VWL experts

[NCRedding]

Just booked VWL for our June trip. We've never stayed there, and have only been there once for Artist Point. I've read some of the FAQs for the WL on the resort board, but would like to ask you: What are the things that are not to be missed at VWL. I'm travelling with DH, DD (age 11) and myself.

 

[timC]

Here are a couple of ideas.

- At check-in ask to sign up for Flag Family. You may be picked to hiost the flags that fly on top of the resort.

- If you're an early riser, go for a stoll down to the water and watch the sun rise over the Bay lake. Beautiful.

- June is a great time of year for salmon at Artist Point. The salmon is extra good as it's spawning season in the NW.

 

[jimmytammy]

Whispering Canyon Cafe...lots of fun and food is pretty good also. Be sure to ask for ketchup.

 

[lsutigger2]

Also to be "not-missed" is the peace and quiet! We love VWL and may try to stay there once again in Oct. 04 (gosh that sounds so far away!). It is great. We had a first floor studio last trip and loved it. Very convenient. Be sure to sit on the beach one night and watch the Water Pagent.

 

[zzotto]

In the main lobby of the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, look for the hidden Mickey. It is my favorite - although it is not so hidden once you find it!

As soon as you enter the lobby, the table with the bird cage is right in front of you. Go to your right and you will see a sitting area. Look up to the left once you are in the sitting area and in the log beam protruding into the main lobby, Mickey is coming out of a mouse hole!

My favorite hidden Mickey at my favorite resort - we just closed on 150 points at VWL about 6 weeks ago!

Have a great time!

 

[NCRedding]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am eally looking forward to the trip. We're staying the first 2 nights (weekend) in a studio, then moving to a 1 bedroom. I love the look of the WL!!

 

[eporter66]

We just stayed at Wilderness Lodge this October. We loved it!!! We just joined the DVC and our home is the new Saratoga Springs Resort - but we will go back and stay at the Villa's now that we are members.

Must do's
1. Sit by the water and watch the light pageant at night
2. The pool is awesome
3. Artist Point - excellent
4. Whispering Canyon Cafe' - we actually sat in the back and didnt get too involved in all that was going on - but it looked like fun
5. The Lobby is amazing

Also - everyone complains about the transportation issues at Wilderness Lodge. We never waited long at all! Thought there were no problems.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It is a lot of fun to take bikes (which you can rent) on the trail over to Fort Wilderness. The trail is beautiful and there are lots of animals to check out at a petting farm when you get there.

Have fun.

HBC

 

[Geyser Gazer]

At the Wilderness Lodge it's easy to imagine being lakeside in a secluded magnificent lodge in the middle of the woods because, well... you are. Steep yourself in the beauty of this, the music, lighting, waterfall, and rockwork will make it easy. Consider doing the boat and recreation plan, gaze at the geyser, look for hot air ballons over the lake come sunrise, and go for walks through the woods at dusk. Once totally relaxed, you might consider visiting a local theme park, I've read on this board that there are several that aren't too far away.

 

[Guads6]

Here's something you might want to try: Take an hour to relax in the lobby, face the entrance doors in the front and watch the reaction of all the "first timers" entering the lobby. (They are easy to spot, as they usually have their mouths wide open in amazement!)

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Geyser Gazer
At the Wilderness Lodge it's easy to imagine being lakeside in a secluded magnificent lodge in the middle of the woods because, well... you are. Steep yourself in the beauty of this, the music, lighting, waterfall, and rockwork will make it easy. Consider doing the boat and recreation plan, gaze at the geyser, look for hot air ballons over the lake come sunrise, and go for walks through the woods at dusk. Once totally relaxed, you might consider visiting a local theme park, I've read on this board that there are several that aren't too far away.

I can't say it any better than this!

The beauty of DVC is knowing that you will return again and again, and that there is no need to tour the parks on a commando schedule. So use the newly found free time to explore, or just relax with a book in the incredible surroundings.


Guads6....I'm afraid you are going to mistake me for a "first timer". I still have that reaction after several stays at WL and VWL! Maybe it's more of a goofy grin than a gape though!

 

[jimmytammy]

You might want to consider becoming a CM at VWL with an emphasis on PR and marketing

 

[littlestar]

Be sure not to miss Walt Disney's one-eighth scale Carolwood railroad cars in the lobby at the villas. They are on loan from the Disney family. Walt and his family had a miniature railroad in their backyard and they actually road on these railroad cars.

There are also lots of black and white photos of Walt Disney scattered around in the sitting areas at the villas. I personally love the rocking chairs that are in the room where the birdhouse is. They are so comfortable (I'm only 5' tall though). My husband prefers the large leather rockers in the sitting room around the corner (he's 6' 6"). So chair preference may have something to do with how tall you are!

The villas have oak tables and chairs where you can play cards, checkers, chess, games (I think you can check these out from the mercantile store). Our kids have always liked doing this when they weren't running around at the parks.

 

[Donald Doc]

Some folks mentioned hidden Mickeys-

You can get a list of hidden Mickeys from the front desk- it is a list of clues. Take your daughter on this hunt! It is actually a lot of fun, and a great way to see the whole resort.

Also,
there are tours of the lodge- as usual, every detail the lodge was planned with a reason, take the tour and discover how compulsive the WDW designers really are!


Have fun, VWL is our home resort.
:happy1:

We love it.