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

[WDWKOOK]

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.

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You are correct in saying that some are older & feel more outdated such as WLV, BCV, BWV.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!

I think I'm spoiled having stayed at BLT first. Kidani would spoil me, too but I'm not crazy about the location. Love the VWL location, but not crazy about the lack of updating for many years. Would love to know what's going on with the 2-bedroom that was undergoing a rehab in January.

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!

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?

As long as the reservation is booked using your name, then the others in your party don't even have to be staying onsite, I believe.

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!

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!

Congratulations and welcome to the thread! Here is a link to some Studio photos and videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhlmFMf0Z9E

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/wilderness-lodge-villas/

http://disneyworldhotelsvideos.com/...lderness-lodge-studio-room-tour-disney-world/

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...rt-wilderness-pictures,0,5853722.photogallery

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

The trails from WL to FW are wonderful. The 2.5 miles is running from WL, around FW and back. We make it longer by cutting though some areas and not taking a direct route. You can also do a little backtracking or sometimes we go around FW then go back down the concrete trail to WL and back over to FW again, but not around. Lots of options, but avoid running along Bay Lake as they don't spray the trails in the woods and you'll have huge bugs in your face and ears, at least in the spring and summer. They do spray on the concrete trail and sidewalk areas so bugs aren't an issue there.

Enjoy! BTW, if it's raining or too hot/humid, Sturdy Branches has Life Fitness treadmills and TVs.

 

[gaildmoody]

Congratulations and welcome to the thread! Here is a link to some Studio photos and videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhlmFMf0Z9E

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/wilderness-lodge-villas/

http://disneyworldhotelsvideos.com/...lderness-lodge-studio-room-tour-disney-world/

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...rt-wilderness-pictures,0,5853722.photogallery

Thank you for this! It helps alot! Here's a silly question as this is all new... do I still check in at the regular front desk or is there a place over in the villa area I go?

 

[WDWKOOK]

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!!!

Welcome and congratulations! What did you book - Woods, Club Level, Standard or Courtyard View?

Thank you for this! It helps alot! Here's a silly question as this is all new... do I still check in at the regular front desk or is there a place over in the villa area I go?

Not silly at all! Check-in over at WL. The only manned area in the lobby at VWL is Sturdy Branches health club.

 

[bowbat]

Hi, KOOK! When's your next trip to WL?

 

[cmdg]

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

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:

Maybe I am looking at the wrong thing, but from the aerial pic, it looks like the CL rooms overlook the loading area, or maybe the trash area?

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/WDWKOOK/WL%202011/WildernessLodge_Full.jpg

 

[shinez]

Welcome and congratulations! What did you book - Woods, Club Level, Standard or Courtyard View?


Thank you for responding!! We are in a Courtyard view....whatever that means... hopefully we will get rooms connected since we are getting two rooms... thoughts on room requests??

 

[WDWKOOK]

Maybe I am looking at the wrong thing, but from the aerial pic, it looks like the CL rooms overlook the loading area, or maybe the trash area?

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/WDWKOOK/WL%202011/WildernessLodge_Full.jpg

The rooms that you see in the aerial view that have STD views overlooking the trees and service area below are 6th floor rooms. Only the Honeymoon Suites are above the service area in each wing on the 7th floor. The other rooms closest to the HS overlook the Otter Pond and woods with the service area to the far left in the North Wing.

Thank you for responding!! We are in a Courtyard view....whatever that means... hopefully we will get rooms connected since we are getting two rooms... thoughts on room requests??

The Courtyard View is the priciest and can be of the WL or VWL Courtyard. Make sure to request an Inner or Wilderness Lodge Courtyard view so that you'll be able to watch the EWP and geyser from your room. The view of Bay Lake is gorgeous. Some of the 6th floor rooms have solid balcony railings so you might also want to request 5th floor or lower.

Hi, KOOK! When's your next trip to WL?

We have CR booked for July - as of now

I don't see 2013 in your signature. Do you have some CL plans?

 

[pld5]

If anyone is interested, I have finally found some time to start a trip report of my stay at WL CL from 2/24/13 to 3/2/13. The link is in my signature.

I think starting the report was a moral imperative. I was having very vivid dreams all last week of being back at the lodge and was so surprised each morning that I woke up in my own bedroom.

Then I started having dreams that people were surprising me with a trip back to Wilderness Lodge. I can keep dreaming on that one, but it did make me consider surprising my family with another trip, perhaps in early December. Not enough of a consideration to be added to the Lodgers Log just yet, but I'll keep you posted.

 

[cmdg]

The rooms that you see in the aerial view that have STD views overlooking the trees and service area below are 6th floor rooms. Only the Honeymoon Suites are above the service area in each wing on the 7th floor. The other rooms closest to the HS overlook the Otter Pond and woods with the service area to the far left in the North Wing.

Thanks, that's why you are the expert!

 

[Wood Nymph]

If anyone is interested, I have finally found some time to start a trip report of my stay at WL CL from 2/24/13 to 3/2/13. The link is in my signature.

I checked out your trip report. Very nice. I'll have to follow to see what else you did. We were at the WL in Feb, too, although earlier in the month. We ate at the Coral Reef, too, and agree that the relaxing atmosphere is really nice. Our seats were on the bottom floor, in the booths, not next to glass.

 

[pld5]

I checked out your trip report. Very nice. I'll have to follow to see what else you did. We were at the WL in Feb, too, although earlier in the month. We ate at the Coral Reef, too, and agree that the relaxing atmosphere is really nice. Our seats were on the bottom floor, in the booths, not next to glass.

Thank you! I hope to update more tonight. I spent a good part of yesterday getting all of my pictures in order.

 

[omgninjas]

As long as the reservation is booked using your name, then the others in your party don't even have to be staying onsite, I believe.

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.

Thanks guys! Just wanted to be sure I wasn't doing something horribly taboo.

 

[AngiTN]

If anyone is interested, I have finally found some time to start a trip report of my stay at WL CL from 2/24/13 to 3/2/13. The link is in my signature.

I think starting the report was a moral imperative. I was having very vivid dreams all last week of being back at the lodge and was so surprised each morning that I woke up in my own bedroom.

Then I started having dreams that people were surprising me with a trip back to Wilderness Lodge. I can keep dreaming on that one, but it did make me consider surprising my family with another trip, perhaps in early December. Not enough of a consideration to be added to the Lodgers Log just yet, but I'll keep you posted.

I'm enjoying reading it so far. Love the photo journal too. Good job.

 

[pld5]

I'm enjoying reading it so far. Love the photo journal too. Good job.

Thank you! I have a picture of the signs on your door coming up at some point during the report.

 

[bluecastle]

Thank you! I hope to update more tonight. I spent a good part of yesterday getting all of my pictures in order.

Enjoying your photo trip report! Thanks for doing it. I always find it helps me relive my trips and, as another wonderful side effect, sparks those wonderful lucid Disney dreams that you mentioned!
I have photos of our first use of Disney transportation from every trip we've taken. Keep taking that picture of your son at a bus stop sign every trip. It is so much fun to watch them grow up through years of Disney trip photos.
Subscribed and looking forward to the rest.

 

[Majestic]

Nice to see the WL FAQ thread is still going. Being a part of the first 6 threads was a fun time for me. Met a lot of great people. For some history here and about the lodge, take a look at some of the older FAQ threads. I'm sure there's some great stuff there.

Fred

 

[bowbat]

We have CR booked for July - as of now

I don't see 2013 in your signature. Do you have some CL plans?

We're trying out YC the first week of June. Bit nervous about going in summer -- not a fan of heat or crowds -- but we're hoping SAB will make up for that.

 

[WDWKOOK]

If anyone is interested, I have finally found some time to start a trip report of my stay at WL CL from 2/24/13 to 3/2/13. The link is in my signature.

I think starting the report was a moral imperative. I was having very vivid dreams all last week of being back at the lodge and was so surprised each morning that I woke up in my own bedroom.

Then I started having dreams that people were surprising me with a trip back to Wilderness Lodge. I can keep dreaming on that one, but it did make me consider surprising my family with another trip, perhaps in early December. Not enough of a consideration to be added to the Lodgers Log just yet, but I'll keep you posted.

My Log quill is ready for your addition and I look forward to reading your TR and seeing all your photos

Enjoying your photo trip report! Thanks for doing it. I always find it helps me relive my trips and, as another wonderful side effect, sparks those wonderful lucid Disney dreams that you mentioned!
I have photos of our first use of Disney transportation from every trip we've taken. Keep taking that picture of your son at a bus stop sign every trip. It is so much fun to watch them grow up through years of Disney trip photos.
Subscribed and looking forward to the rest.

How is your back? Is it ready for WL?

Nice to see the WL FAQ thread is still going. Being a part of the first 6 threads was a fun time for me. Met a lot of great people. For some history here and about the lodge, take a look at some of the older FAQ threads. I'm sure there's some great stuff there.

Fred

back, Fred

We're trying out YC the first week of June. Bit nervous about going in summer -- not a fan of heat or crowds -- but we're hoping SAB will make up for that.

Regatta Club is much smaller than OFC, but you can't beat that walk to Epcot and I love their gift shop and lobby. Let us know how you liked your Crescent Lake stay.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Nice to see the WL FAQ thread is still going. Being a part of the first 6 threads was a fun time for me. Met a lot of great people. For some history here and about the lodge, take a look at some of the older FAQ threads. I'm sure there's some great stuff there.

Fred

I remember you! It was your thread and amazing pics and beautiful baloney views and the room location map by Duck something-or-other is how we fell in love with the Beloved Wilderness Lodge! So, here is a great big Thank You!!!

I still have the first few threads bookmarked!

 

[cmdg]

I am on this board way too much lately and it's taking away from work!

I think I am going to do the surprise CL upgrade, especially since KOOK cleared up the view question. But now, another one...
If I do upgrade us with the spring promotion and then in a month see that we can't really afford it, when I downgrade will I lose the spring promotion rate we have for our woods view room now?