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

[pas130]

I am finally making it back to the WL!! I am going on a girls only trip in September with a friend. We are booked in a courtyard view room from September 20 - 24, 2014. I haven't staye at the WL since our 2006 trip.

Nice!!!!

Thought the watches/warnings would have been issued this morning, but none yet. Love your groundhog comment and I'll join you in the hunt for Phil.


Well it's about time! I've logged your dates and WL is ready for you and your friends - bring on the fun!

It's going to be BAADDDDD NE of us, I think we are only getting a few inches..I think.....

And we can dress up like Pioneer Mickey for our hunt

The last I heard was that the system is tracking east so we are only supposed to get an inch or two. North of us, NJ, NY, and New England, are supposed to get more than us- this time!

Yes, it's definitely time to give Va. a break

 

[momma of 2]

10 days until our first stay at the villa's. We have stayed at every DVC resort except old key west and grand Floridian so we are looking forward to our stay April 3-8.

 

[ocalla]

Well, it looks like we are tossing around the idea of going back for Thanksgiving Week, since DD will be working there, I would HATE for her to not spend part of the holiday with us , so they are gonna DRAG me back for another week.............it's going to be so hard on me

We really loved WL, and I think we may stay there again!!

Will any of the X-Mas decorations be up at that time?

 

[lahobbs4]

We've finally agreed to stay at WL woods view room this November! (230 days... that sounds too long!). Two years ago at AKL - which we LOVED, last year at POP - which we LOATHED. I'm sure WL will be a great fit for us and our two boys ages 6 and 4. Thanks for the helpful info!

 

[Rach3047]

Just booked our very first trip @ Wilderness Lodge! I can barely contain my excitement!! We were initially booked @ AoA but because of the summer discount we were able to swing staying here.

Not sure how we're going to make it until August

Any suggestions for a first timer w/two kids (11yo boy/7yo girl)?! (I know...loaded question)

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We've finally agreed to stay at WL woods view room this November! (230 days... that sounds too long!). Two years ago at AKL - which we LOVED, last year at POP - which we LOATHED. I'm sure WL will be a great fit for us and our two boys ages 6 and 4. Thanks for the helpful info!

Congratulations. I'm sure you will appreciate the similarities between the lodges and then will be better equipped to pick a favorite. Perhaps the best answer will be "both".

Just booked our very first trip @ Wilderness Lodge! I can barely contain my excitement!! We were initially booked @ AoA but because of the summer discount we were able to swing staying here.

Not sure how we're going to make it until August

Any suggestions for a first timer w/two kids (11yo boy/7yo girl)?! (I know...loaded question)

Have a great time! Beyond that, the suggestions I would have are to take advantage of being on Bay Lake. The boat transportation to MK is fun (although not as fast in transit as the bus) and there also is a resort loop that will take you to CR or FW. At CR you can explore and hop on the monorail, and at FW you can check out the area, the horse barns, and perhaps catch a meal at Trail's End or see the Hoop De Doo show. Kids that age might also enjoy heading to FW on bikes, which you can rent near the South dock at WL. To further explore Bay Lake you could rent a boat, which you can drive across the bridge towards MK.
You'll also want to take advantage of the food at WL. If crowds are an issue at Roaring Fork (the QS restaurant) you might consider having one person run down and ring things back to the room. WCC is fun and lively, but has some great breakfasts too. With kids you might not choose to do Artist's Point, but you can still get their cobbler from the territory lounge for a great dessert.
You should have a lot of fun at a wonderful resort!

 

[jdevaz]

Can you please add me to the log?
We are heading to WLV on May 16-25th.
Celebrating my birthday while we are there.
We stayed at the WL last year and absolutely loved it - couldn't wait to get back!

Thank you for providing such great information on this thread!

 

[lahobbs4]

I meant to ask this in my original post: what are the pools like in November? I know they are heated, but is it really warm enough to swim? We have always spent a lot of afternoon time swimming, but may plan on going back to the parks if it will be too chilly. I'm thinking about having one non-park day, but trying to decide what to do with it

Thanks!

 

[thisismyusername]

I meant to ask this in my original post: what are the pools like in November? I know they are heated, but is it really warm enough to swim? We have always spent a lot of afternoon time swimming, but may plan on going back to the parks if it will be too chilly. I'm thinking about having one non-park day, but trying to decide what to do with it Thanks!

We were at another Disney resort earlier this month during a cold snap, and while we were cold wearing pants and sweatshirts (we really needed coats but didn't have them), there were still people swimming. Crazy people, IMO, but they looked like they were having fun. It was in the mid 50s and very, very windy and overcast. The pools are heated for year-round use, and I bet that November is more likely to be nicer than late winter.

 

[opieandy1]

3 more days...3 more days....3 more days and I'll be at the WL. We have never stayed at the lodge and we are so excited. Can't wait- I need a get-a-way.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

3 more days...3 more days....3 more days and I'll be at the WL. We have never stayed at the lodge and we are so excited. Can't wait- I need a get-a-way.

You can make it! It is so close now... Say hi to the lodge for all of us, and have a great time.

 

[jacquelinemc]

I meant to ask this in my original post: what are the pools like in November? I know they are heated, but is it really warm enough to swim? We have always spent a lot of afternoon time swimming, but may plan on going back to the parks if it will be too chilly. I'm thinking about having one non-park day, but trying to decide what to do with it Thanks!

We were there this past Thanksgiving and it was unseasonably cold-winter coat cold! The pool was so warm it practically had steam rising from it! We swam every single day! The air was cold but we didn't care-it was awesome!

 

[BelleKer]

Does anyone know if the WL boat be running all night to MK for the 24 hour event?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Well, it looks like we are tossing around the idea of going back for Thanksgiving Week, since DD will be working there, I would HATE for her to not spend part of the holiday with us , so they are gonna DRAG me back for another week.............it's going to be so hard on me

We really loved WL, and I think we may stay there again!!

Will any of the X-Mas decorations be up at that time?

All of the Christmas decorations except for the big Christmas tree at Mk will be up by Thanksgiving week. But they don't begin the Candlelight Processional until after Thanksgiving.

 

[Koh1977]

How busy is the pool during the summer? Thinking afternoon pool/nap breaks...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[WDWKOOK]

The last I heard was that the system is tracking east so we are only supposed to get an inch or two. North of us, NJ, NY, and New England, are supposed to get more than us- this time!

No delays/cancelations here

Nice!!!!
It's going to be BAADDDDD NE of us, I think we are only getting a few inches..I think.....

Hope all is calm up there.

10 days until our first stay at the villa's. We have stayed at every DVC resort except old key west and grand Floridian so we are looking forward to our stay April 3-8.

Well, it looks like we are tossing around the idea of going back for Thanksgiving Week, since DD will be working there, I would HATE for her to not spend part of the holiday with us , so they are gonna DRAG me back for another week.............it's going to be so hard on me

We really loved WL, and I think we may stay there again!!

Will any of the X-Mas decorations be up at that time?

In 2013, the WL Christmas tree went up on 11/19.

We've finally agreed to stay at WL woods view room this November! (230 days... that sounds too long!). Two years ago at AKL - which we LOVED, last year at POP - which we LOATHED. I'm sure WL will be a great fit for us and our two boys ages 6 and 4. Thanks for the helpful info!

Welcome! You're going to love WL and the transportation options, too.

Just booked our very first trip @ Wilderness Lodge! I can barely contain my excitement!! We were initially booked @ AoA but because of the summer discount we were able to swing staying here.

Not sure how we're going to make it until August

Any suggestions for a first timer w/two kids (11yo boy/7yo girl)?! (I know...loaded question)

Welcome to the thread and there's so much to do at WL and FW right next door. Make sure to check out the RECREATION and ACTIVITIES sections of the thread, if you haven't.

Can you please add me to the log?
We are heading to WLV on May 16-25th.
Celebrating my birthday while we are there.
We stayed at the WL last year and absolutely loved it - couldn't wait to get back!

Thank you for providing such great information on this thread!

I'd be happy to add your VWL dates and I'm so glad you've found the thread helpful.

I meant to ask this in my original post: what are the pools like in November? I know they are heated, but is it really warm enough to swim? We have always spent a lot of afternoon time swimming, but may plan on going back to the parks if it will be too chilly. I'm thinking about having one non-park day, but trying to decide what to do with it

Thanks!

Just adding that it's the ambient temp. that can be a shock when you get out of the pool all wet. Make sure you have warm, dry clothes to put on immediately. The walk to your room will seem really long when you're wet and cold.

Does anyone know if the WL boat be running all night to MK for the 24 hour event?

Good question and I couldn't find the answer. Hopefully, someone who attended the other two 24-hour events will know

How busy is the pool during the summer? Thinking afternoon pool/nap breaks...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

IMHO, all WDW pools are crowded in the afternoon in summer. But, the "quiet" pools tend to be less crowded since they have fewer features such as slides. It helps that the WL pool has a kiddie pool right next to the feature pool which splits up the crowd some. The pool is much less crowded in the morning. I took this on an August morning:




And, this was taken on an August afternoon:

 

[ocalla]

All of the Christmas decorations except for the big Christmas tree at Mk will be up by Thanksgiving week. But they don't begin the Candlelight Processional until after Thanksgiving.

Thank you so much!!! As long as the decorations are up, I'm a happy camper .

I can't imagine how beautiful WL must be during the holidays!!

 

[Lisann]

3 more days...3 more days....3 more days and I'll be at the WL. We have never stayed at the lodge and we are so excited. Can't wait- I need a get-a-way.

I am so excited for you!!! Wish I could go!!

 

[madgali2000]

Has anyone ever used "Dave's" vacation point rentals?? How does it work? Any tips? We are exploring ways of trying to save some money! Of course we would only being staying at our "home" thanks!!

 

[Lzylitnin]

Has anyone ever used "Dave's" vacation point rentals?? How does it work? Any tips? We are exploring ways of trying to save some money! Of course we would only being staying at our "home" thanks!!

I have used David's DVC point rental twice with great success, but the last 3 or 4 times that I have tried to rent from them, they do not have enough points for my reservation. I've followed their advice and tried booking at the eleven month and again at the seven month window, and they never have points available. They seem to be able to accommodate shorter stays that only require minimal points. One week, not so much. If they have the points available, it is a reputable company, and I would not hesitate to book with them. I will continue checking with them when planning a WDW trip, but it is kind of frustrating when they take a $98 deposit, and then never have points! The deposit has always been refunded, immediately, when they are unable to book.

I've used dvc rental store .com, too, with similar results (not enough points available). They do not require a deposit to check on availability.