Wilderness Lodge vs. The Villas

[Dopey Sharon]

I have the opportunity to change my reservations at the Wilderness Lodge to a one bedroom at the Wilderness Villas. A friend at work is a DVC member and has points to use by December. She won't be using them and offered them to me. My DH has always wanted to stay at the Lodge. This trip is a surprise for his 45th birthday. (We are going the first week in December, so all the Christmas decorations will be up). To those who have stayed at both...where should I stay? She is giving me a really good price to rent the points...comes out to $120 a night. One one hand, I want to stay at the Lodge, since that's where he has always wanted to stay, but on the other hand, that floor plan of the one bedroom villa looks really nice.

 

[Regina]

It's a no-brainer for me, take the Villa. That's an excellent price.

You'll have the jacuzzi, a living room, kitchen, washer/dryer, and the king bed in the master bedroom.

The atrium in the Villas is lovely. They also decorate it for the holidays with a beautiful tree that has about a zillion white lights.

Just realize that you don't have daily maid service with DVC.

 

[kda]

If you really want a water view, book a courtyard room at WL. There's just no guarantee where your room will be at the villas, although you can request a water view room. Or, if you need daily maid service, stay in WL.

If the view isn't so important, take the villas. The space is a special kind of luxury. Guaranteed King bed in the villas, jacuzzi, wonderful big shower. Your DH may not appreciate the W/D and kitchen, but it's great to have the refrig and have plenty of ice, beverages, snacks, a place for any leftovers, etc. And you only have to pack 1/2 as many clothes with the W/D. There's a great room to relax in on the first floor, with the most incredible chairs, and the spa/exercize room is also there. It's a few steps to the bus and five minutes to the boat.

Just a couple minutes to the WL, where you can enjoy all the nooks and crannies and the gorgeous lobby.

Oh, yes, that price is phenomenal!!!!

Have a great trip!

 

[Synonymous]

Would you rather be crammed into a hotel room, or stay in a space as big as a small apartment (for less money)? The Villas are beautiful, relaxing, convenient. You get a jacuzzi in your room. The washer and dryer mean you don't have to pack as much.

And it's not like you're at a whole different hotel- you'll still be in the main lodge every single day as you go to restaurants, front desk, or just to hang out. The walk from the Villas is no longer than walking down a hallway at most hotels.

I love staying in the Lodge- I love staying in the Villas even more. Same experience; bigger room.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Don't be insane - take the 1 Br Villa!!! Your friend is giving you an incredible deal and you will probably never get another chance to stay in such incredible accomodations for such a rediculous price. Having all that space, a separate master br with a jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, washer/dryer.............for $120 a night. I'll say it again, don't be insane - take it!

Now that I have that out of my system, here are more reasons why I'd take it. First off, you won't lose that feeling of staying in the "Lodge". You check in the same place and share all the same WL facilities. When staying in the villas you just go down a nice covered walkway to the villa building instead of getting in an elevator in the Lodge and going down a hall. Then, when you get to the villas building you find yourself in a cozy, relaxing place that is mere steps from the "Lodge". The villas building has it's own lobby with cozy fireplace and the Spike room, a nice place to sit and relax. Your room will be a thousand times better than a regular room at the lodge. You will be close to the Hidden Springs pool and spa (the quiet pool and hot tub - which has to be one of the most relaxing places in any Disney resort). There is simply no down side to taking the 1 Br villa. Worst case is you are at the end of the hall (a little longer walk) and have a woods view. You could have a long walk and a woods view in the lodge as well.

Well, there is one down side to taking the 1 Br villa - it will spoil you for any regular Disney hotel room.

 

[Jenn]

IMHO, you are still staying at the "lodge". The buildings are connected by a short breezeway. You share the lobby, restuarants, pools, gift shop, etc.

We own DVC and trust me you won't be disapointed with the Villas.

 

[MikeScott8]

I would vote for the 1 bedroom villa at VWL as well.

Here is a link to a photo tour of a 1br. be warned it has lots of pictures so if you are on dialup it may take some time to download.

VWL 1br tour

And from the last two pics from that tour. I would say the woods view is pretty nice and relaxing. I know I enjoyed the balcony each morning listening to the birds and watching the steam rise off the pool.

Mike

 

[Dopey Sharon]

My friend is calling them, as I type this. Keep your fingers crossed that there is availablilty for my dates, please!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Just got off the phone with her...there is availability, but because Old Key West is her home, she can't book until May 5. The woman said that, since it's a slow time, and looking at last year, we shouldn't have a problem, but she can't guarantee a room. You can bet we'll be on the phone May 5th. Thanks to all who replied...I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[Muushka]

she can't book until May 5

Ouch, does that mean that you will be checking out on December 5th? If so, I would not count on getting that VWL reservation.
That is a very popular time of year for that resort, actually for most of the DVC resorts. We own there and call day by day at the 11 month window. Would you consider staying at OKW instead? She can book that now, right?

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Yes, we would be arriving on the 30th of November and checking out on December 5th. The woman on the phone told my friend that it's a slow time and she could probably it. I'm not cancelling my reservation for the room at the Lodge until I know for sure if this will work. Either way, I'm happy to be staying there (a lot happier if I can get the one bedroom at the Villas, though! ) Yes, she can book OKW now, but I want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge. Thanks for the info!

 

[Muushka]

Great plan, Dopey Sharon. We bought DVC there just to be able to stay at the Christmas season. The reason that the DVC properties are so difficult to book during that time period is because the point usage is much lower than other times of the year (it is 'value season'), and the crowds are low, and it is decorated up for the holiday.

Good luck in your plans, you never know, there might be a cancellation!

 

[Jenn]

1st week of December is a slow time for WDW but, it is one of the lowest point times for DVC members, so it tends to be a busy time for DVC bookings. We are going the exact same dates as you DopeySharon. My sister is getting married in the Wedding Pavillion on 12/3. We are staying at Boardwalk, which is our home resort and we booked it right when our 11 month window opened which was in January. (DVC members can book at their home resort 11 months out and at any other DVC resort 7 months out).

I know you really want WL - so I agree with you - keep your other reservation for now. Then, in May, if your friend can get the villa, cancel the cash room and get your deposit back. That way, you are covered no matter what.

If your friend isn't successful at first, she can go on a waitlist to see if a cancellation opens up availablity for you, but at least you will have another reservation just in case.

 

[Synonymous]

Also, there's no reason your friend can't call Member Services now to get an idea what the availability looks like for that time frame. If it's booked solid already, you know you might have a hard time (although things always change so you shouldn't give up hope.) If it's not full yet, chances are pretty good for availability at the 7-month window.

Alot of members make reservations at their home resorts at 11 months, just in case, then at 7 months try to switch into another resort. So, rooms could open up at 7 months even if they aren't available now.

 

[twinmomto3boys]

We LOVE the villas. You would be crazy not to take this opportunity!

 

[Lou-Ann]

I would go for the Villa. You will have the best of both worlds. You can always enjoy the benefits of the beautiful lobby etc and retreat to your own little world.Have a wonderful time.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by Synonymous
Also, there's no reason your friend can't call Member Services now to get an idea what the availability looks like for that time frame. If it's booked solid already, you know you might have a hard time (although things always change so you shouldn't give up hope.) If it's not full yet, chances are pretty good for availability at the 7-month window.

Alot of members make reservations at their home resorts at 11 months, just in case, then at 7 months try to switch into another resort. So, rooms could open up at 7 months even if they aren't available now.

She called yesterday and the woman said that, as of right now, there is availability, but she can't guarantee it will still be there when she calls back on May 5th. It does make sense, that if there's availability now, and it can be booked already and isn't, there's a good chance I will get it. (Does that make sense? lol). This is going to be a long 2 1/2 months! MikeScott...after seeing your pics of the villa...I REALLY want to stay there! Thanks, everyone!

 

[MikeScott8]

Originally posted by Dopey Sharon
It does make sense, that if there's availability now, and it can be booked already and isn't, there's a good chance I will get it.

somewhat but not everyone is sure of thier dates right at 11 months and can know before the 7 month mark. Like My DW and I are taking her sisters down next Jan. But we will not have the dates we want until DSIL nad her DBF get a week off in Jan. They can't make thier requests until March sometime.

Originally posted by Dopey Sharon
This is going to be a long 2 1/2 months!

I agree that waiting is hard. But I think we are all sending a little pixie dust your way to help you experience the Villas!

Originally posted by Dopey Sharon
MikeScott...after seeing your pics of the villa...I REALLY want to stay there!

GOOD that was the idea

Trust me, you will enjoy VWL and you still will be in WL almost everyday. We were!

Mike

 

[erikthewise]

Just so you know...
your friend is really doing you a favor. If she were to rent the points to someone else, she could get around $220/night, not $120. And if anyone pays rack rate cash for a 1BR villa, it's in the neighborhood of $400/night.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Thanks for all the replies. I know she is doing me a BIG favor and saving me a LOT of money! What makes the wait even harder is, this is a surprise for my husband. I've almost slipped, already, a couple times!