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

[patty57]

I did not get exact dates but he said August, I was also told they would be working on the pool for sure and since Kook isn't on yet, his last bit of information was that it would be completed more than a month before we arrived, which is November 16th.

Hope that helps, but as these guys keep saying..things can always change

Which conflicts with what others heard about after Labor Day. It would be nice to know for sure, wouldn't it?

 

[4disneygenerations]

So should I assume that they will be working on the pool in August? I am really upset, taking my family and my son's family. Before airfare and spending I've already spent over $8,000.00. This is my son's first time staying on property and first time in WDW since he was a teen. I know everyone does not want construction to interupt there plans but the thought of only having the quiet pool for the entire WL area during the hottest time of the year is sooooo very disappointing and I am not taking it well There has to be something they can do for people who planned their trip around the resort itself more than the parks. Or for people going in the hottest months and not having the pool area to relax. Would contacting customer service through the disney site be any different than calling? Thanks for letting me vent

 

[BellsFam]

We are keeping our reservations here. And crossing fingers and toes that "after Labor Day" doesn't mean the day after and it's a couple of weeks later.

Crossing my fingers it doesn't... I arrive on the 12th, well after Labor Day.

While I understand that they need to do their work during less busy times, it's super inconvenient to those of us who are spending $400+ per night to stay at a hotel during one of the hotter times of the year with no pool!

My options now consist of either paying more money and losing the CL services to move over to CR... paying less money and moving to a moderate or off property or fore-going the vacation entirely and going on a Disney Cruise!

 

[rotlex]

I did not get exact dates but he said August, I was also told they would be working on the pool for sure and since Kook isn't on yet, his last bit of information was that it would be completed more than a month before we arrived, which is November 16th.

Hope that helps, but as these guys keep saying..things can always change

This seems odd considering most info says "after Labor Day"? Not that I would wish a pool closing at a deluxe on anyone at any time, but if it does turn out to be happening in August, I think my wife and I are going to go off the deep end.

We have a two week trip for the last two weeks of August. It's a combination 25th wedding Anniversary and 10th trip with the kids to Disney trip. We chose the WL as it is our favorite resort, and yeah, the pool area is one of the MAJOR reasons.

I can't even comprehend any hotel closing a pool, especially a primary "feature" pool, during one of the hottest months of the year.

Ugh...this would really stink.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Happy 80th Birthday
to our dear friend,
Donald Duck!​

 

[Scarlett81]

Does anyone know if getting a room upgrade once we arrive is ever possible? We have a courtyard bunk room, but we are thinking CL would be nice..as of now nothing is available for our dates.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Has anyone else changed resorts yet due to the pool rumors?

 

[Three cats]

Has anyone else changed resorts yet due to the pool rumors?

I did.

 

[vettegirl]

Switching from BC CL to WL CL today Love the BC but want something different for our Dec trip with our baby and the CL and Christmas decor look unbeatable from the pics and reviews I have seen

 

[mslinvi]

Well I am hoping that by check in nov 9 the pool will be done.
First family trip to wdw.
Any certain room requests ?
2 adults, 5 y/o, 3 y/o and 1.5 y/o.
We will be renting a double stroller.
This may be a silly question - will you enter the room by going into the lodge (the room doesn't open to the outside) correct? Will the stroller fit easily into our room? Are there balcony rooms? I would probably want to avoid but maybe some type of view??

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Has anyone else changed resorts yet due to the pool rumors?

Already changed part of our reservation once... from The Poly to WL. -- because of their massive refurb & volcano pool closing

Hoping upon hope that WL will not be our second "construction site" of the vacation!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! lol.

 

[vettegirl]

Any dates for the pool closure?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Well I am hoping that by check in nov 9 the pool will be done. First family trip to wdw. Any certain room requests ? 2 adults, 5 y/o, 3 y/o and 1.5 y/o. We will be renting a double stroller. This may be a silly question - will you enter the room by going into the lodge (the room doesn't open to the outside) correct? Will the stroller fit easily into our room? Are there balcony rooms? I would probably want to avoid but maybe some type of view??

Congratulations, WL is a great resort. All the rooms are accessed from interior hallways and have balconies on the outside.

The rooms are 340 sq ft, so while they are bigger than a moderate they aren't as big as other deluxes. We park the stroller either in the open bathroom area in front of the sinks or further into the room in front of the connecting door, next to the TV. There is room, but this second spot might be good for a pack and play for your youngest.

The different bookable categories (standard, woods view, and courtyard view) determine where your room will be located to some extent and therefore what view you will have from the balcony side of the room (and these locations are shown in the map here). Some rooms open to the open hallways in the lobby, which gives a great view from the door side of the room too but can be a little noisier than rooms in the wings of the hotel where there are rooms on both sides of the hallway. Making room location requests can affect where you end up according to what you prefer. Some prefer the North Wing, where Woods View rooms face towards the MK and can sometimes see Wishes fireworks over the trees, especially from higher floors. Happy planning and have a great trip.

 

[MamaBear58]

Has anyone else changed resorts yet due to the pool rumors?

Haven't changed but just asked TA to also book us at CR. I will watch the progress and cancel one eventually.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Already changed part of our reservation once... from The Poly to WL. -- because of their massive refurb & volcano pool closing

Hoping upon hope that WL will not be our second "construction site" of the vacation!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! lol.

Oh that's awful

 

[MamaBear58]

Oh that's awful

Agreed. I thought I was pissed, but you must be beside yourself!! Hang in there.

 

[mslinvi]

Thanks for all the for all the info grandcaliforian !! I checked my reservation says woods view!

 

[mslhb]

Just returned from another great stay at the WL and wanted to share some of my thoughts.

Roaring Fork - I didn't realize the ordering procedure has changed (Haven't stayed here since 12/12). I am sure it is in this thread somewhere but thought I would mention. Now you get a tray pick up drinks and sides and then when you go to the counter and pay you order. They give you a number stand and bring your food when ready. Both times we ate there the food came really quick. This made it much nicer with small kids to not have to balance a bunch of food and then find a place to sit. There still seemed to be plenty of seating even with more people sitting waiting for food.

Whispering Canyon - We ate dinner there once and were seated in the WAY back. Like balcony area overlooking the pin stand/almost at Artist Point back. Worked out for us since it was our arrival day, we were tired and not in the mood for a lot of antics. So if you want a quieter area it is a good choice. We never get the skillet and love the other food options. The appetizers are especially yummy!

Club Level - It was just my DD and I staying this trip and I debated whether it was worth the money. I am definitely glad I booked it again! The lounge is awesome and with food and beverage prices going up we definitely get our money's worth. Between breakfast every morning, snacks, soda, my nightly glass of wine, the evening apps, desert... we definitely utilize the lounge. Just so nice to be able to grab something quick and not have to wait in line for once! I was a little confused at 1st by the new espresso machine. I actually loved the machine cappuccino that the old one made. I apparently am not very sophisticated and had to have someone show me how to use it! My cappuccino turned out very yummy though!

Room - great as always. We were in 7047. I actually prefer the courtyard view from the South Wing but think getting to the pool and roaring fork are more convenient from the north.

Construction - Worse then I expected. I am all about the courtyard view and love listening to the water fall. It is definitely not horrendous and nothing compared to the walled/crane mess I saw at the poly! For those going between now and 7/4 or whenever the waterfall/stream will be done and have a CY view I recommend requesting to be towards the end of the wings or the villa side. The pool area looked great. I certainly wouldn't modify my reservations for the current work. Now the pool being out of commission... for me that would be a different story!

Magic Bands / FP+ - LOVED them! Ours always worked great. I especially like how now it automatically recognizes you and adds your ride photos to your photopass account. We loved FP+. I think you really just need to mentally give up the old system and figure out how to make the new one work best for you.

Overall we had a great stay at the WL. Every trip I always price out and consider other resorts but we keep returning to the WL. For the price I think you get so much. We miss it already!!!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Just returned from another great stay at the WL and wanted to share some of my thoughts.

Roaring Fork - I didn't realize the ordering procedure has changed (Haven't stayed here since 12/12). I am sure it is in this thread somewhere but thought I would mention. Now you get a tray pick up drinks and sides and then when you go to the counter and pay you order. They give you a number stand and bring your food when ready. Both times we ate there the food came really quick. This made it much nicer with small kids to not have to balance a bunch of food and then find a place to sit. There still seemed to be plenty of seating even with more people sitting waiting for food.

Whispering Canyon - We ate dinner there once and were seated in the WAY back. Like balcony area overlooking the pin stand/almost at Artist Point back. Worked out for us since it was our arrival day, we were tired and not in the mood for a lot of antics. So if you want a quieter area it is a good choice. We never get the skillet and love the other food options. The appetizers are especially yummy!

Club Level - It was just my DD and I staying this trip and I debated whether it was worth the money. I am definitely glad I booked it again! The lounge is awesome and with food and beverage prices going up we definitely get our money's worth. Between breakfast every morning, snacks, soda, my nightly glass of wine, the evening apps, desert... we definitely utilize the lounge. Just so nice to be able to grab something quick and not have to wait in line for once! I was a little confused at 1st by the new espresso machine. I actually loved the machine cappuccino that the old one made. I apparently am not very sophisticated and had to have someone show me how to use it! My cappuccino turned out very yummy though!

Room - great as always. We were in 7047. I actually prefer the courtyard view from the South Wing but think getting to the pool and roaring fork are more convenient from the north.

Construction - Worse then I expected. I am all about the courtyard view and love listening to the water fall. It is definitely not horrendous and nothing compared to the walled/crane mess I saw at the poly! For those going between now and 7/4 or whenever the waterfall/stream will be done and have a CY view I recommend requesting to be towards the end of the wings or the villa side. The pool area looked great. I certainly wouldn't modify my reservations for the current work. Now the pool being out of commission... for me that would be a different story!

Magic Bands / FP+ - LOVED them! Ours always worked great. I especially like how now it automatically recognizes you and adds your ride photos to your photopass account. We loved FP+. I think you really just need to mentally give up the old system and figure out how to make the new one work best for you.

Overall we had a great stay at the WL. Every trip I always price out and consider other resorts but we keep returning to the WL. For the price I think you get so much. We miss it already!!!

We were there last November and we did not get numbers at the Roaring Fork....is that for "to go" orders too? Sometimes we took the food to the room or to the tables outside.

 

[scmommy718]

Just booked our stay for WL! We are going 12/20-12/24. DD and I have only stayed at ASMusic before, so this will be exciting. Plus, hubby and step son are going this time!