(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread

[Cshel85]

6 days until we arrive at WL and can't wait.

 

[padawans]

wrong thread again

 

[WDWKOOK]

As previously mentioned the carpet was down a couple of days ago next to the RF elevators. However, the under construction signs remained up blocking access to 1st floor hallway of rooms near same elevator. Those signs were down this morning and I saw no signs of crews.

I guess they've moved on. Thanks for the updates - wish you could stay and give them to us everyday!

Thanks Kook!!!

You're welcome.

6 days until we arrive at WL and can't wait.

I'm so glad that in the end this all worked out for you and even better than you could have imagined. You're going to love WL/CL (especially having it practically to yourself for one night) and the Deluxe room upgrade. Will you be checking in with us from WL?

wrong thread again

Wrong? How can this thread ever be wrong? Nice to see you over here!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Mary just posted this to the MouseSavers website:

I think a big fall offer for Walt Disney World resorts is coming next week! Watch here and the MouseSavers Facebook page for information as soon as it's official.

 

[Cshel85]

I will check in with everybody once we check in at WL/CL on Friday. Can't thank everybody enough for all the help with all of this.

 

[jennylove59]

I noticed while reading the room description that there are 2 options for a two bedroom villa. One is just a two bedroom villa and one is a two bedroom lock off. What in the world is the difference?

I was also wondering if the standard rooms in the actual lodge have refrigerators or even the option of having one?

Thanks in advance for any light anyone can shine for me .

 

[supersuperwendy]

We recently had our first stay at The Wilderness Lodge (villas) and I loved every minute of it! We want to stay there again in the future! Every CM I met was wonderful, the villa was so cozy, the bus and boat service were great! I'm in love!

 

[Minnie]

Mary just posted this to the MouseSavers website:

I think a big fall offer for Walt Disney World resorts is coming next week! Watch here and the MouseSavers Facebook page for information as soon as it's official.

Thank you!!!! We have the WL booked on a bounce back offer in a CY bunk bed room but if an AP rate would come out we might try to upgrade to club

 

[Minnie]

After all the great advise I've seen on this thread I was hoping for some input on our October trip.

Right now we have the following plans:

Fri - Oct 19th - Check into Universal Hotel (black out at WDW)
Sat - Oct 20th - Early entry for Harry Potter (black out at WDW)
Sun - Oct 21st - Check in to WL
Sat - Oct 27th - Fly home

Epcot resort area is sold our for our trip or I'd consider that for the F&W festival portion of our trip. So now I'm considering a split stay - WL / Poly.

Would anyone consider this or would 3 resorts in one week be too many? Our party is my DH, teen son, and me.

Thanks for any help

 

[WDWKOOK]

I noticed while reading the room description that there are 2 options for a two bedroom villa. One is just a two bedroom villa and one is a two bedroom lock off. What in the world is the difference?

I was also wondering if the standard rooms in the actual lodge have refrigerators or even the option of having one?

Thanks in advance for any light anyone can shine for me .

All WL rooms have a small fridge. In fact, all WDW rooms now have them. They look like this:

I believe a lock-off just means you have a one bedroom with an adjoining studio that can be 'locked-off' by closing and locking the connecting door between the two rooms.

We recently had our first stay at The Wilderness Lodge (villas) and I loved every minute of it! We want to stay there again in the future! Every CM I met was wonderful, the villa was so cozy, the bus and boat service were great! I'm in love!

That's great to hear. Do you have any plans yet to return?

Thank you!!!! We have the WL booked on a bounce back offer in a CY bunk bed room but if an AP rate would come out we might try to upgrade to club

Fingers crossed for you!

After all the great advise I've seen on this thread I was hoping for some input on our October trip.

Right now we have the following plans:

Fri - Oct 19th - Check into Universal Hotel (black out at WDW)
Sat - Oct 20th - Early entry for Harry Potter (black out at WDW)
Sun - Oct 21st - Check in to WL
Sat - Oct 27th - Fly home

Epcot resort area is sold our for our trip or I'd consider that for the F&W festival portion of our trip. So now I'm considering a split stay - WL / Poly.

Would anyone consider this or would 3 resorts in one week be too many? Our party is my DH, teen son, and me.

Thanks for any help

I think 3 resorts in one week is too many. I need at least 3-4 nights at one resort to rationalize a split, unless it's a first night late arrival for just one night. I think you'd feel more relaxed with just two resorts or even one if it's only for 7 nights. Having said that, there are some who would disagree and have spent only a couple of nights at 3 or 4 resorts in a week. I think the answer depends on how 'settled' and 'relaxed' you and your family need to feel on this vacation. I'm all for splits - in moderation.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

 

[TaraPA]

I noticed while reading the room description that there are 2 options for a two bedroom villa. One is just a two bedroom villa and one is a two bedroom lock off. What in the world is the difference?

The difference at other DVCs (I haven't stayed in VWL so I can't be sure it's the same here) between a dedicated 2BR villa and a lock-off 2BR villa is this: A dedicated 2BR villa was built to be only a 2Br villa. The master has a king, the living room/kitchen has a sleeper sofa (and sleeper chair at OKW, BLT & Kidani) and the 2nd bedroom has 2 queens. A lock-off 2BR villa has the king in the master, same living room/kitchen set up, BUT the 2nd bedroom is a studio (so usually a queen bed & sofa bed) - so they can utilize that unit as a 1BR AND a studio, rather than only as a 2BR. Hence the term "lock-off" - they can "lock off" the studio to sell to someone else if only a 1BR villa is needed adjoining.

VWL may be different in terminology, I'm sure WDWKook can correct me if I'm wrong. The Deluxe rooms at WL are configured completely different than Deluxe rooms at other resorts (they're much better at WL but I haven't gotten to stay in one yet!) so the VWL may be configured differently as well. But the above explanation for dedicated vs. lock off holds true for all other DVC resorts I've stayed in or researched.

 

[jennylove59]

The difference at other DVCs (I haven't stayed in VWL so I can't be sure it's the same here) between a dedicated 2BR villa and a lock-off 2BR villa is this: A dedicated 2BR villa was built to be only a 2Br villa. The master has a king, the living room/kitchen has a sleeper sofa (and sleeper chair at OKW, BLT & Kidani) and the 2nd bedroom has 2 queens. A lock-off 2BR villa has the king in the master, same living room/kitchen set up, BUT the 2nd bedroom is a studio (so usually a queen bed & sofa bed) - so they can utilize that unit as a 1BR AND a studio, rather than only as a 2BR. Hence the term "lock-off" - they can "lock off" the studio to sell to someone else if only a 1BR villa is needed adjoining.

VWL may be different in terminology, I'm sure WDWKook can correct me if I'm wrong. The Deluxe rooms at WL are configured completely different than Deluxe rooms at other resorts (they're much better at WL but I haven't gotten to stay in one yet!) so the VWL may be configured differently as well. But the above explanation for dedicated vs. lock off holds true for all other DVC resorts I've stayed in or researched.

Now I'm even more confused... does anyone have any pictures or could draw up a diagram?. There will be two sets of adults traveling together. So which of the two would give the most space between the two bedrooms? Sorry my brain just isn't grasping the concept..

 

[TaraPA]

There are diagrams online - let me see if I can find them for you. I've only stayed in dedicated 2BRs...so I have nothing to compare my pics to!

The only difference is that the 2nd bedroom is different in both. The master BR & living room/kitchen area are identical. Overall size of the villa is the same.

In a lock-off that 2nd bedroom is 1 queen & 1 sofa bed plus a bathroom & kitchenette. That bedroom can also be sold just as a studio.

In a dedicated, that 2nd bedroom is 2 queen beds & a bathroom.

If it's just 2 sets of adults either will work - I guess see what is available. Both types are not always available.

If it were just 2 sets of adults in my opinion I'd opt for the lock-off - then you share the LR/kitchen, one couple gets the master with the king bed & bath, the other couple gets the 2nd bedroom which is a queen, a sofa, kitchenette & bathroom. Like their own little studio apartment!

 

[PamelaKay]

Mary just posted this to the MouseSavers website:

I think a big fall offer for Walt Disney World resorts is coming next week! Watch here and the MouseSavers Facebook page for information as soon as it's official.

I hope there is a big fall and early winter offer for passholders!

 

[mom2rtk]

I hope there is a big fall and early winter offer for passholders!

It's free dining for fall. It was released today for Disney Visa holders.

 

[jennylove59]

There are diagrams online - let me see if I can find them for you. I've only stayed in dedicated 2BRs...so I have nothing to compare my pics to!

The only difference is that the 2nd bedroom is different in both. The master BR & living room/kitchen area are identical. Overall size of the villa is the same.

In a lock-off that 2nd bedroom is 1 queen & 1 sofa bed plus a bathroom & kitchenette. That bedroom can also be sold just as a studio.

In a dedicated, that 2nd bedroom is 2 queen beds & a bathroom.

If it's just 2 sets of adults either will work - I guess see what is available. Both types are not always available.

If it were just 2 sets of adults in my opinion I'd opt for the lock-off - then you share the LR/kitchen, one couple gets the master with the king bed & bath, the other couple gets the 2nd bedroom which is a queen, a sofa, kitchenette & bathroom. Like their own little studio apartment!

Thank you for the extra description! My brain finally wrapped itself around it. I guess I wasn't sure what "studio" meant. Lol. You guys are great! Thanks again!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Are you able to refill your mugs at the Pool Bar??? I assume they have soft drinks in their as well...or do you have to go inside to Roaring Forks?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Are you able to refill your mugs at the Pool Bar??? I assume they have soft drinks in their as well...or do you have to go inside to Roaring Forks?

You'll need to go into Roaring Fork, which really isn't that much further from the pool - it's just in the opposite direction of The Trout Pass.

 

[Mousemommy1]

You'll need to go into Roaring Fork, which really isn't that much further from the pool - it's just in the opposite direction of The Trout Pass.

Ok, no problem!!! Just wondering. Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

It's free dining for fall. It was released today for Disney Visa holders.

...And here are the details from www.mousesavers.com:

FREE Dining for Disney's Visa Cardholders

Disney's Visa cardholders can book a full price Magic Your Way package with theme park passes at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and enjoy a FREE Dining Plan! Valid for arrivals most nights 9/30/12–10/4/12, 10/19/12–11/1/12, 11/9/12–11/15/12, 11/23/12–11/29/12 and 12/10/12–12/13/12.

Stay at select Disney Value Resorts and get a FREE Quick Service Dining Plan.

Stay at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts and get a FREE regular Dining Plan.

Note that if you already booked a vacation package prior to June 3, rebooking it to get the free dining option will cause the theme park tickets in your package to be repriced to the new, higher prices.

This offer is expected to become available to the general public on Thursday, July 12.

Book by 9/29/12. Deposit of $200 on your valid Disney's Visa Card must be paid at the time of booking. Remaining balance must be paid on a valid Disney's Visa Card.