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

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by DevonsDisneyMom

Hi all! Hoping all you WL experts can help me with some questions/concerns that I have regarding the WL. Ok so here it goes.... In the process of planning our 15 trip to Disney for August of this year and WL is one of the resorts that we are considering staying at.

My first question is have all the rooms been renovated yet? I know they were working on them last year so was just wondering if all have been referbed yet.

Second, if we book a standard room, can anyone recommend a good location to request? Ideally we would like to be close to Roaring Forks, to get coffee in the morning, the pool and transportation.

Lastly, this is more of a concern then a question. Transportation to the parks, WL shares buses with other resorts correct? If so which ones and does this really cause a delay going to and from the parks? The idea of staying at a deluxe resort and having to share a bus bugs me a bit. AS for the boat to MK how is that? Are waits for the boat back from MK at park closing insane?

I really appreciate any feedback that you guys have!

Yes, all of the rooms have been refurbished.

Yes, the buses sometimes share. The one to MK did not, but some of the others shared with GF, and sometimes with Ft. Wilderness. I never thought any of the rides were crazy long, maybe 20 minutes at the most, but I am a pretty patient person.

The boat to MK is nice, about a 10 minute ride. Sometimes the wait was a little long from WL. We only did the boat back once, and I don't remember the wait being long.

[Anna114]

My husband, son and I did a split stay between the cabins and VWL. I can say I'm not a fan of the split stay. That having been said we loved the cabins! The scenery alone was worth it. Sitting on the deck in the morning watching the deer...awesome. The cabin itself had a lot of room. I have to say I can't imagine staying without a golf cart but maybe that's just me being a brat. What killed with that is you can rent a car cheaper then a golf cart.

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Yes, all of the rooms have been refurbished.

Yes, the buses sometimes share. The one to MK did not, but some of the others shared with GF, and sometimes with Ft. Wilderness. I never thought any of the rides were crazy long, maybe 20 minutes at the most, but I am a pretty patient person.

The boat to MK is nice, about a 10 minute ride. Sometimes the wait was a little long from WL. We only did the boat back once, and I don't remember the wait being long.

Thanks I appreciate the info! I like the refurbed rooms design so much better then the old decor!

Honestly I'm not to picky with being on the bus either, just wasn't sure if sharing really added that much more travel time, but from what you are saying, it doesn't seem so! Thanks!

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by TheLodgeLady

Hi there!

I have many friends who stay at the cabins. They love it. We would like to stay there sometime. On our visit last year, we walked through some of the sites and thought it was really nice. I will look forward to your review.

Great news and thanks for letting me know. I already love it over there, just have never stayed there. I'm excited!

Originally Posted by KNJWDW

This is such an informative thread, but I still have some questions! As of now, we are booked at the Poly for a week in June, however we may need to scale back money-wise, so we are looking at the WL. I am trying to make a list of pros/cons for each and I am hoping some of you WL experts can help me out.
First of all, are bunk beds available with standard view rooms? We have 2 kids - a DS and DD - so it would be nice if they each had their own "space."

How does the pool compare to the Poly's pool? We do plan to spend some time lounging around.

Do all rooms have either a balcony or patio? Having extra space is important to me. I am not as concerned with the view as I am having a place to just sit and chill out, read, etc. (Yes, get away from the kids for a bit!)

What is the overall vibe at the WL? We are looking to relax a little and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.

Thanks!

Amy

Welcome! A few posts above yours I answered a similar Poly Vs. WL pool question - this is what I wrote:

My experience has been that it's always difficult to find seating at the Poly. But, the Poly pool is zero entry and WL is not. Only the slide is closed at WL for the next couple of weeks, not the pool. It's always very easy to get a seat on the beach at WL, but the Poly can be harder. There is also a playground right on the beach at WL, but no hammocks like at the Poly. The Poly had started checking KTTW cards for pool entry, but I'm not sure if they only did that last spring break and stopped. I think it's quicker for kids to go down the slide at WL since the crowds seem lower, but as far as which is more fun, I'm not sure. They both seem pretty similar. One thing WL has that Poly doesn't are two hot tubs next to the pool and a kiddie pool, too

Yes, some STD. Rooms do have bunks, however, like club level, they are by request only and not bookable.

Yes, all WL rooms have either a balcony or a patio.

We've stayed a couple of times at the Poly and here are the main differences:

~Everything is under one roof at WL which is great in inclement weather.

~You can walk to the TTC from the Poly and you can take the monorail to the TTC, MK and GF and CR, making it very convenient.

~WL has both a non-stop bus and a boat to the MK and a boat to FW and CR. You can walk to FW, but you have to bus to the other parks.

~All the longhouses are due to be rehabbed soon, whereas all the WL rooms were just completed in September. But, the Poly rooms are larger.

~All the rooms at WL have a balcony and two sinks. But, they don't have a daybed like the Poly.

~They both have a beach and two pools, but the Poly doesn't have any hot tubs.

~WL has a wonderful health club and offers massages. Poly guests have to go to the GF.

~Because WL has VWL they sell groceries at the Mercantile.

~WL offers Deluxe Club Level Rooms, Poly doesn't.

~They both have a kid's club, arcade and quick serve and two restaurants, but Poly has a dinner show. However, FW has a dinner show and restaurant.

~You can rent bikes at WL, but not Poly.

What am I forgetting?? Hope this helps you make a decision. We feel that WL is much more relaxed than Poly and a better overall value.

Originally Posted by DevonsDisneyMom

Hi all! Hoping all you WL experts can help me with some questions/concerns that I have regarding the WL. Ok so here it goes.... In the process of planning our 15 trip to Disney for August of this year and WL is one of the resorts that we are considering staying at.

My first question is have all the rooms been renovated yet? I know they were working on them last year so was just wondering if all have been referbed yet.

Second, if we book a standard room, can anyone recommend a good location to request? Ideally we would like to be close to Roaring Forks, to get coffee in the morning, the pool and transportation.

Lastly, this is more of a concern then a question. Transportation to the parks, WL shares buses with other resorts correct? If so which ones and does this really cause a delay going to and from the parks? The idea of staying at a deluxe resort and having to share a bus bugs me a bit. AS for the boat to MK how is that? Are waits for the boat back from MK at park closing insane?

I really appreciate any feedback that you guys have!

Welcome! The wait for the boat back from MK isn't bad, but we never stay till park closing or leave after Wishes. you can also take the bus back or even walk to CR and take the Blue Flag boat back from there.

Some prefer the STD. Rooms that are on the upper floor so that they can see some of Wishes. Request a "North Wing room, upper floor." The restaurants and QS are all closest to the North Wing, but nothing is really that far at WL and it's all indoors.

The longest bus ride is to DTD, especially getting back, but it's still probably easier than trying to park there.

New room photos are on the first page, post 1. Happy planning!

Originally Posted by Anna114

My husband, son and I did a split stay between the cabins and VWL. I can say I'm not a fan of the split stay. That having been said we loved the cabins! The scenery alone was worth it. Sitting on the deck in the morning watching the deer...awesome. The cabin itself had a lot of room. I have to say I can't imagine staying without a golf cart but maybe that's just me being a brat. What killed with that is you can rent a car cheaper then a golf cart.

Thanks for posting your experience with the FWC - you've gotten me more excited. You're so right about the golf cart costing more than a car, but we can't drive our car around FW. I almost feel like you could take a cab everywhere for less, come to think of it, I've never seen one of those there either. What I really wish I could do is rent a horse! That would be amazing to go all over FW on my rented horse

[AngiTN]

We are going to be staying at WL the end of next month for our Granddaugher's 5th birthday celebration at Disney. We've been to Disney before but first time in a Deluxe. We stayed at a Mod and a Value in the past.

We are there for 9 nights, planning 6 days at the parks and the rest down days. We currently have booked a Courtyard View and now I can't seem to recall what floor requests I entered when doing the online check in. Upper ones I'm thinking.
Anyway, now I'm toying with the idea of switching to a CL stay, standard room. Will I regret switching? Silly question to many I'm sure. Since we are rather close to our trip all our dinning reservations are done, so we won't use the IPO for that. With 2 days at the resort/not going to a park I keep thinking we'd enjoy a bit of CL features.
I would probably use them to help plan some surprises for DGD.
The other option I was thinking was getting a Bunkbed Courtyard view room. I can't determine where those are in regards to where in the resort they are. Are they spread throughout or all on a particular floor/area?
Anyone have any input?

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by AngiTN

We are going to be staying at WL the end of next month for our Granddaugher's 5th birthday celebration at Disney. We've been to Disney before but first time in a Deluxe. We stayed at a Mod and a Value in the past.

We are there for 9 nights, planning 6 days at the parks and the rest down days. We currently have booked a Courtyard View and now I can't seem to recall what floor requests I entered when doing the online check in. Upper ones I'm thinking.
Anyway, now I'm toying with the idea of switching to a CL stay, standard room. Will I regret switching? Silly question to many I'm sure. Since we are rather close to our trip all our dinning reservations are done, so we won't use the IPO for that. With 2 days at the resort/not going to a park I keep thinking we'd enjoy a bit of CL features.
I would probably use them to help plan some surprises for DGD.
The other option I was thinking was getting a Bunkbed Courtyard view room. I can't determine where those are in regards to where in the resort they are. Are they spread throughout or all on a particular floor/area?
Anyone have any input?

to the thread!

Yes, the bunks are spread throughout the resort. If you stay CL or book a STD Room, they are by-request only. If you keep your booking as it is - CTYD View, make sure that you call the WDTC (or contact your TA) to have a request for an INNER or WL room so that you and DGD can view the Electric Water Pageant and the geyser from your balcony, otherwise CTYD can also mean the VWL CTYD. Online check-in really limits you in your requests so it's always best to also make sure your requests are placed in your reservation, if yours don't appear on the OCI request list.

WL CL is wonderful and I think would be a great addition to your celebration and I don't think you would regret changing. I have more CL info./photos on the first page.

You'll be escorted upstairs to check-in on the 7th floor. Even though you don't need the IPO for reservations, (I book my own ADRs, too), they can help you with your celebration. Before arrival, the IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) will help you and they are located at the Poly. After arrival, the CL concierges of the Old Faithful Club will assist you in person. You can email or call them anytime after booking to place room requests into your reservation and help with planning.

There is a nice area in the lounge just for your DGD with a small table, chairs and TV with the Disney channel on. The staff are very friendly and I bet your DGD would love the gummy bears and cookies in the afternoon and choice of cereals and pastries for breakfast and they always have PBJ from 5-7. You also have the option of bringing everything back to your room.

Let us know if you have more questions!

[TheLodgeLady]

Not sure if this has been posted.

Silver Springs Pool Slide closed 1/7/2013- 1/18/2013. Pool will remain open.

[AngiTN]

Thank you so much for the info. I really think I'm going to switch to CL.
One question first, in the info on page 1 it mentions the 7th floor having solid balconies. Does that mean if you are sitting on the balcony you can't see out?

Any requests you recommend I put in when I call to make the change?
Rooms, locations, etc?

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

to the thread!

Yes, the bunks are spread throughout the resort. If you stay CL or book a STD Room, they are by-request only. If you keep your booking as it is - CTYD View, make sure that you call the WDTC (or contact your TA) to have a request for an INNER or WL room so that you and DGD can view the Electric Water Pageant and the geyser from your balcony, otherwise CTYD can also mean the VWL CTYD. Online check-in really limits you in your requests so it's always best to also make sure your requests are placed in your reservation, if yours don't appear on the OCI request list.

WL CL is wonderful and I think would be a great addition to your celebration and I don't think you would regret changing. I have more CL info./photos on the first page.

You'll be escorted upstairs to check-in on the 7th floor. Even though you don't need the IPO for reservations, (I book my own ADRs, too), they can help you with your celebration. Before arrival, the IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) will help you and they are located at the Poly. After arrival, the CL concierges of the Old Faithful Club will assist you in person. You can email or call them anytime after booking to place room requests into your reservation and help with planning.

There is a nice area in the lounge just for your DGD with a small table, chairs and TV with the Disney channel on. The staff are very friendly and I bet your DGD would love the gummy bears and cookies in the afternoon and choice of cereals and pastries for breakfast and they always have PBJ from 5-7. You also have the option of bringing everything back to your room.

Let us know if you have more questions!

[jweb20]

Is the breakfast in the morning provided by the hotel only for club level guests?

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by jweb20

Is the breakfast in the morning provided by the hotel only for club level guests?

Club Level guests do receive a continental breakfast included in the cost of their room.

Other guests can purchase breakfast at Roaring Fork down off the lobby.

[pas130]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

What am I forgetting?? Hope this helps you make a decision. We feel that WL is much more relaxed than Poly and a better overall value.

So do I.... Now to talk HRH into it

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by pas130

So do I.... Now to talk HRH into it

Hi Pasi-poo!

Does HRH get a snack room at WL??? If so, no discussion, right???

[browerjs]

When taking the magic express, can I leave my room before my bag gets there? Will they just put it in my room, or do I have to call down when I get back to get it brought up?

[Mousemommy1]

Originally Posted by browerjs

When taking the magic express, can I leave my room before my bag gets there? Will they just put it in my room, or do I have to call down when I get back to get it brought up?

Your bags are delivered to your room.

[pas130]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Hi Pasi-poo!

Does HRH get a snack room at WL??? If so, no discussion, right???

But of course the snack room....Forbid Mommy book deluxe without the snack room