Wilderness Lodge???

[disney fan 1994]

Hey everyone!! We just booked 5 nights at DWL, we have never stayed there before does anyone have some tips for us. This trip is in September and we are not doing the usual Disney trip. This one is going to be more relaxed and only 2 parks. (MK and Epcot) We were booked for HH but changed our minds and decided to go back to Disney. Thanks for any tips or advice you may have for 4 first time stayers at wilderness lodge.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you staying in the Villas at WL? Or WL? VWL is small and compact and views are not really much to write about. Mostly woods, woods and woods.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We love the Wilderness Lodge. Since this is on a DVC thread and you mentioned HH, I'm assuming you're staying at the Villas. Even better.

We find the villas, particularly if you are in a room facing the woods, to be very relaxing. Everything just quiets down as you head to the villas.

Both pools are good. The quiet pool is usually definitely calmer. Sometimes we just take the boat to/from the campground just to take in the fun of being on the lake. Sometimes we'll catch the monorail by taking the boat to the Contemporary. Then we'll go have Tonga Toast at the Polynesian - and ride back to the Contemporary again. Others might find this boring, but we like to just relax and take it easy sometimes, and this makes an unrushed, against the crowd-flow morning.

If it's not too hot, it's fun to rent bikes or a surrey. You can also walk the path through the woods to the campground and back.

We like to rent the watermice (old name I think) - we prefer to go to the Grand Floridian for that because then we can race around in front of the castle. While there, we stroll around the resort. Eating lunch in the cafe is unhurried, or you can get food from Gasparilla's and eat outside.

We also love just poking around upstairs in the lodge. There are wonderful nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy the lake view or to curl up with a book in the reading area - reminds you of being at a national park.

The Comtemporary has a nice bar with a view of the lake, if you want to get a quiet drink. Artist's Point is a great place to eat. At night we like to go to the Poly or the GF to watch the fireworks if we don't want to deal with the MK crowds. The electric parade is fun to watch from the WL beach. Kids really enjoy just hanging out at the playground there waiting for it all to begin.

The longer we've been DVC members, the more we find we want to dip into the parks, but keep a slower pace. We're not bored yet.

Have fun!

 

[disney fan 1994]

Thank you for the tips. Yes we are staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. That is exactaly what we are looking for. A nice place to relax hop into a park and hop back to the pools. Somewhere that is out of the hussle and bussle. LOL The water parade from the beach and the bike rental sound great. Thanks again for the help.

 

[whamma]

The VWLs have their own small pool too. Away from the big (busy) one at WL.

Another fun thing to do is to ride the water taxi to/from the Contemporary. Just something fun and mindless to enjoy Bay Lake.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey everyone!! We just booked 5 nights at DWL, we have never stayed there before does anyone have some tips for us. This trip is in September and we are not doing the usual Disney trip. This one is going to be more relaxed and only 2 parks. (MK and Epcot) We were booked for HH but changed our minds and decided to go back to Disney. Thanks for any tips or advice you may have for 4 first time stayers at wilderness lodge.

I'll add to what a couple of others have said:
- VWL is one of the quieter resorts. After all day in a park with thousands of my closest friends, I enjoy the relative solitude of the Villas.
- Hidden Springs Pool is the VWL specific one, and it's rarely crowded except during very peak times. If you need a drink, it's a one-minute walk to the pool bar over at the main pool.
- Bike and boat rentals are easily available, but a cheaper alternative is to take the nature trail leading off past the bike rental shop. You can walk or run, and it hooks up to the main, paved walking path between WL and FW.
- Walk the grounds after dark and watch the geyser or sit on the beach and catch glimpses of Wishes or the entirety of the Electric Water Parade on Bay Lake.
- Catch the boat to MK for a change of pace. It can get crowded at the end of park hours, but is a great alternative to either busing or driving.
- You can ask for a list of Hidden Mickeys at the check-in desk, and then go on a hunt for them around the Lodge.
- Roaring Fork is an above average counter service eatery.
- Artist Point is a signature dining experience that is one of the top restaurants on property. It's a must-do for me.

I think you'll truly enjoy what VWL has to offer.

 

[missycj96]

Since you will have plenty of non-park time, make sure to really enjoy all that the resort offers. Spending time by the pool is great as others have said.

Make sure to see the electric water pageant.

Also, take the boat over to fort wilderness - give Trails End a try for dinner. I also really enjoyed the wagon ride around the campground. They run twice per night and it was not too expensive.

Rent a boat from the marina.

The lobby of the VWL is very inviting - make sure to bring a book or magazine and spend a little time there relaxing and looking at everything.

My mom, DD and I rented a surrey bike and rode on the path to the campground - we saw deer along the path.

Do you have small children? If so, the children's club has open house every afternoon and there are great toys and crafts for nice quiet time playing with other children.

 

[Tinkerbelljean]

VWL is one of my favorite places to stay. My favorite things:

1. The apple/chicken/candied walnut salad at Roaring Forks. (The sandwiches at the salad counter are wonderful too.) So is the beet salad and.... most of the portions at the salad counter are so large for me that I take them back to the villa and have a second meal later.

2. Playing checkers with my son in the lobby of the Villa's next to the fire place.


3. The lobby of the villa's especially at Christmas, and the public restrooms in the villa lobby, love the tile work in the restrooms.

4. Exploring all of the places in the whole lodge that you can sit and read a book, watch people or take a quick nap that have a fire place next to them.

5. Eating at Whispering Canyon and asking for ketchup for my 15 year old son. My son refers to this restaurant as the "Bellowing Buffet." He does love it.


6. Making coffee in my room and sitting on the balcony and looking at trees on about the fourth floor. (when I have a room on the 4th floor).

7. Having a quiet drink with my husband at night in the bar.

8. The gift shop and the mission style decor.

9. The water feature that starts in the lobby and stops at Bay Lake, along with all the landscaping including a topiary buffalo, and the "geese" that greet you when you enter.

10 My 15 y/o son walkson the trail to Wilderness Campground and fishes there. He's happy so I'm happy.

I have a trip planned at the end of November/beginning of December. Can't wait.

 

[disney fan 1994]

Excellent!!!! Thanks thats what we were looking for something to explore during the day and maybe hit some parks during the night. We are not going do the regular disney trip this time we just did that in June so we are looking for relaxing and exploring some of the resorts so we picked VWL to relax at. Thanks everyone your help is great!!! All of the suggestions sound great.

 

[Gowahoowa]

Excellent!!!! Thanks thats what we were looking for something to explore during the day and maybe hit some parks during the night. We are not going do the regular disney trip this time we just did that in June so we are looking for relaxing and exploring some of the resorts so we picked VWL to relax at. Thanks everyone your help is great!!! All of the suggestions sound great.

Don't forget sitting outside on the porch (next to the lounge with the checkerboard) in one of the rocking chairs with a beverage of your choice. At night, it is very relaxing.

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

The Wilderness Lodge is such a great resort and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Check out the fire place in the lobby, it's HUGE.

 

[wildernessDad]

You can walk to the beach at night and check out the electrical water pageant. Check with the WL front desk for the time that it will be around.

 

[pnyltwk]

There is a tour of the Lobby with Ranger Stan that I think is a must do. Very informative. If you have school age kid's they will love it.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

There are games, such as trivia, bingo, and music at the main pool during the day. Also, there are movies shown at the beach several nights a week. Check the schedule provided to you at check in.

During the summer, the Water Pageant comes by WL about 9:20pm. I'm not sure if this time changes in September.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Wilderness Lodge is an awesome DVC Resort. Smaller than most, quiet, nice beach on a beautiful lake, good dining options etc. Have a great vacation.

 

[Pig Pen]

We will be there in 3 days! Can't wait. It's one of our favorite DVC resorts. We love sitting in the nice cool lobby and people-watching. As previous posters have said, there is tons to do at this resort. We love the location - close to the action but you feel like you are miles away from civilization.

Unfortunately I think Ranger Stan has retired. Not sure who his replacement is.

 

[pnyltwk]

Unfortunately I think Ranger Stan has retired. Not sure who his replacement is.

Well good for him. He definitely did a heck of job while he was there. Hopefully his replacement will be able to fill his shoes in time?