The Wilderness Lodge and Villas FAQ (Part 7) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY!

[Minnie&Nana]

Just booked at VWL today for our 15th anniversary/Christmas vacation! We usually go for Star Wars Weekends, but we wanted to include Legoland this go around for DS10 and DS6. It'll be hard to wait til the end of November!!

I've read nearly all of this thread (took most of the day...love being a teacher on snow days...) but I still have one question for all of the experts: we booked a studio at VWL, but I'm wondering if I should have gone with a woods view at the Lodge proper. (It was the same price.) We're Christmas junkies, so would it be better as far as ambience goes to stay in the Lodge, or would it really make difference? Any thoughts or opinions appreciated!! Thanks in advance everyone!

I'm not an expert, but we did just stay at VWL last November. All the Christmas decorations were put up the morning after we arrived. While the Lodge is nice and very active, we loved the peacefulness of the Villas. Both are beautifully decorated and the walk to the Villas is very pretty.
With little ones a studio will have one queen bed and a double pull out couch. The rooms a tad larger (lodge 340 sq ft, Villa 357 sq ft). Villa hallways are wider too.

The only thing we were not crazy about was the TV in the armoire did not pull out and turned just a bit - so the person(s) in the pull out could not see it very well.

Our room location was fabulous (would be happy to send it to you) - we had a corner room with a balcony and another side window. We could see The Electrical Water Pageant through the trees and hear the music with the balcony door open. We could also see the top of Wishes from the balcony or side window.

It is a bit further walk to roaring forks, but closer to the buses. We found a short cut to Roaring Forks, so it was not bad at all.

Happy planning!

 

[midnightlouise]

Thanks Minnie & Nana! I figured it's probably not much different than staying at some of the mods and having to walk (or drive!) to the main building, except this walk will be way shorter! Plus the quieter area seems like a good payoff:

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks Minnie & Nana! I figured it's probably not much different than staying at some of the mods and having to walk (or drive!) to the main building, except this walk will be way shorter! Plus the quieter area seems like a good payoff:

Our room was fabulous - I know they say not to ask for a room number, but it couldn't hurt in case it's available! I would add it to your reservation.. I will find it and post it! 4531 is a lock-off studio. 3531 is probably the same. You can also ask at check-in if either are available but I'd definitely add it to the reservation. Good luck!

Oh and the lobby in the Villa has a beautiful tree too. I have pics on FB if you'd like to see some.

ETA: sent you a pm.

 

[linjohn]

Any suggestions on a location we should request for a 2 bedroom villa WL. Finally booked for 5/14-21. This will be our first time with our three grandchildren.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Any suggestions on a location we should request for a 2 bedroom villa WL. Finally booked for 5/14-21. This will be our first time with our three grandchildren.

This site is a great resource. We used it to request a room/area for our November trip. Plus you can click on "roomfinder" to the left of the maps (maps enlarge btw) to read if DVC owners have made comments about room location, view etc.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/villas-at-wilderness-lodge/maps-a-photos

Have a great trip! What fun with the grandkids - cannot wait until my 2 yr old grand daughter is old enough!

 

[tx2tn]

I'm not an expert, but we did just stay at VWL last November. All the Christmas decorations were put up the morning after we arrived. While the Lodge is nice and very active, we loved the peacefulness of the Villas. Both are beautifully decorated and the walk to the Villas is very pretty.
With little ones a studio will have one queen bed and a double pull out couch. The rooms a tad larger (lodge 340 sq ft, Villa 357 sq ft). Villa hallways are wider too.

The only thing we were not crazy about was the TV in the armoire did not pull out and turned just a bit - so the person(s) in the pull out could not see it very well.

Our room location was fabulous (would be happy to send it to you) - we had a corner room with a balcony and another side window. We could see The Electrical Water Pageant through the trees and hear the music with the balcony door open. We could also see the top of Wishes from the balcony or side window.

It is a bit further walk to roaring forks, but closer to the buses. We found a short cut to Roaring Forks, so it was not bad at all.

Happy planning!

So when did the Christmas decorations go up???

Thanks!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So when did the Christmas decorations go up???

Thanks!!

The decorations went up in the middle of the night and early morning Friday, November 19th, but were supposed to go up on Wednesday November 17th -the front manager told us the Wed before the weekend before Thanksgiving is the usual date for WL holiday decorations to go up, but can be delayed a day or two.

 

[denvergirl]

I'm not an expert, but we did just stay at VWL last November. All the Christmas decorations were put up the morning after we arrived. While the Lodge is nice and very active, we loved the peacefulness of the Villas. Both are beautifully decorated and the walk to the Villas is very pretty.
With little ones a studio will have one queen bed and a double pull out couch. The rooms a tad larger (lodge 340 sq ft, Villa 357 sq ft). Villa hallways are wider too.

The only thing we were not crazy about was the TV in the armoire did not pull out and turned just a bit - so the person(s) in the pull out could not see it very well.

Our room location was fabulous (would be happy to send it to you) - we had a corner room with a balcony and another side window. We could see The Electrical Water Pageant through the trees and hear the music with the balcony door open. We could also see the top of Wishes from the balcony or side window.

It is a bit further walk to roaring forks, but closer to the buses. We found a short cut to Roaring Forks, so it was not bad at all.

Happy planning!

Leaving on the 22nd for our first stay at the VWL Thanks for the room number. . .maybe we'll get lucky!

 

[bcuinohio]

Thanks everyone... It's looking a little bit better as the day goes on.

Fingers crossed!!!

Brian

BTW: Just looked up our reservation online and we've been upgraded from Standard to Courtyard. So pixiedust is working!!!

Brian,

Did you make it to WDW?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Leaving on the 22nd for our first stay at the VWL Thanks for the room number. . .maybe we'll get lucky!

4531 (3531 should be the same, just a floor lower). Can't hurt to add it to your reservation asap! Then ask again at check-in. It is a fabulous room and location. VWL does not really have any views to speak of, so this was great...of course, loads of pine trees in front of the balcony, but could still see the lake through the trees. If this room is not available ask if one lake side would be.

It was our first VWL stay too and very pleasantly surprised! Oh, also, if you don't want to walk through the lobby to get to Roaring Forks, go to the first floor of the Villa, follow the hall to the pool and walk around the pool toward the lake, then around the Lodge pool - it is only about 4 mins to RF and a couple more more to the boat launch (watch for signs to the launch just when you go around the side of the Lodge bldg).

Have a great trip!!

 

[nathanyell]

We were up early and surprisingly the roads were clear. Made it to BWI airport in lots of time. Boarded the plane for a 705 departure when the started de-icing the plane. Somehow they forgot to turn off the air, so the mist came into the cabin. They ended up having to deplane and send us to another plane. So we ended up being delayed over an hour.

Magical express was awesome, left within a few minutes of arrival. Room was ready at check-in. Courtyard view at the standard rate.

Buses to Epcot were fast and we made our Teppan Edo reservation at 2. The weather is quite cold, but suppose to warm up tomorrow.

One disappointment, the two main spas are being refurbished. We think the one at the villas is still open. Too cold to find out right now.

Brian

 

[rotlex]

Subscribing\resubscribing.

Just changed our 10 night reservation for this August from Port Orleans Riverside to The Wilderness Lodge! Super stoked about this, as we have never stayed there, but have always dreamed of it. We have been there, but only too eat at Whispering Canyon a few times.

Looking VERY forward to this trip!

 

[skater]

We were up early and surprisingly the roads were clear. Made it to BWI airport in lots of time. Boarded the plane for a 705 departure when the started de-icing the plane. Somehow they forgot to turn off the air, so the mist came into the cabin. They ended up having to deplane and send us to another plane. So we ended up being delayed over an hour.

Magical express was awesome, left within a few minutes of arrival. Room was ready at check-in. Courtyard view at the standard rate.

Buses to Epcot were fast and we made our Teppan Edo reservation at 2. The weather is quite cold, but suppose to warm up tomorrow.

One disappointment, the two main spas are being refurbished. We think the one at the villas is still open. Too cold to find out right now.

Brian

So glad you got down there OK. Are you saying both hot tubs are closed? That could be a deal breaker for me and my DD since that's one of the things we're most excited about. Are they saying how long they'll be down? We're leaving on Feb. 12th.

 

[SnDMommy]

I have nothing constructive to add to this thread at this time, but I just wanted to say.................

CHECK-IN DAY!!!!!



I do have one question though, I thought maybe during the online check-in, i could add my room request, but it only gave me pre-selected options for fridge, pack and play and...one other thing I can't recall. I'm torn between leaving it up to chance, and calling to add a more specific room request on my reservation. If I do call, where do I find the number? (I did all my reservations online)

 

[midnightlouise]

Was gloating over my reservation this morning woohoo and I noticed that after VWL is said "PW7". Any idea what this designation means? Perhaps I should check the map & see if that gives any clues...lol

 

[midnightlouise]

Our room was fabulous - I know they say not to ask for a room number, but it couldn't hurt in case it's available! I would add it to your reservation.. I will find it and post it! 4531 is a lock-off studio. 3531 is probably the same. You can also ask at check-in if either are available but I'd definitely add it to the reservation. Good luck!

Ohhh I didn't see this last night! I'm adding it to my notes! Thanks!

 

[denvergirl]

We were up early and surprisingly the roads were clear. Made it to BWI airport in lots of time. Boarded the plane for a 705 departure when the started de-icing the plane. Somehow they forgot to turn off the air, so the mist came into the cabin. They ended up having to deplane and send us to another plane. So we ended up being delayed over an hour.

Magical express was awesome, left within a few minutes of arrival. Room was ready at check-in. Courtyard view at the standard rate.

Buses to Epcot were fast and we made our Teppan Edo reservation at 2. The weather is quite cold, but suppose to warm up tomorrow.

One disappointment, the two main spas are being refurbished. We think the one at the villas is still open. Too cold to find out right now.

Brian

I've been wondering if you made it. . .so glad to hear! Hope you have a wonderful week. What does cold mean? How many layers do you think we need. . .we leave in 10 days! Hope you have a blast today!

 

[denvergirl]

4531 (3531 should be the same, just a floor lower). Can't hurt to add it to your reservation asap! Then ask again at check-in. It is a fabulous room and location. VWL does not really have any views to speak of, so this was great...of course, loads of pine trees in front of the balcony, but could still see the lake through the trees. If this room is not available ask if one lake side would be.

It was our first VWL stay too and very pleasantly surprised! Oh, also, if you don't want to walk through the lobby to get to Roaring Forks, go to the first floor of the Villa, follow the hall to the pool and walk around the pool toward the lake, then around the Lodge pool - it is only about 4 mins to RF and a couple more more to the boat launch (watch for signs to the launch just when you go around the side of the Lodge bldg).

Have a great trip!!

I sure appreciate the advice. . .especially the short cut info. . .I love being efficient!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Brian, glad you made it safe and sound...now ENJOY!!!!!!!

Thanks for checking in!

 

[skater]

Does anyone know how I could find out if the hot tubs will be down while I'm there?