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

[Mousemommy1]

Just unpacked, going to bed now. We are all very happy to have received a renovated room. We are on the 5th floor overlooking a utility style parking lot and trees. I can see part of CR over the trees.

Son was shocked. We were able to keep the secret until resort check in. Lousy to go right to bed with so much exploring to do. Oh well, it will make tomorrow even better.

So happy for you!!! Have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[GEK209]

It is so weird to see Garak and Gek over here on the WL boards since we are all cruising together. Hello Garak and Gek

I have moved our reservations for our second part of our stay to WL from POR RR and am both excited and nervous. When I was making the change, I asked the person if I could request a renovated room, but she said that WL was not doing a renovation and that request could not be made. Also, we will be arriving on a Saturday which has me a bit worried that since I can't request ahead of time, all the renovated rooms will be gone. Is it possible to change rooms the next day after we have already been there a day? I think we will have a better chance of getting a newer room if we move on the Sunday since people will be leaving that day. I can't do online checkin since we will be on the DCL cruise and will have not access to internet (well at least no access to not crazy expensive internet) so I am not sure what to do? I am not worried for me but my mom and dad are coming with us (both in their 80's) and I want them to have a lovely room. They are both first timers to WDW and this will most likely be their last. (We are both booked courtyard view if this makes a difference)

Any advice would be great!!

K in SA

We've stayed at WL 5 times and 4 of those times we had courtyard view. We loved it! You can see the beautiful courtyard and pool area, geyser and Bay Lake and the light parade. It gets noisy in the afternoon though due to the pool party. I agree with KOOK; definitely let Disney know its your parents first time to WDW. They always try to make it special.

 

[nyrebecca]

Just unpacked, going to bed now. We are all very happy to have received a renovated room. We are on the 5th floor overlooking a utility style parking lot and trees. I can see part of CR over the trees.

Son was shocked. We were able to keep the secret until resort check in. Lousy to go right to bed with so much exploring to do. Oh well, it will make tomorrow even better.

If you look to the far right of that parking lot you should see a small building. That is actually the WL smoke house or whatever you call it where hey do their own meats. I kept telling my family I thought I smelled bacon and they pointed it out to me

Hope you have an amazing vacation !

 

[WDWKOOK]

I hope you all have a safe and relaxing Fourth!​

​

Yes WDWKOOK with your help I figured out how to post photos. Thanks for all the work you do to make this thread such a great source of information. I'm glad I made the switch from BWI to WL.

You're welcome and thank you for contributing the first Deluxe Room rehab photos to the thread, rea59

Historically speaking, are the Room Only discounts at WL that come out usually comparable to or lower than the other deluxe resorts? I am holding out for this discount but know I may be waiting a few months until that happens. It was mentioned in another thread that WL seem to have fewer/lower room only discounts (I am not sure as compared to what...) because Disney doesn't have trouble filling the WL rooms. Having never stayed WL before, I have never noticed a differences in the offers in the past.

Actually, historically speaking, the WL discount offers are about the same, however, they haven't been as available lately because there is a lack of room inventory due to the rehab. Many rooms have been pulled from inventory so there are fewer rooms available for booking. Once the rehab is completed in September, you should see discounts for WL reappear.

Here is a link to historic discounts that might help you with your planning:

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#historical

I so appreciate WDWKook and Mousemommy1 ideas, however, the boys are excited for CR CL and I am excited they are so excited and I guess I need to look at this as a reason I need to come back to Disney in the near future or maybe a bounceback offer for WL CL right

There's always another trip. But again, if you want to do a split stay and stay at both the CR and WL/CL you just have to call the WDTC and ask them to move you to WL/CL. WL/CL is available for booking starting 7/14. You would then have your free upgrade to the CR that the boys now want and you would also have the original resort you booked that you and DH want.

Just unpacked, going to bed now. We are all very happy to have received a renovated room. We are on the 5th floor overlooking a utility style parking lot and trees. I can see part of CR over the trees.

Son was shocked. We were able to keep the secret until resort check in. Lousy to go right to bed with so much exploring to do. Oh well, it will make tomorrow even better.

Is DS still in shock? You have a lot of exploring to do today, which is good, because this is an extremely busy day at the parks and especially the MK so it's the perfect resort exploring day! Keep us posted!

 

[TheLodgeLady]

Since there's availability at WL/CL one day after your arrival, why don't you just call and ask to stay in a non-CL room your arrival night and then you can stay the rest of your vacation in a CL room. They might think you're crazy for giving up two Tower Club rooms, but if you don't want to stay there then why not call and ask. The only issue I see is that you let your sons make the decision and now they don't want to stay at WL?

Just catching up and I thought the same thing!! If they are letting guests stay there starting on the 14th, I would definitely give it a try.

 

[SA53]

WDWKOOK, So do I just call back the Disney number and ask them to put in the refurb request even if they say they can't? Also, do I just tell the cms at check in about my parent's first stay or should I call and put that in their reservations in advance? Thank you for the information about the rocking chairs and the lodge tour. Both sound right up their alley although they may have to kick me out of the chairs to get a turn!!!

K in SA

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK, So do I just call back the Disney number and ask them to put in the refurb request even if they say they can't? Also, do I just tell the cms at check in about my parent's first stay or should I call and put that in their reservations in advance? Thank you for the information about the rocking chairs and the lodge tour. Both sound right up their alley although they may have to kick me out of the chairs to get a turn!!!

K in SA

Yes, call back with yours and your parent's confirmation numbers and tell them that you want to add a room location request to your reservation. Tell them you want to add "Rehabbed room, please." Also have them add "first visit" to your parent's reservation and anything else you might be celebrating.

Don't worry at all if the CM doesn't know why you're asking for a rehabbed room; they will put anything down you ask them to. (But of course, it's not a guarantee that your request will be granted). I've encountered CMs through the years who don't have any idea why I request an odd numbered room at the CR, but they always place it into my reservation and I've always gotten an odd-numbered room. After you make your request, ask the CM to read it back to you and to email a new confirmation to you - then you're all set!

Good luck! Will you be able to check-in with us when you're at WL?

 

[pas130]

I know what happens to you when you get waffleitis, I shouldn't even look on the RC thread because I have this sneaking suspicion you're not booked at WL anymore

I so appreciate WDWKook and Mousemommy1 ideas, however, the boys are excited for CR CL and I am excited they are so excited and I guess I need to look at this as a reason I need to come back to Disney in the near future or maybe a bounceback offer for WL CL right

Sounds like a great plan, and you are just a boat ride away from WL when you stay at CR

Just unpacked, going to bed now. We are all very happy to have received a renovated room. We are on the 5th floor overlooking a utility style parking lot and trees. I can see part of CR over the trees.

Son was shocked. We were able to keep the secret until resort check in. Lousy to go right to bed with so much exploring to do. Oh well, it will make tomorrow even better.

Have a great vacation! Great job keeping that HUGE secret

 

[GarakDS9]

Wonderful 4th of July fireworks tonight. Watched from the shore of Poly.

RF provided our breakfast and lunch. Croissant sandwich was a big hit with DW. Since I enjoy breakfast 3x/day, I was thrilled to have a muffin and banana for lunch.

Son started getting suspicious at the airport. I told him that since it was late the buses weren't running direct to POR and we had to go to WL first then a bus to POR. Surprised him by checking in when we arrived. They already gave him his birthday button for the 10th.

Went to Contempo Cafe for dinner. Although food was good (DS and I recommend the Mahi sandwich) we hated the atmosphere in the CR. RF is a much better QS then CC. Don't like the kiosks to order our own food and then wait a long time for "quick service". Couldn't figure out if/how to modify a meal. Example no cheese request on a sandwich, etc. Besides the restaurant, just didn't like the feel of CR.

Work is being done on the first floor now. I was amazed at their speed today. Old carpet was ripped out and new put in near the elevator just past RF. They also put in new archways to the first floor hallway , replacing sheet rock with more lodge polls. Looks nice.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Wonderful 4th of July fireworks tonight. Watched from the shore of Poly.

RF provided our breakfast and lunch. Croissant sandwich was a big hit with DW. Since I enjoy breakfast 3x/day, I was thrilled to have a muffin and banana for lunch.

Son started getting suspicious at the airport. I told him that since it was late the buses weren't running direct to POR and we had to go to WL first then a bus to POR. Surprised him by checking in when we arrived. They already gave him his birthday button for the 10th.

Went to Contempo Cafe for dinner. Although food was good (DS and I recommend the Mahi sandwich) we hated the atmosphere in the CR. RF is a much better QS then CC. Don't like the kiosks to order our own food and then wait a long time for "quick service". Couldn't figure out if/how to modify a meal. Example no cheese request on a sandwich, etc. Besides the restaurant, just didn't like the feel of CR.

Work is being done on the first floor now. I was amazed at their speed today. Old carpet was ripped out and new put in near the elevator just past RF. They also put in new archways to the first floor hallway , replacing sheet rock with more lodge polls. Looks nice.

Thank you for the update! That is one surprise your DS will never forget. I'm going to post your rehab update to the first page later today.

It's interesting that you weren't crazy about the CC. We love being able to watch the monorail while we eat and it's so open and airy, but we also love the CR. We prefer the kiosks because every time we've eaten at RF, our party ends-up getting meals at different times and you have to sometimes stand in a long line with your food to pay and then hunt for a table which we find more stressful and less efficient. But, I understand your frustration with not being able to modify something and talk to human being. I'm glad you really like RF and can get your breakfast 3X/day - ahhh, vacations...

 

[Mousemommy1]

Did my online check in today!!!! 10 more days to go!!!!.

 

[nyrebecca]

Work is being done on the first floor now. I was amazed at their speed today. Old carpet was ripped out and new put in near the elevator just past RF. They also put in new archways to the first floor hallway , replacing sheet rock with more lodge polls. Looks nice.

Thanks for the update on the construction! I can't wait to get back in Oct and see all the other changes they are making.

I am so glad you were able to surprise your DS - what a great surprise ! Enjoy the rest of your time there!

 

[nyrebecca]

Did my online check in today!!!! 10 more days to go!!!!.

WOOHOOO!!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

WOOHOOO!!!!

To bad I couldn't put in room request 7060!!! Because that's what I want!!!

 

[special ed teacher]

How much refurbs are left?

 

[nyrebecca]

To bad I couldn't put in room request 7060!!! Because that's what I want!!!

I am hoping you get some awesome pixie dust with an upgrade right to that room!

 

[WDWKOOK]

To bad I couldn't put in room request 7060!!! Because that's what I want!!!

As long as you put the request in your reservation, the room assignor will see it. Just make sure that you've noted why you want that particular room in case it's not available, the RA can attempt to put you in a room with a similar view.

How much refurbs are left?

The entire North Wing is almost done and the entire South Wing is left. The 7th floor of the South Wing (CL) should be started this week and the room rehab should be completed in September.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I am hoping you get some awesome pixie dust with an upgrade right to that room!

As long as you put the request in your reservation, the room assignor will see it. Just make sure that you've noted why you want that particular room in case it's not available, the RA can attempt to put you in a room with a similar view.


The entire North Wing is almost done and the entire South Wing is left. The 7th floor of the South Wing (CL) should be started this week and the room rehab should be completed in September.

I did put a request for that room or a room close to it, so...fingers crossed!! Actually I don't think I could actually get 7060 if they meet my other request of bunk beds, because that was a two queen room, right rebecca?

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

We stayed at VWL (on our DVC points) for the first time last month. I had every intention of booking at Poly for our 2013 trip (3 nights before a cruise). DH & DS (age 3) have overridden me. . .they say we are staying at VWL in a 1BR! I think they've been won over!

For all of you with upcoming trips, have a BLAST!!

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Did my online check in today!!!! 10 more days to go!!!!.

I can't wait to hear about your trip and see pics

Hope everyone enjoyed the 4th of July

I confess I had a weak moment where I considered a family suite at AoA for the extra space/bathroom and almost $1,000.00 savings. I'm pleased to announce that moment has passed and I'm back to being super excited about our WL CL stay. I think we will just take a ride over to AoA to check things out and have DS get his picture taken with some of the Cars there.