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

[Mammaz]

37 days until my first stay at WL!

We will be there in 36!

 

[GillieRose]

20 Days till are 1st stay at Wilderness Lodge. There calling for snow tonight and tomorrow so we need the warmth of Florida anything will be better than the 30-40 degrees we have had this weekend and this coming couple days.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I question justcsme to mind... I love the pic of the beach at WL. We all know you can not go into the water! But the last time we stepped foot on even the sand (3 trips ago I think!) DH got a goshawful red rash of some type and I got a mild case. Kids were ok. Wr were just sitting in a chair, feet on top of the sand watching kids play on the little playground.

We had bunches of little red bumps on our feet,mine just on the tops ( I was wearing flip flops) DH was wearing sandals of some sort and his one foot was covered in these itchy, burning red bumps. It was awful. We asked the lifeguard, front desk, concierge and surprisingly no one has a clue. We were driving back home the next day and ended up stopping for anti itch ointment tht eventually worked. Since then we never went near the sand at any of the Bay Lake resorts.

Anyone have a clue what this could have been. Someone suggest once it may have been fire ants(?)

 

[Mammaz]

I question justcsme to mind... I love the pic of the beach at WL. We all know you can not go into the water! But the last time we stepped foot on even the sand (3 trips ago I think!) DH got a goshawful red rash of some type and I got a mild case. Kids were ok. Wr were just sitting in a chair, feet on top of the sand watching kids play on the little playground.

We had bunches of little red bumps on our feet,mine just on the tops ( I was wearing flip flops) DH was wearing sandals of some sort and his one foot was covered in these itchy, burning red bumps. It was awful. We asked the lifeguard, front desk, concierge and surprisingly no one has a clue. We were driving back home the next day and ended up stopping for anti itch ointment tht eventually worked. Since then we never went near the sand at any of the Bay Lake resorts.

Anyone have a clue what this could have been. Someone suggest once it may


have been fire ants(?)

This happened to us too! I thought I had got bitten by sand fleas. The bites were red and itched like the devil! If there is a flea within a mile of me it will find me and I react badly to the bites. I used Benadryl cream on them and it helped. I still have a couple of scars from 2010. If I go to the beach in June I will spray my feet with OFF first.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does this mean still no flag family?

I don't know what the current Flag Family status is. Perhaps cburek will know since they just arrived yesterday...

Thanks. I called yesterday...there were rooms available in the lodge, but not willing to pay all that money. We will just have to suck it up Besides me and my husband are never in our room (only to sleep for about 7 hrs). Both are crazy Type A personalities.

It's all good we're going to Disney in 27 days!!!

I'm sorry you could't find a discounted room, but I know you'll still love it there!

With all of our worries or changes along the way, when it comes down to it, it always works out for the best! I am very excited about your villa stay and look forward to your reports when you get back. Any recommendations or tips will be greatly appreciated.
Almost at 100 days!!

I like your attitude - and you're right. We do worry and fuss about our WDW vacations, but it all disappears once we get into the room

13 days!!! This will be my sister's first time at WL. My dad and I tried WL last year and loved it. It's right up there along with the Poly for favorite resort.

We had the worst of the worst Standard room too( the one that looks out onto a corner of a roof) and it still didn't mar our enjoyment of the resort.

You'll have to get a rehab update for us and let us know if they're on schedule

Not as close as all of you....but 85 DAYS!!!

I can't wait to see some of those new rooms!!!

We are here
Arrived about 1130a. We were greeted by Gloria who is a sweetheart. She escorted us up to the 7th floor where Dee helped check us in. Room wasn't quite ready but before she was done it ended up available. We are facing the WVL and honestly it is better than the inner courtyard view. It's very quiet.Room is clean and is it does not feel dark with the enclosed balcony.I actually like the privacy. . We are waiting for the loung to open up this evening but so far this CL experience beats the others we have done been to before. I will try and get some photos posted soon.

Gloria is a sweetie. She was the one who so generously upgraded DD and I to CL access 12/10. We've stayed CL ever since then! Isn't the OFC great? Please say hello to Randy, Mike, Loyda, Rob and Christine for me! Tell Loyda that my DH still really appreciates her getting Sam Adams for him!

We were able to change to Wilderness Lodge for our visit next month, so I am happily back reading!

We have a Courtyard View booked. Is there anything special I should request if I'm hoping for a view of Silver Creek Springs Pool? (Or should I just say that??? )

I realize it's just a request, thanks for your help!

Yep, as mickeynut1 said, request SCS pool view or inner courtyard view.

I am very excited, this will be our first stay at WL and we will be celebrating my hubbys Bday!
We need a room with a roll in shower as my daughter is in a wheelchair, according to Disney they now have a king size bed AND a queen size bed in the roll in shower room which will be perfect for the 3 of us.. I just wanted to see if anyone has seen or stayed in these rooms and if it is in fact a King and Queen bed.

Thanks and we are looking forward to finally being able to stay at WL

I'm not familiar with the HA rooms, but I don't know how they could fit both a queen and king into a WL std. room - I've never heard of this configuration. Are you sure the CM didn't mean that they have both a king room and a (two) queen room that is HA?

So True! My husband always says to me "don't overthink everything" Things always work out the way they are supposed to.
I will report back when we get back about the Villas...I'm sure we will be in love with WL just as you all are

We have alot of special celebrations that week...our 27th anniversary, my In-laws 50th annivesary, and our grandsons 4th birthday

So much to celebrate! Make sure it's noted in your reservation. Where will you be celebrating your 27th? I'm still undecided about our 25th. I've booked the Wild Africa Trek, but I still don't have dinner picked out.

37 days until my first stay at WL!

YIPPEE!!!

Tick tock...tick tock...28 days until we arrive at VWL for the first time. We had some points in holding and no 2BR's were available at this late of a date at VWL so we will spend one night at BLT prior to a week at VWL. Can't wait. Any picture requests?

YES! I hereby request photos of your two-bedroom for the first page of the thread, please! Thank you

I've had a change of ticker! We'll arrive 10/28 for 7 nights of WL CL. Thank goodness for a 35% Bounceback.

Nice ticker change and you're going to love CL at WL

We will be there in 36!

20 Days till are 1st stay at Wilderness Lodge. There calling for snow tonight and tomorrow so we need the warmth of Florida anything will be better than the 30-40 degrees we have had this weekend and this coming couple days.

Not the S-word. You're going to love sitting on the beach at WL and relaxing

I question justcsme to mind... I love the pic of the beach at WL. We all know you can not go into the water! But the last time we stepped foot on even the sand (3 trips ago I think!) DH got a goshawful red rash of some type and I got a mild case. Kids were ok. Wr were just sitting in a chair, feet on top of the sand watching kids play on the little playground.

We had bunches of little red bumps on our feet,mine just on the tops ( I was wearing flip flops) DH was wearing sandals of some sort and his one foot was covered in these itchy, burning red bumps. It was awful. We asked the lifeguard, front desk, concierge and surprisingly no one has a clue. We were driving back home the next day and ended up stopping for anti itch ointment tht eventually worked. Since then we never went near the sand at any of the Bay Lake resorts.

Anyone have a clue what this could have been. Someone suggest once it may have been fire ants(?)

I don't know what happened to you and your family, but DD and I were on the WL beach several times a few weeks ago and that never happened to us. Fire ants will do that, but I didn't notice any mounds on the beach - they usually like the grass, don't they? Was it sand fleas?

 

[steffali]

This is what it says when I went to look for availability on Disney's website, I did call over to Special Request and they said a room with a roll in shower has 1 king and 1 Queen bed... I just cant imagine where there will be room for this???????? I am hoping to hear from someone that has recently stayed in one of these rooms.



Courtyard View/Wheelchair Access with Roll-in Shower/Option for Hearing Accessibility/1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed
All rooms have one king-size bed and one queen-size bed, table and chairs, writing table, ceiling fan, private balcony or patio, vanity area with 2 sinks and bath. All rooms are non-smoking. Amenities include in-room wall safe, voice mail, high-speed Internet access (additional fee), hairdryer, iron, ironing board, coffeemaker and refrigerator. A crib is available upon request. Courtyard View Rooms offer a view of the courtyard of The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, a pool, waterfall or the lake

 

[WDWKOOK]

This is what it says when I went to look for availability on Disney's website, I did call over to Special Request and they said a room with a roll in shower has 1 king and 1 Queen bed... I just cant imagine where there will be room for this???????? I am hoping to hear from someone that has recently stayed in one of these rooms.



Courtyard View/Wheelchair Access with Roll-in Shower/Option for Hearing Accessibility/1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed
All rooms have one king-size bed and one queen-size bed, table and chairs, writing table, ceiling fan, private balcony or patio, vanity area with 2 sinks and bath. All rooms are non-smoking. Amenities include in-room wall safe, voice mail, high-speed Internet access (additional fee), hairdryer, iron, ironing board, coffeemaker and refrigerator. A crib is available upon request. Courtyard View Rooms offer a view of the courtyard of The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, a pool, waterfall or the lake

I'm glad you verified this so you know what to expect. That sounds really nice and it even has an inner courtyard view. I think it's funny that it says "crib available..." I can't imagine where it would fit with the king and queen - balcony?. I hope you'll post some photos that I can use for the first page. Have a great vacation!

 

[DisneyDuo]

One more week and we leave for VWL - - Hi Ho Mickey, AWAY!!
(Disregard the sticker, I never could fix that!)

 

[akclayton]

I question justcsme to mind... I love the pic of the beach at WL. We all know you can not go into the water! But the last time we stepped foot on even the sand (3 trips ago I think!) DH got a goshawful red rash of some type and I got a mild case. Kids were ok. Wr were just sitting in a chair, feet on top of the sand watching kids play on the little playground.

We had bunches of little red bumps on our feet,mine just on the tops ( I was wearing flip flops) DH was wearing sandals of some sort and his one foot was covered in these itchy, burning red bumps. It was awful. We asked the lifeguard, front desk, concierge and surprisingly no one has a clue. We were driving back home the next day and ended up stopping for anti itch ointment tht eventually worked. Since then we never went near the sand at any of the Bay Lake resorts.

Anyone have a clue what this could have been. Someone suggest once it may have been fire ants(?)

I bet it was sand fleas.

 

[bluecastle]

One more week and we leave for VWL - - Hi Ho Mickey, AWAY!!
(Disregard the sticker, I never could fix that!)

Woohoo!
For me, today is 99 days to HP and 100 days to VWL!!!! (I started planning this trip in June 2011, so getting to 100 days is a major milestone!)
I am looking forward to reading about your VWL experience. I was looking through the Unofficial Guide last night and I couldn't believe that they gave the villas an F in the Sound category. Most people here comment on how quiet it is! Let me know if you have a recommendation for location- I am thinking lake side-even if we can't see the lake for the trees! Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Desiree]

Can anyone tell me if there are washing machines/dryers at the hotel? And if so, what are the locations?

 

[mickeynut1]

I am very excited, this will be our first stay at WL and we will be celebrating my hubbys Bday!
We need a room with a roll in shower as my daughter is in a wheelchair, according to Disney they now have a king size bed AND a queen size bed in the roll in shower room which will be perfect for the 3 of us.. I just wanted to see if anyone has seen or stayed in these rooms and if it is in fact a King and Queen bed.

Thanks and we are looking forward to finally being able to stay at WL

I can't help with the HA room, but wanted to say have a great trip....you will love the WL .

So True! My husband always says to me "don't overthink everything" Things always work out the way they are supposed to.
I will report back when we get back about the Villas...I'm sure we will be in love with WL just as you all are

We have alot of special celebrations that week...our 27th anniversary, my In-laws 50th annivesary, and our grandsons 4th birthday

I know you'll love the WL . Have a great trip celebrating all the special occasions .

Thanks, mickeynut!

I will request view of main pool. We had one of these rooms a couple of years ago. I didn't know the difference in the possible views, so I just lucked into it. I loved the view of the pool, and am hoping to have one again.

You're welcome . We had a courtyard view on one of our trips and I loved it!!! Our room was on the first floor corner room so it was very convenient for going to the pool . If, by chance, the room you're assigned isn't facing the pool, you could always ask if one is available as you never know .

37 days until my first stay at WL!

Have a great time .

Tick tock...tick tock...28 days until we arrive at VWL for the first time. We had some points in holding and no 2BR's were available at this late of a date at VWL so we will spend one night at BLT prior to a week at VWL. Can't wait. Any picture requests?

You don't have long to wait.....have a wonderful trip .

I am one day away from my 100 days til check in date and I am so glad I found this site!

The time will fly by and you'll be on your way before you know it .

I've had a change of ticker! We'll arrive 10/28 for 7 nights of WL CL. Thank goodness for a 35% Bounceback.

Gotta love those bb offers .

We will be there in 36!

20 Days till are 1st stay at Wilderness Lodge. There calling for snow tonight and tomorrow so we need the warmth of Florida anything will be better than the 30-40 degrees we have had this weekend and this coming couple days.

Have a great trip and enjoy the lodge . I can't believe you're expecting snow .....good thing it won't be long before you're basking in the Florida sun .

One more week and we leave for VWL - - Hi Ho Mickey, AWAY!!
(Disregard the sticker, I never could fix that!)

Have a great time .

 

[pas130]

So True! My husband always says to me "don't overthink everything" Things always work out the way they are supposed to.
I will report back when we get back about the Villas...I'm sure we will be in love with WL just as you all are

We have alot of special celebrations that week...our 27th anniversary, my In-laws 50th annivesary, and our grandsons 4th birthday

You DH sounds very wise....and a little bit like my DH

Still holding strong....in 30 days my Suburban will be packed and ready to leave

We are here
Arrived about 1130a. We were greeted by Gloria who is a sweetheart. She escorted us up to the 7th floor where Dee helped check us in. Room wasn't quite ready but before she was done it ended up available. We are facing the WVL and honestly it is better than the inner courtyard view. It's very quiet.Room is clean and is it does not feel dark with the enclosed balcony.I actually like the privacy. . We are waiting for the loung to open up this evening but so far this CL experience beats the others we have done been to before. I will try and get some photos posted soon.

That is FANTASTIC!!! Thank you for checking in!!!!!

We were able to change to Wilderness Lodge for our visit next month, so I am happily back reading!

This is like a sub-threadfo the RCers....

Not as close as all of you....but 85 DAYS!!!

I can't wait to see some of those new rooms!!!

Me too, me too...

13 days!!! This will be my sister's first time at WL. My dad and I tried WL last year and loved it. It's right up there along with the Poly for favorite resort.

We had the worst of the worst Standard room too( the one that looks out onto a corner of a roof) and it still didn't mar our enjoyment of the resort.

You all will have a wonderful trip...safe travels!!!

Hello to the Lodge Temptress (AKA KOOK)

 

[tarak]

We'll be staying at the WL for the second time next January. We usually stay at AKL, which the entire family adores. Our first trip to WL wasn't bad, but not as magical as it could have been, because I got caught up in scheduling us for everything. I think we hit just about every character meal we could. At the end of each day, we were exhausted and cranky, and we just sort of associated the WL with being unhappy.

This time, though, we'll be taking a short cruise, then staying at WDW for three nights. Since it's a short trip, we decided to try WL again, so we're closer to MK. It's one thing to be on the bus all the time when you're there for a week. But when you've only got a few days to enjoy the parks (and my kids are all young enough that MK is still the favorite), it's nice to have other transportation options.

We're a family of five (six, really, but the baby doesn't count yet), so we'll be staying in one of the junior suites. I've been showing the kids the abundance of pictures on the internet of the WL and they are all really excited (once they got over the disappointment of not being at AKL). We've stayed CL at AKL and Poly (loved AKL as usual, Poly not so much). Looking forward to seeing what WL has to offer!

 

[pas130]

One more week and we leave for VWL - - Hi Ho Mickey, AWAY!!
(Disregard the sticker, I never could fix that!)

Sorry I missed your happy dance one week!!!!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I bet it was sand fleas.

I did a little more research and It does sound like he was attacked by sand fleas! They sure are ugly buggers!

As I mentioned, it was several years ago and I'm sure it was just a fluke!


Have a good day everyone!!!

 

[PamelaKay]

Can anyone tell me if there are washing machines/dryers at the hotel? And if so, what are the locations?

I didn't see a response to this so the answer is yes.

There are washers in dryers in a room on the first floor of the WL. It is located between the elevators and the doors to roaring forks on the opposite side.

 

[mickeynut1]

Still holding strong....in 30 days my Suburban will be packed and ready to leave

30 days is not long....you can do it and you will enjoy your WL stay .

We'll be staying at the WL for the second time next January. We usually stay at AKL, which the entire family adores. Our first trip to WL wasn't bad, but not as magical as it could have been, because I got caught up in scheduling us for everything. I think we hit just about every character meal we could. At the end of each day, we were exhausted and cranky, and we just sort of associated the WL with being unhappy.

This time, though, we'll be taking a short cruise, then staying at WDW for three nights. Since it's a short trip, we decided to try WL again, so we're closer to MK. It's one thing to be on the bus all the time when you're there for a week. But when you've only got a few days to enjoy the parks (and my kids are all young enough that MK is still the favorite), it's nice to have other transportation options.

We're a family of five (six, really, but the baby doesn't count yet), so we'll be staying in one of the junior suites. I've been showing the kids the abundance of pictures on the internet of the WL and they are all really excited (once they got over the disappointment of not being at AKL). We've stayed CL at AKL and Poly (loved AKL as usual, Poly not so much). Looking forward to seeing what WL has to offer!

I'm sure you'll have a great trip to WL this time . We love having the boat for going to MK as well as to the CR. The buses have never been bad for us, but it's always nice to have an alternate way of transportation .

Have a good day everyone!!!

Thanks, and you do the same .

 

[Desiree]

I didn't see a response to this so the answer is yes.

There are washers in dryers in a room on the first floor of the WL. It is located between the elevators and the doors to roaring forks on the opposite side.

Thanks so much!

 

[WDWKOOK]

One more week and we leave for VWL - - Hi Ho Mickey, AWAY!!
(Disregard the sticker, I never could fix that!)

It's time to start packin'. I hope you can post a little VWL TR for all of us. I'd love to hear more about the Villas. They are the top-rated DVC on AllEars

Woohoo!
For me, today is 99 days to HP and 100 days to VWL!!!! (I started planning this trip in June 2011, so getting to 100 days is a major milestone!)
I am looking forward to reading about your VWL experience. I was looking through the Unofficial Guide last night and I couldn't believe that they gave the villas an F in the Sound category. Most people here comment on how quiet it is! Let me know if you have a recommendation for location- I am thinking lake side-even if we can't see the lake for the trees! Have a wonderful trip!!

That's interesting because when you look on AllEars, the comments don't mention they are noisy and they're the number one rated DVC. Maybe someone whose stayed in one could comment regarding the noise from other rooms at the DVC

Can anyone tell me if there are washing machines/dryers at the hotel? And if so, what are the locations?

Just to expand on what PamelaKay already posted, I have photos of all the washers/dryers on the first page of the thread under GUEST SERVICES/POST 8. They are right across from Roaring Fork.

Still holding strong....in 30 days my Suburban will be packed and ready to leave

Hello to the Lodge Temptress (AKA KOOK)

Yay, you're back! Have you decided how long you're going to take to get to FL? We decided that we'll never go there in one day again. This was our second time doing it, and you're just too tired when you get there and you feel grouchy and did I mention tired? We left at 0330 and it seemed much worse than when we come home in a day and leave around 0800. So my advice is to make it as leisurely as you can so that you arrive refreshed and energized!

Is your marathon work schedule done for a while? I worry that you'll collapse on a patient from exhaustion and they won't be able to press that little call button and there you all will be until the Dr. comes in...hours later...

So glad (and surprised) you haven't changed from WL/CL! I loved your sub-forum comment. I'm happy to have this thread be a Resort Changers' sub-forum, as long as everyone is changing to WL

We'll be staying at the WL for the second time next January. We usually stay at AKL, which the entire family adores. Our first trip to WL wasn't bad, but not as magical as it could have been, because I got caught up in scheduling us for everything. I think we hit just about every character meal we could. At the end of each day, we were exhausted and cranky, and we just sort of associated the WL with being unhappy.

This time, though, we'll be taking a short cruise, then staying at WDW for three nights. Since it's a short trip, we decided to try WL again, so we're closer to MK. It's one thing to be on the bus all the time when you're there for a week. But when you've only got a few days to enjoy the parks (and my kids are all young enough that MK is still the favorite), it's nice to have other transportation options.

We're a family of five (six, really, but the baby doesn't count yet), so we'll be staying in one of the junior suites. I've been showing the kids the abundance of pictures on the internet of the WL and they are all really excited (once they got over the disappointment of not being at AKL). We've stayed CL at AKL and Poly (loved AKL as usual, Poly not so much). Looking forward to seeing what WL has to offer!

I think you'll enjoy any resort much more if you're not doing the parks commando style. Yes, some of those character meals really can take a lot out of you. You eat a little, then you take some photos, then you eat a little more, then it's another photo. Then there's the musical interlude with congo lines and singing and before you know it, you haven't really eaten and you're exhausted. I guess the Princess ones are the calmest?

I think your kids will really like the beach and FW and the boats. If they miss the animals, take them over for some pony rides and to see the horses at FW and if you walk, you'll probably see some armadillos and deer around.

I didn't see a response to this so the answer is yes.

There are washers in dryers in a room on the first floor of the WL. It is located between the elevators and the doors to roaring forks on the opposite side.

Thanks for answering this.