(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~2014~

[Wood Nymph]

We will be checking in 9 days from now as well!!! We arrive MCO @ 10:15 planing to be at WL for lunch and then we will see I have fast+ for TSM and Frozen but my nephew insists he wants to go to pool!

can't wait already have begun putting piles of our clothes downstairs on sofa on their way into the suitcase! Our collection of Disney clothing just continues to grow and now we have to choose which items to bring this trip we have so many shirts n sweatshirts, n hats! We are still trying to decide which costumes to bring for MNSSHP! Decisions decisions......

Our flight lands at 10:00am. Maybe we'll see you on the Magical Express. We are going over to the MK for lunch and a few rides. We just love taking the boat over there, especially on arrival day.

I'm almost ready to start packing, too. It is too early to get any kind of accurate weather forecast, but I'm guessing that it will be a lot warmer in WDW that it is here.

We're going to the Halloween party on the Friday night of our trip. It will be our first time there and I'm very excited.

I hope that we'll be able to swim in the villas pool. Unfortunately, I haven't heard any reports on whether or not it is crowded.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Our flight lands at 10:00am. Maybe we'll see you on the Magical Express. We are going over to the MK for lunch and a few rides. We just love taking the boat over there, especially on arrival day.

I'm almost ready to start packing, too. It is too early to get any kind of accurate weather forecast, but I'm guessing that it will be a lot warmer in WDW that it is here.

We're going to the Halloween party on the Friday night of our trip. It will be our first time there and I'm very excited.

I hope that we'll be able to swim in the villas pool. Unfortunately, I haven't heard any reports on whether or not it is crowded.

If you hear/see a woman in the airport saying "Adam Adam Adam" to a guy 6'3" that will be us! As far as the pool goes, once he gets in the pool and starts talking to himself there will be plenty of room!

We have been to the. Halloween Party several times it is wonderful! Best parade and fireworks I have ever seen! I think he will especially enjoy the Villains dance party. I tried getting tix for the Villains Soirée really so we could have uncrowded spot to watch parade and fireworks but have been unsuccessful so far. Anyway we are going to MNSSHP on Thursday.

 

[RainSW6]

Very grateful for all of the information provided in this thread, thanks so much!!

My husband and I, along with our two boys, will be staying at WL in a courtyard view room from Jan 5th-9th. I've only stayed at the Poly and AS-Sports in the past, and that was over 15 years ago when I was a kid, so I'm extremely excited!! My dh and kids have never been to WDW, so this is going to be quite the treat for them. Dh grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm hoping WL will help him fall in love with Disney so we can go back in a few years

 

[chigirl]

Hi, guys....staying at WL for the first time 11/17-11/22 for my birthday! We've stayed at POFQ/Pop/ASMo and Disneyland Paradise Pier (I stayed at GF many years ago with my parents). My DD's bff who works at WDW informed me the decorations for Christmas are going up the night of 11/18, so I am thinking of doing a live blog of it. I used to be a Visual Merchandiser for Marshall Fields department store where I decorated over 500 Christmas trees one year (whew!!!) and I adore Christmas, so I think it would be fun!

I was originally bummed about the pool closure, but we got over that and are just looking forward to a fun trip. My 2 kids have been to WDW TWICE on their birthdays and my husband once for his (for F&W/MNSSHP), but this is my first time. My previous career never allowed me to take vacation time between Nov 1-Jan 15, but now I can. It's been my dream to be at WDW for my birthday/during the holidays so YAY!!!! We are attending MVMCP, dining at Narcooses on my birthday night, and of course spending time with my DD's bff, who she hasn't seen in 5 months, so that is cool! Our dear friends are huge WL fans, so they are excitedly telling us about the resort. My DH has even been on a diet/workout program and has lost 40 pounds...he doesn't want to be a Pooh-sized guest! Our last trip was in 2012, and his appendix burst 3 weeks before the trip, so I attempted to cancel, and he said NO WAY. His surgeon said it was ok for him to go and he insisted (it was one of the birthday trips for our kids). We moved slowly on the trip, but we were chosen to be Grand Marshals for the parade at MK on my son's birthday...what a memory! So this trip, my husband is really looking forward to it and is in great shape!

Happy vacation to everyone and enjoy your stays!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Hi, guys....staying at WL for the first time 11/17-11/22 for my birthday! We've stayed at POFQ/Pop/ASMo and Disneyland Paradise Pier (I stayed at GF many years ago with my parents). My DD's bff who works at WDW informed me the decorations for Christmas are going up the night of 11/18, so I am thinking of doing a live blog of it. I used to be a Visual Merchandiser for Marshall Fields department store where I decorated over 500 Christmas trees one year (whew!!!) and I adore Christmas, so I think it would be fun!

I was originally bummed about the pool closure, but we got over that and are just looking forward to a fun trip. My 2 kids have been to WDW TWICE on their birthdays and my husband once for his (for F&W/MNSSHP), but this is my first time. My previous career never allowed me to take vacation time between Nov 1-Jan 15, but now I can. It's been my dream to be at WDW for my birthday/during the holidays so YAY!!!! We are attending MVMCP, dining at Narcooses on my birthday night, and of course spending time with my DD's bff, who she hasn't seen in 5 months, so that is cool! Our dear friends are huge WL fans, so they are excitedly telling us about the resort. My DH has even been on a diet/workout program and has lost 40 pounds...he doesn't want to be a Pooh-sized guest! Our last trip was in 2012, and his appendix burst 3 weeks before the trip, so I attempted to cancel, and he said NO WAY. His surgeon said it was ok for him to go and he insisted (it was one of the birthday trips for our kids). We moved slowly on the trip, but we were chosen to be Grand Marshals for the parade at MK on my son's birthday...what a memory! So this trip, my husband is really looking forward to it and is in great shape!

Happy vacation to everyone and enjoy your stays!

Sounds like fun. Getting to see the tree go up will be an awesome part of your vacation, and I look forward to following along.

It sounds like you should have a great trip! Many of us here will agree with your friends since we're big WL fans too! What a great trip.

 

[Sandy321]

I love reading everyone's plans! Its still too early to make concrete plans for our June trip, but I'm taking notes! Not sure where to eat for DH's birthday, where to celebrate dd's achievements and oh yeah, we'll be celebrating 34 years of marriage!

there are many choices, and I don't think we can go wrong with any of them! Tried and true California Grill, or something new, Narcooses? I have no idea, but I'll be changing my mind often between now and then!

 

[BridgetR3]

Hi, guys....staying at WL for the first time 11/17-11/22 for my birthday!

What day is your birthday? We will be at VWL for my birthday as well. It's November 23.

Sounds like fun. Getting to see the tree go up will be an awesome part of your vacation, and I look forward to following along.

It sounds like you should have a great trip! Many of us here will agree with your friends since we're big WL fans too! What a great trip.

Do they have a specific day that the tree goes up? That was an awesome part of our vacation last year when we were at AKL.

 

[leholcomb]

I love reading everyone's plans! Its still too early to make concrete plans for our June trip, but I'm taking notes! Not sure where to eat for DH's birthday, where to celebrate dd's achievements and oh yeah, we'll be celebrating 34 years of marriage!

there are many choices, and I don't think we can go wrong with any of them! Tried and true California Grill, or something new, Narcooses? I have no idea, but I'll be changing my mind often between now and then!

Narcoossees quickly became my favorite restaurant when I ate there last year. Also try Artist Point at the Lodge for a celebratory dinner.

 

[alwaysred2]

Just wondering I hear about people being upgraded with pixie dust...Do they upgrade to CL? I'm really looking forward to being at WL for Christmas this year. This will be my first time at the resort and first time at Disney for Christmas. I am thinking i'd love a view of the MK for wishes, though not sure how often i'd be in the room for it.

 

[Sandy321]

Narcoossees quickly became my favorite restaurant when I ate there last year. Also try Artist Point at the Lodge for a celebratory dinner.

Oh the last time we were at WL we did celebrate our Anniversary at Artist Point, and it was an amazing dinner, a great memory! We let our dd stay in the room with a dvd (she was 13 or 14) Brother Bear had just come out I believe, so she also loves Brother Bear and the WL! I think I'll have to pack that dvd for our trip!

see - so many great choices!

 

[WDWFan06]

Thanks for the replies. I am an AP holder but my mother and sister are not. I am running the hLf and my sister is running the full. Mom is just a spectator. This trip is mostly about the resort. We are getting massages after the race. This past January they were not happy when I pushed them to hard into the parks after waking up so early. So we decided no park tickets for them at least and a nicer resort. Sometimes I make things too difficult I will be happy at any resort.

 

[WDWFan06]

Thanks for the replies. I am an AP holder but my mother and sister are not. I am running the hLf and my sister is running the full. Mom is just a spectator. This trip is mostly about the resort. We are getting massages after the race. This past January they were not happy when I pushed them to hard into the parks after waking up so early. So we decided no park tickets for them at least and a nicer resort. Sometimes I make things too difficult I will be happy at any resort.

.


ETA: sorry somehow I posted on the wrong thread! Dumb iPad.

 

[Divaofdisney]

Hey there - I have a quick question- since we decided to come in a day early- we booked thru expedia- room only I learned that my daughter's boyfriend has to work till 430 so they won't leave Pensacola till like 530 which means they wont' get to WL till probably after MN- we of course will already be there and settled- questions is is the WL entrance fairly well lit at night and will the front doors be open? I will meet them in lobby to escort them up to the room but I am just worried it will be so dark- how lit is it esp. at night??

 

[BwoZoo22]

Hey there - I have a quick question- since we decided to come in a day early- we booked thru expedia- room only I learned that my daughter's boyfriend has to work till 430 so they won't leave Pensacola till like 530 which means they wont' get to WL till probably after MN- we of course will already be there and settled- questions is is the WL entrance fairly well lit at night and will the front doors be open? I will meet them in lobby to escort them up to the room but I am just worried it will be so dark- how lit is it esp. at night??

No problem or worries! We checked in at 2am last year (ugh) and it was a ghost town, but a well lit one. There were staff on hand, just not many. And they were incredibly cheery for such an unnatural hour to be awake!

 

[BwoZoo22]

What day is your birthday? We will be at VWL for my birthday as well. It's November 23.

Do they have a specific day that the tree goes up? That was an awesome part of our vacation last year when we were at AKL.

Mine too! Won't be there for my birthday specifically (going early Nov), but I do always call it my birthday trip. Who needs presents when you can have the World?!

 

[bookgirl]

A little OT but SEEYAREELSOON a popular blogging couple are in the middle of posting their May trip and here is a resort day (mostly at the Campgrounds but still nice to watch)


http://youtu.be/eyfDBxY3kDo



This was the episode where Joe surprised Ashley with the Wilderness Lodge stay and they show their room.

http://youtu.be/uAsk3iSM7uk

 

[coolbrook]

Hi! Thanks to everyone who posts pics and info on here. I am so excited about our first Christmas time trip and our first stay at VWL. Please add us to the log for Dec. 20-25. Can anyone tell me about how long it takes to walk from the villas to the boat dock to Mk? Thank you

 

[elaw]

Hi! Thanks to everyone who posts pics and info on here. I am so excited about our first Christmas time trip and our first stay at VWL. Please add us to the log for Dec. 20-25. Can anyone tell me about how long it takes to walk from the villas to the boat dock to Mk? Thank you

maybe 5 minutes ... I guess it depends on where your room is located

 

[BWV Dreamin]

How long will the tree stay up?

 

[TKCJM]

We are midway through our week here at the WL villas (first time) and we are having a wonderful week! We asked for water park passes at check-in and received them. Me: "Since the main pool is closed, is it possible for us to get passes to a water park please?" CM: "Let me check with my manager." (Note - I think he was new.) CM returned and said "We'd be happy to give you a complimentary day pass to the water park. It will be linked to your magic bands shortly." It ended up being a 1-day pass to BB or TL. We used them today and it was fantastic. I do think it's unfortunate that you have to ask vs them granting them automatically though. We are in a villa overlooking the smaller pool and though it's been popular I wouldn't call it crowded. My 3 kids (ages 5-9) have been perfectly happy with this pool (and it's easier for me to supervise than at the large pool).