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

[WDWKOOK]

Gosh, it's about time. It was ridiculous that they had the folks transferring all summer. Why would they take this long to come up with a solution?

I may be completely off here, but I thought the change had to do with all the road work and parking lot construction around DtD. I assume there is less road work now so they're able to reinstate the resort buses after 2:00, but I don't really know. TL will be closing for its seasonal rehab starting 10/26 - 1/3/15. So it looks like they're just testing this until it closes.

 

[AngiTN]

I may be completely off here, but I thought the change had to do with all the road work and parking lot construction around DtD. I assume there is less road work now so they're able to reinstate the resort buses after 2:00, but I don't really know. TL will be closing for its seasonal rehab starting 10/26 - 1/3/15. So it looks like they're just testing this until it closes.

Yes, that's why they changed the route. When I read the change to the route I figured the roads at DTD were still closed and they had come up with a new route that didn't require Epcot. I was under the impression all the roads were still closed but I may be completely off base.

 

[SFunaro]

Any updates on the pool or pictures?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Any updates on the pool or pictures?

When someone posts new photos, I link to them in POST 2 where the pool update is located. The last photos and commentary were posted 9/26 by Wood Nymph.

 

[SFunaro]

Thanks, We are still booked in a cy with bunk beds and I am curious how it will look.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Today is single digit dance day!

We'll be arriving at the WL in just 9 days.

I'll be sure to take pictures of the construction and report back what I find out. We have a courtyard view room, so we'll see whether we'll be viewing the construction or not.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Today is single digit dance day!

We'll be arriving at the WL in just 9 days.

I'll be sure to take pictures of the construction and report back what I find out. We have a courtyard view room, so we'll see whether we'll be viewing the construction or not.

We're looking forward to your LIVE WL report. You sure have racked up a lot of FF miles this year! It's great that you've gotten so much use out of your APs and TiW

 

[Wood Nymph]

We're looking forward to your LIVE WL report. You sure have racked up a lot of FF miles this year! It's great that you've gotten so much use out of your APs and TiW

I think that the Annual Pass is the most tempting thing Disney ever invented. . It expires at the end of November so the big question becomes, do we dare renew it?

Most of our trips have been only four or five days, which is almost like taking two really long trips.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I think that the Annual Pass is the most tempting thing Disney ever invented. . It expires at the end of November so the big question becomes, do we dare renew it?

Most of our trips have been only four or five days, which is almost like taking two really long trips.

You've definitely come out ahead this year so APs are a great choice for you. For us, with the military AP vouchers, the break-even point is around 13 days of visits. However, since your next trip after they expire isn't until January, I wouldn't renew it, I would just purchase a new one after arrival or purchase a voucher that can be activated upon arrival, if you intend on visiting at least 12 days and/or you're pretty close to 12 days and you value being able to purchase TiW and you use the AP discounts.

 

[outahere]

We're staying CL at the WL for a few days next month (11/17 - 20) and I'm curious if CL there has started to decline like it has at the YC. For the past year, or so, all of the evening drinks/wine/liquers are being served by CMs at the YC. They serve VERY small amounts and, it just feels strange to have to ask - kind of like the "mother may I" game. The YC food offerings have also gone downhill (in our opinion) and it is very obvious they are cutting way back, but still charging ridiculously high prices.

I'm hoping they haven't started cutting back at the WL. We stayed CL there last December and it was the best CL stay we've had at any Disney property, including GF.

If anyone has recent experience with WL CL I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

 

[Koh1977]

We're staying CL at the WL for a few days next month (11/17 - 20) and I'm curious if CL there has started to decline like it has at the YC. For the past year, or so, all of the evening drinks/wine/liquers are being served by CMs at the YC. They serve VERY small amounts and, it just feels strange to have to ask - kind of like the "mother may I" game. The YC food offerings have also gone downhill (in our opinion) and it is very obvious they are cutting way back, but still charging ridiculously high prices. I'm hoping they haven't started cutting back at the WL. We stayed CL there last December and it was the best CL stay we've had at any Disney property, including GF. If anyone has recent experience with WL CL I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Stayed CL this past July and loved all the food and wine offerings! Not that I gave anything to compare it to, but it was lovely. Would have been even better had we made more use of the offerings, but DS and DD I think are hooked. ;-)

 

[WDWKOOK]

We're staying CL at the WL for a few days next month (11/17 - 20) and I'm curious if CL there has started to decline like it has at the YC. For the past year, or so, all of the evening drinks/wine/liquers are being served by CMs at the YC. They serve VERY small amounts and, it just feels strange to have to ask - kind of like the "mother may I" game. The YC food offerings have also gone downhill (in our opinion) and it is very obvious they are cutting way back, but still charging ridiculously high prices.

I'm hoping they haven't started cutting back at the WL. We stayed CL there last December and it was the best CL stay we've had at any Disney property, including GF.

If anyone has recent experience with WL CL I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

You're correct that the Regatta Club started a bartender service this summer:



We did a split with YC/CL and WL/CL in June-July and I asked the WL CL manager if this was the direction WL would be going. He told me that they have no plans to change to a bartender-only alcohol service. He said that it's up to the discretion of each CL to make this decision and WL does not plan on doing this.

I prefer the "help yourself" method, but my DH preferred the bartender service, probably because he prefers his beer served in a tall beer glass, which was previously unavailable. I felt like it was an imposition and at times, lines would form in the hallway which was awkward. You would also have to ask what was available because some of the offerings were obstructed and they actually poured too much wine for me. We only used the service a couple of times and we don't drink much so maybe my opinion isn't as valuable. I'm sure this will save YC money and it will also cut-down on any underage consumption, if this was an issue there.

We also stayed at WL-CL last December and I couldn't detect any difference in the offerings when we were there in the summer. I've never been impressed with the Epcot Resort CL lounge offerings, but I continue to be pleased with the WL-CL offerings and I think you'll be very happy

 

[nyrebecca]

Life has been so busy lately that I was pleasantly surprised to realize that we will be at the Lodge in 3 weeks and 6 days!

I am so looking forward to no cooking, no laundry, no cleaning, no work, no walking dogs.....Just sleeping in and enjoying life for a bit.

 

[bookgirl]

Today is single digit dance day!

We'll be arriving at the WL in just 9 days.

I'll be sure to take pictures of the construction and report back what I find out. We have a courtyard view room, so we'll see whether we'll be viewing the construction or not.

Yea!!!!

I'm there right after you. Have fun.

 

[Divaofdisney]

Ok so we just decided to add another day- so we will now be arriving on 16th instead of 17th- so excited even more now- December can't come soon enough now!!!

 

[outahere]

Stayed CL this past July and loved all the food and wine offerings! Not that I gave anything to compare it to, but it was lovely. Would have been even better had we made more use of the offerings, but DS and DD I think are hooked. ;-)

Thanks. Sounds like you enjoyed your stay.

We did a split with YC/CL and WL/CL in June-July and I asked the WL CL manager if this was the direction WL would be going. He told me that they have no plans to change to a bartender-only alcohol service. He said that it's up to the discretion of each CL to make this decision and WL does not plan on doing this.

We also stayed at WL-CL last December and I couldn't detect any difference in the offerings when we were there in the summer. I've never been impressed with the Epcot Resort CL lounge offerings, but I continue to be pleased with the WL-CL offerings and I think you'll be very happy

Thanks and I am glad to hear that there are no current plans to go the "bartender" route at the WL. We actually found the new "service" at the YC to be somewhat offensive. We're not big drinkers, but do like a little more than what they pour into the very small wine and liquer glasses they were using. It was almost like the CMs were on some kind of bonus/incentive program to serve as little as possible.

 

[La Belle]

Hello Lodgers ,

I am so excited to say I have booked WL for Dec 2015!!! This will be our first stay at WL and second in Disney.

WL was one of our choices for 2013 trip but then I decided to stay at CBR to save on the cost. We did enjoy our stay at CBR. The grounds, Disney CM, mousekeeping and bus service were very good however the food could use some improvement..IMO.

While in WDW in 2013, we took the boat ride from MK to WL just for the fun of it. My husband and I FELL IN LOVE with the resort!!!!! Oh my gosh I was so upset with myself for changing my reservation.

I am officially booked for Dec 5, 2015 to Dec 13th, 2015. We are looking forward to experiencing Disney at Christmas time and WL is the perfect resort for Christmas time decorations. I am second guessing my choice of week Dec 5-13 and maybe should have booked Dec 12-20? I read the week of Dec 5 is pop warner week. I don't this would affect the resort and have heard doesn't affect crowd levels much but what about potential discounts? I noticed BB offers did not include the Dec 5th week. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Would RO apply during that week?

I'm very impressed by WL thread. Feels like everyone is family. :group hug:

I'm happy to be joining in!! Just to tell you a little about me.
We are a family of four me, DH, DD6 and DD8. We are Canadian and Florida Dec weather is still nice for us.

 

[IAHtoMCOWDW]

IM WAITING ... Im going to the lodge in July and Hopefully December 2015 I personally like December better because WDW in Christmas is Gorgeous ...!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Life has been so busy lately that I was pleasantly surprised to realize that we will be at the Lodge in 3 weeks and 6 days!

I am so looking forward to no cooking, no laundry, no cleaning, no work, no walking dogs.....Just sleeping in and enjoying life for a bit.

Ok so we just decided to add another day- so we will now be arriving on 16th instead of 17th- so excited even more now- December can't come soon enough now!!!

Adding another day is great, especially up front so you can leave earlier

Hello Lodgers ,

I am so excited to say I have booked WL for Dec 2015!!! This will be our first stay at WL and second in Disney.

WL was one of our choices for 2013 trip but then I decided to stay at CBR to save on the cost. We did enjoy our stay at CBR. The grounds, Disney CM, mousekeeping and bus service were very good however the food could use some improvement..IMO.

While in WDW in 2013, we took the boat ride from MK to WL just for the fun of it. My husband and I FELL IN LOVE with the resort!!!!! Oh my gosh I was so upset with myself for changing my reservation.

I am officially booked for Dec 5, 2015 to Dec 13th, 2015. We are looking forward to experiencing Disney at Christmas time and WL is the perfect resort for Christmas time decorations. I am second guessing my choice of week Dec 5-13 and maybe should have booked Dec 12-20? I read the week of Dec 5 is pop warner week. I don't this would affect the resort and have heard doesn't affect crowd levels much but what about potential discounts? I noticed BB offers did not include the Dec 5th week. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Would RO apply during that week?

I'm very impressed by WL thread. Feels like everyone is family. :group hug:

I'm happy to be joining in!! Just to tell you a little about me.
We are a family of four me, DH, DD6 and DD8. We are Canadian and Florida Dec weather is still nice for us.

Welcome to our friendly WL/VWL family and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log.

PW won't impact WL at all. Discount blackouts usually start around 12/23 - 1/1 so those won't impact you either. Happy planning and let us know if you have any questions.

IM WAITING ... Im going to the lodge in July and Hopefully December 2015 I personally like December better because WDW in Christmas is Gorgeous ...!

Welcome! I think you're our first "GUEST." December weather is so much better than July, but July will be here sooner for you

 

[Lsdolphin]

Today is single digit dance day!

We'll be arriving at the WL in just 9 days.

I'll be sure to take pictures of the construction and report back what I find out. We have a courtyard view room, so we'll see whether we'll be viewing the construction or not.

We will be checking in 9 days from now as well!!! We arrive MCO @ 10:15 planing to be at WL for lunch and then we will see I have fast+ for TSM and Frozen but my nephew insists he wants to go to pool! Yes, I have told him pool is closed! I will be the woman next to the tall unhappy guy. maybe a nice CM can explain to him why we were not told pool would be closed when we first made reservation and another resort was available for our dates! They may give us a refund and pay for tickets to send us home!
But I am hoping we will get over it and find the

We were planning a split stay with last 2 days 10/26-10/28 at the POFQ but I just changed the last 2 days so we will be staying entire visit at WL. 10/22-10/28

can't wait already have begun putting piles of our clothes downstairs on sofa on their way into the suitcase! Our collection of Disney clothing just continues to grow and now we have to choose which items to bring this trip we have so many shirts n sweatshirts, n hats! We are still trying to decide which costumes to bring for MNSSHP! Decisions decisions......