Tag Archive: Wilderness Lodge

  1. BROKER’S PICK: Which resorts to buy resale in 2023

    We’ve just posted an updated price list for DVC direct buys (as of 12/5/22) and a comparison with average resale prices over the last three months. After looking over the price differences, what is the best resort to buy resale in 2023? Here are my TOP THREE picks:

    #3 – Saratoga Springs 

    You really can’t go wrong with Saratoga Springs. It’s our most commonly purchased resort for new and existing owners and there’s plenty of inventory available to find your perfect contract.  While it’s not a brand new resort, it has been recently refurbished so it looks brand new and you’ll have the ownership for over 30 years – three decades of memories! Also, since it’s the largest DVC resort, there are plenty of owners sharing the costs. This keeps maintenance fees relatively low and steady year after year. For 2023, the dues bill for 200 points annually will cost you $1,572 for the year or $131/month. Trade your points for another resort at the 7 month window to really make this a great purchase. 

    Direct: $205 per point
    Resale: Avg of $118 per point (a savings of 42%!)

    #2 – Boulder Ridge Villas

    I had to give some love to one of my favorite resorts, Wilderness Lodge. It’s absolutely charming (especially during the holidays), close to the parks yet far enough away to feel secluded and the restaurants here are some of the best! Depending on where your room is located, you may just catch the nightly fireworks and water pageant. While the Boulder Ridge Villas are older units, they are currently undergoing total renovations right now to bring them up to new standards and incorporate the features we’ve grown to love at the newer resorts. By the end of the year, these units will be brand new! Resale prices are almost half of Disney’s direct price which makes this a great deal, even with the 2042 expiration date. 

    Direct: $215 per point
    Resale: Avg of $116 per point (a savings of 46%!)

    #1 – Bay Lake Tower 

    If you’re looking for a Magic Kingdom “home” at a deep discount, my choice is Bay Lake Tower. With a price tag of $275 per point direct, this is a premium Walt Disney World resort for DVC. The only other WDW resort at this price point is Beach Club Villas. With an average resale price currently at $160 per point, you’re getting DVC accommodations within walking distance to Magic Kingdom and a contract life until year 2060 at a huge discount. Bay Lake Tower shares amenities with the Contemporary Hotel which helps keep maintenance costs down. At $7.42 per point for 2023, the dues bills are very manageable. This makes it an all around, great buy in 2023!

    Direct: $275 per point
    Resale: Avg of $160 per point (a savings of 42%!)

    I will always stand by my biggest advice: “Buy where you want to stay!” At the end of the day, you want to be able to book your accommodations at the location you really want to be instead of hoping to get something else outside the priority booking windows.  However, if you’re not one to plan 11 months in advance and you like resort-hopping, then pick a resort that makes the most financial sense for you.

    Have questions? Contact us below and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect DVC contract! 

    Contact Us

    We look forward to assisting you with a Disney Vacation Club resale. Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch with you very shortly.

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  2. How Much Does DVC Cost? Prices for 2023

    Looking to join the Disney Vacation Club but wondering how much it cost? Look no further! If you’re looking at buying points with DVC its good to know what the options are and how much per point you’ll be spending if you choose to purchase direct from Disney, the developer. Purchase prices vary by resort, starting at $150 per point up to $310 per point.  There are also different minimum point requirements based on resort and if you’re an existing member or new member.

    VIEW UPDATED PRICE LIST FOR 2024 HERE.

    DISNEY DIRECT PRICES FOR 2023

    It is important to note that these rates and terms below apply only to points purchased direct from Disney Vacation Club, not to points purchased on the resale market. Minimum purchases are subject to change and can be confirmed with a DVC sales rep. As of 2021, 150 direct purchase points are required in order to be eligible for Membership Magic perks and benefits.

    Resort  New Members Current Member Add-On
    Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas $217 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $217 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort $275 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $275 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Boulder Ridge Villas (VWL) $215 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $215 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Copper Creek Villas & Cabins $250 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $250 per point;
    50-point minimum
    Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas $210 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $210 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s Beach Club Villas $275 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $275 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s BoardWalk Villas $240 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $240 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort $165 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $205 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s Old Key West Resort $205 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $205 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows $250 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $250 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa $205 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $205 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Disney’s Riviera Resort $217 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $217 per point;
    50-point minimum
    Disney’s Vero Beach Resort $150 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $150 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel $310 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $310 per point;
    25-point minimum
    Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa $217 per point;
    150-point minimum    		 $217 per point;
    25-point minimum

    Information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Source: DVCNews.com – updated 12/5/22

    DIRECT PRICE V. RESALE PRICE

    If Disney’s direct prices are out of your budget, then you’ve come to the right place. We can help you become a DVC member for a fraction of the cost. Savings range from 21% up to 50%! 

    Disney sets the rate for direct sales, whereas prices on the resale market can be negotiated with the seller and are usually substantially lower. You can purchase any of the DVC resorts by resale at a much lower rate. Take a look at the chart below to see just how much you can save.

    Resort  Direct Price  Avg. Resale Price
    		 Resale Savings
    Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas $217 per point $109 per point 50%
    Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort $275 per point $160 per point 42%
    Boulder Ridge Villas $215 per point $116 per point 46%
    Copper Creek Villas & Cabins $250 per point $154 per point 38%
    Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas $210 per point $127 per point 40%
    Disney’s Beach Club Villas $275 per point $158 per point 43%
    Disney’s BoardWalk Villas $240 per point $142 per point 41%
    Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort $165 per point $85 per point 48%
    Disney’s Old Key West Resort $205 per point $113 per point 45%
    Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows $250 per point $158 per point 37%
    Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa $205 per point $118 per point 42%
    Disney’s Riviera Resort $217 per point $139 per point 36%
    Disney’s Vero Beach Resort $150 per point $76 per point 49%
    Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel $310 per point $244 per point 21%
    Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa $217 per point $161 per point 26%

    Click here for previous price comparisons

    WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

    While there are some restrictions when buying resale, the drastic savings usually outweigh these. Another factor to consider are the minimum point requirements for new members. As seen in the first chart above, Disney usually requires new owners who purchase direct to make a purchase of at least 100 points, however, to gain the “blue card” member benefits you must purchase a minimum of 150 points.  If you are a first time buyer wanting less than 100 points, the best option, and sometimes the only option, is to buy resale.

    Eleven of the 15 DVC resorts are “sold out,” meaning all the allocated points for that resort have been sold and you cannot readily purchase points for those resorts direct from Disney. Aulani, Copper Creek, Riviera and Grand Floridian are the only resorts that are not completely sold out and are readily available to purchase direct from Disney.  Disney can acquire inventory for sold out resorts through owner foreclosures and Right of First Refusals but they are sold first-come first-serve according to buyers on a waitlist. You may be waiting a while to get exactly what you want.   So if you have your heart set on another resort, you may wish to purchase resale where there are more options steadily available and at a lower upfront cost.

    We’d love to walk you through the process and help you find the perfect contract to fit your needs.

    Contact Us

    We look forward to assisting you with a Disney Vacation Club resale. Please fill out the form below and we'll be in touch with you very shortly.

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name*
    How can we assist?*
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  3. Top Reasons to Love Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge

    The Wilderness Lodge is home to both Copper Creek Villas & Cabins as well as Boulder Ridge Villas.   This Disney Vacation Club location whisks guests away from the hustle and bustle of their day-to-day lives and immerses them in the Pacific Northwest.

    There are many reasons why Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Copper Creek Villas & Cabins as well as Boulder Creek Villas) would be a great Resort choice.

    For my family, we love how the lodge surrounds us in nature, hardwoods, and wildlife.  From the low wetlands to the lush forest, you feel at one with the landscape.  In a nutshell, this resort offers many features to fall in love with.  The theming is spectacular with a soaring lobby and beautiful walking paths.  The pools are set in the rough frontier and a boat service adds an extra means of transportation.

    Enjoy being at one with nature?  Want a quick boat ride to the Magic Kingdom?  How about great on-site food options?  Copper Creek Villas & Cabins or Boulder Ridge Villas are the Wilderness Lodge options for you!  

    Top 5 Reasons I Love Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins as well as Boulder Ridge Villas …

    #5: Lobby – Including Pin Board and Chip & Dale

    The lobby at this resort is breathtaking!  No detail is spared in this turn-of-the-century, great American Northwestern depiction of history and wilderness. 

    From bubbling brooks that originate in the lobby and flow to the feature pool area, to soaring, stone fireplaces, this lobby is a delight to explore.

    Also, it is not uncommon to encounter some of our favourite Chipmunks hanging out at the Lodge, Chip and Dale.

    There is always a group of kids following these two fun-loving characters around the lobby! And, if you love Disney Pin Trading, you will not be disappointed by the very active pin board in this resort’s lobby.

    #4: Dining Options

    The food options available at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge were exceptional!  While a higher-end dining experience can be had at Artist Point, we even loved the plentiful dishes at the counter service restaurant, Roaring Fork.  The real winner for us was the food and good times being served up at Whispering Canyon, located right in the main lobby of the resort.  Family-style skillets and dishes that had us looking forward to the next visit!

    Who doesn’t love starting dinner with a never-ending milkshake?

    But don’t get too full on the milkshake because the dinner spread is nothing short of amazing!  Chicken, Sausage, Ribs, Pork, Green Beans, Corn Niblets, etc.

    Wonderful food and a very fun vibe are found at the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

    The breakfasts at Whispering Canyon were equally incredible! And, yes, if you request Ketchup, you will be in for a surprise!

    #3: Location and Water Taxi

    The Wilderness Lodge is located in what feels like such a remote haven, but with a convenient Water Taxi, you are still not too far from the action!  Such a convenient and relaxing mode of transporting yourself directly to the Magic Kingdom!

    #2. Pools

    This resort has a very nice feature pool and kids’ water play area, but it also has one of the nicest quiet pools on Disney World’s property, Boulder Ridge Cove Pool.

    The kids always have a blast at this water play area that has bubblers, sprayers, water cannons, slides and buckets of cascading water!

    And then there is the impressive Boulder Ridge Cove Pool. This pool was our favourite spot to relax in the sun and play in the calm waters.  The zero-entry feature allows for very easy pool play for the kids and the ample deck seats allow for close parental oversight.

    #1: Theming, Grounds, Wildlife

    Well, we finally made it to our favourite reason for loving the Wilderness Lodge.  The grounds and theming as well as resident wildlife is simply breathtaking.

    The subtle remnants of an old Mining and Railway company immerse you in the serenity of this resort.

    While the beauty and vitality of nature surrounds your every sense… 

    Gorgeous wood plank walkways for enjoying the low wetland areas. And even a geyser that blows multiple times each day.

    Wilderness Lodge (Copper Creek Villas and Cabins, and Boulder Ridge Villas) is one of the most relaxing places to stay at Disney World.  If wildlife, nature, relaxation, and rustic elegance is what you seek, look no further.

    Overlooking beautiful Bay Lake, you cannot help but feel connected to the environment around you.  This resort should appeal to all ages, boasting rustic charm, but enveloped in luxury with all of the amenities and activities to ensure a wonderful and memorable stay.

  4. New Name for Wilderness Lodge DVC

    Since welcoming its first Members home in 2000, this rustically elegant Disney Vacation Club Resort has celebrated the optimistic journey of Americans who rode the rails west to forge a new way of life. The villas draw inspiration from the quaint residential communities established by those pioneers along the tracks that enabled their mass migration.

    Beginning October 25th, the resort will transition to its new name – Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – giving that rustic community a more distinctive identity and allowing Walt Disney Imagineers to bring the community’s story to life in new ways, including through a re-imagination of the former Hidden Springs Pool area.

    The new, more richly themed name also will distinguish the resort and its condominium association from the proposed new Disney Vacation Club development and condominium association at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, announced in the winter 2015 edition of Disney Files Magazine.

    The naming evolution is similar to that of DVC’s flagship resort, which opened in 1991 as Disney Vacation Club Resort and later adopted its more distinctive Disney’s Old Key West Resort name as other Disney Vacation Club Resorts joined the neighborhood. Just as the Disney’s Old Key West Resort name distinguished the resort from its neighbors and allowed Imagineers to more deeply explore the resort’s thematic connections to the Florida Keys, the transition from The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will distinguish the resort from its proposed “next door neighbor” and allow Imagineers to further explore the resort’s rugged roots.

    Look for updates to signage and other materials to appear in waves in the months ahead, and watch Disney Files Magazine for more details about the enhanced pool area and its connections to the story of Boulder Ridge.

    Disney's Wilderness Lodge

    SOURCE: Disney Files Magazine (Fall 2016)