(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~11/13 - 6/14~

[cheesemouse]

Hi-just wanted to share a very brief update. We checked in to the villas yesterday and they have floors 3, 4, and 5 completed and are currently working on floor 2. We requested a high floor but got the third floor. You definitely can hear the construction noise during the day. So far no water or power disruptions. So far so good for us. Wish I had time to share more but we are beat and going to bed!

 

[JnKinVA]

We just got home from our very first "unplanned" stay at WL! We planned and paid for a Port Orleans Riverside WDW vacation! But on checkin last week, we were offered an upgrade to WL!! The cast member at POR said it was was because we were there celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! MAGICAL!! Simply wonderful!! PIXIE dust!! The cast member at WL didn't share the same magical inspiration as Emma at POR. The WL cast member said we, along with 2 other registrants from POR, were offered the WL stay because POR was over booked. Poof - pixie dust gone! Well, not for us! It was still magical because WL was outstanding and we have never had such an amazing upgrade!

Awesome!

We had the exact thing happen to us last April. We were booked at POR and upon check in were upgraded to WL-courtyard. Same thing, POR was overbooked, but I wasn't going to complain lol

Love love loved it! And now we consider WL home

Best pixie dust we have received. Hope we get a little more in 42 days

 

[Wood Nymph]

Heading to WL in August. Would anyone recommend the Wonders of the Lodge Tour? Would it be ok for 11.5 year old DD and 10.5 year old DS? I know I would love it, but I wonder how it would be for them? They are pretty mature kids. Thanks.

We did this tour in January and really enjoyed it. The guide talked about things in the villas and the main resort as well as some history to go along with it. There wasn't anyone in our group younger than 50 years old so I'm not sure if the tour would have been a little different if there were children with us. I suspect that the guide can adjust the tour a little for kids.

My guess is that there would be plenty of things that would interest your kids.

We just got home from our very first "unplanned" stay at WL! We planned and paid for a Port Orleans Riverside WDW vacation! But on checkin last week, we were offered an upgrade to WL!! The cast member at POR said it was was because we were there celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! MAGICAL!! Simply wonderful!! PIXIE dust!!
The cast member at WL didn't share the same magical inspiration as Emma at POR. The WL cast member said we, along with 2 other registrants from POR, were offered the WL stay because POR was over booked. Poof - pixie dust gone! Well, not for us! It was still magical because WL was outstanding and we have never had such an amazing upgrade!

Awesome!

We had the exact thing happen to us last April. We were booked at POR and upon check in were upgraded to WL-courtyard. Same thing, POR was overbooked, but I wasn't going to complain lol

Love love loved it! And now we consider WL home

Best pixie dust we have received. Hope we get a little more in 42 days

Wow, both of you were very lucky! Disney is smart to upgrade people to the WL. It is a beautiful resort.

 

[martinmont]

Awesome!

We had the exact thing happen to us last April. We were booked at POR and upon check in were upgraded to WL-courtyard. Same thing, POR was overbooked, but I wasn't going to complain lol

Love love loved it! And now we consider WL home

Best pixie dust we have received. Hope we get a little more in 42 days

Sounds awesome! More pixie dust for you hopefully!

 

[martinmont]

If i were to add an additional night if we get a FD/RO discount, would it be better to add dec 14th or check out on dec 23rd?

 

[danceteachermom]

Our countdown just hit 20 days! Can't wait to be back at the lodge.

We plan to check in and head straight to the pool to enjoy the Florida sunshine. Snacks from Roaring Forks and drinks from the pool bar will probably happen. Then for the first time ever we are headed to a park on our first night at WDW. Planning on Epcot and have FP+ for Test Track...then Via Napoli for dinner. This has been the worst winter in my memory here in Michigan, can't wait to get away from the cold and snow.

I have not figured out how to post photos yet but I need to learn. We are staying in VWL 1bedroom. Hoping to have a renovated room. Not sure if I love the new decor but I will hold off sharing a true opinion until I see it in person.

Planning on doing some "here now" posts. If I can help anyone with questions, let me know.

 

[crostorfer]

<--------------- Will be checking into the WL in two days.

 

[Wood Nymph]

If i were to add an additional night if we get a FD/RO discount, would it be better to add dec 14th or check out on dec 23rd?

It all depends on the dates of the discounts. For free dining, your check in date has to fall within the free dining period, but your check out date can be after the free dining dates and still qualify for free dining. For a room only discount your reservation dates all must fall within the discount period to get the discount. Any dates outside of the discount will be at rack rate. So until you know the "deal", it is too early to guess. But if you plan to go no matter what the discount is, book the dates now. It is easier to subtract dates then add dates later.

Our countdown just hit 20 days! Can't wait to be back at the lodge.

We plan to check in and head straight to the pool to enjoy the Florida sunshine. Snacks from Roaring Forks and drinks from the pool bar will probably happen. Then for the first time ever we are headed to a park on our first night at WDW. Planning on Epcot and have FP+ for Test Track...then Via Napoli for dinner. This has been the worst winter in my memory here in Michigan, can't wait to get away from the cold and snow.

I have not figured out how to post photos yet but I need to learn. We are staying in VWL 1bedroom. Hoping to have a renovated room. Not sure if I love the new decor but I will hold off sharing a true opinion until I see it in person.

Planning on doing some "here now" posts. If I can help anyone with questions, let me know.

In order to post photos you need to use a web hosting account like Photobucket. You can set up an account for free, upload your pictures to your account, and then post the links to this site. It is tricky to learn but easy to do once it is all set up.

<--------------- Will be checking into the WL in two days.

I hope you have a great time at the WL. From the looks of your signature, it looks like an interesting trip.

 

[martinmont]

<--------------- Will be checking into the WL in two days.

Lol, why for good?

 

[Three cats]

Our countdown just hit 20 days! Can't wait to be back at the lodge.

We plan to check in and head straight to the pool to enjoy the Florida sunshine. Snacks from Roaring Forks and drinks from the pool bar will probably happen. Then for the first time ever we are headed to a park on our first night at WDW. Planning on Epcot and have FP+ for Test Track...then Via Napoli for dinner. This has been the worst winter in my memory here in Michigan, can't wait to get away from the cold and snow.

I have not figured out how to post photos yet but I need to learn. We are staying in VWL 1bedroom. Hoping to have a renovated room. Not sure if I love the new decor but I will hold off sharing a true opinion until I see it in person.

Planning on doing some "here now" posts. If I can help anyone with questions, let me know.

Sounds like a fantastic way to start your trip - it was relaxing just reading it....lol!!

 

[crostorfer]

Lol, why for good?

I don't want to bring a bunch of negativity into this wonderful thread Kook has worked hard on, so I'll keep this very general and brief. We've had declining experiences at WDW in general, each time we've gone. Our August 12' trip was kind of the last straw, and we fell in love with Universal. My daughter is a thrill junkie, and prefers those parks because they flip you upside down at 60mph, repeatedly. That, and I am a RABID Harry Potter fan. We may visit hard ticket parties at WDW, but our Orlando trips will be on site at Universal from now on.

That said, we're looking very forward to a lovely stay at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[pas130]

I don't want to bring a bunch of negativity into this wonderful thread Kook has worked hard on, so I'll keep this very general and brief. We've had declining experiences at WDW in general, each time we've gone. Our August 12' trip was kind of the last straw, and we fell in love with Universal. My daughter is a thrill junkie, and prefers those parks because they flip you upside down at 60mph, repeatedly. That, and I am a RABID Harry Potter fan. We may visit hard ticket parties at WDW, but our Orlando trips will be on site at Universal from now on.

That said, we're looking very forward to a lovely stay at the Wilderness Lodge.

Hi Casey!! You know you always have a home on the RC thread!! Missed you! I am sure your beautiful DD is getting bigger!!! BTW my family had crossed over to the dark side a few trips ago. US/IoA onsite is FAB!! That said, my DH is allowing me my summer trip this year to WDW which very well may be Disney's last chance with my kiddos as well. We are booked at YC but (as Kook in well aware) WL beckons...it's a strong pull for me. WL is so peaceful and beautiful Have a wonderful trip!!!

Hello to all the Lodgers!!! Sorry to pop in, wanted to say hello to a DISfriend I haven't "seen" in a bit

 

[LumosQ102]

We'll be back at the WL for a week on 24th May & can't wait

We're visiting POFQ then spending a week on the Fantasy before we get to WL - its going to be very strange arriving into a different hotel from the Magical Express! The WL is such a weakness - we were supposed to be at the Boardwalk this trip, but after our last stay we couldn't go an entire trip without going home to that beautiful tranquil oasis. It will be interesting to see if our plans to stay at CR & YC remain after this trip!!

 

[crostorfer]

Hi Casey!! You know you always have a home on the RC thread!! Missed you! I am sure your beautiful DD is getting bigger!!! BTW my family had crossed over to the dark side a few trips ago. US/IoA onsite is FAB!! That said, my DH is allowing me my summer trip this year to WDW which very well may be Disney's last chance with my kiddos as well. We are booked at YC but (as Kook in well aware) WL beckons...it's a strong pull for me. WL is so peaceful and beautiful Have a wonderful trip!!!

Hello to all the Lodgers!!! Sorry to pop in, wanted to say hello to a DISfriend I haven't "seen" in a bit

It's so nice to see you! Resort Changers 4 Life! LOL Thank you so much for saying hello.

In August 12' we stayed at the POR, and I should have been a RC for that. The bus service was just our last straw, it took us 2 and a half hours to get to Blizzard Beach one day, and we had just had it with the transportation. We did a split stay between there and the Royal Pacific over at US and OMG, that second half of our trip was so much better. We did DLR last year, rather than WDW, as I figured maybe we were burnt out on Florida, and we were going to go back there this trip rather than WDW, but I wanted somewhere we could stay a week and cost per day is cheaper in Orlando, so we decided to give WDW one more chance. We're going back to stay on site at Universal in October, so I didn't want to go there this trip, lest we get burnt out there too, but if the Disney crowds are too much to handle we may escape over there in the afternoons because I can buy front of the line passes for the day.


Jekyll/Hyde decided to join us again and he couldn't really do September crowds. The crowds over the next week will frighten him to the point that I may not get him to leave the room. I specifically picked the Wilderness Lodge because he will love the theme, we'll see how it goes. I smell another trip report in my future. Wish me luck.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We just got home from our very first "unplanned" stay at WL! We planned and paid for a Port Orleans Riverside WDW vacation! But on checkin last week, we were offered an upgrade to WL!! The cast member at POR said it was was because we were there celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! MAGICAL!! Simply wonderful!! PIXIE dust!!
The cast member at WL didn't share the same magical inspiration as Emma at POR. The WL cast member said we, along with 2 other registrants from POR, were offered the WL stay because POR was over booked. Poof - pixie dust gone! Well, not for us! It was still magical because WL was outstanding and we have never had such an amazing upgrade!

Wow!! That is fantastic!!! Happy Anniversary!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Mildly WILDERNESS-related and WL is in the Magic Kingdom Resorts area so…

Jack Spence's MAGIC KINGDOM SHOOTIN' GALLERY article.

Eight hours of labor to re-paint it every night!​

 

[pas130]

It's so nice to see you! Resort Changers 4 Life! LOL Thank you so much for saying hello.

In August 12' we stayed at the POR, and I should have been a RC for that. The bus service was just our last straw, it took us 2 and a half hours to get to Blizzard Beach one day, and we had just had it with the transportation. We did a split stay between there and the Royal Pacific over at US and OMG, that second half of our trip was so much better. We did DLR last year, rather than WDW, as I figured maybe we were burnt out on Florida, and we were going to go back there this trip rather than WDW, but I wanted somewhere we could stay a week and cost per day is cheaper in Orlando, so we decided to give WDW one more chance. We're going back to stay on site at Universal in October, so I didn't want to go there this trip, lest we get burnt out there too, but if the Disney crowds are too much to handle we may escape over there in the afternoons because I can buy front of the line passes for the day.


Jekyll/Hyde decided to join us again and he couldn't really do September crowds. The crowds over the next week will frighten him to the point that I may not get him to leave the room. I specifically picked the Wilderness Lodge because he will love the theme, we'll see how it goes. I smell another trip report in my future. Wish me luck.

I hope that DH is feeling more Jekyllish. My DH LOVES WL!!! And he is a definite non-Disney lover. Those express passes at US are AWESOME, as is early entry for HP....One big reason I am nervous about any resort with an internal bus....TIME!!

DEFINITELY do a TR!!!!

Mildly WILDERNESS-related and WL is in the Magic Kingdom Resorts area so…

Jack Spence's MAGIC KINGDOM SHOOTIN' GALLERY article.

Eight hours of labor to re-paint it every night!​

We ALWAYS do the shootin' gallery

 

[WDWKOOK]

Heading to WL in August. Would anyone recommend the Wonders of the Lodge Tour? Would it be ok for 11.5 year old DD and 10.5 year old DS? I know I would love it, but I wonder how it would be for them? They are pretty mature kids. Thanks.

There is a post on the first page HERE with a description and photos of our tour. All ages are welcome and as long as your kids can hear what Jack is saying, they should remain engaged. The tour itself is very fast-paced and interesting, but tours of any type can get boring if kids can't hear the guide, so make sure they're up close. I highly recommend the free tour to everyone! It's a great way to start the day off.

Am able to online check in today and I am staying on club level - so is there really any need to make any floor requests on the online check in form?

Nope, no need, unless you're booked in a Deluxe CL room. Those are only on floors 1-6. Standard CL rooms are on the 7th floor.

Online Check-In room request options appear the same no matter what category you booked, and consequently, often won't even apply to your booking. Any CL room requests should be added to your reservation by emailing the IPO.

So happy to share. I learnt so much from this and the previous WL threads. The info and pictures were the reasons we changed our booking from CBR to WL and we had such a more memorable and enjoyable holiday because of it. I am sure plenty of people have great holidays at CBR, just saying for us that WL was the best fit and we'd go back there tomorrow if we could!

So glad you found your Disney "home."

We just got home from our very first "unplanned" stay at WL! We planned and paid for a Port Orleans Riverside WDW vacation! But on checkin last week, we were offered an upgrade to WL!! The cast member at POR said it was was because we were there celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! MAGICAL!! Simply wonderful!! PIXIE dust!!
The cast member at WL didn't share the same magical inspiration as Emma at POR. The WL cast member said we, along with 2 other registrants from POR, were offered the WL stay because POR was over booked. Poof - pixie dust gone! Well, not for us! It was still magical because WL was outstanding and we have never had such an amazing upgrade!

WOOHOO! Happy anniversary! Are you hooked now? Will you be booking WL for a future stay?

Hi-just wanted to share a very brief update. We checked in to the villas yesterday and they have floors 3, 4, and 5 completed and are currently working on floor 2. We requested a high floor but got the third floor. You definitely can hear the construction noise during the day. So far no water or power disruptions. So far so good for us. Wish I had time to share more but we are beat and going to bed!

What a great update - thank you! I will update Posts 2 and 19 with your information

Our countdown just hit 20 days! Can't wait to be back at the lodge.

We plan to check in and head straight to the pool to enjoy the Florida sunshine. Snacks from Roaring Forks and drinks from the pool bar will probably happen. Then for the first time ever we are headed to a park on our first night at WDW. Planning on Epcot and have FP+ for Test Track...then Via Napoli for dinner. This has been the worst winter in my memory here in Michigan, can't wait to get away from the cold and snow.

I have not figured out how to post photos yet but I need to learn. We are staying in VWL 1bedroom. Hoping to have a renovated room. Not sure if I love the new decor but I will hold off sharing a true opinion until I see it in person.

Planning on doing some "here now" posts. If I can help anyone with questions, let me know.

You really need a thaw, big time. I can't think of a better place to thaw out and forget about the snow and muck. Just make sure you don't go to Blizzard Beach. Feel free to PM me if you need any help posting photos.

I don't want to bring a bunch of negativity into this wonderful thread Kook has worked hard on, so I'll keep this very general and brief. We've had declining experiences at WDW in general, each time we've gone. Our August 12' trip was kind of the last straw, and we fell in love with Universal. My daughter is a thrill junkie, and prefers those parks because they flip you upside down at 60mph, repeatedly. That, and I am a RABID Harry Potter fan. We may visit hard ticket parties at WDW, but our Orlando trips will be on site at Universal from now on.

That said, we're looking very forward to a lovely stay at the Wilderness Lodge.

Good opportunity for me to let everyone know that I hope posters feel like they can be honest on this thread. I don't want anyone sugar-coating anything just because they don't want to seem negative. One person's negative experience might be another's positive experience AND vise-versa.

YOU report, WE'LL decide and thank you all for being honest. We all know there's no such thing as the perfect vacation, (but WL/VWL come pretty close)

Hi Casey!! You know you always have a home on the RC thread!! Missed you! I am sure your beautiful DD is getting bigger!!! BTW my family had crossed over to the dark side a few trips ago. US/IoA onsite is FAB!! That said, my DH is allowing me my summer trip this year to WDW which very well may be Disney's last chance with my kiddos as well. We are booked at YC but (as Kook in well aware) WL beckons...it's a strong pull for me. WL is so peaceful and beautiful Have a wonderful trip!!!

Hello to all the Lodgers!!! Sorry to pop in, wanted to say hello to a DISfriend I haven't "seen" in a bit

Looks like a Snow Day for us Monday - we already have a winter storm warning so I'll be in place to add you to the Lodgers' Log…again

We'll be back at the WL for a week on 24th May & can't wait

We're visiting POFQ then spending a week on the Fantasy before we get to WL - its going to be very strange arriving into a different hotel from the Magical Express! The WL is such a weakness - we were supposed to be at the Boardwalk this trip, but after our last stay we couldn't go an entire trip without going home to that beautiful tranquil oasis. It will be interesting to see if our plans to stay at CR & YC remain after this trip!!

Do keep us posted on your plans and your trip sounds fantastic!

Wow!! That is fantastic!!! Happy Anniversary!!

Happy 10K

 

[AlohaAnnie]

11 days until we arrive at WL CL for our one night stay. We are really looking forward to it.

The next day we switch over to AKL CL.


We are so excited about both of our stays. This will be our first stay at WL and our third stay at AKL.

We are celebrating our 18 Anniversary and our son's high school graduation and going off to college.


Thanks Kook for all the great info about WLCL, I found answers to my questions.


.

 

[bluecastle]

Hi-just wanted to share a very brief update. We checked in to the villas yesterday and they have floors 3, 4, and 5 completed and are currently working on floor 2. We requested a high floor but got the third floor. You definitely can hear the construction noise during the day. So far no water or power disruptions. So far so good for us. Wish I had time to share more but we are beat and going to bed!

Thanks for the update! I hope the noise is not disrupting your stay too much. Unlike the main lodge where you can be in another wing, I guess it is pretty hard to get away from the noise in the villas.
I know you are busy having fun, but when you return home and get a chance, could you give us some details about the new rooms? I am particularly interested in the condition of the beds. ( I have a bad back) In all the descriptions of the hard goods refurb, I haven't seen any references to mattresses or beds being replaced, just linens, appliances, flooring etc. I don't want to assume anything, so I just wanted to know if they seemed in good shape to you.
Hope you are having a wonderful time!!