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

[BlueFairy]

Oops. Is this better

Ahhh! Those falls make everything better. And drown out a LOT of noise.

It's funny, we didn't even ask about construction. We had just mentioned about the piece of the lodge had fallen off and saw some pieces of clothing on one of the lower roofs. The CM mentioned that they were going to start fixing up the exterior of the buildings and that those rooms were starting to be taken out of inventory. Didn't mention about the scaffolding but when I saw the post I figured this is what the CM was taking about.

I guess it's just the luck of the draw. It is good that they are working on the exterior. We noticed some fixtures around the property that need some attention, too.

I missed quoting you in my multi-quote the other day. I think we were posting around the same time. We so enjoyed your updates and photos - thank you.

I wonder if the bunnies don't have many predators so they can get by with smaller ears?

Here's to you, too:

Thanks for the Cheers! That was my favorite. The kids and I will have to study up on those bunnies.

So are these standard rooms? Are people staying in these rooms?

This particular section is only Woods View. It's logical that they should be empty for a short period with that much traffic on the outside.

 

[minniegirl19]

Is the creek and waterfall fine or is the one part still dried up? We arrive tomorrow for our first stay at the lodge for my parents 25th anniversary and I want it to be perfect! We have a courtyard room so the construction shouldn't bother us!

 

[Wood Nymph]

My concern is that they must of had this planned all along so how do they accommodate all of us! I'm in a Woods View so where will I be placed? What are the chances they will upgrade us? I'm also with another family! I've made my requests when I booked so have to hope for the best I guess! How many rooms are in that wing they have closed off? Is it exterior work or room refurbs? I'm 8 days away so don't want to stress out! DH saw scaffolding pic & mouth dropped! Pixie dust come my way!

If you have booked a woods view room and if the rooms with the scaffolding in front of them have been taken out of inventory, which I would think they are, then most likely you will be in the north wing facing the Contemporary. Some of the rooms in that section have a view of the high fireworks from Wishes.

There are a few woods view rooms in the section over the lobby, too.

 

[Marlyn]

Is the creek and waterfall fine or is the one part still dried up? We arrive tomorrow for our first stay at the lodge for my parents 25th anniversary and I want it to be perfect! We have a courtyard room so the construction shouldn't bother us!

It was all good this morning

 

[dkrauss]

I'm not going to let this mayhem stop us from having a great time! It's my first time Deluxe & this was my first choice since I've heard lots of great things about WL! It's a good thing that they want to refurb & make things great for all of us travelers but as long as it doesn't impact me!

My concern is that they must of had this planned all along so how do they accommodate all of us! I'm in a Woods View so where will I be placed? What are the chances they will upgrade us? I'm also with another family! I've made my requests when I booked so have to hope for the best I guess! How many rooms are in that wing they have closed off? Is it exterior work or room refurbs? I'm 8 days away so don't want to stress out! DH saw scaffolding pic & mouth dropped! Pixie dust come my way!

We're at 5 weeks (as of tomorrow morning- Monday) and we agree.......CANNOT WAIT to be HOME.........for the first time

Doug

 

[BlueFairy]

Speaking of coming home . . . Is the "Welcome Home" greeting that is so pervasive at WL particular to that resort? It was so wonderful to hear throughout our stay. I can't remember hearing it at other resorts.

 

[dansdad]

Speaking of coming home . . . Is the "Welcome Home" greeting that is so pervasive at WL particular to that resort? It was so wonderful to hear throughout our stay. I can't remember hearing it at other resorts.

I have been greeted with the "welcome home" at every resort we have stayed.

 

[Msmithmd]

Sorry....lots of questions about the villas. Has anyone ever stayed in a 2 bedroom villa here? May be booking one for next July for 4 adults and 4 kids. Do you book a specific view if you book a villa? The 2 bedroom villas are typically included in the summer room only offers aren't they? Sorry for all of the questions and thank you!

Happy VWL owner here. We enjoy the 2BR villas and they will suit your travel party fine.

Essentially the VWL views are "woods". A couple top rooms have a sliver of lake view, a few rooms have a pool view, but most all just look at trees. Which suits us fine. We find WDW sometimes to be visual overload, and the villas seem like a peaceful retreat.

You can request hidden springs pool view, high or low floor, etc, but there aren't guaranteed view categories at the villas.

As to your room offer question, hopefully someone who books on cash and not points can chime in, as I honestly don't know. Bottom line, the two bedrooms at VWL are really great accommodations. You would be very happy to stay there.

 

[ToyStory3]

Happy VWL owner here. We enjoy the 2BR villas and they will suit your travel party fine. Essentially the VWL views are "woods". A couple top rooms have a sliver of lake view, a few rooms have a pool view, but most all just look at trees. Which suits us fine. We find WDW sometimes to be visual overload, and the villas seem like a peaceful retreat. You can request hidden springs pool view, high or low floor, etc, but there aren't guaranteed view categories at the villas. As to your room offer question, hopefully someone who books on cash and not points can chime in, as I honestly don't know. Bottom line, the two bedrooms at VWL are really great accommodations. You would be very happy to stay there.

Thanks!!

 

[ToyStory3]

Hi - can anyone tell me how likely 2 families are to get connecting rooms when requested (not just next to each other but actually connecting)? I called Disney and the CM made it sound like the possibility is very good and it's usually granted. I know it's not guaranteed but I'm trying to guage the likelihood. He explained that one room would be bunkbeds and one room wouldn't...which works perfect for us. So, I'm assuming both families need to decide on which view they're booking (standard, courtyard, or woods) then one family books bunks and one family books queens??? Just wondering if I'm understanding this correctly.

Thanks!!!

 

[catflorida]

Where can I find the latest menus for Old Faithful Club evening offerings.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Hi - can anyone tell me how likely 2 families are to get connecting rooms when requested (not just next to each other but actually connecting)? I called Disney and the CM made it sound like the possibility is very good and it's usually granted. I know it's not guaranteed but I'm trying to guage the likelihood. He explained that one room would be bunkbeds and one room wouldn't...which works perfect for us. So, I'm assuming both families need to decide on which view they're booking (standard, courtyard, or woods) then one family books bunks and one family books queens??? Just wondering if I'm understanding this correctly.

Thanks!!!

That's pretty much it. If you each request a connecting room with the other, and refer to each others confirmation numbers, the room assignor will do their best to meet the request. Having the same bookable view, like you mentioned, will help too. We have gotten connecting rooms where one of us requested queens and the other requested a king, but I do know that there are bunk bed connecting rooms as well.

Like any request though, they might not have the room availability to fit you in, in which case you might be nearby but not connecting. They don't guarantee connecting rooms, but they will try to get them for you and there's a pretty good chance of it. Happy planning!

 

[RookieLady]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Just returned from WL CL. I did not like our first stay at WL because of transportation issues, however my sons wanted to stay again. We adored the Lodge this time. Your posts and my sons' cajoling allowed me to cave and give it a go, and I think it may be my favorite resort now.

CL was fantastic. I preferred it to BWI. People were so helpful and friendly. Food was good and plentiful. We were given our room requests, and though I don't much care about them, we had towel animals every day.

Transportation was fantastic to everywhere, except one ridiculous incident where we waited an hour for an EMH Epcot bus. Otherwise, we hit it right every time. The MK transportation is unparalleled. I preferred it to both the Contemporary (because we don't walk) and the Poly.

We enjoyed the restaurants as well. Tried Artist Point for the first time on our anniversary. Kids ditched us to eat pizza in the room (by choice). We had a fantastic meal. We were also afforded a free glass of champagne, a free appetizer and free dessert. I have never had that treatment from just wearing an anniversary button.

If anyone is on the fence about this resort, don't be. It's beautiful. Thanks again for reassuring me about this resort choice in advance, because it ended up being the right one.

 

[CAHarwell]

Yet another transportation question! We have two 8:05 am ADR during our trip in October, one @ Tusker and one @ Hollywood & Vine. What time do we need to be at the bus stop to catch one of the early ADR buses for either of these?

 

[chicagogrl]

If we do online check in and don't like the area of our room can we ask for a change if it is available?
Are we better off waiting to check in when we arrive? We won't get there til around 2 pm.

 

[Msmithmd]

Yet another transportation question! We have two 8:05 am ADR during our trip in October, one @ Tusker and one @ Hollywood & Vine. What time do we need to be at the bus stop to catch one of the early ADR buses for either of these?

7 am. You could be quite early, or you could just make it in time. When traveling for an ADR, I would always be at the stop an hour early.

 

[turkishwife25]

You're welcome and I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log in POST 2. How many times have you stayed at WL and when was your last stay?

My parents and I stayed there probably 3 times and then we brought my husband on his first ever Disney vacation in August 2005. This is our first time back and I never want to go that long in between vacations to Disney again!!!!! We have stayed at Boardwalk and Contemporary, but our favorite is WL.

 

[BwoZoo22]

If we do online check in and don't like the area of our room can we ask for a change if it is available?
Are we better off waiting to check in when we arrive? We won't get there til around 2 pm.

We always do online check-in; it speeds up the process once we arrive. We have also asked to change rooms once we see which one we were assigned. Online check-in had no bearing on us switching rooms, it's strictly what is available at the time we arrive. Online check-in just confirms your arrival time and allows you to put your cc on file ahead of time, reducing the amount of work the CM has to do when you arrive. And the line is usually much shorter at the front desk too.

 

[KatiesDisneyPlanning]

Hi all - We arrive at the WL for our first time 12/3. I am hoping we avoid the construction! Anyway, we have a courtyard view, bunk bed and my parents will be staying in a courtyard view, 2 queen beds. We would like to be close, possibly connecting if possible - though definitely not required. HOWEVER, our biggest "wish" is to be able to see the fireworks from our balcony. Our oldest son (turning 3 on the trip) LOVES the fireworks. Can someone tell me exactly what to request in our room reservation? I can't exactly follow all the posts and having not been to the WL I don't have a good orientation of the rooms. And can someone better explain "open" balconies? Thank you! Love this board!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Hi all - We arrive at the WL for our first time 12/3. I am hoping we avoid the construction! Anyway, we have a courtyard view, bunk bed and my parents will be staying in a courtyard view, 2 queen beds. We would like to be close, possibly connecting if possible - though definitely not required. HOWEVER, our biggest "wish" is to be able to see the fireworks from our balcony. Our oldest son (turning 3 on the trip) LOVES the fireworks. Can someone tell me exactly what to request in our room reservation? I can't exactly follow all the posts and having not been to the WL I don't have a good orientation of the rooms. And can someone better explain "open" balconies? Thank you! Love this board!

I think very few if any rooms have a few of the fireworks. I remember reading recently that one room view might have a view of the fireworks - but not guaranteed. We were able to see the electric parade from our courtyard room last time, although the view was obstructed.