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

[diskids2]

What time do you guys get to the bus stop to make Rope Drop at Epcot, DHS and AK?

I go to the bus stop one hour before...but some call me a little obsessive

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hope you had a good trip home! Thanks for the info regarding the room only. BB offer as I thought it was just the free dining offer that was still available.
I am going to call first thing in the morning and see what I can get.

We leave tomorrow afternoon and should be sitting in the airport ourselves by 3:30 pm

My nephew has informed me he is not going home so it should be an interesting afternoon! The CL CMs heard his announcement and told him they would pack him some cookies to take on the plane. I am afraid they have made him feel way too welcome here! I guess I am going to be baking choc chip cookies for his evening snacks when we get home!

It was a pleasure meeting you and your lovely family. Your grandson is adorable and was obviously having a wonderful time with his grandparents!

Thanks, It was fun talking to you. Our grandson really loved the bubbling springs in the Hidden Springs pool. Here is a picture of him in his Halloween costume at dinner in Whispering Canyon Cafe. He was dressed as Pluto and he loved the extra attention:

He also loved his bunk bed and towel animals. We went to Magic Cookie hour on Saturday and made cookies, which was fun. They give you a sugar cookie, a little cup of frosting (there were three colors to choose from), and three little cups of sprinkles. The cookies were good.

We ate breakfast twice and dinner once at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Our waiter at one of the breakfasts was Jefro and when our table asked for ketchup, he came out dressed like this:

 

[Wood Nymph]

Here are a few more construction photos. They didn't work on the weekends. This picture was taken on Sunday.

You can see that the roof is still open on the Trout Bar. You can see the steps up to the hot tubs. They have added more plumbing fixtures to the splash pad since I took the other pictures on Wednesday. And you can see the the form is now surrounding the entire splash pad.

We could not see any sign of a zero entry area for the pool. I don't think they are putting one in, Most of the cast members don't really know much about the pool construction. Some don't even know what work is being done. Others just speculate about it. My husband thinks that it looks like the lining of the pool is finished. I'm not sure if that is right or not. But the inside stairs and interior ladder look finished. I couldn't get a good picture of the other areas of construction. But it really does look like the main pool is having nothing more than the resurfacing that they said was going to be done to it.

I want to point out the gorgeous blue sky. The weather was great!

 

[elaw]

Thank you very much for the update

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I go to the bus stop one hour before...but some call me a little obsessive

That was my plan, but I have heard that WL buses aren't always the best so I wanted to see if that works for others.

 

[patty57]

Thank you to everyone providing pictures and updates on the pool construction.
I'm sure that many of the CMs really have no idea of exactly what is going on, or where they are as far as progress. I'll bet the construction crew knows if everything is on time.

 

[MelanieRI]

What do you think that odds are that the pool will be finished by April? Although we'd be going mid-April, I wonder if there is a goal to have it done for the Easter spring breaks. I'm going back YC soon and I want to book a BB offer for April (I hope!) but I don't want to stay there if the pool isn't done. Maybe I can just make one ressie for WL and one ressie at the YC and make the decision closer to April.

 

[Wood Nymph]

What do you think that odds are that the pool will be finished by April? Although we'd be going mid-April, I wonder if there is a goal to have it done for the Easter spring breaks. I'm going back YC soon and I want to book a BB offer for April (I hope!) but I don't want to stay there if the pool isn't done. Maybe I can just make one ressie for WL and one ressie at the YC and make the decision closer to April.

The pool is supposed to be finished by the end of November, in just four more weeks.

 

[GetGlowing]

Thanks for the updated photos. Looks like a lot of work for 4 weeks.

 

[AngiTN]

What do you think that odds are that the pool will be finished by April? Although we'd be going mid-April, I wonder if there is a goal to have it done for the Easter spring breaks. I'm going back YC soon and I want to book a BB offer for April (I hope!) but I don't want to stay there if the pool isn't done. Maybe I can just make one ressie for WL and one ressie at the YC and make the decision closer to April.

100% certain it will be done It will be done for our trip that begins 12/7 (baring something unusual happening) Nothing will keep it delayed till April.

 

[AngiTN]

Here are a few more construction photos. They didn't work on the weekends.

Hopefully, fingers and toes crossed, that means they are on schedule.

 

[bookgirl]

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay but photobucket wouldn't upload for me yesterday.

Around 7am yesterday morning.

Between 9 and 10 we started to hear construction noise. Mostly just sawing and hammering.

Afternoon was still pretty busy but less noisy.

Evening looks like the splash pad is ready.

By night the only loud noise was this kind.

Haha crappy EWP picture but hey what do you expect from a iPhone.

 

[BandontheRun]

Thanks for posting the pictures. About how loud is the sewing?

 

[bookgirl]

Had a busy day yesterday. Breakfast in the room then headed out.

Started out at the mall for a quick look at two stores, them returned the rental.

They were doing a lot of tree/bush trimming around the front of the Lodge

Took a boat from the Dolphin to Epcot for a little food an wine action (and a ride on Spoarin'). Patagonia to eat a few favorites, empanadas (not me) and the beef skewers with chimichuri (me). We also tried the new Puerto Rico food. We had the Braised Beef with Rice and the fried Plantains. Not sure how allergen free the plantains were but decided to try a little and survived it. This was really good.

Went back to the room to cool off then did a little walk around WL before catching a boat over to MK. MK was crazy crowded. Just did a couple of rides and had a light dinner there. Went to the Golden Oak Outpost to try the new topped fries. We both had the BLT fries and they were fantastic. The fries were crisp and not greasy at all. The lettuce and tomato were crisp and chilled not too cold but just enough to cool down the fries, and the bacon was plentiful and right at that great place where it is super crisp but not charred. Then ranch on top to add a perfect creaminess.

We are already planning a second outing there Wednesday.

We decided not to stay for fireworks as it was so crowded, and as we were loading on the boat there were more crowds going in to make the parade.

All in all a good day.

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks for posting the pictures. About how loud is the sewing?

LOL. I'll fix that.


No worse than your neighbor doing yard work. I thought it was a weed wacker at first till I looked outside.

 

[aristocatz]

Wow-WL is being very generous with offering credits!

My parents are there right now-well aware of the construction when they booked, so they did not expect any compensation. They did request a quiet room (they are in their 70's & like to nap lol)

When they checked in, the woman at the front desk assured them a quiet room, but ended up being placed near the service truck entrance where they were greeted with loud beeping & truck noise when they entered their room.

They promptly requested a change, but the woman at front desk said they were completely filled. My dad requested to speak to a manager, who placed them in a quiet room overlooking the quiet pool, apologized, & offered them Blizzard Beach tix for their troubles. My parents politely declined, as they don't do water parks....so he gave them a $50 credit instead!!! They were very impressed with such an unnecessary but kind gesture

 

[wishes114]

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay but photobucket wouldn't upload for me yesterday. Around 7am yesterday morning. Between 9 and 10 we started to hear construction noise. Mostly just sawing and hammering. Afternoon was still pretty busy but less noisy. Evening looks like the splash pad is ready. By night the only loud noise was this kind. Haha crappy EWP picture but hey what do you expect from a iPhone.

I don't know, but that looks like it will be a few months before it is finished. We arrive late January but I'd be very nervous if I was arriving in late November or December.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was looking for information from anyone who has stayed in a sudio villa now that they sleep 5. We have three kids, 13, 9, and 8. Was just wondering how cramped it would be for us?! Just trying to figure if we should try a studio or delux room club level.

Thanks!

I go for a two bedroom villa. We had four adults and a two bedroom and it was wonderful. I think you would be crowded with two full sized adults and three nearly full sized adults.

With the deluxe room club level at least everyone would get a real bed. You'd have one queen bed, one double sleeper sofa and that funky little murphy bed in the studio.

 

[bookgirl]

Hello folks,

So today was another day of vacation so it was a GOOD day.

Mom was not doing a park today so she spent the morning relaxing. I headed over to MK after breakfast.

Stopped on my way to the dock.

No one was near the splash pad. The seem to be concentrating on the far side.

Checked again in the evening on my way to Ft. Wilderness. It looks like the have put in the piping and siding/support around the far edge of the pool.

Also saw this as the boat was pulling away from the dock.

Had diner at Trails End. Mom loved it, I liked it. I had a few things from the buffet and then the chef fixed me grilled chicken, broccoli, and a desert in the back.

Did take a walk along one of the trails as a local told us about a couple who basically live on site. They do a ton of decoration.

Came back and decided to go to the beach to watch the fire works and the EWP.

I couldn't figure out the angle for fireworks but sure enough you can see them over the trees. The blob on the lower right is the CR. It was nice to see the actual parade as a whole.

There was only about 15 people on the beach.

Loved sitting out beside the water.

More tomorrow. Night guys.

 

[Offsides]

I don't know, but that looks like it will be a few months before it is finished. We arrive late January but I'd be very nervous if I was arriving in late November or December.

I was thinking the same thing. We arrive on Dec 11 I'm nervous it won't be completed.