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

[DisMom829]

I am in the same boat, about to call and switch resorts. Was really looking forward to staying here too.

My number 2 is AKL and number 3 is CSR BC. Even considering getting a refund of over $1k and going value. I'm just so confused & overwhelmed

 

[Wood Nymph]

Excellent sleuthing work! I am very impressed with what you have discovered. It looks like the second permit is at least six pages long. Would any of the missing pages give us a clue as to what they plan to do?

 

[disney meema]

Great sleuthing .. But sadly it seems the pool will likely be closed during November, bummer!! Plus I agree with previous post nothing worse than paying for courtyard view to view construction yikes!!

 

[Three cats]

What are you considering switching too? I've got CSR in mind. Never stayed there before though.

We had made all of our dining plans, etc. with the plan of being at one of the MK resorts. The only thing still available with the free dining was the Poly or the Grand Floridian. Avoiding the Poly due to the construction which leaves the GF. I just called and made the switch and am still in sticker shock

What I am hoping is that a room only discount comes out later this summer which will be more of a savings over the free dining.

 

[DisMom829]

Excellent sleuthing work! I am very impressed with what you have discovered. It looks like the second permit is at least six pages long. Would any of the missing pages give us a clue as to what they plan to do?

I just spoke with a CM and he was adamant that the pool would not be closed for refurb during our dates. He said the only thing he saw was that CM's would be switching out linens & room updates. He went on to say that they would know in advance if it was a pool closure, especially during hot weather months. He convinced me not to switch resorts. Now I'm scared, confused & nervous :}

 

[disney meema]

Just looked at what is offered during our dates and the lowest price in over $5200 but not where I would want to stay. But GF is somewhere I'd like to stay again yet it's well over $8,000 double yikes!! My current trip at WL for 11 days was around $4,800 so it's so much more to switch to GF ... I think I'll stay put for the now just can't see paying over $3,000 more because of the pool possibly being under construction. Trying to stay positive : )

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

to the thread and the DIS!


VWL has a lovely jetted pool and hot tub, (but no slide, it's a "quiet pool" as they call the non-feature pools). See THIS POST for photos. Normally, within the MK Resorts, you can't use another pool. For example, it was speculated that with the closure of the Nanea Volcano pool at Poly from July - 2015, guests would be able to use the GF pool, but instead, they are allowing guests one free day at a water park. I doubt that WL would offer this and the pool may not even be closed for very long, if at all.

I know this is true but still, it surprises me. Trip before last on the day before we were leaving, a dear mommy or daddy forgot to put the all important swimming pants in junior. They closed the pool for 48 hours and if asked, you were given rights to the CR pool.

Saw this announcement and wondered what everyone thinks...

Guests at Port Orleans Resorts may skip check-in

According to the Port Orleans News and Rumors site, the resorts will be testing a new option for guests checking in between June 16 and June 28. The test will allow guests to completely skip the front desk and go straight to their room instead. Before their arrival, guests will receive a text message or email letting them know the room assignment and they can then use their MagicBands to unlock the hotel room door. For guests to be eligible for the test, they must be using My Disney Experience and have their profile completed, as well as have received their MagicBands in the mail, have done Online Check-In, set up an account PIN number and paid their balance in full. Once Online Check-In is complete, the MagicBands are active and can be used for park tickets, FastPasses, dining plan credits, etc.

This is not a mandatory test, so anyone who needs help upon check-in can just go to the front desk and check in like normal. Other resorts may be participating in the test as well. Because this is just a test, it will not necessarily continue into a full launch property-wide.

~Leah Zanolla | Posted: Jun 6, 2014 | wdwinfo.com

No thank you. I prefer customer interaction.

I couldn't find any pool-related permits filed with the Comptroller. These were the only active permits I found:

~Main Transportation Dock Shelter Pilasters

~Cooling Towers - Electrical




This cryptically titled permit involves WDImagineering and is entitled "Wilderness Lodge Take Me Fishing". I would love to know more about this.




An expiration date isn't listed, so it's hard to tell when the work might start/end. Without an expiration, the permit is valid a year from recording, which would be 1/10/15.

Via Creative, I believe is a manufacturer of signs.

Regarding the pool/deck permit, and since 'Falcon of the Nile' is a pool service, maintenance and repair company, I'd guess they are resurfacing the pool and that may include the pool deck????

DH and I were on the fence re a Sept trip. As much as we love the Lodge (to us it is just about the most peaceful place) Silver Springs and the pool all being in the center of the 2nd to none coutyard, we will postpone that trip until Christmas or next summer. Very easy to make the decision now.

 

[annaaidan99]

Good morning, I've never stayed in a ground floor room. In our deluxe room we had two balconies. One was regular size and the one off the bedroom was more for a one person standing. Do you have two patio openings or one. Just being curious. So glad you are having a good time.

Only one off the living room area. It is barely large enough for two chairs. The bedroom does not have a patio access.

 

[bookgirl]

My trip is in Oct.

Not sure I care about the pool construction. Frankly I'm not a lay by the pool kind of girl (fair skinned, sun sensitive, and I freckle to boot). The only time I MAY hit the pool area is an occasional hot tub dip and at Disney that's not much fun (seems like it's always crowded and tons of kids jumping in and out so not very relaxing either). The only time I've ever had a decent time is the quiet pool/hot tub at BC after 8:00 and before 10:00. Everyone else was at SAB or watching Illuminations during that time.

Now I did book a CV because my mom really wants a lake view. I'll have to talk to her about the possible construction and whether or not seeing the lake over construction would bother her.

And this is really kinda of selfish, but if more people bail because of the pool the chances of me getting a great lake view may be better, so I'm leaning towards keeping my reservation and benefiting from those for whom the pool is important.


ETA: Just called my mom, she was like "So..". Like me, she doesn't find hanging by the pool enjoyable, and she agreed less people competing for the room we want can only benefit us. Plus she thought watching them work might be fun. I have to admit I find watching construction kind of enjoyable....my dad was a construction worker so I always loved visiting his work sites.

Besides it can't be worst than my last trip. ASsports had the thoughway hall closed off so you had to go around the entire building everytime you wanted to go to the desk/the buses/or the gift shop, and only one way in or out of the food court which wasn't assessable from any other place but the back/outside away from the other areas.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Via Creative, I believe is a manufacturer of signs.

Regarding the pool/deck permit, and since 'Falcon of the Nile' is a pool service, maintenance and repair company, I'd guess they are resurfacing the pool and that may include the pool deck????

It makes me feel a lot better to think that the rehab might only be resurfacing of the pool and or pool deck. Maybe it will be similar to the work that was done at the Hidden Springs pool from Oct 15th to Nov 15th of 2013.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Excellent sleuthing work! I am very impressed with what you have discovered. It looks like the second permit is at least six pages long. Would any of the missing pages give us a clue as to what they plan to do?

The reason it's 6 pages long is because the other pages are for pool work at other resorts, such as the Poly. That's how I initially missed the permit because WL was lumped in with all the other pool permits there on page 4. TheLodgeLady noticed it in with all the other pool permits and alerted me, then blue flashing lights and sirens went off in the KOOK house. I have a friend who is there now who will try to get more specific information on what is being done, but the permit only states "MAIN POOL AND DECK AREA."

 

[DisMom829]

My trip is in Oct. Not sure I care about the pool construction. Frankly I'm not a lay by the pool kind of girl (fair skinned, sun sensitive, and I freckle to boot). The only time I MAY hit the pool area is an occasional hot tub dip and at Disney that's not much fun (seems like it's always crowded and tons of kids jumping in and out so not very relaxing either). The only time I've ever had a decent time is the quiet pool/hot tub at BC after 8:00 and before 10:00. Everyone else was at SAB or watching Illuminations during that time. Now I did book a CV because my mom really wants a lake view. I'll have to talk to her about the possible construction and whether or not seeing the lake over construction would bother her. And this is really kinda of selfish, but if more people bail because of the pool the chances of me getting a great lake view may be better, so I'm leaning towards keeping my reservation and benefiting from those for whom the pool is important. ETA: Just called my mom, she was like "So..". Like me, she doesn't find hanging by the pool enjoyable, and she agreed less people competing for the room we want can only benefit us. Plus she thought watching them work might be fun. I have to admit I find watching construction kind of enjoyable....my dad was a construction worker so I always loved visiting his work sites. Besides it can't be worst than my last trip. ASsports had the thoughway hall closed off so you had to go around the entire building everytime you wanted to go to the desk/the buses/or the gift shop, and only one way in or out of the food court which wasn't assessable from any other place but the back/outside away from the other areas.

You may be on to something ...if people bail, more chance of getting the room I want. And more chance the quite pool/hot tub won't be so busy due to people bailing. Less of a crowd in the dining areas and lobby area.....I'm going to sit this one out and see how it goes.

 

[JnKinVA]

The reason it's 6 pages long is because the other pages are for pool work at other resorts, such as the Poly. That's how I initially missed the permit because WL was lumped in with all the other pool permits there on page 4. TheLodgeLady noticed it in with all the other pool permits and alerted me, then blue flashing lights and sirens went off in the KOOK house. I have a friend who is there now who will try to get more specific information on what is being done, but the permit only states "MAIN POOL AND DECK AREA."

Maybe they are installing the fence that is rumored to be put in?

 

[LumosQ102]

Not to mention the extra that I'm paying for a courtyard view to overlook construction??? I'm livid.

We were there from 24 - 31 May and was horrified by the courtyard. We normally book Courtyard View but went standard for the first time this trip - so relieved we did. We didn't realise the waterfall was out (darn being too busy with work in the run up, then entirely out of the loop on the Fantasy for the week before we checked in), the courtyard is just a mess of scaffolding & blank tarps. We avoided the pool area all together, it felt tarnished.

If I had paid the extra for the view we normally have I would not have been a happy camper. I would have been moving resorts. As it was we had a lovely standard room that overlooked the Smokehouse (and our balcony had the bacon smell to go with it). It had a pretty good view of Wishes too (room 5052). Mousekeeping were fabulous, but the rest of the staff were very hit or miss & we had some pretty shoddy errors. We'll be away from the Lodge for our next few visits, by which time I hope they have got their act together. Unannounced maintenance is not good enough, I wouldn't be happy if I found that at any hotel I was at, Disney or not.

 

[SFunaro]

Sheesh it was hundreds of dollars more for a courtyard view room, I would never pay that much more for a view of construction. I hope this construction is quick this was our christmas vacation since i have to work christmas.

 

[annaaidan99]

Salmon chowder and ancho chile marinated chicken skewers tonight in the club lounge

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Salmon chowder and ancho chile marinated chicken skewers tonight in the club lounge

Yummmm! Don't believe salmon chowder was on the CL menu last trip!



And the cobbler tonite....?

 

[yooperfan]

My trip is in Oct.

Not sure I care about the pool construction. Frankly I'm not a lay by the pool kind of girl (fair skinned, sun sensitive, and I freckle to boot). The only time I MAY hit the pool area is an occasional hot tub dip and at Disney that's not much fun (seems like it's always crowded and tons of kids jumping in and out so not very relaxing either). The only time I've ever had a decent time is the quiet pool/hot tub at BC after 8:00 and before 10:00. Everyone else was at SAB or watching Illuminations during that time.

Now I did book a CV because my mom really wants a lake view. I'll have to talk to her about the possible construction and whether or not seeing the lake over construction would bother her.

And this is really kinda of selfish, but if more people bail because of the pool the chances of me getting a great lake view may be better, so I'm leaning towards keeping my reservation and benefiting from those for whom the pool is important.


ETA: Just called my mom, she was like "So..". Like me, she doesn't find hanging by the pool enjoyable, and she agreed less people competing for the room we want can only benefit us. Plus she thought watching them work might be fun. I have to admit I find watching construction kind of enjoyable....my dad was a construction worker so I always loved visiting his work sites.

Besides it can't be worst than my last trip. ASsports had the thoughway hall closed off so you had to go around the entire building everytime you wanted to go to the desk/the buses/or the gift shop, and only one way in or out of the food court which wasn't assessable from any other place but the back/outside away from the other areas.

We don't use the pool either, but if you want to face the lake, you will also face the construction site and any noise that would include. In order to get to the boats, you would walk next to construction or walls. WL appeals to us because of the sights and sounds of the place, waterfalls, etc. I'll wait to spend deluxe dollars until it is peaceful and relaxing again. Do I understand it as to be done? Sure.

 

[Scarlett81]

Well we head there in 9 days..the 16th-23rd. There is no option of switching at this point, because we booked with the 30% off promo, and that is no longer available. We would switch to a deluxe or mod elsewhere, but already made all ADR's around the MK area, plus planned every day out accordingly..spa treatments, GF tea time with DD, etc..I'm done. Not switching it all again.

I really hope we are able to have a peaceful time and not hear and see construction for a week

 

[BlueFairy]

Well we head there in 9 days..the 16th-23rd. There is no option of switching at this point, because we booked with the 30% off promo, and that is no longer available. We would switch to a deluxe or mod elsewhere, but already made all ADR's around the MK area, plus planned every day out accordingly..spa treatments, GF tea time with DD, etc..I'm done. Not switching it all again.

I really hope we are able to have a peaceful time and not hear and see construction for a week

I hope you and I have dodged a bullet finding this out after the promo expired. Fingers crossed.

This week I went on vacation with the family. Stayed up til midnight at the 60 day mark to make my FP+, and then I unplugged for a few days. Now the summer promo is expired (yesterday) and it's too late for changes. We are booked for 8/3 SPECIFICALLY for the resort. It is a resort-only (mostly) trip, for the convenience, the food, the POOL. I'm so glad I didn't spring for the upgrade from standard and haven't told my kids. If the timeline steps up, I'm not sure where we would move that will be affordable and offer the kind of trip I am looking for at this late date. Thankfully I have room-only and can cancel well into July, but that would make a mess of things. The idea of closing a very busy feature pool before a slower season makes no sense to me. UGH!

(Ok, rant over. I'm going to try to stay optimistic.)