Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[MickeyEars]

We just booked the Lodge for May 23-June 1 and I can't wait!!

Carla

 

[Mrdski]

New pics, videos and info added to Humphrey's Unofficial Wilderness Lodge Pages on Facebook.

 

[FTJbyAllie]

Hey y'all! Just wanted to say hi! Longtime Disney World lover but just now joining the boards. Love reading everything!
My husband and I are taking our "babymoon" September 3-8 and staying at Wilderness Lodge. I haven't stayed here since I was a little girl...20 plus years....but very excited to return.
This will be my 11th trip but only his second. He isn't as fascinated with WDW as I am, so keep your fingers crossed for a happy husband!

 

[Derb]

BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS (formerly VWL) AND COPPER CREEK VILLAS & CABINS: WILDERNESS LODGE DVC EXPANSION DETAILS THREAD​

Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas is located on Bay Lake in the Magic Kingdom Resort area.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge
901 Timberline Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Phone: (407) 824-3200
Fax: (407) 824-3232

~Check-in is after 3:00 for WL guests and after 4:00 for VWL guests
~Check-out is before 11:00

THREAD LINKS

YOU ARE HERE! LODGERS' LOG/RECREATION AND MOVIE SCHEDULE/NEWS

POST 2: ARRIVAL/PARKING/CHECK-IN

POST 3: ROOMS AND RATES/ROOM LOCATION MAP/ONLINE CHECK-IN

POST 4: BOOKABLE VIEWS

POST 5: DELUXE ROOMS

POST 6: PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

POST 7: PRESIDENTIAL SUITE VIEWS AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

POST 8: THE OLD FAITHFUL CLUB - CLUB LEVEL: OVERVIEW/SEATING/VIEWS

POST 9: CLUB LEVEL: MENUS/BREAKFAST

POST 10: CLUB LEVEL: SNACKS/BEVERAGES/DESSERTS

POST 11: CLUB LEVEL: APPETIZERS

POST 12: WL DINING OPTIONS/MENUS

POST 13: TERRITORY LOUNGE

POST 14: TRANSPORTATION: TRAVEL TIMES/BOAT/BUS/WALK/MAGICAL EXPRESS/RESORT AIRLINE CHECK-IN

POST 15: GUEST SERVICES: WL LAUNDRY/WIFI/DESKS/RESORT PURCHASE DELIVERY/MAIL/LOST AND FOUND/SHIPPING

POST 16: MERCANTILE: RESORT-BRANDED MERCHANDISE/GROCERIES

POST 17: ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION: CUB'S DEN/ARCADE/CARICATURES/EWP/WISHES/FLAG FAMILY/HIDDEN MICKEYS/MOVIES/MAGIC COOKIE HOUR/POOLSIDE GAMES/MARSHMALLOW ROAST

POST 18: MORE ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION: BOAT AND BIKE RENTAL/FORT WILDERNESS/TRAILS

POST 19: WILDERNESS LODGE POOL/BEACH

POST 20: VILLAS AT DISNEY'S WILDERNESS LODGE: RATES/ROOM NUMBER FINDER/HOUSEKEEPING/STURDY BRANCHES/MASSAGES

POST 21: MORE VWL PHOTOS/POOL/CAROLWOOD PACIFIC ROOM

POST 22: CHRISTMASTIME AT WL, VWL AND THE OLD FAITHFUL CLUB

POST 23: WONDERS OF THE LODGE TOUR/WL COURTYARD PHOTOS





LINKS OF INTEREST

~Wl/VWL INFORMATION THREAD BY WDWKOOK: 6/14 - 1/15

~WL/VWL INFORMATION THREAD BY WDWKOOK: 11/13 - 6/14

~WL/VWL INFORMATION THREAD BY WDWKOOK: 5/13 - 11/13

~WL/VWL INFORMATION THREAD BY WDWKOOK: 2012 - 2013

~WL/VWL INFORMATION THREAD BY WDWKOOK: 2011 - 2012

~ WL INFORMATION THREAD BY MAGICinMYHEART: 2009 - 2011

~WL DIS PHOTO THREAD: 2008 - PRESENT

~lffam's WL ROOFTOP/OTHER PHOTOS

~WL FAN SITE

~MORE WL HISTORY

~THE MUSIC OF WILDERNESS LODGE

~WDWKOOK's MAGICAL CHRISTMAS 2013 TRIP REPORT (1/14)

~WDWKOOK's WL-CL PICTORIAL (9/13)

~WDWKOOK's WL-CL TRIP REPORT (9/12)

~WDWKOOK's WL-CL TRIP REPORT (4/12)





Opening on May 28, 1994, Disneys Wilderness Lodge was inspired by the Great American Northwest National Park lodges from the turn of the 20th century. It is an architecturally grand Disney Deluxe Resort honoring American craftsmanship and artistry, and celebrates the majesty of the unspoiled wilderness.

Designed by architect Peter H. Dominick, Jr., who also designed Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Grand Californian, the theme of being in harmony with nature winds through the lodge, inside and out. Authentic décor and genuine artifacts pay homage to ancient Native American cultures and the pioneering spirit of early American explorers.

A 10-foot totem near the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile features some famous animals. Disney character Humphrey Bear stands at the base and supports Donald Duck. Lodge legend has it that rubbing Humphrey Bear's black nose brings good luck.

Step inside the 7-story lobby, the centerpiece of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and be awed by 2 towering totems. Each reaching 55-feet tall, the hand-carved pole, one topped with a raven, the other an eagle. Draw your eye up the 4 levels of corridors that surround the lobby and provide access to sitting nooks, terraces and nearly 730 guest rooms. The various animals, from whales to raccoons to eagles carved into these totems, depict Native American myths and legends.

While looking up towards the ceiling in the lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, notice 4 massive teepee-shaped chandeliers suspended from solid Lodgepole Pine beams. Authentic rawhide, hand painted with geometric designs, stretches over the lights' structural framework. Each teepee chandelier, with its bronze and steel ring of silhouetted buffaloes and riders on horseback, weighs 600 pounds.







View attachment 100981




NEWS...

Sturdy Branches Health Club will be closed
July - October 2016

BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS (formerly VWL) AND COPPER CREEK VILLAS & CABINS: WILDERNESS LODGE DVC EXPANSION DETAILS THREAD

WL/VWL RECREATION AND MOVIE SCHEDULE

Post your WDW resort and dates and I'll post them here in this nifty spot!​

bjscheel: 6/11 - 6/17 First Deluxe Resort!



disneymomma76: 6/17 - 6/27 VWL



John Byers: 6/26 - 7/2 WL



Shoshana: 7/7 - 7/16 WL



Mhambrick33: 7/30 - 8/5 WL



princessesintraining: 8/14 - 8/21 WL



tuckerkeys: 8/27 - 9/3 WL



August2010: 9/5 - 9/9 WL



Emme: 9/6 - 9/13 WL



grannyminnie: 9/6 - 9/10 WL



GrandCalifornian: 9/10 - 9/19 WL We can't wait to get back to the Lodge!



ws1995: 9/24 - 10/2 WL



hbr03: 10/4 - 10/11 WL



Grand Admiral: 10/23 - 10/29 WL



Dumbo Mad: 11/4 - 11/18 WL



WhoDatDisney: 11/17 - 11/26 WL



phillipsjp2003: 11/19 - 11/26 VWL The whole family is going!



pagek83: 12/5 - 12/8 First stay at WL!



Kathy Erdreich: 12/8 - 12/15 WL



jzuzphreek: 12/19 -12/26 First time during Christmas and staying at WL!

Derb 12/21-12/27 WL First deluxe stay!

jknewberry: 3/25/17 - 3/4/17 BRV Two-Bedroom

 

[MickeyEars]

Is the entire South Wing going to be DVC or just part of it when the rehab is finished?

Thanks for any info!!
Carla

 

[ArielSRL]

Renting points from a co-worker and hoping to stay June 3-11, 2017! I've always wanted to stay at WL and I like the proximity and the boat to MK. we'll be at MK 3 out of 7 park days, as my kids are 4 & 2. My other choices are BWV, AKV, and (my close 2nd choice) BCV.

Can anyone tell me if there are freezers in the fridges and regular or pod coffee makers in the DVC rooms? TIA

 

[Wood Nymph]

Renting points from a co-worker and hoping to stay June 3-11, 2017! I've always wanted to stay at WL and I like the proximity and the boat to MK. we'll be at MK 3 out of 7 park days, as my kids are 4 & 2. My other choices are BWV, AKV, and (my close 2nd choice) BCV.

Can anyone tell me if there are freezers in the fridges and regular or pod coffee makers in the DVC rooms? TIA

Are you planning on staying in a studio or in a villa? I know that the villas have a full size refrigerator with a freezer. I'm not sure what the studio has.

Both the villas and the studios have a Mr Coffee type coffee maker with a basket filter. The villas have ten cup coffee makers. The studios have either 4 cup or 10 cup coffee maker.

 

[ArielSRL]

Are you planning on staying in a studio or in a villa? I know that the villas have a full size refrigerator with a freezer. I'm not sure what the studio has.

Both the villas and the studios have a Mr Coffee type coffee maker with a basket filter. The villas have ten cup coffee makers. The studios have either 4 cup or 10 cup coffee maker.

Thank you for your reply. I should have been more specific. It will be a studio.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Hey y'all, adding another question about construction

I'm researching a trip for this coming October-November. Probably Oct. 27 to Nov. 7 with a split stay.
For the last few nights of the trip I'm considering WL because I'd like a deluxe and the prices are very good compared to the rest of the resorts in that category.
My last trip to WDW was this past January- a split stay at POP and CR (TPV! Wow!) and the trip before that I stayed at Coronado a couple of years ago.

I personally wouldn't mind the construction at WL at all but I'll be travelling with a first timer and I'm a little worried that he might be put off by it.
I've read a few pages back on this thread, seen all the pictures on the different threads and sites.

So finally, my question is- as a whole, when you first enter the resort or when staying there, do you really feel the construction?
Having the main elevator or the beach closed up.. do you really feel/see it? Do you get a construction-y vibe?
Does it feel like a deluxe?

Price is an issue, otherwise I'd go for one of the other deluxe resorts. I'd really love to be on the monorail loop! (Or closer to Epcot because of F&W!)

Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated
Thank you!

 

[AngiTN]

No, until you walk outside or look over the construction outside you don't notice. The elevators and lobby areas are blocked in such a way that if you hadn't seen it before or if there were no signs you would not know anything was amiss

I honestly can't fathom why it would put anyone off. It's just some dirt outside, some guys in hard hats and a few tools. It's not like your stepping over stuff

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

No, until you walk outside or look over the construction outside you don't notice. The elevators and lobby areas are blocked in such a way that if you hadn't seen it before or if there were no signs you would not know anything was amiss

I honestly can't fathom why it would put anyone off. It's just some dirt outside, some guys in hard hats and a few tools. It's not like your stepping over stuff

Nah, you're right, it's just that we've never traveled together before and he's kind of quirky about other things so I was worried
Thanks for your answer!

 

[Regan117]

So odd there's already nothing showing up for WL for the first week of Nov. 2017...I was looking just out of curiosity at all deluxe resorts and it's the only one with no availability. I wonder if they aren't releasing the rooms into the system until they have a clearer picture of where they will be with the construction by then.

 

[Starwind]

So odd there's already nothing showing up for WL for the first week of Nov. 2017...I was looking just out of curiosity at all deluxe resorts and it's the only one with no availability. I wonder if they aren't releasing the rooms into the system until they have a clearer picture of where they will be with the construction by then.

I just checked for Nov 1-3 2017 for WL and all the hotel room types are available. 499 days is 6 November; is it possible you were checking for an end date past that ?

*none* of the DVC resorts are showing any availabilty for then, so I am assuming the DVC rooms Disney rents don't release at 499 days out like the hotel rooms do. (aside: does anyone know how far out they DO release to book?)

SW

 

[bluecastle]

I just checked for Nov 1-3 2017 for WL and all the hotel room types are available. 499 days is 6 November; is it possible you were checking for an end date past that ?

*none* of the DVC resorts are showing any availabilty for then, so I am assuming the DVC rooms Disney rents don't release at 499 days out like the hotel rooms do. (aside: does anyone know how far out they DO release to book?)

SW

It used to be easier to book a cash res at a DVC property, at about 8 months out, but I have read elsewhere that the DVC management has changed their booking system. DVCers still book at 11 months, but if there is no availability for their dates, they get wait-listed and when there are cancellations, management goes to that list. ( and not releasing properties to general public) I think that is going to make it harder to get cash DVC reservations during popular times. We love VWL, but for our October 2017 trip we really want to stay in the Epcot area for Food and Wine- never been there! I am going to call, often, when it gets closer.

 

[Regan117]

I just checked for Nov 1-3 2017 for WL and all the hotel room types are available. 499 days is 6 November; is it possible you were checking for an end date past that ?

*none* of the DVC resorts are showing any availabilty for then, so I am assuming the DVC rooms Disney rents don't release at 499 days out like the hotel rooms do. (aside: does anyone know how far out they DO release to book?)

SW

They do let you book at 499 + 2, and I was able to book at the GF for Nov. 4-8 but there wasn't any availability at WL. Weird. I will keep looking ...it isn't like I don't have time lol.

 

[Regan117]

I just checked for Nov 1-3 2017 for WL and all the hotel room types are available. 499 days is 6 November; is it possible you were checking for an end date past that ?

*none* of the DVC resorts are showing any availabilty for then, so I am assuming the DVC rooms Disney rents don't release at 499 days out like the hotel rooms do. (aside: does anyone know how far out they DO release to book?)

SW

Phone CM tells me it varies from resort to resort. We were able to book GF villas at 499 but not AKL.

 

[bluecastle]

Phone CM tells me it varies from resort to resort. We were able to book GF villas at 499 but not AKL.

Are you a DVC member?

 

[Regan117]

Are you a DVC member?

No. I was able to book a cash reservation for a two-bedroom GF villa for May 2017 back in January of this year.

 

[Starwind]

They do let you book at 499 + 2, and I was able to book at the GF for Nov. 4-8 but there wasn't any availability at WL. Weird. I will keep looking ...it isn't like I don't have time lol.

For fun I checked Nov 4-10 and it showed only 4 DVC with availability and no hotels at all; but nov 1-8 showed hotels but no villas at all... I wonder if maybe there is some weirdness going on with their system ? FWIW, Nov 4-8 for 2 adults shows availability at wilderness lodge when I just tried it.

SW

 

[Regan117]

For fun I checked Nov 4-10 and it showed only 4 DVC with availability and no hotels at all; but nov 1-8 showed hotels but no villas at all... I wonder if maybe there is some weirdness going on with their system ? FWIW, Nov 4-8 for 2 adults shows availability at wilderness lodge when I just tried it.

SW

Weird! I played around with all kinds of dates for 2 adults and 2 children and couldn't get any availability at WL. Oh well. Thanks for checking it out - I will take a look tonight.