Any VWL Helpful Hints...

[mimmiepnp]

We are staying for the first time at VWL in a 1 bedroom in May.
I am more than just a little excited about this upcoming trip and was just wondering if there is anything special or any tips that I need to know about VWL.....

Mimmiepnp

 

[disneynutz]

Keep your patio door closed if you are cooking, the smell attracts the bears.

The lodge has a nice tour, check the activities sheet that you get when you check in.

 

[Cajun28]

Eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe. We ate there for the first time in July and thoroughly enjoyed our meal.

 

[horselover]

We are staying for the first time at VWL in a 1 bedroom in May.
I am more than just a little excited about this upcoming trip and was just wondering if there is anything special or any tips that I need to know about VWL.....

Mimmiepnp

Go on the Hidden Mickey Hunt.

Take time to really explore all the nooks & crannies of the Lodge.

Take the Wonders of the Lodge tour with Ranger Stan.

Grab a beverage of your choice & sit in front of the fireplace in the main lobby or the lobby in the Villas.

Watch the Electric Water Pageant from the beach.

Sit out on your balcony & enjoy the views.

Take lots of pics.

Don't forget to rub Humphrey's nose on the totem pole in front of the WL Mercantile. Legend say you'll have a magical trip if you do!

Relax & have a wonderful trip!

 

[Granny]

We are staying for the first time at VWL in a 1 bedroom in May.
I am more than just a little excited about this upcoming trip and was just wondering if there is anything special or any tips that I need to know about VWL.....

Will you have children on the trip? Solo? Couples only? I'd say the VWL/WL has some things for kids of all ages.

Horselover gave some great ideas. Here's a list I copied from another site one time:

• 
  [*]Ask for the list of Hidden Mickeys at Guest Services, and get hunting!
  
  [*] Watch Fire Rock Geyser erupt every hour on the hour.
  
  [*] Sit in the rocking chairs or one of the comfy chairs in the lobby and watch the world go by.
  
  [*] Take a good look at the fireplace, a 2-billion-year geological record of the earth with fossilized remains of prehistoric animal and plant life. Colorful rock strata layers are re-created in the proportions they occur in the Grand Canyon.
  
  [*] Spend some time exploring the resort, the paintings and artefacts on display.
  
  [*] Take the Wilderness Lodge Tour, to find out lots of interesting facts and see parts of the Lodge you might not normally think to explore.
  
  [*] You don't have to sit inside to eat your food from Roaring Forks Snack Bar, take it just outside where you'll find shaded tables to sit at.
  
  [*] Dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe for a fun mealtime, but don't whatever you do ask for the ketchup (don't say you weren't warned!).
  
  [*] Look out for the portrait artist in the lobby area most evenings.
  
  [*] If you're approaching the Lodge by ferryboat at night, see if you can make out the large bear's face on the Lodge building.
  
  [*] Check out the smaller totem pole, featuring some familiar faces, next to Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. You can buy a miniature version inside the shop!
  
  [*] Lots of unique souvenirs can be found in Wilderness Lodge Mercantile, especially the Pacific Northwest crafts and themed items on sale.
  
  [*] Check out the animal tracks in the cement outside of the Wilderness Lodge.
  ​

​

To this list I'd add that the bike and boat rental at WL is really nice. Bay Lake is a beautiful lake and of course connects to Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the monorail resorts & MK. Biking can take you down to FW along a lovely paved path through the woods. Or you can walk/jog the same path for some exercise.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[jimmytammy]

You have already gotten some expert advice, but I will add...

Be sure to listen to the music being played. It is western themed, and is very suttle, but sits so well with the ambiance of the place.

Listen to the crickets chirp at night by the quiet pool, and watch the lanterns flicker.

Most of all enjoy!!

 

[Disneypirate85]

Keep your patio door closed if you are cooking, the smell attracts the bears.

The lodge has a nice tour, check the activities sheet that you get when you check in.

Now thats SOUND advice....I will keep that in mind as well

 

[DiznyDi]

When in May are you going? We'll be there 1-9.
In addition to the other suggestions, enjoy the hot tub either late at night or early in the morning. It's a great way to start or end your day.

 

[50 years Too!]

Try to take a bike ride to Fort Wilderness.

Deb

 

[mazzolag2005]

We were just there (18 - 30 January) for the first time and loved the relaxed atmosphere when we wanted a break from the parks. I would definitely recommend asking for a window seat at Artist Point for dinner, and walking the nature trail, or biking to Fort Wilderness. Have a great time !

 

[DonnaL]

I second Granny's suggestion about boat/bike rentals. One of our favorite activities when at WDW (even when we're not staying at VWL.....which is one of our home resorts) is to stop by and rent a pontoon boat for an hour and take a leisurely relaxing cruise around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon..... we had a gorgeous afternoon cruise this past January. Don't forget if you're a DVC member or an AP holder (I think it's an AP perk....check your AP perks info) you get a discount on rentals..........

 

[Ella's Mom]

We are staying for the first time at VWL in a 1 bedroom in May.
I am more than just a little excited about this upcoming trip and was just wondering if there is anything special or any tips that I need to know about VWL.....

Mimmiepnp

We are also staying for the first time at VWL in a 1 bedroom in May. I'm so happy you asked this question. I've enjoyed reading the responses. I definitely will check into the pontoon rental.

 

[mimmiepnp]

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! I just read them all to my husband and we think that they are all great. We are going May 24 - 30 and it is all I can focus on!!!!!

Mimmiepnp

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Will you have children on the trip? Solo? Couples only? I'd say the VWL/WL has some things for kids of all ages.

Horselover gave some great ideas. Here's a list I copied from another site one time:

• 
  [*]Ask for the list of Hidden Mickeys at Guest Services, and get hunting!​
  
  [*]Watch Fire Rock Geyser erupt every hour on the hour.​
  
  [*]Sit in the rocking chairs or one of the comfy chairs in the lobby and watch the world go by.​
  
  [*]Take a good look at the fireplace, a 2-billion-year geological record of the earth with fossilized remains of prehistoric animal and plant life. Colorful rock strata layers are re-created in the proportions they occur in the Grand Canyon.​
  
  [*]Spend some time exploring the resort, the paintings and artefacts on display.​
  
  [*]Take the Wilderness Lodge Tour, to find out lots of interesting facts and see parts of the Lodge you might not normally think to explore.​
  
  [*]You don't have to sit inside to eat your food from Roaring Forks Snack Bar, take it just outside where you'll find shaded tables to sit at.​
  
  [*]Dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe for a fun mealtime, but don't whatever you do ask for the ketchup (don't say you weren't warned!).​
  
  [*]Look out for the portrait artist in the lobby area most evenings.​
  
  [*]If you're approaching the Lodge by ferryboat at night, see if you can make out the large bear's face on the Lodge building.​
  
  [*]Check out the smaller totem pole, featuring some familiar faces, next to Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. You can buy a miniature version inside the shop!​
  
  [*]Lots of unique souvenirs can be found in Wilderness Lodge Mercantile, especially the Pacific Northwest crafts and themed items on sale.​
  
  [*]Check out the animal tracks in the cement outside of the Wilderness Lodge.​

​

To this list I'd add that the bike and boat rental at WL is really nice. Bay Lake is a beautiful lake and of course connects to Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the monorail resorts & MK. Biking can take you down to FW along a lovely paved path through the woods. Or you can walk/jog the same path for some exercise.

Enjoy your trip!

There are some specialty soaps one can purchase inside MK...I was wondering if they sold them at WLV? Don't make fun of me, but I think some of the names are like Bear's Butt soap, etc. They are named after animals and body parts!