Photo Credit: Lea R., NDM 114
This October, I get to go “home”- back to Walt Disney World and to the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. I can’t wait. This will be my 2nd stay at VWL and my 4th stay at Wilderness Lodge. Every time I go back, I squeal like a little girl when I walk in the door!
The Villas at Wilderness Lodge opened on November 15, 2000 and contains 136 rooms: studios and one and two-bedroom villas in a 5-story building set on 4 acres. The villas are just a short walk from the main lodge and are surrounded by tall pine trees. Right outside the villa building, there is a lovely quiet pool with bubbling springs that is for exclusive use by guests of the villas although villa guests can also make use of Wilderness Lodge’s main pool.
The Studio villas are 356 square feet and consist of a queen size bed and a full sleeper sofa, sleeping a total of 4 people. The studio units contain a kitchenette with a microwave, a refrigerator under the counter, a coffee maker, and wet bar. The units also have a small balcony or porch.
The units we usually stay in are one-bedroom units, and those are 727 square feet. There is a full kitchen stocked with dinnerware, silverware, cookware, etc. You will find a sleeper sofa in the living room and a king-size bed in the master bedroom. There is also a TV in the living room and one in the master bedroom. My favorite part of these units is the jacuzzi bath tub. Nothing beats coming back home after a long day in the parks and soaking in the tub! These units also contain a stackable washer and dryer. One-bedroom units sleep a total of 4 adults and 1 child under 3 (in a pack and play).
Two-bedroom villas are 1,080 square feet and basically consist of a studio unit and a one-bedroom unit connected by an adjoining door. The master bedroom will have a king-size bed while the 2nd bedroom will have 2 queen-size beds. There is also a pull-out sleeper sofa. These units hold a total of 8 adults plus one child under the age of 3. The other amenities are similar to those in the one-bedroom unit.
The villas are all wired for High Speed Internet access, which is free for DVC members staying on points. Check-in for the villas are at the check-in desk at the main lodge.
The villas are located very close to the bus transportation from the resort. There is a nice walk to get to the boat docks for the boats to the Magic Kingdom, Ft. Wilderness, and the Contemporary Resort. Activities located at the resort include bike rental, surrey bike rental, Sea Raycer rental, fishing excursions, swimming, and more. There is even a Hidden Mickey hunt for those Hidden Mickey lovers. And make sure you ask about being the flag family- those specially chosen families get to go to the roof of the lodge to raise the flag for the day- what a view.
Dining is also great at the Wilderness Lodge. Whispering Canyon, located in the main lodge building, is a fun (and delicious) way to spend a meal. Make sure you ask for ketchup! Artist Point is a signature dining establishment that serves up wonderful meals from the great Northwest. Roaring Fork is the quick-service dining option and consists of sandwiches, salads, and more. All restaurants take the Disney Dining Plan, which is open to Disney Vacation Club members.
The Villas at Wilderness Lodge are truly exceptional and are topped off by superior service! Welcome home!
Contributed by: Lea Robinson (NDM#114) Lea is the DDL Disney Vacation Club Blogger and creator of Lea’s Mousecapades.
Lea grew up as a Walt Disney World fanatic. Her first trip to the park was back in 1977. She went back just about every summer and couldn’t get enough! When Lea had children, she began to expose them to all things Disney, and now they love it as much as she does! Lea and her husband have been Disney Vacation Club members since 2005. Their home resort is Saratoga Springs, but their favorite resort is Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Lea is a Disney travel planner and an Outside Sales Agent with Destinations to Explore (www.magicalmousecapades.com). She also works full-time outside the home. She is a Charter Year member of D23 and a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder. Her blogs can be found at www.magicalmousecapades.wordpress.com and al www.leasmousecapades.wordpress.com.
This is one of my favorite DVC resorts, and even though it is not our home resort–(Boardwalk & Hilton Head are) My family and I stay here quite often, I just love the feel of the big lodge. It also had one of the funnest pools..