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

[Lisa P.]

Not so fast Lisa P - no lurking for you because I have a question. My parents have RCI and back in the day we always had to settle for off property when doing an RCI Weeks exchange. Please give pointers for how to get a DVC property. My parents aren't tech savvy and even forget to bank their weeks sometimes. I know they have one or 2 "red" weeks, so hopefully that helps. I haven't been involved in the process or seen the RCI website in years.

Thanks!

RCI has changed a lot. Deposits are assigned "trading points" unit values, sometimes called TPUs. Deposit TPUs may be combined from multiple deposits (for a fee) and ongoing search requests are made against deposited TPUs, for the desired resorts/unit size/dates. Your request is placed on a waitlist behind everyone else who has already requested the same thing, on a first-come, first-served basis. As the desired weeks are deposited, the requests are filled, going down the list and you get an email or phone call to ask you to confirm. If the deposit that is "searching" does not have enough TPUs for the requested exchange, it just won't work. Figure on 30-60 TPUs for a DVC week. Call and ask RCI how many TPUs your parents would get for their week(s).

Ongoing searches that are started on the phone with a live rep have a slightly higher exchange fee than those started online and confirmed online. Either way, make sure NOT to select an entire region, but only the specific resort ID's that are acceptable. No fee for depositing. You pay the exchange fee when the ongoing search request is made. If no match is found, you may request a refund of the exchange fee or use the credit to make a different request. Disney has a somewhat irritating, additional $95 fee/room, charged to incoming exchangers, just because they can. Generally, even DVC members who trade their other weeks into DVC will still have to pay this fee. If your parents own any Florida resort weeks within 50 miles of WDW, their entire RCI account is not eligible to obtain exchanges into DVC, non-negotiable.

If your parents want to trade into DVC resorts, they need to make their deposits and start ongoing search requests as early as possible. Usually for DVC resorts, requesting 1-2 years ahead of travel will work, especially if including OKW, SSR and AKV in the list, due to the large number of rooms at those resorts. Studios are rarely available, 1BRs are most common, 2BRs are tricky during school breaks, 3BRs and major holiday weeks are extremely rare. DVC gives inventory to RCI as members request trades out, usually depositing weeks between 5-6 months ahead of check-in.

As Disboards is to Disney, so www.tug2.net is to timeshare. You'll find all you need to know about exchanging and getting the most from timesharing at TUG. We've exchanged into DVC before but this is our first time at VWL. Yippee!

 

[bookgirl]

Don't want to highjack this thread but please allow this little detour.

Have you tried some of these (below) for breakfast? Are you able to tolerate them? You may find some of these items on restaurant menus and you just need to ask the chef about cross-contamination concerns. They are usually able to prepare these things fresh for you, if they learn that you would like them.

--- sliced, fried potatoes or hash brown potatoes
--- "Cream of Rice" branded hot cereal (similar to cream of wheat but made of rice and milder)
--- grits (also similar to cream of wheat but made of corn)
--- add-ins to hot cereals: maple syrup, bacon bits, cinnamon, diced apple or other fruit, dried cranberries, walnuts
--- "Chex" brand cereals - several flavors are GF, single grain, either plain or flavored, tasty to munch with your morning coffee
--- sauteed or roasted or grilled peppers, onions, zucchini - mixed with savory sausage crumbles or chopped bacon
--- oranges (mandarin?), grapefruits, pears, peaches - available canned or fresh
--- fresh grapes, bananas or blueberries
--- smoothie made of almond milk and/or coconut milk, banana or other favorite fruit and/or cocoa powder or instant coffee/chai tea, sweetened to taste, thickened with ice cubes - or better yet, with chia seeds (really!)

Consider making a "trail mix" at home with safe ingredients and bringing a ziploc bagful. It's a great fall-back item for breakfast or snacks. Dietary restrictions definitely add an extra challenge but you'll figure it out. If you like to bake, there are muffin recipes and fruit crisp (like apple crisp dessert or breakfast) recipes that use almond flour, coconut flour or other GF flour blends with coconut oil. If you like one, freeze a batch and bring them on vacation too. Boxed cereal and canned fruits may be shipped ahead to the resort or ordered through a grocery delivery service, if you won't have a car or don't want to take the time to taxi to an area grocery store.

Tip: To make a savory stuffing/dressing side dish (holidays coming up!), substitute smashed Chex GF cereals for the bread cubes in your favorite recipe (1/2 rice chex, 1/2 corn chex - makes a great flavor blend) and you won't miss the original at all.

By the way, the 1BR and 2BR condos in the VWL next door are all equipped with blenders. So, you may be able to request the use of a blender during your stay, from the front desk, to make smoothies in your room. Just a thought. Couldn't hurt to ask. Almond milk and coconut milk are available in small cartons and cans (no refrigeration) from grocery stores, if you'll have transportation or grocery delivery.

Since this is new for you, you may not yet be comfortable with asking for what you need, simply, in a matter-of-fact way, from servers or chefs. Keep a little card with you, listing the unsafe foods. Then it's easier to discuss options and ingredients. The chefs at WDW restaurants have a great reputation for being willing and able to speak to guests and make a dish that they can enjoy without worrying about cross-contamination. This is a much, MUCH more common concern than people realize.

Thank you for indulging me. Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Thanks for the info.

 

[kastoney]

Thanks for sharing! Hope you're having a great time! How has the CL food been?! Do you have a favorite time of the day where you feel there's a better selection? Any pictures to share?! Thanks and have fun!!!!

We missed the dinner offerings the first night, but last night they had chicken and corn chowder and chicken nuggets. The soup was good, but an odd choice for a 90+ degree day. The chicken nuggets threw me for a loop as I. Had much higher expectations based on other reviews. They also has an charcuterie plate, caprese salad, cheese, and bread and crackers. We will likely miss tonight's, trying to get to AK for some evening hours, but will let ya know what they have tomorrow evening.

Breakfast is standard mini muffins, bagels, and croissants, they also have cereal and oatmeal. We are enjoying the fresh fruit and were happy to see pineapple the last days.

Snacks were just potato chips, pretzels, a wasabi mix, and cookies. We were glad to see beer was available during snack time too. They have a nice hefeweizen, as well as Yuengling and bud light.

Last night we got to have some of the famous cobbler. Brought some peach and berry cobbler back to the room and ate that on the balcony while enjoying the view and some wine. Will definitely do the same tonight. After this trip a room without a balcony is likely no longer in the mix. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wine. Not the best ever, but not yellowtail either. We've only had the cab bit merlot and Chardonnay are also available,

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We missed the dinner offerings the first night, but last night they had chicken and corn chowder and chicken nuggets. The soup was good, but an odd choice for a 90+ degree day. The chicken nuggets threw me for a loop as I. Had much higher expectations based on other reviews. They also has an charcuterie plate, caprese salad, cheese, and bread and crackers. We will likely miss tonight's, trying to get to AK for some evening hours, but will let ya know what they have tomorrow evening.

Breakfast is standard mini muffins, bagels, and croissants, they also have cereal and oatmeal. We are enjoying the fresh fruit and were happy to see pineapple the last days.

Snacks were just potato chips, pretzels, a wasabi mix, and cookies. We were glad to see beer was available during snack time too. They have a nice hefeweizen, as well as Yuengling and bud light.

Last night we got to have some of the famous cobbler. Brought some peach and berry cobbler back to the room and ate that on the balcony while enjoying the view and some wine. Will definitely do the same tonight. After this trip a room without a balcony is likely no longer in the mix. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wine. Not the best ever, but not yellowtail either. We've only had the cab bit merlot and Chardonnay are also available,

That sounds good!

 

[mrsap]

We missed the dinner offerings the first night, but last night they had chicken and corn chowder and chicken nuggets. The soup was good, but an odd choice for a 90+ degree day. The chicken nuggets threw me for a loop as I. Had much higher expectations based on other reviews. They also has an charcuterie plate, caprese salad, cheese, and bread and crackers. We will likely miss tonight's, trying to get to AK for some evening hours, but will let ya know what they have tomorrow evening. Breakfast is standard mini muffins, bagels, and croissants, they also have cereal and oatmeal. We are enjoying the fresh fruit and were happy to see pineapple the last days. Snacks were just potato chips, pretzels, a wasabi mix, and cookies. We were glad to see beer was available during snack time too. They have a nice hefeweizen, as well as Yuengling and bud light. Last night we got to have some of the famous cobbler. Brought some peach and berry cobbler back to the room and ate that on the balcony while enjoying the view and some wine. Will definitely do the same tonight. After this trip a room without a balcony is likely no longer in the mix. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wine. Not the best ever, but not yellowtail either. We've only had the cab bit merlot and Chardonnay are also available,

Sounds great! Thank you for sharing! I love hearing about all the offerings at the OFL. I definitely don't remember reading that nuggets were part of it, but I can only hope they keep them at least a couple nights a week, as they'd be a big hit with my kids!!! I think it's great alcohol is even included. It will be nice taking a glass back to the room and sitting out on the balcony!!! Thanks for making me even more excited about CL! 73 days till we leave! Hope you enjoy the rest if your trip!!!


Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[urbanhooligan]

Only thing to add about the food is that I think my favorite thing they had was the pb&j shooter... I preferred it on the sour dough bread rather than the little brioche bun that they had. I agree that it was rather warm for soup, but I did think it was pretty good. Just have to reiterate how good the peach/berry cobbler was!

 

[jh91]

I'm new to this group and taking my family at the end of Oct to stay a VWL. We have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old. Any specific advice for room locations? We have 1 bedroom villa. Looking for easy transportation and pool access, but as quiet as possible with good view. Do any rooms have wishes views?
Also wondering about transportation. We plan to come back for naps and wondering if driving our car is better than dealing with disney transportation? But not sure if we need to take shuttles from parking lots and how that works with double stroller.
Thanks

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I'm new to this group and taking my family at the end of Oct to stay a VWL. We have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old. Any specific advice for room locations? We have 1 bedroom villa. Looking for easy transportation and pool access, but as quiet as possible with good view. Do any rooms have wishes views? Also wondering about transportation. We plan to come back for naps and wondering if driving our car is better than dealing with disney transportation? But not sure if we need to take shuttles from parking lots and how that works with double stroller. Thanks

Welcome, you chose a great thread for your first post, and a wonderful resort. The room location for the villas doesn't seem to be as big of a deal, since the views (and noise levels) don't vary as much. Because the main building is between the villas and MK there aren't any great Wishes views. I would probably just request being close to the main building to prevent being far down the villas hall, and therefore closer to transportation and the restaurants in the main building, but the worst case isn't terrible.

As for driving or taking the buses, that is a personal choice where some feel each way is best. We rely entirely on Disney transportation and enjoy it. Not driving to MK works well because the parking lot is about as far away time wise from the gate as WL is since WL has a quick bus or nice (but usually not as quick) boat option. For the other parks you don't have to park as far away, but there are parking lot trams that you'll have to fold the stroller for. For the water parks driving saves quite a bit of time in general, since you can park close and travel on your own schedule.

Happy planning and enjoy your trip, it'll be here soon.

 

[kastoney]

Only thing to add about the food is that I think my favorite thing they had was the pb&j shooter... I preferred it on the sour dough bread rather than the little brioche bun that they had. I agree that it was rather warm for soup, but I did think it was pretty good. Just have to reiterate how good the peach/berry cobbler was!

I forgot about the PB&J shooters. My daughter enjoyed that. The cobbler was amazing. So good in fact we grabbed a cab back from AKL last night just so we could be back before 10 and enjoy some again. It's been peach and berry both nights for us. Hoping for another variety for our last night tonight before we head to the boardwalk for the rest of our stay. Gonna miss this place,

BTW I had to ask about the BB passes too. Forgot at check in, but one of the concierge folks got it added on our account yesterday. She had to call a manager to do this, so certainly doesn't seem like standard practice. Partaking of the beach for the first time today....

 

[BlueFairy]

RCI has changed a lot. Deposits are assigned "trading points" unit values, sometimes called TPUs. Deposit TPUs may be combined from multiple deposits (for a fee) and ongoing search requests are made against deposited TPUs, for the desired resorts/unit size/dates. Your request is placed on a waitlist behind everyone else who has already requested the same thing, on a first-come, first-served basis. As the desired weeks are deposited, the requests are filled, going down the list and you get an email or phone call to ask you to confirm. If the deposit that is "searching" does not have enough TPUs for the requested exchange, it just won't work. Figure on 30-60 TPUs for a DVC week. Call and ask RCI how many TPUs your parents would get for their week(s).

Ongoing searches that are started on the phone have a slightly higher exchange fee than those started by phone with a live rep. Either way, make sure NOT to select an entire region, but only the specific resort ID's that are acceptable. No fee for depositing. You pay the exchange fee when the ongoing search request is made. If no match is found, you may request a refund of the exchange fee or use the credit to make a different request. Disney has a somewhat irritating, additional $95 fee/room, charged to incoming exchangers, just because they can. Generally, even DVC members who trade their other weeks into DVC will still have to pay this fee. If your parents own any Florida resort weeks within 50 miles of WDW, their entire RCI account is not eligible to obtain exchanges into DVC, non-negotiable.

If your parents want to trade into DVC resorts, they need to make their deposits and start ongoing search requests as early as possible. Usually for DVC resorts, requesting 1-2 years ahead of travel will work, especially if including OKW, SSR and AKV in the list, due to the large number of rooms at those resorts. Studios are rarely available, 1BRs are most common, 2BRs are tricky during school breaks, 3BRs and major holiday weeks are extremely rare. DVC gives inventory to RCI as members request trades out, usually depositing weeks between 5-6 months ahead of check-in.

As Disboards is to Disney, so www.tug2.net is to timeshare. You'll find all you need to know about exchanging and getting the most from timesharing at TUG. We've exchanged into DVC before but this is our first time at VWL. Yippee!

Sorry to the others DISers watching this thread for the hijack. Lisa P - Thank you! This is super helpful. Mom used to tell me fairly last minute that they had a week to gift to us, and we'd scrounge for a way to use it. I think she just got tired of the song and dance with RCI. Maybe this info combined with their advancing age and less frequent travel will help her get more use out of those weeks for her grandchildren. No worries on the locale. Her weeks are in Gatlinburg, TN.

Have fun at VWL! I'm afraid if we ever stay in the Villas we'll never see another WDW property.

 

[AngiTN]

We missed the dinner offerings the first night, but last night they had chicken and corn chowder and chicken nuggets. The soup was good, but an odd choice for a 90+ degree day. The chicken nuggets threw me for a loop as I. Had much higher expectations based on other reviews. They also has an charcuterie plate, caprese salad, cheese, and bread and crackers. We will likely miss tonight's, trying to get to AK for some evening hours, but will let ya know what they have tomorrow evening.

Breakfast is standard mini muffins, bagels, and croissants, they also have cereal and oatmeal. We are enjoying the fresh fruit and were happy to see pineapple the last days.

Snacks were just potato chips, pretzels, a wasabi mix, and cookies. We were glad to see beer was available during snack time too. They have a nice hefeweizen, as well as Yuengling and bud light.

Last night we got to have some of the famous cobbler. Brought some peach and berry cobbler back to the room and ate that on the balcony while enjoying the view and some wine. Will definitely do the same tonight. After this trip a room without a balcony is likely no longer in the mix. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wine. Not the best ever, but not yellowtail either. We've only had the cab bit merlot and Chardonnay are also available,

Pssst, you can always ask for it if they don't have any out. Now, we never did ask for breakfast but I suppose one could. But without a doubt any other time, if you want beer and it's not out just ask for some. Same goes for soda's. DH drinks Coke for breakfast, not coffee. They got him one every morning, all he had to do is ask.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are looking to rent a stay at a studio villa... Can anyone tell me if the Murphy bed is the same size or larger than the ones at POR... I heard that the POR ones are smaller than a twin...my kids are teens and need a real bed... Thank you!

Welcome to the thread, Jennifer. The new VWL Studio daybeds seem to be the same as the POR ones. Here is a photo, courtesy of AllEars and there are more VWL Studio photos from AllEars HERE:

I came for a quick weekend trip to visit parents and we just decided to come for the weekend... Didn't make a reservation until Tuesday. Made a connection with a friend of a friend and next thing you know we're in the Old Faithful Lounge and on top of the roof watching Wishes. It was amazing. Could see all of the world! And the cobbler was apple at first, but they had to bring a third batch out which was Peach and berry. The apple was delicious, peach and berry was even better!

Sounds like it was a great weekend trip

Don't want to highjack this thread but please allow this little detour.

No problem at all - your post was very helpful

Decided to post on-topic...

Over the years, we have visited the Wilderness Lodge and looked around, many, many times. Sometimes, we've eaten a meal... rented a boat... soaked in the atmosphere... and of course, wished were staying there!!! Now... we're finally going stay at WL for our very first time!!! I'm getting simply giddy with excitement!

Well, actually, we're staying at the Villas on an RCI exchange week... in a 1BR... DH and I. What fun! (great, BIG sigh) I. Can. Not. WAIT. (wheeeeeeee) Yes, I know there will be construction - it was a bit of a bummer when we first learned about it. But we are SO EXCITED anyway! We're looking forward to this more than to any other Disney trip. We always enjoy visiting Downtown Disney and wandering around other resorts. WL has been our favorite to visit.

NOW... in just a few weeks, we're really going to STAY there... take long walks over to Ft Wilderness... boat rentals on Bay Lake... a few visits to the water parks... a couple "highlights" hopper days at the theme parks... and just relax in front of one of the fireplaces, listen to the music... (another very happy sigh) I'll bet the week will fly by, way too fast. But who cares!?! We're goin' back to Disney World and we're stayin' at THE LODGE!

Okay, I'll go back to my lurking spot on this thread now... gleefully noting the photos... savoring the vivid live reports and fun postings... so please, do carry on.

No way you're reverting back to lurking. We expect some LIVE updates or at least a TR. The week will fly by and inevitably, the week prior will go s o s l o w l y. But , that just means it's time to start thinking about a return visit

I'm new to this group and taking my family at the end of Oct to stay a VWL. We have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old. Any specific advice for room locations? We have 1 bedroom villa. Looking for easy transportation and pool access, but as quiet as possible with good view. Do any rooms have wishes views?

Also wondering about transportation. We plan to come back for naps and wondering if driving our car is better than dealing with disney transportation? But not sure if we need to take shuttles from parking lots and how that works with double stroller.
Thanks

Just wanted to also you to the WL/VWL thread and the DIS, jh91. We're honored to have your first post on this here friendly Bay Lake thread.

Welcome, you chose a great thread for your first post, and a wonderful resort. The room location for the villas doesn't seem to be as big of a deal, since the views (and noise levels) don't vary as much. Because the main building is between the villas and MK there aren't any great Wishes views. I would probably just request being close to the main building to prevent being far down the villas hall, and therefore closer to transportation and the restaurants in the main building, but the worst case isn't terrible.

As for driving or taking the buses, that is a personal choice where some feel each way is best. We rely entirely on Disney transportation and enjoy it. Not driving to MK works well because the parking lot is about as far away time wise from the gate as WL is since WL has a quick bus or nice (but usually not as quick) boat option. For the other parks you don't have to park as far away, but there are parking lot trams that you'll have to fold the stroller for. For the water parks driving saves quite a bit of time in general, since you can park close and travel on your own schedule.

Happy planning and enjoy your trip, it'll be here soon.

Great advice and thank you for posting on your vacation. I hope that everything has been and will continue to be magical for you and your family

Sorry to the others DISers watching this thread for the hijack. Lisa P - Thank you! This is super helpful. Mom used to tell me fairly last minute that they had a week to gift to us, and we'd scrounge for a way to use it. I think she just got tired of the song and dance with RCI. Maybe this info combined with their advancing age and less frequent travel will help her get more use out of those weeks for her grandchildren. No worries on the locale. Her weeks are in Gatlinburg, TN.

Have fun at VWL! I'm afraid if we ever stay in the Villas we'll never see another WDW property.

No apologies needed at all. This is information that I'm sure will benefit many. BTW, we love the Smokies, too and those fab cabins

 

[midge3426]

Above is a shot of the courtyard before we left today. If you look between the rock formation and the Bay lake, you will see a lovely shade of lime green. That is the water in the unchlorinated pool.

 

[patty57]

Above is a shot of the courtyard before we left today. If you look between the rock formation and the Bay lake, you will see a lovely shade of lime green. That is the water in the unchlorinated pool.

Yuck (even though it is kind of a pretty shade of green).

 

[BwoZoo22]

Above is a shot of the courtyard before we left today. If you look between the rock formation and the Bay lake, you will see a lovely shade of lime green. That is the water in the unchlorinated pool.

Are those two people dancing in the flower bed?!

 

[jenniferyawn]

Welcome to the thread, Jennifer. The new VWL Studio daybeds seem to be the same as the POR ones. Here is a photo, courtesy of AllEars and there are more VWL Studio photos from AllEars HERE:

Thank you so much for the picture and the link! Very helpful!

 

[digiMom]

We are looking to rent a stay at a studio villa... Can anyone tell me if the Murphy bed is the same size or larger than the ones at POR... I heard that the POR ones are smaller than a twin...my kids are teens and need a real bed... Thank you!

I'm not sure what the POR size is. We were just in a VWL studio a little over a month ago, though. My DD is 17 and 5'7" and she was able to sleep on it.

 

[Dumbo Mad]

We have just headed back to the WL for nap time. You can hear the jack hammering as you walk from the boat dock to the hotel, but as soon as you get to your room, you cannot hear it. We have a fifth floor woods room overlooking the otter pond.

 

[nogreenworld]

We have just headed back to the WL for nap time. You can hear the jack hammering as you walk from the boat dock to the hotel, but as soon as you get to your room, you cannot hear it. We have a fifth floor woods room overlooking the otter pond.

there's an otter pond?

 

[ttkc]

Hi all! We are headed to VWL February 23-28. We are so excited! Ok, I am so excited!

Can anyone give me a rough estimate on how long it takes to get from the Villas over to the boat to MK? Assume you're walking at the speed of an investigative 5 year old.

I think I read somewhere on here that there is a an MK bus stop closer to the villas than the boats. On a relatively quiet week like the one we are going, would the busses be a good option instead of the long walk to the boats? I like exercise, but that's a lot of ground to cover with a kid that needs to stop and look at every rock and bug between the villa and the dock!

TIA!