WL Lodge vs. Villas - Pros/Cons

[dtuleya]

Let me preface this by saying we just got back from a two-day trip from Niagara Falls, ON, and am starting to think about looking into WL Villas for our November trip. DH slept with 13 yo and I slept with 8 yo. Kids slept fine, but DH and I didn't since our boys tend to be "bed hogs". That's why we can't have them sleep together, or we would end up with two grouchy kids. For two days, it wasn't bad with four of us in the room, but I'm not sure about 8 days/7 nights. We will request bunk beds, but I'm concerned that we might not get them. It would also be nice to have a little more "breathing room". Also, DS (8) is a very picky eater and he will only eat Chicken fingers and FF when we go out to restaurants, so a kitchen might be nice.

The thing that most concerns me about the Villas is I want to experience all the main lodge has to offer and am afraid we'll miss out on this if we stay in the villas. Also, I'm not sure we can afford a might higher rate. Anybody have any ideas or pros/cons they can share with me? I'm not even sure when you can check availability for the villas. It might not even work since we are going over Thanksgiving (Friday before to Friday after) and I'm sure they get booked up.

Does anyone know if they ever offer discounts on these? Is there anywhere I can find a layout of these with square footage measurements? I'll also post on DVC boards. TIA!

 

[SueM in MN]

We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa at VWL in March and I don't think you would miss out on anything staying there compared to WL. The Villas are a short walk from the lodge, connected by a covered walkway. You still have access to all the WL amenities, including valet parking, room service, boat to MK, regular and quiet pool. It's just that you are not in the lodge building (but quite close).
One bedroom and two bedroom units have kitchens (a nice apartment size kitchen). I don't know how the square footage compares between a regular room and the villas, but a one bedroom would still only have 2 beds. There is a master bedroom with a king size bed and a sofa in the living room that folds out into a bed. A 2 bedroom unit would have the master bedroom, the fold out couch in the living room and a second bedroom with a bed (I think double) and sofa bed. With a two bedroom, you would have 2 full baths (a nice extra).

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks for the info. I guess the only difference would be that there is more room to move around and put an single Aerobed on the floor somewhere and the kitchen. Do you know what type kitchens the studios have?

 

[Gillian]

I don't think a studio would be good for you. You'd be better off in a regular room with bunk beds! It's not much bigger than the regular rooms. The studio has one queen bed & a sleeper sofa. Not good for bed hogs! The studios have a small refigerator, coffee maker & microwave. The 1 br would still only give you a king bed & a sleeper sofa, but with more floor space & a full kitchen. I'm sure the DVC board will have a lot more info!

Have you looked into the jr suite/ deluxe room? It doesn't have a kitchen, but it would give you more beds! 2 queens and a sofa bed. here are some pics
http://www.wdwig.com/g_wl.htm

and the floor plans
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/rooms/roomgroupingindex?id=WILDRoomGrping

 

[dtuleya]

Gillian -

I checked into a deluxe room in January and they were all booked for our dates. Thanks for the pics!

 

[Gillian]

I think they are a great option! From what I've read here, the 2 br units also can be hard to get during holidays. I hope you can figure out something that works for your family!

Did you get DVC floor plans? Here are the VWL ones:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/rooms/roomgroupingindex?id=VWLRoomGrping

happy planning

 

[Tesabat]

We are getting a 1-br villa at WL, both for the kitchen facilities, added space AND to accommodate sleeping arrangment challenges!

On the DVC board I asked about having room for a twin airbed and was reassured by more then one person that there is plenty of room in the bedroom and the living room area (snug) for a twin. During the day, there's a large closet you can store the mattress in.

 

[DeeP]

I am a DVC member and have stayed in the different units many times and you definitely have room to put a twin air bed in a 1 br, especially if you do not unfold the couch but have the kids switch back and forth from the sofa to the air mattress. Even with the sofa unfolded it will still fit but it will be tight. Having the living room and a seperate bedroom for the adults, a jucuzzi tub and the kitchen is a lot more luxurious than a room at WL.

 

[tax58]

The villas have all of these amenities, plus a washer and dryer, which my wife loves.

 

[chris1gill]

Just wanted to add two things... The Aerobed will easily fit on the floor in the Master Bedroom, although it would fit in the living area, just not as well...

Next, there are some dedicated two bedroom villas which have two beds in the second bedroom...

If you call CRO, they should be able to give you availability....

The villas (1 bedroom or 2) really win hands down against any regular room...