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

[RobinHoodGirl]

Alas, after some more planning with my boyfriend we took a look a prices, locations, pictures of resorts and we have decided that WL is not the hotel for us on this trip.

We're going to be booking at the YC (a first for me as this whole trip will be firsts for him). We're still having a dinner at the Artist Point so no doubt the Wilderness Lodge still plays into our vacation.

I"m sure I'll lurk around for any news on the referb and how everyone's trip goes.

 

[marymac123]

I love split stays, but you should try to put your favorite resort last. So maybe you could do POFQ and then WL? Let us know what you end up booking!


I wasn't thinking of a split stay...but, now you have me wondering...HMMM???
I just really wanted to know if being so spoiled at WL will we be OK with POFQ instead? Or will DH & DD not happy without all the perks of WL?

 

[weschultz4]

Does anyone know how quick they will be working? I am staying in August and would LOVE to get a new room but dont know if you can request that???

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does anyone know how quick they will be working? I am staying in August and would LOVE to get a new room but dont know if you can request that???

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, weschultz4!

The rehab is slated to start on April 15. The estimate of completion seems to be 1 - 2 years. My guess is that it will be much closer to one year. In about one month, I'll be there again and will ask the CL manager for another estimate.

You can most definitely request a rehabbed room in your reservation. When you check-in, you can ask if you were assigned one. If you weren't, the room assignor will do her best to get you one.

 

[bluecastle]

Hi! We have been to the WL a number of times and have ressies there for August. I called to ask them about the refurb and couldn't find anyone who could confirm. I am not really surprised by this; often dis fans know about these things before CMS. However, I am thinking of trying to change to a WLV and wanted to ask you if you knew for sure that the Villas are not included in the upcoming refurb. Thanks for any info you can give me!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi! We have been to the WL a number of times and have ressies there for August. I called to ask them about the refurb and couldn't find anyone who could confirm. I am not really surprised by this; often dis fans know about these things before CMS. However, I am thinking of trying to change to a WLV and wanted to ask you if you knew for sure that the Villas are not included in the upcoming refurb. Thanks for any info you can give me!

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread, bluecastle! All of the Thor Construction documents refer only to WL and not the Villas and I was told by the Club Level mgr. that the rehab is only for WL.

Also, when you call the resorts (even from the resort itself, unless you're staying club level), you're actually put through to a call center in another part of FL. They can choose to call the resort themselves and they can answer general questions, but beyond that, they are generally less knowledgable than the GMs and CMs at the resort.

 

[bluecastle]

Thanks for the welcome and for the info wdwkook! Just got off the phone and got myself a villa. First time ever having a kitchen at WDW! Not going to cook, but it will be nice to have enough counter space for making coffee and lunches and snacks. Also, a full refrigerator with a real freezer for getting those bottles of water ready for the August heat. Thanks for replying so quickly!
157 days!

 

[JenM475]

Does anyone know how quick they will be working? I am staying in August and would LOVE to get a new room but dont know if you can request that???

We are also going in August and staying in a studio in the villas. I just saw this message, but cannot find exactly what it is in reference to. Is the WL undergoing a big renovation in April? I love staying there, but would reconsider if there is a lot of construction going on. Any extra info would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

On a side note, I loved looking through this thread and seeing all the photos! Our best vacations have been at the WL. The CMs are the best. Our trip is 169 days away, but I think about it every day and cannot wait to get back!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the welcome and for the info wdwkook! Just got off the phone and got myself a villa. First time ever having a kitchen at WDW! Not going to cook, but it will be nice to have enough counter space for making coffee and lunches and snacks. Also, a full refrigerator with a real freezer for getting those bottles of water ready for the August heat. Thanks for replying so quickly!
157 days!

Are you in a one bedroom? Then you'll also have a washer/dryer which will be oh so convenient. I hope you have a great time planning your trip. Are all your ADRs made? (since you won't be cooking)

We are also going in August and staying in a studio in the villas. I just saw this message, but cannot find exactly what it is in reference to. Is the WL undergoing a big renovation in April? I love staying there, but would reconsider if there is a lot of construction going on. Any extra info would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

On a side note, I loved looking through this thread and seeing all the photos! Our best vacations have been at the WL. The CMs are the best. Our trip is 169 days away, but I think about it every day and cannot wait to get back!

Thank you for your kind comments.

On the first page/Post #1 I have a little rehab. update with links. The rehab is only for WL and will start on/around April 15 and take one to two years. But, I will be there in a month and will get another update on all of this. Each WL room will get new soft goods and new bathrooms. The rehab will be completed one floor at a time. There shouldn't be any disruption to any VWL guests or to any common areas at WL, so you should be just fine.

 

[Shannon84]

I couldnt find in the first posts all about the resort (which are fantastic and I might just have skipped over this part). My dad and step mom are staying there this fall...my stepmom is renting a scooter/ECV from an outside company for the duration for her trip...is there somewhere at the hotel to park these and charge them?

Thank you!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I couldnt find in the first posts all about the resort (which are fantastic and I might just have skipped over this part). My dad and step mom are staying there this fall...my stepmom is renting a scooter/ECV from an outside company for the duration for her trip...is there somewhere at the hotel to park these and charge them?

Thank you!

I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for you, but hopefully someone else will. I'm sure they have charging stations, but I don't know where they are located.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! May I ask where you're getting married?

 

[GatorLady]

I couldnt find in the first posts all about the resort (which are fantastic and I might just have skipped over this part). My dad and step mom are staying there this fall...my stepmom is renting a scooter/ECV from an outside company for the duration for her trip...is there somewhere at the hotel to park these and charge them?

Thank you!

People just keep them in their room and charge them there. The only thing they might need to do is move things around a bit to access an outlet.

 

[BlueFairy]

I couldnt find in the first posts all about the resort (which are fantastic and I might just have skipped over this part). My dad and step mom are staying there this fall...my stepmom is renting a scooter/ECV from an outside company for the duration for her trip...is there somewhere at the hotel to park these and charge them?

Thank you!

Has she used one of these often before? The reason I ask is to let you know that they take up a large footprint when you aren't using them at night. In a standard room with 2 double beds it will get tight. Add more than 2 adults to the room and it will be crowded.

My parents used one on a prior trip and we had a large condo, so space was not a problem.

With ours you could remove the battery pack and sit it next to a regular outlet for charging.

There are not a lot of easily accessible outlets in the standard WL rooms. I would ask on the DISabilities forum and see what they say about logistics. Also consider a king bed or perhaps a handicap accessible room to free up square footage.

Perhaps you can take the keys and the battery into your room and park it in the hall? Or is that a fire hazard for the hotel during an emergency?

Your question really is better answered on the other forum.

 

[Shannon84]

I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for you, but hopefully someone else will. I'm sure they have charging stations, but I don't know where they are located.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! May I ask where you're getting married?

Thank you We are getting married at the Swan and Dolphin resort...thats where we are staying...but my step mom loves Wilderness Lodge so they are staying there

People just keep them in their room and charge them there. The only thing they might need to do is move things around a bit to access an outlet.

Thanks!

Has she used one of these often before? The reason I ask is to let you know that they take up a large footprint when you aren't using them at night. In a standard room with 2 double beds it will get tight. Add more than 2 adults to the room and it will be crowded.

My parents used one on a prior trip and we had a large condo, so space was not a problem.

With ours you could remove the battery pack and sit it next to a regular outlet for charging.

There are not a lot of easily accessible outlets in the standard WL rooms. I would ask on the DISabilities forum and see what they say about logistics. Also consider a king bed or perhaps a handicap accessible room to free up square footage.

Perhaps you can take the keys and the battery into your room and park it in the hall? Or is that a fire hazard for the hotel during an emergency?

Your question really is better answered on the other forum.

She hasn't to my knowledge. She lives back in MA where I grew up and I live in VA now so I don't see her often. It will just be her and my father in their room, we are staying at a different resort (Swan and Dolphin) so I won't be there to help her out. I might just have her call Disney to ask and in the mean time try the other board like you suggested

 

[WDWKOOK]

Changed our spring break reservation today to arrive one day early at WL DH is very happy that he'll get an extra day of CL cobbler

It seems that HDDR (Hoop Dee Doo Revue) will be closed from August 5 - December 31. I've asked the IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) about this and about the rumored closing of CA Grill sometime in the fall/winter. When I hear back from them, I'll post an update.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Here's the (oddly-worded) response I got today from the CR IPO:

Good Morning:Mrs X.


Thank you for your letter, so far
there is not a rehab scheduled for any of this restaurant as now.

Thank you.






I don't think they know as much as usIn fact, it's being widely reported that HDDR reservations can't be made for August 5 through December 31 and that Dining CMs have been informing guests who call of this.

 

[breeeza31]

We will be there in july 2013....cant wait

 

[WDWKOOK]

We will be there in july 2013....cant wait

Happy planning!

 

[bluecastle]

Are you in a one bedroom? Then you'll also have a washer/dryer which will be oh so convenient. I hope you have a great time planning your trip. Are all your ADRs made? (since you won't be cooking)

Yes, WDWKOOK, I have made a few ADRs. This trip we are not doing any character meals or going to too many places, like Le Cellier, that really require the 180 days out advantage.
I love this site and have lurked off and on for a long time (a former RADPer-shhhh don't tell) and hope that I will be able to spend enough time here to feel a part of the WL community.
I would like to put a countdown and banner in my signature, but have been unable to figure out how. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry if you have been asked this a zillion times-you can just send me to a link.
Thanks!
151 days to WWoHP, 153 days to VWL

 

[TheIncredibles]

I really, really know these questions are in this thread somewhere, but...
1) Are MK fireworks visible, and from where?
2) The boat ride to MK, about 20 minutes? And about how often do they arrive? It seems like they made a stop at Ft Wilderness too, right?