Wilderness Lodge Villas - need advice About This Page:

[LorinMO]

I can hardly believe that in 11 days I will be arriving at the Wilderness Lodge to begin our 9 day vacation in the Villas. I need everyones advice on what to request as far as floor, view, etc. My main priority it to get a room with a balcony that is in a quiet area. This is our first true vacation as a family and I am looking forward to enjoying a bit of quiet on the balcony early in the am while drinking my coffee.

Also, if you've stayed there do you know if they have casserole dishes to bake casseroles in?

We're planning on having dinner at Roaring Forks on Saturday evening while we are there, what are your reviews?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

[HiddenMickey]

I've never been in the villas so can't help with those questions. But I have eaten several meals at Roaring Forks at Wilderness Lodge. It is the food court area for the resort and has a limited menu of fast food type items mostly. Next to the area where you place your order for hot foods and pick up things from the cold coolers is a little cafeteria type seating area. It has no atmosphere; mearly being a place to eat. Outside there are tables near the pool area as well. It is a great place to get fast food and we had good eats there, but it is not a destination by any means. I wonder whether you meant your family plans to eat at Whispering Canyon, the sitdown dining area? -HiddenMickey

[Dave Marx]

I'm not sure that any particular room or floor is that much better for view or quiet. There's plenty of quiet, and all views are pleasant.

The villas on both sides of the building face woodlands. Beyond the woods on the north side of the building is Bay Lake (you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the lake through the trees). Beyond the woods on the south side of the building is the Wilderness Lodge bus stop. The buses aren't noisy, though. When your balcony door is closed you won't hear or see a thing, and even with the doors open you'll barely hear them.

I don't think your choice of floor means a lot. Regardless, your view will be woods. A high floor will keep you farther from noise and perhaps give you a better view.

The only other real considerations are: the pool and the elevators. The pool is basically very quiet (silent in the early AM), as the themed pool with the water slide (which is off in the main Wilderness Lodge courtyard) draws-off the noisier kids. The pool is on the north side of the building, close to the main lodge. That's also where the elevators are for the building. In short, the closer you are to the elevators (and the main lodge, bus stop, etc.) the closer you are to whatever noise may be generated by the pool. In short, you don't want to be too far from the pool, because you'll have quite a hike to get to the elevator.

We stayed in a Studio, which only has a microwave and a minimum of dinnerware. I have a vague recollection of there being a Pyrex dish of some sort, but Jennifer isn't quiet as sure. Presuming you're staying in a one- or two-bedroom, you're likely to have what you need. There has always been something of the sort when we stayed in other Home Away from Home resorts.

I also think you're confusing Roaring Forks with Whispering Canyon. Roaring Forks serves burgers, pizzas and hotdogs for the most part. They typically have one "special" item of the day - things like meatloaf, or a two-hotdog platter.