Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[tinkwings]

Thinking it will be a real bummer for non DVC members if those rumors are true for conversion from nontraditional rooms.....that would likely result in less discounts due to less rooms for other WL fans.....hoping rather that at least the section closer to lobby remains open and perhaps the wing towards the end is only partial DVC......Sorry I just discovered the Disney emoticons.....what fun.....

 

[tinkwings]

I especially love that the Cheshire cat disappears.....

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are returning to the Wilderness Lodge. We just couldn't stay away for long. Our dates are March 25th to March 30th, 2017. We were able to get 25% off with the Disney Visa discount for our room and for my sister's room. It will be her first time staying at a resort that had balconies. She is very excited since she has always wanted to stay at the WL.

The CM I talked with this morning seemed to think that the construction would be finished by the time we are there in March. I told her that I don't think it will be.

 

[tinkwings]

We are returning to the Wilderness Lodge. We just couldn't stay away for long. Our dates are March 25th to March 30th, 2017. We were able to get 25% off with the Disney Visa discount for our room and for my sister's room. It will be her first time staying at a deluxe resort. She is very excited since she has always wanted to stay at the WL.

The CM I talked with this morning seemed to think that the construction would be finished by the time we are there in March. I told her that I don't think it will be.

Oh and that's the other thing.....IF it will be done by then, it might infer that they were ONLY doing the other side of lodge for DVC....then again, if they are about done next month with phase 1 maybe they can gut and do other side before March. How long has this been a mess? I have been wondering if they were planning on just switching sides for refurb when that wing is completed.....hmmm....will be snooping about when I get back home.... Fairies can fit into the tiniest of places....

 

[Comizar4]

My family and I will be staying at WL from Dec. 3-10. We are very excited as this will be our first time at a Disney resort! We have a Courtyard view room booked. Does anyone know if we can request a room on the north side upper floor facing MK (basically a downgrade)? Or do we have to have a Standard view room reservation to be able to request it? We are flexible on if it is 2 queens or bunk beds. And we aren't bothered by the construction at all. We would just love to see the castle and fireworks. That would be truly magical!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm so excited for our upcoming stay 2/14 to 2/20 at the WL! We LOVE the lodge and the construction won't bother us one bit because ..... We're going home! I appreciate everyone's pictures and updates on construction.

I have to admit - we will be looking into Copper Creek DVC. Does anyone know when they may be showing a model room on the DVC tour? Would like to do the tour when we are there in February but we're not interested in Alauni or Poly at all!

Model rooms won't be open until after sales have been announced, which might be early to mid 2017, but that is just a guess on my part and not based on anything official. I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log

Resort looks lovely. We're not staying here this trip but would love to sometime in the future. We want to go visit during our visit in December though. I read on another thread someone saying they took pictures with Santa there. Does anyone know if Santa is just there for Christmas Eve or is there a schedule for December? TIA!

Santa is usually available for photos on 12/24 from 5-9.

I've managed to convince my man that I NEED to spend Christmas at Disney World. So December 2017 it is! Booked a courtyard view the first weekend in December (12/2/17-12/6/17) and of course there isn't a hotel prettier at Christmas than the Wilderness Lodge. I have over a year to torture myself but it gives me something to look forward to.

Congratulations and I'll log your dates

We are returning to the Wilderness Lodge. We just couldn't stay away for long. Our dates are March 25th to March 30th, 2017. We were able to get 25% off with the Disney Visa discount for our room and for my sister's room. It will be her first time staying at a deluxe resort. She is very excited since she has always wanted to stay at the WL.

The CM I talked with this morning seemed to think that the construction would be finished by the time we are there in March. I told her that I don't think it will be.

Your DS is going to have a great time and a great tour guide. I'm with your time estimate and not the CM's, but maybe she was referring to most of the MAJOR construction? Regardless, you're going to be able to provide some great updates!

Oh and that's the other thing.....IF it will be done by then, it might infer that they were ONLY doing the other side of lodge for DVC....then again, if they are about done next month with phase 1 maybe they can gut and do other side before March. How long has this been a mess? I have been wondering if they were planning on just switching sides for refurb when that wing is completed.....hmmm....will be snooping about when I get back home.... Fairies can fit into the tiniest of places....

They are only converting the South Wing. The North Wing rooms aren't undergoing any construction, other than on the 7th floor, where the OFC lounge is being moved to the North Wing's two Honeymoon Suites.

There is much more information and photos throughout the WL DVC Expansion thread located HERE.

 

[WDWKOOK]

My family and I will be staying at WL from Dec. 3-10. We are very excited as this will be our first time at a Disney resort! We have a Courtyard view room booked. Does anyone know if we can request a room on the north side upper floor facing MK (basically a downgrade)? Or do we have to have a Standard view room reservation to be able to request it? We are flexible on if it is 2 queens or bunk beds. And we aren't bothered by the construction at all. We would just love to see the castle and fireworks. That would be truly magical!

to the DIS and to the WL/VWL thread, @Comizar4.

If you can't change categories, you can still make that request. Just have the WDTC or your TA add that request to your reservation. There is no need to request the North Wing since it's the only wing now at WL. You might want to instead request "MK view, high floor." Also, ask again at check-in. I hope you get your request and I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm with your time estimate and not the CM's, but maybe she was referring to most of the MAJOR construction?

I would love it if the beach and the new counter service restaurant were open by March. And I can't wait until they finish the Hidden Springs pool. But I'm not counting on it. Constructions seems to be moving at a snail's pace. And part of me would love it if the south wing was still closed when we are there. It would be less crowded.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I would love it if the beach and the new counter service restaurant were open by March. And I can't wait until they finish the Hidden Springs pool. But I'm not counting on it. Constructions seems to be moving at a snail's pace. And part of me would love it if the south wing was still closed when we are there. It would be less crowded.

I agree that with the South Wing closed, transportation is so much less crowded and I imagine RF, as well. That place can get very crowded in the morning especially. Will you be going over to WL when you're at BC? Don't forget that WL ticker

 

[Wood Nymph]

I agree that with the South Wing closed, transportation is so much less crowded and I imagine RF, as well. That place can get very crowded in the morning especially. Will you be going over to WL when you're at BC? Don't forget that WL ticker

We absolutely will go to WL when we are at the Beach Club. We'll be at MK on Sunday and Tuesday, so those days look like the best time to check out the lodge.

 

[Dean Marino]

All personal comment....

Sandy and I are DVC owners. Booked for both November 2016, and April 2017 at our home resort - VWL. That 11 month OWNER window is wonderful .

We look FORWARD to seeing construction . We just resided our house - and tossed in new windows. To us? All of the renovations at the WL are no different . Noisy, minor issues, probably many complaints..... JUST like our principal home.

In the end? All worth it . Now Disney? YOU decided to do this - just don't try to screw around with our EXISTING contract. Not paying for a second DVC through the back door.... .

 

[hebbynan]

Thanks for adding our dates WDWKook! We are so excited! Is it February yet?!

 

[tinkwings]

Model rooms won't be open until after sales have been announced, which might be early to mid 2017, but that is just a guess on my part and not based on anything official. I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log



They are only converting the South Wing. The North Wing rooms aren't undergoing any construction, other than on the 7th floor, where the OFC lounge is being moved to the North Wing's two Honeymoon Suites.

There is much more information and photos throughout the WL DVC Expansion thread located HERE.

To clarify, thanks I googled at some of the WLDVC thread, what fun.....but to clarify do you THINK/KNOW if the 7th floor is also to be DVC? The two honeymoon suites would make a nice larger lounge than the last, which was better than the previous barrels in the walkway...ha. Its the comment a CM made to me about maybe a king bed room opening on the South wing by my early November trip that makes me pause to reflect just maybe its a refurb vs a dvc alteration.

Guess without all those rooms available I won't be seeing the 30-40% discounts I have come to rely on the past 12 years.....and Tink will need to flap down to a lower level. The Presidental Suite on the South Wing was much larger than the Yellowstone from my memory of touring both....so curious how things will pan out when all is said and done.

 

[Comizar4]

to the DIS and to the WL/VWL thread, @Comizar4.

If you can't change categories, you can still make that request. Just have the WDTC or your TA add that request to your reservation. There is no need to request the North Wing since it's the only wing now at WL. You might want to instead request "MK view, high floor." Also, ask again at check-in. I hope you get your request and I'll add your dates to our Lodgers' Log

Thank you for the helpful info. I will be trying that. But even if we don't get the change, we are just super excited to be at WL. And thanks for all the great up-to-date information on this forum!

 

[dalmatian7]

The king bed rooms on the 7th floor (at least in the north wing) were always the handicapped accessible rooms. I can't believe they would have no handicapped accessible rooms for CL? Or is that why the trip reports mentioned people being placed on other floors with CL access?

 

[yaksack]

Federal Law requires them to have handicapp rooms.

 

[tinkwings]

hmmm.....I suppose the kings were only on the other wing then, surely the law doesn't dictate where they are located on a floor, bet if handicap they are closer to elevators.....I have only read about the deluxe suites on lower floors getting club level access.....so good point maybe it was a king they requested for either preference or handicap access. AND just maybe if someone had already booked handicap status on North wing....it would be reserved for them instead of waiting for room assignment 5 days out.

Anyhow probably better going for my usual room than being close to elevator and possibly having to smell new paint odors etc? Will report when I return if changes happen during that week. I am rather stuck there right now, as no other resort has openings either during those days near MK. I usually start planning a trip a year ahead, and that helped with getting discounts, and most important I now realize is the Jan and early Feb must have more rooms for discount as well.

Wings crossed I will get some relief.....

 

[SaintsManiac]

We are booked at WL for next year, Thanksgiving week! I wonder what the construction status will be then?? It doesn't bother me, though. Just looking forward to that boat ride

 

[goopysolelady]

We are booked at WL for next year, Thanksgiving week! I wonder what the construction status will be then?? It doesn't bother me, though. Just looking forward to that boat ride

Good choice! We were there the week before Thanksgiving last year and were lucky enough to get to see the Christmas decorations...including the massive tree...go up! What a treat!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for adding our dates WDWKook! We are so excited! Is it February yet?!

Not quite February yet, but the planning helps make the time go by faster and the holidays will, too. Check-in with us here whenever you get home, err, lodgesick

Thank you for the helpful info. I will be trying that. But even if we don't get the change, we are just super excited to be at WL. And thanks for all the great up-to-date information on this forum!

You're welcome and don't give-up on your preferred view becoming available. People cancel and make adjustments all the time