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

[buckeev]

Thanks to KOOK and others for the updates....Our first WL stay is reserved for this Christmas, and although we aren't likely to swim, it'd be a bummer if the construction views and noise took away from the beauty that we've seen in so many pics here.
I'll keep monitoring the situation, but since the FD options are limited, changing resorts is not very appealing.
plus...the FD booking window will close way before the construction schedule becomes "official" .

 

[kastoney]

Checking in and seeing all the mass pool-damonia. From everyone's excellent sleuth work, I've surmised there is a pool renovation permit that covers the entire year. Rumor is it will start sometime after Labor Day, which is clearly a large window, and no word on how long it will last. So with no specifics what is the panic and resort switching/trip canceling all about. We are going in September and I figure we will make an informed decision when concrete info is available. Am I missing something?

 

[fla4fun]

Checking in and seeing all the mass pool-damonia. From everyone's excellent sleuth work, I've surmised there is a pool renovation permit that covers the entire year. Rumor is it will start sometime after Labor Day, which is clearly a large window, and no word on how long it will last. So with no specifics what is the panic and resort switching/trip canceling all about. We are going in September and I figure we will make an informed decision when concrete info is available. Am I missing something?

I think people may be concerned about alternate availability, due to so many people jumping ship from the Poly as well. So they want to make their plans as quickly as they can to be sure of getting a resort they will be happy with.

Of course, they could just be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. The way it has been going with refurbishments lately, they could end up with the WL pool delayed and the pool where they moved to being closed . . . . . so I think you are being smart to wait to make a decision.

I am kind of glad that I booked BWI for my September trip though. I usually book WL, but I ended up with a trip to WL this month and decided to mix it up a bit. Of course, there is a big room refurbishment going on there that will be ending during my vacation . . . . . .

 

[SwanVT2]

Do you all think pool renovations would be done by April ?

 

[BlueFairy]

Checking in and seeing all the mass pool-damonia. From everyone's excellent sleuth work, I've surmised there is a pool renovation permit that covers the entire year. Rumor is it will start sometime after Labor Day, which is clearly a large window, and no word on how long it will last. So with no specifics what is the panic and resort switching/trip canceling all about. We are going in September and I figure we will make an informed decision when concrete info is available. Am I missing something?

Well, for me it is a resort-only (mostly) trip. If I'd known for sure that my pool might be closed, I would have booked another hotel inside the summer booking promo. I can't afford to switch to another deluxe for the same dates since I would now have to pay full price.

Also, many people book packages which must be paid at 45 days. If WDW were to announce an official refurb date for Labor Day sometime in Aug, those people are stuck with a cancellation fee, a high rate for a view they didn't want, or rack rate at another resort, IF they can get it.

It's not about panic. It's about getting what you paid and saved for and making the best of a potentially very disappointing situation.

 

[MickeyEars]

We just got back last night from 9 wonderful nights of club level at the lodge. It was our first stay there and we had a blast!! We were in room 7127 beside the Yellowstone Suite and our view was great. Manager Randy and sweet Mike gave us a private tour of the Yellowstone Suite one day before we left for the parks. It was beautiful and we loved the tour!!
Mike did tell us they we redoing much of the pool area as we were standing on the balcony.
We really enjoyed every minute of our stay, so much so we plan on returning the same time next year. Randy said he would be waiting for us!!
Club Level staff was excellent in everyway.

Can't wait to return!!


Carla

 

[Wood Nymph]

Do you all think pool renovations would be done by April ?

Yes, most likely it will be finished before the permit expires on 12/31/14.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Oh no Kook!

I would be so sad if I was booked courtyard view.

I would cry a river of tears and probably asked to be moved to VWL courtyard

Hot off the Photobucket presses!

Here are some stream/WL Courtyard photos I uploaded for hstrickland. She took them this morning - thank you, Heather!

According to TheLodgeLady, the current stream rehab completion estimate is sometime the first week of July.

]​

Yikes! I really hope it's just a refurb and they're not changing the entire area.

Wow.
There is my courtyard view next week....

Perhaps change your requested view to VWL courtyard....

Thank you Heather for taking the pictures and thank you Kook for posting them here. That is some major work being done.

It looks very much so

Well, for me it is a resort-only (mostly) trip. If I'd known for sure that my pool might be closed, I would have booked another hotel inside the summer booking promo. I can't afford to switch to another deluxe for the same dates since I would now have to pay full price.

Also, many people book packages which must be paid at 45 days. If WDW were to announce an official refurb date for Labor Day sometime in Aug, those people are stuck with a cancellation fee, a high rate for a view they didn't want, or rack rate at another resort, IF they can get it.

It's not about panic. It's about getting what you paid and saved for and making the best of a potentially very disappointing situation.

This is one of the reasons we never book a package. With tickets purchased separate from the room, cancellation window becomes 5 days and balance paid at check- in.

Very tough spot for many guests to be in.​

 

[dpswift]

I also just checked with Disney and was assured that my adult kids trip Sept 24 to Sept.30 would have the pool. I am not sure if I should trust this answer. DH and I always stay value and this is their newly grown up splurge.

 

[Scarlett81]

I'm going to sound so Mary Poppins here..or Pollyanna...but honestly even though I booked a courtyard room for next week and will be starting at scaffolding..and not hearing the babbling brook I so wanted to hear..

I am still not having to make my own bed for 7 days. Don't have to cook dinner or wash a dish. I am still sitting on a balcony drinking coffee at 7 AM PEACEFULLY while the kids sleep and no need to watch the clock and head off anywhere (unless I choose to). No need to go over ten frame flash cards with my 1st grader for 2,790th time. I can hear wishes music and best of all (to me anyway) the fabulous electric water pageant music streaming in....and have a mickey waffle for breakfast.

Does a little construction really matter in the end?? Will it make or break our trip? We shall see but I highly doubt it.

I will add...I go with the knowledge we will have a pool. If we didn't have a pool, having a 3 yo that cannot be in parks all day and needs pool down time, that would affect my choice of course.

 

[disney meema]

I'm going to sound so Mary Poppins here..or Pollyanna...but honestly even though I booked a courtyard room for next week and will be starting at scaffolding..and not hearing the babbling brook I so wanted to hear.. I am still not having to make my own bed for 7 days. Don't have to cook dinner or wash a dish. I am still sitting on a balcony drinking coffee at 7 AM PEACEFULLY while the kids sleep and no need to watch the clock and head off anywhere (unless I choose to). No need to go over ten frame flash cards with my 1st grader for 2,790th time. I can hear wishes music and best of all (to me anyway) the fabulous electric water pageant music streaming in....and have a mickey waffle for breakfast. Does a little construction really matter in the end?? Will it make or break our trip? We shall see but I highly doubt it. I will add...I go with the knowledge we will have a pool. If we didn't have a pool, having a 3 yo that cannot be in parks all day and needs pool down time, that would affect my choice of course.

Amen : )

 

[TJDisneymama]

Checking this thread for the first time......DH and I are booked for our first stay at WL end of August. A little construction doesnt bother me. Pool closure would. I highly doubt they would close the pool durring summer when another deluxe pool will also be closed. Also, theres been a lot of publicity about the poly pool closing but nothing about WL pool - do we even know for sure its going to close at some point? Maybe just some minor work around the pool) Havent read further back than this page)??

Super excited to stay at WL! Ill give it a month then ill call directly and see what they have to say

 

[Three cats]

Well, for me it is a resort-only (mostly) trip. If I'd known for sure that my pool might be closed, I would have booked another hotel inside the summer booking promo. I can't afford to switch to another deluxe for the same dates since I would now have to pay full price.

Also, many people book packages which must be paid at 45 days. If WDW were to announce an official refurb date for Labor Day sometime in Aug, those people are stuck with a cancellation fee, a high rate for a view they didn't want, or rack rate at another resort, IF they can get it.

It's not about panic. It's about getting what you paid and saved for and making the best of a potentially very disappointing situation.

This is exactly why I switched....and it was already slim pickings for resort availability with the free dining discount.

 

[JnKinVA]

According to TheLodgeLady, the current stream rehab completion estimate is sometime the first week of July.
​

Since it looks more and more like I am going to do my solo trip (just have to book my flight) and I have a CV, I really hope this is completed before I go.
I will already be depressed that my DH is in Afghanistan, I would like to have the Falls back up and running. They went down the day we left on May 6th.​

 

[annaaidan99]

Pulled pork sandwiches and bacon wrapped scallops in club lounge. There is a very nice summer salad and a tomato caprese salad. The coleslaw is excellent. And btw, the cobbler last night was berry peach.

 

[BellsFam]

Pool closures??? What? Can someone splice it down to some rough dates? :/

 

[utlegaleagle]

For what it's worth, I have called twice today to WL to ask about the pool situation for our trip (9/28-10/10), and neither CM knew what I was talking about. Again, for what it's worth.

And those who have other FD options are rather fortunate. We have no moderate or value choices available, and the options at the other deluxes are expensive.

 

[allboyhouse]

I really hope this is all done before our stay Dec 15-22. We are having a photo shoot at WL for our anniversary!

 

[BellsFam]

Should I jump ship?

The pool was HUGE for our vacation... 09/12 to 09/20...now I'm thinking of moving over to CR... no CL level, but at least no construction! I DO NOT want to be there during construction.

 

[kastoney]

Pulled pork sandwiches and bacon wrapped scallops in club lounge. There is a very nice summer salad and a tomato caprese salad. The coleslaw is excellent. And btw, the cobbler last night was berry peach.

Sounds delish!