(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread ~2012~

[Sophie's Mom]

Bit down right now.
Had to take my 17year old cat to the vets for the last time, hurts.

Needed to come over here and look at the pretty pictures and all. Think happy thoughts.

So sorry for your loss. We had to put on 17 year old Yorkie down in November. I'm still sad So I feel your sadness! Disney thoughts can help keep your mind busy.

 

[WDWKOOK]

From DIS Updates:

Disney to enforce age restrictions for unaccompanied minors

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Mar 16, 2013 | Updated: Mar 16, 2013 - 10:28:32 PM

The U.S. Disney theme parks are putting a new age restriction into place. Beginning March 23, children under the age of 14 will not be able to enter the parks unless someone aged 14 or older accompanies them. There was previously no documented age policy, but no specific incident prompted the change. Suzi Brown, Disneyland spokeswoman said, "We regularly review all of our policies, and we identified an opportunity to provide a consistent age of admission and address a question we occasionally get from parents. The question is just if we have a minimum age."

The age of 14 was chosen after guest surveys were taken, as well as surveys from child welfare organizations. Brown said, "If a cast member who is working at the front gates sees a guest who appears to be younger than 14 without someone who appears to be older than that, they will engage in a conversation with the guest." As guests of that age don't normally have ID, the cast member will decide if the parent or guardian needs to come accompany the child into the park.

 

[bluecastle]

Gaius a few years ago, happy and comfortable on the couch.

Thanks all for your kind words, I just needed to share it and well thanks.

Very sorry to read about your loss. I have lost many kitties over the years and it always hurts. We lost our last one, 19 years old, 14 years ago. We were recently watching videos of our DD when she was a baby and were so happy to see him looking young and healthy. I just have pictures of the others cats I have loved in my life, but I am so thankful we have videos of our last one. He was a part of our family for so long, and a companion to my daughter, unwillingly most of the time!, from the day she came home from the hospital until high school. Gaius looks like he was well-loved.
Hopefully, planning your upcoming trip will give you some happy moments!

 

[bluecastle]

Here's a little video to distract you. It's the newest DIS video in the "park bench" series. It's of the view from the TE porch at FW. There are boat horns, golf carts and an abandoned sippy cup! I thought for sure the two ladies who stop in the golf cart were going to retrieve the sippy cup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuqoxFa9FGo&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+disney-updates+%28Disney+Updates+-+wdwinfo.com%29

Thanks for posting this video! It was very relaxing. Some of the WDW videos online now are so hyper- quick clips that go by so fast that it is hard for me to enjoy them. This really helped me to feel like I was there.

 

[Liberator]

The decision was made...we booked Wilderness Lodge instead of Contemporary or Animal Kingdom Lodge!

This thread and so many positive reviews convinced us to book for 09/08 - 09/13.

We booked a Standard View - where are all those standard view rooms?
I have only seen some pictures of rooms overlooking the driveway for deliveries and garbage etc.

Should I request something or are the views really only of this driveway?
It is not that important what view we have, but I think we should try to make the best of it.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Trying to get back into the groove of things.... I've missed my fellow dissers!!!!! Especially my WL crew!!!! We booked standard last Oct and our view was over the delivery driveway area but we had a great view of wishes at night so we were fine with it. We have booked standard in the past and been upgraded but that is just luck =) We were on the 5th floor in October.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi all! Posting with a question from the lodge. Do any of the studio villas have a full bed instead of queen? Just checked in and the bed seems smaller than the queen I have at home, but CMs indicate all studios have queen beds. TIA!

Hmmm... All the VWL beds are supposed to be queens. Maybe you could ask a mousekeeper if you could take a peak into another Studio to see if it's the same size?

Hope you're having great vacation despite the bed

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for posting this video! It was very relaxing. Some of the WDW videos online now are so hyper- quick clips that go by so fast that it is hard for me to enjoy them. This really helped me to feel like I was there.

You're welcome. I loved hearing the boat horn and birds chirping

The decision was made...we booked Wilderness Lodge instead of Contemporary or Animal Kingdom Lodge!

This thread and so many positive reviews convinced us to book for 09/08 - 09/13.

We booked a Standard View - where are all those standard view rooms?
I have only seen some pictures of rooms overlooking the driveway for deliveries and garbage etc.

Should I request something or are the views really only of this driveway?
It is not that important what view we have, but I think we should try to make the best of it.

Welcome! There are also some STD rooms which overlook the bus stop, VWL area in the South Wing. Most seem to prefer the higher floors

Trying to get back into the groove of things.... I've missed my fellow dissers!!!!! Especially my WL crew!!!! We booked standard last Oct and our view was over the delivery driveway area but we had a great view of wishes at night so we were fine with it. We have booked standard in the past and been upgraded but that is just luck =) We were on the 5th floor in October.

Welcome back!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi all! Posting with a question from the lodge. Do any of the studio villas have a full bed instead of queen? Just checked in and the bed seems smaller than the queen I have at home, but CMs indicate all studios have queen beds. TIA!

All studios have a queen and a double sleeper sofa (except for OKW which has two queen beds). And they are queen beds. I've measured them.

 

[peteykirch]

Just book a WL Court Yard view room for 10/27-11/2. Hopefully there will be a decent discount released between now and then for even more savings.

 

[chimommy]

Just booked WL woods view for 5 nights in dec. very excited... It our first time staying at a Disney property... Any suggestions for location room request? Hoping they will offer some discounts later... But not planning on it

 

[kroy]

Bit down right now.
Had to take my 17year old cat to the vets for the last time, hurts.

Needed to come over here and look at the pretty pictures and all. Think happy thoughts.

We are contemplating a Disney World stay toward the end of the Food and Wine Festival this year, but our elderly cat (just turned 19!) is declining and we don't want to make reservations just yet. He has good days and bad days and is probably on life 13 by now! We spent a week at the VWL in a 2 BR in January with the grand kids, and our poor old cat did not do well being boarded during that time. We've had many cats over 46 years, and we've always felt that part of the commitment in owning a pet is that at the end of life you make sure he has a peaceful and comfortable exit. It's not easy or cheap, but it's the right thing to do!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just booked WL woods view for 5 nights in dec. very excited... It our first time staying at a Disney property... Any suggestions for location room request? Hoping they will offer some discounts later... But not planning on it

We had a woods view booked for our stay last month. The only request I made was 5th floor or higher. We ended up on the 6th floor with a view of the castle with a partially obscured view of the fireworks. We liked being on that side of the resort because I liked being able to see the water, the boats, the Contemporary, and the castle. It was also close to the elevator that came out near Roaring Forks.

We have booked a woods view room for five nights in Dec, too. We had a dormer balcony last time. But I don't really want one this time, even though it means I might not be able to see the castle on a lower floor. But I am going to request the North wing again. I really liked being on that side of the resort.

There are a lot of pictures of the different resort rooms and their views on the first page of this thread. I spent a couple months researching what location I wanted. You'll find that there are a lot of favorites out there.

 

[RedfromNL]

We are contemplating a Disney World stay toward the end of the Food and Wine Festival this year, but our elderly cat (just turned 19!) is declining and we don't want to make reservations just yet. He has good days and bad days and is probably on life 13 by now! We spent a week at the VWL in a 2 BR in January with the grand kids, and our poor old cat did not do well being boarded during that time. We've had many cats over 46 years, and we've always felt that part of the commitment in owning a pet is that at the end of life you make sure he has a peaceful and comfortable exit. It's not easy or cheap, but it's the right thing to do!

Totally true.

And I understand about not booking just yet!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

The decision was made...we booked Wilderness Lodge instead of Contemporary or Animal Kingdom Lodge!

This thread and so many positive reviews convinced us to book for 09/08 - 09/13.

We booked a Standard View - where are all those standard view rooms?
I have only seen some pictures of rooms overlooking the driveway for deliveries and garbage etc.

Should I request something or are the views really only of this driveway?
It is not that important what view we have, but I think we should try to make the best of it.

Congratulations on booking your trip. We were there last September and had such a great time we booked for this year and will be there from 9/6 to 9/15.

As far as view, the map on the first page of the thread shows that there are relatively few areas that are classified as standard view. Booking standard view gets you standard view or better, so the opportunity exists to get any view. We have only booked standard view but have stayed in nice Woods and Courtyard view rooms. Especially when crowds are low, there is always a chance for a prettier view, and it is a nice bit of pixie dust if you get it.

For requests, we happen to enjoy a room that opens to the lobby, but some prefer a quieter location in one of the wings. The North wing has potential for a MK or Wishes view, and is closer to Roaring Forks for quick service food.

Enjoy your trip, it should be great!

 

[mikepdc]

Hmmm... All the VWL beds are supposed to be queens. Maybe you could ask a mousekeeper if you could take a peak into another Studio to see if it's the same size?

Hope you're having great vacation despite the bed

All studios have a queen and a double sleeper sofa (except for OKW which has two queen beds). And they are queen beds. I've measured them.

Thanks for the replies. I think the bed here (without a footboard) just looked smaller than my queen bed at home. We're having a great vacation and loving the Lodge!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Does anyone know exactly what cardio machines are in Sturdy Branches? The only ones I can see from the photos are tredmill and cycle.

Thanks!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Does anyone know exactly what cardio machines are in Sturdy Branches? The only ones I can see from the photos are tredmill and cycle.

Thanks!

There is a lot of information about the health club at this web site:

Wilderness Lodge.com/sturdy branches health club

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does anyone know exactly what cardio machines are in Sturdy Branches? The only ones I can see from the photos are tredmill and cycle.

Thanks!

Sturdy Branches has 3 Life Fitness bikes, 3 elliptical/cross trainers and 6 Life Fitness treadmills. I thought there was a Life Fitness recumbent bike, but I don't see it in my photos so I may be thinking of the Olympiad gym at CR that has a couple of recumbents. The photos on the site Wood Nymph posted show a recumbent, but those photos are pretty old.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

^^ Thank you!!

BTW can I just cuz in just 4 months from today ....... We can be welcomed home!