Wilderness Lodge Villas first-timer

[joepoe]

We own at OKW and BWV and love both resorts. Next spring we are doing a 4 day cruise on the Wonder. After the cruise, we will have a BW view at BWV for three nights, and before the cruise we are staying two nights at WLV. We are pretty excited because we never had a BW view before, and we never stayed at Wildnerness Lodge Villas either.
We were wondering what WLV owners favorite thing about their home resort is? What comes to mind first when you start daydreaming of going back Home?

 

[kda]

WL (and the VWL were we own) immediately conjures up peace, serenity, fresh air, quiet, relaxation, and a wonderful vacation. It's been that way for each of our 9 trips. The Villas are even MORE peaceful and serene.!

 

[Muushka]

Snip....
We were wondering what WLV owners favorite thing about their home resort is? What comes to mind first when you start daydreaming of going back Home?

Lets see. Walking into the lobby and taking in the sights and sounds. Then listening for which great piece of music is being played. Then the anticipation of our villa. Then just kicking back and taking it all in. We go home this December and it will have been 1 whole year since we were there.
We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

 

[Luigi's Girl]

The first thing that comes to mind is that feeling you get when you walk into the lobby. Then after check in, the sweet walk to the villas(it's a short walk!) and then walking into the villa lobby. It is so peaceful and beautiful and it's only the beginning to the magical stay that is to come.

 

[DisnutDave@work]

We try to take some time to relax in the Iron Spike room each day. It's part of our therapy of trying to give up our commando-style touring, and it works great!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree about the lobby. It is the best lobby at WDW and the next best would be AKL which was designed by the same person!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Diane,
Is that your home in your siggy ? If so.....looks like you have your very own WL !
I love the WL. When we decide to do an add-on, this is where I want it to be. I love falling asleep to the sounds of the crickets and frogs there......feels like I'm really in the wilderness---except with the added luxury of the villa accomodations.

 

[dsneygirl]

The boat to MK. It is so relaxing after a busy day in the parks. Also take the trail to Ft Wilderness it feels like you are in another world.

 

[sleepydog25]

1) The Aaron Copland (and various other majestic pieces from westerns) music
2) The jaw-dropping lobby
3) The springs in the lobby
4) The relative peace and quiet
5) Walking through/sitting in the Iron Spike room (it's the lobby at the Villas building--no check-in desk or CMs, just a relaxing place to read, have a drink, play checkers, sit by the fire, etc.)
6) The Hidden Springs pool and bubbling spa
7) Artist Point--superb on-site restaurant with topnotch menu, wine list, and service
8) The boat ride to MK
9) The jetted tub in the master bath
10) The running trail to FW (most people walk, but I'm a runner )
aw: aw: aw: aw: aw:

 

[joepoe]

This is sounding better and better. Is there a bar that serves adult bevvies? Is that the Iron Spike?

 

[Lesley]

There is a lounge just off the main WL lobby...right before Artist Point. There's a really cool ceiling in there that looks like a map. The villas don't have their own lounge, though you could easily take your drink of choice from your villa and go on down to the Iron Spike Room for a game of checkers.

I love the villas lobby...and the pools...the geyser....just the all around atmosphere of the WL. But the villas are just special and feel like home. I highly recommend dinner at Artist Point too.

As for the daydreaming test....ah, lets see....I think of going out onto my balcony with a view of the woods....having that relaxed and isolated feeling, but knowing I'm only minutes from the Magic Kingdom by boat. Taking the boat back and forth to the Magic Kingdom really gives the feeling that you're in a different world.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I go to the lodge find an out of the way rocking chair that looks out on the lake and read and daydream. Saw a bald eagle once.

I always detour to go over the little bridge in the lobby, gosh I LOVE that place.

Bobbi

 

[Jimbo]

I like that WLV is part of WL, but also entirely separate from it. WL's got a jaw-dropping lobby, but it can be noisy and chaotic there too. WLV, OTOH, is really peaceful, and feels like a refuge from some of the craziness.

We use WLV's pool more often than the main pool. The kids (8 and 11) turned their noses up at the main pool's slide, because they said it's too tame. But they like the WLV pool, and it's always got plenty of elbow room.

They love the hot tub at the WLV too. It's got powerful jets that work in a circular pattern, and the kids float and let the current circle them around the spa. They've killed many an hour that way.

The WLV has an excellent fitness center. I was surprised at how nice it is.

 

[sleepydog25]

This is sounding better and better. Is there a bar that serves adult bevvies? Is that the Iron Spike?

The bar is called Territory Lounge, and as mentioned, sits just off the main lobby. It is adjacent to AP, so you can have a drink or two before your dinner. The Iron Spike room is the secondary lobby you enter when going into the Villas building. It's not nearly so big as the main lobby, but as Jimbo mentions, VWL is much, much quieter. And that includes Hidden Springs pool. It's nice to have the amenties of WL proper but being able to escape to the Villas when it's time to really unwind. aw:

 

[jimmytammy]

There are so many things that evoke the senses at WL/VWL.

For me at this moment(of insomnia ) walking into the lobby of WL and being awed once again at its very being. Remembering to soak in the music of those old westerns. Rubbing Humphreys nose on the totem pole as we round the corner of Guest Services. Then passing by the activity of the Mercantile, realizing they will have something new that we know will go home with us.

Making that trek(and it is a short one) towards the villas, peering towards the busses that will soon carry us to those wonderful theme parks that drew us in here to begin with. And imagining all the fun days ahead re-discovering the parks.

And once those doors open to the villas, we again are transformed to another world, one of tranquility and peace. Step foot into the lobby, and breathe in. The smell, one of wood, almost like Christmas time, picking out that just right tree. That smell, stays in my thoughts even when Im not there. Its one of the little things, that can tell me in my mind, "your'e home now".

Spending relaxing time in the Iron Spike Room, drinking hot chocolate, curled up in a leather rocker, eventually falling asleep by the fire. The kids enjoy playing checkers here. And feeling a little bit like Uncle Walt may be there with you in that room, admiring his train from back home.

The quiteness of unloading from the boat after a day at MK, only to be interrupted by the sounds of crickets as you round the corner near the Hidden Springs pool. And keep an eye open for pawprints along the path. The day is winding down as the lamps flicker. This can mean one thing, another peaceful day in the World is coming to an end.

Have Fun and take it all in!!

 

[iankh]

Here's a favorite of mine, especially if you're an early riser (I am), in the morning grab a cup of coffee and head down to one of the rockers or chairs on the "porch" of the villas. I like sitting off to the side. It is quiet and peaceful. Enjoy the scent of the trees, the sound of the breeze through the branches and just relax.

 

[Granny]

There are so many things that evoke the senses at WL/VWL.

For me at this moment(of insomnia ) walking into the lobby of WL and being awed once again at its very being. Remembering to soak in the music of those old westerns. Rubbing Humphreys nose on the totem pole as we round the corner of Guest Services. Then passing by the activity of the Mercantile, realizing they will have something new that we know will go home with us.

Making that trek(and it is a short one) towards the villas, peering towards the busses that will soon carry us to those wonderful theme parks that drew us in here to begin with. And imagining all the fun days ahead re-discovering the parks.

And once those doors open to the villas, we again are transformed to another world, one of tranquility and peace. Step foot into the lobby, and breathe in. The smell, one of wood, almost like Christmas time, picking out that just right tree. That smell, stays in my thoughts even when Im not there. Its one of the little things, that can tell me in my mind, "your'e home now".

Spending relaxing time in the Iron Spike Room, drinking hot chocolate, curled up in a leather rocker, eventually falling asleep by the fire. The kids enjoy playing checkers here. And feeling a little bit like Uncle Walt may be there with you in that room, admiring his train from back home.

The quiteness of unloading from the boat after a day at MK, only to be interrupted by the sounds of crickets as you round the corner near the Hidden Springs pool. And keep an eye open for pawprints along the path. The day is winding down as the lamps flicker. This can mean one thing, another peaceful day in the World is coming to an end.

Have Fun and take it all in!!

I cannot add anything to this wonderful account of the ambience of the WL/VWL resort. Wonderfully written, jimmytammy!!

I suppose I could point out that since adult libation appears to have some importance, that there is a nice bar by the main pool as well!

Enjoy!

 

[jiggerj]

There are so many things that evoke the senses at WL/VWL.

For me at this moment(of insomnia ) walking into the lobby of WL and being awed once again at its very being. Remembering to soak in the music of those old westerns. Rubbing Humphreys nose on the totem pole as we round the corner of Guest Services. Then passing by the activity of the Mercantile, realizing they will have something new that we know will go home with us.

Making that trek(and it is a short one) towards the villas, peering towards the busses that will soon carry us to those wonderful theme parks that drew us in here to begin with. And imagining all the fun days ahead re-discovering the parks.

And once those doors open to the villas, we again are transformed to another world, one of tranquility and peace. Step foot into the lobby, and breathe in. The smell, one of wood, almost like Christmas time, picking out that just right tree. That smell, stays in my thoughts even when Im not there. Its one of the little things, that can tell me in my mind, "your'e home now".

Spending relaxing time in the Iron Spike Room, drinking hot chocolate, curled up in a leather rocker, eventually falling asleep by the fire. The kids enjoy playing checkers here. And feeling a little bit like Uncle Walt may be there with you in that room, admiring his train from back home.

The quiteness of unloading from the boat after a day at MK, only to be interrupted by the sounds of crickets as you round the corner near the Hidden Springs pool. And keep an eye open for pawprints along the path. The day is winding down as the lamps flicker. This can mean one thing, another peaceful day in the World is coming to an end.

Have Fun and take it all in!!

WOW!! You definately just put me in daydream land! That was wonderfully well done! Thanks for sharing!

 

[wkrider]

As the rest have stated, just walking into the lobby and soaking up the atmosphere is the best way to start the stay. I love walking the wilderness paths between WLV and wilderness campground. We walk it in the early mornings and evenings and always see wildlife....deer, rabbits, possums, frogs, birds....etc. Last time we saw an entire family of deer and got some great pictures. Have a great stay.

 

[ryanmilla]

I'm heading 'home' in Dec and like the OP, it will be our first stay in VWL, so this thread is fantastic. I'm sitting here reading all of these posts and just saying to myself "aaaahhhhhhhhh". You guys are really putting me in the mood for this trip and upping (is that even a word ) the excitement level for VWL.

Thanks a lot and like the OP said, "keep them coming"!