Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[csmolu]

We are here now and so happy with our choice! Less than 7 hours in but we have felt so relaxed vs. the one night stay at AOA last night. No problems there but a totally different vibe...

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

We are here now and so happy with our choice! Less than 7 hours in but we have felt so relaxed vs. the one night stay at AOA last night. No problems there but a totally different vibe...

WL certainly can do that to you...

 

[Dariansue]

We are here now and so happy with our choice! Less than 7 hours in but we have felt so relaxed vs. the one night stay at AOA last night. No problems there but a totally different vibe...

Nothing like WL! It's like home! Just sitting in the lobby is an experience in itself! I can't wait to get there!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Can anyone post a pic of what the scaffolding looks like now? Will it still be there in October?

Is WL worth the extra money over port orleans, especially with the scaffolding?

We are VERY fond of WL and consider it to be our favorite WDW resort and our "home". With that being said, we were very impressed with POR during our stay last September. Our opinion is that the standard Disney price difference between these resorts is just about perfect, making them both about the same "value". You can save quite a bit by staying at POR, and still have a nice quiet rural feel that is similar to WL. The biggest thing you'll be giving up in our opinion is location, since you won't be in that beautiful spot on Bay Lake right next to MK. Another thing we missed was being all under one roof, as POR has separate buildings where you have to walk outside between them, and the rooms don't have balconies. We chose to get a preferred room at POR, which guaranteed that we would be close to the lobby, food court, and main bus stop, and the walking distance was actually as short or shorter than it would have been at WL. Advantages of POR include the boat to Downtown Disney and the large (and very good) Quick Service food court, which is bigger than Roaring Fork and has more variety.

Our conclusion was that for the money we had a great stay at POR, but WL is generally "worth" the extra if you can afford it, especially if you get any sort of better discount by going with WL. If the discounts are comparable and money is an object, POR can be great (although we were sure to stop by and visit WL).

Specifically regarding the scaffolding, there has been some scaffolding up every time we stayed at WL, and it has not adversely affected our trip at all. We would not give that any weight in trying to decide between resorts, because as others have said you won't have a room where the view is blocked by scaffolding. We just really aren't likely to be scared away by some construction. Last year's pool construction was more severe than most, but WL still had most of its key benefits available to guests.

@GrandCalifornian and his family usually stay at WL, but they stayed at POR last summer and loved it. He has a link to his fabulous POR TR in his signature block. He posts frequently to this thread

Hi Kook! Thanks for thinking of us. We have a lot going on, but one thing on the list is planning a return WDW trip, possibly in Sept 2016, but we'll see.

 

[emttink]

I have a question..... We will be staying at the Villa's for our 2nd time this summer. The last time we stayed we stayed in a studio and had a room overlooking the trash area at the end of the long hallway. Needless to say we were not impressed but since it was Sept it was okay since we were at the parks most of the time. This time we will be staying in a 1 Bedroom, I am kind of confused what a lock-off room is. We do not want a door going into a studio, nor do we want to be down that long hallway as you can hear the beeping noise from the buses from morning to night. What room request would you recommend? What request can be made with online check in? Should I call them? I know it is the summer and they most likely will be busy, but we could at least try. Also has anyone stayed in a 1 Bedroom that could tell me what the closet is like? Are they large walk-in closets or small closets like what is in the studio? Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for any help and/or advise!

 

[jen7233]

Hurray! We're under 50 days to go!

 

[alhurricane]

We are now less than 2 weeks from our trip! I cannot wait to step inside WL for the first time. I think I am as excited about that as I am any of the parks.

 

[eeyore986]

45 days, I just have to make it 45 days!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have a question..... We will be staying at the Villa's for our 2nd time this summer. The last time we stayed we stayed in a studio and had a room overlooking the trash area at the end of the long hallway. Needless to say we were not impressed but since it was Sept it was okay since we were at the parks most of the time. This time we will be staying in a 1 Bedroom, I am kind of confused what a lock-off room is. We do not want a door going into a studio, nor do we want to be down that long hallway as you can hear the beeping noise from the buses from morning to night. What room request would you recommend? What request can be made with online check in? Should I call them? I know it is the summer and they most likely will be busy, but we could at least try. Also has anyone stayed in a 1 Bedroom that could tell me what the closet is like? Are they large walk-in closets or small closets like what is in the studio? Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for any help and/or advise!

If you get a lockoff, there will be a closed and locked door between your one bedroom and the studio. There are only 27 dedicated one bedroom and 45 lockoffs. The closet we had in a one bedroom was not that big, but big enough. About the same size as the studio closet. You might get a somewhat larger one. The one we had with a dedicate two bedroom in the second bedroom was like a third bedroom. You might request pool view since that would be on the opposite side of the building from the trash pickup area.

 

[Huggups]

As of today, it looks like, once again, the studios at VWL are virtually impossible to find in December. Instead, I was thinking of booking a cash reservation at the Wilderness Lodge. I've heard that these rooms are rather small and DU didn't exactly give the hotel accommodations glowing reviews. I was wondering what the honest consensus was on these rooms and if they are really worth the money? Although they do cost less than many of the same category rooms. There must be a reason, I would think. What are the pros and cons? I'm guessing the views here wouldn't really be a consideration, would they? Are they really that in need of a refurb? Thanks all.

 

[Wood Nymph]

As of today, it looks like, once again, the studios at VWL are virtually impossible to find in December. Instead, I was thinking of booking a cash reservation at the Wilderness Lodge. I've heard that these rooms are rather small and DU didn't exactly give the hotel accommodations glowing reviews. I was wondering what the honest consensus was on these rooms and if they are really worth the money? Although they do cost less than many of the same category rooms. There must be a reason, I would think. What are the pros and cons? I'm guessing the views here wouldn't really be a consideration, would they? Are they really that in need of a refurb? Thanks all.

The reason the WL rooms cost less than most deluxe rooms is because they only sleep four. They are small, but not as small as a moderate resort room. I think they are big enough.

The resort rooms were refurbished in Sept of 2012. They are really nice rooms with fantastic themes, double sinks and balconies. The resort is gorgeous.

In my opinion they are far nicer than the VWL studios.

 

[hill6]

Got an email today saying we can skip the line when we arrive if we preregistered online. We have done that so hopefully we get email/text before we arrive.

 

[eeyore45]

45 days, I just have to make it 45 days!

us too! And we thank the Disney ... wish makers...

for some reason I thought I had till May 12 to make our final payment... nope... May 2!

but it all worked out! YAY!

Wilderness Lodge - HERE WE COME!



(eta - if you are there now - please feel free to post any and all pictures - it makes a difference!)

 

[wifey]

Yay anyone care to join us in a double digit dance? We hit 99 days last night and are really looking forward to our stay now. We have a few days unplanned at the moment where we just want to "wing it" and decide the day before where we want to go and what to do. All the meals are organised so we won't be going hungry. May even get around to trying a round of mini golf this year who knows !!

 

[kamcole]

Yay anyone care to join us in a double digit dance? We hit 99 days last night and are really looking forward to our stay now. We have a few days unplanned at the moment where we just want to "wing it" and decide the day before where we want to go and what to do. All the meals are organised so we won't be going hungry. May even get around to trying a round of mini golf this year who knows !!

98 for us today!! We'll be there at the same time. I cannot wait. It's our first time staying at WL.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Any recent comments about the pool refurbishment ? How about the fencing? Does pool capacity appear to have been increased? Are they checking magic bands before pool entrance?

 

[jh91]

I have a question..... We will be staying at the Villa's for our 2nd time this summer. The last time we stayed we stayed in a studio and had a room overlooking the trash area at the end of the long hallway. Needless to say we were not impressed but since it was Sept it was okay since we were at the parks most of the time. This time we will be staying in a 1 Bedroom, I am kind of confused what a lock-off room is. We do not want a door going into a studio, nor do we want to be down that long hallway as you can hear the beeping noise from the buses from morning to night. What room request would you recommend? What request can be made with online check in? Should I call them? I know it is the summer and they most likely will be busy, but we could at least try. Also has anyone stayed in a 1 Bedroom that could tell me what the closet is like? Are they large walk-in closets or small closets like what is in the studio? Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for any help and/or advise!

We stayed in a one bedroom villa last october and absolutely loved it. Our room request was close to the elevator and upper floor. We ended up with a room matching both of the requests, and thought it was an ideal location. Good view of woods and walking path, and extremely quiet. We never heard anyone in the hallway or waiting for the elevator. I seem to remember the closet being good size, walk in style, but not huge. There are big closets in the foyer when you first walk in that can hold a lot. We are staying in a studio this October so will have to adjust to not having a big full kitchen. Enjoy the extra space, it is very nice.

 

[elaw]

Any recent comments about the pool refurbishment ? How about the fencing? Does pool capacity appear to have been increased? Are they checking magic bands before pool entrance?

Any recent comments about the pool refurbishment ? Not that I've seen.
How about the fencing? Not that I've seen.
Does pool capacity appear to have been increased? No, its the same layout and foot print as before. The splashpad replaces the Kiddie Pool
Are they checking magic bands before pool entrance? No

 

[kat_lh]

Under three weeks to go. I think I need a vacation before my vacation though! (Baby has recently decided sleep is for the weak)

 

[Dariansue]

I'm sooooooo EXCITED! After checking everyday I finally managed to get WL for $233 a night Passholder rate for our anniversary trip in August! Happy 25th Anniversary to us!!!!! Thanks Disney!