Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[tiger4me2]

Kook could you please add DH & myself to the WL Honeymoon Room Club Level Sept 10th to Sept 11th ? Celebrating our 45th anniversary & the fact DH is still alive after a serious illness last January. Thanks !

We are staying at the CR 14th floor Club level first three days & then to the WL and finally the last stay at the BWI Club Level

 

[StephandDick]

I've watched the progress of the scaffolding around the main WL building since the first reports of it late last August. It was up for two of our trips, Oct 2015 and Jan 2015, and we never heard any significant noise from it. Given its current location on the north side of the lobby, it looks as if the exterior work is almost finished. The scaffolding has already gone around the south wing, the inner courtyard and the north wing closest to the lake. So my guess is that it would be finished soon, since it has already been around the rest of the lodge.

The construction on the ground floor of the south wing is more of a mystery, since no one at the WL seems to want to acknowledge that it exists.

Thank you. I'm going to be calling this weekend after we're within 10 days arrival and want to be able to express my concern about the scaffolding as it seems that they are acknowledging the noise from the first floor south wing construction but not the scaffolding noise.

Is the noise constant or intermittent?

I've watched the progress of the scaffolding around the main WL building since the first reports of it late last August. It was up for two of our trips, Oct 2015 and Jan 2015, and we never heard any significant noise from it. Given its current location on the north side of the lobby, it looks as if the exterior work is almost finished. The scaffolding has already gone around the south wing, the inner courtyard and the north wing closest to the lake. So my guess is that it would be finished soon, since it has already been around the rest of the lodge.

The construction on the ground floor of the south wing is more of a mystery, since no one at the WL seems to want to acknowledge that it exists.

This is the scaffolding where the noise came from (north wing hallway looking toward the front of the lodge). Intermittent and it really didn't interfere with our trip.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I find it very frustrating that everyone is being offered different things.

That happened last year with the pool construction. People reported getting all kinds of different deals to compensate for having the main pool construction. We waited until we checked in and asked for $50 discount per night of our stay. It was what most people ended up getting but you had to ask for it. They didn't suggest it.

By the time you check in you will be able to deal directly with the resort for your compensation. You won't have to go through a TA.

 

[aVASTGrl]

That happened last year with the pool construction. People reported getting all kinds of different deals to compensate for having the main pool construction. We waited until we checked in and asked for $50 discount per night of our stay. It was what most people ended up getting but you had to ask for it. They didn't suggest it.

By the time you check in you will be able to deal directly with the resort for your compensation. You won't have to go through a TA.

That's probably what I'll end up doing, thanks for the advice!

 

[bluecastle]

We haven't had to prove that we had a reservation since the very early days of MDE, and then they believed us anyway.

I just keep all my email confirmations in a folder in my email account. And I also make a screen print on my iPhone of the ADR as it appears in my MDE account. The screenprint feature is a neat way to keep track of my fastpasses without having to go to the website. I just look at the picture.

I did the same thing on our trip last summer. It worked out great! Plus, whenever I made changes to our FPs or added an ADR, I would take a screenshot and text it to the group. We used group texts a lot during our trip. I love reading them now. Great memories!

 

[hstrickland]

awesome, thank you !

You're very welcome! Happy Planning!!

 

[basketlacey]

We check in 7/25, out on 8/1. I also got an "about your resort stay" email on Wednesday but it didn't mention any construction at the lodge - only potential changes to the Monorail schedule and construction at DTD.

We are in a one bedroom. I plan to do online check in later today. Can anyone help with what I should request as far as our room?

 

[Daisy62]

I hadn't gotten any letter about construction there and my trip is December 6. I just read about the construction here and called and asked for the 30% I had read about.

 

[michael's mom]

I hadn't gotten any letter about construction there and my trip is December 6. I just read about the construction here and called and asked for the 30% I had read about.

How did they respond?

 

[Daisy62]

How did they respond?

After an hour on the phone I ended up with a 30% discount. Was over $150 per nigh savings.

 

[JReneeW]

Are these discounts on top of free dining? We are booked for late January and I'm debating if we should stay at WL and try for a greater discount or consider moving resorts.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

After an hour on the phone I ended up with a 30% discount. Was over $150 per nigh savings.

So it sounds like they're essentially offering now what's likely to be offered as the Room Only discount when it comes up.

We have a 35% off room only bounceback in place, so this just confirms my decision to wait until arrival to ask for something more, if construction is an issue.

 

[Wood Nymph]

So it sounds like they're essentially offering now what's likely to be offered as the Room Only discount when it comes up.

We have a 35% off room only bounceback in place, so this just confirms my decision to wait until arrival to ask for something more, if construction is an issue.

We were on a bounceback last Oct, so our room was already 35% discounted. Then we were able to get $50 per night credit for last fall's pool construction when we checked in.

 

[Daisy62]

So it sounds like they're essentially offering now what's likely to be offered as the Room Only discount when it comes up.

We have a 35% off room only bounceback in place, so this just confirms my decision to wait until arrival to ask for something more, if construction is an issue.

Yes I got the standard discount they will be offering soon. I'm still thrilled as I was nervous wreck checking for the 30% that will come out. Now I can relax sort of and plan my fast passes. Lol

 

[WDWKOOK]

@Starwind received this email from Disney Destinations in regards to their December room-only booking:


July 2015

Dear ------ Family,

Welcome Home!

We are excited you have chosen Disney’s Wilderness Lodge as your vacation destination and look forward to sharing the magic of the Pacific Northwest with you.

As you may be aware, refurbishment work will be taking place at our Resort during your visit. In preparation for your upcoming stay, please note the details of that work below:

• Upon your arrival, you will notice construction work in various areas as we enhance our Resort. Please be aware that certain pathways, including the nature trail, will be unavailable. Noise may be overheard while this work is being completed, but rest assured, construction will not begin until after 9:00am.

• Hidden Springs Pool, the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, is scheduled to close for enhancement in late October along with the beach, marina and playground. During this time, our recently-renovated Silver Creek Springs Pool, featuring a 67-foot waterslide and a water play area for kids, will remain open for your use.

Please know that your comfort and enjoyment are our top priority. While the amenities listed above will be unavailable, we are making every effort to ensure your visit is comfortable and magical by offering alternative opportunities to you. During your stay, we will host a nightly movie indoors and bike rentals will be available for rent near the jogging trail. You are also invited to visit Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground or Disney’s Contemporary Resort for additional recreation activities including boat rentals, playgrounds, evening campfires and Movies Under the Stars.

We apologize for any inconvenience this work may cause and appreciate your patience. Should you need assistance with your reservation or have general questions, please call one of our Cast Members who will be happy to assist you.

• If you booked your stay through Walt Disney World® Resort or have general questions, please call 407-###-#### between the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm (EST) Monday through Friday or 10:00am-5:00pm (EST) Saturday and Sunday.

• If you booked your stay through Disney Vacation Club®, please contact Disney Vacation Club Member Services at 800-###-#### or 407-###-#### between the hours of 9:00am-7:30pm (EST) Monday through Friday or 9:00am-5:30pm (EST) Saturday and Sunday.

Thank you for being our Guest. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,
<signature>

Jose A. Mola
General Manager of Disney's Wilderness Lodge


Reservation #: ############
Arrival Date: December ##, 2015

 

[WDWKOOK]

I talked to Guest Experience today.. as a matter of fact, 3 different people called me about 1 voicemail I left. All 3 of them told me that the only work that would be going on prior to Oct 2nd was painting and redoing the roofing near the entryway. They said on the week of October 2nd the walls would be going up and then it would start from there. I specifically asked about the trail to Ft. Wilderness and was assured that it would be open. They apologized for the blanket email that should have only started going out to guests staying in October and beyond.

I guess we will see when I check in. I did ask for a fifth floor inner courtyard room.. come on Disney Magic!!

Well that adds more confusion. @michael's mom received the email below and she is arriving this month - July. So what the CM told you is that those emails were only intended for those arriving in October? Wonder if they'll send out corrected emails.

Notice I have smilies again!!!

All hail the new iPad!

Kook could you please add DH & myself to the WL Honeymoon Room Club Level Sept 10th to Sept 11th ? Celebrating our 45th anniversary & the fact DH is still alive after a serious illness last January. Thanks !

We are staying at the CR 14th floor Club level first three days & then to the WL and finally the last stay at the BWI Club Level

What a very special trip with some very special Club Levels. I'll add your dates and see you on the other threads

This is the scaffolding where the noise came from (north wing hallway looking toward the front of the lodge). Intermittent and it really didn't interfere with our trip.

Thank you for posting. I hope you're having a fabulous vacation.

I did the same thing on our trip last summer. It worked out great! Plus, whenever I made changes to our FPs or added an ADR, I would take a screenshot and text it to the group. We used group texts a lot during our trip. I love reading them now. Great memories!

That's sweet.

We check in 7/25, out on 8/1. I also got an "about your resort stay" email on Wednesday but it didn't mention any construction at the lodge - only potential changes to the Monorail schedule and construction at DTD.

We are in a one bedroom. I plan to do online check in later today. Can anyone help with what I should request as far as our room?

So maybe they corrected their mistake about the trail being closed since you didn't receive the notice above for your July arrival. That would make more sense since the SFWMD permit filings haven't even been officially approved yet.

 

[tkmking]

I received the same email, we are staying 16th Sept for 14 nights...

 

[MrsSkellington]

Strange. I've got nothing, and I'm arriving 10/29. I'm trying to wait until I receive a letter of some sort to see what my options are, but if all of these people are getting discounts and switching already, what if nothing is left for me?

 

[FTM22]

Strange. I've got nothing, and I'm arriving 10/29. I'm trying to wait until I receive a letter of some sort to see what my options are, but if all of these people are getting discounts and switching already, what if nothing is left for me?

Last year with the main pool rehab, I never received a letter and our TA never received one on our reservation either. Both last year and this one, I said something to our TA as soon as I found out here on the DIS. We had a chance to move to AKL last year and we were rather late to the party on the DIS here. This year, I was on it immediately and our TA had no clue about this. But when she called, it was absolutely correct and we got this discount.

SO that is a long post to recommend you seek something out now rather than wait. Things will get nothing but tighter as far as availability. You want to be excited about your vacation - not stressed. My window is similar to yours and I think we will be okay during that time excluding the lack of amenities.

 

[buzznina]

FYI; We got a very good magical deal and were planning on staying for the 1st time at WL Thanksgiving week. Our TA called today saying that Disney has informed them that they will also be closing down rooms at WL during construction and that they would swap their customers to a different Deluxe resort, depending on availability. We were moved from WL to GF-LV and I know of another Disser that is staying around Christmas time was offered BC/YC.