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

Status
Not open for further replies.
Have to run off to the gym and voting, etc… But I'll be back to multi-quote later:). For those with Teacher Workdays today (like bluecastle) - enjoy!


Hi KOOK, I was wondering if there's a link to the resort activities page you could post. I could have sworn there was one posted at one point. Thanks so much!
The Activity Calendar hyperlink is in POST 2 where all the WL/VWL NEWS is located. However, my source still has October up, but November should be up probably this week so keep checking. Thank you to Lacoccinelle for answering those questions:thumbsup2
 

Hi all! I am finally caught up!! All it took was a day off and lots of determination. I have no idea when we will be back at our beloved lodge- all monies being saved for DD's wedding next summer- but hanging out here keeps the connection going.

Thanks to everyone who has posted photos and construction updates. Reading it all in a row like I did, it was interesting to go from rumors, to reality, and now to anticipation of an end date. I especially have enjoyed reading about how everyone has enjoyed their stays, in spite of the construction. It is just a testament to how very special the WL is!!

Someone a few pages back asked about the 2 BR villas. We loved ours! My order of requests were: dedicated, not lock-off ( the 2nd queen in the 2nd BR was important to us), high floor, lake side, far from elevator. ( I like quiet and the building is not so large as to make the walk to the elevator a hardship- even with my bad back). We received all except lake side. But since we were far from elevator, we had a very nice area of mostly trees outside our room. I would be happy to answer any questions, now that I am caught up and will read them in a more timely manner!

KOOK- to answer a couple of questions you asked a while back. No WDW wedding. So many reasons why we can't do this, mostly financial, but also can't ask the families to do this. Also no to the massage when we were there. I have so many specific problems with my back I am not comfortable having just anyone do that. I think next time I will definitely consider something for my feet and legs! ( even though my Keens were terrific!)

Looking forward to reading about all the holiday trips coming up! We were there in Dec. 2009 and it was a dream come true. After looking at pictures for years, I walked into the lobby and cried when I finally saw the tree in person. It was a cold, but magically unique trip and one of our favorites. Happy planning everyone!!
And, happy planning to you, too, with the wedding that is:hyper:. I think a first wedding anniversary trip to WL might be in order:stir:

Hi everyone! I just changed our January 2015 trip from the GF to WL CL! The AP rate was just too good to pass up. We have stayed at WL many many times, but never CL. I did this on Friday, but have not heard a peep from IPO. I don't need much since my ADR's have been booked for awhile. My MIL is turning 75yo and this is her very first trip to WDW. MIL is a smoker so I basically just want to request a room that will get her to and from the smoking area easily. I tried using the Touring Plan room finder, but it was being difficult and I got fed up LOL! Could anyone advise a room area for me to request or should I just send a generic request in my email to IPO?
Welcome Boca Bree! You're going to love the Old Faithful Club. The IPO seems to have a "trigger" that alerts them to make contact with CL guests. You would think that as soon as you booked you'd be contacted, which is what most guests expect. But, for some reason, this doesn't seem to happen. If you are close to or past an important booking date or deadline, the system seems to alert the IPO who then sends an email asking if you'd like them to make any reservations. Don't be afraid to email them and let them know you've booked. Just include your confirmation number and last name in the subject. BTW, the IPO for WL is actually located at DPVR (Disney's Polynesian Village Resort;)).

The rooms that are closest to the lounge are also closest to the elevators that are in the middle of the Lodge. There are also elevators at the ends of each wing. The 7th floor wings are fairly short so any room isn't far from an elevator to get MIL down and outside to the DSA which is just outside The Mercantile and next to the arcade, which Wood Nymph suggested.
 
crazycatlady has posted TONS of WL photos from one year ago HERE and on the next page.​
 
crazycatlady has posted TONS of WL photos from one year ago HERE and on the next page.​

Thanks for the link! It's fun to see that many of us take pictures of the same details and views. The boat dock photos made me think that next trip I better get up just before sunrise in order to get some like that. Just gorgeous.
BTW, don't know if it was just on my iPad, but the link you posted brought me to the last page of photos, so I just went back one page and found the rest. It must have been wonderful to see the lodge go from non-Christmas to Christmas overnight. When I retire someday....
 
Thanks for the link! It's fun to see that many of us take pictures of the same details and views. The boat dock photos made me think that next trip I better get up just before sunrise in order to get some like that. Just gorgeous.
BTW, don't know if it was just on my iPad, but the link you posted brought me to the last page of photos, so I just went back one page and found the rest. It must have been wonderful to see the lodge go from non-Christmas to Christmas overnight. When I retire someday....
Hmmm, just tried the link again and it takes me to the first page of her photos (154) which are continued on the next/last page (155). It's always fun re-living a vacation, even through others' photos.
 
Hmmm, just tried the link again and it takes me to the first page of her photos (154) which are continued on the next/last page (155). It's always fun re-living a vacation, even through others' photos.

When I do it one way (on the app) it takes me to 155 but when I do it on the regular site it takes me to 154. I thought it was probably some weird iPad thing. Not important info to share, I guess, just one of those differences.
 
We are 7 days out now, and I can not remember:

The desks in the rooms, do they have USB charging strips with the outlets or is it just AC outlets?
 
I'm 41 days out from my first stay at Wilderness Lodge and so excited!! I've dreamed of staying here for several years.
 
Staying in the villas in February. If we want to hang by the villas pool (assuming there's good weather) where is the easiest place to get a drink?
 
Staying in the villas in February. If we want to hang by the villas pool (assuming there's good weather) where is the easiest place to get a drink?
If the Trout Bar is open by February then that would be the place to go. Just follow the sidewalk that leads toward the beach and hang a left at the fork. The bar is right next to the beach by the main pool.
 
We are a group of 5. I really want to go on a hay ride or carriage ride. I'd rather do the hay ride but I'm worried we won't have a seat since its first come first serve. Does it get that busy that we might not get a seat? Should I just reserve 2 carriages? (Since there's 5 of us)
 
We were at the WL at the end of October and I wanted to post some views from our room. We had reserved a courtyard view room and requested a room that was close to the lobby and had an open balcony. We were very pleased to get room 3119, which was just one floor up from the lobby, and very close to the exit door to the upper springs courtyard. It was very convenient to get to the buses, the boats, the villas pool and to Roaring Forks.

view1_zps8ac5b37e.jpg
view2_zps1b6f18f1.jpg

There are a lot of trees right outside this room, which we really liked because it gave us a lot of privacy. We spent a lot of time on our balcony in the afternoon. The view straight ahead was toward the part of the building where Artist Point is located.
view4_zps934a4063.jpg

We could just barely see Bay Lake and the top of the geyser when it went off.
view5_zps406a6bc3.jpg

To the left were the lobby windows. Our daughter got room 3113, just three rooms separated us, and they were even closer to the lobby. Our room was very quiet. We couldn't hear any construction noise with the balcony doors closed. The resort felt like it wasn't full at all even though the CM's told us that every room was booked. There must have been rooms that were taken out of inventory.
view3_zps95b30760.jpg


We also got three towel animals.
bird_zps401ed240.jpg

alligator_zpsd9af69a9.jpg
toothbrush_zpsce6fb164.jpg
 
Well, DH & I will be checking in at WL CL on Sunday and I haven't started to pack yet, mainly because I still can't believe it's happening already.
This trip will be totally different from our first CL visit back in Feb.

Then, it was Victoria's & Albert (our first time), Flag Family, KTTW Tour, Wild Afrika Trek Tour, Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise, our first GF Afternoon Tea, front table (#13) at Hoop De Doo, on and on.....a week we'll never forget.:cloud9:
Next week, mostly relaxing at the Lodge, carriage ride and archery at FW, Steam Train Tour (DH's dream tour). We'll be dining for the first time at Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse and Sanaa. Trying the so called FP at BOG for lunch (already had lunch & dinner there in Feb.).Also Yak & Yeti and Sci-Fi for the first time for lunch. Most of our 8 days are not planned out. Might mosey over to Boardwalk because we've never been there before and there's a free morning tour. Maybe hop on the DHS boat or the Sausagoula River boat for a little ride.
It's been a difficult last two months, with DHs' health issues and a death in the family. DH has to have another heart procedure 3 days after we get back from WL, so we're really looking forward to just immersing ourselves in the Magic of Disney for 7 days:wizard:
Last year at this time, we were able to watch the entire building process of the GF Gingerbread House (along with getting delicious samples). It was our first time seeing it -I was speechless, seeing it the day before we left, completed, with a smoking chimney!!!!!! We sat in the lobby for awhile, watching childrens expressions as THEY see it, while listening to the pianist, then, the band play. Another Magical moment for us.:love:
There seems to be little rays of magic wherever you look at WDW. The quiet moments are just as special as the active ones.
I better start packing!!!!!!! :goodvibes
 
Status
Not open for further replies.














Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE




/








DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top