Wilderness Lodge Villas

[etemplet]

We are just beginning our Disney love affair and have never been to the Wilderness Lodge or Villas. I am wondering if that would be a nice place to take the Granddaughter at the end of May. She is 6 years old. I love the look of the place from the pictures. We just purchased DVC at Bay Lake Towers. I plan on using points to stay at VWL. I'm thinking studio as opposed to a one bedroom. The other resort we are considering is the BoardWalk but I like the decor of VWL, it looks like a trip back in time with all the niceities of the 21st century.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Granny]

I'm somewhat biased (see my signature below) but I think you'll love VWL. It is a great place to come back to after the hustle and bustle of the parks. The theming of the Lodge and the amenities are wonderful. And they have fun activities for the little ones like a Hidden Mickey hunt, duck races and poolside activities similar to the other resorts.

The lobby is impressive and you would have easy access to the rollicking Whispering Canyon Cafe and one of the better counter service places in Roaring Fork. The boat ride to MK is an attraction in itself.

We really enjoy BWV too, and you can't go wrong there. In fact, you really can't go wrong with any DVC resort at WDW. But if you're leaning towards VWL, I think you'll enjoy it!

 

[spiceycat]

now love VWL - but for a 6 year old would go with BLT. walking to the MK can not be beat.

and it is faster to walk over than to take the monrail. when leaving the monrail is a little faster but not much. also depends upon which exit you take. if you take the one near the buses just walk back.

 

[horselover]

I'm somewhat biased (see my signature below) but I think you'll love VWL. It is a great place to come back to after the hustle and bustle of the parks. The theming of the Lodge and the amenities are wonderful. And they have fun activities for the little ones like a Hidden Mickey hunt, duck races and poolside activities similar to the other resorts.

The lobby is impressive and you would have easy access to the rollicking Whispering Canyon Cafe and one of the better counter service places in Roaring Fork. The boat ride to MK is an attraction in itself.

We really enjoy BWV too, and you can't go wrong there. In fact, you really can't go wrong with any DVC resort at WDW. But if you're leaning towards VWL, I think you'll enjoy it!

I agree with Granny, but you'll notice by my signature I too could be a bit biased. However, since I do own points at both resorts you mentioned I think I can give a fair assessment.

The MK is just a short boat ride away. Lots of things to do for kids around the resort. You can also rent surreys & bike down to the FW campground to view the animals or just because it's a beautiful path through the woods. You can also rent surreys at BWV but personally I think the ride is nicer going to FW vs. just biking around Crescent Lake.

As Granny said you can't go wrong with either choice but I vote for VWL.

Enjoy!

 

[etemplet]

I want her to have fun doing things other than the parks. I noticed some of the resorts really cater to kids and we like to take interesting walks in the evenings.

 

[eliza61]

I agree with Granny, but you'll notice by my signature I too could be a bit biased. However, since I do own points at both resorts you mentioned I think I can give a fair assessment.


As Granny said you can't go wrong with either choice but I vote for VWL.

Enjoy!

I'm somewhat biased (see my signature below) but I think you'll love VWL. It is a great place to come back to after the hustle and bustle of the parks. The theming of the Lodge and the amenities are wonderful. And they have fun activities for the little ones like a Hidden Mickey hunt, duck races and poolside activities similar to the other resorts.

!

What, did we move over here now? LOL.

Op, my family and I love WL. In a word it is spectacular!! As others have said the theming is great and it literally takes you into another "world". Look in the walkway and you'll find moose tracks, listen to the music-absolutely compliments the lodge. And its funny but IMO the way the lobby is designed even when its at full capacity it never seems crowded.

The boat ride to the MK is a ride all in itself.

Can you tell I love this resort.

The only warning I will give is that many folks find the theme a bit "dark".

 

[horselover]

What, did we move over here now? LOL.

Just spreading the love around Eliza!

 

[Bonnie151]

We LOVE the WL & just bought into VWL! We took our (then) 5 year old DD & 8 year old DS to WL and they had a great time! As others have mentioned, the boats to the MK/FW/Contemporary are great, and it's a nice walk through the woods to FW - we went along one day and visited the horses in their barn. The CM there let us into the barn and introduced the horses to the children. There's also the movies on the beach which is nice at night.

 

[etemplet]

Thanks so much for the input. I might bring my overalls along. LOL Sounds like Wilderness Lodge is a theme park in itself. I'm learning that planning these vacations is half the fun !! Kinda like a date with your best girl.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Well... you might think I'm biased by my signature, but i'm not. A six year old is going to much more love VWL. I think of BWV is a more mature cultural experience. Go with VWL.

 

[jimmytammy]

Another vote for VWL. Like many here, I am biased, but its like being stuck in a Gunsmoke episode except without the gunfights

Seriously, there is lots for kids to do here and the theming is over the top but in a good way.

 

[Golden Rose]

We own at BWV, and love it, but we stayed at VWL with our kids for the first time in October, and loved it, too. (Our son's favorite is actually AKV, and when we're doing vacations focused more on the resort than the parks, we usually stay there.)

I think VWL is more fun for kids, much as my son enjoys the entertainers on the Boardwalk. He loved, loved, loved the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. He liked roasting marshmallows on the beach in the evening. He loved exploring the resort, and seeing the geyser go off.

I don't think you can go wrong with VWL.

 

[SEC71]

VWL is my vote, my almost 4 year old lives it! Running across the bridge in the lobby, watching the geyser, walking around the grounds and taking the boat to MK. The best thing about BLT is being able to walk to MK. We stayed there last October and one time was enough. We were not impressed.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have you decided? Here's another vote for VWL! Reading the post above, just made me smile! I spent part of the early morning watching the geyser and seeing the kids enjoy the lobby is fun for me too!

 

[etemplet]

Looks like we're gonna do VWL. Any suggestions of a room location to ask for. I'm thinking we'll do a studio but the 1 bedroom is tempting. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Muushka]

Looks like we're gonna do VWL. Any suggestions of a room location to ask for. I'm thinking we'll do a studio but the 1 bedroom is tempting. Thanks for all the input.

Great choice! Not that I am biased (like my buds above ).

No suggestions for room location, but splurge on the 1 BR. I hope you love it as much as the rest of us!

 

[JJSWDW]

We have a 7 year old who has been to many of the DVC resorts and VWL is still his favorite. We will be back there really soon and we are all looking forward to it. Being in the woods and close to the campground is fun and kind of an adventure for younger ones.

It is our home resort too, though we tend to get around. However we never mind getting "stuck" at VWL.

Also, we got our points thinking we'd get studios most of the time but after getting a one bedroom, it's hard to go back. We like having the laundry because we only need to pack a third to half as many clothes.

Enjoy!!

 

[Sleclerc]

Hi everyone, Im booked for a week during 6/15-6/22 at the VWL. I think my room is 14F..does anyone know anything about this room? Also this is our first time there. DOes anyone know if friends can come visit for the day and use the pool with us?

Any other pointers are welcomed. Thank you..

 

[Golden Rose]

Your friends are allowed to come visit, but they aren't supposed to use the pool. If you're not doing the dining plan, depending on the number of friends coming to visit, you might be able to add them to the room reservation (a free way to make the pool visit legitimate.) You could also try asking a cast member on the day of the visit, and they might be willing to work with you if the pool isn't crowded. But the official policy is no guests, unless they are DVC members staying on points, in which case they can pool hop to some pools.

 

[Muushka]

Hi everyone, Im booked for a week during 6/15-6/22 at the VWL. I think my room is 14F..does anyone know anything about this room? Also this is our first time there. DOes anyone know if friends can come visit for the day and use the pool with us?

Any other pointers are welcomed. Thank you..

Are you sure you are staying at VWL? They don't pre-assign rooms and there is no 14F

Enjoy our favorite resort!