Wilderness Lodge vs Wilderness Villas

[wychwood]

I'm looking for a little advice re: WL. My wife and I are taking our two kids ( 12 & 9) and the grandmas (late 60's) to Florida for two weeks in Oct. 2005. The WDW part of the trip will be from Sun. Oct. 16 to Fri Oct. 21. I am undecided as to whether we should book two woods view rooms at the lodge or rent points for a two bdrm. villa. I have read great reviews about WL and the photos look impressive. I 'm just not sure about the villas. They don't look as nice as the BCV or BWV. From what I've heard, the atmosphere and theming at WL is amazing....do you get the same atmosphere at the villas?? Our last trip to WDW we stayed at POR and had an amazing time!! We want to try something a bit different. Any advice/info re: WL would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome to the DIS!!

You are so right, a stay at WL is truely amazing, relaxing, and beautiful.

I haven't stayed at the Villa's, so I can't comment on the rooms. The 2 buildings are right next to each other and share all amenities. All WL rooms have balaconies (patio's on 2nd floor). I do not believe all villa room have balaconies.

Beckie, Magicinmyheart, is a Villa's owner, and has stayed at both many times. Hopefully, she'll catch this post. She is very helpful!

Also, check out the WL faq thread, part 4. There is a TON of useful information and pictures on the first page or two.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[DisneyKidds]

The Villas at the WL are wonderful. Not only is the WL one of the most relaxing resorts on property, in the Villas you have your own little secluded corner of the most relaxing resort.....and it is only a few steps from the main WL building.....and all that is oh, so close to the MK. I wouldn't hesitate to stay in the villas at the WL, and I don't just say that because I own there!!!

A 2 Br for 5 nights (check in Oct 16, check out Oct 21) will run 160 points. At $10 per that is $320 a night. You could spend $160 a night on two rooms for that. I think the 2 br is a much better deal, even though you might find a standard room at the WL for less than $160 during that time. The location is great and the 2 br villa is huge.....with a kitchen and a jacuzzi bath......and health club benefits.......and a washer/dryer....and more. I'd go for it if I were you. The only downside to renting points is limited flexibility to make changes or cancel compared to a regular hotel reservation.......but if your dates are definite I'd give up that flexibility in a heartbeat to get a 2 br villa for $320 a night.

 

[MAC3]

Welcome to the Dis!


I honestly don't know first hand about the villas but we have stayed in the lodge and my DH swears he has no interest in staying in the villas (after staying in the lodge). Ironically, it where we own.



I loved the lodge & the villas looked just as good. I think he just got swept up in opening the door to the room and seeing all that beauty.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

wychwood

WELCOME to the DIS

I have stayed in both the main Lodge and the Villas many, many, times I love them both. As to your question...
Do you get the same atmosphere at the villas??

The Villas have the same design and ambience of the Lodge with a little extra...I feel the furnishings in both the Villas and common areas are more upscale. (Much nicer to me then the other DVC properties but that a personal opinion)

The Villas @ Wilderness Lodge are quiet and very low tempo, compared to the BoardWalk it's a snooze, which I love after a hectic day at the Parks. I am also a member at BWV while I love both Resorts the VWL is my favorite.

It all depends on what feel you want from a resort.

Hope you and your family have a MAGICAL TRIP.

 

[Guads6]

I have stayed at both the Wilderness Lodge in a junior suite and a two bedroom at the villas. After staying in the lodge itself I was a little apprehensive about staying in the villas as it is next to the Lodge and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy that as much. I now love the villas! All the space and surroundings there are remarkable. The villas have their own little lobby with a fireplace and checker boards. There are pictures of Walt Disney on the walls with one of his favorite things, trains. Even rocking chairs outside to relax on. And yet we still could head into the main building to enjoy that too! I have a lot of pictures of this lobby and the surroundings if you would like to see some pictures just pm me and I'd be happy to send them to you!
Maureen

 

[WDWDennis]

I stay at the WLV on almost every trip these days. I have stayed in a 2-bedroom a couple of time and loved it. I would go for that over 2 WL rooms any day!! You get a full kitchen and a livingroom too! The decor, like the previous poster stated, is mucy more upscale than the WL and still keeps the same theme. The lobby is much warmer too. Its hard to explain it, the themeing is roughly the same, but there is somthing extra special too me about the lobby in the VIllas. Its not as grand as the WL one, but very warm. I truly beleive that you would love it there!!

Good luck in whatever you decide!!

 

[Muushka]

I have stayed at WL about 3 times before we bought at VWL. I have stayed there (VWL) about 8 times. I agree with the above posters that VWL is (to me) much nicer than WL. The 2 bedroom would be better than 2 rooms at WL. Full kitchen, laundry..... I could go on, but someone already covered it! As far as the balconies are concerned, we stayed in a 2 bedroom and 2 of the 3 rooms had a balcony. I think there is 'a' studio on each floor that does not have a balcony, but all the other rooms have at least 1 per unit.

Also, as was mentioned, VWL is much more laid back than BWV or BCV or even WL for that matter. I find that there is enough stimulation at the parks, don't need it at the resort too! Good luck with your decision.

 

[TEK224]

I was wondering about this also. I stayed at WL last year and just booked a trip for May 2005. I'm hoping some codes come out for that time, but if not i was thinking of renting points for VWL. From the price I was quoted today, it would be slightly cheaper and I could get a 1 BR instead of just a hotel room.

Is there a separate check-in building for VWL? Also, is there a food court there or do you just go over to the main building. I should have thought to check it out last May, but I didn't.

Thanks.
Terri

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by TEK224
Is there a separate check-in building for VWL? Also, is there a food court there or do you just go over to the main building. I should have thought to check it out last May, but I didn't.

Terri

The check-in is over at the Lodge both Resorts use the same Guest Services, just like BWV & BCV. With a 1-bedroom you would have a full kitchen but no food court at the Villas, just Roaring Fork...you can also call In-Room Dinning if you would like full room-service is available.

 

[hockey mom]

We have the opposite to decide. We spent 3 nights in a 2 bedroom villa and Loved it. I love the fact the the elevators are always free, how quiet the place is, the games in the lobby and how close to everything you still are. We are going back next December and I was thinking I would get 2 rooms in the lodge for the decorations but I think I will seriously miss the space the 2 bedroom provided.

 

[domestic goddess]

We own at VWL and would stay there all the time. There is nothing like the villas after a long day at the parks. We usually go in the winter around the holidays. After a day in the parks we come "Home" and relax with a warm drink by the fireplace, soak in the jacuzzi tub and then enjoy the EWP down at the beach before drifting off to a peaceful slumber.(Kind of corny but you get the idea.) The next day we are refreshed and ready to attack the next park. Another option is to take a nice boat ride to FW for the campfire and movie.

The 2 bedroom has so much more room and convenience than 2 lodge rooms. You actually have 3 rooms as well as the full kitchen and the washer/dryer is great!

We will be there in Dec. again this year enjoying everything that the Lodge and villas have to offer. Which ever you chose, enjoy the Lodge it is a great place to stay!

 

[DisneyKidds]

We are going back next December and I was thinking I would get 2 rooms in the lodge for the decorations but I think I will seriously miss the space the 2 bedroom provided.

Stick with the Villas. You will see plenty of the decorations in the main lobby when you check in, visit guest services, go to any of the shops or restaurants, or just walk over for the sake of walking over. On top of that you'll experience the wonderful decorations in the Villas lobby. They have a beautiful tree and other nice decorations. Sitting by the fire in the Villas lobby is piture perfect. No need to pass on the Villas for holiday decoration reasons. We stay in the VWL every holiday season and it is perfect.

 

[littlestar]

Go for the 2 bedroom at the villas! The lobby there is gorgeous as well. Be sure to look at the small train cars under glass at the villas (they are on loan from the Disney family). They are part of the train set that Walt Disney himself rode around on in his backyard. There are also lots of pictures on the walls of Walt with his beloved trains. I think the villas lobby is extra special because of this.

You will have a king-size bed in the master bedroom, a jacuzzi tub, a separate shower, two sinks, and washer & dryer. Then a living room and kitchen (the living room sofa lets out into a queen bed), and on the 2nd bedroom side you'll have either two queen sized beds (depending on if it's a lockoff or a dedicated two bedroom). If it's a lock-off the 2nd bedroom side will have a queen bed with a pull-out sleeper sofa and the kitchen will have a small fridge, sink, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.

You're just a short (covered walk) to the main lobby at the Wilderness Lodge. The health club is in the villas (which makes it handy if you like to work out).

Best of luck.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Now I am even more excited for this January. We stayed at the Lodge in September and LOVED it! I love WL -- it is so cozy and comfy and magnificantly beautiful! We are staying at the Villas in January and I am even more psyched now!

 

[Pig Pen]

After staying at VWL the past couple trips we are out of points. We booked a woods view at WL on an AP rate for January. I hope we are not disappointed!

I love the villas and WL in general. I suspect we will enjoy the WL no matter what.

It's Disney, isn't it?

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We will be staying at VWL for the first time in just a few weeks! After reading all this, I am very excited! Thanks for the posts, everyone!

To the OP .. welcome!

If you decide to go for the Villas, you are right at the 11 mo. window when an owner can make a resevation for you. You might want to head over to the DVC board and see what you can find. The only drawback I see is if you and your wife take the king bed, the kids on the sleeper in the living room, then the grandmas will be in the studio. They would either be sleeping together or one on the sleeper sofa.. would this be ok? There may be units at VWL with 2 beds in the studio, I am not sure.

 

[wychwood]

Thanks for all the excellent advice. I think we are going to go for the villas. Hopefully I won't have too much trouble renting points. Actually, I'm thinking of renting enough to spend a week at Vero Beach as well !! (the kids have never seen the ocean) Anyone been to Vero Beach??

 

[WDWDennis]

Just another thing I love about the Villas......the walk over to the Villa lodge. I love listening to the music, its just so nostalgic!! You never have a problem with the weather either. It has such a wide roof over it that unless the winds are driving the rain sideways, you never get wet. I also love walking it at night. They have the lanterns that flicker as if they were really candles burning. It all just so.....???.... PERFECT!!! The best thing is, I'll be there in only a few weeks!!