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

[jh91]

We finally arrived at wilderness lodge today for the first time. Wow what a place!! We booked about a year ago and have been counting down ever since. I have been watching this thread for about 3 months now and very much appreciate everyone's knowledge, as upon my arrival, I already felt like I knew everything about the place. I worried whether I picked the right resort for our first family Disney trip, and after being here only a few hours, I know I definitely picked right. Thanks again for everyone making the countdown pass a little quicker.

 

[capttigger]

We finally arrived at wilderness lodge today for the first time. Wow what a place!! We booked about a year ago and have been counting down ever since. I have been watching this thread for about 3 months now and very much appreciate everyone's knowledge, as upon my arrival, I already felt like I knew everything about the place. I worried whether I picked the right resort for our first family Disney trip, and after being here only a few hours, I know I definitely picked right. Thanks again for everyone making the countdown pass a little quicker.

Glad you like the place.... it is a lot of fun to just go sit in the lobby and people watch.....

 

[bookgirl]

Hey guys arrived this afternoon.



Plane arrived early and we picked the car up and was at WL around 2pm.

Mentioned the discount and the water park tickets and was told one or the other.

Said I'd take the $50 a night and she asked where I got that amount and I mentioned that's what Customer service offered. She said she'd check. Came back and said the amount would be applied and that the BB tickets would also be added.

We asked for inner courtyard, high room, lake view. We are on the 4th floor, inner court yard, and if you lean out over the railing and tilt your head right you see a bit of the lake. Oh well. Not the perfect room, but we are close to the man building overlooking the stream which is very nice.

They sent up a microwave, and we did a walmart run.

Ran back to the resort to put up cold stuff then drove over to Beach Club for Beaches and Cream ADR. It was good. Had a burger with no wheat bun and a dairy free chocolate shake. The bread was not the usual GF roll I've gotten before. In fact it looked a whole lot like the roll on my moms burger only mine came with a allergy flag on it. I know they bake the regular rolls in house, maybe the do the GF ones too.

After dinner we drove to DHS where I went into the park and mom grabbed a bus back to the lodge. When she walked in Disney floral had delivered the gifts I ordered. She loved it.






I rode ToT and RNR, then called it a night. (Up since 3am).

Anyway I'll post some construction pics tomorrow.

Night from the lodge guys.

 

[leholcomb]

Hello again! Another question. I can't find info about a fitness center onsite. I saw there is one at VWL. Can WL guests use this one as well?

TIA!

 

[bookgirl]

Okay just had to add, I could hear fire works but couldn't see them next thing I know way loud music, crazy loud. It was the water parade. The gap that we see the lake through when you lean out, you can see part of the floats as they go by. The firework crescendo and the EWP hit at the same time. man I'm awake now. Maybe we're near a speaker.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Okay just had to add, I could hear fire works but couldn't see them next thing I know way loud music, crazy loud. It was the water parade. The gap that we see the lake through when you lean out, you can see part of the floats as they go by. The firework crescendo and the EWP hit at the same time. man I'm awake now. Maybe we're near a speaker.

I was down at the beach tonight watching the Halloween party fireworks and the electric water parade started up about five minutes later. The music is always really loud from the parade. You can hear it from just about any room. It always starts at 9:35pm, so don't try to sleep before then. . The fireworks from MK have a gigantic firework explosion at the end, which is fantastic but loud.

 

[nyrebecca]

Today I will start pulling the luggage out to start packing. I wanted to pack like a month ago, but, I have restrained myself.

Getting super excited about getting to the Lodge soon.

My son, who has Autism and doesn't talk much, told us over the weekend. "Wilderness Lodge. Home soon." Love that kid !!

 

[BandMom1]

Today I will start pulling the luggage out to start packing. I wanted to pack like a month ago, but, I have restrained myself.

Getting super excited about getting to the Lodge soon.

My son, who has Autism and doesn't talk much, told us over the weekend. "Wilderness Lodge. Home soon." Love that kid !!

I too have been restraining myself from getting the luggage out...and I don't leave until Jan 1 ! It will be our families first time staying at WLV and we are VERY excited!

Love that your son is looking forward too your trip Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[nyrebecca]

I too have been restraining myself from getting the luggage out...and I don't leave until Jan 1 ! It will be our families first time staying at WLV and we are VERY excited!

Love that your son is looking forward too your trip Hope you have a wonderful time!

The first suitcase I took out this AM...still had clothes in it from last year. LOL! Guess I was really ahead of the game!

 

[Sandy321]

Okay just had to add, I could hear fire works but couldn't see them next thing I know way loud music, crazy loud. It was the water parade. The gap that we see the lake through when you lean out, you can see part of the floats as they go by. The firework crescendo and the EWP hit at the same time. man I'm awake now. Maybe we're near a speaker.

Thanks for taking the time to post - Live posting! :good vibes

The last time we went we also bought the snack pack for DD from Disney florist, love that thing! (adding to my list of things for June! June seems so far away!)

 

[CoP Luv]

They sent up a microwave, and we did a walmart run.

Is this something that can be requested? DH has food allergies and we were really considering only looking at rooms that had microwaves because if this. We ended up booking a woods view because he said it wasn't that important to go without, but if we could get on in the room, that would save so much time!! How did you request one? Prior to arriving? On arrival?

Thanks and hope you are having a great trip!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are sitting at the airport now waiting for our flight home. . We had a lovely trip and the construction didn't bother us at all. We were in room 3119, which was very convenient. And we had great luck with boats and buses. I'll report more about the trip later.

We were able to book a 35% room only bounce back this morning for a stay at the YC in April. I tried to get the BB applied to our January WL CV reservation but they only had bunk bed rooms available for our dates.

The 2015 room only bounce back offers are not in the rooms yet. But if you call ext 8844 from your room phone they can give you the offer.

 

[bookgirl]

Is this something that can be requested? DH has food allergies and we were really considering only looking at rooms that had microwaves because if this. We ended up booking a woods view because he said it wasn't that important to go without, but if we could get on in the room, that would save so much time!! How did you request one? Prior to arriving? On arrival?

Thanks and hope you are having a great trip!

I called it in about a week prior and then asked again on check in. I just asked for a microwave due to medical need and she said she'd send one right up. I really only need it for breakfast (as almost all breakfast type foods available are in my need to avoid category) and being able to fix it while getting ready was great.

 

[elaw]

Hello again! Another question. I can't find info about a fitness center onsite. I saw there is one at VWL. Can WL guests use this one as well?

TIA!

Yep ...we've done it a couple of times.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We finally arrived at wilderness lodge today for the first time. Wow what a place!! We booked about a year ago and have been counting down ever since. I have been watching this thread for about 3 months now and very much appreciate everyone's knowledge, as upon my arrival, I already felt like I knew everything about the place. I worried whether I picked the right resort for our first family Disney trip, and after being here only a few hours, I know I definitely picked right. Thanks again for everyone making the countdown pass a little quicker.

It's even better in person, isn't it?! Have a magical stay.

Hey guys arrived this afternoon.

Plane arrived early and we picked the car up and was at WL around 2pm.

Mentioned the discount and the water park tickets and was told one or the other.

Said I'd take the $50 a night and she asked where I got that amount and I mentioned that's what Customer service offered. She said she'd check. Came back and said the amount would be applied and that the BB tickets would also be added.

We asked for inner courtyard, high room, lake view. We are on the 4th floor, inner court yard, and if you lean out over the railing and tilt your head right you see a bit of the lake. Oh well. Not the perfect room, but we are close to the man building overlooking the stream which is very nice.

They sent up a microwave, and we did a walmart run.

Ran back to the resort to put up cold stuff then drove over to Beach Club for Beaches and Cream ADR. It was good. Had a burger with no wheat bun and a dairy free chocolate shake. The bread was not the usual GF roll I've gotten before. In fact it looked a whole lot like the roll on my moms burger only mine came with a allergy flag on it. I know they bake the regular rolls in house, maybe the do the GF ones too.

After dinner we drove to DHS where I went into the park and mom grabbed a bus back to the lodge. When she walked in Disney floral had delivered the gifts I ordered. She loved it.


I rode ToT and RNR, then called it a night. (Up since 3am).

Anyway I'll post some construction pics tomorrow.

Night from the lodge guys.

Thank you for posting some photos and an update. We ate at B&C our first meal this summer. It's great that you can book an ADR there now. I loved the fat-free shake, grilled cheese and soup.

Hello again! Another question. I can't find info about a fitness center onsite. I saw there is one at VWL. Can WL guests use this one as well?

TIA!

All the info. is located HERE. The link is on the first page under "Sturdy Branches Health Club/Massages." It's my favorite health club - you're going to love it

Today I will start pulling the luggage out to start packing. I wanted to pack like a month ago, but, I have restrained myself.

Getting super excited about getting to the Lodge soon.

My son, who has Autism and doesn't talk much, told us over the weekend. "Wilderness Lodge. Home soon." Love that kid !!

Don't forget the AeroBed!

The first suitcase I took out this AM...still had clothes in it from last year. LOL! Guess I was really ahead of the game!

Was the AeroBed still in the suitcase, too? I hope your vacation is magical.

We are sitting at the airport now waiting for our flight home. . We had a lovely trip and the construction didn't bother us at all. We were in room 3119, which was very convenient. And we had great luck with boats and buses. I'll report more about the trip later.

We were able to book a 35% room only bounce back this morning for a stay at the YC in April. I tried to get the BB applied to our January WL CV reservation but they only had bunk bed rooms available for our dates.

The 2015 room only bounce back offers are not in the rooms yet. But if you call ext 8844 from your room phone they can give you the offer.

Safe travels home!

For those who might not know, the new AP/SP room-only Late Winter Discount is also for 35% off WL/VWL. The General Public discount is only for 30%.

 

[nyrebecca]

Don't forget the AeroBed!


Was the AeroBed still in the suitcase, too? I hope your vacation is magical.

We actually sold the AeroBed at our yard sale. But all is not lost, we have an upgraded travel bed! It inflates itself, and deflates itself, and has wheels for easier transportation. My son, of course, has tried it out already.

http://www.grandinroad.com/basic-inflatable-ez-bed/24795

 

[5bound4wdw]

I was looking for information from anyone who has stayed in a sudio villa now that they sleep 5. We have three kids, 13, 9, and 8. Was just wondering how cramped it would be for us?! Just trying to figure if we should try a studio or delux room club level.

Thanks!

 

[Lsdolphin]

We are sitting at the airport now waiting for our flight home. . We had a lovely trip and the construction didn't bother us at all. We were in room 3119, which was very convenient. And we had great luck with boats and buses. I'll report more about the trip later.

We were able to book a 35% room only bounce back this morning for a stay at the YC in April. I tried to get the BB applied to our January WL CV reservation but they only had bunk bed rooms available for our dates.

The 2015 room only bounce back offers are not in the rooms yet. But if you call ext 8844 from your room phone they can give you the offer.

Hope you had a good trip home! Thanks for the info regarding the room only. BB offer as I thought it was just the free dining offer that was still available.
I am going to call first thing in the morning and see what I can get.

We leave tomorrow afternoon and should be sitting in the airport ourselves by 3:30 pm

My nephew has informed me he is not going home so it should be an interesting afternoon! The CL CMs heard his announcement and told him they would pack him some cookies to take on the plane. I am afraid they have made him feel way too welcome here! I guess I am going to be baking choc chip cookies for his evening snacks when we get home!

It was a pleasure meeting you and your lovely family. Your grandson is adorable and was obviously having a wonderful time with his grandparents!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

What time do you guys get to the bus stop to make Rope Drop at Epcot, DHS and AK?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Okay just had to add, I could hear fire works but couldn't see them next thing I know way loud music, crazy loud. It was the water parade. The gap that we see the lake through when you lean out, you can see part of the floats as they go by. The firework crescendo and the EWP hit at the same time. man I'm awake now. Maybe we're near a speaker.

I was down at the beach tonight watching the Halloween party fireworks and the electric water parade started up about five minutes later. The music is always really loud from the parade. You can hear it from just about any room. It always starts at 9:35pm, so don't try to sleep before then. . The fireworks from MK have a gigantic firework explosion at the end, which is fantastic but loud.

I know many people love the EWP, but I hate it because it's so. darn. LOUD. We stayed in a 1 bedroom LV at BLT in 2012 and have hated the EWP ever since. It's really jarring, and when you have young kids who are sleeping when it comes by...just ugh.

We do take a white noise machine with us when we travel to Disney. At WL, it helps a lot. Nothing could block out the EWP at BLT, though!