Rollaway Beds at Wilderness Lodge Villas - Pipe Dream or Possibility?

[Weather_Lady]

Hello, all! If you have experience requesting a rollaway bed at VWL, would you share how it went?

I came across an answer to this question from a Disney Moms Panel member (posted in May 2013) saying that this was totally do-able and that a guest need only call ahead and have the request added to their reservation, huzzah huzzah, pixie magic, with a million exclamation points... all written in that singular over-enthusiastic near-orgasmic Moms Panel style.

Of course, when I called to inquire of an actual CM, I was told that the "Mom" was completely and utterly wrong, and that the DVC resorts do not offer rollaway beds at all, let alone permit them to be requested ahead of time. However, the CM also said that if I explained at check-in that I had a "special situation," they might be able to locate one for me.

I am happy to wait until check-in to inquire, but I'm trying to figure out whether it's worth investing in an aerobed and pump and toting their extra poundage with me in case I inquire at check-in and they tell me "no." Knowing whether others have generally succeeded (or failed) with recent requests to borrow a rollaway at VWL would help me immensely.

(Disclaimer for those who want to ask why I am asking: I'll tell you. No, we are NOT trying to exceed the guest limits! We have a 2-bedroom villa for 6 guests - 2 men, 2 women, 1 boy and 1 girl. We've considered every possible sleeping arrangement with an emphasis on not having anyone sleeping in the living room and not requiring any unmarried or unrelated opposite-sex pairs to share a bed or any child to have to share a bed with a non-parent. The upshot of all of this logistical analysis is that we're putting the three "boys" in the second bedroom and the three "girls" in the master, meaning we'll need an extra, child-sized sleeping spot for my daughter in the master bedroom.)

 

[Weather_Lady]

Hmmm... I just had another thought. If I inquire at check-in and find out that they have no rollaways, I can ask if they'll loan us a Murphy bed mattress to put on the floor, can't I? Since they'll have recently added the Murphy beds to every studio, surely they must keep a couple of spare ones around. They might say no, but then again, if I explain my dilemma and ask nicely enough, they might say yes. (Whatever they say, rest assured that I will post about it here, ad nauseum!)

In the alternative, does anyone know how the brand new [as in, part of the current villa refurb] sofas and chairs are put together? If removing sofa or chair cushions and wrapping a sheet around them will allow me to "MacGuyver" a makeshift bed for my 5-year-old, I could keep that in reserve as my alternative back-up plan instead of an airbed, in case they say "no" to everything else. (Sorry to obsess over something so minor, but DH and I are former Scouts and live by the "be prepared" motto. We have back-up plans for our back-up plans!)

 

[slappy magoo]

If by any chance you intend to have a car during your trip, here's what I would do - order an aerobed from a big chain store like Target online, and if possible do the "store pickup" option the day you check in. If it turns out you don't need the aerobed, that WDW can swing you a mattress or you can rig the cushions to be a mattress, cancel the order and get a refund. Or have it shipped to the resort the day of your check-in, so you definitely have it, but if it turns out you don't need it, drive to the nearest store to return it at your leisure. This way you're not bringing it with your luggage but you still have it if you need it.

 

[Weather_Lady]

If by any chance you intend to have a car during your trip, here's what I would do - order an aerobed from a big chain store like Target online, and if possible do the "store pickup" option the day you check in. If it turns out you don't need the aerobed, that WDW can swing you a mattress or you can rig the cushions to be a mattress, cancel the order and get a refund. Or have it shipped to the resort the day of your check-in, so you definitely have it, but if it turns out you don't need it, drive to the nearest store to return it at your leisure. This way you're not bringing it with your luggage but you still have it if you need it.

I'm afraid we're flying (with carryon luggage only), so if I bring an air mattress, I'll be transporting it myself. I could always buy one online and have it shipped to the resort a few days ahead of time, but I'd still have to tote it back home. As you can imagine, I'd like to avoid all of that if I can.

 

[WWWD]

I'm afraid we're flying (with carryon luggage only), so if I bring an air mattress, I'll be transporting it myself. I could always buy one online and have it shipped to the resort a few days ahead of time, but I'd still have to tote it back home. As you can imagine, I'd like to avoid all of that if I can.

These are expensive, but we have used one to travel with and it packs well - very light and small. Thermarest sells this and they also have a line of backpacking mattresses that pack down. The others are air mattresses (not self inflating) so there is always the concern of air leaks where this is pretty tough.

http://www.luxurylite.com/cotindex.html

I have even slept on it and it compares to any good self inflate mattress.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'm afraid we're flying (with carryon luggage only), so if I bring an air mattress, I'll be transporting it myself. I could always buy one online and have it shipped to the resort a few days ahead of time, but I'd still have to tote it back home. As you can imagine, I'd like to avoid all of that if I can.

Well, you have one other option - order it online, have it delivered to the resort, than pay to have it shipped back home. Probably cheaper than adding it as extra luggage, one less thing to lug around the airport and it's not as if you'll need it again any time soon.

 

[tjkraz]

Been a DVC member for 10+ years. It has always been DVC policy that cots, rollaways, air beds, etc. are NOT provided by the resort.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Nuts. Well, I'll just have to make room for an air mattress and pump in our carryon luggage. It's a shame that in accommodations that cost several hundred dollars per night one can't even borrow a cot, but we knew what we were getting when we booked. I do wish the villas offered more options as far as sleeping arrangements (why not put two beds in both bedrooms in a 2-bedroom villa so people don' t have to sleep on fold-out couches?), but it is what it is. We'll make do and have a great time just the same.

 

[slappy magoo]

Nuts. Well, I'll just have to make room for an air mattress and pump in our carryon luggage. It's a shame that in accommodations that cost several hundred dollars per night one can't even borrow a cot, but we knew what we were getting when we booked. I do wish the villas offered more options as far as sleeping arrangements (why not put two beds in both bedrooms in a 2-bedroom villa so people don' t have to sleep on fold-out couches?), but it is what it is. We'll make do and have a great time just the same.

Many 2 br units are "lockoffs" - a 1 br connected to a studio.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Many 2 br units are "lockoffs" - a 1 br connected to a studio.

Thanks - we're requesting a dedicated 2-bedroom, to maximize the number of "real beds" if we can.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Been a DVC member for 10+ years. It has always been DVC policy that cots, rollaways, air beds, etc. are NOT provided by the resort.

I'm sure you are correct... which makes nonsense like this (see link), done with WDW's official blessing, particularly frustrating: http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=&qid=224317&pid=178&cid=179 Why does the Mom's Panel even exist if everything they say appears to be something they made up out of wholecloth? (I don't mean to sound so vitriolic, but this is not the first time I've seen a Mom's panel member gleefully and confidently dispensing totally false information!)

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks - we're requesting a dedicated 2-bedroom, to maximize the number of "real beds" if we can.

Lockoff / dedicated is NOT a request as it relates to a DVC villa. For inventory purposes, they have to track the exact number of lockoffs and dedicated rooms that are reserved. Either you have a reservation for a dedicated room--and will get a dedicated room--or you do not.

Usually Two Bedroom reservations are for dedicated villas. Studios--half of a 2B lockoff--tend to be the among the most popular villas. When all of the studios are gone, it's no longer possible to book a 2B lock off.

If it's unclear what type room you have booked when looking at your reservation, Member Services can confirm.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'm sure you are correct... which makes nonsense like this (see link), done with WDW's official blessing, particularly frustrating: http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=&qid=224317&pid=178&cid=179 Why does the Mom's Panel even exist if everything they say appears to be something they made up out of wholecloth?

More often it's one of these 2 things
1: People don't know they're making stuff up, they genuinely believe what they're telling you. Why they believe that - whether it's something they assume or something they've been told - I've no idea.
2: They were given a break by some CM willing to bend (or unknowingly bending) the rules as a favor and this person then assumes their exception is actually the rule, "just ask!"

I remember years ago someone on this forum was promoting an e-book about how to save money at WDW, and offering some of her tips as freebies to get you to want to know more and buy the book. One of her tips - which she knew to be fact because it happened to her at the Polynesian! - was that, if you book most of your stay at a Value resort, but your first night at a Concierge at Deluxe level, then all you have to do is show your room card and you'll continue to be allowed access to the concierge lounge and all the amenities it provides! Sometimes after all day in the Magic Kingdom it's great just to kick back, eat some free snacks and enjoy a private view of the fireworks, night after night after night for free, you know? Whether she was trolling or deadly serious I don't know, but she got a cyber-earful of poop about getting away with something she could have just as easily not gotten away with and passing it off as a "tip" for others to try, AND use it to try to sell her wares for a profit to boot.

That's the problem with knowing what you know, sometimes you don't really know what you just know you know, you know?

 

[Weather_Lady]

Lockoff / dedicated is NOT a request as it relates to a DVC villa. For inventory purposes, they have to track the exact number of lockoffs and dedicated rooms that are reserved. Either you have a reservation for a dedicated room--and will get a dedicated room--or you do not.

Usually Two Bedroom reservations are for dedicated villas. Studios--half of a 2B lockoff--tend to be the among the most popular villas. When all of the studios are gone, it's no longer possible to book a 2B lock off.

If it's unclear what type room you have booked when looking at your reservation, Member Services can confirm.

Thanks for the heads-up.

I checked and we have booked a dedicated 2-bedroom. Whew - one less thing!

 

[Firepath]

Weather Lady, perhaps it's too late for you to switch to a lockoff, but the studios that are currently being renovated at the VWL are having a small twin-size murphy bed (like POR's) installed. That might give you the extra bed you need.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Weather Lady, perhaps it's too late for you to switch to a lockoff, but the studios that are currently being renovated at the VWL are having a small twin-size murphy bed (like POR's) installed. That might give you the extra bed you need.

Thank you for the suggestion -- you are right! The the only problem is that then we'd "lose" a bed in the same room (because the studios have a sofa instead of the second queen bed), and I don't know anything about the comfort level of the new foldout sofas.

No matter how we slice it, fitting the six of us into a 2-bedroom villa (even if that villa is technically equipped to sleep 8) is going to leave somebody without a proper bed.