Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[anniebean]

Woohoo!! We're going back!! Just changed our reservations from GF to WL, and still using pin code too!!

Hubby and I will be there December 9-13 for our 1 year anniversary

It's where we stayed on our first trip together, and our second trip when we got engaged

Excited is an understatement....

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am very excited - I just booked our first WL stay and its club level I am enjoying all the info and pix on this thread. Looking forward to seeing and learning more until our vacation.

Congratulations and welcome to the thread! Let us know if you have any OFC questions.

Me too! Dec 1-7

I'll add your dates to the Log.

So.... my husband just asked if an upgrade to club level is worth it and I honestly don't know! What do you guys think? It's a holiday of a lifetime for us (honeymoon was there in 2000)

I also think you should upgrade if you can. It will add a very special element to your holiday of a lifetime. It will make it more magical. Have you shown DH this yet?

I am a happy camper this morning. I discovered if I add a day to my existing reservation, I can move the second half of our WL split stay back to the same view as the first half, at least giving me a much better chance of not having to change rooms. A bonus is that the courtyard view is less expensive than the bunk/woods view room we have. I wanted courtyard to start with- so the extra day is costing very little!

And when can it ever be wrong to stay just one more day!

Perfect AND you've added a day

Hi
We are booked Dec 15-21 in a deluxe room cl. We would like to see the water pageant from the balcony. Any suggestions on room requests?
TY

All Deluxe rooms directly face Bay Lake, however, the rooms at the end of the North Wing do have obstructed views:

I would request to not be in a North Wing room at the end of the wing or instead, I would request a South Wing room.

Just found this thread and excited to go back and read all the posts. We will be at WL from 12/19-12/25~our first trip to this resort.

Welcome to our little thread and I'll log your dates. I have a feeling this won't be your last stay at WL

 

[cakebaker]

Perfect AND you've added a day

We're thrilled to get an extra day for very little extra money! We also hit the 30 day mark today- until we leave that is...takes us 2 days to get there! No more straight thru driving now that there's a toddler in our Disney crazed bunch!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Got an email today saying we can skip the line when we arrive if we preregistered online. We have done that so hopefully we get email/text before we arrive.

They will text you at the number you added to your Online Check-In/MDX about 30 minutes prior to the arrival estimate you indicated.

Under three weeks to go. I think I need a vacation before my vacation though! (Baby has recently decided sleep is for the weak)

You might need one afterwards, too. Have you thought of booking a massage at Sturdy Branches?

I'm sooooooo EXCITED! After checking everyday I finally managed to get WL for $233 a night Passholder rate for our anniversary trip in August! Happy 25th Anniversary to us!!!!! Thanks Disney!

YIPPEE! Your persistence paid off

 

[WDWKOOK]

Is there an estimated date this will begin? We're coming in November and I already have my reservations about staying here as is (never stayed here before, so fear of the unknown...lol) - but if they're going to start ripping things apart again, I'm not going to be happy. =(

This is only a rumor/speculation. Nothing has been announced nor confirmed by Disney or WL CMs. If this does occur, it seems it will be in the South Wing, which is where a couple of standard rooms were bring gutted about 6 mos. ago on the ground floor. In April, the sliding glass doors were completely covered. The assumption is that it is a preview/model DVC room, but we have no official word from Disney on any standard room to DVC conversion, like is happening at Poly

First trip to Disney World. We are staying at YC 8/12-8/16 followed by WL 8/16-8/20. So excited!!!

Congratulations on booking your first onsite stay and trip to WDW. We've done that same split - fun! I'll add your WL dates to the Lodgers' Log.

We just came back from a stay at the WL villas and really impressed with the renovations. The rooms are beautiful, a huge upgrade from what it was before.

Thanks for posting your opinion of the "new" villas

Thanks for all the info in this thread. My daughter and I will be staying at the WL for the first time May 11-14th. We are both looking forward to a nice dinner at Artist Point and a couple of days at the parks.

Sounds wonderful and I'll add your dates to the Log. I hope you and DD have a magical time together.

Is anyone familiar with the Wilderness Lodge itinerary of Christmas Eve activities from previous years or know where I can view last years itinerary?

Here is the 2013 calendar:

Whispering Canyon, is it under refurbishment right now as suggested? We have reservations there in June for a breakfast and a dinner during the timeframe, along with staying at the lodge, and I'm hoping not to get an email of cancellation on those dining plans! Anyone there right now see any refurbishment in the cafe at the moment and is it affecting dining?

Bumping your question...

1 hour to we leave for the Airport. No sleep for me last night as I was too excited!

It's a good tired -- enjoy!

Thanks for the beautiful photos, WDWKOOK. I'm hopping on my flight tomorrow at noon, can't wait! I still have to pull out my sundresses and pack, haha. Looking forward to some fun in the sun. We JUST started getting our beautiful weather here in MA about a week and a half ago. With all the last minute cancellations, I was able to score an ADR for lunch on Wednesday at BOG which should work well with our FP's.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, as well as moms to be, no matter your blood ties or gender. We've all been mothered by someone, and many of us have been a mothering influence to another.

Are you there yet? Hope you're already having a magical time.

Happy Mother's Day!! I have so many pages to read in order to catch up, but I am looking forward to it! This time last year, I had a countdown to our first villa stay. This year, countdown to DD's wedding! (proposal was at WDW, but wedding is not)
Wish I could be walking down this hallway to our spacious and comfy 2 BR villa!

We arrived at noon today. I got a text at 10:20 saying our room was not ready yet. They said room was being cleaned when we arrived. Got text while eating lunch at Roaring Fork. We are in a studio in the villas with a very slight view of the villas pool. No bus issues going to MK or back from Epcot. Tomorrow we get to take the boat to the Contemporary for Chef Mickey breakfast.

Have fun "celebrating Mickey" tomorrow and take lots of fun photos. Enjoy your stay!

Woohoo!! We're going back!! Just changed our reservations from GF to WL, and still using pin code too!!

Hubby and I will be there December 9-13 for our 1 year anniversary

It's where we stayed on our first trip together, and our second trip when we got engaged

Excited is an understatement....

WL holds a very special place in your hearts. I'll add your dates to the Log - happy planning!

 

[Katers]

Hi! I'll be checking into the VWL on May 24 with my family. Does anyone of a copy of the May Activities schedule? The link on the first page is for April.

Thanks,
Katey

 

[stardam]

We arrived at noon today. I got a text at 10:20 saying our room was not ready yet. They said room was being cleaned when we arrived. Got text while eating lunch at Roaring Fork. We are in a studio in the villas with a very slight view of the villas pool. No bus issues going to MK or back from Epcot. Tomorrow we get to take the boat to the Contemporary for Chef Mickey breakfast.

We check in to a studio villa on Saturday. Would love to hear any feedback you have! Have a great trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi! I'll be checking into the VWL on May 24 with my family. Does anyone of a copy of the May Activities schedule? The link on the first page is for April.

Thanks,
Katey

This site has the May calendar posted: http://characterlocator.com/images/map.php?map=Wilderness Lodge Resort Recreation Activity Guide-1.jpg

 

[maryandtyson]

Annual Passes are burning a hole in our pockets! We are doing Beach Club Sep/oct. I am wondering about Christmas time. Our DDs have school until just before Christmas, obviously. They are off until around January 22.

So, the question is, can a Christmas trip to WL still be fun? Or, should we take advantage of low crowds in January (avoiding marathon and MLK day)? Our DDs would be almost 14 and 11.5 at the time. They also love Christmas at home. Just trying to get some input from those who have done a Christmas trip.

Thanks!
Mary

 

[Akess]

Thanks for posting last year's Christmas Eve and Christmas Day schedule of events. We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge December 15-27 and are planning to stay at the resort Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The schedule is extremely helpful in helping me determine what we may want to take part in so I know when to schedule dinner ADRs and possible a holiday sleigh ride at Fort Wilderness. I realized this is not set in stone and subject to change, but is a good guideline, nonetheless. Thanks again!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Morning all! Very excited! Was just able to switch our FD reservation over to the WL. We check in the 11/15-11/22. Trying desperately to add the night of the 14th to our reservation but unfortunately it's not available so I'm just going to keep checking. Booked a courtyard view room. Does anyone know of any scheduled rehabs or anything during that time?

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi all! Currently having lunch at the LTT. The WL is great. We have a ground floor woods view room, 1004 way at the end of the north wing. The maintenance guys do walk by on the path outside our little patio area coming and going to work, but no biggie. It's not like we're walking around the room naked.
The room is clean and everything works. It's a short walk to Roaring Forks, the Lounge, and WCC, which I believe is open through Thursday since I have an ADR for a late lunch before I leave.
The crowds are not too bad today at MK. I'd guess a 4-5 right now.

 

[bsutridelt]

First trip to WL booked! Staying 12/19-23...preChristmas surprise for the kids!

 

[cincygirl]

24 days until we start our Disney vacation! Our MagicBands arrived yesterday. I'm looking forward to staying at Wilderness Lodge. When does the June activity calendar usually come out? We leave on 6/4 to start our drive down. I am hoping it is posted before then so I can plan accordingly. Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Here is the Notice of Commencement for "Wilderness Rehab Project." NoCs usually indicate work that is imminent.

Highlights of the NoC:

~The NoC does not expire until 31 AUGUST 2018.

~The attachments speak for themselves: Multiple layers of contractors, including civil engineers and a site development contractor imply that this is a very involved project and not necessarily only a "rehab" or re-purposing of existing infrastructure. This could include new buildings.

~The address is listed as "109," but WL is actually "901." The word "Lodge" is omitted from the NoC and only "Wilderness" is used. Also, there isn't a survey attached to the NoC as there usually is for work done at WL. Another permit I found filed 3/25, lists an address of "996" which seems to be located just past the guard shack and to the right, before the concrete trail to FW. This could just be a staging area since that address was listed on the NoC for the "Wilderness rehab" trailers, etc...

~The description of work is misleading. I don't think it represents the actual scope of the project as it wouldn't require the attachments nor would it take 3+ years for "light fixture and flooring rehab."

Would love everyone's theories on this and if you think this fits with the speculation about more DVC, similar to Poly.

 

[xlsm]

If they're going to add DVC bungalow things like at the Poly, my wish is that they'd do it lakeside in front of the path to the Fort...maybe it would be less disruption to general day to day workings of the resort proper??

I just hate the thought of the Lodge grounds all torn up like the Polynesian, but that's purely selfish because I love the place so much.
Disney progress is always a pain in the rear at the time it's happening, but will surely be gorgeous when complete. We're going to love every second of our trip to the Lodge in July, just in case it's the last visit for awhile due to construction.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The description of work is misleading. I don't think it represents the actual scope of the project as it wouldn't require the attachments nor would it take 3+ years for "light fixture and flooring rehab."

Would love everyone's theories on this and if you think this fits with the speculation about more DVC, similar to Poly.

We know that they have been doing light fixture rehabbing. I saw them replacing the torn rawhide chandelier teepees covers with painted canvas. I would think that if there was something as major as building new DVC units, then there would be different permits. I tend to think that this permit is exactly for what it says.

 

[hill6]

The Villas pool is nice and quiet.

Had 37 minute wait for bus to AK this am. There was also long wait for DHS studio bus and then three showed up.

Bus back and then to DTD were fine along with bus back from DHS.

Had lunch at Whispering Canyon. No antics for us but we seen a lot of ketchup runs and a napkin and straw throw/pick up.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We know that they have been doing light fixture rehabbing. I saw them replacing the torn rawhide chandelier teepees covers with painted canvas. I would think that if there was something as major as building new DVC units, then there would be different permits. I tend to think that this permit is exactly for what it says.

The light fixtures had a different permit issued months ago. I'll have to go back and look for it. This NoC has two attachments for an Integrated Project Delivery. An IPD is only used with big projects. The Avatarland project, for example, at AK used an IPD. The WL pool rehab did not.

The number address is not for WL proper and there isn't a survey included with the NoC. This adds more mystery to this project. Also, there is a NoC for trailers, etc… for a "Wilderness rehab" which was issued 3/25, just prior to this NoC. That's usually the first step/NoC in a big project. Both NoCs are careful to use a different address from WL and both do not contain the word "Lodge." I don't know if any of this is relevant, but the VP/GM of WDI has been careful not to let on to exactly what is about to happen. Their permits can be cryptic/misleading when they don't want to reveal anything too soon. I believe the VP/GM of WDI only signs off on big projects.

There must be some discussion of this on some other forums so later I'll take a look and see what I can find.

 

[WDWKOOK]

The Villas pool is nice and quiet.

Had 37 minute wait for bus to AK this am. There was also long wait for DHS studio bus and then three showed up.

Bus back and then to DTD were fine along with bus back from DHS.

Had lunch at Whispering Canyon. No antics for us but we seen a lot of ketchup runs and a napkin and straw throw/pick up.

That was a really long wait. Hope you have a great day!