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

[GrandCalifornian]

When you say the lobby is closed, you don't mean the ground-level lobby, right? Are you talking about the boarding in the lobby put up to block the south wing rooms?

I was referring to the lobby elevators only. The lobby itself is open, with the exception of the construction dividers and scrims that close off the south wing guest room areas.

 

[cornflkgrl]

I was referring to the lobby elevators only. The lobby itself is open, with the exception of the construction dividers and scrims that close off the south wing guest room areas.

Do you know if the little bridge with the water flowing under it is closed? (in front of the elevators) There are some rocking chairs there and my kids like to sit there in the evenings and relax and look out that window.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Do you know if the little bridge with the water flowing under it is closed? (in front of the elevators) There are some rocking chairs there and my kids like to sit there in the evenings and relax and look out that window.

It has been open in all of the pics that I have seen. My daughter loves the bridge and went back and forth over it many times when she was two...

@Wood Nymph posted pics in the WL FAQ thread which show the elevators closed and the bridge open, and I have not seen any evidence that it has changed:

 

[sleepydog25]

When you say the lobby is closed, you don't mean the ground-level lobby, right? Are you talking about the boarding in the lobby put up to block the south wing rooms?

Correct. The main lobby is still wide open, and the spring still gurgles.

 

[Quellman]

It has been open in all of the pics that I have seen. My daughter loves the bridge and went back and forth over it many times when she was two...

I think this must be some sort of rite of passage for kids or something. My 2 year old was with other tots running back and forth across it for what seemed like hours. I had to finally pry him away since we got the "room is available" notification and needed the boat back to the contemporary.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Do you know if the little bridge with the water flowing under it is closed? (in front of the elevators) There are some rocking chairs there and my kids like to sit there in the evenings and relax and look out that window.

The bridge was not blocked when I visited in Feb.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

You will find a lot of info on this thread, but to summarize the key points affecting a stay in 2016:
The following amenities are closed:

• Boat Rentals
• Beach
• Playground
• Campfires and Movies on the beach (Moves inside of VWL)
• Villas Pool
• Spa
• Kids Club
• Workout Room
• Elevators in the Lobby and South Wing
• The Club Level lounge has been moved temporarily to the Vice Presidential Suite.

Also half of the main building is currently closed during the construction, so only rooms in the North wing of the main building and the entire DVC Villas building are being used. This results in lower crowds overall at the resort.
On the plus side, the following amenities are still open:

• The main pool, hot tubs, and kids splash area
• Boat transportation to MK and CR and Fort Wilderness
• All Restaurants (Roaring Fork QS, WCC TS, and Artist Point Signature TS)
• Bus transportation to all parks (Including the quick 5 min direct trip to MK)
• The North Wing bank of elevators which are located next to Roaring Fork

Many guests who have visited recently reported little to no issues with noise, but construction is visible and you may hear work during the day. This will vary as the project progresses, since it is quite a big project that involves adding buildings along the shoreline both North and South of the current resort. During the construction it appears that "Standard View" is anything that isn't courtyard view, so you likely would face towards the Magic Kingdom which can give a nice view of fireworks. We are looking forward to WL in September, but knowing what to expect will help keep us from being surprised or disappointed by the construction.

When is your trip? It might be a great chance for you to give WL a try and will let you be way closer to MK than you would be at the Swan. Good luck with your choice.

We're arriving in a couple of days - this information is very helpful! Do you (or anyone) know if the gift shops toward the South side of the lobby are open? Just thinking about snacks and such...Thanks!

 

[sleepydog25]

We're arriving in a couple of days - this information is very helpful! Do you (or anyone) know if the gift shops toward the South side of the lobby are open? Just thinking about snacks and such...Thanks!

Absolutely open. The restaurants, the Mercantile, the arcade are all open. Honestly, most of the things that make WL so inviting are still there. The south wing is closed, and there is construction afoot; however, in no way does WL/VWL feel like it's a ghost town.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Absolutely open. The restaurants, the Mercantile, the arcade are all open. Honestly, most of the things that make WL so inviting are still there. The south wing is closed, and there is construction afoot; however, in no way does WL/VWL feel like it's a ghost town.

Thanks - good to know! We're looking forward to it - I'm thinking the lighter crowds there will make up for any inconveniences!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks - good to know! We're looking forward to it - I'm thinking the lighter crowds there will make up for any inconveniences!

The number of people at WL did seem less when we were there which makes sense given the whole south wing is closed; however, as you suggest, the lighter crowds there did help make up for the inconvenience. On that note, others have floated the idea to support the Lodge eateries with business during this low time. Many servers depend upon the tips of patrons for their livelihood, and lower crowds at WL mean fewer people eating in WCC, RF, and AP. Be sure to be good to them.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

The number of people at WL did seem less when we were there which makes sense given the whole south wing is closed; however, as you suggest, the lighter crowds there did help make up for the inconvenience. On that note, others have floated the idea to support the Lodge eateries with business during this low time. Many servers depend upon the tips of patrons for their livelihood, and lower crowds at WL mean fewer people eating in WCC, RF, and AP. Be sure to be good to them.

Being a server for a good portion of my life, I already know that, but thanks, and already have an ADR for WCC...

 

[veromikes]

My family (party of five)will be staying late April.We have a deluxe room with club level access.My concern is the old faithful club,is it where it normally was,or has it moved and does it have the same amenities?Any pictures would be appreciated.

 

[Dean Marino]

Being a server for a good portion of my life, I already know that, but thanks, and already have an ADR for WCC...

The number of people at WL did seem less when we were there which makes sense given the whole south wing is closed; however, as you suggest, the lighter crowds there did help make up for the inconvenience. On that note, others have floated the idea to support the Lodge eateries with business during this low time. Many servers depend upon the tips of patrons for their livelihood, and lower crowds at WL mean fewer people eating in WCC, RF, and AP. Be sure to be good to them.

Thanks all for saying this. Sandy and I have serious, totally unrelated by blood, FAMILY at Whispering Canyon. Short reference - we have gone there about 20 days per year since 2005. We know where the gum is on each chair bottom . And right now? Our family is worried . THEY have families - and this whole thing can NOT be good for them.

Please - if you find it in your hearts.... tip often, and tip well. BE a serious WL aficionado, and help our friends through a rough time. This reconstruction is NOT all about rooms.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My family (party of five)will be staying late April.We have a deluxe room with club level access.My concern is the old faithful club,is it where it normally was,or has it moved and does it have the same amenities?Any pictures would be appreciated.

Since you are a club level guest you are able to contact IPO directly to find out the status of the lounge. No one has reported back on what the current situation is and some of us are dying to know where the lounge is now.

 

[veromikes]

Since you are a club level guest you are able to contact IPO directly to find out the status of the lounge. No one has reported back on what the current situation is and some of us are dying to know where the lounge is now.

Thanks! Ill give them a call,and will definitely post video of the construction,and club level.

 

[coloneltaylor]

My family (party of five)will be staying late April.We have a deluxe room with club level access.My concern is the old faithful club,is it where it normally was,or has it moved and does it have the same amenities?Any pictures would be appreciated.

There are a couple of pictures of the Old Faithful Clubs current location on Humphrey's Unofficial Wilderness Lodge Pages on Facebook.

 

[WDWKOOK]

There are a couple of pictures of the Old Faithful Clubs current location on Humphrey's Unofficial Wilderness Lodge Pages on Facebook.

Thank you for directing the OP

 

[WDWKOOK]

My family (party of five)will be staying late April.We have a deluxe room with club level access.My concern is the old faithful club,is it where it normally was,or has it moved and does it have the same amenities?Any pictures would be appreciated.

to the DIS and our little thread, @veromikes. I hope you have a wonderful stay. Even though you won't be on the same floor as the lounge, don't forget to utilize it often. The OFC CMs are very friendly and helpful

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Thanks all for saying this. Sandy and I have serious, totally unrelated by blood, FAMILY at Whispering Canyon. Short reference - we have gone there about 20 days per year since 2005. We know where the gum is on each chair bottom . And right now? Our family is worried . THEY have families - and this whole thing can NOT be good for them.

Please - if you find it in your hearts.... tip often, and tip well. BE a serious WL aficionado, and help our friends through a rough time. This reconstruction is NOT all about rooms.

I can't even imagine how tough it must be - especially with this kind of lengthy construction - I really feel for your "family" - I'm sure that they appreciate your continued support!

We stayed there for the first time last April and we all really loved it! We're doing a split stay this time so we're only there a few days, but the first question that my kids asked me when I told them about the trip was if we could eat at WCC! We leave Friday morning - can't believe it!!

 

[operationjj]

Thanks! Ill give them a call,and will definitely post video of the construction,and club level.

That would be awesome we are staying in a deluxe room in late May and we are a little concerned about club level current situation and construction. We where never informed club level would be affected with construction or we may of reconsidered a different hotel but when we heard it was to late to switch. I just hope club level is still worth the money. Hope they don't short change the offerings because lack of space.