Those of you that have stayed in the Wilderness Lodge Villas

[DW mouser]

Do you get the same amenities as the lodge? We have stayed in the lodge before several years ago but have never stayed in the villas. I am thinking instead of getting multiable rooms it might be cheaper to get a villa. For anyone that has stayed in both, what one do you prefer? Thanks!

 

[disneymd33]

If you're talking about the Vacation Club Villas, then you get more amenities than regular resort. The Villas have full kitchen in the one and two bedroom villas, and microwave coffee maker, mini refrigerator, and sink in the studios. The one and two bedroom villas also have jacuzzi tubs in the bathrooms along with a standing shower, which is seperated by a door. One thing to keep in mind though, is that the Vacation Club Villas do not sleep more than regular rooms and they usually are more expensive and only available if not rented by Vacation Club Members (which is usually never). I hope we're talking about the same things!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The one and two bedrooms also have stackable washer and dryer in the villa. The studios have access to a laundry room.

Not much of a view at VWL, mostly just woods views.

The one bedroom villa sleeps four (one king bed, one queen sleeper sofa), the two bedroom villa sleeps 8 (might have two queens in the second bedroom, might just be a connected studio). The studio sleeps four (one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa).

You still can use the pool, access to the restaurants, bus and boat transportation.

If you book directly through Disney, you will get daily full cleaning. If you book on points, you get limited housekeeping.

 

[hematite153]

Not much of a view at VWL, mostly just woods views.

The "woods" views are what sold us on VWL. So, think about what is attractive to you.

As the previous posters have mentioned--you get MORE amenities by staying in the villas. The only thing you might lose is daily housekeeping--but you can always pay for that if it's important to you.

 

[fla4fun]

The only amenity I can think of that you don't get at the villas that you do get at the lodge is a USA Today newspaper (which I never read on vacation anyway). You have access to all the same recreational facilities, the same pools, the same transportation, you check-in in the same lobby, use the same restaurants, and share the same parking lot. The villas have always seemed a little quieter to me, and I love their lobby area, with the fireplaces and game tables.

IF you decide to save money by "renting points" from an owner instead of booking through CRO, you do lose the daily mousekeeping. You'll get full mousekeeping about once per week, and a trash & towel service midweek. You also won't get resupplied on toiletries and coffee. If you book through Disney, you get full mousekeeping every day and restocks on toiletries, laundry soap (if applicable), coffee, etc.

I've stayed in both. It sounds like you have more than four people in your party, so that would mean booking a two bedroom villa. That can be very expensive going through Disney, more expensive than two standard WL rooms. If you have six people, plus one under three years old, have you checked into booking a deluxe room at WL? I would definitely compare the cost of the deluxe room against the cost of the two bedroom, if your party size will fit.

 

[mma800]

We just switched to the 2BR Villa from the Deluxe room at WL for our stay (in 6 days!!!

I'm not planning on making anything more complicated than PB&J in the kitchen, but I am happy for the in villa laundry (my son still has an accident here or there)

What sold me was the square footage. The Deluxe Room (aka Jr. Suite) is listed at about 450-500sq. The 2 Br. Villa is listed between 1080-1260 sq ft. There was a $90 per day rack rate difference.
We are giving up the Club Longe yummies and Concierge check-in and concierge CM. We are gaining a much larger place, laundry and kitchen, jacuzzi tub and full balcony (or hopefully patio).

I am hoping we made the right switch for us. Even though a lot of people say that they are not in the room very much, we have found that with our gang we are. When we are there, the kids are usually fussing (early am or late pm) and the extra room may keep me sane!!

I found the floor maps on AllEars.net

Good Luck!

 

[DW mouser]

Thanks everyone who replied! I ended up getting 2 rooms at WL. I'm hoping for connecting rooms, that's the only thing I asked for but it is a busy time (spring break for KS.) so I may not even get that. I am now reading and finding out about all the disney changes that have occured in the past 2 years since I've been there. Mainly the dining which I found out no longer has the appetizer, which is fine with me, too much food anyway, but also the gratitude added! More money to come up with!!! I am doing the happy dance anyway because this was an unexpected trip!! Hope I am still doing it after I call for ADR'S today!!!

 

[nxtdrnghbrgy]

We have done a few trips to DW, after the last trip I vowed that we would have a seperate bedroom for our 2 tweenage girls for all our future trips. I had 2 rooms booked at WL, but re-booked WLV 1 bedroom because I was worring about not getting connecting rooms. The change saved about $70 a night.

The washer and dryer sold my wife on it.

Quick question on a post above: So for WLV booked through Disney, mousekeeping provides all laundry and dishwasher soap? Or should I get dishwasher and laundry soap ordered with our grocery order?

 

[spiceycat]

disney provides all the dishwasher detergent you could want.

with a reservation through CRO you will get a small box of tide daily. Now I am allergic to tide so it does me no good.


with one through a DVC member or exchange through II - then you only get one small box of tide for the entire stay. Sometimes on the tidy & trash day the maids might leave another one.