Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[goopysolelady]

It's great having access to all this info. I'll likely rebook my new schedule tomorrow. I wasn't keyed on getting adjoining rooms as much as somewhat near/on same floor. I prob need both rooms CL as that's where we will grab a breakfast bite and want the whole family together. I think I'm over the construction issue based on many comments on the forum. The reason we don't book a villa us that it's separated from the restaurants, lobby etc. seems like a pain to walk to another building every time you want something (with a 4 yo and 8 month old). Villa would be much cheaper actually. Pics of the villas look a little older, more dated too. True?

Here are a few photos from last November of a 1-bedroom villa...one DD and I were in the Lodge, other DD and 2 DGD's in the Villas...they loved this location...close to elevator on 4th floor (I think)...overlooked the walkway to the buses:

Living area...DGD's used pull out couch:

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just read on one of the Disney blog's I subscribe to, that Disney has announced that the existing Villa's at WL are being re named Boulder Ridge Villa's at WL.

A change in name is in the works for the Hidden Springs Pool as well. All part of the re imagining of the Lodge to expand on it's "story"

Thank you for posting about the name change, @OnceUponATime15! Here is the news from the DIS:

To help enhance the storytelling at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the Disney Vacation Villas will receive a new name. Gone are the old days of The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Now, this DVC property shall be known as Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, according to the DVC Member website. Walt Disney Imagineers believe the name change will help to give the resort a more “distinctive identity” and add to the story of the entire community. The name change will also help tie into the re-imagined and soon to be renamed Hidden Springs Pool, as well as the upcoming Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, which are currently being constructed.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We will be there from Sept. 6-13

I'll log your dates on PAGE 1

ETA: Already had you logged

Hello everyone! We just switched our vacation from YC to WL for Sept 27-Oct 2 to get free dining. This is our first time staying on disney property and we are very excited for this vacation!

Welcome to Bay Lake and our little thread and congratulations on getting FD. I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log.

We just got back from 5 nights at WL. We had a great time! This was our first stay there and I was hesitant staying at first because of all the construction, but I am so glad I didn't change our plans. We had a Courtyard room and we hardly noticed the construction. We only saw the construction as we were walking around to the boat launch or by the pool bar. We heard a very faint humming noise in the mid morning that we figured was construction machinery, but it would not have woken us up if we were sleeping. The closed off portion of the lobby wasn't even noticed by the rest of my family who weren't aware of the construction -- it wasn't really obvious. The resort was fairly empty -- pool was great, breakfast at Roaring Forks was very quick. The boat launches came regularly, we might have waited at the most 10 minutes for a boat. The buses were even better. It felt like the buses were waiting for us, not the other way around. I'll be posting some of the construction photos I took over in the WL Expansion Thread.

Thank you for posting about your first stay at WL and for posting some of your photos

Hello all,

We just booked our trip for next year- Feb 25-March 4, 2017. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa with 4 adults, 2 kids and a two year old who turns 3 the following week! We stayed at the WL in two rooms in 2012 (same group, except the little one wasn't born yet!) We had free dining then, but figured we wouldn't get it this time and a standard room with 5 of us in it would be tight- the other 2 adults are my inlaws, so I booked the villa. I am excited to have 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and laundry!

We debated trying out the Contemporary/ Bay Lake, to try something new and to avoid the construction, but the overall theme of WL won out for us, plus my kids love construction. Thank you to all who have posted their thoughts and pictures of the ongoing activity, it really helped!

Congratulations on booking and I'll log your dates, too. I wonder if VWL will officially be BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS by the time you stay or if the official name change won't take place until everything is finished around 4/17?

Just booked 9-24 through 10-2!!!

YIPPEE! I'll add your dates to PAGE 1. Are you at WL?

I just booked an unexpected trip for the summer July 7 - Jul 16. I saw the construction this past winter when our woods view room overlooked a green construction fence instead of woods. Could someone point me to the threads about the Old Faithful Club being in the VP room ? and half of the hotel being closed? Thank you!

Unexpected trips are so much fun - I'll log your dates

Excited to be returning to WL Sept 5-9th. It's been 4 years since we were there last. It's one of our favourite resorts!

Four years is too long! I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log

I just switched from POR to Wilderness Lodge standard view. I love WL and just had to do it! Check in on Friday!!!

That was a last minute change that I'll think you'll love. So many transportation and dining options onsite and nearby. I hope you're having a wonderful stay.

Here now - so strange to see so much of the lodge closed off. Guess I didn't pay attention to what was going on. Just sitting here on our patio watching the critters scoot by. Got pixie dusted to a courtyard from a standard view but we are only here tonight. Trying to decide if we want to book here for the fall. Everyone have a great Friday!

Did you make a decision yet about re-booking?

So there will be two names? The existing and the new will both get new names?

There will always be DISNEY'S WILDERNESS LODGE, which seems like it will be primarily the current North Wing of WL. BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS will be what is now VWL. And, COPPER CREEK CABINS will be the 26 new villas built along Bay Lake and the COPPER CREEK VILLAS will presumably be the current South Wing of WL.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Over on the CR thread, recent CR guests are reporting that in both the Tower and the Garden Wing Standard Rooms, they received daily bottles of Dasani water and toiletries previously only offered in suites and some CL rooms. Have any of you experienced this recently at BWI or any other Deluxe Standard rooms?

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

WDWKOOK - we didn't rebook for the fall as the AP rates & Florida Res. Rates aren't out yet. I really want to go back to WL even with the construction but the $$ amount will be the deciding factor. We will primarily be MK & Epcot & it's so easy from there.

 

[RCID]

Here now - so strange to see so much of the lodge closed off. Guess I didn't pay attention to what was going on. Just sitting here on our patio watching the critters scoot by. Got pixie dusted to a courtyard from a standard view but we are only here tonight. Trying to decide if we want to book here for the fall. Everyone have a great Friday!

I too was shocked at the amount of construction going on at the resort.

Though, they did leave a cute little Pardon the Pixie Dust pin set in the guest suite. Only problem was it created animosity amongst my pin loving Disney Children.

 

[lffam]

The Wilderness Lodge Lobby Decorated

We stayed at The Wilderness Lodge in 2013 and loved it. We went back to WDW in 2015, but this time stayed at Boardwalk Villas. But we wanted to back to WL to see it all decorated for Christmas. I posted these pictures in my Trip report which I am still writing over here. I thought I would post some of the photos here, while I know they are a little out of season now, I do hope you enjoy.

 

[AngiTN]

I've only been paying half attention to all the constructions going on
I am aware of half the lodge being closed, elevators out, lobby changes, etc.
We've stayed there twice before and am trying to decide if we should give it a shot for a short trip next month
We currently have a King at POR booked (we were at POR last month and fell in love with it too) but can get a Standard View at WL for the same price.
DH loves WL best of all and we've been waiting for the construction to wrap up before returning but he's missing it. Will we be miserable with a Standard View room? It's the only category currently available, but I'll keep by eye out for a cancellation and switch if I can. I had read a post about the status of the different views but can't seem to find it here or in the construction thread.
Our next stay is back at POR so it's not like we won't be back there soon.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We were just there on Friday & had a standard room booked & asked for early check in. Nothing was ready when we arrived so they gave us a courtyard room which we loved. We were only going to be there one night so that may have been their reasoning. The lobby construction didn't bother us, but I missed being able to go down to the beach to watch the boat parade. They said you could go over to the campground to watch but we passed on that. The lodge felt pretty full too. We normally stay at POR in a preferred room but love the WL & hope to go back in November.

 

[moremouse]

Question.

Since this will be our first time staying at WL I was trying to figure out how to get there. Do we go through the MK main gate in the right hand lane, or do we have to turn off somewhere else to get to World Dr/Timberline Dr prior to the gate?

TIA

 

[Grumpy247365]

I'll log your dates on PAGE 1

ETA: Already had you logged



Welcome to Bay Lake and our little thread and congratulations on getting FD. I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log.



Thank you for posting about your first stay at WL and for posting some of your photos



Congratulations on booking and I'll log your dates, too. I wonder if VWL will officially be BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS by the time you stay or if the official name change won't take place until everything is finished around 4/17?



YIPPEE! I'll add your dates to PAGE 1. Are you at WL?



Unexpected trips are so much fun - I'll log your dates



Four years is too long! I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log



That was a last minute change that I'll think you'll love. So many transportation and dining options onsite and nearby. I hope you're having a wonderful stay.



Did you make a decision yet about re-booking?



There will always be DISNEY'S WILDERNESS LODGE, which seems like it will be primarily the current North Wing of WL. BOULDER RIDGE VILLAS will be what is now VWL. And, COPPER CREEK CABINS will be the 26 new villas built along Bay Lake and the COPPER CREEK VILLAS will presumably be the current South Wing of WL.

This is my 3rd time staying here and it was amazing as always. With half of the resort under construction/renovation it was very quiet and not crowded at all. My standard view room had a view of the castle and watched Wishes 2 nights from the balcony. I cannot wait to go back again. Love this place.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Question.

Since this will be our first time staying at WL I was trying to figure out how to get there. Do we go through the MK main gate in the right hand lane, or do we have to turn off somewhere else to get to World Dr/Timberline Dr prior to the gate?

TIA

Yes... You will need to be in the far right lane at the gates to the MK. That lane continues on as World Dr. Left will end you up at MK parking or the turnaround to head back away from the MK.

Stay to the right, Timberline Dr comes up pretty quickly on your right.

 

[moremouse]

Yes... You will need to be in the far right lane at the gates to the MK. That lane continues on as World Dr. Left will end you up at MK parking or the turnaround to head back away from the MK.

Stay to the right, Timberline Dr comes up pretty quickly on your right.

Thank you! I'm so excited to be driving through the MK gates in something other than a bus! LOL

 

[AngiTN]

This is my 3rd time staying here and it was amazing as always. With half of the resort under construction/renovation it was very quiet and not crowded at all. My standard view room had a view of the castle and watched Wishes 2 nights from the balcony. I cannot wait to go back again. Love this place.

Do you by chance remember your room number, or even floor?

 

[Daisytiff]

Are all of the standard rooms on the seventh floor or higher..? Or are there any lower?

Also, do all of the standard rooms have a view of the roof or are there some with better views?

Thanks much

 

[Grumpy247365]

Do you by chance remember your room number, or even floor?

Absolutely. 6th floor, room number 6026. I switched last second from POR and was very surprised I was able to get what I requested.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Absolutely. 6th floor, room number 6026. I switched last second from POR and was very surprised I was able to get what I requested.

We had that exact room (I just looked at my checkout statement from Christmas 2014 ) The view of the Otter Pond and Christmas Wishes was awesome! They hadn't started construction yet so we looked out just above the tree tops, we could see the Contemporary and watch the boats to the MK! I'd stay in that part of the Resort again, but am thinking we'll book a courtyard view for this upcoming December. This trip we will have 2 toddlers who nap with us.

 

[AngiTN]

Absolutely. 6th floor, room number 6026. I switched last second from POR and was very surprised I was able to get what I requested.

Thanks! I wasn't too far off. I put room 6052 on my TP fax form

 

[Grumpy247365]

Thanks! I wasn't too far off. I put room 6052 on my TP fax form

You might actually have a better view of the castle. When I checked in on Friday, there were maybe 4 trees that were in the way. When I checked out yesterday, they had removed 3 of them. I miss the woods, but the view was awesome.

 

[Grumpy247365]

We had that exact room (I just looked at my checkout statement from Christmas 2014 ) The view of the Otter Pond and Christmas Wishes was awesome! They hadn't started construction yet so we looked out just above the tree tops, we could see the Contemporary and watch the boats to the MK! I'd stay in that part of the Resort again, but am thinking we'll book a courtyard view for this upcoming December. This trip we will have 2 toddlers who nap with us.

I've had a courtyard view and I really, really loved it. I could see wishes from my room (unfortunately that wing is closed) and had a great view of everything. I really liked 6026. Close to the elevator and the view was awesome. I'll be back up in December as well, but I am going to be staying at UO this time. Have a nice vacation and enjoy the uncrowded WL.