Wilderness Lodge Pros & Cons

[Bouncin-Tigger]

Just changed a reservation for next year to stay at the VWL and pretty excited about it. Have stayed there few years back but only for one night. Looking for a few helpful hints and pros and cons on the resort, dining, transportation and misc. We just completed our 2nd stay at the boardwalk and never knew til this time that a hallway that long existed, so any good info would be appreciated....thanks!

 

[bom_noite]

Just changed a reservation for next year to stay at the VWL and pretty excited about it. Have stayed there few years back but only for one night. Looking for a few helpful hints and pros and cons on the resort, dining, transportation and misc. We just completed our 2nd stay at the boardwalk and never knew til this time that a hallway that long existed, so any good info would be appreciated....thanks!

I must admit I have never stayed WL or VWL. But, hands down it is my favorite resort to just stroll around in!

If you have kids - Whispering Canyon Cafe is a must. But, I would opt to go for dinner! It is much more fun the busier it is.

I like taking the Resort Tours done by Cast Members. My MIL and I did it a few times and really enjoyed it. Kids, on the other hand, may see it as a bit lame - Kids are not as interested in architecture, building concepts, history, etc.

Enjoy the subtleties and theming. Everywhere you look seems to be a hidden gem! This is Imagineering at it's finest!

I love the boat ride to MK!


I hope that helps - maybe it was not what you were after? I will stay there one day - I swear!

 

[eporter66]

We stayed at WL in 2003, and it was one of the reasons we joined DVC - we were very impressed. It's a great place.

We love the pool and the geyser out back. Having the water run from the lobby down the falls and into the pool is great. The lobby is very impressive!

We have a reservation at Whispering Canyon on our upcoming trip (a week from today!!!), and have heard great things. Although we have not had dinner at Artists Point since 2006 - we went a few years in a row and always had a great/interesting meal.

Easy to get over to the Transportation area (monorail etc...) plus you have to do the boat ride over to MK.

Fantastic resort - I am a Disney Homer, but there are no cons in my book when it comes to WL. As a matter of fact, I would love to get back there for a stay!

 

[OurDogCisco]

We loved VWL when we stayed there Dec 2006. I don't know what has changed but the 2 things we liked were the quick transportation to MK and the theme. However, transportation to the DHS, Epcot & AK could be a little slower as you picked up guests at Fort Wilderness so, just be prepared. Hopefully, they have improved that part. We've eaten at both Whispering Canyon and Artist Point and love the food. We also like Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner near Fort Wilderness. Great dinner with really cute entertainment. In fact, we loved the Fort Wilderness area and would to explore the area more next time around. We also, loved the playground they had you could play tether ball which my kids loved. The grounds are just amazing. Here are my pictures of the resort when we went in 2006: http://travel.webshots.com/album/556864466iJOWDk

 

[cvjw]

Only con is picking up guests from Fort Wilderness before the bus takes you to EPCOT, DHS, or AK. That adds extra time onto each bus ride. Love everything else - the pool, the lobby, the restaurants, the theming and the boat ride to MK. It is one of our home resorts. We just stayed there last week after not being there for a couple of years - we loved it so much that we decided to stay there again next Sept. We rented bikes and sea racers this trip and had a ball.

 

[smjj]

From a DVC point of view I just wish they had 3 bedroom grand villas. This is by far my favorite resort and our next trip is at BLT in a grand villa. We are a party of 10(family trip). I would have loved to have been able to book us all into a grand villa there. I can't think of anything I don't like about the place....smjj

 

[McCrae]

I agree with the positive comments on the resort common areas, really liked the theme of the resort. The gym is great.
I was though disappointed in the rooms at VWL thought they seemed small and dark compared to other resorts.
I prefer the layout of the newer DVC properties.

 

[csharpwv]

We Honeymooned at Wilderness Lodge in 2006
Took my parents to Wilderness Lodge in 2008
Spent one night at VWL in 2009

WE LOVE WL & VWL!!!!!

It is the absolute BEST resort on ALL of Disney Property (IMHO!)

The dining options are fantastic - the proximity of the two pools and three hot tubs is AMAZING - the ability to take a boat to the Magic Kingdom is magical - and the whole atmosphere of the resort is superb!

We really feel like we are transported to a totally different place - completely relaxing, away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

YES, the hallways at VWL can be long - but not nearly as long as at other DVC resorts where we have stayed before.

Also you can really get the value out of refillable resort mugs at VWL because no matter where you are you are CLOSE to Roaring Forks.

BE SURE to make an ADR at Whispering Canyon. Whispering Canyon is GREAT for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

We aren't even staying a VWL on our upcoming trip - but we still have 2 ADR's for Whispering Canyon - it's our favorite!

 

[dsneygirl]

I like that it feels compact and intimate. The villas pool is great, we actually spent most of our time there last trip rather than the big pool.

Roaring Fork has a nice selection of sandwiches and salads as an alternative to all the chicken fingers and hot dogs.

I guess the only con would be sometimes you share a bus but it's usually still pretty quick.

 

[wildernessDad]

It's my absolute favorite. Personally, I see no cons.

 

[Muushka]

It's my absolute favorite. Personally, I see no cons.

But it could be argued that we are a tad biased.

 

[gkrykewy]

Ironic Muushka that the political elements in your signature imply denial of climate change (this is solely a political position, not a scientific one), which threatens so many of the wild places from which the wilderness lodge derives its theming.

Anyway, fabulous resort, stayed there for our honeymoon, can't wait to go back.

 

[Sammie]

Cons:
Transportation to the other parks. Boats to MK are fabulous.

At times especially during the hot summer months the theme is not my favorite. Kinda hard to appreciate the fireplaces when it's a 100 degrees outside.

The main pool is not large enough for Lodge, DVC and pool freeloaders.

 

[twinklebug]

Guys... stop! PMs exist so that we don't let everyone know that VWL is the most perfect of all the DVC resorts .
Do we really want it to get even harder to book rooms at VWL for those prime weeks? Better turn this one around fast... lets see... cons... cons... ok, got it:

I heard there were 3 cons who escaped from the local high security prison . Apparently they had been caught and convicted on a variety of felonies including, but not limited to bringing pool towels back to their rooms, re-use of refillable mugs past their original checkout date, renting and using wheelchairs when not needed, parking over at the boardwalk for access to EPCOT when not staying on Disney property and a good many other heinous crimes.

It seems that, after their escape, they stole a watermouse and hid over on old Discovery island tying the boat up in the tall reeds on the island. They hid all day and at night all 3 would pile into that 1 poor watermouse and float over to the wilderness lodge villas. When there they'd first refill their non-refillable mugs, then would proceed to use the quiet pool's hot tub to bathe in, removed towels from the pool area, and would end their evening by lounging around sleeping in the villa's lobby and iron spike rooms sleeping, playing checkers and rocking in front of the fire places.

They never did catch the escapees and rumor has it they can still be found in the villas on some nights hogging the laundry machines and stealing mickey soaps from the housekeeping carts.

VWL - scary scary place, you don't want to be there.

How's that?

 

[jimmytammy]

I will add as a VWL owner, All pros, only one con...having to depart

 

[dgaston]

twinklebug:

 

[mac_tlc]

We love the theme of WLV, especially at Christmas. The only con we found is that it can be a very loooooooong walk to your car -- if you have one. Especially in the summer heat.

mac_tlc

 

[disneygirlmass]

A must do at the Wilderness Lodge is eating at Whispering Canyon, regardless if you have kids or not, its hands down one of the most entertaining restaurants (aside from the Hoop Dee Doo). Also, don't miss the geyser down near the boats that goes off every hour. As for transportation, the boat is convenient to ride over to the Magic Kingdom. I prefer the boats over the bus system, so I would also take it to the Magic Kingdom to hop on the monorial and go over to Epcot.

 

[ransom]

Wilderness Lodge is the perfect resort in every way. For starters, it's small, it's out of the way but just a boat ride away from MK, it's very highly themed, and it's very relaxing.

I've never had a problem there at all. But the most common complaints I read on here are about the bus service (which is shared with Fort Wilderness or Grand Floridian, depending on where you're going), the boat service (too slow, too infrequent), the decor (the rooms are too dark), and the counter service restaurant (too small, too few tables, too dark of a dining area, not enough food variety).

 

[ccigliano]

Guys... stop! PMs exist so that we don't let everyone know that VWL is the most perfect of all the DVC resorts .
Do we really want it to get even harder to book rooms at VWL for those prime weeks? Better turn this one around fast... lets see... cons... cons... ok, got it:

I heard there were 3 cons who escaped from the local high security prison . Apparently they had been caught and convicted on a variety of felonies including, but not limited to bringing pool towels back to their rooms, re-use of refillable mugs past their original checkout date, renting and using wheelchairs when not needed, parking over at the boardwalk for access to EPCOT when not staying on Disney property and a good many other heinous crimes.

It seems that, after their escape, they stole a watermouse and hid over on old Discovery island tying the boat up in the tall reeds on the island. They hid all day and at night all 3 would pile into that 1 poor watermouse and float over to the wilderness lodge villas. When there they'd first refill their non-refillable mugs, then would proceed to use the quiet pool's hot tub to bathe in, removed towels from the pool area, and would end their evening by lounging around sleeping in the villa's lobby and iron spike rooms sleeping, playing checkers and rocking in front of the fire places.

They never did catch the escapees and rumor has it they can still be found in the villas on some nights hogging the laundry machines and stealing mickey soaps from the housekeeping carts.

VWL - scary scary place, you don't want to be there.

How's that?

I couldn't agree with this post more. WL and WLV are just terrible. Why would anyone want to stay in the middle of the woods overlooking a lake, with a geiser out back. The hallways are always freezing and the fireplaces are just too warm. The deer running through the woods while I drink my coffee on the balcony are just a nuissance. Oh - and let's not forget the racket outside at about 9:35 every night. Good luck trying to get the kiddies to sleep early. The lobby and rooms are just too warm and cozy and sitting by the fireplace on a chilly December evening is just a waste of time. I just can't see how anyone could want to stay there. Enjoy your stay!