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

[kastoney]

Checking back in and glad to see all the detective work payed off and the pool-damonia panic was for nothing. So happy we didn't give up on the good old lodge.

 

[EmmaMagsMom]

Checking back in and glad to see all the detective work payed off and the pool-damonia panic was for nothing. So happy we didn't give up on the good old lodge.

Did anyone end up calling the company doing the work? I know that they asked for someone to call on Wednesday . Just curious. Kook, you can add us to your list. Our first trip without our DD's . We are going to go for a couple of days before our cruise. Oct 15-19 CL. I will miss taking our girls to the lodge for Halloweem, but they will be back with us next year to celebrate my big 40

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Take the boat to the Contemporary and ride the monorail to the Polynesian.

This is how we usually go, but another option is boat to MK and then boat to Poly. Either way it requires two trips, but it isn't bad.

 

[gschon]

Wouldn't it make more sense to refurb the pool in the Winter? We are scheduled to check in on 9/12....

 

[rotlex]

Wouldn't it make more sense to refurb the pool in the Winter? We are scheduled to check in on 9/12....

Unless there is something actually wrong that requires fixing, you would really think so. I mean, why would you close down any pool area during some of the hottest months of the year.

 

[annaaidan99]

Tomato fennel soup and cheese focaccia bread, sesame chicken salad, and turkey roll ups tonight.

 

[Koh1977]

Tomato fennel soup and cheese focaccia bread, sesame chicken salad, and turkey roll ups tonight.

Grown up grilled cheese and tomato soup!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[WDWKOOK]

Things are definitely looking up!! Thank you for all the hard work. It is appreciated more than you know! Now I can relax and start my list of must try adult beverages. I've already added the Long Island tea. Any other recommendations are appreciated I have a day at each park, 2 at MK & the illuminations sparkling dessert party.

I'm actually probably the wrong person to ask about drinks. While I have ordered a few drinks from Trout Pass and Territory Lounge, I'm not a seasoned mixed drink/bar drinker. I experimented once with a specialty mixed drink at TL and couldn't take more than a sip from it it was so unappealing to me. They were so kind to comp it when they saw I couldn't drink it. I really enjoy the wasabi versions of Margaritas/Bloody Marys like they have at SFDI, but they don't seem to be available at other locations. Sorry I wasn't much help.

I LOVE our Wilderness Lodge Family! I really do.

New to this thread. Thanks all for the updates on the pool. We are celebrating our DD 5th birthday, and the idea that the pool would be closed gutted us. We are super excited because we have been planning this trip for her since we found out she was joining our little family!! Can't believe the time is almost here. It seems like just yesterday that the statement "you know where baby is going for their 5th birthday" was uttered.

We are booked for Sept 30-Oct 11. I see WDW refer to a list? May inquire what the list is?

We are also looking for suggestions to make the big surprise trip even more special. She is booked for many exciting adventures, but to make sure we didn't miss anything, any special suggestions?

Thank you again and love this board. It has been lovely to learn and plan with all of you.

I added you yesterday to our Lodgers' Log in POST 2. Welcome to the thread!

There are special treats you can order after you arrive and before. Disney has a website of treats/balloons and you also order through WL after arrival. They have some treats listed in the Private Dining menu on the first page at the end of the DINING section. There is also a Disney cake ordering hotline. The Mercantile sells items your DD might love and you could purchase there and surprise her during your stay. You can even purchase items at home and have them shipped to the resort shortly before your arrival.

We just had night two of our woods view stay, and we haven't had much chance to really explore the lodge yet. We haven't even used the pool yet! We got in late the first night, and went right to bed.

Yesterday, we headed out early for breakfast and the Magic Kingdom. It wound up thunderstorming all afternoon, and into the evening, so the pool was closed, and instead of swimming, we relaxed in our rooms, and wandered around the lodge just a bit. Right when the rain cleared up, we went to a late dinner at California Grill, then over to Magic Kingdom again, where we closed down the park. It was great!

Random observations:

I had the turkey sandwich from the cooler at Roaring Forks yesterday, and it was awesome! It was kind of like the holiday sandwich at Earl of Sandwich. Cranberry mayo, stuffing, really soft bread - delicious!

We're in a woods view bunk bed room, facing the villas. I'm slightly disappointed that we didn't get the otter creek side, but it's not bad. We actually have a view of the VWL pool, so I was surprised this was considered woods view.

We saw the closed bridge in the lobby, and the waterfall outside is enclosed in beige walls/tarps. I haven't gotten too close to that yet, but I'll try o grab some photos later.

60 days! Just did our on-line check-in. Requested for early check-in and highest floor.

Hey Y'all! Thank you for all the info here! DH, DD13mo now, and I, as well as my mom and dad will be splitting our stay in January 2015 between AKL-KV and VWL! We will have a 2 BR Savanna View at KV where we will all stay together from Jan 7-11 and then Jan 11-15 move to our own 2 studios at VWL. By that time, we will definitely need our own space! Anyway, does anyone have any experience with rooms 1501 and 1502 in the Villas? This will be our first experience staying at VWL! I like that they are next to each other so that we can hang out together on the patios. I like the ground floor so we can have a second entrance during nap time for then 21mo. I like that they are centrally located to the pool and the buses. And I like the potential for people watching during down times! However, how do you think the noise level is on the ground level and pretty close to a walkway in that area? From what I remember its pretty quiet over there, but we were there later at night. Wha-cha think? Thanks in advance for your insight!

Welcome to the thread! Your trip sounds like lots of fun. I'll let the VWL experts help you with your request, but I don't think that noise would be a problem on the ground floor unless perhaps you are right in front of the pool

Yes water pageant from the beach. I have often smoked a good cigar (away from people) while watching the water pageant. Brings back great memories for me as someone who has been going to WDE since the 1970s.

Then you've seen some changes/improvements in the EWP sound track over the years

What are the options to get from the Wilderness Lodge to the Polynesian?

The waterless option would be to take the AKL, DHS, water park or DTD bus from WL. Those buses stop at GF first and then you could walk over to Poly from there. Just ask the bus driver first to confirm it's stopping at GF first. Depending on boat and monorail wait times, this option might be faster.

WDWKOOK, First of all thank you for all your help. After reading the IPO you sent I again became very concerned It seems to me what they are saying is that the pool rehab will be in August and not after Labor Day. So I took a page from you. I have two reservations, one for myself, daughter and granddaughter in a courtyard view room and one for my son and his family in a club level room. Both these reservation are on me. As I said before I was going to go for the Poly but after all the construction news I went for the WL and was able to give my son's family the club level.

Since he has not received any welcome letter from the OFC I took it upon myself to send a letter letting them know of my son's family arrival, celebrations and room requests. I also mentioned my concern for the lack of a main pool. Lets see what there response will be. I am not trying to stir up trouble but this is a big deal as we spend a lot of down time at the resorts we stay at, and I am trying to give my son's family a special gift. I have been to the WL before, loved it. but don't think the quiet pool can handle the heat of August vacationers.

But again thank you and all other diser's for the information you have supplied. Wishing you a magical vacation

Getting a welcome from the IPO seems to be hit or miss. I think it depends on when you book and when their system triggers a message to contact you. I hope you get some good pool news soon for your extra special gift to your DS. Will your DD be jealous?

Checking back in and glad to see all the detective work payed off and the pool-damonia panic was for nothing. So happy we didn't give up on the good old lodge.

Hey, the good ol' Lodge is only 20 years old

Tomato fennel soup and cheese focaccia bread, sesame chicken salad, and turkey roll ups tonight.

Ooooo, a new soup?!

 

[lucas]

The waterless option would be to take the AKL, DHS, water park or DTD bus from WL. Those buses stop at GF first and then you could walk over to Poly from there. Just ask the bus driver first to confirm it's stopping at GF first. Depending on boat and monorail wait times, this option might be faster.

Do any buses go to the Poly before or after the GF stop?

 

[teambeaman]

Sorry if this has been asked already, I just found you guys and have read through as much as I can so far, but we will be staying at WL for the first time Oct-25-Nov 1. Does anyone know if there are any Halloween activities at the resort on Halloween night? DS is 3 and has spent one Halloween at a Aulani, and another on the Dream. He got to participate in activities both those times, so I'm hoping they'll be something at WL too!

 

[ntantaros]

I just had a co worker return from Wilderness Lodge. He said the water slide was under construction right now and no one was able to use it.

 

[mum2four]

Hi! Looking for opinions from anyone who has stayed in the deluxe rooms at WL. How is the sofa bed? Hoping it would be ok for two kids to sleep on for a week. Thanks!

 

[annaaidan99]

Hi! Looking for opinions from anyone who has stayed in the deluxe rooms at WL. How is the sofa bed? Hoping it would be ok for two kids to sleep on for a week. Thanks!

Sofa bed is super comfy. It's a queen and would be great for two adults for a week.

 

[annaaidan99]

I just had a co worker return from Wilderness Lodge. He said the water slide was under construction right now and no one was able to use it.

Our kids were on this morning, and have used it all week.

 

[mum2four]

Sofa bed is super comfy. It's a queen and would be great for two adults for a week.

Good to hear! Thanks!

 

[EmmaMagsMom]

Sorry if this has been asked already, I just found you guys and have read through as much as I can so far, but we will be staying at WL for the first time Oct-25-Nov 1. Does anyone know if there are any Halloween activities at the resort on Halloween night? DS is 3 and has spent one Halloween at a Aulani, and another on the Dream. He got to participate in activities both those times, so I'm hoping they'll be something at WL too!

We have spent the last 4 Halloween's at the lodge with our girls. They do have organized activities. The past two years they have had a great DJ on the beach and they had a " monster mash party". Last year Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck came to enjoy in the fun. This was the first year I've seen characters at the party but it made it extra special for the kids. They have trick or treat stations set up around the lodge. Lots of fun!

 

[teambeaman]

We have spent the last 4 Halloween's at the lodge with our girls. They do have organized activities. The past two years they have had a great DJ on the beach and they had a " monster mash party". Last year Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck came to enjoy in the fun. This was the first year I've seen characters at the party but it made it extra special for the kids. They have trick or treat stations set up around the lodge. Lots of fun!

Thank you so much for the response! That makes me feel really good about our decision to do MNSSHP earlier in the week! Yay!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just had a co worker return from Wilderness Lodge. He said the water slide was under construction right now and no one was able to use it.

Welcome to the DIS and the thread!

According to hstrickland, who is at WL right now and has been there for about a week, the slide has only been closed when the pool has been closed due to storms in the area. Maybe your co-worker saw the rope on it and thought it was closed for repairs.

 

[WDWKOOK]

As I told TheLodgeLady the other day, we don't shoot messengers around these parts, so please remain calm…

hstrickland is reporting that her WL source told her that the WL pool may in fact be closed for an undetermined amount of time after Labor Day, but the VWL pool will be open. Letters will be sent to anyone whose reservation overlaps with the closure. The source does not know when the letters would be mailed out and this information is still tentative and unofficial, but is the latest pool news I have.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

As I told TheLodgeLady the other day, we don't shoot messengers around these parts, so please remain calm…

hstrickland is reporting that her WL source told her that the WL pool may in fact be closed for an undetermined amount of time after Labor Day, but the VWL pool will be open. Letters will be sent to anyone whose reservation overlaps with the closure. The source does not know when the letters would be mailed out and this information is still tentative and unofficial, but is the latest pool news I have.

Not shooting the messenger, but OH NO! This is all exhausted to keep track of