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

[WDWKOOK]

I believe it's below the confluence of walkways between the Lodge, the Villas, the bus stop thruway, and the bike trail to FW. As it appears in the video, if you hang a left down the stairs between VWL and the main Lodge, I believe it sits at the point of the sidewalk between the south wing of the Lodge and the north portion of the Villas. . .based on what I can see in the video.

That is correct - just to the left of the bridge to VWL that leads from the arcade/Cub's Den WL entrance.

 

[Granny]

The WL will be the SECOND Hotel to re-designate what they view as "excess Rental capacity" to DVC. The FIRST was the Poly.

Wasn't AKL the first Deluxe to convert to DVC, then Poly, and now WL?

lgcountry...you are correct. WL will be the third building to convert existing resort room space to DVC.

Dean...I agree that excess capacity is a prime driver of these room conversions. Also, by having DVC owners picking up a larger part of the shared expenses, they make the remaining resort more profitable while increasing its occupancy rate.

Just me - the Grand Floridian is RIPE for this : disconnected buildings.

I don't know if GF has a lot of underutilized capacity...if they did it seems to me that they would have done a room conversion at the time they built VGF. They still might, but that suggests that GF doesn't have an occupancy issue.

As you said, it's all conjecture and opinion. That's part of the fun of boards like this.

 

[BabyFu18]

Since they are moving the club level lounge to the two honeymoon suites, does that mean the new lounge won't have all the seating like the lounge used to have? When we stayed there a few years ago at Christmas time we loved sitting in the CL lounge and being able to see the lobby and Christmas tree below it was so serene and relaxing. I'll miss that feature if it's not a part of the future club level lounge, I don't know if I'll stay at the WL again or not, I've only stayed once and I did enjoy it but I'll have to wait and see what the renovation looks like and see if we want to stay again once it's all done.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

So I'm going to be the annoying nit who pops in with the golden question: When will all this be complete? My parents are finally coming around to the idea of a WDW trip (been rough since my brother died) and I've got them sold on a 2 bedroom villa. Mom's first choice was WL. Been a while since I did a WDW trip. I literally had no clue about this expansion. We are planning for January 2018. What's the likelihood of the south wing being up & running then? Any guesses? Or maybe I should start steering Mom towards a different resort. TIA. Apologies for being "that guy".

 

[sleepydog25]

So I'm going to be the annoying nit who pops in with the golden question: When will all this be complete? My parents are finally coming around to the idea of a WDW trip (been rough since my brother died) and I've got them sold on a 2 bedroom villa. Mom's first choice was WL. Been a while since I did a WDW trip. I literally had no clue about this expansion. We are planning for January 2018. What's the likelihood of the south wing being up & running then? Any guesses? Or maybe I should start steering Mom towards a different resort. TIA. Apologies for being "that guy".

I would stay with VWL (by the way, in case you haven't completely caught up, the new construction is going to be called Copper Creek Villas and Cabins and the classic VWL is being renamed sometime later this month, I think, to Boulder Ridge Villas though I will always refer to it as VWL). I don't know that the new villas in the south wing (a part of Copper Creek) will be open by then or not, and if they are, it could be tough to snag besides. However, the VWL 2BRs certainly are open. Disney notoriously and purposefully leaks very little information about construction, so any comments about when it will be completed is pure conjecture at this point. That being said, original press releases mentioned the construction going well into 2017 and I suspected into 2018. However, the progress of the cabins, the new eatery on the beach, and the new quiet pool appears to be going relatively well, so I'm thinking the new resort might be up and operating by the beginning of 2018. All of this is a long-winded way of saying that no one knows when the construction will be completed.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I would stay with VWL (by the way, in case you haven't completely caught up, the new construction is going to be called Copper Creek Villas and Cabins and the classic VWL is being renamed sometime later this month, I think, to Boulder Ridge Villas though I will always refer to it as VWL). I don't know that the new villas in the south wing (a part of Copper Creek) will be open by then or not, and if they are, it could be tough to snag besides. However, the VWL 2BRs certainly are open. Disney notoriously and purposefully leaks very little information about construction, so any comments about when it will be completed is pure conjecture at this point. That being said, original press releases mentioned the construction going well into 2017 and I suspected into 2018. However, the progress of the cabins, the new eatery on the beach, and the new quiet pool appears to be going relatively well, so I'm thinking the new resort might be up and operating by the beginning of 2018. All of this is a long-winded way of saying that no one knows when the construction will be completed.

Thanks so much for the response. I really do appreciate it. I feel like I'm walking a thin line working this out so its best for my folks. They need a super relaxed "home" as they can't do parks for long periods. I'm also trying to stay in a resort that Mom never stayed at with my brother. I don't want to make this first trip back to WDW harder on her. That rules out a bunch. We're hoping to book thru Disney (vs rented points if we can avoid it) utilizing the military discount. Now that I think about it, I highly doubt there will be any at the soon-to-be-renamed-VWL. They'll fill those rooms without any problems. I'll still check for it but will count on Kidani as our most likely destination.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks so much for the response. I really do appreciate it. I feel like I'm walking a thin line working this out so its best for my folks. They need a super relaxed "home" as they can't do parks for long periods. I'm also trying to stay in a resort that Mom never stayed at with my brother. I don't want to make this first trip back to WDW harder on her. That rules out a bunch. We're hoping to book thru Disney (vs rented points if we can avoid it) utilizing the military discount. Now that I think about it, I highly doubt there will be any at the soon-to-be-renamed-VWL. They'll fill those rooms without any problems. I'll still check for it but will count on Kidani as our most likely destination.

Actually when a new DVC opens, it's easier to get a room because they have not declared all the rooms to DVC yet. Considering they were gutted when I was there last May, I would think they would be open by January 2018.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Actually when a new DVC opens, it's easier to get a room because they have not declared all the rooms to DVC yet. Considering they were gutted when I was there last May, I would think they would be open by January 2018.

Cool! Will definitely give it a shot!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks so much for the response. I really do appreciate it. I feel like I'm walking a thin line working this out so its best for my folks. They need a super relaxed "home" as they can't do parks for long periods. I'm also trying to stay in a resort that Mom never stayed at with my brother. I don't want to make this first trip back to WDW harder on her. That rules out a bunch. We're hoping to book thru Disney (vs rented points if we can avoid it) utilizing the military discount. Now that I think about it, I highly doubt there will be any at the soon-to-be-renamed-VWL. They'll fill those rooms without any problems. I'll still check for it but will count on Kidani as our most likely destination.

Don't be surprised if you can actually get it with the military discount. I know that a lot has changed since BLT opened back in 2009. But, before it opened, I was able to book, with the military rate, a one-bedroom about 6 months prior to it opening. Again, I know this was 7 years ago, but you just never know how many or if any, villas will be apportioned by Disney as cash reservations or with the military rate.

Not trying to turn you in a different direction, but you mention needing a "super relaxed resort" that your folks can call "home." Have you considered a FW Cabin for them? I think that might be prefect for them and you can use the military -35% off Moderates there.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Don't be surprised if you can actually get it with the military discount. I know that a lot has changed since BLT opened back in 2009. But, before it opened, I was able to book, with the military rate, a one-bedroom about 6 months prior to it opening. Again, I know this was 7 years ago, but you just never know how many or if any, villas will be apportioned by Disney as cash reservations or with the military rate.

Not trying to turn you in a different direction, but you mention needing a "super relaxed resort" that your folks can call "home." Have you considered a FW Cabin for them? I think that might be prefect for them and you can use the military -35% off Moderates there.

I will definitely give booking cash with the military discount a shot. I think if we don't get WL (or the other name for it, LOL) we'll shoot for a dedicated 2 bedroom at Kidani. I just stayed in one a couple weeks ago. I think the layout would be perfect. There's always renting points, too. I think my folks are looking for that home-away-from-home vibe. But my mom is nooooooo camper. She's a room service kinda girl the way I am. We'll also be utilizing an ECV for Mom & wheelchair for Dad. Not sure those work with the cabins. They both like the idea of watching the critters outside at AKL/KV. I have given thought to BLT but I think the elevators over in the Contemporary tower to go to the buses would be a pain. I think there's a walkway outside BLT to the bus spot at Contemporary but not sure. Do you know?

 

[goopysolelady]

I will definitely give booking cash with the military discount a shot. I think if we don't get WL (or the other name for it, LOL) we'll shoot for a dedicated 2 bedroom at Kidani. I just stayed in one a couple weeks ago. I think the layout would be perfect. There's always renting points, too. I think my folks are looking for that home-away-from-home vibe. But my mom is nooooooo camper. She's a room service kinda girl the way I am. We'll also be utilizing an ECV for Mom & wheelchair for Dad. Not sure those work with the cabins. They both like the idea of watching the critters outside at AKL/KV. I have given thought to BLT but I think the elevators over in the Contemporary tower to go to the buses would be a pain. I think there's a walkway outside BLT to the bus spot at Contemporary but not sure. Do you know?

Yes there is a walkway from BLT to bus stop. This isn't "the walk" any of us want to do but this leads to the Bus Stop (and to the ME pickup area):

This is the bus stop area:

...and you also have the walkway to the MK:

You may have a slight issue taking the monorail to Epcot...you'd have to take the CR elevators to the monorail and then change monorails at TTC. Next to WL, BLT is my favorite...honestly, AKL/KV is my least favorite...those hallways go on F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

 

[Tink1987]

Are the boardings still up in the lobby/lobby balcony where they are doing up some of the rooms? Thanks

 

[Wood Nymph]

Are the boardings still up in the lobby/lobby balcony where they are doing up some of the rooms? Thanks

They were up when were were there ten days ago. I was told that the walls were put up to keep the construction debris from getting into the rest of the resort. They didn't want dust and dirt falling on the diners at Whispering Canyon Cafe, for one thing. I would guess that the walls will come down when the south wing conversion is complete.

 

[famsen]

Any recent construction pics? We will be there the first week of March and trying to figure out what we are in for. I saw a youtube video from someone who was there in June and some of the views facing the water looked awful due to all the construction. I am hoping things maybe look a little better now 4 months later and will look even better in March.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Any recent construction pics? We will be there the first week of March and trying to figure out what we are in for. I saw a youtube video from someone who was there in June and some of the views facing the water looked awful due to all the construction. I am hoping things maybe look a little better now 4 months later and will look even better in March.

Many photos from September the page right before this one (79). @Wood Nymph was there a couple of weeks ago and posted a few photos to the WL thread, however, nothing in those photos was discernibly different from September. The Standard/Woods View rooms at WL still have an amazing Wishes/TPV.

 

[Goldilocks07]

I'm hoping someone can put us at ease. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge in October and the construction has us a little down. I've seen pictures of construction inside which is not listed anywhere on the official announcements from Disney. And I really don't want to have a view of torn up ground from our room. If anyone can share some pics or some of their experiences it would be greatly appreciated!

Have you seen the lodge? Been to it yet?
We are going there in 2 days. I'm nervous.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Have you seen the lodge? Been to it yet?
We are going there in 2 days. I'm nervous.

We were there two weeks ago and it looks gorgeous.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

We are staying Courtyard view in May 2017, any ideas of what construction might look like? I'm worried about the status of the resort then. Also, I just read about the number of rooms being hotel rooms and not DVC will be half of what they used to be???? Will the courtyard rooms facing the pool still be regular hotel rooms?

 

[Dave006]

The entire South wing of the main lodge building is closed for construction. So as of now, only the North wing has any rooms that overlook the Courtyard. Disney has done a very good job of hiding most of the view of construction. From the pool area you can see some construction fencing that is well camouflaged so that you can just catch the top of the new restaurant south of the pool building. Also on the walk to the boat launches, you can see the construction along the lake edge of the new cabins.

There is no official answer as to what exactly is happening in the South wing, stay tuned. It could be all DVC or a mix or maybe something brand new new.

Dave

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

The entire South wing of the main lodge building is closed for construction. So as of now, only the North wing has any rooms that overlook the Courtyard. Disney has done a very good job of hiding most of the view of construction. From the pool area you can see some construction fencing that is well camouflaged so that you can just catch the top of the new restaurant south of the pool building. Also on the walk to the boat launches, you can see the construction along the lake edge of the new cabins.

There is no official answer as to what exactly is happening in the South wing, stay tuned. It could be all DVC or a mix or maybe something brand new new.

Dave

So the South wing is the wing closest to the Villas correct?