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

[WDWKOOK]

I realize there are no guarantees.... But I have friends planning their first (and potentially only) Disney trip in October. They were thinking about staying at WL, as they've heard us talk about how much we love it there. But I'm not sure if I should recommend it with all the construction. Any general ideas of how the resort will be by October?

Construction aside, I would make sure your friends are aware of everything that will be unavailable.

From POST 1. The * are just to note my comments Vs. Wood Nymph's comments and the OFC lounge has since moved to the VP Suite:

I'll be there Monday and Tuesday and plan on posting pics and vids.Im staying club level and am curious to see the new lounge.So stoked

Can't wait to see your photos of the OFC in the VP Suite. Could you ask an OFC CM if they have an estimate of when the new lounge will be open?

A couple photos from this Tuesday:

Great photos - thank you for posting them. It looks like the restaurant is coming along quickly. Perhaps they're going to try to finish everything else before they start building the cabins.

 

[jak07]

Ok let me ask you this.
They are demolishing the 2 north honeymoon suites that have a castle view? Why? I know why, but why those? What are they doing with the other 2 honeymoon suites that were next to the old OFC? The view from those is what? I have stayed in the north honeymoon suite and it was a beautiful view, I'm not sure why they would get rid of those?
Also, I know nobody knows and it's all speculation, but why are they taking the lobby seating around the railing away from the 7th floor? Will they still have it down one side? I loved eating there and people watching. That's why we liked WL club level over the other club levels because I don't like being stuck in a room like that to eat. It drives me nuts when we go to the other club levels to eat. I know I'm not actually stuck in the room but I think you know what I mean.
So if the south wing is being converted to DVC, does that include the lobby rooms too and is everything going to connect? Will you still be able to walk from the north over to the south around the lobby? How will they keep DVC peeps on the 7th floor out of the OFC?

 

[jon18uk]

I know someone who knows someone and the info they got was that it would be a counter service restaurant. So far, everything I heard through this person has been very much spot on. However, a grain of salt can never hurt...

Given the new quiet pool at the Poly gained a quick service bar and grill when they rebuilt the pool, I would expect the new restaurant at WL to be the same. A combined pool bar and quick service grill. The menu at the new Poly one looks good though http://allears.net/dining/menu/oasis-bar-and-grill/all-day
Hurricane Hanna's at Stormalong Bay is a similar concept as well I think.

This should help Roaring Fork during lunch and early evening, but I guess the main advantage would be not needing to go indoors to get food while relaxing by the pool.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ok let me ask you this.
They are demolishing the 2 north honeymoon suites that have a castle view? Why? I know why, but why those? What are they doing with the other 2 honeymoon suites that were next to the old OFC? The view from those is what? I have stayed in the north honeymoon suite and it was a beautiful view, I'm not sure why they would get rid of those?

Also, I know nobody knows and it's all speculation, but why are they taking the lobby seating around the railing away from the 7th floor? Will they still have it down one side? I loved eating there and people watching. That's why we liked WL club level over the other club levels because I don't like being stuck in a room like that to eat. It drives me nuts when we go to the other club levels to eat. I know I'm not actually stuck in the room but I think you know what I mean.

So if the south wing is being converted to DVC, does that include the lobby rooms too and is everything going to connect? Will you still be able to walk from the north over to the south around the lobby? How will they keep DVC peeps on the 7th floor out of the OFC?

The two North Wing Honeymoon Suites are being "reimagined" into the new OFC lounge. The lounge is temporarily located in the VP Suite now. There is a wall up now dividing the corridor where seating and the large window overlooking Bay Lake is. Guests can no longer look out the window to the courtyard/Bay Lake. Wood Nymph posted photos in January.

If in fact the entire South Wing is being converted into DVC villas, then the old lounge and the two South Wing HS would be converted. The view from the two SW HS wasn't actually ideal. It was almost identical to a Standard View room on that side, but on the 7th floor, so higher up. The view is of the bus stop and FW woods beyond, the parking lot to the right and VWL to the left. While we have DVC confirmation of the expansion of DVC at WL, we don't yet know exactly what is happening to the South Wing. For now, there are no more Honeymoon Suites nor a Presidential Suite and half of the Deluxe rooms are unavailable.

 

[Dean Marino]

Given the new quiet pool at the Poly gained a quick service bar and grill when they rebuilt the pool, I would expect the new restaurant at WL to be the same. A combined pool bar and quick service grill. The menu at the new Poly one looks good though http://allears.net/dining/menu/oasis-bar-and-grill/all-day
Hurricane Hanna's at Stormalong Bay is a similar concept as well I think.

This should help Roaring Fork during lunch and early evening, but I guess the main advantage would be not needing to go indoors to get food while relaxing by the pool.

It makes sense - but I have to personally suggest that this would be the greatest WASTE of a stunning location since Be Our Guest was constructed .
We were personally hoping for a second SIG with a lake view, similar to Narcoossee's at the GF.

 

[jon18uk]

It makes sense - but I have to personally suggest that this would be the greatest WASTE of a stunning location since Be Our Guest was constructed .
We were personally hoping for a second SIG with a lake view, similar to Narcoossee's at the GF.

Having taken a look again at the plans on DVCMikes site I have changed my mind. The new building is closer to the lake that the pool so it could end up being a full restaurant. But does WL need another signature alongside Artist Point? Or I guess they could "downgrade" Artist Point to a regular TS, so WCC offers the antics and smoked meats, AP offers good TS meals and then new lakeside restaurant is a luxe signature.
But I still also think an additional QS location similar to the Poly would be good too.

 

[WDWKOOK]

It appears we have a name!

Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
~WDW News Today

​

 

[twinklebug]

It appears we have a name!

Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
~WDW News Today

​

That's not so bad. Better than VWL II

 

[veromikes]

Hey just got back from WL club level and it was awesome! Check out www.youtube/veromikes

 

[veromikes]

www.youtube/veromikes/wilderness lodge club level

 

[WDWKOOK]

Here's the correct link:

Going to look at it now

Hey just got back from WL club level and it was awesome! Check out www.youtube/veromikes

www.youtube/veromikes/wilderness lodge club level

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks so much for posting your video, @veromikes! The set-up actually looks really nice and you even managed to get Mike, a wonderful CL CM, into the action, (whether he liked it or not).

Considering how nice everything looks in the VP Suite, I would imagine the new lounge, which will have a direct view of Wishes, will be even better.

 

[WDWKOOK]

That's not so bad. Better than VWL II

Guess this confirms no teepees floatin' 'round Bay Lake

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks so much for posting your video, @veromikes! The set-up actually looks really nice and you even managed to get Mike, a wonderful CL CM, into the action, (whether he liked it or not).

Considering how nice everything looks in the VP Suite, I would imagine the new lounge, which will have a direct view of Wishes, will be even better.

I wish they had the VP suite set up when we were there. It would have made all the difference in the world. They even have cobbler once again. I wish we had more than just the same cookies for dessert every night.

 

[Circusgirl]

Thank you so much for the video! I was made very happy by seeing the big blue oatmeal pot and the cobbler!!! I am booked Old Faithful Club July 22-27 and I'm super excited to go back despite the construction. The lounge looks fantastic in its temporary home. Now I'm hoping they don't finish the new lounge until after my visit.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I wish they had the VP suite set up when we were there. It would have made all the difference in the world. They even have cobbler once again. I wish we had more than just the same cookies for dessert every night.

I really think you need an OFC do-over when the lounge re-opens in its new location

Thank you so much for the video! I was made very happy by seeing the big blue oatmeal pot and the cobbler!!! I am booked Old Faithful Club July 22-27 and I'm super excited to go back despite the construction. The lounge looks fantastic in its temporary home. Now I'm hoping they don't finish the new lounge until after my visit.

It'll have to be even better in its new location with a Wishes view and I believe even more square footage than the VP Suite. And, it'll have that new lounge smell

 

[jak07]

The two North Wing Honeymoon Suites are being "reimagined" into the new OFC lounge. The lounge is temporarily located in the VP Suite now. There is a wall up now dividing the corridor where seating and the large window overlooking Bay Lake is. Guests can no longer look out the window to the courtyard/Bay Lake. Wood Nymph posted photos in January.

If in fact the entire South Wing is being converted into DVC villas, then the old lounge and the two South Wing HS would be converted. The view from the two SW HS wasn't actually ideal. It was almost identical to a Standard View room on that side, but on the 7th floor, so higher up. The view is of the bus stop and FW woods beyond, the parking lot to the right and VWL to the left. While we have DVC confirmation of the expansion of DVC at WL, we don't yet know exactly what is happening to the South Wing. For now, there are no more Honeymoon Suites nor a Presidential Suite and half of the Deluxe rooms are unavailable.

Thank you!
Is the wall diving the corridor permanent or just temporary?
Now that the name was released, that tells us that the South Wing will be the villas in the name. I know a lot of people are excited for the new DVC, but I'm bummed. We could hardly get a room at WL before, we are really not going to be able to get one now that half of the resort is gone.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Is the wall diving the corridor permanent or just temporary?

The wall is just temporary. They told us that is was put up to prevent construction debris, dust and dirt from spreading to the rest of the lodge.

 

[sleepydog25]

Having taken a look again at the plans on DVCMikes site I have changed my mind. The new building is closer to the lake that the pool so it could end up being a full restaurant. But does WL need another signature alongside Artist Point? Or I guess they could "downgrade" Artist Point to a regular TS, so WCC offers the antics and smoked meats, AP offers good TS meals and then new lakeside restaurant is a luxe signature.
But I still also think an additional QS location similar to the Poly would be good too.

I believe your initial take will be correct. While the building is close to the lake, it sits perpendicular to the water which wouldn't leave very many prime viewing tables inside for a signature. Further, in pictures others have posted on another thread, there appears to be a covered patio to the north of the new building which would further prohibit quality views from inside said building. While two signatures is within the realm of possibility, given that AP already is one of the easiest (if not THE easiest) signature to reserve and is rarely crowded suggests otherwise. Like you, I think "the building on the beach" will be some sort of QS in combination with a bar, as well as some other areas that have been mentioned such as an activities center, et. al. Surely will be fun to speculate until plans are made official.

 

[WDWKOOK]

In regards to the building that's being built on the shores of Bay Lake, next to the marina, it's been speculated since last year that this building will be a "bar and grill," and will most likely replace Trout Pass bar, but will also offer hot food. There is also speculation that a small bar will be built near the new VWL pool, just as they've built next to the Poly Quiet Pool.

In POST 1, the "project considerations," which is part of the permit package, states there will be "new restaurants."



In the plans (also in POST 1), there are two new buildings being built next to the new VWL pool. One is likely to be a Community Hall and the other hasn't been identified, but may be the new bar or possibly restrooms. However, this is all speculation at this time.