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

[chigirl]

Anyone have a pool update?

I am here...I will try to get pics. Pool is filled...splash pad is NOT done. They are building what looks like a dump bucket or something...very log style. My guess is they will finish on time...now there is scaffolding up around the windows on the outside right where the creek lets out of the building, but no work yet. I will get pics.

 

[crazycatlady]

No decorations yet? That is disappointing. We were there this week last year and were lucky enough to have the decorations go up in the middle of our stay. My DH works retail so usually can't vacation in November or December (I went with my dad last year). I have been pestering him to work on his boss so that we could go this week next year and see the awesome Disney Christmas decorations, but if the resorts are waiting an extra week to decorate from now on, we will plan on October instead.

 

[Wood Nymph]

No decorations yet? That is disappointing. We were there this week last year and were lucky enough to have the decorations go up in the middle of our stay. My DH works retail so usually can't vacation in November or December (I went with my dad last year). I have been pestering him to work on his boss so that we could go this week next year and see the awesome Disney Christmas decorations, but if the resorts are waiting an extra week to decorate from now on, we will plan on October instead.

I've read on another thread that there is a lottery to determine the order in which the resorts get decorated. This would mean that you can never predict when the WL will be decorated from year to year. The first resorts to be decorated have been finished for awhile now.

 

[chigirl]

Here for our first lodge visit. Room 6032, right by the elevator....view of Bay Lake, Contemporary, and we watched Wishes and the boat paegant from the room. I did not fax a request...asked for high floor.

No resort has Christmas yet...GF is going up 11/24, WL 11/23, Contemporary 11/22, the rest will be done by 11/26. Everything was pushed back due to the construction...this was straight from an Imagineer that my dd's bff introduced us to. I also got "smirks" and knowing nods when I asked about stuff at Hollywood Studios, ala Star Wars/Pixar expansion.

The lodge is awesome...but I have to say Mousekeeping is not as good as I've experienced at values. Also, the resort was having a resort-wide pipe/furnance problem on Monday night...which was LOUD. Did not sleep at all. Our poor neighbors had it very bad...their room was insanely loud.

The lobby smells crazy good...the Enviroscent they pump is pleasing!

My biggest complaint is that the smoking area is near the bus stops...you literally have to walk through a wall of stench to get to the busses. My mom and dad both of cancer, my mom is fatal, so this is awful. Walt died of lung cancer! Disney puts their smoking areas in the worst places!!!! Smoke carries....the kiddie activity center and arcade are next to the area, and the poison stench carries there. Ridiculous....and smokers, I could care less about your "right to smoke"...you will get cancer, period. Quit. Its not fun to watch loved ones suffer cancer from smoking. My son did a tv show with Patrick Swayze who died from pancreatic cancer, which my mom has, I spent 7 days with him...man was sick. Shame on Disney for not going non-smoking, especially when Walt died from smoking. Six Flags is, and most Six Flags have a 4 month operating window.

Staff here is friendly....its a beautiful resort, great bus system too!

 

[crazycatlady]

I've read on another thread that there is a lottery to determine the order in which the resorts get decorated. This would mean that you can never predict when the WL will be decorated from year to year. The first resorts to be decorated have been finished for awhile now.

Ahhh, that makes sense! I was surprised that Disney was waiting to decorate knowing that this week is usually a pretty light week in the parks and the resort decorations are a big reason to travel this week. So I just got lucky last year with the draw. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Here for our first lodge visit. Room 6032, right by the elevator....view of Bay Lake, Contemporary, and we watched Wishes and the boat paegant from the room. I did not fax a request...asked for high floor.

Have you been bothered by people talking loudly while waiting for the elevator? That is the only reason I wouldn't like a room close to the elevator. But other than that, the view sounds great.

No resort has Christmas yet...GF is going up 11/24, WL 11/23, Contemporary 11/22, the rest will be done by 11/26. Everything was pushed back due to the construction...this was straight from an Imagineer that my dd's bff introduced us to. I also got "smirks" and knowing nods when I asked about stuff at Hollywood Studios, ala Star Wars/Pixar expansion.

I've seen pictures of the Poly decorations and I've heard that the train at the YC is up now. But it does make sense that the construction at some of the resorts would push back dates.

My biggest complaint is that the smoking area is near the bus stops...you literally have to walk through a wall of stench to get to the busses.

I agree with you about the location of the smoking area. They need to move it around the corner. Sometimes the smoke is really bad.

Thanks for the reports.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I am here...I will try to get pics. Pool is filled...splash pad is NOT done. They are building what looks like a dump bucket or something...very log style. My guess is they will finish on time...now there is scaffolding up around the windows on the outside right where the creek lets out of the building, but no work yet. I will get pics.

Thanks! I hope you're right. They have two weeks, or else!

 

[AngiTN]

Here for our first lodge visit. Room 6032, right by the elevator....view of Bay Lake, Contemporary, and we watched Wishes and the boat paegant from the room. I did not fax a request...asked for high floor

Oh, that sounds like a perfect spot. Exactly what I hope we get, I asked for high floor too. Is the balcony open or solid?

 

[mrsap]

We are down to 5 DAYS!!!!!!! I cannot wait to walk into the lodge and see that tree!!!!!!!! We are all packed and ready to go!!!!!!!

Hope everyone leaving over the weekend has a great trip!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[LvsTnk]

The tree is up at AKL so They are making progress!

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Going to stay at VWL a for the first time in january. We are staying in a 1 bedroom. Any recommendations on location? I was thinking it would be nice having an atrium room but am worried about noise since I will have a little one that will be napping during the day.

 

[turningleaf]

Hi, can someone tell me what floor in WL has that sitting area with the fireplace? And there are some rooms opening out to it? I think it was 6th or 5th Floor but not sure. We have booked Courtyard View, and I would like to request that floor.

 

[elaw]

Hi, can someone tell me what floor in WL has that sitting area with the fireplace? And there are some rooms opening out to it? I think it was 6th or 5th Floor but not sure. We have booked Courtyard View, and I would like to request that floor.

If I'm thinking of the same fireplace you are describing, I believe it's above the main entrance doors. I think it's the 5th floor. We usually just take the stairs right outside Whispering Canyon.

If so, (In the picture) it's the area above the lighted reindeers and smaller Christmas trees ... above the entrance doors where the two people are sitting.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi, can someone tell me what floor in WL has that sitting area with the fireplace? And there are some rooms opening out to it? I think it was 6th or 5th Floor but not sure. We have booked Courtyard View, and I would like to request that floor.

I think that there is more than one fireplace on the upper floors of the lodge. This fireplace is right above the front door. We always access it by using the staircase near the front door.

It has a couch, some chairs and a desk.

I'm not sure what other floors have fireplaces but I have seen them on other floors.

 

[diddldonna]

I have been reading everyone's comments and so glad I've booked this resort (first visit to WL), now I have a year to wait

 

[FigmentMomma]

Leaving tomorrow and kinda sad we didnt get to see the tree. However we had breakfast at 1900 park fare and saw the gingerbread house at the GF. Its cute. Sign said its grand opening is tomorrow morning.

We rode the monorail to the contemporary and they had a frozen gingerbread display up. Adorable. Its right below the small world type mural and has a little shop selling frozen themed "winter treats". While we may be slightly frozened out we still enjoyed it.

Christmas party at the MK tonight and thinking about booking a bouce back to beach club. This was a neat experience but i didn't fall in love with it as I thought I would. Maybe we will try back after construction. Transporation has been great.

 

[elaw]

I am here...I will try to get pics. Pool is filled...splash pad is NOT done. They are building what looks like a dump bucket or something...very log style. My guess is they will finish on time...now there is scaffolding up around the windows on the outside right where the creek lets out of the building, but no work yet. I will get pics.

Got any current pics you'd be willing to share?

 

[MickeyMouse16]

Lots of work going on today around the pool. Looks like they're working on getting the walls taken down.

 

[patty57]

Lots of work going on today around the pool. Looks like they're working on getting the walls taken down.

That's a little surprising since they aren't finished yet, but not unhappy to hear it. Thanks for posting.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Lots of work going on today around the pool. Looks like they're working on getting the walls taken down.

Has concrete been poured around the pool deck yet, or is it all still dirt?