Wilderness Lodge Studios

[heathers4um]

Hi All~
I am hoping for a bit of information. I am in search of general information, personal opinions, and possibly some pictures of WL...more specifically the Studios. I am renting DVC points and will be staying there during my vacation in July and was hoping for something more than just what the Disney website has for specifics. We are very excited, and a bit nervous, and since we are used to the Preferred rooms in Deluxe Resorts we thought a Studio would even be better (fingers crossed!). We are renting this time because we are very interested in what the DVC is all about and thought the first place to start looking would be the types of accomodations. Any help/opinions will be greatly appreciated, and any photos someone may be willing to share would top it off!
Thanks so much!
Heather

 

[CarolMN]

Have you seen these?

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_wlv.htm

 

[jarestel]

Well, if you're asking for personal opinions about VWL studios, there are only 2 things better... VWL 1-BRs and VWL 2-BRs.

If you're used to staying in preferred rooms, you MAY miss daily housekeeping. This is available at an additional cost when staying on points, but we don't miss it. One thing to keep in mind though is towels... you'll only get 4 bath towels for the studio, and without washers/dryers in the room, everyone will need to keep track of their "personal" towels. I've heard that there are many clean towels available in the pool area, but nobody here on the DIS would stoop to drying themselves with a "pool" towel. So I don't even know why I mentioned it.

The studios have a mini-fridge and a microwave and all amenities of the WL are available also. I think you will enjoy your time there. Please post after your trip and tell us what you thought of the place.

Have a great trip!

 

[spiceycat]

there is a laundry room - free to guests and members on the first floor - behind the elevators - down the hall way to the left - vending machine and ice maker are in the first room - the washer/dryer are in the second.

they look like you need to put coins in - don't - the machine will run without money.

 

[jarestel]

there is a laundry room - free to guests and members on the first floor - behind the elevators - down the hall way to the left - vending machine and ice maker are in the first room - the washer/dryer are in the second.

they look like you need to put coins in - don't - the machine will run without money.

Exactly! That's what we do too. We spend a couple hours a day out of our vacation time washing and drying bath towels whenever we stay in a studio. We like doing it!

 

[jonestavern]

We just got back from a stay in a studio in VWL. As we usually stay in Disney moderate resorts (at least until our paperwork is finalized and we become DVC members), we can't really offer an opinion in comparison to preferred rooms at deluxe resorts, but we can attest to the peacefulness and comfort of the VWL studios. We're not sure if the place was really desserted or not, but we never heard a thing from any of the nearby rooms... above, across the hall or on either side. The studios are also pretty well appointed (though a DVD player would have been nice) and the Wilderness Lodge itself is truly wonderful. An engaging theme, and lots of comfortable nitches that make it feel homey.

Chris, Jean & Patrick

 

[Pa@okw95]

http://tagrel.com/

 

[Alexander]

The only other thing I can think of other than housekeeping not coming each day, is location of your room. The villas are a little removed from the main building, which we love because it is so quiet there. If your deluxe rooms usually have convenience to restaurants, etc, you will find you'll have a little more of a walk. We personally like the quiet to the hustle and bustle.

Oh, yes, there really aren't great views from the rooms at the VWL because it is set in the rustic, woods of the old northwest. Therefore, you will likely see mostly trees from your balcony. These things don't bother us at all, as we love the themeing and quiet of the villas.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Caskbill]

Oh, yes, there really aren't great views from the rooms at the VWL because it is set in the rustic, woods of the old northwest. Therefore, you will likely see mostly trees from your balcony.

However the hurricanes have opened up the views a little since the resort was first built. We were there in December and there were quite a few downed trees. Hopefully that's all cleaned up by now.

From our room this time we could definitely see the lake, and if I recall, on our first trip there shortly after the resort just opened, we couldn't see the lake from the room because of all the trees.

 

[TandyR]

Oh, yes, there really aren't great views from the rooms at the VWL because it is set in the rustic, woods of the old northwest. Therefore, you will likely see mostly trees from your balcony. These things don't bother us at all, as we love the themeing and quiet of the villas.

Yes you don't have the view of pool or water of some sort...but with the view of the trees you often get to see real live deer outside. I know I have several photos of deer that I have taken from VWL balcony....I get a kick out of it each time and I am from Maine and deer are fairly common up here.

 

[heathers4um]

That sounds wonderful because I, too am from Maine and I moved to Boston 3 yrs ago...I miss the "nature" aspect of it all. Can't wait to get there!!!

 

[lsutigger2]

We had a studio last year. It was on the first floor, 1502/4?? (my feeble brain is failing me at the moment!)
it was a "dedicated" studio, ie there was no other room connected by a door to this studio. Studio + 1 bedroom = 2 bedroom. There was more room. Two closets. We liked it alot. It was down the hall from the elevators, short walk out the sidewalk that goes to the pool or to the boat to the MK. It was also very quiet. As "jonestavern" mentioned, we never heard much from any of the neighbors. The patio faced the walkway to the lodge. One word of caution, be dressed before you open the curtains in the morning. One day I opened the curtain to find the gardeners tending the vegetation!!