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

[dpswift]

I would consider heading over to Fort Wilderness to do the same. Our daughter enjoyed that playground more, and while further away the fireworks view is probably less obstructed.

If I remember correctly the playground is quite close to the boat stop so it is easy to find. I am not sure where the pool is I hear it is very nice but somewhat hard to find.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Deluxe question. Have not stayed deluxe in 30 years, moderate in over 20. In the in room coffee maker do you get several pods? Do you get one for the entire trip or are they limitless like at Universal? The one time we stayed at CBR I drank the coffee the first day and it was never replenished. I was young then and it never occurred to me to ask for more.

Also DD likes French vanilla creamer do they have that in the room or at Roaring Forks or should I plan on bringing some from home.

One more question what are the hours for the bottomless cup refills?

There is usually enough coffee in the room for two cups of regular and two cups of decaf coffee. The housekeeper usually replaces it daily when they clean. If you leave a note or call housekeeping, they will leave more coffee.

I think that you can only get the refills when Roaring Forks is open, which is 6 am to midnight.

If I remember correctly the playground is quite close to the boat stop so it is easy to find. I am not sure where the pool is I hear it is very nice but somewhat hard to find.

It is a very nice playground and there is a great view of Wishes from the beach right near there. You have to take an internal bus to the pool. There is a big map of the bus route located between the boat dock and the bus stop, so you'll be able to see which route you need to take to get to the pool.

 

[BlueFairy]

Deluxe question. Have not stayed deluxe in 30 years, moderate in over 20. In the in room coffee maker do you get several pods? Do you get one for the entire trip or are they limitless like at Universal? The one time we stayed at CBR I drank the coffee the first day and it was never replenished. I was young then and it never occurred to me to ask for more. Also DD likes French vanilla creamer do they have that in the room or at Roaring Forks or should I plan on bringing some from home. One more question what are the hours for the bottomless cup refills?

You get 2 decaf and 2 regular pods. I have been places where the coffee was overlooked and not replenished. I try to make an obvious mess so the housekeeper sees that we need fresh coffee. You will get more each day . The napkins and sweeteners are skimpy. Bring your own French vanilla. (Maybe at Roaring Fork?)

Roaring Fork supposedly has coffee and continental items available before the grill opens. Maybe 6am? They close at 11 or 12.

 

[BlueFairy]

If I remember correctly the playground is quite close to the boat stop so it is easy to find. I am not sure where the pool is I hear it is very nice but somewhat hard to find.

Yes, FW playground right off the beach path. There are 2 pools. Take the path through the Settlement to the Settlement Depot (where you arrive via bus from WL). The bus drivers can tell you which bus to ride from there (color coded) to the Meadows Pool.

 

[BlueFairy]

There is usually enough coffee in the room for two cups of regular and two cups of decaf coffee. The housekeeper usually replaces it daily when they clean. If you leave a note or call housekeeping, they will leave more coffee. I think that you can only get the refills when Roaring Forks is open, which is 6 am to midnight. It is a very nice playground and there is a great view of Wishes from the beach right near there. You have to take an internal bus to the pool. There is a big map of the bus route located between the boat dock and the bus stop, so you'll be able to see which route you need to take to get to the pool.

Sorry Wood Nymph. I didn't scroll down on my phone before posting.

 

[kirby428]

Since I did not want to pay CP OOP, I cancelled narcossee and booked whispering canyon dinner instead, hopefully it's the right move! I figured since we are staying in WL, we might as well try the restaurant here too. What do you guys think?

Big jump down on everything! Sure cash rules, but Narcossee is a Fab Disney experience not equaled where I live so I don't let cash get in the way. No way can I put WCC on par with a Signature.

 

[dpswift]

You get 2 decaf and 2 regular pods. I have been places where the coffee was overlooked and not replenished. I try to make an obvious mess so the housekeeper sees that we need fresh coffee. You will get more each day . The napkins and sweeteners are skimpy. Bring your own French vanilla. (Maybe at Roaring Fork?)

Roaring Fork supposedly has coffee and continental items available before the grill opens. Maybe 6am? They close at 11 or 12.

I love your idea of making a little mess around the coffee maker.

Thank you for mentioning the lack of napkins I will throw a few of those in as well.

DS just asked it is pod style not Kurig correct.

 

[Diznotyzed]

Current progress on the wall around the pool. This is on the north side of the pool and almost to the patio outside of Roaring Forks.



This is how the beach looks standing on the path to the boat rental dock. It looks accessible, but bike and boat rental CM said she didn't think it was open. Bike and boat rentals are open.


Stacks of partitions on the south side of pool deck.



The geyser is still erupting.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Current progress on the wall around the pool. This is on the north side of the pool and almost to the patio outside of Roaring Forks.



This is how the beach looks standing on the path to the boat rental dock. It looks accessible, but bike and boat rental CM said she didn't think it was open. Bike and boat rentals are open.


Stacks of partitions on the south side of pool deck.



The geyser is still erupting.

Wow! This is what I had envisioned but at the time it was announced no one could confirm.

 

[dkrauss]

Current progress on the wall around the pool. This is on the north side of the pool and almost to the patio outside of Roaring Forks.



This is how the beach looks standing on the path to the boat rental dock. It looks accessible, but bike and boat rental CM said she didn't think it was open. Bike and boat rentals are open.


Stacks of partitions on the south side of pool deck.



The geyser is still erupting.

In a weird way...........it kinda helps to see these photos. So thanks.. This way I know what to expect. We arrive in 9 days..........even with this our trip will be GREAT!!!!

Doug

 

[hbr03]

Is WL's Flag Family program still running? We were last there in October 2012 and it had been halted (due to the refurb, I believe).

 

[Wood Nymph]

Sorry Wood Nymph. I didn't scroll down on my phone before posting.

You answered the part of the question that I didn't.

DS just asked it is pod style not Kurig correct.

It is not a Keurig k cup, it is a Cuisinart pod that looks like a flat, round tea bag.

The geyser is still erupting.

I really hope they keep this going.

We all appreciate the time you are taking to post construction photos.

I would love to see the view of this from an upper floor looking down on it.

Is WL's Flag Family program still running? We were last there in October 2012 and it had been halted (due to the refurb, I believe).

Yes, it is still happening. Just ask when you check in.

 

[Shoshana]

Hi everyone:
My 11-yr-old daughter and I are staying WL club level from 12/13 through 12/21. Our plane arrives at 9:30 a.m. Our friends who live near Orlando (mom, and two kids 11 & 12) plan to meet us at WL that first day. We plan to either go swimming or mini-golfing and have dinner together. Are we allowed to have guests club level? Are our guests allowed to swim?

Thanks!

 

[hbr03]

Yes, it is still happening. Just ask when you check in.

Awesome! Thanks, Wood Nymph!

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Current progress on the wall around the pool. This is on the north side of the pool and almost to the patio outside of Roaring Forks.



This is how the beach looks standing on the path to the boat rental dock. It looks accessible, but bike and boat rental CM said she didn't think it was open. Bike and boat rentals are open.


Stacks of partitions on the south side of pool deck.



The geyser is still erupting.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all these updates. I know you are on vacation but we truly welcome all the information you are giving us.

This will help those who are planning a trip in the near future what to expect.

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK, I was able to click on the picture and zoom in. The second sign in the background says:

The pools and spas are for the exclusive use of Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas Guests. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

I couldn't get it to zoom in enough to see the smaller green sign a little further out and to the left.

Thank you, mickeystoontown. Geez, I think that sign's a moot point now...

Looking at the pictures in this thread makes me SO excited! I am currently planning a June 2015 trip to WDW. This will be our first stay in a deluxe resort, and we are planning on staying Club Level. Are there specific rooms that are better than others to request? Any suggestions?

Welcome! Some prefer the North Wing/Woods View rooms because you might be able to see some of Wishes/CR/monorail. Some prefer the Inner Courtyard View rooms because you can see the geyser and Bay Lake. There are also two rooms, one in each wing, that directly face out toward the geyser and Bay Lake and those are our favorite CL room views. You can also request a bunk bed room. Let us know when it's official!

So excited to be returning to DW January 1-11, 2015! We will have a split stay - 2 nights at POR (standard) - 4 nights at WLV (studio) - and 4 nights at Saratoga Springs (1 bedroom). Was hoping to book entire stay at the WL Villas but we are renting DVC points (1st time doing so) and that was all that was available. Still, we are soooo excited to have at least part of our stay there! Would be interested to hear of anyone else's experience of renting points/studio stay at WL Villas....also, I may have missed this, but is room service available at the Villas? This is an awesome thread - can't wait to be at DW and especially the Wilderness Lodge!

Welcome to the thread and congratulations on booking!

I just got back from a stay at WL last Saturday and it was another wonderful trip. I do think the pool refurbishment is needed, though... the pool area was so crowded. I'm not sure if they will have the room to make the pool bigger but it's a good idea. Maybe I'm spoiled after a stay at the GF where the two pools are much bigger, but while I was swimming I was constantly getting in other people's business!

Anyway, great resort, and one of our better trips down to the world. I have been dreaming about WCC's quinoa cakes and RF's Roast Beef & Bleu sandwich since I returned.

Glad you had a nice wonderful trip and I hope you get to book another trip soon.

Hi. I have not been keeping up with this thread very much. I was thinking of adding 1 night to stay here for our upcoming trip. I know that the pool will be open before we arrive but what are they doing to it? Can someone direct me to the right place for info. Thank you!

WL pool rehab information is located in POST 2 HERE. There is also a link at the top of the first page of the thread.

 

[WDWKOOK]

My apologies that in our rush to hurry off to theme park fun, I wasn't more thorough in exploring what was happening with pool construction. There has indeed been a lot going on in the past few days, as pictured below. They started down by the marina and are working their way up to the main pool.

Don't you begin to apologize! You're on vacation! We are thrilled that you're the first to post photos and updates, but we all understand that your vacation and family should be your priority

Unfortunately, the playground is closed.

Thank you for confirming the closure. I will put that information, along with your great photos, into the Pool Rehab Update on Page 2

Leaving tonight to check in tomorrow!! Super excited!!

Went ahead and got flu shot for this year, even though I doubt it does much good. Brought home strain A of the flu this time last year when we went....hopefully that won't happen this year!!

Only a few more minutes at work.....woohoo!!!!!!!

No flu for anniebean! No how, no way

YEA! Have fun I'm jealous. I've still got like 50 days

We replaced our entire online catalog, our circulation control system, our money receiving software and our public computer sign up system over labor day weekend and went live with everything Tuesday morning.

Holy Crap, I need a vacation.

I hate to say it but please take us off of the log for this year. We switched to AKL, which we know we LOVE, but wanted to try something different. We will be here for next year's trip, hopefully!

You're still staying at a Lodge, so all is good

Wow - I never envisioned them closing off the beach like that! I wonder if the geyser will still go off.

As far as movies on the beach - hopefully someone will report back about that. Maybe they will show them in the Carolwood Pacific room in the villas. That is where they are in bad weather.

And there is a thread to discuss the Wilderness Lodge mess. But I think that pictures of the construction and details about what is closed, etc, belong here. This thread is instructional and the other thread is emotional.

Love that description and good question about the Movies on the (closed?) Beach.

Though I never heard official word that parts of the beach would be closed, I thought it might be possible. The plans I found showed the construction boundary almost up to Bay Lake:

RED = FUTURE POOL DECK EXPANSION BOUNDARY
BLUE = CURRENT POOL DECK BOUNDARY
GREEN = NORTH AND SOUTH WING INNER CY BOUNDARY

I would consider heading over to Fort Wilderness to do the same. Our daughter enjoyed that playground more, and while further away the fireworks view is probably less obstructed.

Excellent suggestion. They have a wonderful playground right next to Trail's End and the boat dock. There's even seating on the porch of TE where you can sit and watch the kids and have a drink from the TE saloon and the horses and ponies are also nearby.

We just don't know all of what will be done, as the playground closing was a surprise.

You're right that it was a surprise as far as no one had made an official announcement about it. But, I did wonder when I posted the plan above if the pool and dock might be affected. The new pool boundary line extends much further near Bay Lake, the dock and the North Wing. But, IDK if the encroachment will only be during the construction phase or if it will be permanent with the addition of the new fencing, etc...

Current progress on the wall around the pool. This is on the north side of the pool and almost to the patio outside of Roaring Forks.


This is how the beach looks standing on the path to the boat rental dock. It looks accessible, but bike and boat rental CM said she didn't think it was open. Bike and boat rentals are open.


Stacks of partitions on the south side of pool deck.


The geyser is still erupting.

Thank you for posting all this detailed and timely information!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi everyone:
My 11-yr-old daughter and I are staying WL club level from 12/13 through 12/21. Our plane arrives at 9:30 a.m. Our friends who live near Orlando (mom, and two kids 11 & 12) plan to meet us at WL that first day. We plan to either go swimming or mini-golfing and have dinner together. Are we allowed to have guests club level? Are our guests allowed to swim?

Thanks!

Since you are staying CL, I would recommend emailing or calling the WL IPO (Itinerary Planning Office, located at Poly) to ask them this question. They will be able to give you an "official" answer.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Though I never heard official word that parts of the beach would be closed, I thought it might be possible. The plans I found showed the construction boundary almost up to Bay Lake:

RED = FUTURE POOL DECK EXPANSION BOUNDARY
BLUE = CURRENT POOL DECK BOUNDARY
GREEN = NORTH AND SOUTH WING INNER CY BOUNDARY

!

Hmmm Makes me wonder if the only way a guest will be able to enter the courtyard is via the building itself with a resort specific Magic Band as it looks, perhaps, the courtyard itself is its own 'fence.' But on the east...

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hmmm Makes me wonder if the only way a guest will be able to enter the courtyard is via the building itself with a resort specific Magic Band as it looks, perhaps, the courtyard itself is its own 'fence.' But on the east...

A friend was told by a CM that WL doesn't want to adopt a keyed pool access, such as BLT and SAB. I personally feel that all the resorts should have keyed-access feature pools, but for some reason, WL seems to be against this. Whether they'll be able to forgo this is unknown. I guess it will depend also on where the pool gates end up being placed.