(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~2014~

[martinmont]

I was thinking the same thing. We arrive on Dec 11 I'm nervous it won't be completed.

We arrive 12/13 for our honeymoon, and I'm a kinda a perfectionist so I ll be really upset if it's not done especially on our honeymoon! I would expect more than the $50 credit per night or water park tickets considering technically we weren't informed of construction on our dates, so we did not get any opportunity to make alternate plans. Most ppl who are not on disboards arriving in dec probably would not even know there's construction going on right now.

 

[morrismhs]

Quick question: We are staying at WL 12/5-12/8. We normally stay CL there but it was unavailable. Supposedly this is a slow time (relatively speaking). Is it possible that the Lodge full? Would love an upgrade but still am happy to be back there. Just wondering.

 

[nyrebecca]

Quick question: We are staying at WL 12/5-12/8. We normally stay CL there but it was unavailable. Supposedly this is a slow time (relatively speaking). Is it possible that the Lodge full? Would love an upgrade but still am happy to be back there. Just wondering.

I just looked at the week we are going in Nov. and it says there are no rooms available at the Lodge. Interesting. Maybe they have taken some rooms out of inventory?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Quick question: We are staying at WL 12/5-12/8. We normally stay CL there but it was unavailable. Supposedly this is a slow time (relatively speaking). Is it possible that the Lodge full? Would love an upgrade but still am happy to be back there. Just wondering.

The Wilderness Lodge is very popular in December because it has great Christmas decorations. But you might want to keep checking, since rooms open up all the time, especially for a short stay like you have.

I just looked at the week we are going in Nov. and it says there are no rooms available at the Lodge. Interesting. Maybe they have taken some rooms out of inventory?

The WL was fully booked when we were there earlier in the week. It was hard to tell if they had taken rooms out of inventory, but it looked like just the first floor rooms that face the pool were not occupied.

 

[trishadono]

Haha crappy EWP picture but hey what do you expect from a iPhone.

I don't mind at all! Thanks for posting !!

 

[trishadono]

Thanks, It was fun talking to you. Our grandson really loved the bubbling springs in the Hidden Springs pool. Here is a picture of him in his Halloween costume at dinner in Whispering Canyon Cafe. He was dressed as Pluto and he loved the extra attention:

Your grandson is adorable .

We ate breakfast twice and dinner once at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Our waiter at one of the breakfasts was Jefro and when our table asked for ketchup, he came out dressed like this:

 

[trishadono]

I popped over here to see if anyone is going to at WL 11/10-18?

I arrive at poly on 18th and leave early 21st. I want to sneak over to see that magnificent Christmas Tree. I don't want to get my mom's hopes up to see it then get there to find an empty lobby. (She has never been to WL, let alone holiday time.)

So if anyone can report when tree up I would appreciate it.

Thanks!!!

 

[morrismhs]

I was thinking they might have rooms out of inventory. I do check every day. Frankly we are just tickled to be going at Christmas - usually go in July. Can't wait to see the decorations. It just seemed like all of the resorts are pretty full. Was just wondering if something is going on or just normal activity.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't know, but that looks like it will be a few months before it is finished. We arrive late January but I'd be very nervous if I was arriving in late November or December.

We arrive 12/13 for our honeymoon, and I'm a kinda a perfectionist so I ll be really upset if it's not done especially on our honeymoon! I would expect more than the $50 credit per night or water park tickets considering technically we weren't informed of construction on our dates, so we did not get any opportunity to make alternate plans. Most ppl who are not on disboards arriving in dec probably would not even know there's construction going on right now.

I believe if it was behind they would be working longer hours/weekends to get on schedule.

Anyone booking after it was announced would indeed know about the construction. It's front and center on the resort page on the Disney site. I searched for rooms in December and the announcement was still there so I had no excuse not to know about it, even without reading it here.

Quick question: We are staying at WL 12/5-12/8. We normally stay CL there but it was unavailable. Supposedly this is a slow time (relatively speaking). Is it possible that the Lodge full? Would love an upgrade but still am happy to be back there. Just wondering.

I just looked at the week we are going in Nov. and it says there are no rooms available at the Lodge. Interesting. Maybe they have taken some rooms out of inventory?

I don't think it's the case for you but they do take rooms out of inventory. No idea how it works but clearly Disney gives rooms to Orbitz and removes them from their inventory. I had to book with Ortibz to get a room at all. When I checked the Disney site for our dates WL was totally Sold Out, even with Rack Rate. I went to check Orbitz and they had rooms at all levels, even with the Promo that was running at that time (so I got the Promo rate AND the Orbitz discount code combined). I just checked for our dates again (same as yours) and Ortibz does show them Sold Out. I'm thinking that is correct.

You have folks who are bailing from Poly Resort this Holiday season. I'm sure that has a lot to do with higher than normal occupancy at the other Deluxe resorts, combined with the popularity of WL at Christmas and it is probably full.

 

[martinmont]

I believe if it was behind they would be working longer hours/weekends to get on schedule.

Anyone booking after it was announced would indeed know about the construction. It's front and center on the resort page on the Disney site. I searched for rooms in December and the announcement was still there so I had no excuse not to know about it, even without reading it here.

We booked way before the construction was announced and so did a number of ppl I know that are not on here, that's what I was referring to as they would have been unaware had I not told them. anyhow, even if u were to book after, the announcement clearly says it would be over by end of nov. So if it's not, by then even if they make another announcement, a lot of ppl might be stuck. Maybe I'm just too nervous! Dint meant to cause trouble

 

[DisneyDad61]

Good Morning All -

As anyone that has reservations at WL or VWL in late November or December, we all are anxious as to whether the rehab / enhancements will be completed at the Courtyard Pool area.
Although we all know that planned rehabs can take longer with unknown issues or the like, it would appear to me that the scope of work for this project is rather specific and straight-forward.
Although these recent pictures show alot of construction, it really does look like alot of the prep for the splash zone area including piping, etc seems to be done. With just under 30 days left before the planned re-opening, I feel pretty confident that the General Contractor will have this finished in time. This is a pretty "high exposure" area from a guest perspective and I feel that enough pressure is being put in the GC to get this done on time.
I may be a glass-half-full type of guy but I am pretty confident that it will be done. It takes longer to prep than to lay the concrete and install the structure(s).
Irregardless, our family feels blessed to be there on 12/4, see the beauty of the holidays at WL, VWL and the parks and will be positive and "go with the flow" IF for some reason, it is not open.
Its our family, the memories and experiences that make this special for us and whether or not the courtyard pool is or is not open, will not effect our desire to have one heck of an awesome time for 10 days at WDW during the holiday season.
Counting down....36 days......

 

[Sandy321]

I need a vacation - and June is a long way away, so thank you for having this awesome thread so I can come and get a bit of the Disney vacation!

I do understand the curiosity of the pool rehab completion - but to just add to your thoughts, "at least you're not going in June" :little angel:

 

[AngiTN]

We booked way before the construction was announced and so did a number of ppl I know that are not on here, that's what I was referring to as they would have been unaware had I not told them. anyhow, even if u were to book after, the announcement clearly says it would be over by end of nov. So if it's not, by then even if they make another announcement, a lot of ppl might be stuck. Maybe I'm just too nervous! Dint meant to cause trouble

No, no trouble at all. I didn't realize you were talking about those booking a long time ago. I still think it's on schedule at this point. No reason not to think that at least. I did think folks that booked a while ago all got notices from Disney about the construction. I know many folks did at least. Maybe those that didn't used a TA and the TA didn't forward the info? Anyway, I'm still not worried for out trip in December.

Good Morning All -

As anyone that has reservations at WL or VWL in late November or December, we all are anxious as to whether the rehab / enhancements will be completed at the Courtyard Pool area.
Although we all know that planned rehabs can take longer with unknown issues or the like, it would appear to me that the scope of work for this project is rather specific and straight-forward.
Although these recent pictures show alot of construction, it really does look like alot of the prep for the splash zone area including piping, etc seems to be done. With just under 30 days left before the planned re-opening, I feel pretty confident that the General Contractor will have this finished in time. This is a pretty "high exposure" area from a guest perspective and I feel that enough pressure is being put in the GC to get this done on time.
I may be a glass-half-full type of guy but I am pretty confident that it will be done. It takes longer to prep than to lay the concrete and install the structure(s).
Irregardless, our family feels blessed to be there on 12/4, see the beauty of the holidays at WL, VWL and the parks and will be positive and "go with the flow" IF for some reason, it is not open.
Its our family, the memories and experiences that make this special for us and whether or not the courtyard pool is or is not open, will not effect our desire to have one heck of an awesome time for 10 days at WDW during the holiday season.
Counting down....36 days......

Here, here. Great post.
I'm with you. I think it will be done. At this point, no reason not to think that. I do reserve the right to be wrong. I'll sure miss the hot tub if I am.
I am not letting something like a pool keep me from having a great time though, I can say that for sure. I can swim in a pool here at home. That's not why I go to Disney anyway. I go for everything else.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

We ate breakfast twice and dinner once at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Our waiter at one of the breakfasts was Jefro and when our table asked for ketchup, he came out dressed like this:

This is hilarious!!!!!




On our last trip I can't believe we never made it to the beach area. I guess we were too busy having fun and admiring the Christmas tree to pretend like we were in a tropical climate. Any who, on this next trip DM and I want to visit the beach to watch the electrical water pageant. I know this is at approximately 9:30pm. We also are considering roasting marshmallows but how does that work for s'mores? Will there be graham crackers and chocolate to purchase or should we just bring our own? We will have eaten a four course meal for lunch so don't anticipate being too hungry for dinner so s'mores sounded like a nice alternative

 

[leholcomb]

No, no trouble at all. I didn't realize you were talking about those booking a long time ago. I still think it's on schedule at this point. No reason not to think that at least. I did think folks that booked a while ago all got notices from Disney about the construction. I know many folks did at least. Maybe those that didn't used a TA and the TA didn't forward the info? Anyway, I'm still not worried for out trip in December. :

I received two emails and a call from the General Manager informing me of the construction. Of course, I knew about the construction when the permits were applied for thanks to this board! I remember everyone talking about calling the contractor themselves to find out what was going on. Hahaha!

In other news, I just boarded my plane on the way to the Lodge! This will be our first time staying there. The rest of my party doesn't get in until later so I was thinking of swinging in WCC for lunch. Any suggestions? I've been for both breakfast and dinner.

 

[addiesmom]

Hi Everyone! We have our first stay at the Lodge coming up the week of Thanksgiving. We have a courtyard bunk bed room booked and I have a few questions. Does anyone know where these are typically located? If we upgraded to Club Level, is it a good chance to get bunk beds as a request? Do the club level bunk bed rooms all have closed off dormer balconies? Thanks so much!!

 

[diskids2]

Does the electric pageant run during Christmas week? I am doing my itinerary and want to make a spot for it as long as it runs. Also does it still run at 9:35 pm that week?

 

[AngiTN]

Hi Everyone! We have our first stay at the Lodge coming up the week of Thanksgiving. We have a courtyard bunk bed room booked and I have a few questions. Does anyone know where these are typically located? If we upgraded to Club Level, is it a good chance to get bunk beds as a request? Do the club level bunk bed rooms all have closed off dormer balconies? Thanks so much!!

ALL CL rooms have closed off balconies (except for the Deluxe ones located on different floors). It was the only thing I hated about CL at WL.

Touring Plans.com has a room locator. That can help you determine #1, where the bunk bed rooms are and #2, how many there are in CL so you can see what your odds of getting one are. I used to to check the King bed numbers (very small!) so I know if it's worth even asking about one. Since I know I prefer location of our room over King bed I'm not bothering.
http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/hotels/disneys-wilderness-lodge

 

[AngiTN]

I received two emails and a call from the General Manager informing me of the construction. Of course, I knew about the construction when the permits were applied for thanks to this board! I remember everyone talking about calling the contractor themselves to find out what was going on. Hahaha!

In other news, I just boarded my plane on the way to the Lodge! This will be our first time staying there. The rest of my party doesn't get in until later so I was thinking of swinging in WCC for lunch. Any suggestions? I've been for both breakfast and dinner.

That's nuts. But maybe some of those folks want to find out if it's on schedule

 

[WDWKOOK]

Carolwood Pacific Room blog…The "train room" at VWL.​