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

[Mousemommy1]

I think I need all of you WL fans to talk me into switching from the Poly to WL.

I really fell in love with the Poly but also really like the looks of WL. DH and the kids love the looks of WL, but I convinced them that Poly was the way to go and we have been booked in a regular GV room there for months. I am booked using a TA rate and availability is limited. In fact if I cancel my Poly res there are no other rooms available there for our dates with the discount so there's no turning back!

I have been checking WL availability with the discount and lo and behold a WL CL room just opened up! Maybe that's a sign. The cost is only $175 more total than what we were paying Poly GV for all 8 nights. The continental breakfast would be helpful because we are not on the dining plan.

So should l make the switch? I guess the main thing holding me back is that we really need to get bunk beds and it seems that is just a request when booking CL. We have a teen girl and a toddler boy. They don't want to share a queen. SO what is the likelihood of getting the bunk beds???

TIA for your help

I think you will get a lot of convincing arguments on this thread.
Speaking for me personally, I would switch to WL CL from Poly...and in fact I I'd that a few weeks ago!!!

I've not stayed at either, in fact all of our previous stays have been in values and once at CBR. When we decided to stay deluxe this trip, WL immediately was my first choice because we are celebrating our 10 yr anniversary and WL is where we wanted to stay for our honeymoon, but couldn't afford...so we stayed at All Star Sports.

Well, then I thought about the Poly which I have fond memories of visiting when I was a young girl and wishing I could stay there...to fulfill that dream....but honestly, I really don't get the whole Poly vibe over there anymore, as an adult...everything that everyone gushes about over the Poly, I'm just kind of meh!! about.
Plus, all of the recent complaints about the Poly, and the conditions of the rooms and the monorail issues...I just didn't want to fork over my money for it.

I look at the WL and it looks like our Disney home, and ultimately, WL CL was only $250 more for our 10 night stay over a GV at the Poly....it was a no-brainer.
Plus, the new rooms are gorgeous!!!

About the bunk beds, yes, it's just a request, but based on the interaction I've had with the IPO thus far, it seems as though they will do whatever they can to honor your request.

That's just my two cents, and probably not worth a whole lot.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I think you will get a lot of convincing arguments on this thread.
Speaking for me personally, I would switch to WL CL from Poly...and in fact I I'd that a few weeks ago!!!

I've not stayed at either, in fact all of our previous stays have been in values and once at CBR. When we decided to stay deluxe this trip, WL immediately was my first choice because we are celebrating our 10 yr anniversary and WL is where we wanted to stay for our honeymoon, but couldn't afford...so we stayed at All Star Sports.

Well, then I thought about the Poly which I have fond memories of visiting when I was a young girl and wishing I could stay there...to fulfill that dream....but honestly, I really don't get the whole Poly vibe over there anymore, as an adult...everything that everyone gushes about over the Poly, I'm just kind of meh!! about.
Plus, all of the recent complaints about the Poly, and the conditions of the rooms and the monorail issues...I just didn't want to fork over my money for it.

I look at the WL and it looks like our Disney home, and ultimately, WL CL was only $250 more for our 10 night stay over a GV at the Poly....it was a no-brainer.
Plus, the new rooms are gorgeous!!!

About the bunk beds, yes, it's just a request, but based on the interaction I've had with the IPO thus far, it seems as though they will do whatever they can to honor your request.

That's just my two cents, and probably not worth a whole lot.

Thank you for your advice MouseMommy! I have read some of your previous posts so I know you understand how I'm feeling. Soooo...I went ahead and booked the WL CL!!!! But....I did not yet cancel my Poly res. I'm having a hard time letting go of it. DH sure was the happiest I've seen him during all of our Disney discussions. He handed me his card and told me I should have booked it yesterday.

 

[Rorey]

I'm wondering what you all think of my 'theory.'

We have all noticed the summer discounts at our beloved WL are much less than all the other deluxe resorts coming in at a whopping 5%. Do you think this MAY be because at a given time during the room rehab there could be up near 100 room unavailable to guests so if Disney does not offer an attractive discount, many guests would be less likely to stay at WL.

I'm trying to justify the 5% in hopes next summer discounts (our next trip) will be more in line with the other deluxe resorts.

That's what I was thinking too, less space to fill up, so no need for a big discount.

Kook, thanks so much for the Archery information one page back!! I'm so excited to try this. Thanks for the link to the review too, so DH can have something to read about to visualize the situation! lol He wasn't "getting" the whole, yes we're really shooting arrows, thing.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Thank you for your advice MouseMommy! I have read some of your previous posts so I know you understand how I'm feeling. Soooo...I went ahead and booked the WL CL!!!! But....I did not yet cancel my Poly res. I'm having a hard time letting go of it. DH sure was the happiest I've seen him during all of our Disney discussions. He handed me his card and told me I should have booked it yesterday.

Yay!!!!!!! Good for you!! (well, once you're able to let go of one of the ressies)

I think that you can't go wrong at WL. It's the only place I've booked that I don't get that nagging feeling about, even before the refurb. It just looks sooooo relaxing and peaceful.

I am not a Poly basher...everyone has their own tastes and styles, the Poly just isn't mine....and I for one, might not mind if they made the Poly look like Aulani....because Aulani is just more my style....but if they leave the Poly the way it is, for me, it's a as simple as not staying there. I have to be careful though, Poly lovers might be

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'm wondering what you all think of my 'theory.'

We have all noticed the summer discounts at our beloved WL are much less than all the other deluxe resorts coming in at a whopping 5%. Do you think this MAY be because at a given time during the room rehab there could be up near 100 room unavailable to guests so if Disney does not offer an attractive discount, many guests would be less likely to stay at WL.

I'm trying to justify the 5% in hopes next summer discounts (our next trip) will be more in line with the other deluxe resorts.

I agree! I was extremely lucky to still be able to have the 40% off available for this summer, I was worried since half of the rooms will be out of commission during my stay.

It was meant to be...

 

[bowbat]

Thank you for your advice MouseMommy! I have read some of your previous posts so I know you understand how I'm feeling. Soooo...I went ahead and booked the WL CL!!!! But....I did not yet cancel my Poly res. I'm having a hard time letting go of it. DH sure was the happiest I've seen him during all of our Disney discussions. He handed me his card and told me I should have booked it yesterday.

I've stayed at both Poly and WL, and prefer WL. Both have incredible, immersive theming & great dining & amenities. However, we loved the WL's more compact size, its remote feel (you REALLY feel like you're in the wilderness), and the fact that everything's under one roof. Also, though we didn't use the pool at either resort, I can tell you the pool at Poly gets VERY crowded and the pool at WL didn't seem to. Really the only thing we didn't like about WL was the look of the rooms...and now they're being updated.

I think you made a good choice to switch.

 

[tarak]

Thank you for your advice MouseMommy! I have read some of your previous posts so I know you understand how I'm feeling. Soooo...I went ahead and booked the WL CL!!!! But....I did not yet cancel my Poly res. I'm having a hard time letting go of it. DH sure was the happiest I've seen him during all of our Disney discussions. He handed me his card and told me I should have booked it yesterday.

Congrats on booking WL. I haven't stayed there in a while, but I was at the Poly near Christmas 2010. I admit I love the theming there, but the rooms do seem a bit run down to me. We stayed CL at the Poly for three nights. The biggest problem for me was the noise. Granted, we had a first floor room. But I had to roll a towel up and stuff it at the bottom of the door to cover the gap between it and the floor. When people walked around the room over us, it was like a herd of cattle. And I don't think they were particularly loud folks. It was only noisy for about twenty minutes. But those were twenty unhappy minutes. I've stayed at AKL and WL, and never has sound been an issue. Since you mention having a toddler with you, I'd think that might be important. My kids weren't toddlers and it was to me.

We'll be staying CL at the WL in January and I am really excited to try that resort again. We loved the boats (esp. the larger boat that allows you to run your stroller on without having to collapse it).

My then four-year-old loved the boat the best - here's the video to prove it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R79y91ofoXw

 

[Tangledtink]

Does anyone have any pics of the refurbished rooms? I am not going for 175 more days and want to see what they look like

 

[Mousemommy1]

Does anyone have any pics of the refurbished rooms? I am not going for 175 more days and want to see what they look like

Page 148 and 150 of this thread.

 

[Bisoubird]

Im new here and planning a trip in November with our almost 3 year old. May I ask why to book a 5th floor room?

 

[Mousemommy1]

Im new here and planning a trip in November with our almost 3 year old. May I ask why to book a 5th floor room?

I am assuming that you read this somewhere, and the only rationale I could think of is that if you get a 5th floor on the North Wing, overlooking Otter Pond, you stand a chance of being able to view Wishes from your balcony. Hope that helps!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you for your advice MouseMommy! I have read some of your previous posts so I know you understand how I'm feeling. Soooo...I went ahead and booked the WL CL!!!! But....I did not yet cancel my Poly res. I'm having a hard time letting go of it. DH sure was the happiest I've seen him during all of our Disney discussions. He handed me his card and told me I should have booked it yesterday.

Welcome to the thread and congratulations on booking the OFC - you're going to love CL at WL. Last summer, we had a split Poly CL and WL CL stay booked. One day into our WL/CL stay we were so impressed and pleased that we didn't want to leave so I had Mike cancel our Poly reservation and he was able to add those nights onto our WL stay. We stayed 12 nights and loved it and you will, too!

That's what I was thinking too, less space to fill up, so no need for a big discount.

Kook, thanks so much for the Archery information one page back!! I'm so excited to try this. Thanks for the link to the review too, so DH can have something to read about to visualize the situation! lol He wasn't "getting" the whole, yes we're really shooting arrows, thing.

You're welcome. The AE is lots of fun and they do a great job with all levels and ages of guests. It's even fun in the rain - last summer it started pouring and they allowed us to keep shooting. They were good sports and it's well run. Let us know how you liked it.

Yay!!!!!!! Good for you!! (well, once you're able to let go of one of the ressies)

I think that you can't go wrong at WL. It's the only place I've booked that I don't get that nagging feeling about, even before the refurb. It just looks sooooo relaxing and peaceful.

I am not a Poly basher...everyone has their own tastes and styles, the Poly just isn't mine....and I for one, might not mind if they made the Poly look like Aulani....because Aulani is just more my style....but if they leave the Poly the way it is, for me, it's a as simple as not staying there. I have to be careful though, Poly lovers might be

I think constructive criticism is always useful and it's certainly welcome here - even about WL or VWL. (I can't recall if you've stayed at the Poly or WL before?)

I think it's very helpful for people to read about others' WDW experiences and feelings. We've stayed twice at the Poly and the first time the room was very clean and so were all the common areas. But, on our second stay, we switched to the CR after 3 nights. There were cleanliness issues with the room and the hallways and elevators. The staff were rather indifferent and we had a partial parking lot view in our Garden View room and those service carts beeping at us was less than welcoming. The VP was always packed and we could never find a seat which made it hard to fully enjoy our stay. It just came down to us not feeling welcome and comfortable there so we switched and we were very happy that we did.

I've stayed at both Poly and WL, and prefer WL. Both have incredible, immersive theming & great dining & amenities. However, we loved the WL's more compact size, its remote feel (you REALLY feel like you're in the wilderness), and the fact that everything's under one roof. Also, though we didn't use the pool at either resort, I can tell you the pool at Poly gets VERY crowded and the pool at WL didn't seem to. Really the only thing we didn't like about WL was the look of the rooms...and now they're being updated.

I think you made a good choice to switch.

Good points

Page 148 and 150 of this thread.

Thank you for posting that and the rehabbed room links are also posted on the first page of the thread - post #1.

Im new here and planning a trip in November with our almost 3 year old. May I ask why to book a 5th floor room?

to the DIS and the WL thread, Bisoubird! The 5th floor is a common request for those who want the highest floor that does NOT have any solid balcony railings. Meaning, you can see through the balconies when seated on the 5th floor, but some of the 6th floor balconies have solid railings and all of the club level's 7th floor rooms have solid balcony railings.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hi ya'all.

We just booked Club Level for July 22-29, not realizing that a rehab was happening. It looks like the north side of the 7th floor is already done, and the south side is set to be rehabbed from the July 21-27. Will they shut that side down entirely, or is there a chance that we could be next to construction?

I still have a little one who afternoon naps, so that might be a dealbreaker.

A.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I've stayed at both Poly and WL, and prefer WL. Both have incredible, immersive theming & great dining & amenities. However, we loved the WL's more compact size, its remote feel (you REALLY feel like you're in the wilderness), and the fact that everything's under one roof. Also, though we didn't use the pool at either resort, I can tell you the pool at Poly gets VERY crowded and the pool at WL didn't seem to. Really the only thing we didn't like about WL was the look of the rooms...and now they're being updated.

I think you made a good choice to switch.

Thank you for this! It is very helpful to hear from those who have stayed at both the Poly and WL. I'm sure I will love the Lodge too.

Congrats on booking WL. I haven't stayed there in a while, but I was at the Poly near Christmas 2010. I admit I love the theming there, but the rooms do seem a bit run down to me. We stayed CL at the Poly for three nights. The biggest problem for me was the noise. Granted, we had a first floor room. But I had to roll a towel up and stuff it at the bottom of the door to cover the gap between it and the floor. When people walked around the room over us, it was like a herd of cattle. And I don't think they were particularly loud folks. It was only noisy for about twenty minutes. But those were twenty unhappy minutes. I've stayed at AKL and WL, and never has sound been an issue. Since you mention having a toddler with you, I'd think that might be important. My kids weren't toddlers and it was to me.

We'll be staying CL at the WL in January and I am really excited to try that resort again. We loved the boats (esp. the larger boat that allows you to run your stroller on without having to collapse it).

My then four-year-old loved the boat the best - here's the video to prove it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R79y91ofoXw

Oh my gosh, that video is too cute. Thank you for sharing. My son will be just shy of his 4th birthday and I have a feeling the boat ride may be his favorite thing too. We ordered the customized maps and each time he looks at them he points out any boats and trains that he sees.

Welcome to the thread and congratulations on booking the OFC - you're going to love CL at WL. Last summer, we had a split Poly CL and WL CL stay booked. One day into our WL/CL stay we were so impressed and pleased that we didn't want to leave so I had Mike cancel our Poly reservation and he was able to add those nights onto our WL stay. We stayed 12 nights and loved it and you will, too!


I think constructive criticism is always useful and it's certainly welcome here - even about WL or VWL. (I can't recall if you've stayed at the Poly or WL before?)

I think it's very helpful for people to read about others' WDW experiences and feelings. We've stayed twice at the Poly and the first time the room was very clean and so were all the common areas. But, on our second stay, we switched to the CR after 3 nights. There were cleanliness issues with the room and the hallways and elevators. The staff were rather indifferent and we had a partial parking lot view in our Garden View room and those service carts beeping at us was less than welcoming. The VP was always packed and we could never find a seat which made it hard to fully enjoy our stay. It just came down to us not feeling welcome and comfortable there so we switched and we were very happy that we did.

Thank you very much for the welcome and for sharing your experiences with me. This is a great thread and I appreciate all the knowledge you share here. I think with all the news going on about possible construction at the Poly that I am ready to let go of that res. and get hyped for the WL and especially the OFC.

DH is really excited about WL and he hasn't been too excited about anything during this planning process. It is nice to see a glimmer of Disney excitement in his eyes.

I look forward to chatting with everyone here.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi ya'all.

We just booked Club Level for July 22-29, not realizing that a rehab was happening. It looks like the north side of the 7th floor is already done, and the south side is set to be rehabbed from the July 21-27. Will they shut that side down entirely, or is there a chance that we could be next to construction?

I still have a little one who afternoon naps, so that might be a dealbreaker.

A.

Welcome and congratulations on booking WL/CL!

You would be in the now finished North Wing's 7th floor so you shouldn't hear anything from the South Wing's 7th floor so DS should nap just fine. They will also be replacing the carpeting in the hallways at that time so the lounge will be relocated when you're there. Randy, the manager, thought they might be able to move it to the Vice Presidential Suite which is in the North Wing's 7th floor where you would be staying. The suite has balconies which you could go out on. You might want to request a Woods View if you think the pool party in the afternoon might awaken DS.

Thank you for this! It is very helpful to hear from those who have stayed at both the Poly and WL. I'm sure I will love the Lodge too.



Oh my gosh, that video is too cute. Thank you for sharing. My son will be just shy of his 4th birthday and I have a feeling the boat ride may be his favorite thing too. We ordered the customized maps and each time he looks at them he points out any boats and trains that he sees.


Thank you very much for the welcome and for sharing your experiences with me. This is a great thread and I appreciate all the knowledge you share here. I think with all the news going on about possible construction at the Poly that I am ready to let go of that res. and get hyped for the WL and especially the OFC.

DH is really excited about WL and he hasn't been too excited about anything during this planning process. It is nice to see a glimmer of Disney excitement in his eyes.

I look forward to chatting with everyone here.

Yes, Tarak's video was cute - DD really liked that boat ride. Does your DH know about the OFC cobbler? My DH LOVES having their famous cobbler every night - it's a big draw for him - 8:00 is affectionately known as "cobbler time"

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi ya'all.

We just booked Club Level for July 22-29, not realizing that a rehab was happening. It looks like the north side of the 7th floor is already done, and the south side is set to be rehabbed from the July 21-27. Will they shut that side down entirely, or is there a chance that we could be next to construction?

I still have a little one who afternoon naps, so that might be a dealbreaker.

A.

Looks like you are a military wife!

Just wanted to say that we (another military family) will be there the same time as you. We are WL CL from 7/15-7/25, maybe we'll run into each other!

 

[nyrebecca]

Just got off the phone with Disney about our 6/17-6/23 trip. Did some number crunching and decided that Club Level was just too hard to resist !!

This will be our first time at the WL CL and I am so excited !

 

[Mousemommy1]

Just got off the phone with Disney about our 6/17-6/23 trip. Did some number crunching and decided that Club Level was just too hard to resist !!

This will be our first time at the WL CL and I am so excited !

Congrats!!! Our first time at WL CL is in July!!! Come back with lots of pics!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just got off the phone with Disney about our 6/17-6/23 trip. Did some number crunching and decided that Club Level was just too hard to resist !!

This will be our first time at the WL CL and I am so excited !

How exciting and only about a month to go.You're going to love the lounge and the staff. I hope you'll report back here and let us know how you liked the OFC and WL. Be sure to request either a North Wing or rehabbed room

 

[nyrebecca]

Congrats!!! Our first time at WL CL is in July!!! Come back with lots of pics!!!

Will do !

How exciting and only about a month to go.You're going to love the lounge and the staff. I hope you'll report back here and let us know how you liked the OFC and WL. Be sure to request either a North Wing or rehabbed room

KOOK - I have never requested a room location before. Do I just send email to them about the room request? I already have the email they sent us for our October trip and hadn't even thought of a request for then either.