Hi Kristi,
A Walt Disney World vacation with extended family can be so much fun!
You are correct. The traditional hotel rooms at
Disney's Wilderness Lodge are in the "U"-shaped building around Silver Creek Springs Pool, the main pool at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are located in the straighter building close to the Disney Transportation bus stop. The Villas are located to the right as you face the front of the resort.
I have a couple of suggestions for you if you would like for your in-laws to be located close to you. First of all, please know that this resort is not extremely big or spread out. The walk from the lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge to the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is quite quick. If your in-laws stay at the traditional hotel rooms, have them request that their room be close to the bus stop. This will mean that it is closer to the Villas. Then you and your family can request that your villa be close to the main Wilderness Lodge.
Another option is to have your in-laws see if there are any Deluxe Studio accommodations available using traditional payment methods at the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge for the dates that you are traveling. They can check this by calling 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) to check if there is any availability for the free dining plan package in these villas at that time. If they can book this, then both you and your in laws can put in a request that your rooms be close together.
Please do know that while Disney will do their best to honor all requests, they are not guaranteed.
I hope that this information is helpful for you, Kristi! Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.