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

[Three cats]

We've had a hard few months. In the span of a week we...
* found out we were pregnant with #2 (ultimately, happy news, but stressful as we didn't financially plan for another year or so)
* DH's car was vandalized to the point it was totaled.
* Next day, DH was driving my car, in the rain, and rear ended the person in front of him, who literally just bumped the next person up.

Since then, in the past two months
* DH has been working hard at work, but getting frustrated.
* The person who the person in front of DH in the accident (the bump, literally not a scratch on the car) claims to be suing us for over the $300,000 the insurance company can offer.
* I am working desperately hard to finish my dissertation by the time DS2 comes!
* Our rental car was just in a hit and run... not major damage, thankfully, but the light cover is cracked and the bumper is scuffed.

All this signals that money is indeed tight, but, at the same time, DH feels like he must have some sort of bad spell on him and just needs a break. To upgrade would be just under $1200... we've been CL once before and loved it, but not with DS who is 2.5.

I wonder if it's worth it? We've already made our dining reservations, so it would be for pure relaxation. I have about half of that coming to me from tutoring, and I think DH forgot that I am owed, so I think I could find a way to swing it.

At the same time, $1200 is a month of daycare for DS2 who will be here in Sept...

Wow, sounds like you have my kind of luck.
On a good note though, congratulations on your pregnancy!
If you can swing it, I think CL sounds like a great idea. Sounds like you both deserve it!!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

You're welcome.




First off, congratulations on your pregnancy. Second, don't forget about all the unlimited CL adult beverages - DH might need a few. You also won't have to worry about snacks and milk and apple juice for your DS and for you when those cravings hit. You'll know exactly what floor your room will be on
and be swept right up to the 7th floor to check-in when you arrive - no waiting in line. I think the less stressful your vacation, the better and this would be $1,200 well spent. After all you and DH have been through, it's a no brainer.

. That's a very wise woman speaking there!

 

[cmdg]

okay, I am almost convinced to do a surprise upgrade! But, I wonder about the view...

We've only stayed CL once before, but it was a deluxe room so the view was outstanding. From what I can see on the WL thread, it looks like a majority of the WL CL rooms have a balcony that looks down at the parking lot or truck area. Can anyone confirm? I don't want to spend all that $ to upgrade to a worse view. Thanks!

 

[AngiTN]

okay, I am almost convinced to do a surprise upgrade! But, I wonder about the view...

We've only stayed CL once before, but it was a deluxe room so the view was outstanding. From what I can see on the WL thread, it looks like a majority of the WL CL rooms have a balcony that looks down at the parking lot or truck area. Can anyone confirm? I don't want to spend all that $ to upgrade to a worse view. Thanks!

We had a Courtyard view. I posted a pic of the view out of our room a page or 2 back. We had room 7045

 

[Wood Nymph]

Don't the CL rooms all have a dormer balcony? We had a dormer balcony with our 6th floor woods view room and I really didn't like it. You can't sit on the balcony and look out at the view. You can only stand and look out. Or sit and look into the room.

 

[AngiTN]

Don't the CL rooms all have a dormer balcony? We had a dormer balcony with our 6th floor woods view room and I really didn't like it. You can't sit on the balcony and look out at the view. You can only stand and look out. Or sit and look into the room.

Yes. All the rooms on the 7th floor, the CL floor, have the solid rail balconies. It's the only negative to the CL.

 

[Liberator]

I just found that worst-room-view-thread with the picture of the so-called views of the standard rooms overlooking the roof - indeed very claustrophobic.



Hope we won't get one of those rooms. I instead would love to overlook the delivery-area with the beeping of the trucks in the morning.

Let's wait and see

 

[danceteachermom]

We leave for the lodge in just 4 days. We need a vacation more than ever before. My mom was out walking in November and was hit by a car. She was in the hospital for almost a mo the in the ICU with many ups and downs before passing away in mid December. My dad passed 5 years ago the same week and I am an only child. It has just been a terrible several months. When my mom was in the hospital I moved there to be there for her and my amazing MIL came to help with my children. Life has been so busy since then I feel I have not been able to stop and catch my breath. I feel like I am still behind at work after missing a month and jumping back into our busy life of work and activities all the while closing out my mom's place and business has been crazy. Hoping this trip will be the break I need. We have park tickets but do not intend to spend more than a few hours a day in the parks.

We usually stay at the Coronado so upgrading is a treat. We plan to enjoy all WL has to offer. This thread has been such a help. Thanks to all who contribute. Has anyone used the Cub's Den? We have a reservation for our 5 year old so that we can do an adult dinner.

We arrive on Friday and our favorite team the Jayhawks plays in the Sweet Sixteen Friday night....so after pool and resort time we will be in the room to catch the game. Last year we were in WDW for spring break when our Jayhawks went all the way to the championship game. Hope they make it this year too.

Thanks for everyone who contributes to this thread. It has been a great escape the last several months even though I do not post much.

 

[LovinPooh]

Is cl the only rooms with dormer balconies?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Is cl the only rooms with dormer balconies?

No. The 6th floor, woods view, Otter Pond section is all dormer balconies, and they are just normal woods view rooms, not club level. We had one of these rooms last month. We had an awesome view, but next time I'm going to ask for 5th floor or lower.

I'm not sure about the rest of the lodge.

 

[RedfromNL]

Thanks for everyone who contributes to this thread. It has been a great escape the last several months even though I do not post much.

What a year! Truly hope this one will be much better. Have a wonderfull trip and have a magical stay at the Lodge

 

[WDWKOOK]

. That's a very wise woman speaking there!

It's always easy to spend someone else's money, isn't it?

okay, I am almost convinced to do a surprise upgrade! But, I wonder about the view...

We've only stayed CL once before, but it was a deluxe room so the view was outstanding. From what I can see on the WL thread, it looks like a majority of the WL CL rooms have a balcony that looks down at the parking lot or truck area. Can anyone confirm? I don't want to spend all that $ to upgrade to a worse view. Thanks!

I believe that only the two Honeymoon Suites in the North Wing (7085-6) would have a view when looking down of the service area, (and a view when looking up and out of Wishes, Castle, CR, woods). The other CL room views are Woods, Inner Courtyard and VWL Courtyard. Here is a CL map:

We leave for the lodge in just 4 days. We need a vacation more than ever before. My mom was out walking in November and was hit by a car. She was in the hospital for almost a mo the in the ICU with many ups and downs before passing away in mid December. My dad passed 5 years ago the same week and I am an only child. It has just been a terrible several months. When my mom was in the hospital I moved there to be there for her and my amazing MIL came to help with my children. Life has been so busy since then I feel I have not been able to stop and catch my breath. I feel like I am still behind at work after missing a month and jumping back into our busy life of work and activities all the while closing out my mom's place and business has been crazy. Hoping this trip will be the break I need. We have park tickets but do not intend to spend more than a few hours a day in the parks.

We usually stay at the Coronado so upgrading is a treat. We plan to enjoy all WL has to offer. This thread has been such a help. Thanks to all who contribute. Has anyone used the Cub's Den? We have a reservation for our 5 year old so that we can do an adult dinner.

We arrive on Friday and our favorite team the Jayhawks plays in the Sweet Sixteen Friday night....so after pool and resort time we will be in the room to catch the game. Last year we were in WDW for spring break when our Jayhawks went all the way to the championship game. Hope they make it this year too.

Thanks for everyone who contributes to this thread. It has been a great escape the last several months even though I do not post much.

Your trip is coming up so soon! This will be a much deserved vacation for you and I hope you take some time to relax. Maybe a massage at Sturdy Branches? Will you be posting live?

Is cl the only rooms with dormer balconies?

No. The 6th floor, woods view, Otter Pond section is all dormer balconies, and they are just normal woods view rooms, not club level. We had one of these rooms last month. We had an awesome view, but next time I'm going to ask for 5th floor or lower.

I'm not sure about the rest of the lodge.

About half of the 6th floor rooms have a solid balcony railing and all of the 7th (CL) floor.

 

[TaraPA]

We had a Courtyard view. I posted a pic of the view out of our room a page or 2 back. We had room 7045

We were in 7055 last week - same view! The dormer balcony didn't bother me at all. I didn't feel boxed in like I though I would.

STOP! Just STOP I say! You are a mighty bad influence. Just yesterday I booked our summer vacation and BLT wasn't available with our discount so I booked CR, but just hours later I wondered if I should book VWL (or WL). I'm hopeless when it comes to Bay Lake resorts.

We've never stayed in the Villas and after trying BLT last summer, I just loved all the space and washer/dryer. Of course, at BLT you have two bathrooms and VWL just has one and BLT is newer. Have you stayed at both? If so, after staying at BLT were you happy with VWL? I'm just a bit concerned with what some say are 'outdated' rooms with bedspreads that need some updating.

I love the Villa lobby. In the early morning when I go to Sturdy Branches there's usually no one there and I love sitting in the inglenook by the fireplace. What am I doing to myself


I would love to, thank you.


Oh, there you go again! LOVE the photos - thank you. And the train, I love the train. Now what to do??

I've stayed in a 2BR at BLT, a 1BR & 2BR at Kidani, a 1BR at Jambo, a studio at BCV - that's it. I have a 1BR stay at BWV coming up in 3 weeks. So I really haven't stayed at a lot of them, but I've researched them to death!

You are correct in saying that some are older & feel more outdated such as WLV, BCV, BWV. I think I'm spoiled having stayed at BLT the 1st month it was open, as well as Kidani twice when they were new - all luxurious & sparkling clean! Plus that extra bathroom in those 2 is a definite plus, especially when traveling with the ladies. Nothing will compare to those as far as being up-to-date. But I did love BCV & many complain they they feel old. I fell in love the the location of WLV last week so much that the decor won't matter to me. I WANT to stay there!! Space & laundry is top priority for our family, over decor.

I just asked the boys if we were to go back in fall, of all the resorts/villas they've stayed at, which would be their 1st choice. One said BC the other said BC/WL split. Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[TaraPA]

I just wanted to add that I had a great experience with WL Lost & Found. My son left his wrestling jacket on the top bunk when we checked out. We didn't notice it until we were home & unpacked. I emailed IPO, who directed me to WL Lost & Found. I called & left a message & within 30 min they called back to say they had the jacket & it was already in the mail back to us! WOW!

 

[bowbat]

We leave for the lodge in just 4 days. We need a vacation more than ever before. My mom was out walking in November and was hit by a car. She was in the hospital for almost a mo the in the ICU with many ups and downs before passing away in mid December. My dad passed 5 years ago the same week and I am an only child. It has just been a terrible several months. When my mom was in the hospital I moved there to be there for her and my amazing MIL came to help with my children. Life has been so busy since then I feel I have not been able to stop and catch my breath. I feel like I am still behind at work after missing a month and jumping back into our busy life of work and activities all the while closing out my mom's place and business has been crazy. Hoping this trip will be the break I need. We have park tickets but do not intend to spend more than a few hours a day in the parks.

We usually stay at the Coronado so upgrading is a treat. We plan to enjoy all WL has to offer. This thread has been such a help. Thanks to all who contribute. Has anyone used the Cub's Den? We have a reservation for our 5 year old so that we can do an adult dinner.

We arrive on Friday and our favorite team the Jayhawks plays in the Sweet Sixteen Friday night....so after pool and resort time we will be in the room to catch the game. Last year we were in WDW for spring break when our Jayhawks went all the way to the championship game. Hope they make it this year too.

Thanks for everyone who contributes to this thread. It has been a great escape the last several months even though I do not post much.

We sent our then-6-year-old son to the Cub's Den during our stay at WL in November. He LOVED it. It's nice & spacious, the staff is super-friendly, and there's a lot for the kids to do. Enjoy your adult dinner!

 

[omgninjas]

Question about ipo.. we are staying cl but some extra family members are considering coming down with us and also staying at WL (not cl). We would be eating most meals together so would I still be able to book Adrs through the ipo for the whole group, including the non cl folks?

 

[gaildmoody]

Hello! I love the WL and most recently became a DVC member so I am going to experience my first WLV in June! Anyone have any pics? We are just staying in a studio!

TIA!

 

[violetshelby]

I will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge this May. Our 2nd time there. My new hobby is running and I heard the wilderness lodge has a running/bike path and it is 2.5 miles. Does anyone know if that is 2.5 from the wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness or is it 2.5 miles for the whole circle.
Just curious. Very excited to run at Disney and enjoy Disney in this new way for me.

Thank you

 

[bowbat]

Question about ipo.. we are staying cl but some extra family members are considering coming down with us and also staying at WL (not cl). We would be eating most meals together so would I still be able to book Adrs through the ipo for the whole group, including the non cl folks?

You should be able to. When my family of three stayed at BWI CL we had IPO make a reservation for six one night and they did it no problem. I would assume WL would do likewise.

 

[shinez]

Hi All!!
Never stayed at the WL but an implusive last minute booking with my sister has us coming down in 2 weeks!! Yikes!!! So... here I ask you- BEST room area to stay and what to request?? You guys know it all! THANK YOU!!!