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

[giginator]

Maybe the extra $8 is tax? IDK and I can't answer your last question, but I do know that "for some reason" some guests did not receive letters even though "thousands" were mailed out. Maybe there's a pattern to those who didn't receive letters such as the method of booking such as Expedia or Travelocity, for example. IDK, but it's good you read about it online. At one time it was mentioned on the Disney booking site for WL bookings, but IDK if it's still there or if it was removed.

oh ok that makes sense about the tax. I booked right through Disney so that doesn't explain why no letter. Oh well, still excited to stay there

 

[ClarabelleCow]

oh ok that makes sense about the tax. I booked right through Disney so that doesn't explain why no letter. Oh well, still excited to stay there

Maybe it has to so when you booked. If you booked before the construction was announced on the website then I can understand a letter. But if you booked and there was already a note on the website about the work being done then i would think no need for a letter???

 

[Starwind]

I just got a letter in the mail today showing my reservation for WL for our first arrival night room only and the price. It is showing a 58 dollar decrease in price so we now have a resort credit. I called and asked for the 50 dollar credit a few weeks ago but now it's 8 dollars cheaper? Just wondered if they are lowering prices because of the mess? Also we still have not received any formal notification of the pool closure. If not for these boards I would have no knowledge... How is that right on Disney's part?

We have also received no notification from Disney. We originally booked (directly through Disney's website) in Nov 2013 for a Nov 2014 stay, though we switched it (by phone with Disney) to FD May 7 2014. All of course before the public announcement of the pool refurbishment.

Silence from Disney directly.

-SW

 

[BWV Dreamin]

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.

Why would you cancel? The refurb is to be over by Nov 27. Your stay is over a week later. I think if anything is left to be done it will be cosmetic and the bulk of disturbance will be over. Go about your trip. It's only a pool, not enough to ruin a whole vacation. It's just the two of you this time. Enjoy the rest of WL!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I booked May 28,2014 for November and it definitely mentioned the pool refurb on the website and when I switch from the CR to WL over the phone in July it was mentioned to me, did I know about the construction. I originally didn't book WL because of it then my "home" just kept calling to me!!

 

[giginator]

Maybe it has to so when you booked. If you booked before the construction was announced on the website then I can understand a letter. But if you booked and there was already a note on the website about the work being done then i would think no need for a letter???

We booked months before the rehab was announced. Had I not followed these boards and showed up on arrival to find out the news I would have been severely disappointed. I believe every person staying there during rehab should be notified to allow them to change if wanting to.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I booked May 28,2014 for November and it definitely mentioned the pool refurb on the website and when I switch from the CR to WL over the phone in July it was mentioned to me, did I know about the construction. I originally didn't book WL because of it then my "home" just kept calling to me!!

I don't think it was announced until June. Maybe I have my dates mixed up but I know it was on the website after that.

 

[lovingeire]

The CM we spoke with last weekend said that the rooms with the scaffolding will be taken out of inventory while the repairs are done on the exterior.

At least it's good to know we won't have a view of scaffolding!

Wow, that doesn't look like it will be done by our vacation in January. Yikes.

I am nervous about this construction as well for our January trip. We loved our view of the fireworks last visit to WL and is one of the reasons my husband wants to stay there again.

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!

Hi, our last 5 visits have had a Castle view on the northside. We love to watch the fireworks from our room. You can see it all beautifully! As BlueFairy said, the noise is a bit louder than you would think but, not too bad...you would have to at least keep sliding door closed.

Our last visit we requested Otter Pond/high floor due to the recommendations on this thread. We had room 6024, which the cast member said was a great room upon check in. It was! Cell service was abismal, but other than that we had a quiet room (useful with little kids napping) and a great view of the fireworks from our balcony! We could see CR, Space Mountain and the castle.

 

[marymac123]

Maybe it has to so when you booked. If you booked before the construction was announced on the website then I can understand a letter. But if you booked and there was already a note on the website about the work being done then i would think no need for a letter???

I booked us way before the announcement and I have not gotten a note. Though, we are only loosing the last 2 days of the pool time.

 

[turkishwife25]

Got an email from Disney Destinations today since we're 10 days out and it says "And to help you be as prepared as possible, please note that the feature pool will be closed for renovation during your visit. Rest assured that every effort will be made to ensure your visit is magical, and many other amenities will be open for your enjoyment." VERY upsetting and I'm hoping they're wrong in their email since our stay 8/23 - 8/29 should not have anything to do with the pool renovation that was scheduled to start 9/3 from what I've read. Any thoughts?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Got an email from Disney Destinations today since we're 10 days out and it says "And to help you be as prepared as possible, please note that the feature pool will be closed for renovation during your visit. Rest assured that every effort will be made to ensure your visit is magical, and many other amenities will be open for your enjoyment." VERY upsetting and I'm hoping they're wrong in their email since our stay 8/23 - 8/29 should not have anything to do with the pool renovation that was scheduled to start 9/3 from what I've read. Any thoughts?

Oh, boy, I can't explain that one. Were you always booked for August? A source told me that they were told in person by a CM that the pool closure remains after Labor Day. Your letter indicates something quite different. I would recommend that you call and ask why you received the letter about the pool closing in August instead of after Labor Day: 407-824-3200.

Has anyone else received the August notification?

 

[turkishwife25]

Got an email from Disney Destinations today since we're 10 days out and it says "And to help you be as prepared as possible, please note that the feature pool will be closed for renovation during your visit. Rest assured that every effort will be made to ensure your visit is magical, and many other amenities will be open for your enjoyment." VERY upsetting and I'm hoping they're wrong in their email since our stay 8/23 - 8/29 should not have anything to do with the pool renovation that was scheduled to start 9/3 from what I've read. Any thoughts?

Picked up the phone rather than sitting here panicking and spoke with a lovely person named Emerson at WL who assured me that the email was false and that the feature pool would NOT be closed until 9/3. PHEW!

 

[WDWKOOK]

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.

The jackhammering is supposed to occur during the first few weeks of the start of the rehab. I just want to make sure you know that the Deluxe rooms that are closest to the lounge face the inner courtyard of WL and the pool and all 25 Deluxe rooms are on floors 1-6. None are on the 7th floor where the lounge is located.

The Deluxe rooms at the very ends of the two wings are the furthest from the lounge, but they will also be furthest from the inner courtyard and pool rehab noise.

These are the Deluxe rooms furthest from the lounge, but furthest from the pool. They have Bay Lake views, but the North Wing rooms have obstructed views. The South Wing rooms have less obstructed views.

(12/13) South Wing:



(12/13) North Wing:


This is the view from Deluxe room 5123 that is closest to the lounge (6/14):

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

 

[WDWKOOK]

Picked up the phone rather than sitting here panicking and spoke with a lovely person named Emerson at WL who assured me that the email was false and that the feature pool would NOT be closed until 9/3. PHEW!

Good news, but they really need to coordinate all these announcements better. It's not good business practice that some guests received a letter, some didn't and now some are receiving erroneous emails.

 

[turkishwife25]

Good news, but they really need to coordinate all these announcements better. It's not good business practice that some guests received a letter, some didn't and now some are receiving erroneous emails.

Exactly what my TA said to me after I messaged her with my info from WL. Talk about a freaking panic!!!!!

 

[xlsm]

We returned home last night from a week at the Lodge...and just as I'd hoped, my family fell in love with it and asked to stay there again when we go back. *evil laugh* my grand scheme worked!!

We had room 5030, which was just about perfect. We could see the contemporary, tippy top of the castle, and space mountain through the trees. Wishes was on display every night. I'm sure one floor up would have an even better view, but we were thrilled. Grazing deer even greeted us by the otter pond upon arrival. I've only ever stayed courtyard view there, but we will book woods view from now on.

Our trip went off without a hitch. Bus service was great, cell and wifi service was solid the entire time...basically no complaints (other than the concierge who was very rude when my husband asked if there was iced coffee on resort property. I couldn't even understand how someone could give you attitude after asking that question, but wow did he ever.)

I plan to start a trip report on Monday when the kids head back to school.

 

[bookgirl]

They are still sending out letters.


I started out a few months ago with a CV reservation. Got my letter about the same time as everyone else did.

When Fall discounts came out I could not get a CV with the discount and not being able to get any discount for my entire trip at WL that didn't raise my price or put me in a standard room, I briefly transferred over to the POLY (kept the same reservations number).

Then not totally happy with the POLY reservations I played around and transferred back to WL about a week ago, keeping my original reservation number but switching to a Fall Discounted CVBB room for half of my trip and then making a second NEW reservation in a WV room (also on Fall Discount) for the remaining nights.

Day before yesterday I got a copy of the same letter I received back in June/July.

So new reservations are getting the information by mail. I actually linked the two reservations so they may or may not have been able to tell that I had the letter once already, but either my old # or the new # did generate a letter.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Well my theory was wrong. Just received the letter.

 

[ElenaJane]

basically no complaints (other than the concierge who was very rude when my husband asked if there was iced coffee on resort property. I couldn't even understand how someone could give you attitude after asking that question, but wow did he ever.

Seriously though, why is it so hard to get an iced coffee?? It is Florida and you are at a Deluxe Resort! I think the only options are to boat to Contemporary (Contemporary Grounds), or Magic Kingdom Starbucks.

 

[4disneygenerations]

I just opened an email from Disney Destinations approx. a half hour ago and said we are 10 days out and they wanted to prepare me that the main feature pool will be closed for my visit. I also went into panic mode because I was assured the pool closure would not begin until Sept 3rd. I even received a call at my job because I had sent several emails to both the club level and to Disney Destinations.
I immediately called the number on that email. I spoke to several people. I was transferred 3 times. each time I was assured the pool would not be closed until Sep 3d. The last person I spoke to told me she was speaking directly from the WL and assured me the pool would be opened and that the computer sent out emails in error for people staying during the end of August. She was very definite that the entire pool, hot tubs, baby pool and trout bar would be opened during my stay.