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

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Yes we are booked at GF but I was hoping if it wasn't bad we could switch back... But it looks bad .

 

[oceanmarina]

Was there a start date on the permit? I could not tell

 

[WDWKOOK]

That is just a survey showing the pool deck area. If you look at the date on it, it was actually completed 1/24/2006. Are you sure that drawing goes with the current permit? It seems to me that relates to work completed in 2006?

I'm sure it goes with it (you can see for yourself with my hyperlink to the permit). I've looked at hundreds of those permits and Disney seems to be able to use older surveys/land descriptions for currently permitted projects. Some surveys are even older for current projects. 2006 is just when that survey was completed which is after/around the last pool rehab they had.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Was there a start date on the permit? I could not tell

They don't put start dates on the OC permits, only expiration dates.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'm sure it goes with it (you can see for yourself with my hyperlink to the permit). I've looked at hundreds of those permits and Disney seems to be able to use older surveys/land descriptions for currently permitted projects. Some surveys are even older for current projects. 2006 is just when that survey was completed which is after/around the last pool rehab they had.

You appear to need a login when you click on the link?

I think the bolded answers our question. That survey is clearly from 2006, so there's no way it could be showing plans for work taking place in 2014. It's just a land survey, not plans showing fence lines.

 

[tiger4me2]

I found the Notice of Commencement Permit for the WL pool construction, it was filed about a week ago. The permit expires 2/15 so all work must be completed before that date. However, the completion date of November 27th is UNCHANGED as of right now. The permit filed for Falcon of the Nile, presumably for pool-related work only, such as the new pool pumps, expires 12/14.

It appears that the jackhammering now is expected to take at least 3 weeks. Managers and CMs are still emphasizing that the work will be loud and intrusive during the day. If you do have the option of staying elsewhere, it's highly recommended that you do so. I was told that thousands of letters did go out to guests announcing the pool work, however, CMs have realized that some guests were missed and CMs and managers are prepared to deal with guests who have any issues that may arise due to the construction.

The fencing will have a gate that will be locked when a lifeguard isn't present, however, unlike SAB/BLT..., I have been told that the gate will not require a MB or KTTW card. This, however, may change. If it does require keyed access, this will restrict non-guests from using the pool. According to the sketch, Trout Pass will be bisected by the fence. It would seem that a new pool bar will have to be built, but will it be inside the fence or outside? It also appears that the outdoor seating may be impacted by the fence. I have been told that the steps to the bridge near Trout Pass and the hot tubs will be made ADA compliant. This would imply that the bridge and path that passes the geyser and leads to the boat dock will remain?

DH did some measuring and converting and it appears the new pool deck will expand almost 20 feet toward the North Wing. This would overlap with the current path to the boat dock and most likely with the grass and trees that are in front of the North Wing CYV rooms that directly face the pool.

The big question I have is how will the boat dock be accessed? Both existing pathways to the boat dock appear to be bisected by the new fence. It would appear that a new path to the boat dock, that doesn't intersect with the newly expanded pool area/fencing/gates would have to be built. Building a path/bridge through the geyser/Bay Lake doesn't seem viable. This leaves a path that abuts right against the patios of the North Wing rooms. Hopefully, we have an in-house construction savvy person lurking somewhere around here

The drawing below shows the new pool perimeter, which we believe to be the fence. It appears, at least to someone who has little to no experience interpreting construction plans, that the two current paths to the boat dock will be eliminated or blocked by the fencing. The drawings seem to show the fencing bi-secting the two paths and extending almost 20 feet further toward the North Wing. These sketches/permits are only for the pool, so it's possible that at a later date, permits will be filed for new paths or modifications not directly related to the pool. As of right now, I couldn't find permits for other work such as boat dock paths, etc… I am not aware at this time that boat service to/from WL will be eliminated, but I also don't know where the new path will be located.

So if we staying Dec 11th thru the 12th will we hear the :jackhammers? or will the mess be over with ? Any suggestions would be helpful. Ty​

 

[WDWKOOK]

Also, the permit says it's for "general construction" not specifically a pool deck expansion. It could be they used an old survey from 2006 to answer item #1 on the permit application (general description of the property) since the legal description is on there.

The Notice of Commencement (with the 2006 survey) states that it's a "Pool Deck Expansion." These descriptions are always vague and generally unhelpful. The company providing the work is key to figuring out more specifically what work might be performed and then you have to piece together what you can from public announcements.

I looked back at the permit filing in December by Falcon of the Nile that I have hyperlinked in POST 2 and their NoC states "Main pool and deck area." However, they really only do very specific pool-related work such as pumps, and I know WL is getting a new one built.

What I don't understand is why Falcon of the Nile's survey is from 12/13. They created a new survey rather than using the 2006 one. I can't explain those differences between the two contractors.

 

[WDWKOOK]

You appear to need a login when you click on the link?

I think the bolded answers our question. That survey is clearly from 2006, so there's no way it could be showing plans for work taking place in 2014. It's just a land survey, not plans showing fence lines.

I must have a cookie that's allowing me access, but anyone can access the records w/o a password. Try this LINK to WDW permits instead. Scroll to "8/5/2014" and click "Wilderness Lodge."

I think you're right about the fence line not being represented at all in the survey which helps to answer the question about the paths to the boat docks being able to remain. Thank you!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

The Notice of Commencement (with the 2006 survey) states that it's a "Pool Deck Expansion." These descriptions are always vague and generally unhelpful. The company providing the work is key to figuring out more specifically what work might be performed and then you have to piece together what you can from public announcements.

I looked back at the permit filing in December by Falcon of the Nile that I have hyperlinked in POST 2 and their NoC states "Main pool and deck area." However, they really only do very specific pool-related work such as pumps, and I know WL is getting a new one built.

What I don't understand is why Falcon of the Nile's survey is from 12/13. They created a new survey rather than using the 2006 one. I can't explain those differences between the two contractors.

I think I'm confusing you, or we're confusing each other.

I think the Falcon of the Nile's work is for the work on the actual pool. Separate permit because they're doing their own work specifically on the "innards" of the pool.

I think this new permit is likely for the fencing around the pool, which is being done by a separate contractor, who does general construction work. Because the same general area is involved as was involved in the 2006 pool deck expansion, they reused the old survey. Why waste money on a new survey when that area hasn't changed, right? Because the survey was done in 2006 in conjunction with the pool deck expansion project, the surveyor labled it as such. However, the contractor applying for the permit for the 2014 work can't go in and change anything on the old survey (it's not their work product), so it still has the old notations on it about the "pool deck expansion" are references to the project for which the survey was originally obtained, but which is irrelevant to the current project. See the notation marked "POB?" That's for Point of Beginning...where the surveyor began surveying the construction area. The metes and bounds of that construction area are then measured off, and the survey ends where it begins...at the POB. A surveyor is not going to mark a planned fence line...they mark what already exists, not what's going to exist. If needed, the contractor would file the plans for the fence (not all jurisdictions require this), not the surveyor.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I think I'm confusing you, or we're confusing each other.

I think the Falcon of the Nile's work is for the work on the actual pool. Separate permit because they're doing their own work specifically on the "innards" of the pool.

I think this new permit is likely for the fencing around the pool, which is being done by a separate contractor, who does general construction work. Because the same general area is involved as was involved in the 2006 pool deck expansion, they reused the old survey. Why waste money on a new survey when that area hasn't changed, right? Because the survey was done in 2006 in conjunction with the pool deck expansion project, the surveyor labled it as such. However, the contractor applying for the permit for the 2014 work can't go in and change anything on the old survey (it's not their work product), so it still has the old notations on it about the "pool deck expansion" are references to the project for which the survey was originally obtained, but which is irrelevant to the current project. See the notation marked "POB?" That's for Point of Beginning...where the surveyor began surveying the construction area. The metes and bounds of that construction area are then measured off, and the survey ends where it begins...at the POB. A surveyor is not going to mark a planned fence line...they mark what already exists, not what's going to exist. If needed, the contractor would file the plans for the fence (not all jurisdictions require this), not the surveyor.

That explains why one can use a 2006 survey and why the other needed a new one. Thank you and I hope you stick around when I get "permit confused" again. It sounds like you have some experience with contracts and permits?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I have people in my family who are "close to" the construction industry (general contractors and architectural engineers), so what little I know has only been picked up from hanging out at job sites since I was a kid and hearing them blather on about work (but being interested enough in it to have them explain things to me).

In thinking about it, I also think that we're ascribing the wrong meaning to the word "expansion." I think we're thinking it means "to make bigger," which is what it means in everyday usage, but for purposes of surveying, I think it's just used to describe basically the "plat" of what's been surveyed. If it were say, just a courtyard, I think it would have said "court yard expansion" to show the expanse of the courtyard under construction.

 

[WDWKOOK]

You appear to need a login when you click on the link?

I think the bolded answers our question. That survey is clearly from 2006, so there's no way it could be showing plans for work taking place in 2014. It's just a land survey, not plans showing fence lines.

I'm going to copy/paste this into my original post so no one will think that the survey markings are actually where the fence will be installed. Thank you.

 

[Dumbo Mad]

Overall check in is faster when you check in online. We were greeted at the door and didn't even have to go to the check in desk the two times that we used online check in at the WL. We sat on comfy couches while the CM ran around. One time the room was ready when we checked in and the second time it was ready about twenty minutes after we checked both, both times around 11am.

Are your two reservations linked with a gathering number? If not, call resort reservations and ask them to do it. You'll need to know the reservation number of the other party. If your rooms are not close to each other when you check in, then you can ask them to try and find rooms close together. We traveled with our daughter's family and the CM spent some time looking for rooms for us that were close to their room. We ended up just four doors down and they had to walk past our room to get to the elevator.

Thanks for the advise. Both of our reservations should be linked. I booked through Disney UK and that was one of my specifications. I've just tried to check in online. It accepted it for my reservation, but when I go to register my fathers room, it just states

"We cannot locate any resort reservations eligible for check-in at this time. You may check-in to your resort stay 60 days prior to your arrival date".

I'm definitely in the 60 days prior! I've tried Firefox, IT and Crome, just to see its a browser issue. Any ideas on what to do?
Thanks
Nikki

 

[Marlyn]

Thanks for the invite! We'll meet you there later tonight to check it out with you!

 

[MissouriJen]

I'm in a bit of a panic now! My reservation is 12/6-12/12/14. It's our 20th anniversary trip, and our first trip ANYWHERE without our kids. I don't want to end up in the middle of a construction mess. Anyone have any opinions on whether I should throw in the towel now and switch to another resort or hang tight for a few more weeks?

I'm kicking myself for cancelling a Business Class CSR reservation I booked with a pin code now that it looks like this is going to impact my trip. We took a family trip to WDW in January and stayed at POFQ while the pool was being refurbished, and my DH won't go for that again. It was a pain to haul ourselves and our stuff over to another resort for swimming and relaxing in a hot tub.

 

[JnKinVA]

Whew! Lots of reading done. Going a week on vacation without internet makes for a busy few days of reading to catch up!

Looks like a huge mess coming up, and kind of glad we'll be there in January now.

 

[BandontheRun]

We arrive December 28th so on the up side- we will hopefully have a nicely refurbished WL!

 

[kastoney]

T minus one month to go for us! Though the word jackhammer concerns me, especially with a napper. We are staying deluxe CL and I requested to be close to the club lounge, so hopefully that takes us away from the noise. I'm apparently also one of the few who received no communication from disney.

 

[sdribben]

T minus one month to go for us! Though the word jackhammer concerns me, especially with a napper. We are staying deluxe CL and I requested to be close to the club lounge, so hopefully that takes us away from the noise. I'm apparently also one of the few who received no communication from disney.

Good luck!!

 

[Rokwynd]

Swapped reservation for a standard room 1/26/15-2/2/15