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

[Minnie&Nana]

Just back from a fabulous stay at WL. Sorry the pics I tried to post didn't work. They showed up at first then disappeared later.
Oh well, I'll figure it out and repost later. Anyway we really hated to leave and will most definitely be back. The only complaint I had, and it was minor, was that our check in CM was not very welcoming or friendly. I really hate how the Disney customer service is slipping, but nothing that ruined our trip by any means. Finally got it to work! Here is a view from our room 2121.

Our room was just to the right of the bridge.

Welcome back and so glad you had a great stay!

It's never fun to begin a Disney stay with a less than magical CM at check-in. They really can make such a difference - certainly not affecting the entire trip, but most Disney guests arrive so excited and ready for a nice welcome. WL CM's are usually so good...although last November ours seemed very new and it was sort of hard for him to concentrate on checking us in and being friendly/chatty.

While I am sure they have days when they'd just rather be elsewhere or a crummy experience with a previous guest, having worked for Disney (many years ago) we knew ours were special guests and no matter how we might be feeling personally, our guests only received a warm and happy welcome.

Nice room location - how did you like having a ground floor room location? We were in a ground floor room for one day and decided it was not for us. Like being higher, with more light. I have friends who absolutely love a WL ground floor room though!

Your pics came through great - thanks for posting!!

 

[LastLookAtTheCastle]

Just wanted to try to help with the DVC laundry issue - all DVC Resorts have free laundry facilities for the studios. I've used it at BWV and we used our room key card for access - we were renting points that time, but there was nothing to identify that on our key card. I have heard that some DVC laundry rooms for the studios do require a member card, but that was not our experience. Definitely check (not with the front desk, but find the Villa laundry and try your key card) before hiking over to the Lodge to do laundry.

Also, the views from Villa studios are mostly a woods view, a few of the Villa pool and can also overlook the walkway to the Villas from the Lodge and there are some on the road (garbage pick-up) side as well.

We had one of a few views that included a side window with a pool view and the balcony overlooking the pine trees - we could see the lake through the trees and hear, sort of see, the Electrical Water Pageant at night. It was nice - oh, we could also see the top of Wishes over the Lodge - that was terrific!

Have a fabulous trip!!

Thanks so much! I'm really hoping to get a room facing the water, and maybe see a bit of Wishes too.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Welcome back and so glad you had a great stay!

It's never fun to begin a Disney stay with a less than magical CM at check-in. They really can make such a difference - certainly not affecting the entire trip, but most Disney guests arrive so excited and ready for a nice welcome. WL CM's are usually so good...although last November ours seemed very new and it was sort of hard for him to concentrate on checking us in and being friendly/chatty.

While I am sure they have days when they'd just rather be elsewhere or a crummy experience with a previous guest, having worked for Disney (many years ago) we knew ours were special guests and no matter how we might be feeling personally, our guests only received a warm and happy welcome.

Nice room location - how did you like having a ground floor room location? We were in a ground floor room for one day and decided it was not for us. Like being higher, with more light. I have friends who absolutely love a WL ground floor room though!

Your pics came through great - thanks for posting!!

I never really thought I would like a ground floor room, but we ended up loving it and would request this room again but the bunk beds were a bit small so can't.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks so much! I'm really hoping to get a room facing the water, and maybe see a bit of Wishes too.

Very few, if any studios, actually face the lake and even then a LOT of trees block most of the view; you know the lake is there and can see a bit through the trees.

The Villa's do not really have views - you could certainly try adding lake view to your request, then they might be able to see if a studio is available that would have some lake view. Ours was a corner room and think there might be only 3, maybe 4, of those studios. If you have any room on the 4th floor (maybe 3rd too), facing the lake, you could probably look to the left and see the top of Wishes - probably not as good as our view, but even a little is fun!

Hope you get one the corner studios like we had!

 

[annmarieda]

I never really thought I would like a ground floor room, but we ended up loving it and would request this room again but the bunk beds were a bit small so can't.

Too small for say a 16 year old?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I never really thought I would like a ground floor room, but we ended up loving it and would request this room again but the bunk beds were a bit small so can't.

Will you need more than the 2 queens next time? I know many of say this often, but for a place that caters to families, Disney should have made all room large enough to accomodate two queens and a day bed.

The new family suites at AOA are going to be expensive - though less than 2 deluxe rooms. The feature pool is going to be the largest on Disney property - I find that absolutely amazing!!

 

[klmall]

We have had two teenage boys in the WL bunkbeds. One boy was almost 6 foot; the other was shorter. The room felt a bit larger to walk around in than the 2 queen room but was still somewhat dark. We love the WL but those rooms are teeeeeeeny!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Too small for say a 16 year old?

Well, my DH, who is 5'11", slept in the top bunk one night many years ago and he said it was fine. Of course, he switched back to the queen after one night.

We have had two teenage boys in the WL bunkbeds. One boy was almost 6 foot; the other was shorter. The room felt a bit larger to walk around in than the 2 queen room but was still somewhat dark. We love the WL but those rooms are teeeeeeeny!

Nice to see you waaaay over here klmall

Yep, they do seem small, especially after staying at the CR or Poly, but I suppose after a cruise, they would seem really large

 

[Sue M]

Just back from a fabulous stay at WL. Sorry the pics I tried to post didn't work. They showed up at first then disappeared later.
Oh well, I'll figure it out and repost later. Anyway we really hated to leave and will most definitely be back. The only complaint I had, and it was minor, was that our check in CM was not very welcoming or friendly. I really hate how the Disney customer service is slipping, but nothing that ruined our trip by any means. Finally got it to work! Here is a view from our room 2121.

Great pics! Sorry the CM at check in wasn't very friendly. Unusual for WL.

 

[Momof3Txboys]

Okay, my DH & I are headed to WL in December with our three boys. (Their first visit!) I read a little about the in room "Dreaming of a Disney Christmas". But, when I called it was about $400. (this is not the one with the tree) Has anyone ever experienced it? Is it worth the money? Thank you!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Okay, my DH & I are headed to WL in December with our three boys. (Their first visit!) I read a little about the in room "Dreaming of a Disney Christmas". But, when I called it was about $400. (this is not the one with the tree) Has anyone ever experienced it? Is it worth the money? Thank you!

to the DIS and the WL thread Momof3Txboys!

I don't have any personal experience with ordering the IRC, but hopefully someone else can help you here. If not, you might also want to post your question to the Disney Resorts forum, (where this thread is located).

I hope your boys have a wonderful first visit

 

[nathanyell]

Just dropping by to say Hi! It's funny when I saw Christmas stuff out at Target yesterday I started to get excited about the holidays...

And especially more excited about our weekend trip to WL in Dec. It's gonna be so nice to see WL all decorated for the holidays.



Brian

 

[nkereina]

Considering my first WL stay for next November! I love the sounds of the Northside Otter Pond Woods View rooms that face MK/Contemporary and overlook the Otter Pond. It sounds like such a specific request, anyone have any luck getting one of these rooms? Also, does anyone know if they have King rooms in this area? We would prefer to request a King room too, but wasn't sure how limited those might be.

Thanks!

 

[nathanyell]

Considering my first WL stay for next November! I love the sounds of the Northside Otter Pond Woods View rooms that face MK/Contemporary and overlook the Otter Pond. It sounds like such a specific request, anyone have any luck getting one of these rooms? Also, does anyone know if they have King rooms in this area? We would prefer to request a King room too, but wasn't sure how limited those might be.

Thanks!

There are king rooms in each section. If you book a woods view room, then call and request a king in the north wing.

Brian

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just dropping by to say Hi! It's funny when I saw Christmas stuff out at Target yesterday I started to get excited about the holidays...

And especially more excited about our weekend trip to WL in Dec. It's gonna be so nice to see WL all decorated for the holidays.



Brian

You're going to love that cozy, Christmasy feel of the Lodge. Will this be your DD's first trip to WDW?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Just dropping by to say Hi! It's funny when I saw Christmas stuff out at Target yesterday I started to get excited about the holidays...

And especially more excited about our weekend trip to WL in Dec. It's gonna be so nice to see WL all decorated for the holidays.



Brian

Ohhhh, the Lodge is absolutely perfect during the holidays! So warm and welcoming. Your Princess will enjoy all the twinkling lights.

 

[nathanyell]

You're going to love that cozy, Christmasy feel of the Lodge. Will this be your DD's first trip to WDW?

Ohhhh, the Lodge is absolutely perfect during the holidays! So warm and welcoming. Your Princess will enjoy all the twinkling lights.

Yeah, I'm glad it's only a short weekend. My whole side of the family will be there so it will be a real fun trip. I'm looking forward to some quiet time in the lodge. We actually have nothing planned on Saturday until the late evening. I hope it is warm enough just to enjoy the pool. DD loves the water!

Toot Toot!

Brian

 

[MMrules]

Yeah, I'm glad it's only a short weekend. My whole side of the family will be there so it will be a real fun trip. I'm looking forward to some quiet time in the lodge. We actually have nothing planned on Saturday until the late evening. I hope it is warm enough just to enjoy the pool. DD loves the water!

Toot Toot!

Brian

My son was 11 months old when were at the AKL for Christmas time. It was beautifully decorated and he loved the big huge tree in the lobby! I can only imagine that WL will be just as breathtaking! Your little princess is going to love it!!!

 

[nathanyell]

My son was 11 months old when were at the AKL for Christmas time. It was beautifully decorated and he loved the big huge tree in the lobby! I can only imagine that WL will be just as breathtaking! Your little princess is going to love it!!!

Yeah I can't wait!! It's just around the corner.

 

[nathanyell]

I am sitting at home listening to the rain fall against the window. I wish I was at WL sitting on a balcony overlooking the courtyard instead.

Its one of my favorite memories of WL. Now I just the next couple weeks to fly by. What awesome memories of the lodge do you have?

Brian