Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[Grand Admiral]

Thanks. I'll go check the construction thread.

I mean, I wasn't trying to shut down your question, just letting you know there's a thread with photos and more specific info.

 

[disneyandme]

Grand Admiral, I didn't take it negatively. It was very helpful. I've read both threads now. Thanks.

 

[T_O]

Anyone have opinions on the noise level between rooms at WL? Not the construction noise, but from your "neighbors" next door, above and below. I have read a few places that Disney resorts have very poor soundproofing, even the deluxes.

 

[fauntleroy1953]

From my own personal experience,it's never been an issue

 

[DizzyDis]

Another question, I saw that while the WL playground and beach area are closed, we can use the ones at Fort Wilderness, has anyone been there and have any thoughts on it, how busy it is, etc? I will also go and check out the FW thread for more discussions!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Anyone have opinions on the noise level between rooms at WL? Not the construction noise, but from your "neighbors" next door, above and below. I have read a few places that Disney resorts have very poor soundproofing, even the deluxes.

We also have not had any noise issues with neighboring rooms. We have been able to hear some noise from WCC when we had a room that opened to the lobby, but only in the evenings during the peak of the activities down there. We love the lobby rooms for the great view walking to/from them, but rooms in the wings are generally a little quieter. The other common noise complaint is for Courtyard view rooms near the main pool where they can hear the pool parties in the afternoons.

Another question, I saw that while the WL playground and beach area are closed, we can use the ones at Fort Wilderness, has anyone been there and have any thoughts on it, how busy it is, etc? I will also go and check out the FW thread for more discussions!

We always like to visit the playground at FW. It is bigger than WL's and is usually not very crowded, although we usually visit it in September. The beach at FW is nice and big too. For what it's worth they also have boat rentals there, so that's another way to avoid a construction closure at WL.

 

[LynJ]

FYI: the Fireworks View room category is no longer listed on the dates I previously saw it. Its back to the usual WL options.

 

[Disney Mommy D]

Hi everyone... We are considering staying at Wilderness Lodge for a few days before our cruise this summer. We have stayed at Poly, Contemporary, and AofA before. We are thinking about booking a courtyard view - bunk bed room. Any opinions on this category, especially with the construction going on? While at the pool is the construction incredibly visible? Thanks in advance!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Hi everyone... We are considering staying at Wilderness Lodge for a few days before our cruise this summer. We have stayed at Poly, Contemporary, and AofA before. We are thinking about booking a courtyard view - bunk bed room. Any opinions on this category, especially with the construction going on? While at the pool is the construction incredibly visible? Thanks in advance!

A courtyard view room would have the least view of construction. Currently only the North wing of the main building is in use, and the courtyard view rooms are on the south side of it. You would see some construction East of the South wing, where the old beach area was. This area is also somewhat visible from the main pool, although I doubt it would have too much of an impact on the pool's enjoy-ability. There is work going on inside the South wing, but that shouldn't affect you too much.

The bigger factor is the amenities that are not available during the construction, which include the kids club, boat rentals, spa, workout room, beach, campfire area, and the elevators in the lobby and South wing. Since the South wing is not in use, there are however lower crowds overall at the resort, which people have noticed and enjoyed. The boat transportation, main pool, and restaurants are currently unaffected, so you will still have those, which are some of the nice perks of WL. We have a trip booked for September and are looking forward to it, but construction in general doesn't really bother us.

 

[hbr03]

Hello everyone! It seems I've waffled too long between going ahead and booking vs. waiting for a fall or dining discount in late September-early October. All that's available now is CV and CL at a much steeper rack rate. I'm not giving up quite yet, but would love to hear your recommendations for a moderate alternative. We love, love, love WL and we're having a hard time considering anywhere else. I would say our wish list would be close to MK, the feel of a smaller resort, and transportation options (that pretty much equates to WL now, doesn't it? ). Thanks in advance!

 

[T_O]

Hello everyone! It seems I've waffled too long between going ahead and booking vs. waiting for a fall or dining discount in late September-early October. All that's available now is CV and CL at a much steeper rack rate. I'm not giving up quite yet, but would love to hear your recommendations for a moderate alternative. We love, love, love WL and we're having a hard time considering anywhere else. I would say our wish list would be close to MK, the feel of a smaller resort, and transportation options (that pretty much equates to WL now, doesn't it? ). Thanks in advance!

Not sure if you're flexible on your length of stay, but I've found availability for WL standard rooms for 8 nights+ when there was nothing available for 7 nights or less.
I've never stayed at a moderate, but my first instinct would be either of the Port Orleans resorts.

 

[JennyGilbert]

What do y'all see are the pros of Wilderness Lodge during construction? Like what parts of staying there are still awesome during the refurb?

 

[Wood Nymph]

What do y'all see are the pros of Wilderness Lodge during construction? Like what parts of staying there are still awesome during the refurb?

The boat to MK is still awesome. That is a very nice perk of staying at the WL. The main pool, splash pad, pool bar, geyser, waterfall and creek are still the same. All the restaurants are open and operating normally. The resort is less crowded, which is nice, too, especially for Roaring forks and the buses.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I'm interested in getting a caricature done next week- do they still offer them? Also how did they come out nice and do they charge per person (in the same caricature)?

 

[T_O]

What do y'all see are the pros of Wilderness Lodge during construction? Like what parts of staying there are still awesome during the refurb?

I second Wood Nymphs comments, especially about the resort and buses being less crowded. One possible perk, depending on your room view: with less foliage there is a better view of Cinderella's Castle and the fireworks.

 

[alhurricane]

We checked in earlier today and have a perfect view of the castle...granted there is construction below. The lodge is definitely less crowded which is a nice perk!

 

[bjscheel]

We checked in earlier today and have a perfect view of the castle...granted there is construction below. The lodge is definitely less crowded which is a nice perk!

What floor are you on? Which room? I was thinking of asking for a higher floor in case it would help get a theme park view.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I'm not giving up quite yet, but would love to hear your recommendations for a moderate alternative. We love, love, love WL and we're having a hard time considering anywhere else. I would say our wish list would be close to MK, the feel of a smaller resort, and transportation options (that pretty much equates to WL now, doesn't it? ). Thanks in advance!

For a moderate resort we really enjoyed POR. It has a similar quiet rural feel to WL. We booked a preferred room, which guarantees you will be in the smaller Alligator Bayou buildings and close to the lobby and food court. This eliminated any of the large resort issues for us, and the walk to the lobby and buses was as short for us as at WL. You also have boats to Disney Springs which is nice.

The downside is proximity to MK, but you aren't going to have that with any Moderate except Fort Wilderness. The buses were fine, but you have a bit of distance to cover. There are also four stops within POR, but that just adds 5-10 min to any park round trip since you generally will only have to stop at each stop once.

 

[alliecat523]

I'm interested in getting a caricature done next week- do they still offer them? Also how did they come out nice and do they charge per person (in the same caricature)?

I haven't done one myself, but they are still offered. The set up is just outside the gift shop in the main lobby.

 

[alliecat523]

Anyone have opinions on the noise level between rooms at WL? Not the construction noise, but from your "neighbors" next door, above and below. I have read a few places that Disney resorts have very poor soundproofing, even the deluxes.

In general, it's not an issue, but I can't say I've never heard noise from the hallway or a neighboring room. The noise I have heard usually lasts about a minute and that's it.