Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[daunty]

8:00am.

Good grief!!!

 

[grimley1968]

Do they give you at ticket with a time stamp? I've heard the resort it beautiful during the Christmas season and was hoping to explore, but since it's only for 3 hours I don't want to go over. Will they tow the car or just charge me when I leave?

How much is Valet?

I don't know what procedures they have for marking cars that have been there for any duration. I will say that 3 hours is more than enough time to eat and explore the resort. It is beautiful, to be sure, but shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes to walk around the lobby, gift, shop, etc. In fact, if there's a wait for the ADR in Whispering Canyon, you can see much of the lobby from right there. The main thing they're trying to prevent is people taking advantage of free resort parking to go into a park.

I've never done valet parking so I don't know how much it is exactly now, but from past posts it seems like it's not that much more expensive than parking at one of the parks.

 

[sock2you]

I don't know what procedures they have for marking cars that have been there for any duration. I will say that 3 hours is more than enough time to eat and explore the resort. It is beautiful, to be sure, but shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes to walk around the lobby, gift, shop, etc. In fact, if there's a wait for the ADR in Whispering Canyon, you can see much of the lobby from right there. The main thing they're trying to prevent is people taking advantage of free resort parking to go into a park.

I've never done valet parking so I don't know how much it is exactly now, but from past posts it seems like it's not that much more expensive than parking at one of the parks.

Thank you for the information.

We'll most likely just Valet the car so we won't have to deal with moving it to the TTC after lunch, and it will give us time to look around the resort, then take the boat over to MK.

 

[bushdianee]

Sitting here in the lobby waiting for the bus to the airport. It has been a wonderful week. I have complaints at all (except that we're leaving). We were in room 4201 and didn't hear anything. I think that Kirk in concierge pulled off some pixie dust as my niece got to march in the Star Wars motorcade on Saturday. She was very excited.

 

[daunty]

Sitting here in the lobby waiting for the bus to the airport. It has been a wonderful week. I have complaints at all (except that we're leaving). We were in room 4201 and didn't hear anything. I think that Kirk in concierge pulled off some pixie dust as my niece got to march in the Star Wars motorcade on Saturday. She was very excited.

It's great to hear that it hasn't affected your holiday!!!
Sounds like you had an amazing time.

 

[BabyFu18]

We were thinking about a courtyard view room in September at the WL, so I called to speak to a CM about possible construction noise or views and was told there was no construction scheduled for between now and our dates in September. When I inquired further I was told to call the resort directly to ask about possible construction, but then the CM kept reiterating there would be no construction at the WL anytime near our dates.

I haven't called the resort directly yet, to see what they say but obviously their is work being done since people have seen/heard it.

However, if we do book a courtyard view, last time we stayed we had a view of the pool and the lake so we could see the EWP, if we ask for a similar view this September, will that be in the direction of the construction?

 

[MrsSkellington]

I have to keep reminding myself that a lot can change in 4 months. I'm going to hang in there and see how it is closer to October. We're normally early risers, thanks to our son (6:30-7am), but if it's going to wake him up at night, I'm not going to be happy. Hopefully there will be an unaffected area by then. I keep looking at the other resorts but can't bring myself to change.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hello all! My first post to Disboards

This thread is so informative and has really sealed how I'm feeling about WL. So I'll just leap in with a question:

My family and I are booked to come to WDW for our first visit ever as a family (DH has visited 3 times in childhood, but has never stayed onsite). We're going to be there 26th March - 9th April. We booked into ASMu as we didn't think we'd spend much time at the resort and thought it'd be a good, fun place to stay with our kids (11 and 3). Now the big HOWEVER!

I have fallen so, so in love with WL and loads of new possibilities and experiences have opened up with the thought of us staying there. More resort time, more relaxing, awesome dining options, more convenient travel, beautiful surroundings. The resort speaks to my SOUL (if that doesn't sound to dramatic) and I can't believe it passed me by when I made my initial research before booking.

I'd love to switch our reservation. I'm very nervous about the scheduled construction though. We're a UK family, so won't be coming back to WDW for a few years after this trip - we'd need to save, save, save.

Any advice? If we took a watch and wait approach, when is the latest we could make the switch?

to the DIS and the WL/VWL thread! We're honored to have your first post here.

I say make the change and you can also tweak your reservation later if necessary. I've even changed after check-in several times, so it's really never too late...

We are departing WL on July 5th. Our plane doesn't depart until 7 pm. We plan to spend the day at the pool. Does anyone know if/how they accommodate late checkout, and how late that might be? If not, how are the facilities? Are there family changing areas and showers (for example, we need to shower a small child)?

The locker room and showers are located in Sturdy Branches gym which is in VWL. There is an entrance near the VWL pool. Photos are located HERE.

We recently booked one of the Deluxe rooms with CL access. Does anyone know if we can use the IPO folks for requests and/or reservations?

Thanks.

The IPO no longer contacts you shortly after booking, but feel free to email or call them if they haven't. You have all the same CL amenities when booking a Deluxe room, the only difference is that your room won't be located on the CL's 7th floor. You also may have to "remind" housekeeping, via a CL concierge, to do turn-down service. Sometimes it's inconsistent on the Deluxe floors.

Not sure if this has been asked yet or not, so I apologize in advance if I am repeating a question, but...does anyone know if you can have beverages in non-glass containers in the pool area? I know in the pool you cannot, but I am not exactly sure what the pool wet deck is (I'm assuming it is the shallow ledge area in the pool). Just wondering if we could bring drinks to the lounge chairs from the pool bar for DH and I, and bottled water for our DD.

You're correct, it's the ledge that runs along the side of the pool. Basically, it means you can't sit on the edge of the pool with a drink in your hand.

Last night we decided to take advantage of the last MK closing and the earlier rain storm...it was practically empty. We arrived back at the lodge around 2am. The plan was to sleep in, but every one in my family is currently laying awake in bed hating life because of all the construction noise around us. (6th floor, courtyard view, above roaring fork) it's above us, and it's below us. Suggestions? We've been here since Saturday, and don't check out until next Tuesday.

This is the first I'm hearing about this NEW construction location. I know they were working on the laundry room and an HA access ramp/entrance by Roaring Fork when I was there in April, but I have no idea what they're doing down there now.

Why in the world aren't they notifying guests about all these disruptions so that at least they're forewarned? I just don't think it's good business practice to wait until irate guests come to you to complain before you acknowledge the disruptive work that's being done in the middle of a guest's vacation.

We actually have a white noise machine, and it did nothing to abate the noise. I ended up calling down to the front desk to inquire about the length of the noise, and she did offer to move us rooms. We decided to just deal with it for the remainder of the trip. Everyone ended up getting up, putting on the bathing suits, and have been pool side since 9:30. The noise from outside Roaring Fork has definitely quieted down, but I haven't been up to the room to check on the scaffolding noise. In the end, I'm glad the noise got is out of the room. We can sleep at home.

Just a reminder to all that when you "call the front desk" you are connected to a call center in another city. The exception is when you are staying CL, then you are actually connected to a CL concierge on the 7th floor.

I always recommend that you go in person and ask to speak to a Guest Services manager to let them know, face to face, of the disruption to you and your family. Moving rooms isn't always the only remedy. I understand when emergency work/unforseen circumstances occur, but as a courtesy to guests, they could still inform impacted guests and start work a bit later.

Sitting here in the lobby waiting for the bus to the airport. It has been a wonderful week. I have complaints at all (except that we're leaving). We were in room 4201 and didn't hear anything. I think that Kirk in concierge pulled off some pixie dust as my niece got to march in the Star Wars motorcade on Saturday. She was very excited.

Kirk is a hoot and how exciting to march in the parade

 

[thewilderness3]

Thanks for the heads up Kook! I assumed when I pushed the 'Front Desk' button, I'd be speaking to someone at the Front Desk. We're on the 6th floor above Roaring Fork right next to the scaffolding, so I imagine the noise from this is very limited. However, my husband came back from the pool and said, 'What we're listening to is nothing compared to that jackhammer running between the Lodge and the Villas!'

That being said, with the storms, construction has stopped and our view of the pool and Bay Lake is perfect. So, Fingers crossed for a daily afternoon thunderstorm!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the heads up Kook! I assumed when I pushed the 'Front Desk' button, I'd be speaking to someone at the Front Desk. We're on the 6th floor above Roaring Fork right next to the scaffolding, so I imagine the noise from this is very limited. However, my husband came back from the pool and said, 'What we're listening to is nothing compared to that jackhammer running between the Lodge and the Villas!'

That being said, with the storms, construction has stopped and our view of the pool and Bay Lake is perfect. So, Fingers crossed for a daily afternoon thunderstorm!

Glad you're making the best of it, and speaking of that noise over in the South Wing...if you're willing/able, some photos would be appreciated. Sometimes they leave the lights on at night which makes for some pretty good photos of those ground floor rooms they've been working on across from the pool

 

[Dean Marino]

Have to say I am pretty nervous about the construction noise reports. We arrive on Sunday, and will be Club Level (7th floor), which I thought would be sort of immune from the noise. But maybe not. We're won't be sleeping in, but we do like to go back to the room for a mid-day rest. Hope it is OK.

Perhaps some data will help .

OK - the current south wing, ground floor (and perhaps others in the south wing, closest to the Villas at WL) are being re-worked into DVC rooms. There are other threads on this, but the pertinent data is: GO NORTH. If you are renting a room at the WL in the near future, shoot for "Woods View", around the 6018 to 6020 area. Now, this will take work, as the WL ignores FAX's and Phone Calls to request stuff like this. And to my knowledge, MDE has no way to enter these requests.

You CAN call - and ask for your reservation number to be annotated with a request for just about anything that is not illegal . No guarantee it will be honored - but the booking gods will SEE it.

Now - if you do this? FORGO any form of early check in. You WANT to go to the desk, and see a CM - and point out the request you had posted by calling. It still may not work, but they will TRY.

Sandy and I are DVC members - homed at the VWL. We have been going to the WL twice per year, every year, for over 12 years . There is going to be some work going on in this area - thank GOD (you pick which one) that it is not going to look like the "Dresden effect" that the Poly just went thru. But there IS going to be some noise, and disruption. We go to the WL a lot.... WE have chosen to deal with Disney making improvements to our second home . But we also understand that most folks only go to Disney about every 5 years.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Last night we decided to take advantage of the last MK closing and the earlier rain storm...it was practically empty. We arrived back at the lodge around 2am. The plan was to sleep in, but every one in my family is currently laying awake in bed hating life because of all the construction noise around us. (6th floor, courtyard view, above roaring fork) it's above us, and it's below us. Suggestions? We've been here since Saturday, and don't check out until next Tuesday.

And this is why I am becoming increasingly happy about my new ticker..would love to switch back to WL but not looking good.

 

[MrsSkellington]

Arrgh! This is so hard. It sounds like it's getting worse. I could switch right now to a suite at AOA for a little less (better for sleeping situation), but the short commute is perfect from WL. It's our 1st trip with our 2 1/2 year old, and I'm just trying to make it as easy as possible for us in case of meltdowns. But if he can't take naps due to noise, then it doesn't matter anyway, right? I'm sorry I keep posting about this. I want to be patient but I'm worried that if I wait it will be too late.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Starting to panic a little about the construction. We have booked a courtyard view for October, I was hoping to be in the North wing (if that's the one closest to Roaring Forks area?). I guess no one really knows how long this construction will go on for? It's our honeymoon and I'm hoping it goes as smoothly as possible!

 

[jen7233]

We are so closed to being there! I did my online check-in MDE and requested our floors request fourth or fifth, which we were able do do on MDE. We are booked in the courtyard view bunk bed. Is there anything else I should be thinking of for room requests? What rooms look into the lobby also that are courtyard, are those called I nner or lobby? Do those balconies also view out towards the electrical parade? Can't wait!

 

[vanillagirl]

Sock2you we always valet. My husband takes care of it but i believe it runs $20 or near to it. I have heard (on disboards) tales that peeps will be towed for self parking and overstaying their 3 hour welcome, but who knows really. Ive not personally seen it or read a personal account. Do what you are comfortable with.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Arrgh! This is so hard. It sounds like it's getting worse. I could switch right now to a suite at AOA for a little less (better for sleeping situation), but the short commute is perfect from WL. It's our 1st trip with our 2 1/2 year old, and I'm just trying to make it as easy as possible for us in case of meltdowns. But if he can't take naps due to noise, then it doesn't matter anyway, right? I'm sorry I keep posting about this. I want to be patient but I'm worried that if I wait it will be too late.

You never know, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. WL is a beautiful resort, and I doubt the noise will be unbearable, but there is always a chance it will adversely affect you. You still have quite a while before your trip, and I expect that you will hear many good reports between now and then and won't be as worried by the time your trip arrives.

Starting to panic a little about the construction. We have booked a courtyard view for October, I was hoping to be in the North wing (if that's the one closest to Roaring Forks area?). I guess no one really knows how long this construction will go on for? It's our honeymoon and I'm hoping it goes as smoothly as possible!

Stay calm, it will likely be just fine. The North wing is the one closer to MK, where Roaring Forks is located. Congratulations on choosing WL for your honeymoon! We honeymooned there in 2007 (this week to be precise) and it will forever be a special resort for us.

We are so closed to being there! I did my online check-in MDE and requested our floors request fourth or fifth, which we were able do do on MDE. We are booked in the courtyard view bunk bed. Is there anything else I should be thinking of for room requests? What rooms look into the lobby also that are courtyard, are those called I nner or lobby? Do those balconies also view out towards the electrical parade? Can't wait!

It is almost here! For room requests many people also call the central reservations number to add requests to their reservation that aren't available in online checkin. The inner courtyard rooms that open to the lobby are relatively few (only 7 rooms on each of the 4th and 5th floors) but their balconies do face toward the beach, but they are the furthest from it, so they may not have a great view of the parade. You'll do fine with any inner courtyard room though, while rooms further down the wings have balconies that face towards the center, but are closer to the beach so you can look off to the side and see the electrical parade. You can also go downstairs and get a great view of it from the boat dock too. Enjoy your trip!

 

[FTM22]

The thread says the photos were updated on 6/5/15 but I can't tell which photos those are. Please excuse my magical ignorance here.

 

[dgagnon519]

The thread says the photos were updated on 6/5/15 but I can't tell which photos those are. Please excuse my magical ignorance here.

I am wondering the same thing.

 

[Donald Duck888]

I am just curious if anyone knows how long the construction is scheduled to go for. Is it going to be still going on in Dec?