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

[BandMom1]

Well, DH & I will be checking in at WL CL on Sunday and I haven't started to pack yet, mainly because I still can't believe it's happening already./QUOTE]

Looks like you have a nice, relaxing vacation planned. Wishing you the most magical of vacations at WDW. And sending out positive thoughts for a successful procedure and speedy recovery for your DH

 

[Wood Nymph]

Well, DH & I will be checking in at WL CL on Sunday and I haven't started to pack yet, mainly because I still can't believe it's happening already.
This trip will be totally different from our first CL visit back in Feb.

Then, it was Victoria's & Albert (our first time), Flag Family, KTTW Tour, Wild Afrika Trek Tour, Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise, our first GF Afternoon Tea, front table (#13) at Hoop De Doo, on and on.....a week we'll never forget.
Next week, mostly relaxing at the Lodge, carriage ride and archery at FW, Steam Train Tour (DH's dream tour). We'll be dining for the first time at Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse and Sanaa. Trying the so called FP at BOG for lunch (already had lunch & dinner there in Feb.).Also Yak & Yeti and Sci-Fi for the first time for lunch. Most of our 8 days are not planned out. Might mosey over to Boardwalk because we've never been there before and there's a free morning tour. Maybe hop on the DHS boat or the Sausagoula River boat for a little ride.
It's been a difficult last two months, with DHs' health issues and a death in the family. DH has to have another heart procedure 3 days after we get back from WL, so we're really looking forward to just immersing ourselves in the Magic of Disney for 7 days
Last year at this time, we were able to watch the entire building process of the GF Gingerbread House (along with getting delicious samples). It was our first time seeing it -I was speechless, seeing it the day before we left, completed, with a smoking chimney!!!!!! We sat in the lobby for awhile, watching childrens expressions as THEY see it, while listening to the pianist, then, the band play. Another Magical moment for us.
There seems to be little rays of magic wherever you look at WDW. The quiet moments are just as special as the active ones.
I better start packing!!!!!!!

It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned. I can't believe how much you got done in just a week back in February. Are you going to try to see the gingerbread house at GF go up again? I would love to watch that process, too.

If you get a chance, can you let us know how the pool construction is going? No one has reported on it lately.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Does anyone have updates on the construction?

 

[Lemonademouth]

April 26-May 02 2015- our sons first birthday, and first stay at WL!

 

[TaraPA]

Does anyone have updates on the construction?

Just got back, main pool is still totally ripped apart. CM states it will be done by Thanksgiving but they better work fast! Tree going up on the 23rd!

 

[fauntleroy53]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. You're such sweet people

I will most definitely report back on the pool construction.
We're hoping they'll be working on the Gingerbread House while we're there.
DH & I will be going to Afternoon Tea at the GF on check in day, Sunday, so we'll ask about it then. I do remember that there were wreaths on the light poles at MK last November too. We got some great pics on our way to our Crystal Palace 8am breakfast last year - a deserted MK, unobstructed Castle view, and the wreaths made Main Street look so pretty.

 

[chigirl]

Just got back, main pool is still totally ripped apart. CM states it will be done by Thanksgiving but they better work fast! Tree going up on the 23rd!

Where did you hear the 23rd? My daughter's bff is a CM in a dept at WDW where she has knowledge of "installations" and she said November 18. Last year, it went up on the 19th. She said GF was first on 11/12 and WL last on 11/18 for deluxes.

 

[Lacoccinelle]

Wonderful eight days at the lodge, returned last night. The pool does not have a gradual entry like some have speculated. They said once the splash pad cement is poured it will start to wrap up. I must say, the pool came a long way in the week, but the splash pad looks the same as other pictures on here. There is a building next to it that went up while I was there though. It seems like they are working hard. The construction is quiet and really did not take away from being at the lodge. We used the BB day and the quiet pool was fine.

We did the trick or treating and Goofy and Pluto alternated on Halloween. Last year, they had three characters all together which was nicer.

Booked standard, requested high floor not above smoking area with connecting door. Got rooms 6084 and 6085 which were located above the lobby. Besides hearing KETCHUP occasionally, they were perfect. While listed as woods views. We were told they were standard at check in and could see the service area. They contradicted themselves though as the day before they stated that no standard rooms had connecting doors. We had a perfect view of fireworks every night from 6084s balcony. Arrived at 10:30am, rooms ready at 11:00.

We were flag family on the last day, it was such a nice experience. When I asked Ranger Jack about the pool progress he said it was on track. When I asked about the gradual entry, he asked if I was on DIS boards and sounded quite annoyed and told me to stay off of here and then started squelching many other rumors. He said 100 rooms were closed due to pool renovation. We very much enjoyed this experience and were treated to the concierge level breakfast after.

The roast beef sandwich in Roaring forks is amazing!
We ate at Whispering Canyon, what fun! My three-year old had a melt down when we had to give up the ketchup and they let her keep one. Cheapest souvenir ever! Apple cranberry cobbler, yum!

Weather was great, we had a few cooler days which was nice. Avoided Food and Wine on the weekend and it was so much more enjoyable.

 

[Divaofdisney]

We are down to 39 days and counting!! I am getting so excited not just for us but also for my daughter's boyfriend who has never been to Disney before- it will be his first trip! We have so much planned I am just giddy with excitement. I am truly hoping the pool area will be done not so much for swimming but we love the hot tubs and that will be so nice to relax in after long day in the parks. I guess I should start putting some things away but I don't want to do it too early. Well off to work I go and hopefully not much longer till we are on the plane!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Wonderful eight days at the lodge, returned last night. The pool does not have a gradual entry like some have speculated. They said once the splash pad cement is poured it will start to wrap up. I must say, the pool came a long way in the week, but the splash pad looks the same as other pictures on here. There is a building next to it that went up while I was there though. It seems like they are working hard. The construction is quiet and really did not take away from being at the lodge. We used the BB day and the quiet pool was fine.

That splash pad looked ready for concrete when we were there. Maybe they need to get all the surrounding area ready before they bring in the heavy equipment. I was trying to guess what that little building was going to be used for. It had a lot of plumbing features so I would guess that it will be some sort of pump house for the two pools.

We were flag family on the last day, it was such a nice experience. When I asked Ranger Jack about the pool progress he said it was on track. When I asked about the gradual entry, he asked if I was on DIS boards and sounded quite annoyed and told me to stay off of here and then started squelching many other rumors. He said 100 rooms were closed due to pool renovation.

That is funny that Ranger Jack knew about the Dis boards. It didn't look like they were adding a gradual entry to the pool, so it is nice to get the offical word from a non-Dis boarder. I'm not surprised that 100 rooms were taken out of inventory. The resort seemed to have a lot less people than usual.

The roast beef sandwich in Roaring forks is amazing!
We ate at Whispering Canyon, what fun! My three-year old had a melt down when we had to give up the ketchup and they let her keep one. Cheapest souvenir ever! Apple cranberry cobbler, yum!

We had the roast beef sandwich at Roaring Forks and I agree, it was very good. We also really enjoyed our meals at Whispering Canyon Cafe. On our final morning we were stuck with all the ketchup bottles for about 15 minutes. No one was ordering ketchup. Needless to say, the table got a bit crowded. It was a lot of fun, though.

Thanks for the great trip report. It sounds like you had a great trip.

******************************

They had updated a few things since we were at the WL last January. At Roaring Forks you get your breakfast the same way you always did, by waiting in one of the two food lines, getting your food and then waiting in line to pay. But lunch and dinner is different. You order your food at the cash registers, pay for it, then they bring your order out to you. You have to pick up the sides and drinks, though. They just bring you the food that is prepared in the kitchen. It would be nice if they could do that for breakfast but my guess is that it is just too crowded to be able to handle it in the morning.

Whispering Canyon Cafe has added a marker that you place on the table to indicate whether you want to be part of the fun or if you would rather be left alone. We chose to play along this time because we were with our five year old grandson. But I could see choosing the quiet option for an early morning breakfast.

 

[AngiTN]

Where did you hear the 23rd? My daughter's bff is a CM in a dept at WDW where she has knowledge of "installations" and she said November 18. Last year, it went up on the 19th. She said GF was first on 11/12 and WL last on 11/18 for deluxes.

Maybe the tree will be finished by 11/23? Or do they put them up decorated?

 

[WildGinger]

Where did you hear the 23rd? My daughter's bff is a CM in a dept at WDW where she has knowledge of "installations" and she said November 18. Last year, it went up on the 19th. She said GF was first on 11/12 and WL last on 11/18 for deluxes.

I was wondering the same thing. 11/23 seems pretty late compared to previous years. If so, we will miss it!

 

[crazycatlady]

Maybe the tree will be finished by 11/23? Or do they put them up decorated?

We stayed at WL last November and came "home" from dinner at around 10 pm to the normal decorations. I got up at around 6:00 am the next morning and the entire lodge was completely Christmasfied. It was the most magical thing I have ever seen.

 

[JennyKS]

We will be there 11/15-11/22. I was hoping to see the tree!

 

[chigirl]

We will be there 11/15-11/22. I was hoping to see the tree!

I am pretty sure you will...my daughter's friend has a job at WDW that puts her in contact with this sort of information. The numbered semi trailers that hold the deluxe resort decor are staged to roll. The WL lodge giant tree is in sections, which get assembled on site. She says the night of 11/18. I know with strong certainty that the GF gingerbread house opens on 11/14 and their decor goes up on the night of the 16th.

I truly hope my daughter's friend is right...we are there 11/16-11/22 and I was hoping to live blog the install of the decor on here.

 

[bareed]

Yes counting the days until we arrive at the WL as well. We arrive Sunday Nov. 16th around 11am and leave on the 23rd around 4pm. Can not wait to see the WL decorations as well and if we see someone blogging about the decorations going up we will know who it is!!!! Only 9 more days

 

[JennyKS]

Aww so many of us staying at the same time, how exciting! If you happen to see an 18 month old little boy running a stray, its not mine! OK, maybe it is. This will be our first time staying at the wilderness lodge and I am so excited. We typically go around this time every year and I thought the tree was up when we went and ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe last year. 8 more days!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are 7 days out now, and I can not remember:

The desks in the rooms, do they have USB charging strips with the outlets or is it just AC outlets?

There is also a modem/phone port. It's a holdover from the wired cable days before in-room WiFi. I don't think it's an ethernet/USB port though, but maybe it will work

Staying in the villas in February. If we want to hang by the villas pool (assuming there's good weather) where is the easiest place to get a drink?

Just adding that the only place before 4:30 where they serve drinks is either Trout Pass pool bar or you can go into Territory Lounge after 4:30. Bottled alcoholic beverages are also available at The Mercantile and Roaring Fork.

We are a group of 5. I really want to go on a hay ride or carriage ride. I'd rather do the hay ride but I'm worried we won't have a seat since its first come first serve. Does it get that busy that we might not get a seat? Should I just reserve 2 carriages? (Since there's 5 of us)

I don't know how busy it gets since I've never taken one, but if your question doesn't get answered here, please try posting to the FW Information Thread. I am guessing that there shouldn't be a problem for 5 guests wanting to board together.

We were at the WL at the end of October and I wanted to post some views from our room. We had reserved a courtyard view room and requested a room that was close to the lobby and had an open balcony. We were very pleased to get room 3119, which was just one floor up from the lobby, and very close to the exit door to the upper springs courtyard. It was very convenient to get to the buses, the boats, the villas pool and to Roaring Forks.

Thank you for posting your photos. I'm going to post a link to them in the ROOM section of the thread.

Well, DH & I will be checking in at WL CL on Sunday and I haven't started to pack yet, mainly because I still can't believe it's happening already.
This trip will be totally different from our first CL visit back in Feb.

Then, it was Victoria's & Albert (our first time), Flag Family, KTTW Tour, Wild Afrika Trek Tour, Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise, our first GF Afternoon Tea, front table (#13) at Hoop De Doo, on and on.....a week we'll never forget.

Next week, mostly relaxing at the Lodge, carriage ride and archery at FW, Steam Train Tour (DH's dream tour). We'll be dining for the first time at Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse and Sanaa. Trying the so called FP at BOG for lunch (already had lunch & dinner there in Feb.).Also Yak & Yeti and Sci-Fi for the first time for lunch. Most of our 8 days are not planned out. Might mosey over to Boardwalk because we've never been there before and there's a free morning tour. Maybe hop on the DHS boat or the Sausagoula River boat for a little ride.

It's been a difficult last two months, with DHs' health issues and a death in the family. DH has to have another heart procedure 3 days after we get back from WL, so we're really looking forward to just immersing ourselves in the Magic of Disney for 7 days

Last year at this time, we were able to watch the entire building process of the GF Gingerbread House (along with getting delicious samples). It was our first time seeing it -I was speechless, seeing it the day before we left, completed, with a smoking chimney!!!!!! We sat in the lobby for awhile, watching childrens expressions as THEY see it, while listening to the pianist, then, the band play. Another Magical moment for us.

There seems to be little rays of magic wherever you look at WDW. The quiet moments are just as special as the active ones.
I better start packing!!!!!!!

I think this trip sounds fantastic, too! I think you're going to love YS and I highly recommend asking for Bill. He was an amazing server! Please try and check in with us if you can

April 26-May 02 2015- our sons first birthday, and first stay at WL!

Welcome to the thread! I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log.

Wonderful eight days at the lodge, returned last night. The pool does not have a gradual entry like some have speculated. They said once the splash pad cement is poured it will start to wrap up. I must say, the pool came a long way in the week, but the splash pad looks the same as other pictures on here. There is a building next to it that went up while I was there though. It seems like they are working hard. The construction is quiet and really did not take away from being at the lodge. We used the BB day and the quiet pool was fine.

We did the trick or treating and Goofy and Pluto alternated on Halloween. Last year, they had three characters all together which was nicer.

Booked standard, requested high floor not above smoking area with connecting door. Got rooms 6084 and 6085 which were located above the lobby. Besides hearing KETCHUP occasionally, they were perfect. While listed as woods views. We were told they were standard at check in and could see the service area. They contradicted themselves though as the day before they stated that no standard rooms had connecting doors. We had a perfect view of fireworks every night from 6084s balcony. Arrived at 10:30am, rooms ready at 11:00.

We were flag family on the last day, it was such a nice experience. When I asked Ranger Jack about the pool progress he said it was on track. When I asked about the gradual entry, he asked if I was on DIS boards and sounded quite annoyed and told me to stay off of here and then started squelching many other rumors. He said 100 rooms were closed due to pool renovation. We very much enjoyed this experience and were treated to the concierge level breakfast after.

The roast beef sandwich in Roaring forks is amazing!
We ate at Whispering Canyon, what fun! My three-year old had a melt down when we had to give up the ketchup and they let her keep one. Cheapest souvenir ever! Apple cranberry cobbler, yum!

Weather was great, we had a few cooler days which was nice. Avoided Food and Wine on the weekend and it was so much more enjoyable.

Thank you for posting about your recent stay. I'm glad you confirmed that there won't be a zero entry. I was never told that there would be a zero entry so my source was spot on with that. Your room information is helpful for those wondering about connecting SV rooms. Sounds like you need to make plans to return

We are down to 39 days and counting!! I am getting so excited not just for us but also for my daughter's boyfriend who has never been to Disney before- it will be his first trip! We have so much planned I am just giddy with excitement. I am truly hoping the pool area will be done not so much for swimming but we love the hot tubs and that will be so nice to relax in after long day in the parks. I guess I should start putting some things away but I don't want to do it too early. Well off to work I go and hopefully not much longer till we are on the plane!!!

It's never too early to start packing. Always good to do some packing when the mood strikes and you don't feel pressured. Your going to be great guides for your DD's DBF. Maybe you can plant the Disney wedding seed

We will be there 11/15-11/22. I was hoping to see the tree!

I'm sure you will and I've added your dates to the LL.

I am pretty sure you will...my daughter's friend has a job at WDW that puts her in contact with this sort of information. The numbered semi trailers that hold the deluxe resort decor are staged to roll. The WL lodge giant tree is in sections, which get assembled on site. She says the night of 11/18. I know with strong certainty that the GF gingerbread house opens on 11/14 and their decor goes up on the night of the 16th.

I truly hope my daughter's friend is right...we are there 11/16-11/22 and I was hoping to live blog the install of the decor on here.

What great inside information!

Yes counting the days until we arrive at the WL as well. We arrive Sunday Nov. 16th around 11am and leave on the 23rd around 4pm. Can not wait to see the WL decorations as well and if we see someone blogging about the decorations going up we will know who it is!!!! Only 9 more days

I've logged your dates…have a great vacation

 

[JnKinVA]

Well another change to our January plans.
Things have been tight lately and I still owed close to $1000 on our WL-CL reservation.
I did some thinking and to be honest, we really are not at the resort as much as I would like to be to take advantage of the CL benefits.
I do all of my own reservations, and since we are driving I will be bringing breakfast items, pop and water.

So I called to downgrade us to a CV. When I first called the CM said no problem, downgraded us and saved us over $600.
Then I saw in my reservations she booked a CV with Bunkbeds!

So called back and there were no discounted CV rooms during out dates, so back to CL we went.

Doing some research online I was able to find a Late Winter Room Discount for CV checking out one day early and it would save us $800.

I then convinced DH to stay at Pop for a couple of days after to make up for leaving early haha.

So we need to adjust our stay on the LL

 

[WDWKOOK]

Well another change to our January plans.
Things have been tight lately and I still owed close to $1000 on our WL-CL reservation.
I did some thinking and to be honest, we really are not at the resort as much as I would like to be to take advantage of the CL benefits.
I do all of my own reservations, and since we are driving I will be bringing breakfast items, pop and water.

So I called to downgrade us to a CV. When I first called the CM said no problem, downgraded us and saved us over $600.
Then I saw in my reservations she booked a CV with Bunkbeds!

So called back and there were no discounted CV rooms during out dates, so back to CL we went.

Doing some research online I was able to find a Late Winter Room Discount for CV checking out one day early and it would save us $800.

I then convinced DH to stay at Pop for a couple of days after to make up for leaving early haha.

So we need to adjust our stay on the LL

How about booking a Woods View without the bunks? Would that work for your dates? In the meantime, I'll get my handy eraser out for the LL.