Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[merdie]

Yes, the current room gutting is on the ground floor of the south wing across from the VWL pool area.

Thanks, Kook! I guess we'll just take our chances and see where we end up. I did a touring plans fax request with high floor on the north wing, so we'll see. I'm crazy excited, regardless!

 

[waffocopter]

I'll be arriving on October 29 so I guess I won't be able to experience the fire pit's marshmallow toasting and movie at night. I wanted to get my mom a massage at the spa too. Will there be any discount to compensate for less amenities? I'm pondering switching resorts but I've gotten used to planning and liking the idea of everyone having their own sleeping surface and the convenience to MK...

 

[staceychev]

De-lurking on this thread. We're booked for 3 WL courtyard view rooms from 9/27 to 10/3: DH, me, and 2 DDs in one, my mom in a 2nd, and my sister and her two sons in a third. Must say that I was really relieved when the announcement about the construction came out with specific dates. My sister wasn't keen on WL because my cousin complained about it to her (she was there during the pool reno), but I pushed for it. I don't want to be responsible for her disappointment!

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Hi everyone, not sure if I'm on the list but we're going to WL for our honeymoon 10/5 - 10/15. We have a courtyard bunk bed room booked and I've requested North Wing. I will probably call nearer the time to reiterate my request, but maybe also add an inner courtyard request. Is inner courtyard different to North wing, or can you get inner courtyard in the North Wing? Thanks!

 

[kiki02]

Hi everyone, not sure if I'm on the list but we're going to WL for our honeymoon 10/5 - 10/15. We have a courtyard bunk bed room booked and I've requested North Wing. I will probably call nearer the time to reiterate my request, but maybe also add an inner courtyard request. Is inner courtyard different to North wing, or can you get inner courtyard in the North Wing? Thanks!

First time (hoping) at WL. Getting the 'standard' with ds. Which area should i request, which view/ room? thank you!!!

 

[SnowWhite2000]

Disney-planning rookie here. Planned first trip recently, was headed to WL mid-November for 9 days with family of four. Stumbled across this thread and I am certainly glad. I definitely plan to change resorts. Thanks to everyone for the info. Hope that families who don't know about the construction are not too disappointed.

 

[FTM22]

Okay my multi quote made a mess so forgive my repeats here.

I am ONCE AGAIN in the "magic " of construction. Since I am dealing with a TA, I'll give the info received here after I check with the rest of my party for their preferences (resort change versus compensation). Last year the pool was a DEFINITE dealbreaker on WL for us. This time, I'm not so sure. We are on FD and have CL (request for inner CY already) but I still don't want to pay more than necessary. Who does?!

Thanks to all here!

 

[kmorlock]

Hi everyone, not sure if I'm on the list but we're going to WL for our honeymoon 10/5 - 10/15. We have a courtyard bunk bed room booked and I've requested North Wing. I will probably call nearer the time to reiterate my request, but maybe also add an inner courtyard request. Is inner courtyard different to North wing, or can you get inner courtyard in the North Wing? Thanks!

Hope you have a wonderful stay at WL...if you have not noted your celebration, let reservations note it and let them know again at check-in. At the very least, they have celebration buttons and sometimes even upgrade!

 

[MrsSkellington]

Copied from the expansion link:
Ok, so I'm terribly indecisive and OCD too....WDWKOOK - sorry in advance for being a serious pain! Ha ha! So, after much debate last week re: Guest Service person who kinda had confirmation of construction but not really at liberty to say anything yet, offered us a move the Standard GW at Contemporary. Ok, CR has many fine points, DH ok'd it is text. Then came the uh oh, forgot to mention it's not tower in those texts. Long story short, GS said they would work on a transfer which could take a few days to show up. It did. So, we just became officially transferred back at WL on Thursday. So, what's an OCD girl to do but keep calling about construction stuff...here's how the call may go: Anyone who calls before getting a letter, you need to press the first line reservationists to let you speak to Guest Services. They may give you a hard time but be nice, patient, and firm. I just asked what options are out there for WL/VWL people. A move to another resort: they will give you options based on your room type and cost. Villas transfer to Villas, Deluxe to Deluxe, Standards to standards etc... The discount appears better than the pool. They said $100 per night (this could be based on room type and cost) too so it may vary. I currently have a room only and the discount would be off the already discounted rate. **people who used their travel agents...call them, not Disney first. So hope this helps...as many know from the past, it is subjective and may be based on your personal reservation, handled on a case by case basis.

Hmmmm.. So now what to do? Poly, BW, BC? Standard style rooms at early December/Christmas? Or take that nice chunk of change and stay put, take my chances?

Thanks for sharing. I was trying to decide if I should wait until RO discounts come out and see what else is there, but maybe I should just go straight to Guest Services and see what they can do for me to make me stay.

 

[kmorlock]

Thanks for sharing. I was trying to decide if I should wait until RO discounts come out and see what else is there, but maybe I should just go straight to Guest Services and see what they can do for me to make me stay.

Yes, for sure call them or your TA if not booked directly thru Disney. They are very nice and understanding most of the time. If you happen to have a not so magical experience, call back later....

 

[yooperfan]

How do you call guest services? If discounted rates haven't come out and they reduce the rate of your room, couldn't you end up not getting a break because of the construction if say 30% discount comes out after, negating your construction discounts?

 

[kmorlock]

Call Reservations then ask for Guest Svs. Or wait until you have a letter in hand and call the number on the letter if that is an option. RO's are due out soon for Late Fall/Winter. You may want to wait until one of the two happens. Calling doesn't really lock you into anything. They are happy to just give you some viable options. If a RO comes out, and can be applied, it comes off the rack rate.

 

[StephandDick]

Now that it's after midnight.....we check in tomorrow!!

 

[hstrickland]

Now that it's after midnight.....we check in tomorrow!!

Have a fabulous trip, and enjoy some of that delicious cobbler for everyone!

 

[WDWKOOK]

wdwinfo.com is reporting a 2 October start date:
​

"Refurbishment will start 10/2/2015. The Hidden Springs quiet pool, resort beach, playground, and the fire pit will be closed 10/26/2015. Work will continue through 2017."​

WDWKOOK:​

The spa will also close.​

 

[kmorlock]

So my opinion of GS has diminished after calling back as they instructed me to yesterday. Today, they say I have only the option of moving to AKL or GW at CR. It all started after speaking to Winston again and he made out like I was trying to commit a crime against humanity. Pretty sure he has noted awful things in my account and everyone I spoke with after him was first nice then not so nice after. This is our last on site stay for sure. If GS gives you an offer and it a decent one, make the move then and don't trust them to honor it even one day later.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Last November we went with my parents and they booked the rooms, so I'm not sure which view we had. We were off the lobby on the 5th floor (I think... Definitely a higher floor) and we had a great view of the higher fireworks from wishes! DH and I are planning our trip for next year and are planning on WL again. If we wanted a similar view again, although I know it isn't guaranteed, which view should we book? Since we'll have 2 little ones under 3 years old being able to watch some of the fireworks would be nice since we don't stay in the parks that late anymore.

For a partial Wishes view, you'll need to be in either a high North Wing Woods View or Standard View room or a high Courtyard View in the South Wing - mid-Lodge down to Bay Lake is best.

I'll be arriving on October 29 so I guess I won't be able to experience the fire pit's marshmallow toasting and movie at night. I wanted to get my mom a massage at the spa too. Will there be any discount to compensate for less amenities? I'm pondering switching resorts but I've gotten used to planning and liking the idea of everyone having their own sleeping surface and the convenience to MK...

kmorlock posted after you about the potential compensation. They reported a potential $100/night credit/reduction. I would recommend waiting until you receive the letter from the WL GM, then I would call and inquire about all available options. I would have some idea in your mind as to what you would ideally prefer.

The movie on the beach will move indoors to the Carolwood Pacific room inside the entrance to VWL. This is a great location and safe from inclement weather.

The same massages available at Sturdy Branches are also available right next door at CR. There is also the option of the spa at GF. I would think WL would provide transportation for your DM to the GF seeing that the WL spa isn't an option. The GF spa is a full-service spa with full spa amenities and atmosphere. The resorts that only offer massages/facials only have treatment rooms, usually next to the gym, but they are less expensive.

De-lurking on this thread. We're booked for 3 WL courtyard view rooms from 9/27 to 10/3: DH, me, and 2 DDs in one, my mom in a 2nd, and my sister and her two sons in a third. Must say that I was really relieved when the announcement about the construction came out with specific dates. My sister wasn't keen on WL because my cousin complained about it to her (she was there during the pool reno), but I pushed for it. I don't want to be responsible for her disappointment!

Welcome, De-Lurker! I'll add your dates to the Lodgers' Log. Well, your sister can probably still blame you for something, but not this. Although now it's being reported that construction will start 2 October, but no closures will occur when you're there.

Hi everyone, not sure if I'm on the list but we're going to WL for our honeymoon 10/5 - 10/15. We have a courtyard bunk bed room booked and I've requested North Wing. I will probably call nearer the time to reiterate my request, but maybe also add an inner courtyard request. Is inner courtyard different to North wing, or can you get inner courtyard in the North Wing? Thanks!

I'll get you logged. Congratulations on your Disneymoon! You booked bunks? Inner Courtyard just refers to the WL courtyard as opposed to overlooking the VWL courtyard/pool area. There are both North and South wing inner CYVs.

First time (hoping) at WL. Getting the 'standard' with ds. Which area should i request, which view/ room? thank you!!!

Welcome to the thread. Some of the high North Wing SV rooms have a partial Wishes view. The South Wing SV rooms overlook the bus stop area and FW beyond and the parking lot area which is to the right. There are photos of these views in the ROOM VIEW chapter of the thread.

Disney-planning rookie here. Planned first trip recently, was headed to WL mid-November for 9 days with family of four. Stumbled across this thread and I am certainly glad. I definitely plan to change resorts. Thanks to everyone for the info. Hope that families who don't know about the construction are not too disappointed.

Welcome, Planning Rookie. Let us know how your resort changing goes.

Okay my multi quote made a mess so forgive my repeats here.

I am ONCE AGAIN in the "magic " of construction. Since I am dealing with a TA, I'll give the info received here after I check with the rest of my party for their preferences (resort change versus compensation). Last year the pool was a DEFINITE dealbreaker on WL for us. This time, I'm not so sure. We are on FD and have CL (request for inner CY already) but I still don't want to pay more than necessary. Who does?!

Thanks to all here!

At least you still have a sense of humor. Let us know what your TA works out for you as far as compensation or changing resorts.

Now that it's after midnight.....we check in tomorrow!!

YIPPEE!! Don't miss Cobbler Time (8:00 sharp)

 

[WDWKOOK]

So my opinion of GS has diminished after calling back as they instructed me to yesterday. Today, they say I have only the option of moving to AKL or GW at CR. It all started after speaking to Winston again and he made out like I was trying to commit a crime against humanity. Pretty sure he has noted awful things in my account and everyone I spoke with after him was first nice then not so nice after. This is our last on site stay for sure. If GS gives you an offer and it a decent one, make the move then and don't trust them to honor it even one day later.

UGH. I expected this, just not so soon. Last year with the pool closure, many reported conflicting compensation and offers. I think with that closure they were only prepared to deal with guests asking for compensation onsite after they had checked-in. I was told that guests had to deal directly with WL in person. They were also offering a free water park pass, but for a while, guests actually had to know to ask for that, it wasn't automatic.

So that I understand, the day the letters were to start going out to booked guests you called and they offered you a $100/night reduction/credit OR you could move to another Deluxe? Today they are not offering any monetary compensation and will only you try to move you to another resort? Odd that no Epcot resorts are even an option.

If this is what is happening, then this is very similar to when the WL pool closed. A $50/night credit was only offered to guests who asked about it in person upon check-in, but guests who called were able to change resorts. My guess is that you were one of if not the first call on the official announcement date, and they have since amended the offer to what you experienced today. What do you think you'll do now? Call back?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Here is another guest experience from this afternoon that was posted on the WL DVC Expansion thread:

Block Family said:
Ok, just got off the phone with guest services. I do not have a room only discount pin. They gave me the option of staying in my deluxe club level room at the Wilderness, or any Club level and get 30% off room only. So without a pin, or an offer, they gave me 30%. I could have changed to any resort and they would have given me 30% but at that resorts rate. So we are staying at the Wilderness. They also said there will be no construction on the main building. We are there Dec 2nd thru 8th. I am suprised at the limited availability of Club level rooms at the resorts. She says they are all reservations and not blacked out for the room only discount.I cant honestly believe her since it is a slow period. Hope this helps some people!

 

[kmorlock]

Well, they have officially lost my trust and we will look elsewhere for this stay. GS went back on everything offered yesterday and made me feel awful in the process. No longer my happy place....@WDWKOOK - yes, they offered a lateral move to another Deluxe standard style room at Poly, BWI, BC, or GF. Or, discounted room rate. Today, sure we'll move you but you will pay and your option is AKL or Contempo GW Std. It all unraveled after speaking to "Winston" in GS. After that, everyone I spoke with was a brick wall. I feel like canceling and never dropping another dime there again. 5 years we paid cash pricing for 1 bdrm villas, have been moved 3 times for construction and this is how they treat us. They can only continue decreasing customer satisfaction if we let them. I am so done with worrying every trip about refurbs and construction.