Any info on Villas at the Wilderness Lodge?

[chuckcorden]

Just made a spur of the moment decision to return to WDW. Actually I had mucho development points that had to be used before Feb. 6 and 28 points in a holding account that had to be used before Oct. 1. So I called MS and tried to get into AKL (studio or 1 BR, savannah view or concierge) but nothing was available . I then opted for a 1 BR in the Villas at Wilderness Lodge since I've never been there. I was able to get the 2nd week of September.

How is the WL? What are the best rooms (or, conversely, the worst rooms)? How often does the boat run to the MK? Anybody ever take the boat to the Contemporary to get to the restaurants there? There are a lot of questions that I can ask but you get the idea.

As an aside, my wife and I will be at SSR for the first week of December (actually 11/30 to 12/6) mainly to see the Christmas decorations which we have never seen before.

Thanks.

 

[Disney Devoted Daddy]

They have a great "private" pool that has bubbling geysers t/o the pool. They have a close bus access site if you are using the bus, and they have a neat (but simple), floating light show at 9:00-9:30 pm on BL. The villas are also not too far away from the main pool and dining area. You should love it.

Also the boats are always running to the MK and CR. CR has great dining if you choose to go there. The scenery/setting is wonderful at WL, espcially at night. The lobby is insane!
The boat also takes you to Fort Wilderness cabins where you can eat and watch the "Hoop De Do" Revue. (Spelling might be wrong). The show is fun and great to see for the first time.

VWL is a great location with lots of fun choices.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The dumpster views are considered the worst views, and if you get near elevators, that won't be your fate. We've had the dumpster view a time or two, and just chose not to look in that direction. We do not like the enclosed balconies on the upper floor, (had one once at WL) but I've never thought to even add that request to the reservation, and we've never gotten it anyway.

VWL is my very favorite DVC resort. The theming, the little nooks and crannies around the lodge and in the first floor of the villa building offer lots of places for book reading, or gathering with your group. There are gorgeous fireplaces. The main lobby has the rock layers as you would see them in the Grand Canyon. You can take a tour of the lobby on certain days. I sat on the deck of the lodge and saw a bald eagle over the lake.

Renting a bike and biking over to FW is a favorite non-park activity. The little boats just seem to go faster on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon when you rent them from WL!

The springs pool, with the bubbles is special as well.

Enjoy your stay. We had a GV at BWV booked for the second part of this anniversary trip. After going back to VWL this past December, I came to my senses and cancelled that and booked rooms at the VWL. This is our anniversary and DH and I both find that VWL is our "soul match" of the DVC resorts.

Bobbi

 

[LisaS]

How often does the boat run to the MK? Anybody ever take the boat to the Contemporary to get to the restaurants there?

I don't know how often the various boats run but I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes for one. I really enjoy using the boat transportation, both the MK boat and the CR boat. The CR boat opens up a lot of options because in addition to eating at a restaurant at the CR you can also hop on the monorail there to get to the restaurants at the Poly or GF. We have also used the CR boat->monorail option to get to the MK or just walked to the MK from the CR which only takes about 10 minutes. I was surprised to find that the CR is not far from the MK bus stop area so it's not a very long walk at all.

 

[chuckcorden]

We had a GV at BWV booked for the second part of this anniversary trip. After going back to VWL this past December, I came to my senses and cancelled that and booked rooms at the VWL. This is our anniversary and DH and I both find that VWL is our "soul match" of the DVC resorts.

Bobbi

Thanks for the info. After going to VWL, I may do the same thing, i.e. change my rezzie at SSR for the first week in Dec. to VWL. I imagine the Christmas decorations at the Lodge are beautiful.

Are they better than SSR? Does anyone know?

 

[Halle]

We stayed at the WLV in March and loved it. The lounge is fantastic, I highly recommend spending a couple of hours there. It is a small resort so it is more difficult to book a ressie there, hope you have luck.

 

[disneylvrnMS]

Thanks for the info. After going to VWL, I may do the same thing, i.e. change my rezzie at SSR for the first week in Dec. to VWL. I imagine the Christmas decorations at the Lodge are beautiful.

Good luck in getting your reservation changed to VWL for the first week of December. We booked our room at SSR at the 11 month mark. We have been waitlisted for that week at VWL since the 7 month mark. We have only had 2 of our days come thru so far. It seems that is one of the hardest weeks to get at VWL.

 

[chuckcorden]

Good luck in getting your reservation changed to VWL for the first week of December. We booked our room at SSR at the 11 month mark. We have been waitlisted for that week at VWL since the 7 month mark. We have only had 2 of our days come thru so far. It seems that is one of the hardest weeks to get at VWL.

Wel-l-ll, then, there is always the bus. We can ride over and see the decorations.

Thanks.