(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread ~2012~

[StitchIsOurHero]

Prepare to be spoiled, and addicted!!!

I definitely see that happening!!!

 

[teheber]

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!


I am looking forward to reading this (and also the Villas groupie thread) in the new year as often as I can. I am listening to Appalachian Spring as I type this and remembering our last trip in Dec. '09-Jan. '10. My wish for 2013 (besides the usual ones of good health and happiness to everyone) is for my postponed trip to become a reality this summer. But, I also know that if it doesn't, I will just keep postponing it until all the stars are aligned for it to happen. Meanwhile, I am living vicariously through you people, , so please continue posting your experiences when you have the time. Hope 2013 will be good year for all, with lots of WL and VWL love shared!!

Thanks for the warm wishes, Aaron Copland is one of our greatest composers, A. SPring my all time fav!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Happiest of New Years to all of you, posters and lurkers alike. May 2013 bring you much health, happiness and prosperity.





I hope you don't all feel this way today:

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'd love to be added to the lodgers log. We will be there from Feb 5 to Feb 11th. It will be our first time staying at the lodge. I can't wait.

You have been added!

She's there today, I just know it! She really wanted to see OFC, and you were a great friend to her...and I wanted to stop by and give you a big I drove by Newark airport on my way to work and cried...today was Sarah's big day for NYE at WL. God bless our Precious Pioneer Angel

You're the best - thank you

We will be going back to the Lodge in November. Our last few trips have been CL and while we LOVE LOVE LOVE it, I am thinking that a 1 bedroom villa would be nicer. Ton more room, and I can come home with clean laundry that was washed right there in the room.

Besides the decor not being all new and fresh, which I can see past with no problem, are there any disadvantages with being over the in the Villas that anyone has experienced?

I have to admit, we LOVED BLT. It was our first stay in a villa and the one bedroom is amazing. We still looked out at Bay Lake, but we had two bathrooms and so much room. I loved being able to so easily do a load of laundry and walk to the MK. How about a split? We did BLT then WL-CL and that was like the best of both worlds. BTW, the price of a BLT BLV one bedroom is the same as a standard WL/CL room.

Hi, sorry been so busy with the Holidays.

We spoke with Randy when we visited a few weeks ago. He is doing well and loves his new assignment. At the time, he wasn't sure when he would be back. He wasn't able to tell us a date. I'm not sure if he knows himself. We are hoping he does come back to the Lodge and is not given another assignment.

We went to Artist Point with some friends on one of the nights. It really was a wonderful dinner. DH had the buffalo and it was cooked perfectly and very tender. I had the duck salad (which is an appetizer) but had it for dinner. OMG!! This was amazing!!

We also got to go to dinner at the new Monsieur Paul (formerly Bistro de Paris). Had a fantastic dinner there. We had a little wait after our reservation time as Disney had overbooked** the restaurant (lots of very angry guests that evening) but we were not in a rush so we had a great meal. We're looking forward to going back in a couple of weeks. **I guess Disney thinks that guests are going to eat and run as they do for the other theme park restaurants, what they don't know is that when you go to a dinner at a place like Monsieur Paul guests will definitely want to take their time and that night guests did exactly that, so reservations were backed up. I don't know why Disney doesn't learn that not all of us are in a rush to see the theme parks, that we make going to nice dinners a part of the whole experience.

Anyway, it was a very quick little stay and most of it was running around delivering gifts.

We will be going back to the Lodge sometime in May. We were trying to see if we could make it before that but the room prices are crazy high. Even with the bounceback at 35% off the room it was just so over priced. I know that it is peak season and with the marathon and other RunDisney events they are having no problem filling rooms.

Everyone have a very SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Overbooked = , but I'm glad you had a great visit. Thank you for letting us know how AP and MP were. May will be here before you know it and hopefully, Randy will be back home.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!


I am looking forward to reading this (and also the Villas groupie thread) in the new year as often as I can. I am listening to Appalachian Spring as I type this and remembering our last trip in Dec. '09-Jan. '10. My wish for 2013 (besides the usual ones of good health and happiness to everyone) is for my postponed trip to become a reality this summer. But, I also know that if it doesn't, I will just keep postponing it until all the stars are aligned for it to happen. Meanwhile, I am living vicariously through you people, , so please continue posting your experiences when you have the time. Hope 2013 will be good year for all, with lots of WL and VWL love shared!!

Yes, we all love a good, honest review. I hope your 2013 trip is a go, bluecastle

Happy New Year, everyone!! May it be a wonderfully magical year!

Today, we are also 80 days out!! Could you add us to the Lodger's Log? It's our first CL stay, and DH's 40th and DS's 5th birthdays!!!

I'd love to, what are your WL/CL dates?

17 more days!!!

Thanks for the warm wishes, Aaron Copland is one of our greatest composers, A. SPring my all time fav!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I'd love to, what are your WL/CL dates?

Oops sorry! That would help, wouldn't it? You can tell I'm just a little overly excited! We will be there March 21-24th! Thank you!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Oops sorry! That would help, wouldn't it? You can tell I'm just a little overly excited! We will be there March 21-24th! Thank you!!

No problem - you've been officially logged! Happy planning!

 

[lfortin16]

Hi!
I am in the process of planning our trip to WDW.

We have stayed at AK and BV, but never been to WL. We are looking into a 2 bedroom villa for the 2nd week of July. Having never been to the WL or VWL, my DH needs convincing that this would be a good resort to stay at. We will have our 4 kids with us- ages 4, 7, 13 and 15. Suggestions and info would be awesome.
Karen

 

[bluecastle]

KOOK: Will you change my info on the Lodgers' Log page please? New dates, plus booked a 2BR villa just now!! ( I am so excited!!!) New dates: Aug. 2nd -Aug. 10th (which are the same as my canceled 2012 trip, but I am not superstitious!). I better get busy on those ADRs before Feb. 3rd gets here. I know how many things have to come together for this to actually happen, but I am just going to be happy today that I got my 2 BR villa. Great way to start 2013.

 

[mouseketeermama]

So happy that it is finally 2013 and I feel like our stay is in sight! We will be celebrating my son's 4th birthday and our 11th wedding anniversary with a CL stay at the WL from 2/10-2/14! I have never even set foot into the WL so it will be a real treat!
I know that bunk beds are not a bookable catagory when staying CL, but are they available? Also, is is possible to get a room that doesn't have a connecting door? The rooms without just seem so much more quiet.

 

[monami7]

Happiest of New Years to all of you, posters and lurkers alike. May 2013 bring you much health, happiness and prosperity.





I hope you don't all feel this way today:

Happy New Year!

 

[nyrebecca]

I have to admit, we LOVED BLT. It was our first stay in a villa and the one bedroom is amazing. We still looked out at Bay Lake, but we had two bathrooms and so much room. I loved being able to so easily do a load of laundry and walk to the MK. How about a split? We did BLT then WL-CL and that was like the best of both worlds. BTW, the price of a BLT BLV one bedroom is the same as a standard WL/CL room.

KOOK how did you know I had been looking at the BLT rooms? Too funny. I hadn't even thought of a split stay, I will have to run it by the family and see what they say. Thanks for the idea !

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi!
I am in the process of planning our trip to WDW.

We have stayed at AK and BV, but never been to WL. We are looking into a 2 bedroom villa for the 2nd week of July. Having never been to the WL or VWL, my DH needs convincing that this would be a good resort to stay at. We will have our 4 kids with us- ages 4, 7, 13 and 15. Suggestions and info would be awesome.
Karen

Welcome, Karen! There are more transportation options at WL/VWL than AKL. At AKL you only have buses, but at WL not only do you have a direct bus to MK, but you also have a boat. There is also a boat to FW and CR and walking trails to FW. The transportation options at BWV are equal, except that you can walk to two parks from BWV, but there isn't a direct bus to MK.

Being next to FW is like having another world right next door. FW offers trails rides, archery, pony rides, canoeing, Trail's End restaurant and Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue dinner show. You can take a boat, walk or bus to FW.

AKL and WL are similar in that everything is under one roof or did you stay at Kidani? The seating area of Roaring Fork QS is smaller than The Mara, and there aren't any Zebra Domes, but there are wonderful cupcakes. AKL has a buffet and WL doesn't, but there is a dinner and breakfast buffet at Trail's End at FW. They both have a kids' club, arcade, gym, pools, hot tubs and Signature Dining. Although the kids' club for BWV is located at the YC and doesn't have any restaurants within the building. Artist Point is the perfect spot for a relaxed meal. Whispering Canyon Cafe is lots of fun for the whole family and is an interactive dining experience. Oh, and they offer all-you-can-drink shakes!

Unlike AKL, WL has water recreation and bike rentals. Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon are much larger than Crescent Lake (at BWV) and I think more fun to explore on a Sea Raycer.

I've never stayed in VWL, only BLT, so I can't personally comment on which villa is better, though I do personally prefer the decor of VWL over BWV. However, I love the decor at Kidani and like BLT, it's the only other one bedroom with two baths. But, I don't like that there are only buses at AKL. I have layouts on the first page of the VWL two-bedroom.

Let us know if you have more questions

KOOK: Will you change my info on the Lodgers' Log page please? New dates, plus booked a 2BR villa just now!! ( I am so excited!!!) New dates: Aug. 2nd -Aug. 10th (which are the same as my canceled 2012 trip, but I am not superstitious!). I better get busy on those ADRs before Feb. 3rd gets here. I know how many things have to come together for this to actually happen, but I am just going to be happy today that I got my 2 BR villa. Great way to start 2013.

Yippee for booking the two bedroom! I will gladly amend your dates

So happy that it is finally 2013 and I feel like our stay is in sight! We will be celebrating my son's 4th birthday and our 11th wedding anniversary with a CL stay at the WL from 2/10-2/14! I have never even set foot into the WL so it will be a real treat!
I know that bunk beds are not a bookable catagory when staying CL, but are they available? Also, is is possible to get a room that doesn't have a connecting door? The rooms without just seem so much more quiet.

Other than the two suites, there are only two rooms on the 7th floor without a connecting door that lookout toward Bay Lake. I'm not sure if there is a Woods View room in each wing without a connecting door and I don't know if there is a bunk without a connecting door. If you want a bunk, the easiest way is to just email the IPO and have them add that request to your reservation. It's not a guarantee, but the CMs will see your request. The IPO (actually located at the Poly) should also be able to tell you if there are any bunks without a connected door. Good luck!

Happy New Year!

You'll be there soon! Are your kids excited?

KOOK how did you know I had been looking at the BLT rooms? Too funny. I hadn't even thought of a split stay, I will have to run it by the family and see what they say. Thanks for the idea !

Hope my idea doesn't get you in any trouble. Some people love splits and others do not want to move once they arrive. There are pluses and minuses to both. Let us know what you and your family decide

 

[goofynut41]

I guess now were in 2013 you can put us in the Lodgers Log...
We'll be there Dec 8 - 15, 2013 30th Anniversary vacation...
Thank You

 

[WDWKOOK]

I guess now were in 2013 you can put us in the Lodgers Log...
We'll be there Dec 8 - 15, 2013 30th Anniversary vacation...
Thank You

It's official! You're the last name on the Lodgers' Log - for now. Are you planning anything special at WDW in celebration of your 30th? (Other than your trip, of course)

 

[Kathymford]

I guess now were in 2013 you can put us in the Lodgers Log...
We'll be there Dec 8 - 15, 2013 30th Anniversary vacation...
Thank You

Nice! Our dates will be similar (as soon as I book DVC on Sunday) and also an anniversary celebration! Dec 6-13th!

 

[lsumommaof4]

What is the purpose of the lodgers log?
Anyway, we will be staying in WL for the 1st time. It's my husband, myself and 5 kids. My youngest is an infant. We are staying in the Deluxe Room. Also, it's our 1st trip to have club access. I am beyond excited!

Dates are feb. 9th - 16th.

Thanks!

 

[cwt580]

i was a bad boy.........i called disney last night and changed our ressie.....




just dropped 1 last night at WL in favor of CR TPV for our last night.....we are so over the top excited about this "tweak". Was i a bad boy????? for shunning our beloved WL on the last night and departure day......

 

[nyrebecca]

Kook, can you put us down for 11/17 - 11/23 . The family voted lodge only, and we settled on a 1bdrm in the Villas. I am rather excited about the in room washer/dryer.

 

[RedfromNL]

Just booked with a 20% discount!!

Not CL though, just a little too much I'm afraid. Ah well, some other time

 

[Figment1990]

Does anyone know if there is soft serve ice cream at the Lodge (like in Roaring Fork)? I cannot remember and my DS really really REALLY loved getting ice cream when we stayed at GF. If not soft serve, do they at least have some mickey bars or something?

TIA!