Resort Thread Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE

[Wood Nymph]

I am so glad i added a night to swan!

I learned it will rain at 4 so while people got wet? I was safe n sound in a room!

Left at 6 and now at mco .

I don’t love S&D but once I walk out of the lobby and can see BWI, YC BC? Then I’m happy !

Thx!

That must have been really exhausting to deal with the delays and cancellations.

The Swan is a good option for a one-night stay like you had. Now you know whether you would ever stay there.

 

[danikoski]

We are booked to go stay at Boulder Ridge again Jan 1-7. I was just curious, when do they take the WL Christmas tree down? I recognize it may vary year to year, but a ballpark estimate would be fine

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are booked to go stay at Boulder Ridge again Jan 1-7. I was just curious, when do they take the WL Christmas tree down? I recognize it may vary year to year, but a ballpark estimate would be fine

The WL Christmas tree comes down very soon after Jan 1st. I've seen it come down by Jan 3rd or 4th.

 

[danikoski]

The WL Christmas tree comes down very soon after Jan 1st. I've seen it come down by Jan 3rd or 4th.

I'm fine if it comes down while we are there, but if it's up when we check in, I'd be super happy. We tried to plan the trip for Nov./Dec. but it just didn't work out. This was kind of a surprise trip...we won it, and I already had a Disney cruise planned where I have to take my son out of school for a week. So we had to plan this unexpected trip around school breaks. First world problems...not complaining. Super excited, and it'd just be an extra bonus to see the tree up too.

 

[baggs32]

I'm fine if it comes down while we are there, but if it's up when we check in, I'd be super happy. We tried to plan the trip for Nov./Dec. but it just didn't work out. This was kind of a surprise trip...we won it, and I already had a Disney cruise planned where I have to take my son out of school for a week. So we had to plan this unexpected trip around school breaks. First world problems...not complaining. Super excited, and it'd just be an extra bonus to see the tree up too.

We stayed at WL this past January 1st to the 4th and most of the decorations were still up by the time we left, all were still there on the 3rd for sure. The snack/refreshment stand in the lobby closed I think on the 3rd in case you are planning on grabbing something there. A race was coming up that weekend and, although I can't verify it, some folks in these forums said they keep the decorations up for them then take them down after it's over.

 

[danikoski]

We stayed at WL this past January 1st to the 4th and most of the decorations were still up by the time we left, all were still there on the 3rd for sure. The snack/refreshment stand in the lobby closed I think on the 3rd in case you are planning on grabbing something there. A race was coming up that weekend and, although I can't verify it, some folks in these forums said they keep the decorations up for them then take them down after it's over.

The marathon is Jan 8-12 this year, so not sure they will keep the decor up that long. Would be nice, but probably not.

 

[bluecastle]

I'm fine if it comes down while we are there, but if it's up when we check in, I'd be super happy. We tried to plan the trip for Nov./Dec. but it just didn't work out. This was kind of a surprise trip...we won it, and I already had a Disney cruise planned where I have to take my son out of school for a week. So we had to plan this unexpected trip around school breaks. First world problems...not complaining. Super excited, and it'd just be an extra bonus to see the tree up too.

We stayed 1/2-6 2020. The tree was up when we walked in and I was so happy! When we got back from the parks on the 3rd I asked someone at the check-in area when it was coming down and he said that night! I rushed around taking as many Christmas photos as I could, we got ourselves 2 Scotches from Territory Lounge, turned a couple of the fireplace rocking chairs around and watched the tree coming down. The workers arrived around 11:30 pm. It was really interesting and one of the guys was so nice. He walked over with the big star from the top and showed it to the small group of us who were watching. I’m sure watching it go up is preferable, but we really enjoyed the process and how efficient they were. The next day, the music was back to normal and there wasn’t a trace of Christmas anywhere! However, it was still Christmas in the parks and when we went to the GF Café, it was still Christmas there. Enjoy!!

 

[danikoski]

We stayed 1/2-6 2020. The tree was up when we walked in and I was so happy! When we got back from the parks on the 3rd I asked someone at the check-in area when it was coming down and he said that night! I rushed around taking as many Christmas photos as I could, we got ourselves 2 Scotches from Territory Lounge, turned a couple of the fireplace rocking chairs around and watched the tree coming down. The workers arrived around 11:30 pm. It was really interesting and one of the guys was so nice. He walked over with the big star from the top and showed it to the small group of us who were watching. I’m sure watching it go up is preferable, but we really enjoyed the process and how efficient they were. The next day, the music was back to normal and there wasn’t a trace of Christmas anywhere! However, it was still Christmas in the parks and when we went to the GF Café, it was still Christmas there. Enjoy!!

That sounds very cool!

 

[baggs32]

The marathon is Jan 8-12 this year, so not sure they will keep the decor up that long. Would be nice, but probably not.

I agree, very unlikely with the race weekend being the next week rather than the same week as New Year's. Since we left on the 4th I can't even say for sure they were up for this past year's race weekend and again, it was just heresay from this forum.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

 

[FLCA026]

We are going to be staying at the Wilderness lodge. Just wondered if there is a certain floor to request. We just have the standard room.

Also we will be arriving late in the evening so wondered if it is best to check in online or in person.

 

[trishadono]

We are going to be staying at the Wilderness lodge. Just wondered if there is a certain floor to request. We just have the standard room.

Also we will be arriving late in the evening so wondered if it is best to check in online or in person.

2nd floor is lobby level. 1st floor has the more rock patios if that interests you. 7th floor is club level so can’t really request that unless CCV. Do you have a preference?

I always do OCI. If you get notified prior to arrival you can see where you were assigned and if you don’t like it ask for a change when you arrive.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

2nd floor is lobby level. 1st floor has the more rock patios if that interests you. 7th floor is club level so can’t really request that unless CCV. Do you have a preference?

I always do OCI. If you get notified prior to arrival you can see where you were assigned and if you don’t like it ask for a change when you arrive.

What does a rock patio mean? I’m trying to figure out what to request for my upcoming vacation as well. We are two adults. No kids. We have a water view King room. I’m thinking of requesting a higher floor?

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are going to be staying at the Wilderness lodge. Just wondered if there is a certain floor to request. We just have the standard room.

Also we will be arriving late in the evening so wondered if it is best to check in online or in person.

The 6th floor has the dormer balconies which I hate. It makes the room darker, and you have to stand to see out of the balcony. I always request a room with an open balcony.

What does a rock patio mean? I’m trying to figure out what to request for my upcoming vacation as well. We are two adults. No kids. We have a water view King room. I’m thinking of requesting a higher floor?

A rock patio is a ground floor patio. We were in a ground floor room at the end of the hall. Here are a couple of pictures of the patio:

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

First floor:

 

[Robber Baron]

Watching some World Cup action on my 1st floor 'rock patio.'

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

The 6th floor has the dormer balconies which I hate. It makes the room darker, and you have to stand to see out of the balcony. I always request a room with an open balcony.

A rock patio is a ground floor patio. We were in a ground floor room at the end of the hall. Here are a couple of pictures of the patio:

Thank you. What are the benefits of this kind over a regular one. Are they bigger?

 

[trishadono]

Thank you. What are the benefits of this kind over a regular one. Are they bigger?

I have had some before. My ds at 27 still loves rocks lol. Hence therefore he loved it.

Some of the patios 1st floor are pretty open. It just depends on your preference. Me I am good with any .

Came back to add, they are unique but not a deal breaker IMO.

 

[mrsap]

New Permit for Wilderness Lodge Suggests Lengthy Project Through 2026

A refurbishment of Wilderness Lodge may be on the horizon, with a lengthy permit recently filed that would see work contracted through the end of 2026. The permit, filed by Disney’s Facility Asset Management team and contracted to Adena Corporation, lists “general construction” as the scope of the work. The interesting part of this permit is the December 25, 2026 end date. Typically, these Notice of Commencement permits have a standard expiration date of a year after they’re filed. Whenever an end date more than a year into the future is listed, we assume that the scope of the work is larger than a quick bit of work.

Adena Corporation is a large contractor that has done work with Disney in the past. The scope of work is wide, encompassing everything from roller coaster work to venues like the NBA Experience. Unfortunately, they are not the type of specialized contractor that would allow us to narrow our scope of speculation. That said, they have typically worked on theme park projects in the past with Disney, and normally they have worked with Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Wilderness Lodge project is different than we’ve come to expect with Adena. The work is owned by Disney’s Facility Asset Management, suggesting that the work is less creative and more maintenance/preventative.
Disney World has not announced any long-term projects for Wilderness Lodge yet, but there is an ongoing refurbishment of exterior spaces at the Boulder Ridge Villas section of the resort. That work is currently scheduled to wrap up around the end of this year. Clearly, the work in this new permit is of a larger scope and longer timeframe horizon given the December 2026 expiration date for the permit. Something to keep an eye on.