Best place to stay at Wilderness Lodge?

[Sharper]

It appears from the map that the villas are convenient to the bus, but not particularly convenient to the boat launch. Is that essentially correct? Any particular place to request to be as near the entrance as possible. And before anyone starts the "you're at Disney, you're going to be walking" bit -- please don't. Some people want at the end of the hall for the quiet or a view or whatever, but I have my reasons for one of my priorities being to shorten the route as much as possible. Thanks!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi there! We visited this summer, and while we didn't stay at Wilderness Lodge we did scope out the walking because we sometimes travel with the grandparents. Yes, in general, the villas are "a ways out" and it did seem like there was perhaps a bit much walking to say, the handicapped parking spaces. But I think the rooms in the back which are near the health club would be closest to the boat launch. I noticed this because during our exploration we rested on a nice porch that was near the outside entrance to the health club. From there we walked around the Villa quiet pool, on a woodsy path down toward the beach and then on to the boat launch. The walk was lovely and not all too far.

So if you have a map of the place, I think the rooms that are near the corner where the health club is are closest to the boat launch.

 

[Regina]

The WL is really quite compact. There's a rear exit/entrance from the Villas that leads directly to the quiet pool. Walking around that pool brings you right to the back of the lodge pool where there's a walkway to the boat launch.

It's not far, 5 minutes max at a leisurely rate.

 

[Sharper]

I stayed at WL shortly after it opened (not the villas) but have not been there since. Sometimes it is hard to gauge distances from maps, but it sounds like it won't be that long a haul from the villas if you go one of the back ways.

 

[littlestar]

We were just there back in October. We had the very last unit (studio) on the third floor in the Villas that overlooked the dumpster. It's the longest walk to the elevator. I would request water view and close to the elevator. That way maybe you could bypass the trash view and the long haul to get to the elevator.

My parents had a studio with no balcony. So, if you're staying in a studio, request a balcony. (Apparently some of the lockoffs from the two-bedrooms don't have balconies.) It really makes the studio seem small with no balcony.

 

[kda]

As already stated, WL is much more compact than other resorts. It's a 5 minute walk to the boat ramp.

 

[Sharper]

Littlestar, that is the luck sometimes, huh? "Dumpster view" is not what we'd pick. Luckily, though, on the occasions when I've not have a good view I comforted myself with all the other wonderful things at WDW. Thanks much for the advice!

 

[littlestar]

You're welcome. After our October visit (we had two studios reserved) I think I have a better idea of what to request on our reservation. I know they can't guarantee requests, but next time at least I know what I don't want.

We did have a good time. And the Wilderness Lodge Villas studios we had were very, very clean.

Our kids were cracking us up. On the walk to our room (at the end of the hall), they would act like they were on old fashioned scooters. Put one foot down and swish the other one behind them like they were riding to get to the room. It was very funny. You had to be there. hee hee

 

[Deb8821]

Just got back Monday - we had a 2 bedroom room 5553 - Looooooooong walk. Almost to the end of the hall - With small kids and a busy day it was not pleasant. Last time we stayed at the Poly and the trip to Mk by boat and to our room took maybe 15 minutes. This trip long wait for the boat than a hike to the room took about 35-40 minutes. Again with small kids it makes a huge difference. The lower the number the closer to the elevator. The no noise factor was nice but my preference is a short walk. Hope that helps. PS. The room was very nice.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

I get to book our VWL stay for Oct 03 next week!
Stayed in the Lodge Oct last year and we had to buy in!

 

[Sharper]

Time to get to the parks is my concern about Wilderness Lodge. When I stayed there ('94?) it took forever to get anywhere (or to get back) except to/from the MK. I understand that it has much better bus service now, but am still a little hesitant to stay with kids and slow walking husband.

 

[MaryJ]

we had a 2 bedroom room 5553

We had room 5553 in July, and you're right, it IS a long walk. However, DH is a very light sleeper, so quiet is the number one priority for us. I can see how if you have young children, it would wear on you in a hurry though. Ours are all in their teens or older, so the long walk wasn't a problem. It was a nice room overall and I would stay there again.

 

[Mojomanny]

In a room.

Sorry....could not resist

 

[Deb8821]

While I loved the whole feel of WVL the transportation was stinky for us. One night I went to the late spectro magic parade alone - I was 1/2 way down main street, I left when it was done and I was on the 3rd boat leaving MK. Thank goodness the kids were at the lodge with grandma for the evening. I felt bad for the people with kids. We had a rental car and after that mess I drove everywere instead. Nothing beats the transportation to MK from the Poly last year it was fantastic and while I know they are different resorts - it was so totally different - I would stay there instead just for the quick transport.

 

[Granny]

Sharper...I think if you request near the elevators that will shorten your walk within the VWL itself. Be sure to mention that it is for medical reasons.

As for the VWL/WL transportation....I guess it's like everywhere else...hit or miss. We've stayed there several times now and rarely had a long wait for a bus or boat. We go in the summer, so maybe they run more transportation at that time?

I will say that we don't care for the trip to AK from WL. Long, circuitous route that takes a long time to get there. Next time, we'll drive that segment.

 

[Lyndarella]

To request to be near an elevator for medical reasons, do we need a Dr. to write a note, or can we just request that ourselves? DH has slight MD, and does the least walking possible. (At the parks we walk, sit, walk, sit, etc.) We bought at VWL and never had to walk far, although didn't make a request. If this is getting long, my question is Do we need a Dr.'s note to make a request for medical reasons?

 

[colleen costello]

No note necessary. Just call them and briefly explain that one in your party has limited mobility. They will ask if you need a handicapped-accessible room, and you can say no as your loved one is not wheelchair-bound. They will also loan you a wheelchair if one is available.

My Mom has asthma plus back and knee problems. She uses a cane and rents a scooter in the parks. She felt weird about the scooter but now enjoys herself and doesn't worry about it -- certainly no one else does! The reservation folks are always helpful when I call. I politely explain that for my Mom, every step counts so we need to be close to elevators, handicapped parking spots, whatever. They have always accomodated us.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

You don't need a doctor letter, but make sure that your confirmation letter says "Medical needs" or something similar to that for being close to the elevator or whatever else it is you need. You might want to rent a wheelchair or ecv (electric scooter) from one of the outside rental places for your stay. Here's a list of places DIS posters report renting from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

It is a lot closer to go thru the VWL building, out the front to the buses or out the back, around by the pool to the boats. You'll have a long walk out of your way if you go thru the resort to the boat area. The covered walkway from the villas to the resort is also up an incline; there is also an incline on the ramp that goes past the restaurants toward the back of the resort (to get to the main pool or the boats). My FIL with knee and hip problems had difficulty with these long ramps.
Also, the boats are sometimes not accessible to ecvs because of the water level difference between the boats and the dock (too high or too low, depending on how much rain they have had). The CMs at check in can tell you if this will be a problem or not. If it is, you just go to MK by bus.