Resort Thread Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE

[Dave006]

@Mle8308 thanks for the scaffolding update, and for confirming that boat service between WL, and MK was the normal pattern.

Dave

 

[Mle8308]

@Mle8308 thanks for the scaffolding update, and for confirming that boat service between WL, and MK was the normal pattern.

Dave

Welcome! And for whatever reason, the photo was posted twice. And not nearly as good as @mrsap's photos! And there was no change in the boat schedule that I noticed.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have a few questions and I'm hoping that I can reach more people who might know here vs in the DVC forum. I'll be staying at Copper Creek cabins for a few nights in a few months. It's just my husband and myself and we're flying in on a red eye from California. I believe we'll make it to the resort about 7am. I originally thought we'd make it a park day. But, realizing how tired we are on the daily without taking a red eye, I think we'll make it a resort day.

I've been looking at the activities and it looks like they offer a daily walking tour of the resort at 9am every day. Is that still happening? Has anyone done it recently?

Does Sturdy Branches have a dry sauna? We have no interest in a steam room.

Is the food good at Artist's Point? We're not really into character dining, but if the food it good, it might be fun.

The other lounges look amazingly good. I'm sure my husband would like the Bison burger and Territory lounge looks like it has good food options for him. I eat chicken and turkey once in a while, but I mostly eat vegetarian. Anything recommended for me?

I also love cold brew coffee and espresso martinis, but not overly sweet. Are the cold brews ridiculous there? I don't like it when they add a bunch of stuff. Cold foam and a little flavoring is good. Whipped cream and cereal/candy is too much. Any good espresso martinis there?

Anything else you would recommend for an older couple to do there for a resort day? We have a pool at home so I don't get excited about hotel pools normally.

 

[Sakura1017]

Can someone ask cast members when the Christmas tree will be up at the hotel?

 

[Dave006]

Can someone ask cast members when the Christmas tree will be up at the hotel?

They very often don't know the night that it will appear until very late on the actual day.

Dave

 

[VAtink]

I've been looking at the activities and it looks like they offer a daily walking tour of the resort at 9am every day. Is that still happening? Has anyone done it recently?

We did the arts and architecture tour in June and loved it! I was surprised how thorough it was, and it lasted for longer than expected, over 1.5 hours. Definitely recommend!

Also, recommend Geyser Point for a meal, it is one of our favorite places on property, and the bison burger is our favorite burger on property!

 

[Doingitagain]

Is the food good at Artist's Point? We're not really into character dining, but if the food it good, it might be fun.

The other lounges look amazingly good. I'm sure my husband would like the Bison burger and Territory lounge looks like it has good food options for him. I eat chicken and turkey once in a while, but I mostly eat vegetarian. Anything recommended for me?

Anything else you would recommend for an older couple to do there for a resort day? We have a pool at home so I don't get excited about hotel pools normally.

The food at Artist Point and Territory are both good, recommend going to both. You can mobile order Territory if you can’t get a reservation and eat it elsewhere.

Take the boat and either stay on it or get off at visit at the stops.

The lobby is beautiful and a good place to sit and relax.

 

[CarolynFH]

Can someone ask cast members when the Christmas tree will be up at the hotel?

Resort decorations go up based on a lottery, so the sequence of which resort is decorated when varies every year. Follow this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/🎄...y-resorts-thread-2025-updated-11-3-🎄.3932476/.

 

[mrsap]

Wilderness Lodge Exterior Refurbishment to Continue Through Late 2026​

A newer message posted by Walt Disney World lists the new “late 2026” end date for the refurbishment.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are undergoing exterior refurbishment work expected to continue through late 2026. These enhancements may impact views from various locations throughout the Resort. While most resort amenities will remain available, Guests may see and hear construction work during daytime hours.
Walt Disney World

You may remember our July 2024 coverage of a permit that hinted at the late 2026 end date. Now, it’s official.

Inside the resort, Walt Disney World has installed a themed frosted glass that prevents views of the work taking place.

 

[Buckeye218]

Has the main pool or the DVC pool been refurbished already? Or are there possibilities of pool closures in 2026?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Has the main pool or the DVC pool been refurbished already? Or are there possibilities of pool closures in 2026?

The main pool went through a major refurbishment years ago. The former DVC Hidden Springs pool was torn out, and a new pool has replaced it. I don't foresee any major pool refurbishments needed.

 

[elvispursley]

Has the main pool or the DVC pool been refurbished already? Or are there possibilities of pool closures in 2026?

I would imagine if make pool refurbs were planned in 2026 (or any construction), it would be noted on the website andr email sent. We’re booked for YC in Aug 2026 and saw the banner in the web page and received an email.

 

[Doingitagain]

To me the big question is if they leave the pool table in the Jambo grand villa.

 

[missingdisneymore]

To me the big question is if they leave the pool table in the Jambo grand villa.

Different “Lodge”

 

[Dave006]

To me the big question is if they leave the pool table in the Jambo grand villa.

Just to answer your actual question:

Yes the pool table is still in the Grand Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge as of now. They are currently undergoing a major refurb that started last month, at Kidani Village it is expected to be completed by May 2026 for the (14) Grand Villas.

The (6) Grand Villas in Jambo House are not scheduled to start their refurb until May 2026, and end in January 2027.

Dave

 

[mrsap]

Posted on Disney’s Website​

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Boat Transportation to be Temporarily Suspended​

Disney has posted the following notice about refurbishing the dock from January through early April 2026. Boat transportation will only be suspended from January 12 through 30.

I feel like I am missing something obvious. How can the dock be closed for three months, but boat service to MK be suspended for only a couple weeks of those three months?

 

[Dave006]

Boat transportation will only be suspended from January 12 through 30.

@mrsap, I think this is the key phase to highlight, and reference. The dock will be closed and boat transportation temporarily suspended from Jan. 12–30 only.

The announcement on the resort page for WL that the WDWnt report referenced is very poorly written. Note they also in the article still claim that the current boat scheduled is one shared with Ft Wilderness but actual reports have not shown that to be true.

Dave

 

[Dave006]

I feel like I am missing something obvious. How can the dock be closed for three months, but boat service to MK be suspended for only a couple weeks of those three months?

No you got the message the way it was posted but it is very misleading. The refurbishing at the dock from January through early April 2026 but boat service will only be fully suspended for about 18 days.

The dock is quite spacious, and they are able to use 2-3 different loading / unloading positions after they get the 18 day work out of the way. Normally piling work or walkway repairs leading up the dock transition area area. That's how we do it around my area.

Dave

 

[mrsap]

@mrsap, I think this is the key phase to highlight, and reference. The dock will be closed and boat transportation temporarily suspended from Jan. 12–30 only.

The announcement on the resort page for WL that the WDWnt report referenced is very poorly written. Note they also in the article still claim that the current boat scheduled is one shared with Ft Wilderness but actual reports have not shown that to be true.

Dave

Deleted and replaced with Disney’s announcement.