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

[juliehoey]

While I'm very relieved the work on this won't start until our trip is over, I really do feel for the folks that have to deal with it. Offering the CR and FW pools is very nice, however, it's not very convenient, especially for those back from park early evening and kids want to swim nights.

Still wouldn't make me switch resorts, I love the Lodge too much, but would be very frustrating to say the least.

Yes this! Once I heard about CR pool I thought even if they start early we will stay. Our next trip will be at CR so it would be neat for them. However, it works me and my dates; I feel VERY bad for those who are disappointed. It's a lot to save and plan.

 

[juliehoey]

Agreed. We will most likely move to CR, but I'm not happy about it. Not only is it more money, but I don't want to be there. Honestly, Disney should be offering people who already have reservations deals/assistance, etc. You can still go on the site and book a courtyard view for those dates--seriously, when you know that it overlooks contruction? In my opinion, it's dishonest.

I booked an extra reservation at GF when this all started as a 'just in case'. I compared to CR thinking that would be our first choice. For my dates the GF was over $200 less to do a garden room than at CR. Thought that was interesting!

 

[teambeaman]

The pool closure stinks but I am hoping to make the best of it. I know it says we will can use Fort Wilderness and Contemporary pools. Has anyone heard if they will be giving out tickets to Blizzard Beach?

The CM I spoke with last night said that the guest relations CM she was speaking with was willing to offer passes to Blizzard Beach. You may want to call.

 

[juliehoey]

First of all, this is one of the best threads out there. One of the first I have ever known to feel comfortable to post to. No need to say that about people not understanding. We all understand.

Just because some people on this thread are posting the truth it doesn't mean that they do not feel for everyone!!

Yes, I am truly blessed to be able to go over to Disney whenever I want. BUT, I do not stay at the Lodge all the time. Wish I could. I too was planning a trip there at the end of October and now I am not sure what to do.

I know it sucks to have been planning all this time and investing all your time and money into a deluxe resort only to be told that the feature you love the most "The Beautiful Courtyard" will be a construction site.

I wish things were different for you. It makes my stomach turn thinking about it.

We are all here on this thread for each other!! I try to either post or get info to Kook as I find it out so that you can have that great vacation.

As I said, I posted about the pool weeks ago. I said it would start right after Labor Day and last until Thanksgiving. I tried to let you all know. No one wanted to believe it. And I don't really blame you as I didn't either. But I knew my source is very reliable.

When you said "beautiful Courtyard" it made me think...could this be the dreaded(IMHO) fence around the pools that has been delayed? Maybe it's not the pool at all? That would completely ruin the look of that entire courtyard

 

[merij]

Well, I posted before that this is our family's first trip - possibly our only trip staying deluxe. I think we are going to have to switch, presumably to AKL. I just can't see paying to see and hear construction.

I am surprised Disney would do this at the same time the Poly pool is down. Those were our top two resort choices.

AKL sounds lovely but the location isn't so good.

 

[merij]

By the way, I should add that I called Disney and the dates are being given out for the closure so it seems definite now.

 

[bltman]

I just checked with another source (because the IPO for Wilderness Lodge is actually the same IPO as the Polynesian, located at the Polynesian resort) and they said the feature pool at the Wilderness Lodge will go down for refurbishment in early September through late November. .

Tikiman - in another thread you indicated "but people I spoke to think it will be more like December or even the beginning of 2015."

Can you elaborate? Are these sources usually more accurate than the official timelines?

 

[Vivianne]

After a phone call & email, I believe it's official we're staying week starting Oct 12th

 

[lahobbs4]

Well poo Thank you for the information! I would hate to just show up and not be completely informed ahead of time. We will check our options now, since our trip is the week before thanksgiving. Hoping we can get a MK resort since all of our ADRs are booked in that area!

 

[Tikiman]

Tikiman - in another thread you indicated "but people I spoke to think it will be more like December or even the beginning of 2015."

Can you elaborate? Are these sources usually more accurate than the official timelines?

I have dealt with reporting on construction at the Polynesian since the late 90s. Most of the time the projects go over the date with a small percentage hitting the opening date and even less being ahead of schedule.

When I contacted a few people I know to find out what was going on they mentioned the Late November date but indicated that they expect it will go beyond that. Some seem to think it will go into mid December with one extreme mention of it going into the beginning of 2015. I suspect it will be early December if I take the information I got.

It is very similar to things going on at the Polynesian. They have schedules with posted start and finish dates but often they start late and finish late do to logistics. There are dates for the GCH to be completed in December but most are telling me that the work will last into January or maybe even February.

The moral to this story is that Disney will put dates out there to CMs to give to guests but those schedules don’t often get adjusted for the reality of the situation once work starts. You should not plan anything based on the exact date given by Disney, especially the completion date.

 

[DisMom829]

Oh....decisions, decisions......to change resorts, do I stay deluxe or downgrade to mod....do I cancel altogether & the DH & I go to the Dominican Republic for a week instead.....

 

[Tikiman]

Permits were filed yesterday to start renovations to the villa rooms so be aware of that (no dates set but usually permits come out months before they start.

http://or.occompt.com/recorder/eagleweb/downloads/20140299060.pdf?parent=DOC1484S13150

 

[scmommy718]

Ok so I don't think we will switch resorts because everyone says how beautiful WL is at Christmas!! But, what about club level? What are best things about CL?? It really won't add too much on the price we are at now to be honest.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Permits were filed yesterday to start renovations to the villa rooms so be aware of that (no dates set but usually permits come out months before they start.

http://or.occompt.com/recorder/eagleweb/downloads/20140299060.pdf?parent=DOC1484S13150

Page two of the permit is dated 2012 and is part of the original notice of commencement. Page one is an amendment to the original document. All VWL villas underwent a rehab that ended in March 2014.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have had our Oct 22nd to 27th reservation since December. We booked a bounce back with a 35% discount and those discounts are very scarce right now.

I really don't know how I feel. I know that the pool construction will not ruin our vacation, unless we were unlucky enough to get a ground floor room right in front of it. We like the quiet pool for swimming, anyway. The view of Bay Lake from the balcony, if we get an inner courtyard view, will be just as lovely, unless we get a first floor room.

What I really want to know before I do anything drastic is what kind of construction is planned. Will the pool be dug up and completely rebuilt? Or will it just be resurfacing, new decking, maybe a fence.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We have had our Oct 22nd to 27th reservation since December. We booked a bounce back with a 35% discount and those discounts are very scarce right now.

I really don't know how I feel. I know that the pool construction will not ruin our vacation, unless we were unlucky enough to get a ground floor room right in front of it. We like the quiet pool for swimming, anyway. The view of Bay Lake from the balcony, if we get an inner courtyard view, will be just as lovely, unless we get a first floor room.

What I really want to know before I do anything drastic is what kind of construction is planned. Will the pool be dug up and completely rebuilt? Or will it just be resurfacing, new decking, maybe a fence.

All I know for certain right now is that the kiddie pool is being replaced with a kid's splash area and the permit indicates "Main pool and deck area" work. We speculated a couple of weeks ago that last years' rumor of fencing being added around all feature pools, may be coming to fruition.

 

[poggs]

In classic lemonade out of lemons style, what are Disney likely to offer as compo when we turn up an find there is no pool for us to use?

I would not want BB passes as we all have premium annual passes from the offer earlier this year?

Would there be Disney gift cards offered or anything like that, or are we just going to have to lump it?

As we are in DVC villas, there is no option to change as everywhere is full.

Ta.

 

[houstonmama]

Hello everyone!! We are scheduled at WL from 11/27-12/1. I'm pretty sure the refurb won't be finished by the time we arrive. It's a real bummer as I have a special needs child so we spend a lot of time at the resort because the parks can overwhelming at times. He will rest in the room and my DD5 hits the pool!! The FW pool looks awesome BUT getting there could be a pain in the bootie!!

Do we take the boat over and then have to get on the internal bus to get to the pool? I've seen the map but I've never been there and it looks really big!

Thanks!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hello everyone!! We are scheduled at WL from 11/27-12/1. I'm pretty sure the refurb won't be finished by the time we arrive. It's a real bummer as I have a special needs child so we spend a lot of time at the resort because the parks can overwhelming at times. He will rest in the room and my DD5 hits the pool!! The FW pool looks awesome BUT getting there could be a pain in the bootie!!

Do we take the boat over and then have to get on the internal bus to get to the pool? I've seen the map but I've never been there and it looks really big!

Thanks!!

The CR pool would be really easy to get to. Just hop a boat for a five minute boat ride and you are right by the pool. The new kids splash pad at the CR looks very awesome. If I had young kids I'd be sure to take them over there.

The FW pool would require using the internal buses. You could take the boat or the bus to do it.

 

[4under4]

The CR pool would be really easy to get to. Just hop a boat for a five minute boat ride and you are right by the pool. The new kids pool at the CR looks very awesome. If I had young kids I'd be sure to take them over there.

I would definitely pick the CR pool over the FW pool! Much easier to get to, and there are towels available (no towel service at the FW pool).