Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[Cinbride]

The only option I can think of that won't require either two rooms or a deluxe room would be a VWL studio. They have added the Murphy bed and they will sleep five plus your infant. But you may be right in the front line of construction.

Thanks for the response. Stupid construction.. haha I may have to look around. I just love WL and how everything is more or less in one building.

 

[Juliet25]

Thanks for the response. Stupid construction.. haha I may have to look around. I just love WL and how everything is more or less in one building.

As a family of five, our options are limited as well. I booked a studio at the VWL and briefly toyed with changing due to construction, but I decided to keep it. My DH and I have been there twice and love it. The kids have never been. There may be construction right out our window, but I figure that it really won't impact our stay much. The main pool will still be open. Our view might be impacted, but we're not much for sitting on the balcony anyway. Our last view was of a parking lot at POR, and it was just fine. It's really the interior of the resort and the smallness of it that is attractive, and construction won't impact that. I hope anyway.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I hope 2016 is off to a great start for everyone​

I am debating about splitting my summer stay (probably early June) between Deluxe Club level rooms at WL and BWI. We have stayed in the BWI Deluxe rooms the last two summers but wanted to mix it up. Is this a bad idea with the construction- should I wait to give WL a try? If not, any suggestions for room requests with the Deluxe rooms? @WDWKOOK- Am I remembering correctly that you have a lot of experience with both resorts? TIA!!

I love splits, but they aren't for everyone. And, resorts under construction aren't for everyone either. If you've never stayed at WL, I wouldn't really recommend it during the construction. If you've been there before, you might be better able to "look beyond" the construction and missing amenities. I wouldn't want my first stay at a resort to be faced with closures and construction, especially with no price reduction.

If you were to book a WL Deluxe room, I would ask for the North Wing as this is furthest from the VWL-area construction. If you still want to do a Deluxe room split with BWI and a MK resort, have you considered CR or GF? Or are you looking only for a CL Deluxe room?

We decided to save the money and stay at POR instead. Too many unknowns for us to lay down that much money. We love WL, but I want to be able to enjoy it without any major distractions. Hopefully we will return once the mess is all finished.

I completely understand. Our first onsite stay in '96 was at Dixie Landings. The grounds are beautiful and I know you'll have a great time.

Happy New Year everyone!! No trip to WDW for us in 2016, but I will enjoy planning all year. May all your Disney dreams come true!

What a lovely sentiment and photo, @bluecastle - thank you and you never have to have a booked trip to post here

Classifying the South facing south wing rooms as woods view would make sense to me since there is no courtyard there right now. The question is whether this is only a temporary change since eventually there will be another courtyard there. In the mean time though it does ensure that Courtyard View rooms will have a decent view and be the least affected. I can update the room view book able category map if you think we should. What do you think Kook?

I believe someone mentioned this classification change (@Wood Nymph?) as far back as last year perhaps? The classification was never accurate, IMHO and I'm guessing this is permanent? Several posters have reported being told they don't have to ask for an "INNER" or "WL" CYV as that is the only CYV there is. Of course, the CMs are often the last to know, so I don't know how accurate that is.

I don't want to give you more work since you have enough with a newborn, but since you offered, it would be really helpful to update the VWL CYV to a WV. Also, you could change "splash pool" to "splash area," as WL calls it.

You can post the edit here and I'll move it on over to replace your original. No rush at all and thank you so much for creating and updating the room number map in POST 3

We had the opportunity to speak to someone in Wilderness Lodge Conceirge yesterday (they are very helpful about our concerns regarding a peanut allergy) and they mentioned that the conceirge lounge was undergoing renovations. I was surprised because I hadn't heard this, and if I had known I probably would have booked at another resort. Has anyone heard, or seen what is happening there? We arrive Tuesday the 4th.

Thank you, @mindy6540. Did they tell you the lounge is closed or that it's being relocated? Did you ever receive an email or letter? The WL IPO is actually located at Poly and sometimes they can mix the two resorts up. But, it's been rumored that the OFC will be either moving or expanding. If that's the case, impacted guests should have been notified prior to arrival, but it doesn't appear that's happened yet?

Hopefully, someone with a confirmed WL CL reservation (maybe @Wood Nymph?) can email the WL IPO and inquire about the situation with the lounge to help others with their plans.

We have stayed at POR (first adult trip) other times were at WL. Now, as a family of 6..I don't know what to do. 2 adults, 4 kids (8,6,4, 1) I know there is construction if I can even find a room that fits us. We would be going 1st or 2nd week in May. I just love the location to MK. It was so nice to just go back and forth via boat when needed. What rooms would fit us that won't break us? Have always gone during sale and never paid full price. But now a bigger family = bigger room.. oops. haha

Have you considered a FWC? The cabin has a queen bed, (they recently renovated all of them and changed from a double to a queen), a set of bunk beds and a sleeper sofa has replaced the Murphy bed and accommodates 6 over 3. You can even walk back and forth to WL. They are usually included in all discounts and might be a fun adventure for your family.

 

[WhoDatDisney]

We have stayed at POR (first adult trip) other times were at WL. Now, as a family of 6..I don't know what to do. 2 adults, 4 kids (8,6,4, 1) I know there is construction if I can even find a room that fits us. We would be going 1st or 2nd week in May. I just love the location to MK. It was so nice to just go back and forth via boat when needed. What rooms would fit us that won't break us? Have always gone during sale and never paid full price. But now a bigger family = bigger room.. oops. haha

In the same boat as you, 4 kids (11,8,4, infant) went for TG last year and stayed in deluxe CL room. Room was nice and plenty of space however didn't really utilize the club level which defeated the purpose of booking it. Stayed in Studio Villa this TG and loved it, older 3 kids fought for the Murphy bed and infant slept in pack and play. Saved a good bit of money as well. Going back in February and staying in villa again.

Construction was not an issue for us, we hardly noticed it except when we walked from dock around pool to room

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thank you, @mindy6540. Did they tell you the lounge is closed or that it's being relocated? Did you ever receive an email or letter? The WL IPO is actually located at Poly and sometimes they can mix the two resorts up. But, it's been rumored that the OFC will be either moving or expanding. If that's the case, impacted guests should have been notified prior to arrival, but it doesn't appear that's happened yet?

Hopefully, someone with a confirmed WL CL reservation (maybe @Wood Nymph?) can email the WL IPO and inquire about the situation with the lounge to help others with their plans.

We will be arriving for our first CL stay on Saturday, less than a week from now. We haven't been notified of any changes to the club level lounge, but I'll be sure to find out everything I can when we check in. I'll also get some updated construction pictures.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Orlando Parks News reports:

As previously reported, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing numerous refurbishment projects in an effort to enhance and refresh the Guest experience.

Beginning in January 2016, select areas of the resort will be temporarily closed due to the refurbishment, including the rooms in the south wing (unavailable starting from January 1), Cub’s Den (unavailable starting from Jan. 2), and the South Wing and Lobby Elevators (unavailable beginning from January 5).

Effective January 5, all Guests will be directed to use the elevators located near Roaring Fork Snacks, or take the stairs in the north wing. These will be the only elevators available in our main building. To get to these elevators from the lobby, Guests must:

• Take the ramp down toward Roaring Fork Snacks;
• Turn left at the bottom of the ramp;
• Continue walking. Elevator bank is located on the left hand side at the end of the corridor.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We will be arriving for our first CL stay on Saturday, less than a week from now. We haven't been notified of any changes to the club level lounge, but I'll be sure to find out everything I can when we check in. I'll also get some updated construction pictures.

I hope you get the OFC scoop and thank you in advance for your photos. Many CL rumors have been around for a long time, so it would be great to get some concrete information to help others plan ahead - thank you!

 

[KristiK]

An

Orlando Parks News reports:

As previously reported, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing numerous refurbishment projects in an effort to enhance and refresh the Guest experience.
Beginning in January 2016, select areas of the resort will be temporarily closed due to the refurbishment, including the rooms in the south wing (unavailable starting from January 1), Cub’s Den (unavailable starting from Jan. 2), and the South Wing and Lobby Elevators (unavailable beginning from January 5).

Effective January 5, all Guests will be directed to use the elevators located near Roaring Fork Snacks, or take the stairs in the north wing. These will be the only elevators available in our main building. To get to these elevators from the lobby, Guests must:

• Take the ramp down toward Roaring Fork Snacks;
• Turn left at the bottom of the ramp;
• Continue walking. Elevator bank is located on the left hand side at the end of the corridor.

Any word how long this is in effect?

 

[WDWKOOK]

An

Any word how long this is in effect?

It could be through 2017, but no specific time has been announced.

As an aside, I would be curious if anyone who is there now is in a South Wing room. The report I posted today claims that all South Wing rooms are closed beginning 1 January. Maybe someone who is there now could ask for more details about this closure and the elevators.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Effective January 5, all Guests will be directed to use the elevators located near Roaring Fork Snacks, or take the stairs in the north wing. These will be the only elevators available in our main building. To get to these elevators from the lobby, Guests must:

• Take the ramp down toward Roaring Fork Snacks;
• Turn left at the bottom of the ramp;
• Continue walking. Elevator bank is located on the left hand side at the end of the corridor.

This will be annoying.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Wow that is a lot of work and kind of freaks me out, I am emailing the IPO and checking in I guess. Not sure if it will help but I am kind of anxious about spending all that club level $$ and having a big ol' elevator mess on my hands.

 

[MaizeRage25]

Wow that is a lot of work and kind of freaks me out, I am emailing the IPO and checking in I guess. Not sure if it will help but I am kind of anxious about spending all that club level $$ and having a big ol' elevator mess on my hands.

If the whole South wing is going to be unavailable, then I wonder how bad it really will be. Seems like the resort will be significantly under the max capacity.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Orlando Parks News reports:

As previously reported, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing numerous refurbishment projects in an effort to enhance and refresh the Guest experience.

Beginning in January 2016, select areas of the resort will be temporarily closed due to the refurbishment, including the rooms in the south wing (unavailable starting from January 1), Cub’s Den (unavailable starting from Jan. 2), and the South Wing and Lobby Elevators (unavailable beginning from January 5).

Effective January 5, all Guests will be directed to use the elevators located near Roaring Fork Snacks, or take the stairs in the north wing. These will be the only elevators available in our main building. To get to these elevators from the lobby, Guests must:

• Take the ramp down toward Roaring Fork Snacks;
• Turn left at the bottom of the ramp;
• Continue walking. Elevator bank is located on the left hand side at the end of the corridor.

Wow. I didn't think the main lodge was going to be impacted this much. I hope elevators are back up by mid April.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for the update, Kook. I'm OK with all of this. We booked WL courtyard view for the first part of our split stay with Poly Villas in February for the Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Seems we'll get our requested inner courtyard view, since the south wing is out of commission. Also seems like the resort will be less crowded. And we don't mind taking the stairs at the front of the resort. Overall, since our APs will expire shortly after our WL stay and we're spending a lot of time in the parks, I don't think the construction will impact us very much. (Although I know my kids would love to get the pins others have mentioned!)

 

[OhAmbs]

All of this is starting to make me nervous about our stay the last week of Feb

 

[JReneeW]

This makes me nervous, too. We will be there in 4 weeks. I don't think I'll change anything, but a double stroller and only one elevator does make me anxious.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Thanks for the elevator info. I don't see the elevator refurbishment situation lasting all year, but it could last a while. Having the South Wing closed will help, but we'd still miss the lobby Elevators.

Here is an updated bookable category map. I can't believe how long it has been since we created it, time flies!

 

[mindy6540]

Just checked into club level, starting tomorrow lounge will be relocated due to construction

 

[DisneyJenK]

Just checked into club level, starting tomorrow lounge will be relocated due to construction

Do you know where it wil move to?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Do you know where it wil move to?

They are moving it to the Vice Presidential suite.

I received a response from IPO staff and they confirmed that beginning Jan 5th the lobby elevator (and south wing elevator) will be taken out of service until further notice. He also said that the club level lounge will be relocated to the Vice Presidential suite. I'm really excited about that. I would guess that it is near the working elevators.

He also confirmed that all the clocks have been taken out of the guests rooms.