Walking Path at VWL?

[nezy]

With the construction of the new Reflections resort between VWL and Ft. Wilderness Campground, is there a different route at least 2 miles? Any walking paths I have looked up include the area that is now closed off for construction.

Thank you/

 

[sleepydog25]

No.

One of my favorite things about WL over the years was the easy access to nature. Three or so years ago, there were two trails. One was the sandy nature trail that paralleled the lake as you headed toward Ft Wilderness. I would run that trail every day, and it was so quiet and unused. That trail was closed when they began building the Copper Creek cabins. When the nature trail closed, there was still the paved bike/running path to FW which found a sponsor in New Balance. I switched to running on it since as a simple out-and-back it would log in right at 2 miles, and when I wanted a longer run, I would simply run around FW. When we were staying at the Lodge the first week of March, we started walking down that path toward FW. Soon after passing by the bus stop we saw a sign saying "End of trail." We were puzzled and crossed over the service road to where the path picks back up on the other side. As soon as we made the turn down that section, we came upon a cement barrier and metal fencing with a sign attached to it saying, "Path closed for refurbishment." Given that said path needs no "refurbishment," the obvious conclusion is that it's closed due to the impending construction of Reflections that will occupy some of the space between FW and WL. If that's the case--and I feel certain it is--the path will likely be closed for the next three years or so.

Thus, WL no longer has an available walking/biking/running path. WL is no longer renting bicycles, either. Now, you can make a loop around the resort that would be approximately 1/2 mile. You can start anywhere on the back side of the Lodge for this loop (or front for that matter). For example, if you walk out to the geyser behind the main pool, you could run/walk toward Geyser Point then take the pathway that connects all the cabins on the south side of the resort (8013-8026). As you get near the last cabin, there will be a small bridge to your right that connects you to the new cabin parking lot. Continue through the lot until it hooks up to the service road. From there, work your way back to the front of the Lodge and run/walk through the parking lot until you get to the far side where you will find yet another cabin parking lot (for the north side cabins 8001-8012). Go through that parking lot until you come out onto the path that connects those cabins and turn right. The path will take you by the boat dock and thus back to your starting point.

Conversely, if you don't want to fight the traffic of the main parking lot, there is a shorter alternate route. Start at the same place and go until you hit that first cabin parking lot I mention above. Then, instead of going through that lot to the service road, turn right and there will be another walkway that goes along beside the old VWL (now called BRV) DVC building. That will take you behind the new quiet pool and to the main Lodge. From there, you can hang a right toward Geyser Point. At Geyser Point, you can simply retrace your steps and keep running that circle, or you can hang a left and head toward the geyser and boat dock and then run/walk all the way down to the other cabin parking lot where you can turn around and come back. Obviously, you can start at any point along that route--I just chose the geyser as an iconic starting point.

Sadly, beyond this route your only option is to walk around the barrier on the actual paved trail and walk/run it despite the signage. Hope this helps!

 

[nezy]

That is helpful. I will have to do some exploring. I didn't realize there were new parking areas near each end of the cabins.
Thank you.

 

[momtwoboys]

we tried to walk the path this past week and were met with a security guy sitting in his car. Told us that we could not walk any further, so sad.

 

[sleepydog25]

we tried to walk the path this past week and were met with a security guy sitting in his car. Told us that we could not walk any further, so sad.

That is deflating news. So, not only is the path not being used, they're wasting some security person's time keeping people away. I do hope it reopens when the retirement home--er, I mean, Reflections--is built.

 

[momtwoboys]

That is deflating news. So, not only is the path not being used, they're wasting some security person's time keeping people away. I do hope it reopens when the retirement home--er, I mean, Reflections--is built.

we wanted to take a nice walk

 

[nezy]

Take a boat to the campground and take a walk around there. Lol. Kidding. Not kidding.

 

[ElizabethCB]

I am so sad to hear this! We loved biking on that path. Fingers crossed that it reopens.

 

[Beachmom0317]

I’m also super bummed since we loved walking that trail and seeing all the deer! Thankfully FW is only a boat ride away

 

[momtwoboys]

Take a boat to the campground and take a walk around there. Lol. Kidding. Not kidding.

we did and we do that often. We eat at trails end and we visit the horses, and walk the grounds. The path that used to connect was another nice way to walk over.

 

[sleepydog25]

I’m also super bummed since we loved walking that trail and seeing all the deer! Thankfully FW is only a boat ride away

During my years running the nature trail and the bike path, I saw all manner of wildlife. I have two favorite memories. First, I was running the nature trail as it paralleled Bay Lake close to the CM parking lot at FW. I spied a small herd of deer grazing on the right side of the trail's edge. I slowed a little and scooted to the left of the trail, but I never stopped. The deer never moved, and the closest one remained almost within a hand's reach as I passed by. They were so tranquil--a beautiful moment. The second memorable sighting was on the bike path. Again, I was running fairly early in the morning and as I approached a small clearing I saw a hawk sitting on the ground. I did stop about 15 feet short and noticed that in its talons was breakfast--a rather large field mouse. The hawk looked at me as though I was disturbing his meal--likely was--and then he abruptly lifted off with breakfast still in hand--er, talon. It's getting incredibly difficult to find actual wilderness at the WL/FW areas. . .Reflections isn't going to help, either.

 

[Beachmom0317]

During my years running the nature trail and the bike path, I saw all manner of wildlife. I have two favorite memories. First, I was running the nature trail as it paralleled Bay Lake close to the CM parking lot at FW. I spied a small herd of deer grazing on the right side of the trail's edge. I slowed a little and scooted to the left of the trail, but I never stopped. The deer never moved, and the closest one remained almost within a hand's reach as I passed by. They were so tranquil--a beautiful moment. The second memorable sighting was on the bike path. Again, I was running fairly early in the morning and as I approached a small clearing I saw a hawk sitting on the ground. I did stop about 15 feet short and noticed that in its talons was breakfast--a rather large field mouse. The hawk looked at me as though I was disturbing his meal--likely was--and then he abruptly lifted off with breakfast still in hand--er, talon. It's getting incredibly difficult to find actual wilderness at the WL/FW areas. . .Reflections isn't going to help, either.

The deer are so beautiful! They also stayed super closer to me as I walked by. Our youngest is almost 3 and a few months ago she kept saying “Bambi” as we walked by and it was such a beautiful moment!! I hope it opens back up

 

[cindy_k]

UGH! I just told my husband yesterday about the trails for our upcoming trip at the end of May.

 

[Lady Hiss]

So bummed about this. Quiet, natural areas in WDW in general seem to be on the chopping block and are low priorities in the new areas being built. IMHO, this is a mistake as not all of us enjoy congestion, concrete, and noise even if there are a few hidden Mickys strewn around..

 

[sleepydog25]

So bummed about this. Quiet, natural areas in WDW in general seem to be on the chopping block and are low priorities in the new areas being built. IMHO, this is a mistake as not all of us enjoy congestion, concrete, and noise even if there are a few hidden Mickys strewn around..

"If you build it, they will come." Disney hasn't had many missteps over years, and Copper Creek appears to be a success, as I suspect Reflections will be, as well. That being said, I totally agree that not everyone enjoys density when it comes to people and places. What I loved about the Wilderness Lodge for so many years is that you could actually retreat from the increasingly crowded parks and enjoy, well, wilderness of sorts: the nature trail, the beach, the bike path; heck, you could even walk into the trees on property and find a place to relax away from the Disney insanity. Now, it's become a faux wilderness--lots of lovely landscaping and new, lovely cabins, and fancy gas grills. With the advent of Reflections, even more of nature will disappear to be replaced with Disney "charm." I suspect the bike path will return--albeit in about 2-3 years--but much of what made the entire Wilderness Lodge/Fort Wilderness area unique and endearing to so many has been (and will continue to be) dug up, paved over, built upon. Disney now places a premium on new hotels and pushing the boundaries of park crowding--bring on SWGE, eh?

 

[DenLo]

So am I understanding this that everyone thinks that DVC/Disney should leave the trail and the sidewalks open to Ft. Wilderness while construction is going on at the Reflections Resort? As to the security guard, he obviously is needed since there were signs there stating the walkway and road were closed but still someone tried to walk it.

 

[carlbarry]

I just read that the Tri Circle D Ranch would be demolished to make room for Reflections. I enjoyed walking there from VWL, and enjoyed seeing the horses and the farrier. Where will they keep the horses?