Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[disneylover81]

My dad was just diagnosed with follicular lymphoma and is awaiting the treatment plan. We are booked for a big family trip in July with Free Dining (3 reservations for 10 people). My niece is on my parent's reservation. If my parents have to cancel due to his medical treatment and can't make the trip, can I add my niece to my reservation and her not lose her free dining? We would basically just be moving her from my parent's room to mine . . .

 

[dansdad]

My dad was just diagnosed with follicular lymphoma and is awaiting the treatment plan. We are booked for a big family trip in July with Free Dining (3 reservations for 10 people). My niece is on my parent's reservation. If my parents have to cancel due to his medical treatment and can't make the trip, can I add my niece to my reservation and her not lose her free dining? We would basically just be moving her from my parent's room to mine . . .

As long as adding her doesn't put you over the max capacity for your room, it won't be a problem.

 

[disneylover81]

As long as adding her doesn't put you over the max capacity for your room, it won't be a problem.

It wouldn't put me over capacity. Thanks, that's a relief! Hopefully all is well with my dad and they won't have to cancel, but wanted to have a back-up plan for my niece. I've been begging them for years to go to WDW and they finally agreed - it's their first trip there!

 

[sleepydog25]

sweeeeet.

I've been following this thread off an on, so I apologize if this has been answered, but is there an update if the path to Ft Wilderness is officially closed and is there an update on any refurbishments to WL? thank you!

It is closed. I just got back from staying at the Lodge a couple of weeks ago, and I posted a picture on the VWL Groupies thread (DVC forum) if you're interested in seeing it. Anyway, the picture shows a posted sign that claims the trail is closed for "refurbishment." However, given that Reflections is going to be built between the Lodge and FW, it seems a certainty the path will be closed for the next three years. There is a possibility it won't reopen at all; however, I expect they'll keep it and connect the three resorts that way. Until then, however, the path is definitely closed.

 

[brewhome]

I stayed at Copper Creek in January, and man, I am missing WL today something fierce! I’m coming down for a quick three day trip at the end of April with my sis and we’re staying at All Star Movies because we don’t plan on being in the room hardly at all, so we went cheap... and that’s absolutely fine. We’ve also got a November girls trip planned at Port Orleans Riverside, which is absolutely fine, too, since that’s another trip where we will spend most of our time in the parks and DS. But I’m going to have to get myself back to WL pretty quickly after that for a more relaxed, hanging-at-the-resort trip... it’s amazing how it hooks you in and lures you back. Even my hubby, who is not a huge Disney fan, can’t wait to go back there. It really is special.

 

[ksromack]

I stayed at Copper Creek in January, and man, I am missing WL today something fierce! I’m coming down for a quick three day trip at the end of April with my sis and we’re staying at All Star Movies because we don’t plan on being in the room hardly at all, so we went cheap... and that’s absolutely fine. We’ve also got a November girls trip planned at Port Orleans Riverside, which is absolutely fine, too, since that’s another trip where we will spend most of our time in the parks and DS. But I’m going to have to get myself back to WL pretty quickly after that for a more relaxed, hanging-at-the-resort trip... it’s amazing how it hooks you in and lures you back. Even my hubby, who is not a huge Disney fan, can’t wait to go back there. It really is special.

We aren't staying there at all during our May trip but we're ending our Sept and Dec trip there. I can't wait! For the Sept trip we are definitely going to need the respite from the parks since the first 5 nights will be spent at POP, concentrating on SWGE and F&W! And in Dec we have a 2 night 1br stay with our son and his wife and our granddaughter. We didn't buy in with too many points so if we go to the World often we'll have to settle on split stays. But we'll always make CCV at the end of the trip!

 

[goofynut41]

I just realized I'm down to double digits till I'm at WL!!!!! 92DAYS!!!!!!!!!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

So excited to be returning for a last minute surprise trip for my 3 year old! Got an amazing passholder rate for a standard room. 13 days to go.

 

[ERED]

Leave in 12 days for a split Poly/WL stay! First time at WL.....So excited!!!!!

 

[AngiTN]

Curious, what became of the plan to update/refurb the rooms at WL?

 

[grannyminnie]

In what way? Soft goods or more extensive?

 

[AngiTN]

In what way? Soft goods or more extensive?

The same way all rooms property-wide are being done

 

[grannyminnie]

I'm still not clear on what the reno is.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm still not clear on what the reno is.

That's the question. The reno isn't. I'm asking what happened to it

 

[grannyminnie]

Oh!

 

[FSU Girl]

I booked a stay here for a weekend trip with a friend who hasn't been to Disney since she was a little kid. Is there anything we should do specifically at our hotel? We'll be staying in the parks for fireworks so won't be back until late. Might do afternoon breaks though. Also how long will it take us to check in and drop off our bags, get on the boat over to Magic Kingdom and to Be Our Guest? We have a 12:35pm reservation and driving up that morning.

 

[RachelTori]

That's the question. The reno isn't. I'm asking what happened to it

According to the information I have received (which may or may not be entirely accurate! lol), the refurb has been put on hold, but is still going to happen. After the autumn hold last year, it was thought April 2019. Last I heard was "possibly fall 2019" BUT that was before the GE: Star Wars opening date was announced so who knows! The plan was to tie up 2 floors during the reno: the floor they were working on, plus the floor below. My guess is it will happen when the powers-that-be decide they can spend the $$$ plus lose the revenue from the rooms being out of service.

In other words, I don't anybody knows for sure at this point!!

 

[AngiTN]

According to the information I have received (which may or may not be entirely accurate! lol), the refurb has been put on hold, but is still going to happen. After the autumn hold last year, it was thought April 2019. Last I heard was "possibly fall 2019" BUT that was before the GE: Star Wars opening date was announced so who knows! The plan was to tie up 2 floors during the reno: the floor they were working on, plus the floor below. My guess is it will happen when the powers-that-be decide they can spend the $$$ plus lose the revenue from the rooms being out of service.

In other words, I don't anybody knows for sure at this point!!

Just strange that they are working on AKL. So made me wonder why did they stop/skip the planned reno on WL only to start on AKL? Maybe because it's a bigger resort?

 

[danikoski]

Just strange that they are working on AKL. So made me wonder why did they stop/skip the planned reno on WL only to start on AKL? Maybe because it's a bigger resort?

My guess would be due to the fewer rooms at WL, they are going to let it slide longer. Especially since half of the resort was just completely redone, albeit into DVC. I also believe, if I remember correctly from a list I saw, that BRV is due for a refurbishment in like 2020/2021 on the DVC refurbishment calendar. So they may wait until closer to then to redo the resort side.

 

[RachelTori]

Just strange that they are working on AKL. So made me wonder why did they stop/skip the planned reno on WL only to start on AKL? Maybe because it's a bigger resort?

My guess would be due to the fewer rooms at WL, they are going to let it slide longer. Especially since half of the resort was just completely redone, albeit into DVC. I also believe, if I remember correctly from a list I saw, that BRV is due for a refurbishment in like 2020/2021 on the DVC refurbishment calendar. So they may wait until closer to then to redo the resort side.

It could also be that AKL's rooms are in a bit worse shape than WL's. I will be at both resorts in May so will see first-hand! It's also possible that once they took WL off the calendar, there hasn't been a space for it yet with all the other renovations that are scheduled. They may shift a few to get WL started, but AKL really was in need! Does that make sense? I'm sure I could have worded that better!!

(The DVC villas, however, are in wonderful condition. They already have the large Smart TVs and the lighted makeup mirrors! )