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

[GatorEye]

The park hours for December 1-19 have been posted on the WDW site here:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/

I had been checking until midnight and they weren't there and finally emailed the IPO. I knew as soon as I did that they would finally show up. Still waiting for official Wishes and parade times.


WDWKOOK - You've mentioned on several occasions that the room you stay on in the CL is one of only two rooms like it. Do you know what the other room number is? Is there one on the North Wing like that? We've always stayed on the North Wing with inner courtyard view. The room we had last time was next to a housekeeping closet and the noise was pretty bad. I'm not sure we'd want that one again. The view from the room you had looked great (although I'd have to constantly pick up my kiddies for them to enjoy it), but I'm curious how bad the noise was during the evenings.

Thanks!

 

[GatorEye]

Another thank you to WDWKOOK and others for all the great info in this thread. We're also going in December, and the calendar isn't showing times as far as I can see.

If you try to check the calendar for a specific park (where you select by month) - December is still not showing. If you click the general park hours link where you have to enter a specific date, the beginning of December is available. Although as I mention - still trying to firm up dates and times for Wishes and the Electric Light parade. I hate that MVMCP forces the park to close early 4 days a week.

 

[Bisoubird]

What time would we need to have breakfast at Whispering Canyon in order to make rope drop at MK?

 

[Lulu'sMom]

You know, KOOK, since the WL CL is one the most awesome CLs on property and the word is out, now the darn price has gone UP!
This little GEM of a CL used to be the best kept secret at WDW, like Artist Point.

Now, we really need to start talking it down folks.
WL CL is really really bad, go to the Poly or AKL CL instead.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Another thank you to WDWKOOK and others for all the great info in this thread. We're also going in December, and the calendar isn't showing times as far as I can see.

We have a 1Bedroom Villa booked for Dec 11-13, and have recently made an offer for DVC, with VWL as our home resort - and the enthusiasm in this thread helped my decision process (although all the Club Level talk has me a bit jealous )

Oh, thank you and how exciting that you'll be at VWL in December when it's all decorated. Someday, when you're not staying on points, you'll have to try the Old Faithful Club. Congratulations on almost being official VWL owners

I had been checking until midnight and they weren't there and finally emailed the IPO. I knew as soon as I did that they would finally show up. Still waiting for official Wishes and parade times.


WDWKOOK - You've mentioned on several occasions that the room you stay on in the CL is one of only two rooms like it. Do you know what the other room number is? Is there one on the North Wing like that? We've always stayed on the North Wing with inner courtyard view. The room we had last time was next to a housekeeping closet and the noise was pretty bad. I'm not sure we'd want that one again. The view from the room you had looked great (although I'd have to constantly pick up my kiddies for them to enjoy it), but I'm curious how bad the noise was during the evenings.

Thanks!

Yes, there is a housekeeping area behind our favorite room (sometimes the carts hit the wall where the headboards are) and there is also a service elevator which makes a whirring noise when it goes up and down. There is also a clanking noise that comes from the plumbing above the sinks, but it's intermittent. I've really made this room sound horrible, but we like it because other than the two suites, it's one of only two rooms on the 7th floor that look straight out at the WL courtyard and Bay Lake. There isn't much if any foot traffic over there next to the Pres. Suite and there isn't a connecting door so you aren't bothered by other guests. It's technically not a "bear face" room since it's off to the side and not in the middle of the resort (the lounge is there), but it's the closest thing to it on the 7th floor. It's room #7127 in the South Wing.

There is an error on the floor plan map I have of WL (Thor Construction posted them) which shows "our" room as being 7129 when there isn't a 7129, it's actually 7127 which is the last room in the South Wing. What is labeled as 7127 is actually the master bedroom and bath of the Presidential Suite. In looking at the same floor plan map of the North Wing, I see the Vice Presidential Suite which is 7037, so in theory the room should be 7035 on the North Wing. It has a housekeeping room and elevator behind it just like 7127. 7061 which is a North Wing CV has something marked as housekeeping behind it. Was this your room?

What time would we need to have breakfast at Whispering Canyon in order to make rope drop at MK?

Let's see, let me think out loud here

RD would be 0900, but EMH RD would be 0800, but WCC doesn't open until 0730, so you couldn't make it to EMH RD unless you eat in the MK at CP or CRT.

You could take either the MK boat or the MK direct bus over which takes about 10 minutes travel time and another 10 minutes or so to get through security and the turnstile. If we assume 1 hour for breakfast and 30 minutes to get to MK, which includes a potential 20 minute wait time if you just miss the bus or boat, and 10 minutes for security and entry, then I would make a WCC ADR for NLT than 0730 for non-EMH RD. You'd be cutting it very close though and I just don't think you'd make it right before RD unless you hit the boat or bus just right and breakfast takes less than an hour.

 

[WDWKOOK]

You know, KOOK, since the WL CL is one the most awesome CLs on property and the word is out, now the darn price has gone UP!
This little GEM of a CL used to be the best kept secret at WDW, like Artist Point.

Now, we really need to start talking it down folks.
WL CL is really really bad, go to the Poly or AKL CL instead.

Great to see you over here!

Which season/time period have prices gone up for? Is the OFC's increase a greater percentage than other CL's? I didn't notice the increase yet since I booked our next trip back in November with a 40% discount.

 

[GatorEye]

Oh, thank you and how exciting that you'll be at VWL in December when it's all decorated. Someday, when you're not staying on points, you'll have to try the Old Faithful Club. Congratulations on almost being official VWL owners


Yes, there is a housekeeping area behind our favorite room (sometimes the carts hit the wall where the headboards are) and there is also a service elevator which makes a whirring noise when it goes up and down. There is also a clanking noise that comes from the plumbing above the sinks, but it's intermittent. I've really made this room sound horrible, but we like it because other than the two suites, it's one of only two rooms on the 7th floor that look straight out at the WL courtyard and Bay Lake. There isn't much if any foot traffic over there next to the Pres. Suite and there isn't a connecting door so you aren't bothered by other guests. It's technically not a "bear face" room since it's off to the side and not in the middle of the resort (the lounge is there), but it's the closest thing to it on the 7th floor. It's room #7127 in the South Wing.

There is an error on the floor plan map I have of WL (Thor Construction posted them) which shows "our" room as being 7129 when there isn't a 7129, it's actually 7127 which is the last room in the South Wing. What is labeled as 7127 is actually the master bedroom and bath of the Presidential Suite. In looking at the same floor plan map of the North Wing, I see the Vice Presidential Suite which is 7037, so in theory the room should be 7035 on the North Wing. It has a housekeeping room and elevator behind it just like 7127. 7061 which is a North Wing CV has something marked as housekeeping behind it. Was this your room?

Yes 7061 was the room we stayed in. It was the closest room to the lounge on the North Wing (so trips for food were quick), but there was a lot of noise there and the location of being in the corner made the view less than ideal (as much as you would call anything a bad view). We've stayed in 7045 as well.

Did the noise bother you while you were trying to sleep?

Really torn as to what to request (especially if we want to be on the north wing) where the exact room number is in question.

Do you think the rooms on the south wing have a better view of the inner courtyard than the north wing? Maybe we should request to be further down toward the end of the wing than up toward the beginning.

BTW- IPO confirmed they have still not released event schedules yet, just the first 10 days park hours. What's taking so long?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Yes 7061 was the room we stayed in. It was the closest room to the lounge on the North Wing (so trips for food were quick), but there was a lot of noise there and the location of being in the corner made the view less than ideal (as much as you would call anything a bad view). We've stayed in 7045 as well.

Did the noise bother you while you were trying to sleep?

Really torn as to what to request (especially if we want to be on the north wing) where the exact room number is in question.

Do you think the rooms on the south wing have a better view of the inner courtyard than the north wing? Maybe we should request to be further down toward the end of the wing than up toward the beginning.

BTW- IPO confirmed they have still not released event schedules yet, just the first 10 days park hours. What's taking so long?

I think that event schedules are correlated with anticipated crowd levels so maybe that's still up in the air or could it have something to do with the anticipated grand opening of major parts of FL at the MK?

I'm torn as to whether the noise bothered me or not. I'm rather noise sensitive and I did seem to awaken in the night and hear the elevator whirring up and down. That's one reason I'm considering changing our request to another room without a connecting door, but I haven't figured out what would be better. 7127 is pretty special, and while there is no noise at all from guests, there are mechanical noises. I'm afraid to request another room and end up trading some known mechanical noises for random and unpredictable guest noises, KWIM?

In the South Wing (CV), you can see some of Wishes since the balcony faces toward the MK.

 

[GarakDS9]

I put in my request for a high floor facing the MK (North Wing) today. Thank you for that additional tip. Do you know how our location request might be affected by renovations in early July?

I also plan on adding an ADR for WCC tonight. I already have Boma, Kona, and Wave. I was also going to look at the dining options at the camp ground.

 

[GatorEye]

I think that event schedules are correlated with anticipated crowd levels so maybe that's still up in the air or could it have something to do with the anticipated grand opening of major parts of FL at the MK?

I'm torn as to whether the noise bothered me or not. I'm rather noise sensitive and I did seem to awaken in the night and hear the elevator whirring up and down. That's one reason I'm considering changing our request to another room without a connecting door, but I haven't figured out what would be better. 7127 is pretty special, and while there is no noise at all from guests, there are mechanical noises. I'm afraid to request another room and end up trading some known mechanical noises for random and unpredictable guest noises, KWIM?

In the South Wing (CV), you can see some of Wishes since the balcony faces toward the MK.

The fact you were awakened would probably be a deal breaker - I think everyone is in the same boat looking for the "perfect" room, while realistically none probably exists.

Is it possible to get a room map of the club level? Looking at the regular room map gets confusing to try to figure out where the rooms are since there are so many differences. I think that would be really helpful.

And again - your descriptions of the rooms, views, etc. on the first page are fantastic. However, I worry you make it look too good and as others have mentioned, you are letting the secret out - especially during December. It really is horrible!

 

[bluecastle]

Hi Bluecastle

I am happy to answer any and all questions

1. No we are not DVCers. Mousekeeping was on the 4th day, they changed
out sheets and towels only. I know you can pay for additional
mousekeeping, we chose not to do this.


I hope I answered everything If you have anything other questions....ask away!! You will love it there....Promise

Thanks twinkles! I have added your info to my notes. The Mousekeeping concerns me though. I thought that if you are not a DVCer and not using points that you get the same Mousekeeping that you would get in the lodge-everyday. I guess I will have to ask at check in. I am sure I will have more questions, but your posts have gotten me very excited about our August villa stay!

 

[bluecastle]

I just asked this on the tips section, but everyone here is so nice and helpful I thought I would ask you guys too! I am about to finally get a smart phone and haven't got a clue about apps and all that. My DD wants an iPhone after using a droid for a few years and my DH is looking at the Samsung Galaxy. (android) Is either one better for the WDW and Lines apps in the parks? The Galaxy would be 4G and the iPhone would be 3G. I know it is kind of silly to make this decision based on how it will work at WDW (one week out of who knows how many years having this phone!) but any input would be appreciated. I know practically nothing about this subject. (my phone is from 2005 and I have never used it to go online!)

 

[bushdianee]

I'm here!!! checked in today. We are in room 6028. I can see the CR from our balcony. My DNiece loves it here already. We had dinner at Whispering Canyon. At first they were going to put us in the back in the "quiet area" but when they saw Ihad a little one they asked if we wanted to be in the middle of the action. Of course I said yes and she had a blast. they must be working on the 5th floor becuse it was very noisy when we checked in but is quiet now. Good thing we are not nappers!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'm here!!! checked in today. We are in room 6028. I can see the CR from our balcony. My DNiece loves it here already. We had dinner at Whispering Canyon. At first they were going to put us in the back in the "quiet area" but when they saw Ihad a little one they asked if we wanted to be in the middle of the action. Of course I said yes and she had a blast. they must be working on the 5th floor becuse it was very noisy when we checked in but is quiet now. Good thing we are not nappers!

Do you have a nice new room???

 

[WDWKOOK]

I put in my request for a high floor facing the MK (North Wing) today. Thank you for that additional tip. Do you know how our location request might be affected by renovations in early July?

I also plan on adding an ADR for WCC tonight. I already have Boma, Kona, and Wave. I was also going to look at the dining options at the camp ground.

The entire North Wing should be completed by July 7th because the 7th floor of the South Wing is slated to be started then. So if you requested a North Wing room for after July 7th, then there shouldn't be any rehabs going on there at all. If you check-in a little before July 7th, then floors 2-7 will have been finished and they will be completing the first floor.

We tried Trail's End for the first time last month and we loved it! Nothing fancy mind you, but a nice selection of buffet items and Daniel was a great server. We can't wait to try breakfast there in August. I would recommend you try dinner there. Boma is also great so I think you've made some wonderful ADRs

The fact you were awakened would probably be a deal breaker - I think everyone is in the same boat looking for the "perfect" room, while realistically none probably exists.

Is it possible to get a room map of the club level? Looking at the regular room map gets confusing to try to figure out where the rooms are since there are so many differences. I think that would be really helpful.

And again - your descriptions of the rooms, views, etc. on the first page are fantastic. However, I worry you make it look too good and as others have mentioned, you are letting the secret out - especially during December. It really is horrible!

Well, I have to admit that the Yellowstone (Presidential Suite) was perfect. But as far as non-suites are concerned, they all have their pluses and minuses at every resort and every level.

I'm not sure if the elevator whirring was awakening me - DD and DH said it didn't bother them. Who knows, maybe DH was snoring and then since I was already awake, I noticed the whirring. But, again, I'd rather hear that than other guests and we all know how unpredictable and aggravating that can be.

Thanks twinkles! I have added your info to my notes. The Mousekeeping concerns me though. I thought that if you are not a DVCer and not using points that you get the same Mousekeeping that you would get in the lodge-everyday. I guess I will have to ask at check in. I am sure I will have more questions, but your posts have gotten me very excited about our August villa stay!

You're correct, if you are not staying on points then you will get daily housekeeping at all villas. I can only assume that Twinkles, while not a DVC member, did stay on points, otherwise she would have had daily housekeeping.

I just asked this on the tips section, but everyone here is so nice and helpful I thought I would ask you guys too! I am about to finally get a smart phone and haven't got a clue about apps and all that. My DD wants an iPhone after using a droid for a few years and my DH is looking at the Samsung Galaxy. (android) Is either one better for the WDW and Lines apps in the parks? The Galaxy would be 4G and the iPhone would be 3G. I know it is kind of silly to make this decision based on how it will work at WDW (one week out of who knows how many years having this phone!) but any input would be appreciated. I know practically nothing about this subject. (my phone is from 2005 and I have never used it to go online!)

I can't say enough great things about my iPhone. Don't worry at all about 3G Vs. 4G, 3G is plenty fast and you won't have any upload or download issues. I use Verizon and haven't had any issues while traveling or at home. I love the MouseWait, WDW Magic Guide and Verizon's Mobile Magic apps for WDW is OK. I love knowing the wait times before we get to the ride. The Maps feature has replaced my GPS when we travel - it's indispensable. I also love having internet access everywhere, anytime and I always have a camera and video recorder. Once you get it, you'll wonder how you ever traveled without it. Oh, and it's a phone, too

We have oodles of Apple products and I can't recommend them highly enough. The iPhone has tons of apps (many free) and it's user friendly and we've never had problems with any of our Apple products (other than the chargers which are better now). Feel free to PM or post if you want more info. or have any questions.

I'm here!!! checked in today. We are in room 6028. I can see the CR from our balcony. My DNiece loves it here already. We had dinner at Whispering Canyon. At first they were going to put us in the back in the "quiet area" but when they saw Ihad a little one they asked if we wanted to be in the middle of the action. Of course I said yes and she had a blast. they must be working on the 5th floor becuse it was very noisy when we checked in but is quiet now. Good thing we are not nappers!

Yes, they should be working on the 5th floor now. The 6th floor should have just been finished. Will you be posting any room photos? I know we'd all love to see more fresh, new room photos

I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay, bushdianee.

Do you have a nice new room???

Great question and the answer should be YES!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Good Morning Happy Lodgers!!!!!

Tomorrow is day 45 out from our trip, and after the last year of resort changing and hemming and hawing, I know that WL CL was the best choice I could have made for my family!!! Tomorrow the choice will be "locked in" and I couldn't be happier!!!!

I can't wait until our magical 10 nights at the Lodge!!!

 

[bushdianee]

Do you have a nice new room???

Yes. The beds are so comfortable! Of course I'd been up from 1:30 AM and didn't get to bed til 10:30PM so I might have fallen asleep anywhere. We watched Wishes from our balcony. I am assuming that we were upgraded since I reserved a standard room. I think DNiece6 would be content to stay here all day! Did have to call housekeeping as the frige was leaking. Floors 3,4& 5 are closed.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Yes. The beds are so comfortable! Of course I'd been up from 1:30 AM and didn't get to bed til 10:30PM so I might have fallen asleep anywhere. We watched Wishes from our balcony. I am assuming that we were upgraded since I reserved a standard room. I think DNiece6 would be content to stay here all day! Did have to call housekeeping as the frige was leaking. Floors 3,4& 5 are closed.

Yay! Congrats!!! Enjoy every minute of your vacation!!!

 

[vassar36]

We are planning a trip back to the VWL next year, and our booking time is comming up soon !

When we went the 1st time we didn't request anything. Can anyone recommend what I should request for studio view? We would love to overlook the pool or the lake. Do I just ask for pool or lake view?

Thanks

 

[mom2rtk]

This is my first time to consider staying at the WL. We're doing 2 or 3 room only nights before our free dining package at a value in December, so we thought we'd try a new resort. We are looking for the cheapest way to stay at the WL for those nights.

1) Is WL typically included in any room only discounts that come out or is it hit and miss?

2) are the least expensive rooms likely to be included?

3) if we go with one of the less expensive rooms, is there a room or floor recommendation that is better than another?

4) Is it too late to rent points and stay at VWL?

Thanks for any help you can give me!