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

[Starwind]

Orlando Parks News reports:

As previously reported, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing numerous refurbishment projects in an effort to enhance and refresh the Guest experience.

Beginning in January 2016, select areas of the resort will be temporarily closed due to the refurbishment, including the rooms in the south wing (unavailable starting from January 1), Cub’s Den (unavailable starting from Jan. 2), and the South Wing and Lobby Elevators (unavailable beginning from January 5).

Effective January 5, all Guests will be directed to use the elevators located near Roaring Fork Snacks, or take the stairs in the north wing. These will be the only elevators available in our main building. To get to these elevators from the lobby, Guests must:

• Take the ramp down toward Roaring Fork Snacks;
• Turn left at the bottom of the ramp;
• Continue walking. Elevator bank is located on the left hand side at the end of the corridor.

Last I checked one cannot get from the RF-north wing elevators to the lobby-facing rooms on either side.

So does that mean they will be closing the lobby-facing rooms, too ?? I weould certainly hate to have to hike up all those stairs, and some people just couldn't.

SW

 

[Wood Nymph]

Oh boy. We will be there at the end of the month. No (well, basically no) elevator should be fun with a double stroller. I'll tell DH to start practiceing carrying it up and down stairs now.

There are two banks of elevators by Roaring Forks so it shouldn't be too busy, especially if almost half the resort is empty.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Last I checked one cannot get from the RF-north wing elevators to the lobby-facing rooms on either side.

We were in a lobby facing room last January and we could use the elevator near Roaring Forks. There is a hallway that makes a lot of turns, but it will get you there.

 

[yooperfan]

So, let's say your in the lobby facing rooms on the south side of the lobby. If you want to take the bus, you have to go over to the North side of the resort to take an elevator then walk back to the south side to catch a bus (or take the steps). Doesn't sound like a deluxe experience to me.

 

[OKW Lover]

Last I checked one cannot get from the RF-north wing elevators to the lobby-facing rooms on either side.

Not true. You just need to walk down a hallway to get to them.

 

[Starwind]

Not true. You just need to walk down a hallway to get to them.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I'm not familiar with the facility, but am staying in a DVC unit in a month. How are these latest changes impacting that area?

DVC units are really a different building. The elevator closures mentioned above will not impact you.

jdrasin, may I suggest you take a look at page 1 of this thread to see how the entire WL property construction may effect your stay (unless you were actually referring to just the south wing elevators).

So, let's say your in the lobby facing rooms on the south side of the lobby. If you want to take the bus, you have to go over to the North side of the resort to take an elevator then walk back to the south side to catch a bus (or take the steps). Doesn't sound like a deluxe experience to me.

Much of the beloved Lodge won't be much of a deluxe experience thru 2017.

 

[jdrasin]

jdrasin, may I suggest you take a look at page 1 of this thread to see how the entire WL property construction may effect your stay (unless you were actually referring to just the south wing elevators).

I saw specifically curious about the elevators. The construction was announced after we booked (well, the person we bought points from booked for us). They were generous with their compensation, but I realize it's not going to be as nice as it was or will be in a couple years.

 

[MaizeRage25]

Touring Plans posted a WL construction update on their blog:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/01/06/wilderness-lodge-construction-update/

No mention of the elevator closures though.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Recently filed WL/VWL NoCs:


CONSTRUCTION OF THE 26 CABINS:





THIS IS FOR WILDERNESS LODGE AND COULD PERTAIN TO MANY RELATED PROJECTS SUCH AS THE RUMORED WL ROOM CONVERSION TO DVC VILLAS:



THIS ADDRESS IS ALSO FOR WILDERNESS LODGE AND COULD INCLUDE THE OLD FAITHFUL CLUB LOUNGE WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED AND RELOCATED:




THIS IS FOR VWL'S NEW POOLSIDE RESTROOM:




"LINEN STAGING STORAGE BUILDING." THIS MAY BE A BUILDING SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POLY BUNGALOWS (THAT I CAREFULLY OBSCURED BEHIND THIS SIGN):






THIS IS LOCATED AT VWL AND COULD BE A POOL EQUIPMENT BUILDING OR THE NEW COMMUNITY HALL:




THIS IS FOR ROOFING AND EXTERIOR REHAB WORK TO VWL, BUT IT EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER, NOT 2018 LIKE THE OTHERS:
​

 

[WDWKOOK]

Touring Plans posted a WL construction update on their blog:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/01/06/wilderness-lodge-construction-update/

No mention of the elevator closures though.

Welcome to the DIS, @MaizeRage25! Thank you for posting the link to more information and current photos.

Just a couple of corrections: The work is on-going through 2017, not 2016 as stated at the end of the article. And, the "new playground equipment" pictured is actually the old playground equipment which has been unceremoniously dumped over by Teton Boat and Bike Rental's beach area.

 

[JulieODC]

I saw specifically curious about the elevators. The construction was announced after we booked (well, the person we bought points from booked for us). They were generous with their compensation, but I realize it's not going to be as nice as it was or will be in a couple years.

This is what I'm wondering about as well. We're staying 2 nights in the WL villas the first week of March, and I'm trying to figure out what rooms to possibly request (we're in a studio), and how we'll be getting from the room to the MK boat (i.e., will the hallway near the elevators/cubs den be closed off?)...

 

[Wood Nymph]

This is what I'm wondering about as well. We're staying 2 nights in the WL villas the first week of March, and I'm trying to figure out what rooms to possibly request (we're in a studio), and how we'll be getting from the room to the MK boat (i.e., will the hallway near the elevators/cubs den be closed off?)...

The villas are in a separate building from the lodge, so the elevator closures won't affect the villas. I am assuming that you will still be able to walk from the villas building to the WL, entering through the door by the Mercantile. Just walk through the lobby and down the ramp toward Roaring Forks. You'll be able to walk to the boat that way.

We will be checking into the WL tomorrow so I will find out for sure about the construction and the closures.

 

[Kathymford]

The villas are in a separate building from the lodge, so the elevator closures won't affect the villas. I am assuming that you will still be able to walk from the villas building to the WL, entering through the door by the Mercantile. Just walk through the lobby and down the ramp toward Roaring Forks. You'll be able to walk to the boat that way.

We will be checking into the WL tomorrow so I will find out for sure about the construction and the closures.

This is correct. That walkway is still open. We're here now and for the most part, the construction is a non-issue for us. You can definitely hear some in the main lobby as they appear to be working in the hotel room conversion.

 

[georgejr]

thanks @WDWKOOK for posting the commencement of work filings. I am really excited to see these changes and have my fingers crossed for a community hall since the only one in MK area is at BLT. Also looking forward to some artist renderings of the new pool area. Went ahead and added on some VWL points because of how much we love it there!

 

[shmom]

So for an April stay, would a standard room or a courtyard room be preferable?? - the courtyard is $50 more.

 

[WDWKOOK]

@Wood Nymph has been posting daily news updates to the WL thread from PAGE 156 on. Her updates include new information regarding the Old Faithful Club renovation, the South Wing DVC expansion and the new VWL pool. Lots of great breaking news.​

 

[WDWKOOK]

So for an April stay, would a standard room or a courtyard room be preferable?? - the courtyard is $50 more.

I would recommend a CYV room since currently there isn't any construction in that area. At some point, a new parking lot/garage to the west and cabins will be built between Bay Lake and the NW. The SW is currently closed and may remain that way through the end of the year.

 

[yooperfan]

This is correct. That walkway is still open. We're here now and for the most part, the construction is a non-issue for us. You can definitely hear some in the main lobby as they appear to be working in the hotel room conversion.

You can here construction in the lobby? What time of day?

 

[WDWKOOK]

@Wood Nymph, who stayed CL at WL this week, posted a summary of the current state of WL/VWL HERE. Here is her summary which I will expand upon a bit and also post to POST 1. She is heading home today and will post many photos soon.


WL unchanged as of right now:
main lobby area of WL
main pool, splash pad and Trout Bar - still having pool parties, too
restaurants - still serving same food, etc
North wing
seating area on the fourth floor above the main lobby entrance
buses and their frequency - it seems like they are running on the normal schedule although there are less people on them
boats - still running on the same schedule although there are less people on them
wonderful, friendly cast members
the whole inner courtyard with the waterfall, etc, is still the same

things that are unavailable or modified:
south wing closed
lobby elevators closed
balcony viewing areas that face Bay Lake closed on fourth floor and fifth floors
sitting area above front doors on fifth floor closed off
beach closed
marina closed
movies on the beach moved to villas building
bike rentals are available I think. I saw all the bikes stacked at the Cubs Den play area
Cubs Den closed
Old Faithful Club under major renovation with temporary situation

They haven't started the heavy construction yet so there really isn't very much disruption at this time. But once they really get going on building the new pool and the cabins, it is going to be one heck of a major project. I would hesitate to advise anyone to stay here during that time, unless you plan to be at the parks during the work hours and you get a good discount. And the courtyard rooms that face the main pool won't really be too affected.

As far as club level - there are some major changes in the works, including building a whole new lounge. But during the construction period the temporary lounge experience will be different than what it has been. We were rather unfortunate to end up arriving in this weird transition period.