Live Trip Report - Villas at Wilderness Lodge

[mickeymorse]

Thanks for the wonderful trip report so far. It just makes me even more anxious for our 1st stay in Jan. Looking forward to the rest of your TR

 

[RLRDA]

I love "live" trip reports....makes me feel like I'm there! Thanks for taking the time to share pieces of your trip with everyone We stayed at WL for our 2004 trip during which we toured DVC and then purchased. Your TR makes me believe it's time to plan another stay there...soon!

 

[marynvince]

Did HHI in 12 hours from North Royalton OH, about 2 hours north of Columbus. Thought 6 more hours to Orlando would be doable. You guys drive straight through, or coming back straight through. Thinking about driving to Vero beach next summer. Great Trip report, thanks foir updates. We are definitely adding the Villas to our must try resorts.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

WL & VWL is one of our favorites and make sure you get a chance to watch the light parade on Bay Lake. Usually sometime around 9 or 10????(not sure exact time) You are causing us to anticipate our trip which starts on Saturday with a touchdown in orlando at 5:30pm!!! Yeah!! Wish we were staying at the lodge but OKW will have to do! Waiting for more and really appreciate the live trip report

 

[tecodis]

WL & VWL is one of our favorites and make sure you get a chance to watch the light parade on Bay Lake. Usually sometime around 9 or 10????(not sure exact time) You are causing us to anticipate our trip which starts on Saturday with a touchdown in orlando at 5:30pm!!! Yeah!! Wish we were staying at the lodge but OKW will have to do! Waiting for more and really appreciate the live trip report

Ah, I made AP reservations for Labor Day weekend yesterday. I had a choice of VWL 1-br or an OKW studio for about 40% less. I've always wanted to stay at the VWL but I really like the two beds in OKW studios. So, with the lower price I decided against the VWL.

I'm a little down about that now that I'm reading this thread.

 

[Muushka]

Ah, I made AP reservations for Labor Day weekend yesterday. I had a choice of VWL 1-br or an OKW studio for about 40% less. I've always wanted to stay at the VWL but I really like the two beds in OKW studios. So, with the lower price I decided against the VWL.

I'm a little down about that now that I'm reading this thread.

That's what is so great about DVC. Next time!
We will be at OKW this September also. But we needed a lot of room (2 BR). So we will just visit VWL.

 

[bellazachmom]

The only downsides I have found at this resort are very minor:
* For those who have difficulty walking, it's a pretty decent walk from the villas to the food areas to be a "hotel" type resort.
* The main pool "bar" area will not refill the refillable mugs. You have to walk up to the main part of the resort if you want a refill. I wished they would put a drink station in like they have at SSR.
* Small balconies - BWV had the smallest balconies, and I think these are even smaller. You almost can't sit with the chair facing forward.

Buckeye Fan -

Can I ask what size villa you are in and what floor it is on? We were in a Dedicated 2BR last fall, Room 4511, and the double balcony we had was HUGE! (OK, not OKW huge, but plenty big enough for hubby and I and 2 kids to sit comfortably.)The only other stay we had was in a 1BR and it was June and I was 6 months pregnant so it was too hot to even go out on the balcony. I just assumed all of the balconies were the same size, except the enclosed ones on the top floor.

LOVE your trip report!! Have a magical trip!

 

[Laxmom]

Thanks for the report, Buckeyefan! We will be staying there for 2 nights-Labor Day weekend- before our cruise in 3 weeks! Your report has made me so excited about our trip!!!

 

[lazydazy8]

My DD lost her first tooth in Disney on her very first trip.... Tinkerbell left some amazing goodies!

Thank you for taking the time to post while you are there! You're making me want to try out the VWL next time!!

 

[mcrabeck]

Great report! Can't wait to hear more and see your pictures. Our first trip home is November and your review makes it sound great! Thanks

 

[D&R love Disney]

I'm so excited reading a live trip report from VWL. We'll be there in 2 1/2 weeks for our second stay!

 

[LilGMom]

Just a little bit more honesty here...I am really not a camping type of person. Whenever we have thought about staying at VWL I always get in my head it will feel like I am in a more 'camping' environment. But I will openly admit to all of my friends here....I am 100% wrong. I now want to stay at VWL and will put it on my list of 'need to do soon' things.

Staying at WL or VWL is about as close to camping as I'll get.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

What's To Come - August 11 - 13
At the Moment - DD is losing her first tooth tonight (hear DH and her battling as we speak). She's scared, but it's hanging by a thread. I hope she pulls it so we can tell the princesses that she lost her first tooth!

Monday - California Gill - We have reservations tomorrow night at CG. Heard it's yummy and will be another $100+ ticket.

Tuesday - Magic Kingdom day and Dining with the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table. BTW, who picked these joints????

Wednesday - Not sure. We really don't have anything planned, but may do Typhoon Lagoon.

Thursday - On our way home to Columbus! Say prayers for safe trip home!!!

Hope everyone has a great week! Wished you were here!!!

Well...wished I could say that the rest of the trip went as well as the first part, but...

Monday 8/11 - DS wasn't feeling well. So, we cancelled our reservations to California Grill. I took DD down to the "crafts" area, and she made a little teddy bear magnet that says "I Love Mom" on it. It took all of 5 minutes, so for those of you contemplating whether to take your kids down there, it was kind of a waste of time. She enjoyed it, though, so that's all that matters!

I took some time to take more pics of the resort, and DH took DD down to the pool to hang out for the afternoon. By late evening, DS was feeling well enough to go over to the Boardwalk. So, we ended up eating a really late dinner at ESPN Zone. Still want to try CG sometime. Just not this trip!

Tuesday 8/12 - Okay...now for the sob story of all sob stories. We had talked to DD (6) who had never been to a character dinner that we would be eating with the princesses IN Cinderella's Castle for months. When she lost her two bottom teeth, we told her she could tell the princesses. Well, DH went out online to look at the dress code Tuesday morning, and found out that character dining doesn't exist for dinner. I booked through, MS and called to see if they could bump us to lunch. Well, of course ALL reservations were taken for breakfast, lunch and dinner both W and TH. After me being semi-grumpy because this was their mistake, they finally offered me dinner at the Grand Floridian at 8:20 on W. I told them to forget it. Please refund my money, and I'll book the next time we're down for lunch.

No worries, though. After drying a few tears and making some promises for "next time," off we went to Magic Kingdom and had a ball. Because we were waiting on a call about reservations, we didn't get to MK until 2:30. While I was on the bus, I called MS and asked if we could get into the Plaza. Sure enough, they could get us in at 2:45. We all had sandwiches and the kids got milkshakes. See, there's nothing that the MK and a good milkshake can't cure (except I spoke too soon! ) While in the Plaza, it rained for about 15 minutes, which cooled things off. In fact, by the evening, it was getting a little cool. Didn't even have to apply sunscreen. Crowds were a little heavier than normal, as MK had extra magic hours. Some food for thought for us...since we never get there when the parks open and we never close them down, I may avoid the extra hour days, as I do think the parks are slightly more crowded. Just my gut feeling, though.

We did it all...Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Hall of Presidents, Small World, Peter Pan, Buzz, etc., and about 9:30 (just as the fireworks were starting to go off, I told DH that I was sorry, but I HAD to go back home. I was freezing and wasn't feeling well.

We took the boat back to WL and got to see the finale as we were pulling out of MK. It was beautiful and quite romantic, had I not felt like a dog and had two kids in tow. So we get back to the room, and because of those sweet babies, DH brought the thermometer. My fever, at that point, was 102.8. Off to bed I went (pretty sure I had a sinus infection and/or flu)!

Wednesday, 8/13 - Our LAST Day - I finally felt like doing something in the late afternoon. So we went to DTD (can't miss DTD, don't care how bad I feel), and then hung out by the quiet pool. It was overcast, which it had been for the last couple of days. About 8:00, we decided we were hungry and went to the Pepper Market one last time. I know everyone has their favorite place, but we just LOVE Pepper Market. It was tasty, and I could finally taste the food I was eating at that point. We went back, packed, and went to bed.

Thursday, 8/14 - That Brings Us to Today - It's hard to believe this AM, we were sitting in Orlando, waiting for the Magical Express bus. I had waited several months for this trip, and while it had its ups and downs, we had a wonderful trip and the Lodge was amazing. I've already downloaded pics that I will post for you to see. The weather, overall, was beautiful and our food was quite good this stay. As many of you have read my posts before, I've never met a DVC that I didn't like, but this was surprisingly one of my favorites. I'm still on a mission to try them all out (still have BCV, AKV, HHI and VB to go), but will definitely be back to WL. I didn't realize how close it was to MK, and all of the things that you can do at the resort. I know for those who stay there often, we didn't even scratch the surface.

For all those leaving soon, I look forward to your posts, as like you, I love reading trip reports. Makes me feel like I'm there.

For the couple of questions people posted:
Balconies - Yes, the balconies were small. I took pics and will post.
Travel Time - Even though we flew this time, we've driven from Columbus to Orlando many times. The drive from our house (NE side of Cols in Westerville) is about 16 - 16.5 hours, and that's with a couple of quick stops for bathroom/drive through breaks (we try to combine them), and one sit-down meal (usually dinner for us). Mapquest has it at 15 hours, 48 minutes.

I'll post pics next.

 

[Muushka]

Thank you for the great report. It sounds like you have something to look forward to next visit!

Did anyone ask you to come on over to the VWL Groupies thread? We love company, especially the kind that turns into family! We talk about VWL all the time.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Never posted pics this way before, so I hope it works! In case you're wondering, almost all of these are the outside of the main resort, and inside/outside of the "DVC" building. I labeled the DVC stuff VWL.

I tooks TONS of pics! Hope you enjoy!

http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/simmerb/Wilderness Lodge/

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Great pics!

Glad you enjoyed your stay at VWL!!!!

 

[bgraham34]

Thanks for posting the pics. I loved it.

 

[mcrabeck]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

 

[wildernessDad]

Loved the pictures! I can't wait to get back there in December!

 

[LilGMom]

I am heading to go check your pictures now! We love the WL and VWL!!!! I still have my fingers and toes crossed (makes typing and walking difficult at times) that our waitlist for VWL the frist week of December comes through. I'm not holding my breath since VWL is very popular in December and that is the main reason we will probably buy a resell at VWL soon.

Loved the report and I hope you are feeling 100% now.