Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[elaw]

I'm not sure what they are doing. Does anyone know? I'm guessing maint. on the building itself??

It looks like they are mostly just re painting the exterior right now.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Staying at WL for the first time the week of May 26 to June 2. Anyone else going to be there that week? I see the scaffolding, not nice. We are staying in a Villa and want the MK/Wishes view, which side is it?

You will be able to see the high fireworks from the beach and a few other spots around the resort, but the villas buildings doesn't face that direction.

What type of work is being done? How long will the scaffolding be up?

They are doing some exterior maintenance on the building. The rooms behind the scaffolding are closed, so you won't have to worry about that. It isn't really very obtrusive. I think it is a pretty long project. The scaffolding has been up since late August of last year, I think. We saw it in September on the villas side of the south wing. It has moved around the resort and it appears as if the north wing is the next section that is being worked on.

 

[Wiggy28]

Can do online checkin on Monday. We already have a wood view room, what options will there be?

 

[wifey]

Loving all the updated info and reading everyone's posts, not long to go until we hit double digits yay!

 

[mystery222184]

I'm not sure what they are doing. Does anyone know? I'm guessing maint. on the building itself??

Looks to be a detail of the entire building. I spoke to Sam and Rob (Old Faithful CMs) about it quickly the other day and they were excited. The entire outside of the building is being repainted to look like new. Same goes for all the windows- they are fixing up the borders and cleaning them up. I saw someone cleaning the chandelier the other day as well.

It's not the prettiest thing to look at, and did effect my view from the HM Suite balcony, but it's a good thing they are putting work in to make the resort look as great as always. When looking at the unpainted and painted columns, there is a huge difference.

 

[mystery222184]

As great as this stay has been, we have reached our last day. Luckily, my fiancé and I have a late checkout with our flight being tonight. Always very upsetting to leave (and go back to work) but I guess I will start planning our Christmas 2016 trip (575 days away - yikes too far).

Currently targeting a few days at the Lodge (no better place during Christmas season) split with the GF RPC (our favorite) or SL depending on discounts. I'll be back myself for a few days in August with family staying at the GF SL - unfort I don't think the bounceback will be out for 2016 yet. Oh well!

I guess there's plenty of time to waiver on the resorts.

 

[LaLaLaLeigh]

Unfortunately, I called Monday to try to get the room discount, and was told there was pretty much zero availability for anything except bunk bed rooms. We went ahead and switched over to a king room at CBR (where all the rest of the family is staying) but I've been checking online every day to see if anything has opened back up. Nothing so far, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We're planning on upgrading to AP (we just live in GA, and DH works for an airline, so travel is a non-issue) so, worst case scenario, maybe we can book a bounceback for either Nov/Dec to see all the Christmas decor, or late January to celebrate DH's birthday.

 

[csmolu]

Yep splash pad is fine and has been all week!

I'm still desperate to get rid of my 15-18 16.9oz bottles of disani and a few other brand new unopened groceries before we leave! No takers at all? I wish we had been better about bringing the water into the parks but we were hauling so much baby stuff!

We are checking in tomorrow or I would take you up on it for sure! So happy the splash pad is up and running, phew! Leaving in a few hours for the airport spending the first night at AOA then 6 nights at WL, can't wait

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've gotten way behind here so I'll go page by page. It's great that so many of you are chatting about the wonderful WL and VWL. Wonder what happened with the MickeyPath vacation countdown banners…their server must be down?

I posted this as a general question but since you guys are the experts on the lodge, you can help me decide too! I am going with my husband and 2 year old Sept 27-Oct 1st (then we are doing a switch to the Four Seasons to swim and relax.) We only do the parks in the morning with the toddler. Our res is at Wilderness Lodge and there is nothing available for the room only discount except a $500 club level deluxe room. Regular price is about $354 a night. We will be spending 2 days at the MK. My husband has an AP- should we hold out for an AP discount? GF is $371 under the discount, but we were going to stay there under a separate discount next May for a week. I wanted to stay close to MK since we will be going there the most. I cannot do free dining because of the park ticket situation. What would should I do??

The Four Seasons sounds perfect for R&R. Are you saying that you'd rather not be in a CL room or you want a Standard CL room instead of the Deluxe? You can always keep your current reservation and try to apply an AP if it comes out.

FD usually isn't a better deal than a percentage off for the Deluxes, unless you have a family of 5 perhaps. Also, with the AP, you're eligible to purchase Tables in Wonderland which is a fantastic program where you get 20% off all TS meals and alcoholic drinks. Some AK QSs also qualify as well as food ordered from resort bars such as Territory Lounge.

Thank you FD! My family (DH, DD11, DS7) and I are booked for WL 11/8-11/11!!

Congratulations! I'll log your dates.

Those critters could be Palmetto bugs which look like cockroaches but way way bigger, they pose no real threat to you and they do get everywhere at this time of year in Orlando. We often notice that they love water areas and are particularly prominent after a storm or rainy spell.

"Way bigger" indeed. Unfortunately, Palmetto Bugs are cockroaches; they're actually an American Cockroach and the adults can emit some sort of foul spray when threatened, but luckily, they don't have an endless supply.

Sooooooooooooo excited to be staying here Nov 25-Dec 2! This will be our first stay at our home resort! We cant wait to check it all out! Thanks for this awesome thread!!!

That's great that you'll be at VWL when it's all decorated and I'll log your dates. The "CHRISTMASTIME" chapter has lots of photos you might enjoy.

 

[cakebaker]

Just a thought, but couldn't they hold the water and other stuff for you? People ship things to their resorts all the time. I would think as long as you tell them who the items are for and when they'll pick them up it wouldn't be a problem. Such a shame to let it all go to waste!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Sad to say that when I called yesterday 4/28 to upgrade our room to include free dining there wasn't any thing available at WL. So I had to switch resorts and book at OKW to get the FD offer.
So this morning Just for the heck of it I scanned the Disney website and there was WL woods view available , needless to say I'm back. So if anybody did not get the FD added to there original reservations. Keep checking every morning. I did mine on line this morning at 5:30am

Great advice to never give up!

Ok so I know I have 6 more months to go, but every now and then I get this burst of excitement!!!! Anxious happiness I guess you can call it! Anyone else?! Lol I love reading about others booking their trips, makes it so much more fun when reading the board!! To everyone leaving in the coming weeks, have a great trip!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!

Kook- on page 1 can you please note it's our 11 year anniversary trip!!!! Thanks!!

I'd be happy to add your anniversary.

Hey, it will be our 11th wedding anniversary on this trip too! Halloween!

I'll add yours, too

9/12-9/24 - Getting Married on 9/15 on the Sunrise Terrace!!

How magical - congratulations and I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log.

The latest batch of discounts became available today, but they could not apply it to my room type (Courtyard); only to a room called the Yosemite Suite within WL. Grrrrr. I'll keep checking, but hopes for any kind of discount are fading fast.

That's the Vice-Presidential Suite in the North Wing and you wouldn't be disappointed with it. They used to never even have discounted suites so it's ironic that's the only room you could get a discount on. Don't give up though. If someone cancels, their room might revert back into the discounted inventory or if you can tweak your dates by a day or two, that might make a difference.

We went with the deluxe CL res. We are traveling with our 2 year old and would like it to be convenient to get to the lounge and the lobby. Which room or area would you recommend? I'm excited this is our first experience with club level thanks.

None of the Deluxe rooms are on the 7th floor. The mid-Lodge, South Wing Deluxe rooms are closest to the CL lounge.

Are the King beds only in the Accessible rooms? I don't want to request one since we don't need the HA aspect, but I'd love a king bed and room to put the crib/toddler bed.

There are a few non-HA kings. You could request a king room and add "NOT Handicap Accessible." Or you can just request a king room and inquire at check-in as to whether your request was granted and if it's an HA room. The Room assignors will only assign an HA room if they don't have any requests for them, but they aren't ideal for those without a physical need. The only way to book a king is to book one of the suites on the 7th floor or book VWL.

 

[Farps]

Thanks kook

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi all! Anyone at WL or VWL that could use some groceries? We over purchased and out DD developed a dairy allergy so we have a full unopened package of string cheese we won't use and likely some chips and maybe waters (all unopened)! We check out sat and would love to pass on the groceries!

It might be too late now, but maybe someone will see this and take you up on your kind offer.

Great Thread!! We finally, after a few changes, have decided on WL CL for the length of our stay. Our second alone trip, just the DW and I. We decided since we are doing the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and back to back MNSSHP parties, one for parades and shows and the next for rides and some Trick or Treating lol, it made since to stay close to the MK. This will be our first stay at WL and everything we've read about it sounds great. The boat ride looks very convenient. We are very excited and can't wait to arrive at WL for another wonderful Disney vacation!

Welcome, Texas Mickey! You've picked a wonderful CL and I bet this won't be your last stay at WL

We are considering a one night stay at WL, this July. The Discounted room I can get has Bunk Beds. Are the Bunk beds sized for kids, or a six footer sleep in one?

Adults can fit, but they're twin-sized beds.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just landed at MCO, checking into a deluxe room soon!

It's great waking up at WDW!

We changed to AKL from 11/11-11/18 since we could not get the free dining. After many falls at the WL, we will let the girls And my parents try something new. My husband and I stayed at AKL in 2008. We will miss the lodge and a chance to try out the new splash pad and pool that was under construction last year.

The Lodge will be here for a future visit. Enjoy those Zebra Domes...

Just changed our ressie from CR to WL for our 12/8 - 12/18/15 trip. DH is tickled silly, as he loved the WL when we stayed last time. Rustic isn't my thing, but just going to be happy to be at Disney.

Welcome! I'll add your dates and I think WL will grow on you - it's beautiful.

Current Scaffolding Location:
Lower Courtyard - North Wing

Thank you for the update

Officially in single digits. Five days from now we will be heading to Florida and nine days from now we arrive at Disney and our first stay at Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

It's almost time to check in to VWL!

We will be there at the same time! Can.Not.Wait!!!

Yep splash pad is fine and has been all week!

I'm still desperate to get rid of my 15-18 16.9oz bottles of disani and a few other brand new unopened groceries before we leave! No takers at all? I wish we had been better about bringing the water into the parks but we were hauling so much baby stuff!

Bumping in case you're still there now. I've read that Bell Services will take certain items as a donation to staff, but I've never actually done this.

What type of work is being done? How long will the scaffolding be up?

The scaffolding will probably be up through next year for painting and a refresh.

 

[mrsap]

Thanks Kook!! You're the best

 

[Daisytiff]

Can anyone post a pic of what the scaffolding looks like now? Will it still be there in October?

Is WL worth the extra money over port orleans, especially with the scaffolding?

 

[gschon]

I have left my unopened water and beer bottles with bell services several times

 

[eeyore45]

still trying to get used to this new format thing!

Current Scaffolding Location:
Lower Courtyard - North Wing

Daisy - you may have missed Elaw's post from yesterday!

Can do online checkin on Monday. We already have a wood view room, what options will there be?

I did online checkin - I ONLY had choices of floor levels... ground floor, 2nd floor, etc...

 

[eeyore45]

Can anyone post a pic of what the scaffolding looks like now? Will it still be there in October?

Is WL worth the extra money over port orleans, especially with the scaffolding?

Spending money - its so very subjective... what is "worth it" to one, totally may not for another. I love the surrounding of WL, that I can take a boat from MK to WL, or WL boat over to the Contemporary... just love the Lobby, the people, the service...

I have stayed at Port Orleans, and I loved it to (and this was before the "Royal Rooms") I thought it was quite the walk from our mansion to the food court, and back again (I was the breakfast food runner, dh would try and get dd up and moving while I got our food! It works for us) I also think I enjoyed the theming of the mansions spread out, but, the set up, its outside, and sometimes (for us, it may vary) The busses would come so slowly - at some times of the year you'd think they would run more busses from park closings,,, but, it truly just depends, every resort has challenges, and every resort has bus issues, its a timing thing!

 

[Daisytiff]

Thanks everyone.

The scaffolding looks terrible. I think for me it would be worth the price over POR if there was no scaffolding. But to be paying that much for it to look like that, I would probably be happier at POR.