Wilderness lodge

[Mflaherty]

So I think we decided to try VWL (it was that okw,ssr or akv) and DH prefers to be close to a resort with our 3 and 5 year olds. But my kids love community hall and I believe VWL doesn't have one(just the cubs den which is a babysitting service at night... I used sandcastle club once and the kids loved it). But they love community hall in the am or a rainy day and will miss it. Does the cubs den do any other activities? How is the pool at WL? Long boat ride? Any inside info would be great. Any rooms with MK firework views?

 

[bocaj1431]

So I think we decided to try VWL (it was that okw,ssr or akv) and DH prefers to be close to a resort with our 3 and 5 year olds. But my kids love community hall and I believe VWL doesn't have one(just the cubs den which is a babysitting service at night... I used sandcastle club once and the kids loved it). But they love community hall in the am or a rainy day and will miss it. Does the cubs den do any other activities? How is the pool at WL? Long boat ride? Any inside info would be great. Any rooms with MK firework views?

I can't answer all your questions. But if you go to the category for resorts (not under DVC) then use the thread disneys wilderness lodge and villas information. The page will have pictures and information on everything. A little ways down on the page there are subcategories so you can click on what you are looking for. Click under activities for information on the Cubs den.

This is the best way I have found to gather info and visually get an idea of what you can expect. There are literally pictures of just about everything in the hotel including pictures of the villas.

I was worried about the boat ride too when we first went and I did not find it long. It is actually a nice ride. As far as waiting for the boat, I think it depends on when you are going to try to catch the boat. We rarely had waits longer than 5-10 min. But we did have one wait about 20 min, in the hot sun. It really depends on the time of year and time of day. Whether you are waiting for the boat or busses, make sure to bring something small to occupy little ones. That way you are prepared, if there is a wait.

 

[disneynutz]

You can take them to the community hall at BLT via the boat.

Bill

 

[MoreTravels]

Cubs den is more for parents. You can leave your kids there, go for a romantic dinner, followed by a nice jacuzzi and bedtime story for the parents in their room. Once you are done with your romantic moment, you can go pick the kids up as late as mid night. Then you can pretend you did not have any fun and bring them to the arcade next door before heading back to sleep.

For kids, they would love the sandy beach, playground slide, camp fire marshmallow and lake side movie. The new kiddie pool with water slides look fun too.

VWL is so close to the bus stop. The boat ride is short too. They usually have 2 boats running, one big and one small one so you usually don't need to wait for a long time.

 

[sleepydog25]

Cubs den is more for parents. You can leave your kids there, go for a romantic dinner, followed by a nice jacuzzi and bedtime story for the parents in their room.

Spot on! And by romantic dinner, it's close at hand with Artist Point, one of the better restaurants on WDW property.

Per your questions:
Does the cubs den do any other activities? Beyond the Cub's Den, other activities to enjoy at WL include family movies on the beach at night (usually preceded by s'mores at the fire pit); trying to be the flag family; taking a surrey bike to FW where you can pet animals, etc.; and hunt for Hidden Mickeys (they give out hints sheets at the front desk). I'm sure there are other activities, but those spring to mind.

How is the pool at WL? The main pool recently has been refurbed though that mainly means they put up a fence and added a small kids splash area. The slide is fine but not terribly notable. It is nice to have the Trout Pass Pool bar close by, though. Hidden Springs pool is smaller but has wonderful bubbling areas throughout that are fun to play in and around.

Long boat ride? Not usually, but as a pp mentioned, it depends on time of day, the actual day (high crowd days at MK, e.g.), and timing. Still, we've rarely waited more than 15 minutes.

Any rooms with MK firework views? Yes, but not particularly good views. We request rooms on the lake view side, close to the elevators (overlooking Hidden Springs pool), and floors 2 through 4 (5th floor has dormer-style balconies which are tough to see over). Rooms on the lake view side will have some glimpses of the fireworks over the main Lodge building. You can also catch semi-obstructed views of EWP from those rooms; however, your best bet for both shows is on the beach.

Any inside info would be great. Read the main Wilderness Lodge thread (non-DVC) and you can also check in with the DVC forum area where there is a VWL Groupies/Lovers thread. It's a great group of very friendly folks who will be more than happy to answer any other questions you might have or provide tips since they own at VWL.

Have fun planning!

 

[summabreeze85]

To add some other info, we just stayed 1wk in a 1BR in August @ VWL:

- Definitely missed not having a community hall. I know one post commented you can go over to Bay Lake, but on a rainy day when you would use the community hall that sounds like a pain to trudge out in the rain and join a community hall probably already packed with kids.

- The main pool is CROWDED. We couldn't find chairs midday anywhere. Had to throw our stuff on the ground. The pool at the villas has very limited seating as well. If you plan on a pool day get there EARLY to claim a spot/table. The new splash area with mini slides is pretty cool for a toddler.

- Boat rides aren't terribly long. We were waiting for the MK direct boat one morning but the contemporary boat came first so we hoped on that and then walked into the park.

- Our favorite activity of the week was renting bikes and biking through Fort Wilderness. There are paths that go from Wilderness Lodge and take you through great wooded areas and all throughout Fort Wilderness. We loved biking through the RV loops and looking at everyone's decorated RVs.