BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS & COPPER CREEK VILLAS & CABINS: Wilderness Lodge DVC Expansion Thread

[Dean Marino]

They really need to expand Roaring Forks. It is crowded enough during meal times. Adding even more DVC rooms is going to make lines longer and tables harder to find.

Wellllll - I'm not sure they do. A good chunk of the "New VLW" will actually be converted Main Lodge Rooms - zero net gain of humans .
The CABINS represent a larger footprint.... on the other hand, a new RESTAURANT is being added. So, by the time humans actually arrive for the "New VLW"? There may actually be pretty decent restaurant capacity. We're torn over breakfasts at Whispering Canyon, vs the new restaurant on the water .

 

[npcougar]

Wellllll - I'm not sure they do. A good chunk of the "New VLW" will actually be converted Main Lodge Rooms - zero net gain of humans .
The CABINS represent a larger footprint.... on the other hand, a new RESTAURANT is being added. So, by the time humans actually arrive for the "New VLW"? There may actually be pretty decent restaurant capacity. We're torn over breakfasts at Whispering Canyon, vs the new restaurant on the water .

I disagree with zero net gain. The lodge is pretty empty most of the year. I can't remember the number but I think the occupancy will go up considerably by adding dvc rooms in the main lodge. As for restaurants, RF is a quick service. The only one there.

 

[Dean Marino]

I disagree with zero net gain. The lodge is pretty empty most of the year. I can't remember the number but I think the occupancy will go up considerably by adding dvc rooms in the main lodge. As for restaurants, RF is a quick service. The only one there.

Actually? I think you are dead right. Sandy and I also noticed the occupancy level of the Lodge over the last three years - it was pretty poor, and our CM friends in the restaurants were getting worried .

Probably a better way for me to put all this... "zero net gain" in the main lodge refers to the capacity that was planned for, in terms of restaurant space, for an occupied lodge. In that sense? There should be sufficient capacity - and perhaps, for the first time in a long time, ENOUGH guests to use the designed capacity .

 

[grannyminnie]

I am just the opposite. They already have the courtyard done, and if you look at those plans, if you have an inner courtyard view, you won't even see any construction other than while walking to the boat dock. I think enough people will not stay there that it becomes even more inviting to some of us.

I'm starting to come around to this point of view...as long as the banging doesn't interrupt my sleep, I'm good! And since I am tentatively planning a Jan. visit, we won't be using the pool, just walking out to the boat dock. Don't care if I see or hear construction. As long as the lobby stays big and gorgeous, it's all good!!

 

[sotoalf]

Wow. I had no idea the Lodge suffered from poor occupancy. Am I correct in saying occupancy peaks in winter and drops thereafter?

 

[twinklebug]

Wow. I had no idea the Lodge suffered from poor occupancy. Am I correct in saying occupancy peaks in winter and drops thereafter?

Yes. It would seem the dark wood tones of the lodge (and villas) combined with the woodsy feeling and fireplaces drive people to other resorts in the hotter months.

Personally, I love everything the way it is, at any time of year.

 

[LemonNeko]

Can someone there now tell me if the trail is closed yet? We arrive next week and I'm hoping that the close it a couple of days late.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wow. I had no idea the Lodge suffered from poor occupancy. Am I correct in saying occupancy peaks in winter and drops thereafter?

I seriously doubt that it suffers from poor occupancy either. Since Disney doesn't announce occupancy rates for each resort, there's no way for any of us to know that for sure. Some will point to the "need" to offer discounts in order to fill resorts but I don't think that's a good argument.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Can someone there now tell me if the trail is closed yet? We arrive next week and I'm hoping that the close it a couple of days late.

I sent an email to Disney yesterday and got a call today from Guest Relations. She did say that the nature trail will be closed while we're there (October 18-24) but that the walking trail will still be open. She didn't say when it will be closing, though...if you got a letter, then you know you'll be impacted. If not, I'd assume it's going to remain open during your visit.

She did clarify that the work going on with the scaffolding is "routine maintenance" of the grout work between the logs (which we already figured out). She did say that according to the Lodge management, they're almost finished with that and that the scaffolding will likely be down by the time we arrive. She did say that no "heavy, loud" construction would start until the 26th, but that we would likely start to see walls going up while we're there (even though no amenities will actually be closed, other than the trail). So I think that the 26th is looking like a pretty firm date for actual construction, or rather demo of the quiet pool.

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

Does anyone know what the construction will be like in June 2016. I really want to stay here but don't want to spend a lot of money if the construction is crazy!!

 

[Dean Marino]

Does anyone know what the construction will be like in June 2016. I really want to stay here but don't want to spend a lot of money if the construction is crazy!!

Best I can say.... on other threads, the building permits for this project extend into 2018. Will the project actually go that long? Can't say.

 

[GetGlowing]

I can't believe with all of the construction going on or about to start: I just priced an April weekend and Woods View WL was just $88 less than Contemporary Garden Wing. What the What???? No wonder they're having to appease people who've already made reservations. They really upped the rates for '16 for Woods Vw. Standard is still a lot less.

 

[JReneeW]

Has anyone with a "construction discount" for 2016 been able to book the new SPD or room only discounts and keep their $100/night discount for construction, too?

 

[LemonNeko]

I sent an email to Disney yesterday and got a call today from Guest Relations. She did say that the nature trail will be closed while we're there (October 18-24) but that the walking trail will still be open. She didn't say when it will be closing, though...if you got a letter, then you know you'll be impacted. If not, I'd assume it's going to remain open during your visit.

She did clarify that the work going on with the scaffolding is "routine maintenance" of the grout work between the logs (which we already figured out). She did say that according to the Lodge management, they're almost finished with that and that the scaffolding will likely be down by the time we arrive. She did say that no "heavy, loud" construction would start until the 26th, but that we would likely start to see walls going up while we're there (even though no amenities will actually be closed, other than the trail). So I think that the 26th is looking like a pretty firm date for actual construction, or rather demo of the quiet pool.

Thanks, I got the letter and we arrive the same day they say it is closing so maybe I'll get lucky and they will start a couple of days late if not at least I knew it was coming.

 

[laur05]

I was just looking at the recreation calendar for Halloween and I'm wondering how they plan to do the campfire and movie under the stars when according to the construction schedule the beach and fire pit are to be closed starting October 26.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was just looking at the recreation calendar for Halloween and I'm wondering how they plan to do the campfire and movie under the stars when according to the construction schedule the beach and fire pit are to be closed starting October 26.

I believe the letters that were sent out stated that the movies would be held in the train room in the Villas lobby. For marshmallow roasting you could go over to FW.

 

[laur05]

That's what I thought too but in the list of events it actually said "movie under the stars" and didn't say anything about the campfire being held off premises. Maybe just wishful thinking

 

[laur05]

http://characterlocator.com/images/... Lodge Resort Recreation Activity Guide-2.jpg

Here's the link

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That's what I thought too but in the list of events it actually said "movie under the stars" and didn't say anything about the campfire being held off premises. Maybe just wishful thinking

Perhaps they aren't closing that area down right on the 26th.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I believe the letters that were sent out stated that the movies would be held in the train room in the Villas lobby. For marshmallow roasting you could go over to FW.

That's correct and that's what they did during the pool rehab and what they do during inclement weather. In addition to FW, you can take the Blue Flag over to BLT where they also have a nightly free marshmallow roast.