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

[minniegirl19]

They do have a campfire with marshmallows on the beach. And they do show a nightly movie on the beach, or in the Carolina Pacific Room in the villas in bad weather. But they start at different times. This month's activity calendar shows the campfire starting at 6:45pm and the movie at 8:30pm. It was still light out when we roasted our marshmallows.

How long do they let you roast marshmallows for and is it free? Thanks so much for the answer!

 

[WDWKOOK]

How long do they let you roast marshmallows for and is it free? Thanks so much for the answer!

It's free and they provide the stick and marshmallow. The roast ends shortly before the movie starts. But, it doesn't take much time to roast them and you would probably only roast a few marshmallows at most.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am beyond excited. just booked our WL-CL trip today 10 days for July 2015.
Sure cant wait to apply any future discounts! Annnyway, So excited, anything you WL and CL travelers have any good info for me?
We usually stay POR, always stay moderate so this is new for us. I know myself and the other 4 in my party are super excited!!
only 347 days to go!!

You're going to love it at the Lodge and I hope you get to apply your discount soon.

You're not alone in your pain. We'll be there November 14-18. I've never been there at Christmastime before and was so looking forward to seeing that beautiful tree.

I guess it's better to know months ahead of time rather than on the trip itself. I only wish we hadn't already bought plane tickets, else I'd have changed the dates.

Welcome. I'll put your dates in the Lodgers' Log.

Hi everyone, longtime lurker first time poster here. My DH and I are booked for the Lodge 12/6-12/12/14 to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'm a little concerned about the pool refurb not being finished on time. We really don't care about swimming, but soaking in a hot tub is a must for us. What's the hot tub like at the Villas?

Thanks!

Congratulations on booking and I'll add your dates, too. VWL hot tub:

Courtesy ourlaughingplace

There's the 'Famous' Long Island Iced Tea....

Or was that famous somewhere else...

I really thought a pic was posted here somewhere....

Why the sick face? Here's the infamous Long Island…

Does WL have dining room service and if it does do they deliver to the villas (more than pizza)?

More information about dining at WL/VWL is in the DINING section of the thread HERE. The Private Dining menu link is at the bottom of the page.

 

[MissouriJen]

Thank you Kook!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you Kook!

You're welcome and I forgot to you to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, Jen!

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

You will all think I'm crazy, but my favorite drink from the Territory Lounge was the Coconut Elixir! I know, its non alcoholic but it really helped with the heat in July (and the slight hangover from Flying Fish Wine Tasting dinner!)

DH and I had them each time we stumbled in from the heat of the day during our stay last week! Wish I had a picture of one.

Liz

 

[Marlyn]

My countdown is 2 days now!!!

I am so excited. This is our first stay at WL and I can't wait to get there! This thread has me so excited to get there! I've booked Woods view, requested 6th floor, North Wing. We are staying 2 weeks. I need a vacation so bad!!

Last day of work today, tomorrow is my last minute, get ready to go, day....the. We are off! Fly into MCO at 4:45 pm and have dinner booked at WCC for 7:45!!

The nest 2 days better go by quickly....

I will post some updates while I'm there.

 

[XtraEdGe]

You will all think I'm crazy, but my favorite drink from the Territory Lounge was the Coconut Elixir! I know, its non alcoholic but it really helped with the heat in July (and the slight hangover from Flying Fish Wine Tasting dinner!)

DH and I had them each time we stumbled in from the heat of the day during our stay last week! Wish I had a picture of one.

Liz

We'll definitely have to try that drink while chilling at the pool. We're in single digit mode now and having this thread help us immensely with all the planning. We just requested high floor but we did check the box for early check-in. We'd rather have that since we're coming from SFO at 7am.

 

[bluecastle]

Only 8 days to go. I just finished writing out all my lists of what needs to get done over the next week and I have WAY more to do than I originally thought. Well at least if I'm busy then the time will pass faster. The family so so excited for this trip

I am right there with you! Even my lists have lists! I am not kidding- my packing list has sub-lists according to what goes where (mostly because we are driving and making 2 stops along the way)
Plus, I recently mentioned a special event a few pages back that I was asked to help plan without anyone but my DH knowing my involvement. We are thinking the castle rose garden is a good choice so we can grab a PP photographer. If it rains, by the mosaics in the castle and we will just take photos with our phones. Then off to Crystal Palace to celebrate with Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Kook- thanks for the beautiful photos that made me feel like I was there and making this upcoming trip seem even more real. Just keep the pixie dust coming that my back holds out until I get there- and maybe even for the entire trip! I don't know how you keep up with this place and get ready for your trips. I am impressed! OK- back to my lists.

 

[MissouriJen]

You're welcome and I forgot to you to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, Jen!

Thank you!

We are so excited about our stay at the Lodge.

 

[marymac123]

Has anyone ever brought their child into Territory Lounge with them? DD will be 9. We want to check out any yummy snacks and she would never allow it without her

 

[hollygolitely93]

We are going mid-November. Here's wishing for an unprecedented early finish to the pool construction

I just ogt off phone with Guest Services. they offered us CR Garden View same prices as WL.

Im not a fan of CR.

They also offered $350 off our week's stay at WL. UGH! What to do? We did plan for a pool afternoon and a pool morning. If we did that...which is better with elementary aged kids...CR pool or FW pool? We'd spend 2-3 hours at the pool. A slide would matter.

Thanks!

 

[kgoodb00]

If I book a courtyard view while the pool refurb is going on, do you think it will be extremely noisy and an awful view? I am really debating on upgrading to WL and would love to stay at the resort but it does concern me...

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

If I book a courtyard view while the pool refurb is going on, do you think it will be extremely noisy and an awful view? I am really debating on upgrading to WL and would love to stay at the resort but it does concern me...

We had a courtyard view and moved to the GF...not sure we did the right thing but we chose to partly because of the noise and ruined view. Also my husband is blind and I didn't want him running into a construction wall

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

And I might add, I keep checking here because I am hoping to hear it's not that bad or it's ending early, so maybe we can change back.

 

[kgoodb00]

We had a courtyard view and moved to the GF...not sure we did the right thing but we chose to partly because of the noise and ruined view. Also my husband is blind and I didn't want him running into a construction wall

Thanks for the response. I thought about GF as well. It is more expensive but might be worth it. I am more worried about the sounds more than the sights! I will definitely keep checking back in September to see if anyone has any pictures of advice about it. I am going at the end of October, so odds are it will till be under construction!

 

[Sandi]

Thank you for the great information in this wonderful thread. I was just at BWI last week and now want to plan a trip for the late autumn with my mom. I'm thinking she would like the VWL and we would do fine in a studio. I always like getting the 5th floor at BWI, but I'm wondering whether the floor level matters as much at VWL. If anyone has any recommendations, I would love to hear them.

Also, based on one of Kook's posts, it looks like the Christmas decorations didn't go up until about November 18 in 2013. Is that pretty usual? I was hoping do to the trip in November -- late enough for Osborne, but before Thanksgiving. The WL decorations are so beautiful, I might need to adjust dates so that Mom can see them.

Thanks all!

 

[RookieLady]

I have Chef Mickey reservations for 5:25 pm on Saturday. What time should I leave the WL to timely arrive? I would prefer to take Disney transportation. TIA.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I have Chef Mickey reservations for 5:25 pm on Saturday. What time should I leave the WL to timely arrive? I would prefer to take Disney transportation. TIA.

I would be at the dock by about 4:50. This will leave you 10 min for a Blue Flag boat to arrive and then it will either be a 5 min trip to CR directly or about a 14 min trip if you have to go via FW (which will depend on the direction the blue flag boat that arrives first is heading). Either way it is a nice ride. Then you'll have time to walk from the boat dock at CR up to Chef Mickey's. You'll probably arrive early, but it is fun to walk around CR a little bit.

 

[BlueFairy]

Thank you for the great information in this wonderful thread. I was just at BWI last week and now want to plan a trip for the late autumn with my mom. I'm thinking she would like the VWL and we would do fine in a studio. I always like getting the 5th floor at BWI, but I'm wondering whether the floor level matters as much at VWL. If anyone has any recommendations, I would love to hear them.

Also, based on one of Kook's posts, it looks like the Christmas decorations didn't go up until about December 18 in 2013. Is that pretty usual? I was hoping do to the trip in November -- late enough for Osborne, but before Thanksgiving. The WL decorations are so beautiful, I might need to adjust dates so that Mom can see them.

Thanks all!

There is a great thread over on the DVC board about VWL in particular. They will have thoughts on the floors. I would imagine that the first floor is quite near the pool, if that matters. The area is very wooded, so in theory a higher floor isn't going to affect the view too much.


I believe the Christmas decorations are mid November. We staying the week after Thanksgiving and they were up. Perhaps it was a typo.

I have Chef Mickey reservations for 5:25 pm on Saturday. What time should I leave the WL to timely arrive? I would prefer to take Disney transportation. TIA.

There is a shared CR/WL/FW from WL. You may wait a max of 20 min for a boat (at worst?). I believe from WL it goes to CR in the mornings. In the evenings the path is reversed and I think it goes to FW first. At least it used to. So after boarding and then allow 20-30 minutes for the trip and the walk up to CM. So leave by 4:35. But leaving a bit earlier would allow some breathing room, time to enjoy the CR and the 4th floor concourse, and maybe even shorten your wait for a table if you arrive and checkin early.

Someone who has stayed more recently or in a busy season will correct me if I'm wrong. This is how it was running in our December and May trips.

ETA:Grand Californian beat me to it. Those numbers are probably more accurate. I like to err on the side of generous with times for WDW transportation. It eases my anxiety over getting somewhere on time and I tend to rush the family a bit less.