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

[DisneyLover0610]

I just booked a few days ago for our first WL stay! Of course it falls in the middle of this pool refurb - slightly annoyed, but I'll manage. Now, what are the chances the pool bar will be closed as well?? If it were to stay open, would it just be in the middle of a mess? Because the bar being closed might be the deal breaker! Thanks!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

It appears I have an update to the pool rehab status in POST 2. And, at the speed this thread is going, I may have to re-post the thread this week before vacation

Multiple sources reported here yesterday and on social media that the WL pool rehab is slated to be completed around Thanksgiving and pools at CR and FW will be available to WL guests. The completion/re-opening date and use of other Bay Lake pools is new information since Heather/hstrickland returned last weekend and since my last update on 11 June from the IPO. Thank you to those who posted updates yesterday.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just booked a few days ago for our first WL stay! Of course it falls in the middle of this pool refurb - slightly annoyed, but I'll manage. Now, what are the chances the pool bar will be closed as well?? If it were to stay open, would it just be in the middle of a mess? Because the bar being closed might be the deal breaker! Thanks!!

As of yet, the closing of Trout Pass hasn't been reported. I would think it would remain open since it generates plenty of revenue and guests can still enjoy their adult beverages at the VWL pool and on the beach. I will ask in a week when I'm there.

 

[juliehoey]

As of yet, the closing of Trout Pass hasn't been reported. I would think it would remain open since it generates plenty of revenue and guests can still enjoy their adult beverages at the VWL pool and on the beach. I will ask in a week when I'm there.

I wonder if there will be pre-construction mess? We check out on 8/31. I hope they don't start anything over that weekend..

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ugh...I'm scheduled for Dec. 1-7. Maybe it will be finished. I'm renting points, and can't jump ship.

Thanksgiving is in November; given that all other refurbishment timelines have been on the generous end - yes, it will be finished by the time you arrive.

What annoys me more than anything is that they waited this long...if I didn't have air booked I would move the dates...now i have to call and ask about change fees

They waited until they had firm refurbishment dates. How dramatically would it have changed your plans knowing four or five days ago, when the unofficial information first got shared?

At any rate, no change fee 45+ days out, and we're still about 75 days from start of work.

I wonder if there will be pre-construction mess? We check out on 8/31. I hope they don't start anything over that weekend..

"Preconstrucion mess" would occur at the beginning of the work, within the scheduled timetable. Not a few days early. I'd be shocked if they actually start on Labor Day, weekends and holidays not being typical construction days.

 

[TheLodgeLady]

They waited until they had firm refurbishment dates. How dramatically would it have changed your plans knowing four or five days ago, when the unofficial information first got shared?

At any rate, no change fee 45+ days out, and we're still about 75 days from start of work.



"Preconstrucion mess" would occur at the beginning of the work, within the scheduled timetable. Not a few days early. I'd be shocked if they actually start on Labor Day, weekends and holidays not being typical construction days.

Thank you for this post. Disney is giving us over 60 days prior information about the pool rehab.

Disney is not obligated to give you anymore. We are very lucky to have places like the DIS to find out information way before the "official" info is published.

I'm not saying that I don't feel for everyone who is stuck because there is no other availability with their discounts. I really feel terrible. But Disney and the WL did nothing wrong.

Remember - I posted the information about the pool rehab dates (Start after Labor Day and hoped to finish by Thanksgiving) back on June 6th as soon as I found out. This was from my friend in the back office.

 

[patty57]

Thanksgiving is in November; given that all other refurbishment timelines have been on the generous end - yes, it will be finished by the time you arrive.

I hope so. Thanksgiving is on Thursday, the 27th, and I arrive the following Monday. In any case, the woman I rented points from was nice enough to look for any other availability that week, and the following week, and there isn't anything for six nights. Also, no availability in any of the resorts I would want to switch to. I'll hope for the best.

 

[digiMom]

I'm glad my stay is just before the work, but do really feel for you that are affected. I'm sure there's plenty that is still lovely about the resort so I wouldn't have switched. The pool area is really is a big part of the resorts "overall effect" though.

I was just thinking, with resort guests being able to use the FW and CR pools, how many guests do you think will take advantage of this? Is CR more as accessible than the FW pool from WL? How will it impact the pool experience for those guests at those resorts; can they handle the additional guest load? It sounds like the boat between the resorts may have a number of people riding in their swimsuits..

 

[dpswift]

I am officially gutted. We have been planning and saving for this trip as a surprise 5th birthday since the stick was positive. So much planning, saving, and research has gone into this. I know WDWKook said there was so much more, but the pool was a big part of our plans and our activity. We chose WL because of the location, the stories, the views, and the pool. We have paid a great deal of money for a room with a view...of construction. I know it is a first world problem and in the grand scheme of life, there are far bigger issues, but for now, after 5 plus years of planning and saving, I am going to take a moment to be gutted, then sort things out from there. Thank you for listening.

I feel for you. It seems as though many people on the board go to Disney so much that They do not understand the feelings of those that it is a big splurge for.

I am concerned about the ambiance of the lodge with the pool blocked off. However like others have said there are still positives. If they follow through on allowing use of the pools at CR and Fort Wilderness it should be fine.

Of my four kids going only one wants to change.

 

[dpswift]

I'm glad my stay is just before the work, but do really feel for you that are affected. I'm sure there's plenty that is still lovely about the resort so I wouldn't have switched. The pool area is really is a big part of the resorts "overall effect" though.

I was just thinking, with resort guests being able to use the FW and CR pools, how many guests do you think will take advantage of this? Is CR more as accessible than the FW pool from WL? How will it impact the pool experience for those guests at those resorts; can they handle the additional guest load? It sounds like the boat between the resorts may have a number of people riding in their swimsuits..

As much as it is nice to have as an option I do not think that all that many people would take advantage of it. Some will but those will be the ones that planned a pool day. It would not be worth it to go over for a quick swim.

It always seems as though when I am at Disney that I never have the time to do all that I have had planned.

 

[rotlex]

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.

 

[MamaBear58]

You take as long as you need to be gutted! This sucks for everyone that is affected!

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.

 

[Stasieki]

DVC Central reporting pool closure 9/3-11/27. Guests using contemporary or fort wilderness pool.

 

[giginator]

So much for my Halloween splurge was planning a pool day at the lodge

 

[Scarlett81]

Ok don't throw any rotten fruit at me please...Just letting folks know who may be here now or soon, that the rock/cave tunnel through the courtyard is now closed and there are large wooden walls blocking both entrances.
It isn't really much of an eyesore, it's painted nicely and similar to the refurb walls they put up in the parks.
I mention it so that people walking that path from the interior courtyard area don't get there, stuck and have to go all the way back around.
I will say I sat outside at 6:30 am while they were putting it up, and they are very speedy competent workers so hopefully it will translate to a job well and quickly done.

 

[TheLodgeLady]

I feel for you. It seems as though many people on the board go to Disney so much that They do not understand the feelings of those that it is a big splurge for.

I am concerned about the ambiance of the lodge with the pool blocked off. However like others have said there are still positives. If they follow through on allowing use of the pools at CR and Fort Wilderness it should be fine.

Of my four kids going only one wants to change.

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.

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Ok don't throw any rotten fruit at me please...Just letting folks know who may be here now or soon, that the rock/cave tunnel through the courtyard is now closed and there are large wooden walls blocking both entrances.
It isn't really much of an eyesore, it's painted nicely and similar to the refurb walls they put up in the parks.
I mention it so that people walking that path from the interior courtyard area don't get there, stuck and have to go all the way back around.
I will say I sat outside at 6:30 am while they were putting it up, and they are very speedy competent workers so hopefully it will translate to a job well and quickly done.

Thank you for this info. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SFunaro]

well there we have it! We check in on nov 16th so i am hoping that is late enough to avoid construction. Should i cancel our courtyard view room and switch to standard?

 

[WildGinger]

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?

 

[dansdad]

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?

If they are allowing the use of other resort pools, most likely they will not give passes to one of the water parks. They are offering that for Poly guests because they do not have the option of using the pool at another resort.