire sing-a-long even if you are are not staying at a Disney resort. But can you rent bikes and boats if you are staying offsite? Thanks!

 

[Indy_Disney]

Tour the other resorts. If you have a car, drive over to AKL and look at the animals. If no car, take the ferry to MK, then get on the resort monorail and visit the Poly, GF and Contemporary. We always do this if we find ourselves with free time.

 

[bellazachmom]

Thanks for the great ideas! And many I didn't know about! Thanks DVCers!

Regarding boats: We'll have a 4yr old, 3yr old, and 7month old with us. So it's probably a stupid question. Not for us, right? I'm always overly ambitious, so I want someone else to tell me that.

Where else would you dine? (Our kids are good in restaurants, but I wouldn't do anything super fancy.)

Well, I wouldn't rule them out, you just might need to be creative!

We were at VWL in April/early May with our 5, 3 and 1 year old. On our "down" day we headed down to the marina and rented one of the small boats for 45 minutes. Hubby climbed aboard with the 3 year old and away they went for 20 minutes while I stayed with the 5 & 1 year old playing on the beach and playground. After 20 minutes he brought the boat back and we traded out ... I climbed aboard with the 5 year old and he stayed and played with the other 2. Worked out great! 20 minutes was plenty of time for the younger kids and still gave us enough time to loop Discovery Island and head into 7 Seas Lagoon for a look at the castle, etc. I would highly reccomend it!

Sorry, Hubby didn't take any pictures of me in the boat! The kids really had a good time!

The Surrey bikes were alot of fun, too.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[simmons_m]

One of the things we like to do is head over to the animal kingdom lodge, walk around the resort, and have an early dinner at boma. You can time it right to go out and view the savana with their night vision googles.