(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~11/13 - 6/14~

[mcconnellfam96]

Checked in today. It's beautiful here, the weather is gorgeous.
Our honest opinion of the construction as of now...the lobby isn't a big deal at all. Yes the stream isn't there, you can't walk on the bridge..we are so busy when in dis lobbies going to and fro, we don't consider this to be an issue. This lobby just architecture wise is so stinking incredible...doesn't need a stream, IMHO! Just looking up at the architecture here, the lights..our jaws are hanging open!
We are on the 5th floor, 5100s, courtyard view. We have a standard bunk courtyard view. The room is plenty big enough for 3 large pieces of luggage, double stroller, and my medical equipment. Not tight at all, for four of us. We tried for a CL upgrade when we checked in but nothing available. No prob, we got this room on the summer promo and very happy with the deal we got. $240 per night.
I'm satisfied with the view. We can see the lake, the pool, the geyser. If you look straight down you see the stream bed dry and the few pieces of tarped scaffolding. Honestly not a big deal. You don't see it when sitting..you are looking out at sky, hotel building and lake. Lower levels would see it more, so if this matters to you I'd suggest requesting as high a floor as possible. I anticipated this and requested a high floor.
Yes the running stream and waterfall below would be lovely. The sound would be lovely too. But I can't say not having it will impact my stay in any way negatively.
Funny story, with all this pool drama going on, when we arrived we walked out there, to see a pool closed sign and water slide closed sign! My heart sank! I thought oh man did they start early? We walked to the quiet pool and found it to be very nice and adequate if this will be the case for our stay. Bummed about the slide more though. The we were informed there was just a little accident in the main pool, and it reopened again.
Ok...got our refillable mugs...off to Artist Point now!

Have a WONDERFUL trip!!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Can't seem to multi-quote from the iPad app though. Just FYI.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

It can be done from the app, but you have to tap on the thread title at the top of the page to open the view in the app that looks like the regular website. Then you will have the + buttons on the bottom to multi quote. Effectively it isn't mug different than doing it from the safari web browser, but you can navigate to the thread you want to multi quote using the normal app interface.

 

[Fracfam4]

I also wanted to mention that we saw a Disney photographer taking family pictures of a group during our stay. I thought it was a beautiful location and I'm sure even better when the creek is running! If anyone is thinking of taking family pictures (yourself or with a Disney photographer) WL would be a wonderful location!

So does a Disney Photographer hang out at the Lodge for photos? That would be nice.

 

[allboyhouse]

You have to book a shoot with them. I booked with Portrayable Photography instead of with Disney photography. Her pics look amazing and you get 2 hours instead of 1.

 

[DisMom829]

In MDE, why can't I see my FP+ selection date?? Is it 60 or 30 days in advance? I have all my ADR's.

 

[attain]

So does a Disney Photographer hang out at the Lodge for photos? That would be nice.

I don't think so. From the conversation we heard, it was a private photo session with a Disney photographer. It would be very nice to have a photopass photographer at the resort! I know that they have them at Christmas at GF, but am unsure about WL. Someone else probably knows more.

 

[Wood Nymph]

So does a Disney Photographer hang out at the Lodge for photos? That would be nice.

I don't think so. From the conversation we heard, it was a private photo session with a Disney photographer. It would be very nice to have a photopass photographer at the resort! I know that they have them at Christmas at GF, but am unsure about WL. Someone else probably knows more.

We were at WL the Saturday after Thanksgiving and there were Photopass photographers stationed at the Christmas tree all day long. Sometimes there were two photographers since the lodge is a very popular place for Christmas photos. We also saw the photopass photographers at the AK and GF trees.

 

[pas130]

Hi there!

We're back from our Disney trip! Despite the ongoing rehabs at the WL and MK, it was still a fabulous vacation!!!! The rooms, CL lounge, Cast Members and the beautiful view of Bay Lake far outweighed the construction!!! And morning is my very favorite time at the resort. It's absolutely amazing at sunrise...very peaceful and serene. We simply love every aspect of the Lodge!!!




I have TONS of pics (around 3000 ...no shock to some of you ) to share in my TR. Hopefully I can get that started by the end of the week.

Welcome home!! Can't wait to see pics!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

In MDE, why can't I see my FP+ selection date?? Is it 60 or 30 days in advance? I have all my ADR's.

It is 60 days for fastpass. Did you receive one of those magnetic cards that lists the your important dates? It has the ADR date, the fast pass selection date, the online check in date and the trip date. It was at the back of the welcome booklet.

 

[DisMom829]

It is 60 days for fastpass. Did you receive one of those magnetic cards that lists the your important dates? It has the ADR date, the fast pass selection date, the online check in date and the trip date. It was at the back of the welcome booklet.

Yes, but we've moved since then. I'll have to dig tonight for it.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Yes, but we've moved since then. I'll have to dig tonight for it.

i just noticed your siggy because we're also going in August for my bday and leaving the kids behind.

 

[Fracfam4]

We were at WL the Saturday after Thanksgiving and there were Photopass photographers stationed at the Christmas tree all day long. Sometimes there were two photographers since the lodge is a very popular place for Christmas photos. We also saw the photopass photographers at the AK and GF trees.

Thanks for the info. I have heard about the photopass photographers at the tree but I was kind of hoping there might be a year round one too.

 

[MickeyEars]

I guess this has been asked over and over so please forgive me for asking again. I did try searching!!

Are there bunk bed rooms on club level and if so do you have any idea how many there are?

Thanks!

Carla

 

[Wood Nymph]

I guess this has been asked over and over so please forgive me for asking again. I did try searching!!

Are there bunk bed rooms on club level and if so do you have any idea how many there are?

Thanks!

Carla

There are bunk bed rooms on club level but I don't know how many there are.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Sorry, clearly I didn't read the whole thing!

Thank you for answering the OP's question

Hope everyone is having fun planning , or enjoying their vacations!

Kook, if you get a chance can you remove us from the August list. We are still going, but downsized to save some $$ and will be trying out CSR. We did end up going business class which means we have access to their mini club lounge. Should be interesting.

We are still set to go to the WL OFC in November. THAT WILL NOT CHANGE. I have made sure of that.

I completely understand the switch for budget reasons. I would love to read your review of CSR-BC.

We check out of WL yesterday for our first of many future stays! DS5 said as we backed out of the parking spot "I miss the hotel!" I think that sums up all our feelings! We had some really heavy afternoon showers that didn't want to stop, so we spent one morning at the pool to fulfill my promise to DS5 the he could go down the water slide if he learned to swim during his lessons all year. We also requested a late checkout yesterday & enjoyed the pool one last time. I did appreciate the geyser since it was our "alarm" for when we wanted to get out of the pool!

We also really loved Roaring Forks & ended up ordering & bringing to our room 4 times in our 6 days! The children's pasta was a hit with DD22months, when she rarely eats even at home. We also rented a double stroller and only had to collapse it a couple times for boat rides. The larger boat made traveling with kids and all the stuff that goes with them so much easier!

We were in room 6061, which is considered a courtyard view, although it was more of a roof/gutter view. Next time, I will specifically request a better view. My son was disappointed the bridge over the spring was roped off and as he had been looking forward to walking on it. Hopefully, he will have that chance on our next trip (fingers crossed next year!)

Thank you to everyone on this thread who have contributed with pictures and answering questions! It was definitely worth me calling daily for nearly 2 months until a room became available!

Sounds like a successful trip and you'll have to start planning your next trip

I wanted to update our stay. We are now going Dec 19-24 (an extra day!) woohoo! I can't wait. We will probably just hang out in DTD that night we get there though bc I didn't get tickets for that day. I am so excited! Is it even warm enough there in Dec for the pool?? We are in South Carolina and I don't think it would be warm enough here in December, but I've only been to Disney once and it was during September (SOOO HOT). I am LOVING the pails! That would be such a cute surprise for the kids to have waiting. I am just so excited! I can do our ADR's on Sunday! Do I have to wait to book BBB at 180 days as well???

And just out of curiosity, DH and I might take a kid free trip early next year for a 1 year anniversary... Suggestions of a resort? Preferably deluxe Would you stick with WL or do something different?

It's always great to add an extra day. I think you're preaching to the choir here asking for Deluxe resort recommendations so…how about a WL Honeymoon Suite?

We checked in yesterday for our first stay. I had requested an upper floor north wing but we are on main floor facing the DVC pool. It's all good. Quiet and no waiting for elevators.

This place is amazing. CMs have been very nice. The current "construction" isn't a big deal. Would have loved to see the stream in the lobby but that's okay. This is definitely a great place to come back to spend our afternoons.

So far we have done MK. Had to take bus over because of storms but came back on the boat. So convenient AND fun.

Ate at Ohana last night. Way too much construction.

You're off to a great start. I can't wait to be there soon.

What construction is going on??

Please see the top of POST #2 for resort rehab updates. The only major work being done right now is on the Silver Creek.

Checked in today. It's beautiful here, the weather is gorgeous.
Our honest opinion of the construction as of now...the lobby isn't a big deal at all. Yes the stream isn't there, you can't walk on the bridge..we are so busy when in dis lobbies going to and fro, we don't consider this to be an issue. This lobby just architecture wise is so stinking incredible...doesn't need a stream, IMHO! Just looking up at the architecture here, the lights..our jaws are hanging open!

We are on the 5th floor, 5100s, courtyard view. We have a standard bunk courtyard view. The room is plenty big enough for 3 large pieces of luggage, double stroller, and my medical equipment. Not tight at all, for four of us. We tried for a CL upgrade when we checked in but nothing available. No prob, we got this room on the summer promo and very happy with the deal we got. $240 per night.

I'm satisfied with the view. We can see the lake, the pool, the geyser. If you look straight down you see the stream bed dry and the few pieces of tarped scaffolding. Honestly not a big deal. You don't see it when sitting..you are looking out at sky, hotel building and lake. Lower levels would see it more, so if this matters to you I'd suggest requesting as high a floor as possible. I anticipated this and requested a high floor.

Yes the running stream and waterfall below would be lovely. The sound would be lovely too. But I can't say not having it will impact my stay in any way negatively.

Funny story, with all this pool drama going on, when we arrived we walked out there, to see a pool closed sign and water slide closed sign! My heart sank! I thought oh man did they start early? We walked to the quiet pool and found it to be very nice and adequate if this will be the case for our stay. Bummed about the slide more though. The we were informed there was just a little accident in the main pool, and it reopened again.
Ok...got our refillable mugs...off to Artist Point now!

Hope AP was delicious and thank you for checking in with us.

Hi Kook! Sorry that was a little creepy the way I did that, but I was too tired to add anything more than link the trip report.

DH and I are excited...only four more days to do FP for our WL trip! This trip will happen...it really will!!

Not creepy and thank you for posting the link for her. I know you're excited and making the FP+ times makes your trip seem more real

we're going to be there from October 29th for 14 nights so i'm hoping the pool will be open...

I hope it will be open for you and I added your WL stay to the Log

Hi there!

We're back from our Disney trip! Despite the ongoing rehabs at the WL and MK, it was still a fabulous vacation!!!! The rooms, CL lounge, Cast Members and the beautiful view of Bay Lake far outweighed the construction!!! And morning is my very favorite time at the resort. It's absolutely amazing at sunrise...very peaceful and serene. We simply love every aspect of the Lodge!!!




I have TONS of pics (around 3000 ...no shock to some of you ) to share in my TR. Hopefully I can get that started by the end of the week.

Howdy! I was wondering when we'd hear from you. So glad you had a nice experience and we appreciated your pool and creek updates. Thank you for the Bay Lake/geyser photo

 

[WDWKOOK]

I guess this has been asked over and over so please forgive me for asking again. I did try searching!!

Are there bunk bed rooms on club level and if so do you have any idea how many there are?

Thanks!

Carla

They aren't bookable for a CL Standard Room or a Standard View Room (non-CL) reservation, but you can request them. Most guests who request CL bunks report to us that their request was fulfilled so your chances are very good of getting one.

There are bunk bed rooms on club level but I don't know how many there are.

IDK either. Once I asked and was told that "the bunks are randomly scattered throughout the resort."

 

[MickeyEars]

Thanks the replies, I really appreciate them!!


Carla

 

[MissNurse]

We are booked for WL woods view for 9/24-9/30 with free dining! This will be our first deluxe stay!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are booked for WL woods view for 9/24-9/30 with free dining! This will be our first deluxe stay!!

Welcome! I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log. Happy planning and oh, we love nurses around her. pas130 is also a nurse (and a serial Resort Changer) who comes and goes from many resort threads

 

[CJK]

Forgive me if this has been asked countless times, but is there confirmation on this thread of the pool closing in August? Any news/update on when it will reopen? I have a friend staying there in mid October and I want to have my facts straight before telling her about the pool closure. Thanks for any info!