Impressions of Wilderness Lodge

[Andrea T]

We just returned from a 4 night visit at the VWL. All I can say is WOW!!! I can appreciate how this resort would make a lovely home away from home! If we were in the market for an add on I could be very tempted! ( We own at OKW and HH ). To start, just entering the lobby my jaw dropped! Disney theming at it's best! Our experience at check in was fast and pleasurable. The CM seemed proud to be working there. Yes, we got a "Welcome Home". The villa extension is so close by ( I was worried it would be more spread out) and from the walkway to the building, the transition remains themed, and the villas seem like they were always part of the original design. Entering the villas with our DVC tote bag, the CM at the DVC booth welcomed us home! We were in a studio on the 3rd floor, the very last room down the far hall. No problem for us...we have a 9 year old son who happily skipped over the pinecones on the carpet each time we made the trip. I never request anything other than non smoking. The room was very clean...the bathroom immaculate! I only glanced out the sliding doors once...I think it was a housekeeping area below because on this particular day they had about 20 of those potable playpen/cribs lined up and boy were they being scrubbed down! I thought that was nice to see even though were out of that stage! We enjoyed breakfast and a late snack every day at Roaring Fork ( gotta love those refillable mugs!) and one night had dinner at Whispering Canyon. What a hoot!!!! Loved it! Busses were always timely. The walk to the MK boat did not seem far to me, but hey, I was on vacation and always in that layed back, strolling kind of mood! Anyway, sorry to rattle on and on...just wanted to say VWL were great!!!!!

 

[newarknut]

Can't wait to visit our "home" in a few weeks. Glad to hear great things about the place. This will be our first "official" visit home.

The clock is ticking...................

 

[MickeyCrazed]

We just came back from a 3 night visit in a WLV studio earlier this month. We fell in love with the resort also because it is big but maintains a "cozy" feel.
I found myself wishing we owned points there, but have decided to look for a BWV resale so we have the option to take our whole family and book at the 11 month window.
Glad you enjoyed your stay as much as us!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the report, Andrea!
I am glad you had a good experience at my home resort. Yes, the theming at VWL is exquisite. Although all DVC resorts are done very well, I feel they went above and beyond with VWL.

Thanx again...

 

[DisneyPhD]

So good to read this post. We just bought VWL and have never stayed there. I have some regret with this choice becuase BCV is really my favorite themed resort.


Can't wait to stay at our new home.

 

[anniet]

Thanks for the report Andrea T.

Wilderness Lodge has always been our favorite resort and we have visited for drinks or lunch at Roaring Forks every year for the past 5 or so years, I think, although we have never stayed there.

Finally we bought DVC this past March and made VWL our home resort. We are so excited to go home for the first time this coming January.

I've read some things about VWL regarding lodgekeeping and transportation that have made me a little scared of what we got into, but reading your post makes me feel a lot better!

Thanks again!

Annie T.

 

[JonHM]

many consider VWL to be the only 'true' DVC resort!!!

 

[JonHM]

Rich, just kidding...

 

[Granny]

Andrea...your comment about entering the lobby the first time is an exact duplicate of our first experience at WL. Yes the theming is carried out in every detail...including the music that is always playing.

And so glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip. Sounds like a good one in all aspects.



and JonHM....you're bad, buddy. You're bad!

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Andrea,

Great report! One of the perks I get as being an Orlando resident is running out to Disney whenever time and mood permits....well, yesterday we had a cold spell and I needed to sit by a fireplace.....so I headed out to VWL and we had dinner at Whispering Canyon and drank cocoa by the fire. The Christmas tree was up and decorations were spotted throughout! It was amazing!

The mood was so perfect that I called MS today and will go stay in a studio tonight to watch the meteor shower from Disney property! Can you tell I'm excited?

All the best,
Shontell

 

[yasuern]

Your report makes me even more excited about our upcoming 1st trip to VWL - Glad you enjoyed your stay!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Shontell - you just made me change my mind about when I will go next year, was going to go for a week during halloween, but after hearing about your night at the fireplace, will make plans for the day after thanksgiving!!!!

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

You will love it, Kim & Ken!

I didn't even mention how cute the tee pees, canoes and boats are that they use to decorate the tree with....

All the best,
Shontell

 

[fireplug]

Thanks for the great report we are getting closer and closer. I can't wait


Steve

 

[JonHM]

we were simply *amazed* at how wonderful our first trip 'home' to VWL was last month. We had both loved BWV and thought that VWL would be something of a letdown, but there was NO letdown whatsoever. We are both SO excited about our impulse trip where just DW and I will be back at VWL for several nights. Beautiful, serene, amazing.

 

[Geyser Gazer]

I just got back from a great stay at BCV and there wasn't one day that I didn't think about VWL. Aaron Copeland, smoked salmon, white wine, fire places, carved wood, pine trees, Bay Lake, walks in the woods, waterfalls, deer, and last but not least geysers on the hour.
ahhhhhhhhhh.
-Geyser.