Need info please for VWL

[Tiger926]

We (my DH, myself & DD) are contemplating taking our first trip as DVC members during March Break - we thought our first trip "home" would be in July, but alas, we can't wait that long! I did a search & can't seem to find much on VWL (although I do remember reading trip reports in the past). Basically I have never camped a day in my life and have no desire to - my joke is that if it doesn't have Disney, Marriott or Hilton on the sign, you won't find me there!" My baby loves animals though, and since we are staying at our home resort (Saratoga for 2 weeks this summer), we thought she might enjoy the theming of the Wilderness Lodge. The problem is that her and I have allergies/asthma, so I am wondering about the animals, fires at the campground, etc... - I am trying to avoid any possible allergy/asthma attacks. Here are my questions:

1. How close are the animals to the villas?

2. Are there are smells from animals or campfires that could possibly bother us?

3. Are there age restrictions for most of the activities (the baby will be 21.5 months old)?

4. We've never been in March before and I know that the weather is a bit unpredictable at that time, so would all activities be able at that time of year?

Any help that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated (especially any links to other trip reports).

Thanks, Tiger aka Piglet's Momma

 

[lodgelady]

Hi! We love VWL and are so happy we bought there! The villas are at least a half a mile from the animals and campfires- so not to worry. Another allergy related suggestion: ask for a non-smoking room for medical reasons and you should get top priority.
We have been several times in March. Each time it was warm enough to swim during the day and cool enough for a sweater or jacket at night. I would say that any activity you would do in the summer months at home you can do in March in Orlando during the day. If it is a rainy day it can be chilly, however. We love renting the tandem bikes and taking the ferry boats around the lake. There is a beach for sand play and a small climbing structure too. Have a great time!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The animals, campfire, etc are located at Fort Wilderness which is about 1 mile from the Wilderness Lodge and Villas at Wilderness Lodge. The VWL are exactly like BWV and BCV, only with the Northwest/National Park influence. There might be a few wild animals (deer, squirrels, birds) in the surrounding woods, but no petting zoo (farm animals).

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks for your quick replies. So if I understand correctly, there are animals in the forest area (is this where the trail is located?), as well as the petting zoo, and both are located 1 mile from where we would be staying? How about when walking on the trail, visiting the petting zoo or attending the campfire - can you really smell the animal smells or smoke from campfire? I'm sorry to be so picky, but like I said, my daughter and I have respiratory issues and my cousin said that when she went to visit Wilderness Lodge last year, she could really smell the animals a lot, but she is also 17 and a bit dramatic at times, so I figured I'd get the real info from any Wilderness Lodge experts here on our DIS boards.

Also Deb & Bill, you mentioned that VWL is just like BWV and BCV, but we have never stayed at either place, what do you mean by this comment?

Thanks, Tiger

 

[Deb & Bill]

The rooms are pretty much identical in configuration, plus all three of these are connected to another hotel with a large parking lot outside. SSR and OKW have parking located near your villa and are solely DVC resorts.

The animals in the forest area are only seen early in the morning or later in the afternoon and they are few and far between. Not a zoo by any means. The petting zoo (farm animals) is located at Fort Wilderness which is about 1 mile from WL. You can walk from WL to FW by means of a paved path. That is where you might see a deer or two in the early morning.

We have stayed at the AKL and I couldn't even smell the animals there. There were tons of them on the savannah. You won't smell any animals or the campfire at VWL or WL.

 

[Tiger926]

This is the exact info I was looking for - and thanks for adding the info about AKL as I was wondering about that resort as well!

Hopefully when my DH calls Member Services today, there will be availability for us that week - keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks again, Tiger aka Piglet's Momma

 

[Luigi's Girl]

You will never catch me camping(my kids hate me for that) and I love the WL. I never noticed the smell of any animals on previous stays there.

 

[WDWJWEB1]

Tiger 926

I really believe you are confusing Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge.

They are 2 totally seperate resorts approx. 1 mile from each other, At Ft. Wilderness you can camp, sit by the fire with Chip and Dale, Horse back ride and of course there is the petting zoo.

The Wilderness Lodge does not have animals unless you count a wild deer or 2 that you may or may not see in the woods, the only animals that are at the Lodge are the one's on the totem poles in the lobby and over at the villa's.

I hope this clarified the animal issue for you and yours? The VWL is a great place to stay, I see from the age of your DD you will most likely be spending most of your time at the MK, the transportation from the lodge to the MK is by boat and it's a very enjoyable ride, all other patrs of the World are reached by bus.

Member Services is closed on the 3rd and will open on the 4th of Jan. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[spiceycat]

I have allergies so you have my sympathies - be sure she gets a good allergy doctor they can and do work wonders....

the area in front of the villa is basically a swamp - that is why the bw is there.

I take a noise spray (that works wonders) - so I am not bothered.

My mother on our last trip was sneezing - the staff was cutting the grass and mother still wanted the balcony doors opens - so she only has herself to blame....

the animals are rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, birds (lots and lots of birds), raccon, deers, saw a fox and a beaver once. Even saw an alligator over in the WL part but it was quickly removed - kids were involved.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks, I was confusing Fort Wilderness with the resort, as I thought they were all on the same property - didn't realize they were 1 mile away from each other. Just wondering if my baby does want to see some animals, can we mosey on over to Fort Wilderness and see some animals, or is it just restricted to campers?

Thanks for the awesome info, Tiger

 

[WDWJWEB1]

Tiger 926

You can take a boat, bus or even walk over to Ft. Wilderness to see the animals, actually you can even ride the bikes over there. There is the Trails End Buffet over there also, it's one of the least expensive places to eat in the world.

Once again I hope you and yours have a great vacation.