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

[kastoney]

For all those inquiring minds, last night club level had shepherds pie and California rolls. Strange pairing but both were good. They also had an awesome summer salad made with fresh squashes (green, yellow, and pattypan) along with onions, some peppers, frisée, and Boursin cheese.

Sadly we left the lodge today but we will definitely be back. For the first time ever at disney we found a place close to the action yet peaceful and away from it all. Just arrived at boardwalk for a few more days and they certainly have a lot to love up to ; )

 

[jtowntoflorida]

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!

The bus stop is literally right outside VWL. It would take you less than 1 minute to get there. The boat dock is a bit of a hike...at least 5 minutes, probably closer to 10 if you have a someone who is poking around (NOT THAT I HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT/I TOTALLY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT).

The first time we stayed at VWL, we insisted on taking the boat. It's so cool! It's so neat! It's also a huge time suck. We've waited up to 30 minutes (and missed RD) for a boat just to show up. On our last trip, we decided to check out the bus, and I'll never got back to taking the boat to MK, unless I am totally in no hurry at all. The buses run in a continuous loop to/from MK, we never waited more than 5 minutes for one, and it's less than a 5 minute drive over there.

The boats are nice for coming back on if you're not in a hurry, but I don't recommend them when trying to get to the parks in the morning, especially when staying at VWL. The bus is just too convenient and soo much faster. You'll be to the MK before you'd even make it down to the dock 9 times out of 10.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The bus is faster than the boats but the boat is like a ride in itself. And the boat dock is right in front of the MK entrance whereas the bus depot at MK is a bit of a walk.

 

[BandontheRun]

I prefer the boat to the bus for the experience but yes the bus is faster.
Of course, I have never taken the bus from WL to MK and also prefer to boat to the CR and take the monorail into Epcot instead of a bus from WL.
Not a big bus fan here.. But if time counts- bus.
I'm pretty sure Walt didn't want a bunch of buses...

 

[Catira]

Hi we have a 1 bedroom villa for our November trip. Is there an area we could requested our room to be that the fireworks could be seen from room?
Thanks

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi we have a 1 bedroom villa for our November trip. Is there an area we could requested our room to be that the fireworks could be seen from room? Thanks

the WL building is in the way. You can't really see over it or around it to get a view of the fireworks. But you can walk down to the beach to get a view of the high fireworks.

 

[Catira]

the WL building is in the way. You can't really see over it or around it to get a view of the fireworks. But you can walk down to the beach to get a view of the high fireworks.

Thank you Wood Nymph.. I think we will just request our room to be close to a bus stop. I'm sure we can see the fireworks at MK or the beach instead. Can't wait to see wilderness lodge all decorated for the Christmas holidays!

 

[BlueFairy]

there's an otter pond?

There may have been otters at one time. I believe they've moved on. There are rabbits and ducks. Occasionally you might see deer. This is the pond you will see below you if you are in a woods view room on the north side (furthest section of the wing from the lobby, past the RF elevator).

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!

As stated above, 1 min to bus, 5-10 to boats. If you are like my family and go through the lobby you will need to investigate the mercantile, the portrait artist, say hi to Humphrey, stop at the springs bridge, look for a hidden Mickey, RUN down the ramp to RF, maybe get a snack, and then finally head down the lizard and rabbit-filled walkway to the boat dock. We almost always have a 10-20 min wait for an MK boat. Definitely not a good option if you want rope drop. You most likely won't be at the front of the line, therefore may not get the first boat, and often the MK boat doesn't run until 30 min before park opening. You might get there on time, but seeing the Welcome show is tricky. The boat back is SO relaxing, but reversing the process above with a sleeping child in your arms after Wishes or during rain could be tricky at best.

I adore the boats, truly. Midday to and from MK and anytime to CR or FW they are our staple. Leaving the park it is very easy to see if a boat is coming or waiting and easily accessible. But after my last trip alone with 2 kids (6 and 9 - no stroller), I do believe I'm converted to the buses. We made rope drop one morning with loads of time to spare, stayed dry on the way to MK one evening in the rain, and arrived back at WL that night via bus with only a few steps on aching feet to our beds.

 

[lovingeire]

Sadly, due to car/motocycle repairs on pretty much all three of our vehicles we are postponing our trip. (And deferring my husbands marathon to 2016) I had wanted to go in September, however DH doesn't want the oldest to miss a football game, so it looks like we'll be going in November. I'm thinking around the 8th-14th/15th of 2015. Gosh, that is so far away! Oh well, what can you do. At least we'll get to see the Lodge all decorated for Christmas!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We visited WL tonight. It is a wonderful resort, and we got some pics. First, a spy pic of why the walkway from the hot tubs to the boats is closed:

Then some required lobby pics:

And finally some WL merchandise in the mercantile:

 

[Wood Nymph]

We visited WL tonight. It is a wonderful resort, and we got some pics. First, a spy pic of why the walkway from the hot tubs to the boats is closed:

I'm glad the construction seems to be moving along. I hope it isn't too disruptive to the guests.

I love that bear sweatshirt. Thanks for posting the pictures. It is still a beautiful resort in spite of the construction mess.

 

[AngiTN]

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!

The bus stop is literally right outside VWL. It would take you less than 1 minute to get there. The boat dock is a bit of a hike...at least 5 minutes, probably closer to 10 if you have a someone who is poking around (NOT THAT I HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT/I TOTALLY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT).

The first time we stayed at VWL, we insisted on taking the boat. It's so cool! It's so neat! It's also a huge time suck. We've waited up to 30 minutes (and missed RD) for a boat just to show up. On our last trip, we decided to check out the bus, and I'll never got back to taking the boat to MK, unless I am totally in no hurry at all. The buses run in a continuous loop to/from MK, we never waited more than 5 minutes for one, and it's less than a 5 minute drive over there.

The boats are nice for coming back on if you're not in a hurry, but I don't recommend them when trying to get to the parks in the morning, especially when staying at VWL. The bus is just too convenient and soo much faster. You'll be to the MK before you'd even make it down to the dock 9 times out of 10.

Great info. I was going to say that for time use the buses but for experience the boats. We plan to use buses to and boats from. I didn't even realize how fast the buses were till they had to shut down the boats due to high winds and we were forced to the buses. That is very easy, as long as you aren't lugging a stroller along.

 

[leholcomb]

Hello all.

We are staying at WL for the first time at the end of October. I would like to know more about the lounge at the resort.

My family and I were toying with booking the EPCOT Wind Down on the 31st for drinks and snacks. However, I thought it might be cheaper (less than $35 per person) to just grab a drink and apps at the hotel bar/lounge. EPCOT closes at 10 that night so won't get back to the resort until around 11. What are my options?

TIA!

 

[nogreenworld]

we're heading back to WL in january.

one of our days, we apparently need to be at hollywood studios right at open (daughter wants to do jedi training academy), which is 8am.

any tips for the best way and times to accomplish that? is there any decent breakfast food at HS?

thanks!

 

[outahere]

Thank you Wood Nymph.. I think we will just request our room to be close to a bus stop. I'm sure we can see the fireworks at MK or the beach instead. Can't wait to see wilderness lodge all decorated for the Christmas holidays!

Since it looks like you will be in a villa, there is really no need to request a room near the bus stop. The villas are all together, and very near the bus stop (closer than the main WL building).

 

[xlsm]

And finally some WL merchandise in the mercantile:

Cute! Those are different than the ones we saw in August. I love that bear hoodie!!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

we're heading back to WL in january.

one of our days, we apparently need to be at hollywood studios right at open (daughter wants to do jedi training academy), which is 8am.

any tips for the best way and times to accomplish that? is there any decent breakfast food at HS?

thanks!

We do an 8:00 a.m. Disney Jr. breakfast at H&V on our JTA days to ensure an easy sign-up process for us. We leave the room by 7:00 and hop a bus to get to DHS in time for breakfast. The H&V breakfast is no worse than any other breakfast buffet, and when you do the 8:00/8:05 ADR, the food is all fresh and hot. An 8:00 won't work for an 8:00 a.m. opening (is it an EMH day?), but the buses do run that early.

 

[nogreenworld]

We do an 8:00 a.m. Disney Jr. breakfast at H&V on our JTA days to ensure an easy sign-up process for us. We leave the room by 7:00 and hop a bus to get to DHS in time for breakfast. The H&V breakfast is no worse than any other breakfast buffet, and when you do the 8:00/8:05 ADR, the food is all fresh and hot. An 8:00 won't work for an 8:00 a.m. opening (is it an EMH day?), but the buses do run that early.

thanks for the reply, that was a typo on my part. opening is 9am, i just hit the wrong key.

i was thinking about doing the H&V breakfast, too. maybe we'll try that (was able to book that actually!). my daughter could take or leave the characters there, but being in the park already would be a perk without having to get up earlier to eat or just stand around once we're there.

you just head out from H&V across the way to the studio a bit before the 9:00 rope drop?

any experience with this hat area rope drop after the "opening show"?

 

[WDWKOOK]

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.

Thank you for posting your photo and describing the scene because I thought that was grass

Are those two people dancing in the flower bed?!

Maybe they thought that was the pool. Even with the pool closed, they're so happy to be at WL!

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

You're welcome, but it seems the AllEars photo disappeared, but the link still works.

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.

Great information for anyone wondering about the noise.

there's an otter pond?

The "Otter Pond" is located behind the North Wing. I've seen the Otters in Bay Lake, but haven't spent enough time at their namesake to see them:

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

Welcome to the thread, ttkc and I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log.

For all those inquiring minds, last night club level had shepherds pie and California rolls. Strange pairing but both were good. They also had an awesome summer salad made with fresh squashes (green, yellow, and pattypan) along with onions, some peppers, frisée, and Boursin cheese.

Sadly we left the lodge today but we will definitely be back. For the first time ever at disney we found a place close to the action yet peaceful and away from it all. Just arrived at boardwalk for a few more days and they certainly have a lot to love up to ; )

Fresh squash sounds new - yum! I think your description of WL is perfect

The bus stop is literally right outside VWL. It would take you less than 1 minute to get there. The boat dock is a bit of a hike...at least 5 minutes, probably closer to 10 if you have a someone who is poking around (NOT THAT I HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT/I TOTALLY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT).

The first time we stayed at VWL, we insisted on taking the boat. It's so cool! It's so neat! It's also a huge time suck. We've waited up to 30 minutes (and missed RD) for a boat just to show up. On our last trip, we decided to check out the bus, and I'll never got back to taking the boat to MK, unless I am totally in no hurry at all. The buses run in a continuous loop to/from MK, we never waited more than 5 minutes for one, and it's less than a 5 minute drive over there.

The boats are nice for coming back on if you're not in a hurry, but I don't recommend them when trying to get to the parks in the morning, especially when staying at VWL. The bus is just too convenient and soo much faster. You'll be to the MK before you'd even make it down to the dock 9 times out of 10.

Hi we have a 1 bedroom villa for our November trip. Is there an area we could requested our room to be that the fireworks could be seen from room?
Thanks

Welcome to the thread, Catira.

Sadly, due to car/motocycle repairs on pretty much all three of our vehicles we are postponing our trip. (And deferring my husbands marathon to 2016) I had wanted to go in September, however DH doesn't want the oldest to miss a football game, so it looks like we'll be going in November. I'm thinking around the 8th-14th/15th of 2015. Gosh, that is so far away! Oh well, what can you do. At least we'll get to see the Lodge all decorated for Christmas!

Rats! Well, 2015 does seem far off and postponing a trip is never fun, but it'll be here before you know it and you'll be panicking about packing

We visited WL tonight. It is a wonderful resort, and we got some pics. First, a spy pic of why the walkway from the hot tubs to the boats is closed:

And finally some WL merchandise in the mercantile:

Thank you for stopping by WL and taking some photos for all of us and it's great seeing Allie over here in her BBB new-do. I'm going to link to your new Mercantile merch. photos and post your "bridge that isn't" photo to the update page - thank you!

Hello all.

We are staying at WL for the first time at the end of October. I would like to know more about the lounge at the resort.

My family and I were toying with booking the EPCOT Wind Down on the 31st for drinks and snacks. However, I thought it might be cheaper (less than $35 per person) to just grab a drink and apps at the hotel bar/lounge. EPCOT closes at 10 that night so won't get back to the resort until around 11. What are my options?

TIA!

Welcome to the thread. Your only option is Territory Lounge and it's only open until midnight so you'd be cutting it close. They do serve appetizers and offer a modified Artist Point menu. However, it would be too late to order off that menu. They have a couple of TVs in there on either side of the lounge and they offer seating at both tables and at the bar, on a first-come/seat-yourself basis. Photos located HERE.

 

[BlueFairy]

Hello all.

We are staying at WL for the first time at the end of October. I would like to know more about the lounge at the resort.

My family and I were toying with booking the EPCOT Wind Down on the 31st for drinks and snacks. However, I thought it might be cheaper (less than $35 per person) to just grab a drink and apps at the hotel bar/lounge. EPCOT closes at 10 that night so won't get back to the resort until around 11. What are my options?

TIA!

I just want to add that if you can swing it on an earlier night, the TL is a great spot. I don't think they take the DDP, so while WCC is mobbed, the TL is a quiet refuge. The servers are super nice and accommodating. It's quiet, the food and drinks are great, and there are even comfy couches here and there. Highly recommend!