Would like to inquire about renting at WL Villas.

[steved28]

Hello!!

I am getting married on April 30th and am currently booked at the Wilderness Lodge May 2 - May 8 in a woods view room.

I was referred to the Villas by another poster in another forum as a more reasonably priced, more relaxing, more romantic alternative to the lodge rooms.

I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid, and I don't know too much about these villas and how they work so bear with me please!

Can anybody tell me about availability on these dates (5/2-5/8) and what they would cost for rental? I used the points calculator and came up with 110 points for the dates in question. The poster who referred me here also recommended a studio, but I would like to explore all of the options that are available as far as size is concerned.

It would also be great if someone could fill me in on the details of the villas. Form what I have found in my research those who stay there are basically WL guests and have all the same access and benefits. I was wondering if this is true and what are the pors and cons of staying at the villas as opposed to the lodge rooms.

Are the villas nicely kept/clean/decorated? Are they accessible to transportation, pools, other things...etc...


Thanks


Steve

 

[ErinC]

Steve,

The studios at VWL are slightly larger than a lodge room. It would have a queen bed, and a sofa sleeper in the room vs. 2 queens or 1 King (whatever you have reserved). You would have a mini kitchenette (microwave, small refridgerator, small sink). Most all the villas have a woods view, so that wouldn't be much different. You would still use the same busses that the lodge guests use, as well as the boat service to MK. The major difference in services would be that you would not receive daily maid service if you rented points. If you need extra towels you can purchase them for $6. We love the lodge, I'd be happy sleeping in a closet there, so whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll love it. It will be a great place to spend your honeymoon. I'm sure others will pipe in about points rental, as I haven't ever rented my points. Best of luck!

Check out these photos of VWL and you can see the decor for yourself.
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/wlvss.htm

 

[steved28]

Steve,

The studios at VWL are slightly larger than a lodge room. It would have a queen bed, and a sofa sleeper in the room vs. 2 queens or 1 King (whatever you have reserved). You would have a mini kitchenette (microwave, small refridgerator, small sink). Most all the villas have a woods view, so that wouldn't be much different. You would still use the same busses that the lodge guests use, as well as the boat service to MK. The major difference in services would be that you would not receive daily maid service if you rented points. If you need extra towels you can purchase them for $6. We love the lodge, I'd be happy sleeping in a closet there, so whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll love it. It will be a great place to spend your honeymoon. I'm sure others will pipe in about points rental, as I haven't ever rented my points. Best of luck!

Check out these photos of VWL and you can see the decor for yourself.
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/wlvss.htm

Wow, they do look nice!!

I would definitely be interested in renting one of these...Hopefully one is available!

I think I would need 110 points.

Steve

 

[steved28]

Also

I was wondering about the convenience factor involved with staying at the villas...I'm not really familiar with the layout, but are the hotel and the bus/boat stops and restaraunts at the hotel convenient to the villas?

I don't want to have to walk a mile or anything to get to the hotel...I want to keep our stress factor as low as possible!


Steve

 

[minniestheone]

Both are wonderful and the above poster noted the physical differences. If you want the convenience of the kitchenette book the villa studio. However, it is your honeymoon and I doubt you will be warming up much stuff in a microwave. Enjoy yourself and the restaurants-even the snack bar, Roaring Forks, is good. I would just keep the room you booked. Best wishes on your marriage!!!

 

[spiceycat]

the boat (to the MK) is further

the buses are closer - much closer - you walk out the door and down the walk way and you are at the buses....

go post on the rental/trade site - I bet someone can help you.

 

[steved28]

the boat (to the MK) is further

the buses are closer - much closer - you walk out the door and down the walk way and you are at the buses....

go post on the rental/trade site - I bet someone can help you.

\


I tried posting there, but ni response yet...

What do you think of the Villa studios..are they well air conditioned, well kept?

WOuld I be making a big mistake on our honeymoon by swtiching from a WL woods view room to a villa studio if it saves us 700 bucks?...is it worth the hassle?

Steve

 

[littlestar]

Steve,

Take a look at tagrel.com

This site has tours of VWL studios and one bedrooms (plus a lot of the other DVCs). The one bedroom would be terrific for a honeymoon. You would have a king-size bed, jacuzzi tub (very large), washer and dryer, and full kitchen and living room. The studio is nice, too.

The Villas are just a covered walkway away from the main lodge. About a 3 minute walk. They are very peaceful and quiet. Perfect for a honeymoon. We had a two bedroom back in January on the top floor that had a cathedral ceiling in the master bedroom - it was gorgeous (it blows the rooms in the main lodge away and I like the main lodge, too, but it can't compare when you move up to the 1 and 2 bedrooms at the villas).

 

[Deb & Bill]

\


I tried posting there, but ni response yet...

What do you think of the Villa studios..are they well air conditioned, well kept?

WOuld I be making a big mistake on our honeymoon by swtiching from a WL woods view room to a villa studio if it saves us 700 bucks?...is it worth the hassle?

Steve

The Villas at Wilderness Lodge are not a Mom and Pop motor court or cabins. They are very classy resort villas. They are also the smallest DVC resort, so availability can be a problem sometimes. Hope you get what you want. We like the VWL because they remind us of Yellowstone. Plus they are quiet and just plain beautiful.

 

[Blackunicorn]

Hi, Steved28! Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Forgive me if I'm being a little slow, but I need to work this out. You will be checking in on Monday 5/2 and checking out on Sunday 5/8 2005. Weeknights in a studio during the month of May are 13 points a night, and Friday and Saturday are 29 points each. So, Monday through Thursday would be a total of 52 points, plus Friday night at 29 points, equals 81 points. Is my math right? (I've been known to add two and two and get three. Seriously.)

Now, if you want to stay in a one-bedroom, that's 28 points for weeknights and 56 for Friday/Saturday. So that's 168 points.

The average price for renting tends to be around $10 a point, though you can get it for more or less depending on circumstances. My recommendation is as much research as you have time for, because it doesn't hurt to be prepared. But, if you're going to rent, then time is of the essence because the DVC rooms fill up fast, and you're very close to your stay. The good news is, because you're less than 7 months from your stay, any old DVC points will work for you. You don't just have to rent VWL points.

I'm sorry I don't have any points to rent you--we've squandered all of our points already!--but I hope that you'll have a good honeymoon!

 

[steved28]

The Villas at Wilderness Lodge are not a Mom and Pop motor court or cabins. They are very classy resort villas. They are also the smallest DVC resort, so availability can be a problem sometimes. Hope you get what you want. We like the VWL because they remind us of Yellowstone. Plus they are quiet and just plain beautiful.

Wow, you really said what I wanted to hear, and I didn't even know it was I wanted hear!!!...I'm talking about the mom and pop comment!

I am going to try and jump on this.

Thanks for the reply!


Steve

 

[steved28]

Hi, Steved28! Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Forgive me if I'm being a little slow, but I need to work this out. You will be checking in on Monday 5/2 and checking out on Sunday 5/8 2005. Weeknights in a studio during the month of May are 13 points a night, and Friday and Saturday are 29 points each. So, Monday through Thursday would be a total of 52 points, plus Friday night at 29 points, equals 81 points. Is my math right? (I've been known to add two and two and get three. Seriously.)

Now, if you want to stay in a one-bedroom, that's 28 points for weeknights and 56 for Friday/Saturday. So that's 168 points.

The average price for renting tends to be around $10 a point, though you can get it for more or less depending on circumstances. My recommendation is as much research as you have time for, because it doesn't hurt to be prepared. But, if you're going to rent, then time is of the essence because the DVC rooms fill up fast, and you're very close to your stay. The good news is, because you're less than 7 months from your stay, any old DVC points will work for you. You don't just have to rent VWL points.

I'm sorry I don't have any points to rent you--we've squandered all of our points already!--but I hope that you'll have a good honeymoon!

You got the dates right and I figured it on the points calculator and it breaks down like this:

This is for the Studio


Resort Room Type Season Date Day of Week Points
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio Dream 05-02-2005 Monday 13
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio Dream 05-03-2005 Tuesday 13
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio Dream 05-04-2005 Wednesday 13
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio Dream 05-05-2005 Thursday 13
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio Dream 05-06-2005 Friday 29
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio Dream 05-07-2005 Saturday 29

Total is 110 points.



This is for the one bedroom


Resort Room Type Season Date Day of Week Points
Wilderness Lodge Villas One Bedroom Dream 05-02-2005 Monday 28
Wilderness Lodge Villas One Bedroom Dream 05-03-2005 Tuesday 28
Wilderness Lodge Villas One Bedroom Dream 05-04-2005 Wednesday 28
Wilderness Lodge Villas One Bedroom Dream 05-05-2005 Thursday 28
Wilderness Lodge Villas One Bedroom Dream 05-06-2005 Friday 56
Wilderness Lodge Villas One Bedroom Dream 05-07-2005 Saturday 56


I think we would definitely go for studio.


One question for you though....

I'm still trying to figure out the points....so if I get 110 points from anyone, it doesn't matter if they are for the VWL, how do I go about checking to see if there are any studios available at the VWL?

Should I call myself, or does a DVC member have to do it?

Also, is it possible to request rooms that have a better view than others...etc.

Does each DVC member have a certain villa to rent, or is it like ahotel where you get what ever room they have open?

Thanks!!!

Steve

 

[Candace]

A DVC member will have to call and check, then make the reservation in your name. You will then get a confirmation number from the member so you can call and verify the ressie. Then you and the rentor decide on a payment plan. What else is wonderful besides getting a fabulous room so cheap, is that there is NO TAX! given your impending wedding, however, you may want to consider having a 2nd or 3rd choice of location just in case Wilderness Lodge villas are all full. Any of the DVC resorts are wonderful, so you will not be disappointed!

 

[N&B'smom]

My family stayed at the VWL back in Sept and LOVED it. Because we were a group of 7 we got a 2 bedroom. I was able to experience both the studio aspect and the 1 bedroom aspect. My family of four stayed in the studio. It was very nice. However, since it's your honeymoom you may want to get the 1 bedroom. You get that nice king size bed plus the jacuzzi tub. You would LOVE it. I just think it would add a special touch to your honeymoon. I liked the studio room as well. Plenty of room, especially if it's just the two of you. You can't go wrong whichever you choose!!!

Shelby

 

[steved28]

Thanks for the info Shelby............




Can anyone tell me if I checked online at the official Diney site for availability at the VWL and it didnt tell me they weren't available for the dates I wanted...is that an accurate indicator of whether or not there is availability?

(sorry thats kind of a mouthful!)


Steve

 

[Deep-Thots]

Thanks for the info Shelby............




Can anyone tell me if I checked online at the official Diney site for availability at the VWL and it didnt tell me they weren't available for the dates I wanted...is that an accurate indicator of whether or not there is availability?

(sorry thats kind of a mouthful!)


Steve

Hi, Steve --

No, checking with Disney's cash reservations office would not provide you with an accurate fix on availabilty via points rental. This is because Disney always keeps in reserve its own share of villas (2% is the figure that comes to mind, though I may be wrong) precisely for cash reservations (which are much more expensive than points rental via a DVC member).

Your best bet would be to go to the DVC rental board and peruse the current points rental offerings there. I can't remember now: are you getting married this year or next year? If this year, you can just look for the cheapest points rental you can find, since the home resort booking advantage would not apply (i.e., any type of advertised points -- SSR, OKW, etc. -- can be utilized to make your reservation at this point in time).

Good luck!

 

[Scoootch]

Hey there Steve and Congrats!

Disney's CRO and Disney's DVC both have their own inventory of rooms at the DVC villas. CRO retains 4% of the rooms...the rest are owned by DVC members. So while the online disney sight may say they do or do not have availibility...there still could be rooms available (or not) through DVC.

 

[steved28]

Thanks for the info Kim and Scootch!!

I thought that might be the case, darn!!

I requested that someone check availibility for me May 2- 8 so hopefully, they will have good news!!

Steve

 

[littlestar]

Good luck, Steve. I'll cross my fingers for you.

We gave our daughter and her husband their honeymoon in a DVC studio and they loved it. They stayed 5 nights at BCV and then Friday and Saturday concierge at the Dolphin. (they happened to love the Beach Club and the Dolphin so they stayed at both). They had a wonderful honeymoon and were treated great by the BCV staff and the Dolphin hotel.

 

[Muushka]

Thanks for the info Kim and Scootch!!

I thought that might be the case, darn!!

I requested that someone check availibility for me May 2- 8 so hopefully, they will have good news!!

Steve

Steve, I PM'd you about this, did you receive my pm?