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

[MickeyEars]

Thank you Kook for the wonderful photos of the walk. It looks like a delightful way to get to the Fort. I can't wait to try it for myself!!!

Carla

 

[ashper99]

Checked in this morning at 9:00. Our room was clean and ready. They even upgraded us to a Courtyard view from standard! I will provide pictures and a room report later.

 

[tcufrog]

We booked the Villas and one of the things I'm most excited about are the washers and dryers in the room since I'm travelling with two messy boys. How well do they work? Am I crazy for planning to do laundry during our trip so we can travel with less clothing since we're going in the winter (Dec 2-6) and winter clothes can be bulky?

Do you know if there is an unscented laundry detergent available on property? I have sensitive skin. Thanks. I'd like to save money on checked bags by limiting how much clothing we take.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We booked the Villas and one of the things I'm most excited about are the washers and dryers in the room since I'm travelling with two messy boys. How well do they work? Am I crazy for planning to do laundry during our trip so we can travel with less clothing since we're going in the winter (Dec 2-6) and winter clothes can be bulky?

Do you know if there is an unscented laundry detergent available on property? I have sensitive skin. Thanks. I'd like to save money on checked bags by limiting how much clothing we take.

I take it you are in a one bedroom villa or larger. I don't remember any unscented detergent sold in the store and they will only provide regular Tide (sometimes you get regular All). I like coming home with a suitcase full of clean clothes so I don't have to spend all day the day after we return home doing laundry. The washer and dryer in the VWL one and two bedroom villas are stackables, so they won't handle the biggest loads. Check your washer and they dryer before you use them to make sure they are working correctly and that the previous guest didn't leave something in them that will damage your clothes. The housekeepers don't always check them out completely.

 

[amwildwood]

Do you know if there is an unscented laundry detergent available on property? I have sensitive skin. Thanks. I'd like to save money on checked bags by limiting how much clothing we take.

Have you tried free and clear All pods? They come in a ziplocked packaged. I plan on bringing those with me to VWL in sept. seems less messy and space versus a bottle and have worked for me in other rental condos.

 

[hbr03]

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for awhile now. Thanks to everyone for making this THE best and friendliest thread!! Our first family trip to Disney was 5 years and we fell in love with the WL while on a dinner visit. Our dates are October 6-13 during the FD blackout. So far, no other discounts or luck with a pin. Our room isn't booked yet, but we're leaning towards requesting an inner courtyard view based on everything I've read. I'm wondering if a travel agent would help? We're also AAA members, but I wasn't clear on how it works and if TAs can work with them.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you Kook for the wonderful photos of the walk. It looks like a delightful way to get to the Fort. I can't wait to try it for myself!!!

Carla

You're welcome, Carla. I'm glad you're going to try it. It feels like you're on another vacation when you venture into FW

Checked in this morning at 9:00. Our room was clean and ready. They even upgraded us to a Courtyard view from standard! I will provide pictures and a room report later.

How exciting, ashper99! What a wonderful upgrade to a CV room. I'm looking forward to your TR and photos - thanks!

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for awhile now. Thanks to everyone for making this THE best and friendliest thread!! Our first family trip to Disney was 5 years and we fell in love with the WL while on a dinner visit. Our dates are October 6-13 during the FD blackout. So far, no other discounts or luck with a pin. Our room isn't booked yet, but we're leaning towards requesting an inner courtyard view based on everything I've read. I'm wondering if a travel agent would help? We're also AAA members, but I wasn't clear on how it works and if TAs can work with them.

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, hbr03! We're honored you chose us as your first post.

What would you like help with? You could certainly use a TA, but I've never used one so I couldn't tell you whether they book AAA rates. I know you can book a AAA rate yourself. You can also check sites such as MouseSavers and the DIS, for example, to find a listing of all current public discounts. MouseSavers also has an historic discount section where you could check for your dates to see what was offered in the past.

The Courtyard View is just gorgeous at WL and it looks like you already know to request an INNER CV so that you'll overlook the geyser, pool and Bay Lake. That request can be added to your reservation yourself, you can even add pin codes or discounts.

Happy planning!

 

[cwt580]

usually blackout dates are for peak weeks which means busy or almost fully booked. You might not wanna wait much longer. adr's are already available for those dates. this factor alone would make me nervous about an UNbooked trip..

 

[WDWKOOK]

usually blackout dates are for peak weeks which means busy or almost fully booked. You might not wanna wait much longer. adr's are already available for those dates. this factor alone would make me nervous about an UNbooked trip..

These are good points, cwt580. Book early and often, hbr03!

 

[cwt580]

Our room isn't booked yet, but we're leaning towards requesting an inner courtyard view based on everything I've read

usually blackout dates are for peak weeks which means busy or almost fully booked. You might not wanna wait much longer. adr's are already available for those dates. this factor alone would make me nervous about an UNbooked trip..

 

[livinlife25]

Should I make the request for inner CY when I make my reservation or can I add it online later?

 

[cwt580]

Courtyard view is reservable and you can ask for specific area. The request is not guaranteed.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Should I make the request for inner CY when I make my reservation or can I add it online later?

You can add it later or when you make the reservation by phone or through a TA, however, you have to either call the WDTC/CRO or call or email the IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) if you are booked Club Level. You can't add the request online. Make sure you add the request at least 5 days prior to arrival to ensure the room assignor sees it. Good luck!

 

[pas130]

17 days until the Honeymoon room!!!!

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Best of both worlds for her

Yes it is!

 

[TheLodgeLady]

I had a feeling you would approve. Does this mean you'll easily be able to find your way over before you depart WL

Definitely!

 

[WDWKOOK]

17 days until the Honeymoon room!!!!

You've really stuck with this reservation - I'm so proud of you

Definitely!

 

[CaliKT]

Am I crazy for planning to do laundry during our trip so we can travel with less clothing since we're going in the winter (Dec 2-6) and winter clothes can be bulky?

Definitely not crazy! I've got two boys (ages 5 and 7), and last year when I went (also in early December!), I did laundry about halfway through the trip. We didn't stay in a villa, so I just used the laundry room at the Poly. My older son ended up getting sick one day, so I spent the morning in the room with him. At first I was bummed to miss out on the parks, but then I realized, hey, at least I can get the laundry done!

 

[pas130]

Checked in this morning at 9:00. Our room was clean and ready. They even upgraded us to a Courtyard view from standard! I will provide pictures and a room report later.

Enjoy your trip..sorry I missed this post

We booked the Villas and one of the things I'm most excited about are the washers and dryers in the room since I'm travelling with two messy boys. How well do they work? Am I crazy for planning to do laundry during our trip so we can travel with less clothing since we're going in the winter (Dec 2-6) and winter clothes can be bulky?

Do you know if there is an unscented laundry detergent available on property? I have sensitive skin. Thanks. I'd like to save money on checked bags by limiting how much clothing we take.

Not crazy at all!!!!!! And like a PP suggested...the pods work great!!!!!

You've really stuck with this reservation - I'm so proud of you

DH can't believe it! I am so excited! We arrive almost midnight the first evening. So I can picture DH & I strolling those beautiful grounds...waking up and having some breakfast in the lounge

Did I mention I am excited

 

[bluecastle]

We booked the Villas and one of the things I'm most excited about are the washers and dryers in the room since I'm travelling with two messy boys. How well do they work? Am I crazy for planning to do laundry during our trip so we can travel with less clothing since we're going in the winter (Dec 2-6) and winter clothes can be bulky?

Do you know if there is an unscented laundry detergent available on property? I have sensitive skin. Thanks. I'd like to save money on checked bags by limiting how much clothing we take.

You are not crazy! I usually try to combine doing laundry with some pool time when I stay in the lodge, but if we stay in a villa next trip I am not sure what I will do while waiting-maybe just chill out on the balcony and read. It is also a chance for some alone time for mom, usually very needed on a WDW trip.

I take it you are in a one bedroom villa or larger. I don't remember any unscented detergent sold in the store and they will only provide regular Tide (sometimes you get regular All). I like coming home with a suitcase full of clean clothes so I don't have to spend all day the day after we return home doing laundry. The washer and dryer in the VWL one and two bedroom villas are stackables, so they won't handle the biggest loads. Check your washer and they dryer before you use them to make sure they are working correctly and that the previous guest didn't leave something in them that will damage your clothes. The housekeepers don't always check them out completely.

Thanks for this suggestion! I would probably check inside anyhow, but I may not check to see if they work!

Have you tried free and clear All pods? They come in a ziplocked packaged. I plan on bringing those with me to VWL in sept. seems less messy and space versus a bottle and have worked for me in other rental condos.

I usually use Tide-free, but I can't find it in pod form. I will look for the free and clear All pods and test them out beforehand. My other choice, since we are driving, was to stop and buy my detergent on our way to WL from Uni.

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for awhile now. Thanks to everyone for making this THE best and friendliest thread!! Our first family trip to Disney was 5 years and we fell in love with the WL while on a dinner visit. Our dates are October 6-13 during the FD blackout. So far, no other discounts or luck with a pin. Our room isn't booked yet, but we're leaning towards requesting an inner courtyard view based on everything I've read. I'm wondering if a travel agent would help? We're also AAA members, but I wasn't clear on how it works and if TAs can work with them.

Book now!! Please let us know if you are successful with those dates. I am always so worried about not getting the hotel I want that I book insanely early (a year or even more if I can) and then sort out the details, like view and other requests, later. Good luck and welcome!! And I agree, this is a very friendly and helpful thread.

Checked in this morning at 9:00. Our room was clean and ready. They even upgraded us to a Courtyard view from standard! I will provide pictures and a room report later.

Congratulations on the upgrade!! Can't wait to hear your report and see photos. Have a wonderful time!