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

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone.

We're leaving in 67 days, so I thought it was time to get serious!

We've got a woods view room booked at WL, where I've never stayed before. Any suggestions on what location I should request? I realize I may not get my request, but I'd like to have an idea of what's a good location.

Just my BF and me. No kids.

Also, I've been assuming that WDW will let me know when I can check in online, since I booked the room online. Is that right?

TIA to all you WL experts.

Online check-in starts ten days prior to arrival and you will receive an email letting you know that you can check-in online. You can also go to "My Disney Vacation" and see your online check-in info., ADRs, countdown, etc...

Here is the Woods View info. from the first page. With the Northside Woods View rooms that don't face toward VWL, you have the possibility of seeing some of Wishes from the higher floors because they face toward the CR/MK.

I hope you have a wonderful stay at WL!






WOODS VIEWS look-out to the wooded area around the resort out toward the front of VWL or toward the Magic Kingdom and Contemporary. You can see some of the MK, Wishes and the monorail from higher floors.


~NORTHSIDE WOODS VIEW ROOMS are on floors 1-6 and face the Otter Pond. A few face the MK. Floors 4, 5 and 6 above Whispering Canyon are Woods View lobby rooms. There are more Woods View rooms on floors 2-6 located on the southside of the lodge overlooking the Villas and trees.


~SOUTHSIDE LOBBY WOODS VIEW ROOMS are located above the front desk off the lobby on floors 5 and 6 have views of roof peaks and trees in the distance. They are room numbers 5091-5099 and 6091-6099.


~SOUTHSIDE VWL/WOODS VIEW ROOMS are located on the southside of the lodge before the mid-lodge elevators. They face the side of the VWL and a few trees and are on floors 2-6. Rooms are even numbered from 2100-2120, 3100-3120, 4100-4120, 5100-5120 and 6120-6120.


~NORTHSIDE LOBBY WOODS VIEW ROOMS are located off the lobby above Whispering Canyon Café. These rooms face toward the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom with the possibility of seeing Wishes. Rooms numbers are: 4081-4090, 5081-5090 and 6081-6090.


~NORTHSIDE OTTER POND WOODS VIEW rooms are located beyond the mid-lodge elevators. They are on floors 1-6 and they face toward the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom giving you the possibility of seeing Wishes from the higher floors. They also overlook the Otter Pond which attracts wildlife. Rooms are even numbered 1004-1034, 2004-2034, 3004-3034, 4004-4034, 5004-5034 and 6004-6034. Rooms 6004-6034 have dormer balconies.

 

[kpm76]

Checking in to the WL tomorrow!! So excited

 

[WDWKOOK]

He said YES!!! We have DVC and are going down President's week at the BWV with extended family. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the air on the day we were to fly is astronomical...it actually makes sense to go down 2 days earlier and pay for 2 nights at WL and we will still have money left over vs. paying the higher airfare. So we now are extending vacation and taking the kids out of school for 2 days to save some money on flights...crazy! But 2 days at WL is better than zero!!!

So glad he said YES! It sure is better than zero days and I hope you have a great vacation

I'm here at WL today and I'm disappointed than the pool water was so cold. Maybe because I'm a Floridian and not used to cold I can't take it but it certainly does not feel 82 to me. Love the hotel though

At least the ambient temperature is warm. It's even worse in the winter because you come out of the chilly water and the air is freezing. Even though the hot tub is HOT and feels great, any exposed skin is mighty cold.

I hope you had a nice time despite the chilly water, Ali. You're so lucky to live only a few hours away.

we just got back from a quick weekend at the Lodge and it was FABULOUS!!! My daughter, my mom and myself had the time of ourlives and the Lodge just added to it. So absolutely worth it.

My daughter loved the pool and the water slide, although the water was a bit cooler then I was expecting. I loved that the creek dumped right into it and that the ducks swam in the pool. We had a beautiful view of the courtward with a nice balcony for coffee in the morning. All the staff were wonderful and we were even able to get a late check out so that we could enjoy the pool a little longer before heading back to GA.

We got lucky and were able to walk right in to Whispering Canyon Cafe at the end of thier lunch service. My daughter was a very happy camper when her GIGANTIC birthday cupcake was brought out and everyone sang happy birthday. Room service was fabulous although on Saturday night we could never get anyone to pick up, so we just ran down to roaring forks which was right across the courtyard from us.

Even with bigger crowds becuase of the 40th birthday the boats ran wonderfully and the crew was very nice. Everyone we met was in a great mood and it just helped to make our trip so very very special. I can not wait to go back, but I think just with my hubby if I can talk him into it.

Thank you for all the great advice, we had a magical time. Now to start planning my next trip in February for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon.

That's great! It does sound like it was a special trip. Was DD surprised? When did she find out she was staying at the WL?

I'm down to the homestretch and putting the final touches on our plans for our trip. Its just 10 days till we go and I'm so excited. I have a quick question. I've been reading the threads about the monorail being closed for evening EMH and MNSSHP, will the boats be running from MK to WL on those evenings-at closing time/end of party? We are driving to WDW, so we'll have a car. I'm wondering what would be the fastest/easiest way to get back to the lodge at the end of a long night. Take the boat? Or drive the car (which I guess would involve the ferry from MK to TTC).

Thanks for any input!!

I know your question was answered so I just wanted to mention that I hope you have a great vacation!

I just love hearing about good experiences at the WL!! Reading others experiences really helps me get excited about our trip so thanks for sharing.

On that note...let's see if the new ticker works

It works! It works! Let the planning begin

Well, that didn't work!! trying to imput ticker.

This thread is getting me excited about upcoming trip to WL. My first time staying there

Did you figure out the ticker? Do you have "IMG" before and after the link?

Im with you. We leave in 18 days! So excited. Been there for dinner only. I cry when i look at my count down on my phone! I can't wait!!!!

Can anyone tell me. Are pools heated??

Yes, the pools are heated, but as mentioned above, they can be chilly when you first get in and if the ambient temp. is cold, you will be very cold when getting out, though it shouldn't be cold when you're there in 17 days.

Checking in to the WL tomorrow!! So excited

Happy travels to the WL! Have a great trip

 

[nyrebecca]

Good morning -

I tried to find an answer, but maybe I will just have better luck asking you all....We are staying in the Villas for the first time, a studio. I know there are washer/dryers located somewhere in the Villas, but can't seem to find out how much they cost? Are they the same as in the Lodge, or I thought I read somewhere that they were free for the people staying in the Villas.

Any help is appreciated.

thank you !

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Sorry, nothing to see here...I found what I was looking for.

11 days until our trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Good morning -

I tried to find an answer, but maybe I will just have better luck asking you all....We are staying in the Villas for the first time, a studio. I know there are washer/dryers located somewhere in the Villas, but can't seem to find out how much they cost? Are they the same as in the Lodge, or I thought I read somewhere that they were free for the people staying in the Villas.

Any help is appreciated.

thank you !

Self-service laundry facilities can be found in the VWL on the ground floor near room 1509.

I don't know if they are free or cost $2 per load like the WL

 

[Anna114]

Self-service laundry facilities can be found in the VWL on the ground floor near room 1509.

I don't know if they are free or cost $2 per load like the WL

If you are staying at the Villas they are free but you need your room card to get into the room. People who are staying at the Lodge can't use the laundry room at the Villas

 

[WDWKOOK]

If you are staying at the Villas they are free but you need your room card to get into the room. People who are staying at the Lodge can't use the laundry room at the Villas

Thank you for this information. I will have to add it to the VWL section of the first page

 

[janabananas]

I am super DOOPER excited, I just booked at WL, CY view, for Jan 2012, for our anniversary weekend!! Got great AP rate!! I am about to jump out of my skin I am so excited!!

 

[MMrules]

I just booked 2 nights in Feb on the AP discount!!! We are doing our first split stay and will be transferring to BWV afterwards....I hope my family will be willing to move b/c WL is just magical once you are there! I am so excited!!!

 

[Anna114]

If you are staying at the Villas they are free but you need your room card to get into the room. People who are staying at the Lodge can't use the laundry room at the Villas

 

[HelenaB]

Apologies if this has been asked before but what time would we need to catch the bus to get to:

a. Animal Kingdom by about 0840
b. Magic Kingdom for an 0805 ADR

Thanks in advance!

( 8 days to go!! )

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am super DOOPER excited, I just booked at WL, CY view, for Jan 2012, for our anniversary weekend!! Got great AP rate!! I am about to jump out of my skin I am so excited!!

Yippee!! I hope you have a great weekend and happy anniversary

I just booked 2 nights in Feb on the AP discount!!! We are doing our first split stay and will be transferring to BWV afterwards....I hope my family will be willing to move b/c WL is just magical once you are there! I am so excited!!!

Yeah for booking! It is hard to leave the Lodge. This summer, we were supposed to go to the Poly/CL for 7 nights after the WL/CL, but after only one night DH declared (and I agreed) that we should cancel our Poly reservation and stay at WL the whole vacation.

But, your BWV room will probably be much larger and you'll be able to walk to Epcot so it might not be too hard for you to check-out of WL

 

[WDWKOOK]

Apologies if this has been asked before but what time would we need to catch the bus to get to:

a. Animal Kingdom by about 0840
b. Magic Kingdom for an 0805 ADR

Thanks in advance!

( 8 days to go!! )

The buses start running about 60-90 minutes prior to park opening and the MK boat starts running about 30 minutes prior to opening. If the MK opens at 0900 then the bus and MK boat won't get you there in time. But, the CR/FW boat starts running at 0645, so you could take the CR boat and then walk to the MK. I would plan on leaving WL at least 1 to 1.5 hours prior to your AK ADR time.

 

[HelenaB]

The buses start running about 60-90 minutes prior to park opening and the MK boat starts running about 30 minutes prior to opening. If the MK opens at 0900 then the bus and MK boat won't get you there in time. But, the CR/FW boat starts running at 0645, so you could take the CR boat and then walk to the MK. I would plan on leaving WL at least 1 to 1.5 hours prior to your AK ADR time.

Thanks! The AK timing isn't so important as we'll just be trying to get there for the front of the rope drop crowd. But don't want to miss the Crystal Palace ADR at MK!

I wonder why they start the CR/FW boat so early?

 

[Junebugwv]

The buses start running about 60-90 minutes prior to park opening and the MK boat starts running about 30 minutes prior to opening. If the MK opens at 0900 then the bus and MK boat won't get you there in time. But, the CR/FW boat starts running at 0645, so you could take the CR boat and then walk to the MK. I would plan on leaving WL at least 1 to 1.5 hours prior to your AK ADR time.

We were at VWL 9/9-9/16 and I was hoping the boat would be a convenient way to get to MK for rope drop, but it didn't seem to be the right choice for us. We watched a boat leave when we arrived at the dock at 8:20 on 9/14. No problem as we had plenty of time, but I noticed the line behind us on the dock kept growing longer as we waited. Nothing came for 30 minutes and I was glad to see it wasn't the little launch. But I was very disappointed for the dozen people who could not fit on the boat after such a long wait. We arrived at the MK dock at 9:10. Maybe I was overly optimistic, but I really thought there would be better morning service for park openings.

 

[MMrules]

Yeah for booking! It is hard to leave the Lodge. This summer, we were supposed to go to the Poly/CL for 7 nights after the WL/CL, but after only one night DH declared (and I agreed) that we should cancel our Poly reservation and stay at WL the whole vacation.

But, your BWV room will probably be much larger and you'll be able to walk to Epcot so it might not be too hard for you to check-out of WL[/QUOTE]

We are giving family 2 studios to celebrate my niece's graduation so we willl be meeting them at the Boardwalk (I thought that would be the best hotel for a soon to be HS graduate). So we will do all MK stuff the 2 days prior to family arrival and then we will be doing a lot of Epcot time ...I have to get those gray goose slushies from France as much as I can!!!. I am just so excited to get some WL time though. My only other stay was solo last Feb. and I fell in love ...it was a great place for a solo trip to rejuvenate and be ready to be mom again.

I guess you will have to try Poly again another time...or maybe not

 

[houndmom]

I finally decided and booked the WL with a courtyard view today for March 1-11. Can anyone tell me if the rooms that overlook the courtyard yet open up to the lobby are very popular? I love the ambiance of the lobby, but not sure if it will be too noisy.

houndmom

 

[janabananas]

I posted this in the Fort Wilderness section, but I was curious if anyone here might know the answer.

I would like to book one of these and curious about transportation to Ft Wilderness from WL. I know that the boat is available, however if we chose to use the bus, is there one that goes from WL to FW? If so, are you dropped off at the front of FW or does the bus go all the way to the back of FW where they leave from, which is Crockett's Tavern I believe. Are the FW buses an "internal" bus system? It is our anniversary and want to do something special.

 

[DisneyDuo]

We are finally going to stay at the Villas at WL! We own at BCV and every time we hit the seven month point, we try to get into a different DVC property (not that we don't like BCV, but we want to stay in all of them, only BWV and AKV to go!). Now we just have to wait until May. Can't wait for that first boat ride to MK.