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

[mom2mizmous]

I think you are referring to the fencing at the main WL pool. While I know that official pool hours were changed to reflect lifeguard hours sometime prior to 2014, I have not read of any new changes to the hours since the fence went up. Reports are that the fence is not access-controlled like it is at BLT and SAB. Further, I also have not read of any increase in crowding or noise at Hidden Springs at VWL since the main WL pool was fenced.

I have not stayed in a villa, but there are no reports here that would suggest an issue for you.

Yes, i was referring to the new fencing around the main pool! Thank you for the info- we will probably go ahead and make the switch. Love the beach theme of our home resort, but feel that VWL is a tad bit more relaxing( and since lovely DD30 will be leaving on that Sunday, it leaves DH and I some down time to just relax and do what WE want-lol which often includes just hanging around the pool/hot tub or taking quiet strolls around the grounds(sometimes all the way to fort wilderness!)

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Yes, i was referring to the new fencing around the main pool! Thank you for the info- we will probably go ahead and make the switch. Love the beach theme of our home resort, but feel that VWL is a tad bit more relaxing( and since lovely DD30 will be leaving on that Sunday, it leaves DH and I some down time to just relax and do what WE want-lol which often includes just hanging around the pool/hot tub or taking quiet strolls around the grounds(sometimes all the way to fort wilderness!)

That walk to Fort Wilderness is so peaceful!! We always walk or rent bikes and go over, stop at the barn to see the draft horses and depending on time of day, grab an ice cream at the store, or a beer at Crocketts!!!! . Also have headed over to the other "post" and hung out there in the rocking chairs!!

 

[mom2mizmous]

That walk to Fort Wilderness is so peaceful!! We always walk or rent bikes and go over, stop at the barn to see the draft horses and depending on time of day, grab an ice cream at the store, or a beer at Crocketts!!!! . Also have headed over to the other "post" and hung out there in the rocking chairs!!

Oh yes love those rockers- both at VWL and FW! Love the whole theming of the resort - which is funny as that was why we didn't buy there in the first place - Living in NE we camped a lot (still do) and thought v w l was not "Tropical/vacation" enough for us Wish we were there now I see we are 'neighbors" ClarabelleCow. We have a "snow day' due to the projected icy weather- so no school today (yes, we teachers enjoy a snow day or two also once in a while-lol).

 

[ttkc]

Yes.

Thanks! Next question: We will be there in late February. I know FL weather can be as crazy as here in the midwest, but I am going to use the basic assumption it will be too cool to swim. Are kids allowed in the hot tubs (with supervision, of course)?

 

[ttkc]

I read somewhere (maybe this board, even), that a good non-park place to catch the Wishes fireworks is to walk over to FW and let the kids play on the playground there.

1)Is that actually true? It sounds like a good plan to me, if it's not super chilly out.

2)Does anyone have a rough estimate of the time it takes to walk to Fort Wilderness, assuming a semi-poky 5 year old? Could you take a decent umbrella stroller on the trail?

Thanks!

 

[trishadono]

Thanks! Next question: We will be there in late February. I know FL weather can be as crazy as here in the midwest, but I am going to use the basic assumption it will be too cool to swim. Are kids allowed in the hot tubs (with supervision, of course)?

On every feb trip we had we swam. Weather can vary but 70 and 80's not uncommon.

Kids can be in hot tub with supervision.

 

[Trekkie]

Thanks! Next question: We will be there in late February. I know FL weather can be as crazy as here in the midwest, but I am going to use the basic assumption it will be too cool to swim. Are kids allowed in the hot tubs (with supervision, of course)?

Yes, Florida weather in February can be really iffy. Highs might be 70, or 40.

I will tell you, though, that the pool at WL is what I call "seriously heated". You can go swimming when it's 50, out. Long as you stay in the water, you'll be fine. But bring warm things to the pool, cause when you get out of the water, you'll freeze. And bring flops, cause 50 degree concrete on bare feet is cold, too.

So, there's a chance that you won't be able to swim. But your odds are pretty good.

 

[Trekkie]

I read somewhere (maybe this board, even), that a good non-park place to catch the Wishes fireworks is to walk over to FW and let the kids play on the playground there.

1)Is that actually true? It sounds like a good plan to me, if it's not super chilly out.

2)Does anyone have a rough estimate of the time it takes to walk to Fort Wilderness, assuming a semi-poky 5 year old? Could you take a decent umbrella stroller on the trail?

Thanks!

Can't tell you about a trail, or the fireworks. But I believe there's a boat that makes a circle between WL, FW, and Contemporary.

 

[danikoski]

One more week and we'll be at VWL on our Disneymoon!

 

[ttkc]

Yes, Florida weather in February can be really iffy. Highs might be 70, or 40.

I will tell you, though, that the pool at WL is what I call "seriously heated". You can go swimming when it's 50, out. Long as you stay in the water, you'll be fine. But bring warm things to the pool, cause when you get out of the water, you'll freeze. And bring flops, cause 50 degree concrete on bare feet is cold, too.

So, there's a chance that you won't be able to swim. But your odds are pretty good.

Good tip, thanks! I have those zero-body-fat kids that are all knees and elbows, so maybe I can rub them down with crisco or something before hand. I'm sure that's not against pool rules, right?

 

[grimley1968]

I read somewhere (maybe this board, even), that a good non-park place to catch the Wishes fireworks is to walk over to FW and let the kids play on the playground there.

1)Is that actually true? It sounds like a good plan to me, if it's not super chilly out.

2)Does anyone have a rough estimate of the time it takes to walk to Fort Wilderness, assuming a semi-poky 5 year old? Could you take a decent umbrella stroller on the trail?

Thanks!

If you're going between FW and WL after dark, I highly recommend taking the boat between the two. There is a wooded trail, and it's really nice during the day, but it's unlit and can be pretty frightening after dark. It's a 10-20 minute walk depending on speed. The boat ride itself is shorter than that but sometimes you might wait a few minutes for a boat.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Well, leaving in the morning!
Finishing up packing and cleaning today.

Does anyone know how long I should allow to check in to CL? Everything is paid. I expect to be at the resort around 230, hoping to get to MK by 330. Is that unreasonable?

 

[BlueFairy]

I read somewhere (maybe this board, even), that a good non-park place to catch the Wishes fireworks is to walk over to FW and let the kids play on the playground there.

1)Is that actually true? It sounds like a good plan to me, if it's not super chilly out.

2)Does anyone have a rough estimate of the time it takes to walk to Fort Wilderness, assuming a semi-poky 5 year old? Could you take a decent umbrella stroller on the trail?

Thanks!

Yes, you can see an obstructed view of Wishes from the FW beach with the playground close by. If I remember correctly, BLT is in the way and you will not be able to see all of them. However, it is a nice experience. (Count on better views from a monorail resort).

Take a boat or a bus between WL and FW after dark. Both are easy and I hear the trail is not lit.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just realized I never gave my dates for the log! We are staying 1/22-1/25 in Club Level.

Boca Bree, Yippee for the OFC!

We'll be at the Lodge May 30-June 8 for our second stay. Loved our first stay there last year so we're booked again!!

Just had to share our excitement!!

Carla

Being booked is great and I'll log your dates.

34 days away from check in! Has anyone shopped in the gift shop recently? My ds is wondering if he can find a Mickey tshirt (boys) in the gift shop. He is worrying about this, as his current shirt is too small to be worn in public. (According to mama!) I applaud him, at 7, for having disney wardrobe concerns. He wants to go to MK our first day in a new shirt. We haven't seen any suitable shirts from local sources. Thanks for helping!

Love the bolded

If he doesn't find just the right one at The Mercantile, it's easy to boat right over to both FW and CR and check out their shirts, CR has a large selection.

9 more days till we check in at WL! It'll be my first time back to this resort since I was a kid! I don't know what's taken me this long to come back!

I see a Bounceback in your future

I read somewhere (maybe this board, even), that a good non-park place to catch the Wishes fireworks is to walk over to FW and let the kids play on the playground there.

1)Is that actually true? It sounds like a good plan to me, if it's not super chilly out.

2)Does anyone have a rough estimate of the time it takes to walk to Fort Wilderness, assuming a semi-poky 5 year old? Could you take a decent umbrella stroller on the trail?

Thanks!

I've never watched Wishes from FW, but the playground next to Trail's End is close to the marina and Clementine Beach where you should be able to have a good view just over Discovery Island and in between CR and BLT.

As was posted, you can't walk to FW in the dark. There are no lights at all once you cross the street after the WL bus stop and head on the concrete trail to FW. The walk during the day takes about 20 mins. for an adult from WL to the Trail's End/HDDR area. A lil' un' will make it more like 30 mins. The trail is concrete so you can take a stroller. But, you'll be on some wood chips for a bit once you get to the FW ponies. The marina, TE, HDDR area is just beyond the ponies.

One more week and we'll be at VWL on our Disneymoon!

Well, leaving in the morning!
Finishing up packing and cleaning today.

Does anyone know how long I should allow to check in to CL? Everything is paid. I expect to be at the resort around 230, hoping to get to MK by 330. Is that unreasonable?

If you don't chat too much, which I seem to do, check-in is super fast if no one is ahead of you. They can process two guests at a time upstairs. They really only need to see your MBs, give you KTTW cards if you want them, have you sign something and give you your room number or verify a cell number if your room isn't ready. Should only take about 5-10 mins. if there isn't a line ahead of you.

What can take a lot longer is transport to MK. You really won't be able to be at the MK at 3:30 if you arrive at WL at 2:30. You have to factor check-in, walking from WL to either the bus stop or the boat, waiting for the transport and travel time. Then going through security and/or the turnstiles. I think that 4:00 is a more reasonable earliest estimate.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

If you don't chat too much, which I seem to do, check-in is super fast if no one is ahead of you. They can process two guests at a time upstairs. They really only need to see your MBs, give you KTTW cards if you want them, have you sign something and give you your room number or verify a cell number if your room isn't ready. Should only take about 5-10 mins. if there isn't a line ahead of you.

What can take a lot longer is transport to MK. You really won't be able to be at the MK at 3:30 if you arrive at WL at 2:30. You have to factor check-in, walking from WL to either the bus stop or the boat, waiting for the transport and travel time. Then going through security and/or the turnstiles. I think that 4:00 is a more reasonable earliest estimate.

Thanks, I'm going to try to shift things to give me a little more leeway in time.

 

[lffam]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in Oct/November 2013. We absolutely loved it. I have had plenty of pictures of WL posted and on the internet (Page 1 and see link in signature) but I have finally got around to uploading some short videos and I thought I would share with fellow WL admirer's!

Here is a playlist to my Wilderness Lodge Videos (HD) on you tube. The Playlist includes :

Driving up to Disney's Wilderness Resort Ranger (security) hut
Drive up to the drop off for Wilderness Lodge
Lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge Orlando Florida USA
Unboxing our Disney Walt Disney World Magic Bands at Wilderness Lodge
Walking to the Disney Boat terminal at Wilderness Lodge
Looking down to the Lobby from level just before Roof top
360 degree view from top of Disney's Wilderness Lodge

I hope people enjoy.

 

[Circusgirl]

I just made the most last minute change of my Disney visiting history, upgrading yesterday to CL at WL from my longstanding Courtyard view reservation.

I was super excited to be there anyway, and now I can't wait to try the cobbler and meet the great CMs that everyone has had such great experiences with.

My trip starts on Friday, but I don't check in at the Lodge until Monday. Have I mentioned how excited I am?

 

[lffam]

I just made the most last minute change of my Disney visiting history, upgrading yesterday to CL at WL from my longstanding Courtyard view reservation.

I was super excited to be there anyway, and now I can't wait to try the cobbler and meet the great CMs that everyone has had such great experiences with.

My trip starts on Friday, but I don't check in at the Lodge until Monday. Have I mentioned how excited I am?

have a great time!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Till we arrive at VWL

 

[WDWKOOK]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in Oct/November 2013. We absolutely loved it. I have had plenty of pictures of WL posted and on the internet (Page 1 and see link in signature) but I have finally got around to uploading some short videos and I thought I would share with fellow WL admirer's!

Here is a playlist to my Wilderness Lodge Videos (HD) on you tube. The Playlist includes :

Driving up to Disney's Wilderness Resort Ranger (security) hut
Drive up to the drop off for Wilderness Lodge
Lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge Orlando Florida USA
Unboxing our Disney Walt Disney World Magic Bands at Wilderness Lodge
Walking to the Disney Boat terminal at Wilderness Lodge
Looking down to the Lobby from level just before Roof top
360 degree view from top of Disney's Wilderness Lodge

I hope people enjoy.

Thank you! I can't wait to watch your videos later today

I just made the most last minute change of my Disney visiting history, upgrading yesterday to CL at WL from my longstanding Courtyard view reservation.

I was super excited to be there anyway, and now I can't wait to try the cobbler and meet the great CMs that everyone has had such great experiences with.

My trip starts on Friday, but I don't check in at the Lodge until Monday. Have I mentioned how excited I am?

Welcome to the thread and I know you won't regret upgrading to the OFC! Even though it's last minute, you can still email the IPO with any requests/reservations you need, (ASAP would be best). Did you make any CL room location requests? Have you stayed on the 7th floor before?

Till we arrive at VWL

You're almost in the double digits