Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[kastoney]

Hi Kari!
I'm still lurking on this thread . I'm no expert by any means, but I do a LOT of research! According to Touring Plans these would be the standard view rooms (in pink) close to CYV rooms, since the south wing is closed it looks like these would be your choices on most floors of the lodge.
View attachment 145858
Image courtesy of touring plans

Hope that helps!

The inner courtyard rooms that are closest to the lobby the ones that overlook the upper springs area rather than the pool, are across the hall from the standard view rooms.

Thanks Sue and Kelly!

 

[Muligan21]

This may be our first year of staying at a Deluxe level Resort and given it is more expensive the Wilderness Lodge is not too far off price wise from our previous plans. I'm just curious is it worth it? Our original plan was to stay at CSR but our the family we are traveling with wants to bump up a level. Opinions on CBR/CSR vs WL? We have a lot of kids going on the trip and also wasn't sure how "Disney" it feels?

 

[GrandCalifornian]

This may be our first year of staying at a Deluxe level Resort and given it is more expensive the Wilderness Lodge is not too far off price wise from our previous plans. I'm just curious is it worth it? Our original plan was to stay at CSR but our the family we are traveling with wants to bump up a level. Opinions on CBR/CSR vs WL? We have a lot of kids going on the trip and also wasn't sure how "Disney" it feels?

Like many other people who frequent this thread, we absolutely love WL. It is our favorite resort at WDW, and to us it has everything we look for in a Disney Resort. Some particular things we really enjoy about it are the fact it is all under one roof (nice for Florida Rainstorms), is located on beautiful Bay Lake (allowing for nice views and Boat transportation to MK, CR, and FW), it offers Buses to all parks, and it is close to MK but still has a secluded feel. For just a little more than a Moderate, you can get some nice deluxe amenities like indoor hallways and a balcony at every room.

With that being said though, the current construction does have an adverse effect on WL. Currently the Villas pool, boat rentals, and campfire area are closed, and the entire South wing is under renovation, leaving only one set of Elevators in service. There is a lot of information posted on this project, and depending on when your trip will be and how much you hang around at the resort you can decide how much it would affect your trip. We are still planning on WL for our September trip, but would warn others that WL will not be at its best until at least 2017.

 

[Cinbride]

Considering just staying at WL. We like the boat ride to Mk and closeness of resort. As long as main pool is open in May. We can go to another for campfire. However, we need a room for 5 plus baby. Is that going to put us in the middle of construction?

 

[alliecat523]

We stayed at WL for the first time in December and my daughter LOVED it (I did too!). Felt VERY Disney to us. We love being under one roof and the ease of the boat to MK can't be beat. We were not bothered by the construction but we also didn't have young kids trying to nap during the day. We were always out in the parks and were never bothered by it.

I believe construction goes until 2017.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Considering just staying at WL. We like the boat ride to Mk and closeness of resort. As long as main pool is open in May. We can go to another for campfire. However, we need a room for 5 plus baby. Is that going to put us in the middle of construction?

That number of guests will put you in a Deluxe room or a villa. The Deluxe rooms are at the middle or ends of the wings, with generally a courtyard view. Of the resort's 25 total Deluxe rooms, 15 are in the South Wing that is currently closed, so that leaves you with only 10 available rooms, all of which are located at the end of the North Wing. There is some construction nearby, as they are building cabins along the shoreline near there. If you went with a Villa, you'd be in the VWL building on the South side of the resort and there would be nearby construction as well where they are building a new pool area and more cabins along the shoreline. If it's in the budget, I'd still go for it, but you will have to assess you own tolerance for construction.

 

[ElenaJane]

This picture was taken Tuesday morning, Jan 12, 2016. As you can see, there isn't any construction in the inner courtyard area. But I notice that the trees are getting bigger, which would block the view of Bay Lake from some of the rooms.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I am checking into the WL, Club Level on February 3rd. I now know what to expect, which will really help. I am disappointed now, but have time to get over it in 3 weeks. I hope they move the Lounge by then to the Yosemite Suite! That could actually be a fun thing. I did like having the lounge on the same floor as my room, so who knows how this will work out. We have a Standard View Club Level room. Anyway, thanks again!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Here are some lobby pictures showing how they were covering up sections of the south wing.


I've numbered the upper floors. The circled areas are the walls they have put up on each of these floors that block the guests' access to the windows. When I asked why they were blocking off the windows I got two different explanations. One CM side that they were going to replace the hallway carpet and didn't want the guests to see the work in progress. Another CM told me that they closed off half of the resort for tax purposes - because it would save more money to have half the resort shut down than to close down only sections of it.



This is before they started to cover the south side of the lobby.


They have finished the 6th and 7th floors.



All the floors are covered.


The lobby elevators are behind this wall.



Here is the club level window blocked. You can see the end of the food table in this picture.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

With the photos Wood Nymph just posted, WL looks like a ghost town!

 

[Wood Nymph]

With the photos Wood Nymph just posted, WL looks like a ghost town!

It was a ghost town except at dinner time.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

WOW

 

[Mrdski]

I saw on Humphrey's Facebook page that the rooms have a great view of the fireworks. Looking to find the rooms to request.

 

[pmaurer74]

I saw on Humphrey's Facebook page that the rooms have a great view of the fireworks. Looking to find the rooms to request.

north facing view, highest floor

 

[dansdad]

I saw on Humphrey's Facebook page that the rooms have a great view of the fireworks. Looking to find the rooms to request.

"Fireworks view" will work for a request. It's what my Parents request and have gotten a view of the Fireworks their last 3 trips.

 

[JReneeW]

Do we know which rooms off the lobby are closed? I would have loved to request one of those rooms but it looks like at least rooms 075, 077 and 079 are out of inventory?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Do we know which rooms off the lobby are closed? I would have loved to request one of those rooms but it looks like at least rooms 075, 077 and 079 are out of inventory?

I had to look at the room map in order to see which rooms you are asking about. Yes, those rooms are out of inventory. Rooms numbered 091 to 099 are out of inventory, too. All of the x1xx rooms are closed, too. The rooms circled in orange are closed now. They plan to be finished in eleven months.

 

[JReneeW]

View attachment 146340
I had to look at the room map in order to see which rooms you are asking about. Yes, those rooms are out of inventory. Rooms numbered 091 to 099 are out of inventory, too. All of the x1xx rooms are closed, too. The rooms circled in orange are closed now. They plan to be finished in eleven months.

Thank you so, so much! Just what I wanted to know!

 

[alhurricane]

Well after much debate and considering the construction, we booked a courtyard room for our April trip. The main things important to us are the location to MK, the restaurants, and the main pool. Given this, I would think our personal impact will be minimal. Since Disney still had courtyard rooms on discount, we took the plunge!

Quick question: If I request a view of Bay Lake and the geyser, how much of the construction will I notice over to the far right where the beach used to be? Thought it would be cool for the kids to be able to see the geyser and the water parade from the room balcony.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Well after much debate and considering the construction, we booked a courtyard room for our April trip. The main things important to us are the location to MK, the restaurants, and the main pool. Given this, I would think our personal impact will be minimal. Since Disney still had courtyard rooms on discount, we took the plunge!

Quick question: If I request a view of Bay Lake and the geyser, how much of the construction will I notice over to the far right where the beach used to be? Thought it would be cool for the kids to be able to see the geyser and the water parade from the room balcony.

Sounds like a plan! Since you'll be in the North Wing, the closer your room is to Bay Lake the more you'll be able to see the construction (and not have it blocked by the South Wing), but in general I wouldn't think the view from a courtyard view room would be that adversely affected. You can always look to the left out your balcony and see beautiful Bay Lake. Have a great trip.

 

[alhurricane]

Sounds like a plan! Since you'll be in the North Wing, the closer your room is to Bay Lake the more you'll be able to see the construction (and not have it blocked by the South Wing), but in general I wouldn't think the view from a courtyard view room would be that adversely affected. You can always look to the left out your balcony and see beautiful Bay Lake. Have a great trip.

Thanks! I think we will request inner courtyard or just outside of inner courtyard, where we can still see the bay, but have the south wing hide most of the unpleasant stuff.