I talked to a CM who sid that he worked on the remodeling project for four months and he said that they would be studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and regular rooms. If I see him tonight I'll try to get more information about it.
Mk was still decorated today. I've only been to Epcot and MK and both of them were still decorated. The only other resort I have been to has been the BC and neither this one or the BC are still decorated.
I was told that those three rooms were test rooms that they configured in five different ways and the final design was a result of what they learned during the test period.
I am curious to hear your thoughts on this. For my April trip I could either book a courtyard view at the lodge or utilize a 'magical' offer and stay in the Garden Wing of the Contemporary for $250 more. Any opinions?
It's me the indecisive one again.
I talked to a CM who sid that he worked on the remodeling project for four months and he said that they would be studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and regular rooms. If I see him tonight I'll try to get more information about it.
Mk was still decorated today. I've only been to Epcot and MK and both of them were still decorated. The only other resort I have been to has been the BC and neither this one or the BC are still decorated.
I was told that those three rooms were test rooms that they configured in five different ways and the final design was a result of what they learned during the test period.
A new development happened today. Yesterday they were blocking off the big windows on the Bay Lake side of the resort as part of the prep work. They had finished blocking off the seven and sixth floor windows when we returned at 4pm yesterday. Today they removed the panels from in front of the sixth floor windows and have left the fifth floor windows open. I had complained about the windows being covered to management and I'm glad they finally realized that maybe they should leave them open for a while. Eventually they will block it off when they replace the carpeting but they will wait to do it at the last minute and then for only as long as it takes to remodel the immediate area. But the seventh floor windows are still blocked and I think they will remain that way.
. When I went snooping in August, I tried to get some shots, but the sliding glass doors were shuttered and my MB wouldn't unlock the door LOL. I thought of Seinfeld and wished the doors had reverse peepholes
It's me the indecisive one again.
Super-terrific information!! So no Grand Villas and I wonder what category the non-DVC rooms will be? I wonder if they'll be associated with the Deluxe rooms on that side?
Were you able to take any photos of any of these SW rooms through the sliding glass doors or through the 6th floor CYV window they've uncovered?
In your case, I'd probably recommend WL because you've stayed there before, it will be a lot less crowded with the entire SW closed, it costs less and you can book a CYV room, which would be my #1 choice at that time. However, will you miss the closed amenities?
Were you able to take any photos of any of these SW rooms through the sliding glass doors or through the 6th floor CYV window they've uncovered?
It has been a little frustrating to find out more about what is going on with the south wing. Most of the windows on the inner courtyard side of the south wing are dark and the curtains are drawn, but they do have some lights on in some of the rooms just to make it look less spooky. I've seem some beds with the linens removed and a bunkbed with the sheets hanging down the side.
The side of the south wing that faces the villa is completely covered in scaffolding from the section that begins above the Cubs Den and goes along the entire south side. This scaffolding is more heavy duty than the scaffolding they used when they were doing the refurbishing work last year. We saw workmen climbing all over it, going up and down. And there were a lot of workman working on it. I couldn't tell what they were doing, though.
They have that whole area blocked off so you can't walk between the south wing building and the former Hidden Springs pool anymore.
We walked to Trails End at Fort Wilderness this morning and saw a lot of construction vehicles in the staging area near the end of the villas building. We took the boat from Fort Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom and we could see the construction work from the boat. Almost all of the trees that used to be around the Hidden Springs pool are completely gone. And for those of you who remember the pool, that was a lot of trees! We could see the backhoe working in that area.
We also did a little exploring after dinner tonight. I was surprised to find that they had blocked off the lovely sitting area that is located on the fifth floor above the main lobby entrance doors. That sitting area has a fireplace that had a fire going in it and two big armchairs. But no one can get to it because they have put up walls to block it. The only balcony sitting area that is still open is the fourth floor seating area above the lobby entrance. All of the other ones are closed off. I think this is the biggest surprise of all. I never expected them to alter the building as much as they are doing.
To summarize as best I can without pictures:
WL unchanged as of right now:
main lobby area of WL
main pool, splash pad and Trout Bar - still having pool parties, too
restaurants - still serving same food, etc
North wing
seating area on the fourth floor above the main lobby entrance
buses and their frequency - it seems like they are running on the normal schedule although there are less people on them
boats - still running on the same schedule although there are less people on them
wonderful, friendly cast members
the whole inner courtyard with the waterfall, etc, is still the same
things that are unavailable or modified:
south wing closed
lobby elevators closed
balcony viewing areas that face Bay Lake closed on fourth floor and fifth floors
sitting area above front doors on fifth floor closed off
beach closed
marina closed
movies on the beach moved to villas building
bike rentals are available I think. I saw all the bikes stacked at the Cubs Den play area
Cubs Den closed
Old Faithful Club under major renovation with temporary situation
They haven't started the heavy construction yet so there really isn't very much disruption at this time. But once they really get going on building the new pool and the cabins, it is going to be one heck of a major project. I would hesitate to advise anyone to stay here during that time, unless you plan to be at the parks during the work hours and you get a good discount. And the courtyard rooms that face the main pool won't really be too affected.
As far as club level - there are some major changes in the works, including building a whole new lounge. But during the construction period the temporary lounge experience will be different than what it has been. We were rather unfortunate to end up arriving in this weird transition period.
We are going home tomorrow and I promise to get pictures posted. It was hard to get any pictures of the construction areas because they are blocked off or otherwise hard to access.
No I didnt mean that standard rooms were affected most by lobby elevators compared to other room categories, I meant that the other changes (CL construction) isnt affecting those standard rooms. I'll be in both CL and a standard room in a week and a half, I will be sure to report back!
Carla, I'm answering your question right off since you also PM'd:Does closing the South Wing mean all the club level rooms on that side of the resort are also closed? Our favorite room is 7127 is it closed? Trying to decide what to request if so...
Is the club level desk by the elevators also closed or it still there? Didn't know if it had been "relocated" like the lounge.
I apologize for all the questions I'm just trying to get a grasp on all this construction!!
Thank you!!
Carla
It has been a little frustrating to find out more about what is going on with the south wing. Most of the windows on the inner courtyard side of the south wing are dark and the curtains are drawn, but they do have some lights on in some of the rooms just to make it look less spooky. I've seem some beds with the linens removed and a bunkbed with the sheets hanging down the side.
The side of the south wing that faces the villa is completely covered in scaffolding from the section that begins above the Cubs Den and goes along the entire south side. This scaffolding is more heavy duty than the scaffolding they used when they were doing the refurbishing work last year. We saw workmen climbing all over it, going up and down. And there were a lot of workman working on it. I couldn't tell what they were doing, though.
They have that whole area blocked off so you can't walk between the south wing building and the former Hidden Springs pool anymore.
We walked to Trails End at Fort Wilderness this morning and saw a lot of construction vehicles in the staging area near the end of the villas building. We took the boat from Fort Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom and we could see the construction work from the boat. Almost all of the trees that used to be around the Hidden Springs pool are completely gone. And for those of you who remember the pool, that was a lot of trees! We could see the backhoe working in that area.
We also did a little exploring after dinner tonight. I was surprised to find that they had blocked off the lovely sitting area that is located on the fifth floor above the main lobby entrance doors. That sitting area has a fireplace that had a fire going in it and two big armchairs. But no one can get to it because they have put up walls to block it. The only balcony sitting area that is still open is the fourth floor seating area above the lobby entrance. All of the other ones are closed off. I think this is the biggest surprise of all. I never expected them to alter the building as much as they are doing.
To summarize as best I can without pictures:
WL unchanged as of right now:
main lobby area of WL
main pool, splash pad and Trout Bar - still having pool parties, too
restaurants - still serving same food, etc
North wing
seating area on the fourth floor above the main lobby entrance
buses and their frequency - it seems like they are running on the normal schedule although there are less people on them
boats - still running on the same schedule although there are less people on them
wonderful, friendly cast members
the whole inner courtyard with the waterfall, etc, is still the same
things that are unavailable or modified:
south wing closed
lobby elevators closed
balcony viewing areas that face Bay Lake closed on fourth floor and fifth floors
sitting area above front doors on fifth floor closed off
beach closed
marina closed
movies on the beach moved to villas building
bike rentals are available I think. I saw all the bikes stacked at the Cubs Den play area
Cubs Den closed
Old Faithful Club under major renovation with temporary situation
They haven't started the heavy construction yet so there really isn't very much disruption at this time. But once they really get going on building the new pool and the cabins, it is going to be one heck of a major project. I would hesitate to advise anyone to stay here during that time, unless you plan to be at the parks during the work hours and you get a good discount. And the courtyard rooms that face the main pool won't really be too affected.
As far as club level - there are some major changes in the works, including building a whole new lounge. But during the construction period the temporary lounge experience will be different than what it has been. We were rather unfortunate to end up arriving in this weird transition period.
We are going home tomorrow and I promise to get pictures posted. It was hard to get any pictures of the construction areas because they are blocked off or otherwise hard to access.
It's me the indecisive one again.
