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

[Sophie's Mom]

I did notice that the 2 bedroom villa at VWL has two queen beds in the second bedroom. At least that is what they are showing on the website. Isn't that new?[/QUOTE]

In the dedicated two-bedroom only. I believe there is a queen bed and a queen sofa bed in the two bedroom lock offs - at least the last time I stayed in a lock off.

 

[osugal]

Do they ever do discounts on the standard CL rooms?

 

[Wood Nymph]

In the dedicated two-bedroom only. I believe there is a queen bed and a queen sofa bed in the two bedroom lock offs - at least the last time I stayed in a lock off.

Is a lock off the same thing as a deluxe studio?

 

[Disbug]

Is a lock off the same thing as a deluxe studio?

A lock-off just means it is a connecting room. There will be a 1-bedroom next to a deluxe studio and they are both "locked-off" from each other by an internal door. You unlock both of the internal doors when you reserve them together to make a 2 bedroom villa. Conversely, a "dedicated" villa means it is separate from the rooms to either side. Those villas cannot be combined to make a larger accommodation.

 

[LovinPooh]

Is there a photopass station here?
I have finally convinced dh to stray from akl to wl for our trip next february.
I m thinkn a courtyard view close to roaring forks with an open balcony. Does that sound ok for a room request or should i reword that when the time comes?
I m really excited bout how close it is to mk.

 

[RedfromNL]

Just one month left.........

It refuses to become spring here, it's still just cold, cold, cold. I need something cheerfull to think about so come here

 

[TaraPA]

Do they ever do discounts on the standard CL rooms?

Yes, we just stayed standard CL on a 35% off AP discount! The Deluxe CL rooms do not have a discount.

Above is correct that dedicated 2BR have 2 queens in the 2nd BR, lockoffs have 1 queen & 1 sofabed in the lock-off 2BR. It's like that for every DVC 2BR except OKW, they have 2 queens in all 2BR (because their studios all have 2 queens rather than 1 queen & 1 sofabed).


BLT also has the sleeper chair in a 1BR so sleeps 5 in a 1BR (along with AKV Jambo & Kidani, and OKW).

 

[WDWKOOK]

Well, we changed our WL reservation. Still going from 11/17 thru 11/23, but instead of CL we are back into a 1 bedroom Villa.

Started thinking of space, money, ect. We are saving money moving back to the 1 bedroom with the AAA rate. Plus now we are going from 340 sq feet to 814 sq ft. Plus a full size kitchen and the washer and dryer.

I updated the log with my big ol' Resort Changers' eraser

I think your switch makes a lot of sense and you'll even be paying less and getting more than twice as much room and the washer/dryer - priceless!

I think you made a wise choice! As much as I LOVED LOVED LOVED WL CL, a standard room is just way to small for our family. I fell in love with the grounds of the villas. My boys stopped to play a game of checkers in one of the sitting areas off the lobby. I could have sat there relaxing all day!

Since the Deluxe CL rooms at WL are never discounted, they're out of my price range. We will go with a 1BR at VWL next time for the space - and beautiful setting.

That's not to say I won't be back to WL with the ladies!

STOP! Just STOP I say! You are a mighty bad influence. Just yesterday I booked our summer vacation and BLT wasn't available with our discount so I booked CR, but just hours later I wondered if I should book VWL (or WL). I'm hopeless when it comes to Bay Lake resorts.

We've never stayed in the Villas and after trying BLT last summer, I just loved all the space and washer/dryer. Of course, at BLT you have two bathrooms and VWL just has one and BLT is newer. Have you stayed at both? If so, after staying at BLT were you happy with VWL? I'm just a bit concerned with what some say are 'outdated' rooms with bedspreads that need some updating.

I think it was Deb & Bill who reported in January seeing a two bedroom being gutted, perhaps as a 'model room' for a full VWL rehab. Does anyone have any info. on this or has seen other VWL rooms being recently rehabbed?

I love the Villa lobby. In the early morning when I go to Sturdy Branches there's usually no one there and I love sitting in the inglenook by the fireplace. What am I doing to myself

Thanks WDWKOOK. Please also feel free to post your thoughts/suggestions in our honeymoon itinerary thread when you get a chance to read it.

I would love to, thank you.

I think we made a good move in switching to the Villas. We also LOVE WL CL, but the rooms are just too small at this point for us.

We are only a family of 3 (my mother, my son, and I), but my son needs a lot of space. He is getting taller by the second I think, and his Autism gives him little quirks like spinning, flapping hands, and especially pacing. The extra square footage will save my mother and I from getting run over!

I am also getting very excited with the prospect of bringing home no dirty laundry and doing it all there before we leave!

Will definitely have to find the sitting area with checkers, thanks for the idea!

I love CL, too and we're only a family of three. Your decision makes a lot of sense and as I recall your son likes to sleep on an Aero bed so there will be more room for that. Once you stay in a suite or a one bedroom villa, it's a bit harder to 'downsize,' you get spoiled by the extra room and washer/dryer. We take longer trips so not having to go once or twice to the laundry, which seems to take about 3 hours of my time with folding, is a real convenience. But here I am saying all this having just booked a CL room

The area with the checkers table is to the right when you walk in the main doors. There's a HUGE area for loungnig & relaxing, a beautiful fireplace with several sitting areas. We were there for 45 min. & not one other person came in that area. Total peace & quiet!

Oh, there you go again! LOVE the photos - thank you. And the train, I love the train. Now what to do??

Do the Villas 1 bedroom have a two queen option in the bedroom?

No, only a King.

I'm not aware of any DVC villas with 2 queens in a 1-BR master, they all have a king in the master. Are there any? Anyone?

I don't think so. Deb & Bill would probably know for sure

The one bedroom villa has a king in the master and a queen sofa sleeper in the living room. it sleeps four.

As far as I know, all the one bedroom villas have a king bed in the master bedroom. I think that OKW and AKV have a sleeper chair along with the queen sofa sleeper in the LR and sleeps five.

I did notice that the 2 bedroom villa at VWL has two queen beds in the second bedroom. At least that is what they are showing on the website. Isn't that new?

Do they ever do discounts on the standard CL rooms?

Yes. They have always been included in the military rate of 40% off and other discounts as well.

Is there a photopass station here?
I have finally convinced dh to stray from akl to wl for our trip next february.
I m thinkn a courtyard view close to roaring forks with an open balcony. Does that sound ok for a room request or should i reword that when the time comes?
I m really excited bout how close it is to mk.

I don't recall seeing a PhotoPass kiosk anymore. Was there one by Bell Services years ago? I think they got rid of all of the resort ones, except maybe GF(?) and they are only in the parks now. I'm sketchy on this so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Just one month left.........

It refuses to become spring here, it's still just cold, cold, cold. I need something cheerfull to think about so come here

First day of spring break here and it snowed. Here's a SONNY photo to perk you up:

Yes, we just stayed standard CL on a 35% off AP discount! The Deluxe CL rooms do not have a discount.

Above is correct that dedicated 2BR have 2 queens in the 2nd BR, lockoffs have 1 queen & 1 sofabed in the lock-off 2BR. It's like that for every DVC 2BR except OKW, they have 2 queens in all 2BR (because their studios all have 2 queens rather than 1 queen & 1 sofabed).


BLT also has the sleeper chair in a 1BR so sleeps 5 in a 1BR (along with AKV Jambo & Kidani, and OKW).

 

[nyrebecca]

The area with the checkers table is to the right when you walk in the main doors. There's a HUGE area for loungnig & relaxing, a beautiful fireplace with several sitting areas. We were there for 45 min. & not one other person came in that area. Total peace & quiet!

Thank you for the location and the pictures. We will definatley be checking it out !

I updated the log with my big ol' Resort Changers' eraser

I think your switch makes a lot of sense and you'll even be paying less and getting more than twice as much room and the washer/dryer - priceless!


I love CL, too and we're only a family of three. Your decision makes a lot of sense and as I recall your son likes to sleep on an Aero bed so there will be more room for that. Once you stay in a suite or a one bedroom villa, it's a bit harder to 'downsize,' you get spoiled by the extra room and washer/dryer. We take longer trips so not having to go once or twice to the laundry, which seems to take about 3 hours of my time with folding, is a real convenience. But here I am saying all this having just booked a CL room

You are quite right about the Aero bed. I don't think he would let us go without it. He has a high end one that is like an adjustable bed,so he can inflate it to prop himself up. Makes it easier to demand breakfast in bed!

I have a feeling that after this we wont be going back to CL. The idea of all that room! And as you said, the washer/dryer is priceless.

 

[AngiTN]

Is there a photopass station here?
I have finally convinced dh to stray from akl to wl for our trip next february.
I m thinkn a courtyard view close to roaring forks with an open balcony. Does that sound ok for a room request or should i reword that when the time comes?
I m really excited bout how close it is to mk.

I don't recall seeing a PhotoPass kiosk anymore. Was there one by Bell Services years ago? I think they got rid of all of the resort ones, except maybe GF(?) and they are only in the parks now. I'm sketchy on this so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

There is not a Photo Services booth in WL. They do have them in a few other Resorts though, in each park and in DTD. I know Poly has one also.

 

[meggimouse]

Thank you all for replying to me about requesting a room at the WL - just put in my request for a room on the north side, highest floor possible.

So exciting!

 

[RedfromNL]

First day of spring break here and it snowed. Here's a SONNY photo to perk you up:

Thanks

 

[cmdg]

We've had a hard few months. In the span of a week we...
* found out we were pregnant with #2 (ultimately, happy news, but stressful as we didn't financially plan for another year or so)
* DH's car was vandalized to the point it was totaled.
* Next day, DH was driving my car, in the rain, and rear ended the person in front of him, who literally just bumped the next person up.

Since then, in the past two months
* DH has been working hard at work, but getting frustrated.
* The person who the person in front of DH in the accident (the bump, literally not a scratch on the car) claims to be suing us for over the $300,000 the insurance company can offer.
* I am working desperately hard to finish my dissertation by the time DS2 comes!
* Our rental car was just in a hit and run... not major damage, thankfully, but the light cover is cracked and the bumper is scuffed.

All this signals that money is indeed tight, but, at the same time, DH feels like he must have some sort of bad spell on him and just needs a break. To upgrade would be just under $1200... we've been CL once before and loved it, but not with DS who is 2.5.

I wonder if it's worth it? We've already made our dining reservations, so it would be for pure relaxation. I have about half of that coming to me from tutoring, and I think DH forgot that I am owed, so I think I could find a way to swing it.

At the same time, $1200 is a month of daycare for DS2 who will be here in Sept...

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you all for replying to me about requesting a room at the WL - just put in my request for a room on the north side, highest floor possible.

So exciting!

Thanks

You're welcome.

We've had a hard few months. In the span of a week we...
* found out we were pregnant with #2 (ultimately, happy news, but stressful as we didn't financially plan for another year or so)
* DH's car was vandalized to the point it was totaled.
* Next day, DH was driving my car, in the rain, and rear ended the person in front of him, who literally just bumped the next person up.

Since then, in the past two months
* DH has been working hard at work, but getting frustrated.
* The person who the person in front of DH in the accident (the bump, literally not a scratch on the car) claims to be suing us for over the $300,000 the insurance company can offer.
* I am working desperately hard to finish my dissertation by the time DS2 comes!
* Our rental car was just in a hit and run... not major damage, thankfully, but the light cover is cracked and the bumper is scuffed.

All this signals that money is indeed tight, but, at the same time, DH feels like he must have some sort of bad spell on him and just needs a break. To upgrade would be just under $1200... we've been CL once before and loved it, but not with DS who is 2.5.

I wonder if it's worth it? We've already made our dining reservations, so it would be for pure relaxation. I have about half of that coming to me from tutoring, and I think DH forgot that I am owed, so I think I could find a way to swing it.

At the same time, $1200 is a month of daycare for DS2 who will be here in Sept...

First off, congratulations on your pregnancy. Second, don't forget about all the unlimited CL adult beverages - DH might need a few. You also won't have to worry about snacks and milk and apple juice for your DS and for you when those cravings hit. You'll know exactly what floor your room will be on and be swept right up to the 7th floor to check-in when you arrive - no waiting in line. I think the less stressful your vacation, the better and this would be $1,200 well spent. After all you and DH have been through, it's a no brainer.

 

[cmdg]

You're welcome.


First off, congratulations on your pregnancy. Second, don't forget about all the unlimited CL adult beverages - DH might need a few. You also won't have to worry about snacks and milk and apple juice for your DS and for you when those cravings hit. You'll know exactly what floor your room will be on and be swept right up to the 7th floor to check-in when you arrive - no waiting in line. I think the less stressful your vacation, the better and this would be $1,200 well spent. After all you and DH have been through, it's a no brainer.

I'm sort of leaning towards this, too. And, our anniversary is in August, so I can says it's a early present. But, if I call and upgrade now (to get 3 days of the spring promotion) won't we get mail that says CL? I would want it to be a surprise until we got there!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm sort of leaning towards this, too. And, our anniversary is in August, so I can says it's a early present. But, if I call and upgrade now (to get 3 days of the spring promotion) won't we get mail that says CL? I would want it to be a surprise until we got there!

You would get a Disney Destinations email that when clicked-on would bring you to the WL CL confirmation. You might also receive an email from the WL IPO. I'm thinking your DH needs something to perk him up and look forward to so I would surprise him sooner rather than upon arrival. You could always surprise him with an in-room anniversary celebration or special dinner at Artist Point

 

[skylizard]

DH and I are staying at the Villas in May. We've never stayed there before and don't know what to request. Is a pool view an option? Or is there a lake view?

 

[AngiTN]

I'm sort of leaning towards this, too. And, our anniversary is in August, so I can says it's a early present. But, if I call and upgrade now (to get 3 days of the spring promotion) won't we get mail that says CL? I would want it to be a surprise until we got there!

You'll have stuff that says CL but nothing overt. It would be easy for him to not see it/know.

I didn't clue my DH in on our CL stay till we arrived. He didn't know anything about it till he saw the lounge and all those goodies up there. I'd spring for CL too. Who knows the next time you'll be able to do it and it sounds like it would offer some much needed relaxation. Sometimes Disney is the last place to go if you need a quiet get away and a CL stay does help you find some where you may not otherwise.

 

[cmdg]

DH and I are staying at the Villas in May. We've never stayed there before and don't know what to request. Is a pool view an option? Or is there a lake view?

I don't know about specific view names, but when we stayed a few years ago we had a woods view and the lake was just beyond that (although we couldn't really see it).

Some of the villas also face the quiet pool.

You might request closer to the pool, as when we had a wood view one year we also were right by the trash/dumpster/noisy area.

 

[cmdg]

You'll have stuff that says CL but nothing overt. It would be easy for him to not see it/know.

I didn't clue my DH in on our CL stay till we arrived. He didn't know anything about it till he saw the lounge and all those goodies up there. I'd spring for CL too. Who knows the next time you'll be able to do it and it sounds like it would offer some much needed relaxation. Sometimes Disney is the last place to go if you need a quiet get away and a CL stay does help you find some where you may not otherwise.

I agree with Kook that we need some good news now, but I think if I make it work, I'll wait till we get there... DH is on the frugal side (which is great, as it means we have what we need ) so he might worry about spending that extra money right now.

Maybe I'll book in time to do the spring promotion (which will save $500 and there is no way to afford it otherwise) and can always go back to a standard woods view if things start to feel ify/if that man ends up suing us for everything we have and then some!