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

[hstrickland]

Thank you for carrying on our tradition of being FTP! You've almost made it through your first week back to school

I win!!! I win!!.....but good grief, KOOK! Now I have another thread to follow in all my spare time


On a serious note.......great pictures! Photobucket can become quite addictive, can't it!? And I'm really liking the layout of the deluxe room It looks promising. How will you ever go back to a regular room after your Presidential stay

Glad to see the RCs following along y'all!


Heather

 

[MedicBill]

I didnt think I could get anymore excited about my upcoming trip....... until I read this thread! Thanks for putting this all together

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

We are wrapping up a fabulous week here at the Lodge and are so sad to be leaving tomorrow. It has been one of the best trips ever.

One of the highlights was seeing Jack who worked on the Club Level for so many years. We didn't see him this trip until yesterday when he came up to visit with us! He is now Ranger Jack and the full time ranger that does tours and flag family every weekday. He says he knows he has big shoes to fill left by Ranger Stan but I know he will do a fabulous job!

When I noticed more "suits" all over the place (both here and at Yacht Club, I asked Jack what was going on and he said that Disney has initiated a "Back to Basics" program that has more managers on the front lines. Interesting.

We have ridden buses and boats all week with little or no wait time. There has been a CM at the bus stop most mornings as well with games for the kids and information.

We will be sorry to leave tomorrow but can't wait for our next trip.

 

[WDWKOOK]

You are now officially my newest favorite DISmember!!

I think I will go change my signature now. :

WOW! THANK YOU! I don't think anyone has ever claimed me officially as their newest favorite DISer. I am honored and only hope that I can continue to merit official status for as long as possible

Seriously, I'm glad I could be the bearer of some good news. Happy planning!

I SHOULD be packing.... Does it count if I am thinking about packing:

You've got to do like CRRF4L and just throw some clothes in a suitcase (forget those pesky toiletries) and BAM! In ten minutes you're done. Or you could just buy clothes from the gift shop - they even have underwear

KOOK - Our new home is lookin' good and my how it has grown already!
So excited to be first for something and on the first page no less
First official ticker and PROUD of it![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

KOOK - Great update on the refurb, good reason to book a trip for next year once it is complete.
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

I love that you call it OUR new home. Sheila, you will ALWAYS be the first post with a WL ticker on this thread

The rooms we saw definitely pretty tired looking - fortunately, Disney refurbs the resorts on so many years basis and after POR is finished, WL should be up next. We did hear mention of one upcoming when we were there last November, but did not push for details or dates.

Fingers crossed because I think WL would be the perfect resort for Sophia's first visit - a nice CY room with a view of the EWP. : The new Animation Resort will be brand new and a new resort is always fun, but the water lunch to MK would be soo nice and WL is so relaxing. I'm an MK resort kinda gal, but will need a very good pin code to make it happen since we'll require 2 rooms.

OMG, I remember little Sophia in your signature (or avatar?) way back when she was just a baby - now look at her! She is so darling! I can't believe she hasn't been to WDW yet. Will you at least promise me that if you move to FL she'll go?

Why do you need two rooms again? Would a VWL one bedroom work or how about a WL Deluxe Room instead of two rooms? But, I haven't been able to book (it hasn't been in the inventory) a Deluxe Room with the military or AP discount. I don't know if it's available with other pins or general public discounts.

Oooo, thank you!!! The only other award I've ever won was for Best Loser at playing games when I was visiting a convent over the 4th of July several years ago. I was bad at everything, even spoons. Heck, for the watermelon spitting contest my watermelon landed about 6 inches in front of my feet. Pathetic...must have had a childhood devoid of games.

(what is WATR???)


The news of a refurb would mean there was less time for the dirt and dust to accumulate before out stay.

BEST LOSER at the convent?. Now THAT'S an award to be proud of. They don't just throw those awards around, you know.

PERFECT! YES! Less time for the dirt and dust to accumulate. Dust could be measured in millimeters rather than inches

WATR is, umm, let's see, umm. As Ralphie's Dad said about the leg lamp in A Christmas Story... "This is a major award."

I am not sure what date my family and I will be visiting the Wilderness Lodge but it will be sometime next week after the 17th and it would be on the day when we drive to the Winter Garden Shopping Village. Since we need to drive behind the Magic Kingdom to get there I figured since the Wilderness Lodge is along the way it would be the best time to go there.

Well, rub Humphrey's nose for me!

If you go to the Mercantile, I'm sure you'll notice that the Resort Merchandise has already changed from the photos I posted on the first page. Even while I was there for 12 nights, the RM was disappearing daily. The CM said that they were getting rid of a lot of it and she had no idea what, if anything, would replace it. We bought some WL RM like key chains, a sweat jacket, a beach towel all for half off and within days they were all gone.

I've just been browsing the old thread and this new one, trying to learn all I can before my first visit to WL!!!!

It's been a whirlwind 24 hours: Got a PIN, booked a room, booked flights, now I'm scrambling to make ADR's because we leave in 62 days!

Thanks for all the awesome info so far!

You are welcome, Missyrose. Whirlwind indeed! You must be so excited! Have you got all your ADRs booked now? Have a great vacation

We're currently booked at WL SV, but I'm getting very nervous about that decision. The pictures that I've seen of Standard are horrifying. Do all standard views overlook the service area? Is there a lot of noise for those rooms? Is the view really that bad? Please help! I'm considering changing back to AKL SV, but we stayed there last time, so we were looking for a change.

I have never stayed in a SV and most who have booked it seem to get upgraded. The photos I posted I took so that people would have an idea of what that SV looks like, but I didn't take photos of ALL the SVs. Maybe someone who has stayed in a non-smokehouse SV will offer their thoughts. It would seem that the higher-up you are, the better it would be. If you are going to be away from your room most of the time, then I wouldn't be too concerned with the view. You are saving some money and that's always good. The important thing is that you're staying at the WL and you're at WDW

Hmmm a refurb may just be enough to persuade me to try another stay next year.
I wish the WLV would get some sort of rehab, even is it's just a soft one.

I didn't think to ask about the VWL so I don't have any information on that.

I win!!! I win!!.....but good grief, KOOK! Now I have another thread to follow in all my spare time


On a serious note.......great pictures! Photobucket can become quite addictive, can't it!? And I'm really liking the layout of the deluxe room It looks promising. How will you ever go back to a regular room after your Presidential stay

Glad to see the RCs following along y'all!


Heather

Thank you, Heather. Coming from the queen of PhotoBucketing and TRs, I am truly honored.

Spare time? I can't imagine you have much of that! I'm so happy that so many Resort Changers are checking out the WL. Maybe some will even switch! At least temporarily...

I didnt think I could get anymore excited about my upcoming trip....... until I read this thread! Thanks for putting this all together

You're very welcome, MedicBill. I feel the same way as you. As I post more photos and write text, I get more excited and can't wait to book our next stay at the WL!

I can't do this alone, though. I need all the WL/VWL vets to help out answering questions and getting everyone excited about their upcoming trips - the more the merrier!






I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have four more posts left which I hope to have done this weekend.


COMING SOON TO A WL THREAD NEAR YOU...

1. RECREATION
~MARINA
~POOLS
~BEACH
~TRAILS
~KIDS' ACTIVITIES

2. VWL

3. GUEST SERVICES

4. DINING

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are wrapping up a fabulous week here at the Lodge and are so sad to be leaving tomorrow. It has been one of the best trips ever.

One of the highlights was seeing Jack who worked on the Club Level for so many years. We didn't see him this trip until yesterday when he came up to visit with us! He is now Ranger Jack and the full time ranger that does tours and flag family every weekday. He says he knows he has big shoes to fill left by Ranger Stan but I know he will do a fabulous job!

When I noticed more "suits" all over the place (both here and at Yacht Club, I asked Jack what was going on and he said that Disney has initiated a "Back to Basics" program that has more managers on the front lines. Interesting.

We have ridden buses and boats all week with little or no wait time. There has been a CM at the bus stop most mornings as well with games for the kids and information.

We will be sorry to leave tomorrow but can't wait for our next trip.

Thank you for your live TR! We returned a week ago from 12 nights club level and had the best trip to WDW EVER. I loved the "back to basics" approach. I thought it made our stay extra special and we felt like very valued guests (even before the mammoth upgrade).

Did you meet Randy, the CL manager who always wears a suit? If you see him, please tell him, and especially Loyda and Mike, that the family who was upgraded to the Yellowstone Suite because of their leaky ceiling really miss everyone and we can't wait to return!

I know how hard it is to leave, but is your next trip already booked? I'll stay off of 95 and clear-up the traffic a little for your return

 

[couldbeme]

We're currently booked at WL SV, but I'm getting very nervous about that decision. The pictures that I've seen of Standard are horrifying. Do all standard views overlook the service area? Is there a lot of noise for those rooms? Is the view really that bad? Please help! I'm considering changing back to AKL SV, but we stayed there last time, so we were looking for a change.

Don't be THAT nervous.
My theory when we stay standard is... don't look down- look out!
(and then I look in my wallet to see all the $$$ I saved for my next trip Courtyard BB view!)

 

[pas130]

Glad to see the RCs following along y'all!

Yeah, we rock Hi back at ya! I was thinking the same thing...we love our girl KOOK!

You've got to do like CRRF4L and just throw some clothes in a suitcase (forget those pesky toiletries) and BAM! In ten minutes you're done. Or you could just buy clothes from the gift shop - they even have underwear

Any reason for new Disney clothes!!! I can pack old summer clothes, and slyly replace them on the trip instead of doing laundry

Of course it counts!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Don't be THAT nervous.
My theory when we stay standard is... don't look down- look out!
(and then I look in my wallet to see all the $$$ I saved for my next trip Courtyard BB view!)

Love your attitude and wish I could adopt the same...unfortunately, I am a view wimp and need at least a nice one every trip! Keep fingers crossed for a great one now and then.

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

Hi WDWKOOK. Sorry I'm so late to the party. I've been running, running with Dbrother in town. Congrats on a wonderful job!!! Everything looks great with lots of useful info and beautiful photos.

Our 1st WL stay was this past March for our 10th Anniv and we loved it. We are considering making WL a anniversary tradition. Ssshhhh, don't tell RCers I said that... oooops, they're all here already !!

 

[pas130]

Here's hoping for a Bounceback so I can do WL for my couple's trip too

 

[saintstickets]

That news of a refurb starting in Feb12 scared me. We already had 3 nights booked in May with our VWL points and were waiting for the 7 month window to book additional nights with our other DVC points. I didn't want to take the chance on the refurb making less rooms available so I booked the additional nights today with a CR. When the 7 month window opens up, hopefully I'll be able to get them with DVC points and then cancel the CR. Thanks DISboard members for the heads up!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well, rub Humphrey's nose for me!

If you go to the Mercantile, I'm sure you'll notice that the Resort Merchandise has already changed from the photos I posted on the first page. Even while I was there for 12 nights, the RM was disappearing daily. The CM said that they were getting rid of a lot of it and she had no idea what, if anything, would replace it. We bought some WL RM like key chains, a sweat jacket, a beach towel all for half off and within days they were all gone.

The only thing I am looking for is a specifc pin only sold at the Wilderness Lodge. A couple of months ago all the resorts came out with some pins specifc to the resorts that were limited edition and my friend from Orlando already got me the Contemporary pin in that series. So anything else I might purchase there would be a bonus.

 

[disneywatcher]

We are currently planning our 3rd trip to the Wilderness Lodge! Staying CL this time in a Deluxe Suite!

The Wilderness Lodge just feels like "Home" to us!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Here's hoping for a Bounceback so I can do WL for my couple's trip too

Here is the Bounceback offer we had:

The only thing I am looking for is a specifc pin only sold at the Wilderness Lodge. A couple of months ago all the resorts came out with some pins specifc to the resorts that were limited edition and my friend from Orlando already got me the Contemporary pin in that series. So anything else I might purchase there would be a bonus.

I just started pin trading on the last night of our last trip. DD spotted an Orange Bird pin in the pin trading book at the kiosk in the lobby and while I was standing there, a woman walked-up with another Orange Bird pin and traded it with me. So between the one I purchased at the Fantasyland kiosk and the two I got our last night at the WL, I now have 3 of the 4 Orange Bird pins. I even bought a Mickey lanyard that night

My favorite Orange Bird pin is the bottom one because he looks like such a frustrated resort changer

 

[bolgers love wdw]

WDWKOOK.....thank you so much for such an amazing job on the new thread!!!!

 

[CJK]

Ahhh, I'm starting to panic! We've booked a standard view room, and now I'm wondering if it was the wrong decision. We're going to WL after our free dining portion of the trip at another resort as an early anniversary gift to each other before heading home. I've mentioned before how much I love to sit on the balcony, but we just can't justify upgrading to a better view room since this stay is just an added bonus for us. What do y'all think? Should we stick with a standard view room and just plan on enjoying the hotel amenities instead of a balcony view? We won't spend much time in the parks since we'll have already done that earlier on the trip. We might leave for dinner one night, but otherwise, we'll be enjoying the hotel.

 

[danceintherain]

I indeed have rehab news straight from the club level manager. The rehab was due to begin in December, but it now looks like it will begin in February 2012. It will NOT be a soft rehab. It will be a top to bottom complete room rehab. Everything will be replaced, including the bathroom fixtures. There is already a model room that the club level manager has seen and he says it is fantastic and everything will be replaced. He predicted that it might take up to two years and will be done floor by floor by blocking off one floor at a time. No word yet on whether they will start at the top or the bottom.

This is exciting news. While I love the decor at the WL as I've seen it in pictures, it is always nice to have everything a bit fresher. I'm hoping for a Wilderness Lodge trip in December 2012.

I wish the WLV would get some sort of rehab, even is it's just a soft one.

Me too! From the pictures I've seen, the VWL rooms simply don't look as charming as the WL rooms. It would be nice to save a bit of money and stay at VWL, but I don't know if I'm willing to sacrifice the ambiance of a WL room.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Me too! From the pictures I've seen, the VWL rooms simply don't look as charming as the WL rooms. It would be nice to save a bit of money and stay at VWL, but I don't know if I'm willing to sacrifice the ambiance of a WL room.

In person we found the WLV to much nicer than the Lodge rooms - prettier, more homey and Great Northwest feeling, if that makes any sense! Lodge room was boring washed out brown and gray blue...but others may think just the opposite!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just started pin trading on the last night of our last trip. DD spotted an Orange Bird pin in the pin trading book at the kiosk in the lobby and while I was standing there, a woman walked-up with another Orange Bird pin and traded it with me. So between the one I purchased at the Fantasyland kiosk and the two I got our last night at the WL, I now have 3 of the 4 Orange Bird pins. I even bought a Mickey lanyard that night

My favorite Orange Bird pin is the bottom one because he looks like such a frustrated resort changer

I have been collecting/trading WDW pins since May 2001 and since then I have a total of 8 full pin bags, along with my favorite 14 pins on my lanyard.

 

[hstrickland]

WHAT??? Y'all had a bounceback, KOOK?? We had nothing! No fair! So when are you going back?