(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread

[WDWKOOK]

please pixie dust fairy - save a new North Wing room for me... lots and lots of people are counting on me getting pictures for them

I hope you have a great vacation and please don't feel bad (for us at least) if you're not assigned a rehabbed room - we just want you to have a great vacation!

When I was at the WL from 4/16-4/20, the construction was just beginning. We were CL so we got a decent view from our inner courtyard room of the North Wing. No - not so good that we could see what was going on! I can confirm, however, that there is a buffer floor between the work zone (7th floor, North Wing) and the floors beneath. The 6th floor was closed, the sheer curtains were drawn in toward the middle and bound and the mattress was leaned up against the glass. Perhaps they were already prepping for some of the work to come? As far as the noise goes, when we arrived at approx. 1:30 PM on Monday, April 16 (1st day of construction?) the noise in the lobby was so loud that I seriously doubted booking a reservation at WL. Upon arriving at the 7th floor, the CM had to shout in order to check us in and give us a tour of the OFL. She apologized repeatedly for the noise and explained that they were ripping up the carpets (with jack hammer or some other very loud device). The noisy episode quickly passed (we couldn't hear it in our room or if we could it was very minimal and not a disturbance). From that point on, there was no noticeable noise from the construction during our stay. To play devil's advocate however, we were out of the room during the noisy hours for the rest of the days. One benefit to being there during the reno of 1/2 the 7th floor was that the OFC/lounge was half as crowded!

One point to note, if you do request a newly renovated room in the next few weeks, be aware that you may be dealing with noise from the floor below you as I'm not sure the floor above will be a buffer zone. If it is, the then newly renovated 7th floor wouldn't be available until they were done with the 6th floor.

I'm not planning to do a whole trip report, however one other thing that I wanted to mention on the boards is that a while back someone had commented/complained that the snacks/apps/desserts were not replenished. I, in my very limited experience, can only say that the exact opposite was true. Even at 5 minutes before closing, when the tray of sushi was empty, they put out a fresh one. Everything was kept replenished in a very timely manner. The only complaint I could have is that there aren't always drinks available. That would have been a very nice touch for when you get back from the parks and just want a soda but the lounge is closed. However, the homemade potato chips with ranch dip may just make up for it!

Thanks so much for posting about your recent stay at WL, grkmbee! I was told that the buffer would only be one floor in between the floor being rehabbed so it should be the floor below, and not above. So in theory, when they finish the 7th floor any day now, they should then start the 6th and leave the 5th floor vacant. This would mean, however, that if the 7th floor is occupied, it could get noisy from the rehab of the floor below. But as you pointed out, the rehab is during the day when most guests are not in their rooms. Do you recall what time in the morning they started? (I thought it was to start around 0900?)

The lobby may have been very noisy for a couple of reasons: The acoustics of the lobby would probably lend itself to having noise travel very easily throughout the lobby area and above. Also, I was told that they would have to use jackhammers on the first floor. They were originally going to have to use them on all the floors, but as of April, they were only going to be used on the first, presumably because the floors are concrete

You mentioned sushi - are they serving sushi at the OFC now? I've never seen it before, but that would be fantastic if they had it now!

 

[amyk717]

Just a reminder to ask when you check-in if you've been assigned the North Wing so that you can have a rehabbed room.


That answered my question


When you check-in, only the Club Level's North Wing (7th floor) will have been finished.

The Silver Creek Springs (main) pool is in the courtyard of WL, so any WL courtyard room will be close to the pool. But, if you want to be able to walk right out onto your patio and to the pool, you'll need to request a ground floor room and make sure that if you want a view of the WL courtyard that you request an INNER or WL courtyard view. Otherwise, "courtyard" can also mean the VWL courtyard.

You're going to love WL and feel free to post more questions if you have any.

Thank you for the info, I will may my request now!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Very interesting. They were supposed to have a buffer between floors, meaning that when your friend was there, they should have been working (and still are) on the 7th floor, North Wing. The 6th floor, NW, should be vacant. Which floor was your friend on that was noisy? What did she think of CL? It sounds like WL really tried to make her happy and I hope she'll return, despite the noise

B]pas130[/B] NEVER gives-up when the possibility of resort changing presents itself......so watch out!

She did say that the WL staff was awesome and they did everything they could to accommodate and that she really can't complain. She did love CL and would return again.

When I was at the WL from 4/16-4/20, the construction was just beginning. We were CL so we got a decent view from our inner courtyard room of the North Wing. No - not so good that we could see what was going on! I can confirm, however, that there is a buffer floor between the work zone (7th floor, North Wing) and the floors beneath. The 6th floor was closed, the sheer curtains were drawn in toward the middle and bound and the mattress was leaned up against the glass. Perhaps they were already prepping for some of the work to come? As far as the noise goes, when we arrived at approx. 1:30 PM on Monday, April 16 (1st day of construction?) the noise in the lobby was so loud that I seriously doubted booking a reservation at WL. Upon arriving at the 7th floor, the CM had to shout in order to check us in and give us a tour of the OFL. She apologized repeatedly for the noise and explained that they were ripping up the carpets (with jack hammer or some other very loud device). The noisy episode quickly passed (we couldn't hear it in our room or if we could it was very minimal and not a disturbance). From that point on, there was no noticeable noise from the construction during our stay. To play devil's advocate however, we were out of the room during the noisy hours for the rest of the days. One benefit to being there during the reno of 1/2 the 7th floor was that the OFC/lounge was half as crowded!

One point to note, if you do request a newly renovated room in the next few weeks, be aware that you may be dealing with noise from the floor below you as I'm not sure the floor above will be a buffer zone. If it is, the then newly renovated 7th floor wouldn't be available until they were done with the 6th floor.

I'm not planning to do a whole trip report, however one other thing that I wanted to mention on the boards is that a while back someone had commented/complained that the snacks/apps/desserts were not replenished. I, in my very limited experience, can only say that the exact opposite was true. Even at 5 minutes before closing, when the tray of sushi was empty, they put out a fresh one. Everything was kept replenished in a very timely manner. The only complaint I could have is that there aren't always drinks available. That would have been a very nice touch for when you get back from the parks and just want a soda but the lounge is closed. However, the homemade potato chips with ranch dip may just make up for it!

Thanks for your review!!! I'm hoping that I get a North Wing rehabbed room in July, and the North Wing should be done, so hopefully the noise is minimal.

 

[amyk717]

We originally requested upper floor courtyard but ended up with ground floor, bunk beds- best location we could have asked for with 2 small kids who wanted a pool and the ability to explore the grounds.

Thanks for the reply, I am definately going to request the same!

 

[mickeynut1]

When I was at the WL from 4/16-4/20, the construction was just beginning. We were CL so we got a decent view from our inner courtyard room of the North Wing. No - not so good that we could see what was going on! I can confirm, however, that there is a buffer floor between the work zone (7th floor, North Wing) and the floors beneath. The 6th floor was closed, the sheer curtains were drawn in toward the middle and bound and the mattress was leaned up against the glass. Perhaps they were already prepping for some of the work to come? As far as the noise goes, when we arrived at approx. 1:30 PM on Monday, April 16 (1st day of construction?) the noise in the lobby was so loud that I seriously doubted booking a reservation at WL. Upon arriving at the 7th floor, the CM had to shout in order to check us in and give us a tour of the OFL. She apologized repeatedly for the noise and explained that they were ripping up the carpets (with jack hammer or some other very loud device). The noisy episode quickly passed (we couldn't hear it in our room or if we could it was very minimal and not a disturbance). From that point on, there was no noticeable noise from the construction during our stay. To play devil's advocate however, we were out of the room during the noisy hours for the rest of the days. One benefit to being there during the reno of 1/2 the 7th floor was that the OFC/lounge was half as crowded!

One point to note, if you do request a newly renovated room in the next few weeks, be aware that you may be dealing with noise from the floor below you as I'm not sure the floor above will be a buffer zone. If it is, the then newly renovated 7th floor wouldn't be available until they were done with the 6th floor.

I'm not planning to do a whole trip report, however one other thing that I wanted to mention on the boards is that a while back someone had commented/complained that the snacks/apps/desserts were not replenished. I, in my very limited experience, can only say that the exact opposite was true. Even at 5 minutes before closing, when the tray of sushi was empty, they put out a fresh one. Everything was kept replenished in a very timely manner. The only complaint I could have is that there aren't always drinks available. That would have been a very nice touch for when you get back from the parks and just want a soda but the lounge is closed. However, the homemade potato chips with ranch dip may just make up for it!

Thanks for the review . It's been awhile since we've stayed CL at the WL, but one of the many great things I remember about it is the offerings were always plentiful and I don't remember seeing anything empty.....and if something was running low, it was replenished right away . Glad you had a nice stay .

She did say that the WL staff was awesome and they did everything they could to accommodate and that she really can't complain. She did love CL and would return again.

Thanks for your review!!! I'm hoping that I get a North Wing rehabbed room in July, and the North Wing should be done, so hopefully the noise is minimal.

I think the WL CL CMs are some of the best . Glad to hear they made your friend's stay a good one and accommodated her as much as they could . Good luck getting a refurbed room in July .

 

[Rorey]

Thanks for the review grkmbee!

Just sent my TA my room request to add onto to our reservations, so there's one more thing off my list!

 

[pas130]

So my fever is gone today!!!! But the thread is on fire!!! LOVE it! Many excellent reviews from recen stays at WL nice Rethinking my upcoming trip...AGAIN!!!

I see you are determined .

We have til August

Yep, I could just see DD begging to come back to WL after 5 minutes and then losing track of Dani whose off in Lapu-Lapu Land while Princess Lily and Danimal are crying and running around the Volcano Pool looking for Dani - JK - thank you for thinking of DH and me - I think...

You're not crazy, because if you are, then there are a few of us here that would be, too and I'd like to think I'm perfectly sane when it comes to WDW Resorts decision-making

After your terrible frozen chicken mishap, I banned them from my kitchen. Only thawed bacon is allowed, oh and Squeez Bacon:

pas130 NEVER gives-up when the possibility of resort changing presents itself......so watch out!

Squeez Bacon We can get yor DD one of those leash backpacks so Dani can just wrap it around Lily's stroller And Danimal will develop a crush on your DD and he will not allow her to escape back to WL It's all good!! Perhaps we should let Dani know she's babysitting

Oh boy, that's all I need......just a little extra persuading to change resorts.....like I don't already drive myself crazy .

I am very good at enabling....

You know, I'll be honest, I used to wonder WHY people switch resorts so much. Until I started thinking about my experiences; last year we were booked at a Value and we changed to BC, then this year we started out at POR and now have changed to WL. I know not as extreme as some, but it dawned on me. I'm a resort changer too.

I guess admitting my issue is the first step right?

The more the merrier

please pixie dust fairy - save a new North Wing room for me... lots and lots of people are counting on me getting pictures for them

 

[Viking_53]

I've been following this thread for awhile now, and have a question about the renovated rooms.

We are arriving Tuesday 9/4 - Saturday 9/8 (when we will be heading out on the Disney Fantasy for 1 week!).

From what I have read, it looks like most of the renovations should be done by then. However, we have a standard room booked, and I'm having trouble seeing how the "wings" of the hotel are being affected by the standard room layouts. I thought the standard rooms were overlooking the delivery areas, above WCC in the main lodge/lobby area (or maybe I'm reading the maps wrong).

I guess from what I have also read, we have a possibility of an upgrade, but I'm not counting on that. With the cruise, we can't really afford any other room type.

I guess my real question is - how does the main lodge/lobby area, fit into the renovation schedule?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've been following this thread for awhile now, and have a question about the renovated rooms.

We are arriving Tuesday 9/4 - Saturday 9/8 (when we will be heading out on the Disney Fantasy for 1 week!).

From what I have read, it looks like most of the renovations should be done by then. However, we have a standard room booked, and I'm having trouble seeing how the "wings" of the hotel are being affected by the standard room layouts. I thought the standard rooms were overlooking the delivery areas, above WCC in the main lodge/lobby area (or maybe I'm reading the maps wrong).

I guess from what I have also read, we have a possibility of an upgrade, but I'm not counting on that. With the cruise, we can't really afford any other room type.

I guess my real question is - how does the main lodge/lobby area, fit into the renovation schedule?

I may be misunderstanding your question, but ALL WL rooms are being rehabbed by the end of September and ALL WL rooms are under one roof. There is a North Wing and a South Wing that flank the lobby and "Bear Face Rooms" which face directly out to Bay Lake and the WL courtyard. The wings are connected to the lobby which is what I think you mean by "main lodge"? Only the Villas are not connected to WL, (though they do have an exterior covered walkway which connects them.)

If this doesn't answer your question - please let us know

 

[Viking_53]

I may be misunderstanding your question, but ALL WL rooms are being rehabbed by the end of September and ALL WL rooms are under one roof. There is a North Wing and a South Wing that flank the lobby and "Bear Face Rooms" which face directly out to Bay Lake and the WL courtyard. The wings are connected to the lobby which is what I think you mean by "main lodge"? Only the Villas are not connected to WL, (though they do have an exterior covered walkway which connects them.)

If this doesn't answer your question - please let us know

Yes, by the "main lodge" I was assuming the lobby area that has rooms. They look to be standard rooms over WCC, so that's what was confusing me - I don't consider the lobby area to be a "wing".

 

[WDWKOOK]

This is a photo of some Standard rooms that overlook the smokehouse area. I took this from the driveway. The lobby entrance/port cochere is just to the right, though not pictured:

 

[grkmbee]

Thanks so much for posting about your recent stay at WL, grkmbee! I was told that the buffer would only be one floor in between the floor being rehabbed so it should be the floor below, and not above. So in theory, when they finish the 7th floor any day now, they should then start the 6th and leave the 5th floor vacant. This would mean, however, that if the 7th floor is occupied, it could get noisy from the rehab of the floor below. But as you pointed out, the rehab is during the day when most guests are not in their rooms. Do you recall what time in the morning they started? (I thought it was to start around 0900?)

The lobby may have been very noisy for a couple of reasons: The acoustics of the lobby would probably lend itself to having noise travel very easily throughout the lobby area and above. Also, I was told that they would have to use jackhammers on the first floor. They were originally going to have to use them on all the floors, but as of April, they were only going to be used on the first, presumably because the floors are concrete

You mentioned sushi - are they serving sushi at the OFC now? I've never seen it before, but that would be fantastic if they had it now!

I'm not sure what time the renovations started in terms of noise. I do know that in the morning (7am) while we were eating breakfast, the men were coming in for both the roof and 7th floor jobs. Other than the first day when they were taking up the carpets, I can honestly say that we were never bothered by the construction. In regards to taking up the carpet, I recall in a previous post that you'd said that they were only going to use jackhammers for the 1st floor. I didn't go inspect the tools, but the noise coming from the 7th floor when we arrived (both from the lobby perspective and on the 7th floor) sounded very similar to one. I would have thought that in that type of structure that all levels would be concrete (no architecture or engineering degree here!). Perhaps the plan changed if their original method didn't work out as intended? I'd agree with your assessment about the noise in the lobby due to acoustics - it's just one big echo that keeps compounding.

Sushi - well, in my world it was sushi - aka CA rolls. It was served on Wednesday night along with some other Asian themed apps; all of which were absolutely delish!

 

[mickeynut1]

We have til August

I am very good at enabling....

August gives plenty of time then .

I don't usually need much persuading ......so after I book, when I get the itch to make a change, I know where to come to get that extra push .

 

[Macavity]

I'm too excited to sleep....

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm too excited to sleep....

Me too!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm too excited to sleep....

Me too!

You guys are going to be tired - but it's a GOOD tired. As soon as you get past the guard house, pull-up to the port cochere and walk into the lobby - you're home again and revitalized!

Safe travels and I hope we hear from you soon!

 

[PamelaKay]

I'm too excited to sleep....

Me too!

I am usually to excited to sleep the night before I leave for WDW so this October, instead of leaving on Friday morning after a sleepless night, I am starting the 8.5 hour drive on Thursday night and going as far as Jacksonville, FL, that way, I can be at WDW early on Friday.

I figure if I can't sleep, I might as well be productive

Still sending pixie dust and crossing my fingers for Macavity to be in a rehabbed room. Really want to see those pictures!

 

[mickeynut1]

I'm too excited to sleep....

Me too!

Safe travels to you both. Have a great trip

You guys are going to be tired - but it's a GOOD tired. As soon as you get past the guard house, pull-up to the port cochere and walk into the lobby - you're home again and revitalized!

Safe travels and I hope we hear from you soon!

I agree....once you walk into the Lodge you'll forget all about being tired .

I am usually to excited to sleep the night before I leave for WDW so this October, instead of leaving on Friday morning after a sleepless night, I am starting the 8.5 hour drive on Thursday night and going as far as Jacksonville, FL, that way, I can be at WDW early on Friday.

I figure if I can't sleep, I might as well be productive

Still sending pixie dust and crossing my fingers for Macavity to be in a rehabbed room. Really want to see those pictures!

We always fly, but the first time we booked a late flight, we haven't been able to book another early morning flight again. It makes for a tiring day, but it's so nice waking up at Disney the next morning .

 

[marymac123]

I'm too excited to sleep....

Have A Great Trip!!!

 

[marymac123]

Me too!

Hope you have fun!!!