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

[trishadono]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in Oct/November 2013. We absolutely loved it. I have had plenty of pictures of WL posted and on the internet (Page 1 and see link in signature) but I have finally got around to uploading some short videos and I thought I would share with fellow WL admirer's!

Here is a playlist to my Wilderness Lodge Videos (HD) on you tube. The Playlist includes :

Driving up to Disney's Wilderness Resort Ranger (security) hut
Drive up to the drop off for Wilderness Lodge
Lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge Orlando Florida USA
Unboxing our Disney Walt Disney World Magic Bands at Wilderness Lodge
Walking to the Disney Boat terminal at Wilderness Lodge
Looking down to the Lobby from level just before Roof top
360 degree view from top of Disney's Wilderness Lodge

I hope people enjoy.

I'm 5 days away so that is great timing!!! I love the anticipation

Thanks

I just made the most last minute change of my Disney visiting history, upgrading yesterday to CL at WL from my longstanding Courtyard view reservation.

I was super excited to be there anyway, and now I can't wait to try the cobbler and meet the great CMs that everyone has had such great experiences with.

My trip starts on Friday, but I don't check in at the Lodge until Monday. Have I mentioned how excited I am?

Oh goody we can fight over the cobbler

Till we arrive at VWL

Morning KOOk and WL peeps!!

Had a dream it was going home day and I forgetten to have the oatmeal in the CL lounge

Sue, saw your post on another thread and I rememebered that I hadn't packed my passholder slider in blue. Like you I am hoping we get the green ones soon

Happy planning all

 

[mum2four]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in Oct/November 2013. We absolutely loved it. I have had plenty of pictures of WL posted and on the internet (Page 1 and see link in signature) but I have finally got around to uploading some short videos and I thought I would share with fellow WL admirer's!

Here is a playlist to my Wilderness Lodge Videos (HD) on you tube. The Playlist includes :

Driving up to Disney's Wilderness Resort Ranger (security) hut
Drive up to the drop off for Wilderness Lodge
Lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge Orlando Florida USA
Unboxing our Disney Walt Disney World Magic Bands at Wilderness Lodge
Walking to the Disney Boat terminal at Wilderness Lodge
Looking down to the Lobby from level just before Roof top
360 degree view from top of Disney's Wilderness Lodge

I hope people enjoy.

Thanks for sharing!

We are only 25 days out from arriving at WL , but today I am home with -25 temps and sick kids. Your videos helped brighten my day!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Hello everyone. I have been gone for some time now but I am back and sadly to report my trip to the lodge in February is cancelled. Lots going on in our family so it just wasn't a good time. This is the first time in a long time that I really have no idea when we will be coming back.

 

[Circusgirl]

Welcome to the thread and I know you won't regret upgrading to the OFC! Even though it's last minute, you can still email the IPO with any requests/reservations you need, (ASAP would be best). Did you make any CL room location requests? Have you stayed on the 7th floor before?

Glad to be here!
I have not stayed on the 7th floor before. My only previous stay at WL was at the villas. I e-mailed last night and requested a courtyard or lake view. Any suggestions or tips welcome!

Oh goody we can fight over the cobbler




Morning KOOk and WL peeps!!

Had a dream it was going home day and I forgetten to have the oatmeal in the CL lounge

Sue, saw your post on another thread and I rememebered that I hadn't packed my passholder slider in blue. Like you I am hoping we get the green ones soon

Happy planning all

I will remind you to eat oatmeal, and look forward to meeting over cobbler!

 

[trishadono]

Hello everyone. I have been gone for some time now but I am back and sadly to report my trip to the lodge in February is cancelled. Lots going on in our family so it just wasn't a good time. This is the first time in a long time that I really have no idea when we will be coming back.

Sorry!

 

[nogreenworld]

i know no one likes to talk about these things, but i dare to tread where others don't.

we have a return trip to VWL coming up. we've been three times before and loved it.

i will admit some degree of anxiety in any travels with the issue of bed bugs. we have never seen any or any evidence of them at vwl. i check VERY thoroughly.

i follow along on the website bedbugregistry.com. sadly, there are reports of bed bugs in the wilderness lodge entries. some are clearly bogus, but a few have potential to be real. up until now, i have not seen any listed for the villas ever. one was recently reported, though.

i was wondering if anyone knew of protocols, issues, or information regarding how they handle this reports or instances, or who to talk to if we had questions regarding the issue.

super excited to go back, but i need to be conscientious, too--even at the happiest place on earth.

thanks.

 

[trishadono]

i know no one likes to talk about these things, but i dare to tread where others don't.

we have a return trip to VWL coming up. we've been three times before and loved it.

i will admit some degree of anxiety in any travels with the issue of bed bugs. we have never seen any or any evidence of them at vwl. i check VERY thoroughly.

i follow along on the website bedbugregistry.com. sadly, there are reports of bed bugs in the wilderness lodge entries. some are clearly bogus, but a few have potential to be real. up until now, i have not seen any listed for the villas ever. one was recently reported, though.

i was wondering if anyone knew of protocols, issues, or information regarding how they handle this reports or instances, or who to talk to if we had questions regarding the issue.

super excited to go back, but i need to be conscientious, too--even at the happiest place on earth.

thanks.

Well if you check your room carefully and find a problem go to the check in desk. DO NOT CALL! Calling gets you someone at a call center.


I suppose you could inquire at check in too if this has been a recent issue and resolved? Can't hurt to ask.

I am not sure what else to tell you other than relax and enjoy your trip

 

[neohmom]

Hi!

I'm staying at VWL 3/1-3/8 with my parents, DH, DD (4) and DS (2). I was wondering about transportation to/from Epcot with a double stroller. Do you recommend the bus or the boat & monorail?

Forgive me if you see more questions in separate posts. I tried to post some ADRs I'm planning to cancel and was flagged for not having posted 10 times. I figured I'd come here and ask some questions!

 

[neohmom]

For my upcoming vacation my immediate family has 1BR at VWL through RCI and my parents are in a Deluxe Studio at VWL. Our TA told me she called to "link" the rooms, but can't guarantee that they we will be adjoining. Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances? It would be great if we could all share the kitchen and common space.

 

[nogreenworld]

Hi!

I'm staying at VWL 3/1-3/8 with my parents, DH, DD (4) and DS (2). I was wondering about transportation to/from Epcot with a double stroller. Do you recommend the bus or the boat & monorail?

Forgive me if you see more questions in separate posts. I tried to post some ADRs I'm planning to cancel and was flagged for not having posted 10 times. I figured I'd come here and ask some questions!

if it folds up, the bus will be fine. it's quicker that way, too.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi!

I'm staying at VWL 3/1-3/8 with my parents, DH, DD (4) and DS (2). I was wondering about transportation to/from Epcot with a double stroller. Do you recommend the bus or the boat & monorail?

Forgive me if you see more questions in separate posts. I tried to post some ADRs I'm planning to cancel and was flagged for not having posted 10 times. I figured I'd come here and ask some questions!

It would be faster to take the bus to Epcot. It will stop at Fort Wilderness and then head on to Epcot. The ride is about 20 minutes.

The direct boat to CR is very fast, about a 5 minute ride, but you have to add wait time. And since the boat to CR is a small launch, you will have to fold up your stroller. And sometimes the boat will go to FW before going to CR, depending on which boat you get. One boat travels clockwise around Bay Lake and the other goes counter-clockwise. The monorail ride from CR to TTC is very quick, but you have to switch monorails, which takes a little time. The monorail ride from TTC to Epcot is about 10 minutes. It is fun to take that route to Epcot, we've done it, but it isn't quicker unless you get lucky enough to immediately get a boat and immediately get two monorails.

 

[neohmom]

It would be faster to take the bus to Epcot. It will stop at Fort Wilderness and then head on to Epcot. The ride is about 20 minutes....

Thank you!

 

[Koh1977]

For my upcoming vacation my immediate family has 1BR at VWL through RCI and my parents are in a Deluxe Studio at VWL. Our TA told me she called to "link" the rooms, but can't guarantee that they we will be adjoining. Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances? It would be great if we could all share the kitchen and common space.

Make sure she requested they be adjoining or connecting if possible.

 

[bluecastle]

Hello everyone. I have been gone for some time now but I am back and sadly to report my trip to the lodge in February is cancelled. Lots going on in our family so it just wasn't a good time. This is the first time in a long time that I really have no idea when we will be coming back.

I know how sad it is to cancel WDW trips, even though my reasons for canceling may be different than yours. We had a wonderful trip in December 2009 and planned to go back in August 2012. I pulled my back out in February 2012, but my PT assured me I would be OK by August. Nope. And nope again in 2013. When we finally went this past summer it ended up being almost 5 years between trips. But we had saved more money, stayed in a 2BR villa, and my DD's BF proposed to her!
I don't think we will be going for awhile: wedding this summer and I think my DH needs a trip somewhere else, like Maine, before we do Disney again. But, even though I don't have a ticker, I believe we will go back. Who knows-maybe with a grandchild!
I am sorry you had to cancel. I hope there will be another trip in your future- no matter how long it takes!

 

[Capang]

i know no one likes to talk about these things, but i dare to tread where others don't.

we have a return trip to VWL coming up. we've been three times before and loved it.

i will admit some degree of anxiety in any travels with the issue of bed bugs. we have never seen any or any evidence of them at vwl. i check VERY thoroughly.

i follow along on the website bedbugregistry.com. sadly, there are reports of bed bugs in the wilderness lodge entries. some are clearly bogus, but a few have potential to be real. up until now, i have not seen any listed for the villas ever. one was recently reported, though.

i was wondering if anyone knew of protocols, issues, or information regarding how they handle this reports or instances, or who to talk to if we had questions regarding the issue.

super excited to go back, but i need to be conscientious, too--even at the happiest place on earth.

thanks.

I completely get your anxiety. A couple of years ago I had some students that brought some "hitchhikers" to school. You probably know to check not only the mattress but also around the headboards and wall as well (bring a small flashlight or use a flashlight phone app). Of course, don't unpack anything until you have checked. As for protocols, we had an unidentified bug when we were at POR (we were afraid it was a roach of some sort). I bagged it in a ziploc and took it discretely to front desk. Pest control was in my room in 10 minutes. At 11 pm. They identified the bug, some type of beetle, and thoroughly checked the room. They were awesome. If you find something in your room, try to bag it and take it to a CM in the lobby. That way you have proof of something and they can alert pest control who will then identify and deal with whatever it is. Any hotel can house a bedbug these days and I know Disney and most other resorts will do what is necessary to take care of the issue. I have read on the bedbug registry that at other Disney resorts people were moved if they found a bedbug. Keep in mind that people who claim they have bedbug bites could be getting bites from other things, such as mites or knats, even mosquitos, especially if they didn't find any proof of bedbugs (small black drops around seams of mattress or bugs themselves). Sometimes even reactions to detergents used on hotel sheets can create a rash that looks like bites. Just check your room thoroughly and don't leave clothes in dressers or on the beds. Hang up clothes or keep them in your suitcase and off the floor and bed. If you have any anxiety upon returning home put your clothes in the dryer for 30-60 minutes on high BEFORE washing them. Then wash and dry as usual. Drying them on high won't ruin fabrics if the clothes are dry. I became a reluctant know it all on the subject and we even had several in-services at work with pest professionals. You will most likely not ever encounter one on your vacation. Just check your room out then relax and enjoy your vacation!

 

[nogreenworld]

I completely get your anxiety. A couple of years ago I had some students that brought some "hitchhikers" to school. You probably know to check not only the mattress but also around the headboards and wall as well (bring a small flashlight or use a flashlight phone app). Of course, don't unpack anything until you have checked. As for protocols, we had an unidentified bug when we were at POR (we were afraid it was a roach of some sort). I bagged it in a ziploc and took it discretely to front desk. Pest control was in my room in 10 minutes. At 11 pm. They identified the bug, some type of beetle, and thoroughly checked the room. They were awesome. If you find something in your room, try to bag it and take it to a CM in the lobby. That way you have proof of something and they can alert pest control who will then identify and deal with whatever it is. Any hotel can house a bedbug these days and I know Disney and most other resorts will do what is necessary to take care of the issue. I have read on the bedbug registry that at other Disney resorts people were moved if they found a bedbug. Keep in mind that people who claim they have bedbug bites could be getting bites from other things, such as mites or knats, even mosquitos, especially if they didn't find any proof of bedbugs (small black drops around seams of mattress or bugs themselves). Sometimes even reactions to detergents used on hotel sheets can create a rash that looks like bites. Just check your room thoroughly and don't leave clothes in dressers or on the beds. Hang up clothes or keep them in your suitcase and off the floor and bed. If you have any anxiety upon returning home put your clothes in the dryer for 30-60 minutes on high BEFORE washing them. Then wash and dry as usual. Drying them on high won't ruin fabrics if the clothes are dry. I became a reluctant know it all on the subject and we even had several in-services at work with pest professionals. You will most likely not ever encounter one on your vacation. Just check your room out then relax and enjoy your vacation!

thanks for the input. i do a very thorough check of the room when we get in, and we take some of those extra measures upon arriving home to make we keep any potential hitchikers outside our house. hopefully, i won't need to, but i always have a few extra ziploc bags on hand, and i'll use it if need be.

 

[trishadono]

I have read on the bedbug registry that at other Disney resorts people were moved if they found If you have any anxiety upon returning home put your clothes in the dryer for 30-60 minutes on high BEFORE washing them. Then wash and dry as usual. Drying them on high won't ruin fabrics if the clothes are dry. I became a reluctant know it all on the subject and we even had several in-services at work with pest professionals. You will most likely not ever encounter one on your vacation. Just check your room out then relax and enjoy your vacation!

I learned something new today

Thanks, yet I hope I don't need it

 

[Sandy321]

I'll add one other thing I've learned....

when you enter your hotel room, you can put your luggage in the bathtub while you check your room.

A friend was on a trip, and found them after they returned from their supervision duties (a school trip, she's a teacher) The hotel was very helpful (like CaPang, she put it in a plastic bag, looked like a speck of dirt) They told her to take only the essentials she would need (shoes, keys, purse,) They treated those items separately with their pest control (it was not Disney btw) and the rest of her items were treated and mailed back to her. She was advised to put her items in the freezer for 24 hours, or like CaPang said, dry first, then wash (she had hand knitting, and that can't be put in the wash or dryer - all of us knitters *gasped* when she had to leave her knitting projects!)

 

[WDWKOOK]

"Snow" Day here, but hardly any snow

Morning KOOk and WL peeps!!

Had a dream it was going home day and I forgetten to have the oatmeal in the CL lounge

Sue, saw your post on another thread and I rememebered that I hadn't packed my passholder slider in blue. Like you I am hoping we get the green ones soon

Happy planning all

Ooooo, there are new green ones with 2015?. Won't be long now till you and DD are enjoying the OFC

Thanks for sharing!

We are only 25 days out from arriving at WL , but today I am home with -25 temps and sick kids. Your videos helped brighten my day!

UGH! I hope the kids are starting to feel better

Hello everyone. I have been gone for some time now but I am back and sadly to report my trip to the lodge in February is cancelled. Lots going on in our family so it just wasn't a good time. This is the first time in a long time that I really have no idea when we will be coming back.

Hang out here and we'll help you get through until you're ready to book again. I hope that things look up for your family soon.

Hi!

I'm staying at VWL 3/1-3/8 with my parents, DH, DD (4) and DS (2). I was wondering about transportation to/from Epcot with a double stroller. Do you recommend the bus or the boat & monorail?

Forgive me if you see more questions in separate posts. I tried to post some ADRs I'm planning to cancel and was flagged for not having posted 10 times. I figured I'd come here and ask some questions!

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread! I'll post your dates to the Lodgers' Log in POST 2.

For my upcoming vacation my immediate family has 1BR at VWL through RCI and my parents are in a Deluxe Studio at VWL. Our TA told me she called to "link" the rooms, but can't guarantee that they we will be adjoining. Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances? It would be great if we could all share the kitchen and common space.

As was posted, make sure that your reservations are in fact linked and that the request for a connecting room is in your reservation. Also, not having any other requests in your reservations will make it easier for the Room Assignor to get you next door to each other.

 

[JnKinVA]

Here at the Beach Club Villas since Monday and I cannot wait to check into Wilderness Lodge on Friday.
It's nice here, but I prefer the Lodge.