Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[DisFam95]

If we have a 7:10 Chef Mickey breakfast and the blue boat starts running at 6:45...is that enough time if we're there when the first boat comes? Is there another transport option?

 

[goopysolelady]

Checked in today and I am so glad we chose to stay here. Water pageant was fun and we have a great inner courtyard pool view. We didn't even notice the noise during the pool party this afternoon. DD now refers to WL as home and I don't think I really want to leave either.

Are you in a 1 bedroom? Sounds like the same view DD and her family had a few years ago. Anxious to see your pics...when you return home is fine. I know how busy the days/nights are at DW.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Does anyone know when the Magical Express vouchers are normally sent out?

 

[Wood Nymph]

If we have a 7:10 Chef Mickey breakfast and the blue boat starts running at 6:45...is that enough time if we're there when the first boat comes? Is there another transport option?

There are two boats, one that travels from WL to CR to FW, and one that travels from WL to FW to CR. The boats start running at 6:30am. If you get on the boat that heads to CR next, then you will be there in five minutes. If you get on the boat that travels to FW first, then you will be at CR in less than 20 minutes. So you should be able to get to your breakfast on time.

Does anyone know when the Magical Express vouchers are normally sent out?

They are usually mail the luggage tags about three weeks before trip date. They don't send the voucher booklet anymore, just a confirmation letter. You will use your MagicBands as your ME ticket.

 

[jen7233]

Finally in June, and will be at the WL in three weeks!

 

[jen7233]

To get to MK by boat, do you get off at CR, then take the monorail? Is this better than taking the bus, as in faster?

 

[grimley1968]

To get to MK by boat, do you get off at CR, then take the monorail? Is this better than taking the bus, as in faster?

The bus is probably faster than the boat, but the boat from WL to MK is a separate route from the CR boat. The boat to MK goes straight there.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

To get to MK by boat, do you get off at CR, then take the monorail? Is this better than taking the bus, as in faster?

Generally the bus is the fastest way to MK, with only about 5 minutes of travel time once it arrives. There is a direct boat to MK as well and it takes longer than the bus, but is prettier and more fun. A third option is to take the shorter boat ride to CR and then walk (about 5-10 min from CR) or take the monorail (10-15min from CR because it stops at TTC, Poly, and the GF).

 

[Dariansue]

There is a freecycle group on Facebook that matches people with extra items left over at the end of a Disney trip. Search for WDW Disney Freecycle on Facebook to join the group.

GR

We usually bring unopened items to bell services on the last day

Great ideas! I'll look into both!

 

[Dariansue]

Does anyone know when the Magical Express vouchers are normally sent out?

We got ours last week for our August trip.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

Checked in yesterday at the Villas studio, the room was nice and quiet but it was a HC room and the shower was tiny. It just had enough room to stand straight in it, no joke! If you had to help someone you would not have enough room. We asked to be moved and we were offered a regular studio the next morning or 2 queens, courtyard view at the lodge where we could move right then, we took the lodge room. The room is fine and view is good too. Those of you that are worried about the construction noise....well it stared at 10 AM this morning. We sleep in so we noticed the noise. It is like a jackhammer and vibrates and it has been off and on since 10 am and it is now 12:20. We can usually sleep through stuff but not this, oh well...we are at Disney. If it continues tomorrow I might ask about it??? We figured it might be a one day thing so we are going to wait and see. I do see scaffolding out in front, courtyard, near entrance close to Roaring Forks, and in the back near the boat dock. That doesn't bother us like the noise did this morning. We ate at Trails End yesterday (table at 8:30 PM), walked up and waited about 20 minutes or so. The food was great and we were full!!! We are going to MK today. We have had some magic band issues, but I think I brought some "dark magic" with from HP at Universal with us to Disney...where is my wand????

 

[cincygirl]

So the scaffolding is in the inner courtyard right now? I check in on Saturday to a courtyard view room. I paid extra to have a beautiful view of the courtyard not to see scaffolding.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Is this the new construction or the construction related to the scaffolding?

 

[WDWKOOK]

During our recent stay at VWL I spotted the rooms I'd read about which it is rumoured may be being converted into DVC. They are in the south wing, ground floor, looking towards VWL. I think there are 7 of them. They can be identified because there's no patio furniture outside them and the curtains are always closed. On weekdays we saw workmen going in and out, and sometimes the grassed area in front was closed off and work vehicles parked there. But evenings and weekends it was always left clear. During at least some of our visit there were guests in the adjoining rooms, to the right and above, and I suspect they may have heard construction noise.

One night they left the lights on and I ventured up to take these photos. The curtains were still closed so the pictures aren't very good I'm afraid, but if you kind of squint you can make some things out!

This first one is the best. You can see a room entrance door at the back on the right. If you look along to the left you can just see the doorframe of the entrance door to the next room - most of the wall between 2 rooms has been removed. If I remember rightly, it looked as if 3 rooms had been knocked into one. The black line is the middle of the patio doors.
View attachment 99839

Next photo is the same room but looking in towards the right. You can't see it clearly but the wall to the right has been knocked through into the next room.
View attachment 99840

I can't remember if this was the same room or a different one - sorry but I was convinced Security was about to appear and tell me off so I didn't hang around long! But I think it was a different room.
View attachment 99841

In this photo you can see 2 entrance doors, that it has been at least 2 separate rooms but the wall removed inbetween.
View attachment 99842
Couldn't resist this final one although it isn't very clear - it's the plans for whatever work is being undertaken. I couldn't make anything out unfortunately. Only afterwards did DH say we should have tried the door - perhaps they'd left it open as well as the lights on!
View attachment 99843

Even before I could see into the rooms that night, I'd been looking and wondering about the construction. VWL DVC studios are larger than a standard WL room, so if they were converted 1:1 then the new studios would be smaller. So I wondered if they're looking to convert 3 standard rooms into 2 studios. But I don't know how that would work outside because of the stonework. Patio doors could be removed and re-sited but where those rooms are, outside there are stonework features which are part of WL and I don't think they could be altered.

Anyway, I thought people might be interested to see these photos. I just wish they were clearer.

Sorry I'm so late in replying to your fantastic post. Thank you very much for posting your photos, @tigger137. You've risked so much for the thread and we are grateful for your sacrifice

Those are the rooms that were being gutted in January. The assumption has been that they are converting part of the South Wing to DVC villas, like they are doing at Poly, however, there was also a rumor about adding another Club Level lounge. The renovation of these rooms don't appear in any of the permit filings for the DVC cabins, etc… But, I'm going to add your photos to the WL DVC Expansion thread with the assumption that these are future DVC.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

If we have a 7:10 Chef Mickey breakfast and the blue boat starts running at 6:45...is that enough time if we're there when the first boat comes? Is there another transport option?

Take a bus to the MK and then walk (about 5 minutes) to the Contemporary. We've had bad luck with the boat transport between the CR and WL, so we usually just walk to the MK from the CR and take the bus home instead.

 

[WDWKOOK]

When will the scaffolding be gone?

It is projected to be up around WL through the end of the year. They are doing repairs and painting.

Checked in today and I am so glad we chose to stay here. Water pageant was fun and we have a great inner courtyard pool view. We didn't even notice the noise during the pool party this afternoon. DD now refers to WL as home and I don't think I really want to leave either.

How sweet! I hope the rest of your vacation is magical.

If we have a 7:10 Chef Mickey breakfast and the blue boat starts running at 6:45...is that enough time if we're there when the first boat comes? Is there another transport option?

Just adding that there is an early ADR bus that will take you right to CR. They start running around 0630 and more details are in the TRANSPORTATION chapter of the thread.

Does anyone know when the Magical Express vouchers are normally sent out?

We actually got ours (first time ever using ME) within 10 days of booking (April), which was about 4 months prior to arrival (August). It was also my first time ever using a TA instead of booking directly with the WDTC, so IDK if this makes a difference.

Finally in June, and will be at the WL in three weeks!

Checked in yesterday at the Villas studio, the room was nice and quiet but it was a HC room and the shower was tiny. It just had enough room to stand straight in it, no joke! If you had to help someone you would not have enough room. We asked to be moved and we were offered a regular studio the next morning or 2 queens, courtyard view at the lodge where we could move right then, we took the lodge room. The room is fine and view is good too.

Those of you that are worried about the construction noise....well it stared at 10 AM this morning. We sleep in so we noticed the noise. It is like a jackhammer and vibrates and it has been off and on since 10 am and it is now 12:20. We can usually sleep through stuff but not this, oh well...we are at Disney. If it continues tomorrow I might ask about it??? We figured it might be a one day thing so we are going to wait and see. I do see scaffolding out in front, courtyard, near entrance close to Roaring Forks, and in the back near the boat dock. That doesn't bother us like the noise did this morning.

We ate at Trails End yesterday (table at 8:30 PM), walked up and waited about 20 minutes or so. The food was great and we were full!!! We are going to MK today. We have had some magic band issues, but I think I brought some "dark magic" with from HP at Universal with us to Disney...where is my wand????

Jackhammering??? Oh, gee, what in the world are they doing now? Where in the CY is this taking place? I'm glad they offered you two different room alternatives, but I would ask/tell them about the jackhammering. You must have booked on a cash reservation Vs. DVC points?

 

[Octoberbaby]

Checked in yesterday at the Villas studio, the room was nice and quiet but it was a HC room and the shower was tiny. It just had enough room to stand straight in it, no joke! If you had to help someone you would not have enough room. We asked to be moved and we were offered a regular studio the next morning or 2 queens, courtyard view at the lodge where we could move right then, we took the lodge room. The room is fine and view is good too. Those of you that are worried about the construction noise....well it stared at 10 AM this morning. We sleep in so we noticed the noise. It is like a jackhammer and vibrates and it has been off and on since 10 am and it is now 12:20. We can usually sleep through stuff but not this, oh well...we are at Disney. If it continues tomorrow I might ask about it??? We figured it might be a one day thing so we are going to wait and see. I do see scaffolding out in front, courtyard, near entrance close to Roaring Forks, and in the back near the boat dock. That doesn't bother us like the noise did this morning. We ate at Trails End yesterday (table at 8:30 PM), walked up and waited about 20 minutes or so. The food was great and we were full!!! We are going to MK today. We have had some magic band issues, but I think I brought some "dark magic" with from HP at Universal with us to Disney...where is my wand????

Ugghhh....I can handle a little bit of scaffolding, but NOT jackhammering! My husband REALLY insists on sticking with WL, but I am kinda turned off by all this construction business going on! If I had my way we would be at the Poly or back at AKL for our trip in August!

If anyone can post pictures of the scaffolding that would be great!

 

[ohiotinkfan]

I don't have pics but if I can figure that out I will post some. We are in room 4139 and it is almost directly across from the side entrance to AP ad RF. Scaffolding is up around that entrance/area and out by the boat dock. It really isn't bad but you can see it. Now if I were on the end where the boat dock is that is another story and I wouldn't want to be in that area. We just returned so I don't hear any noise now. Let's see about tomorrow. No problems with the magic bands today!!

 

[Octoberbaby]

I don't have pics but if I can figure that out I will post some. We are in room 4139 and it is almost directly across from the side entrance to AP ad RF. Scaffolding is up around that entrance/area and out by the boat dock. It really isn't bad but you can see it. Now if I were on the end where the boat dock is that is another story and I wouldn't want to be in that area. We just returned so I don't hear any noise now. Let's see about tomorrow. No problems with the magic bands today!!

Thank you and so glad that the magic bands! Hopefully tomorrow will be a wonderful day! Have a great trip!

 

[mom2alix]

We've been at the lodge since Sunday. This has been the worst experience ever with transportation. No busses to or from the parks. Super long waits and busses are full when they get here to pick up. We spent last week at POFQ and had great bus service. The lodge is beautiful and room is great, but we can't seem to get to the parks or back in a reasonable amount of time. I feel bad for the CM at the bus stop as he doesn't seem to be able to do anything and people are very frustrated.