Roaring Forks Closing During our Trip

[Lauralee131]

I just noticed that Roaring Forks will be closed during our stay at the WL. This is really bugging me - and I'm thinking of changing hotels. What do you all think? Would you do the same? All I can think of is the negatives...the lack of a place available for late night munchies, drinks, etc...

I've never stayed at the WL before...is there enough available that we won't miss this? We're traveling with our 4 year old son (and BIL & SIL).

Am I crazy?

Lauralee131

 

[bicker]

Keep in mind that there is a mini-grocery in the Mercantile. That will be open during your trip. Beyond that, there will be some Grab-n-Go option offered, but we'll have to see what that is.

Personally, I think WL is so great that I'll happily pay the high room-service rates (if that was necessary) if I get the late-night munchies, rather than switch to another hotel.

 

[HLAuburn]

We're staying at WL during the refurb of RF, too. When I found out, I was really bummed, since we'll be there with an 18 month old and a sit-down meals (at WCC) aren't going to work all the time. I called the resort twice and have been told they will have a "grab n go" location while RF is closed. I've also read on here that they will offer a station for refillable mugs, too.
I can't imagine that at a Deluxe resort where the counter service is closed for 3 months that they won't offer some sort of alternative for quick meals. It may not be a sit-down cafeteria, but I'm pretty confident (from what I've been told by CMs and what I read here) that there will be a temporary location to pick up snacks and drinks.

I emailed WDW to ask about the refillable mugs. I'll let you all know if I hear anything back.

 

[bicker]

Please do, because I haven't read anything about refillable mugs.

Does anyone remember what the Pool Bar offers, and have any perspective on how useful it could be as an alternative to RF?

 

[Sammie]

They plan to set up a grab and go in the area where seating is for Roaring Forks.

The menu is not set, but there has been mention of cereal, pastries, some type of hot breakfast sandwich, pizza, hot dogs, cold sandwiches, salads, and beverages including coffee. It will be a grab and go situation during the rehab.

Not sure about refillable mugs, I have been told conflicting info on that, so I guess that is a wait and see. My guess is they won't offer them during this time as everything will be prepackaged.

 

[HLAuburn]

I emailed WDW about the refillable mugs, and here's what they wrote me back:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

We contacted Disney's Wilderness Lodge who informed us that the refillable mugs will not be
available while Roaring Forks undergoes refurbishment. We are sorry our response is not a more
favorable one.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Stinks.

 

[FARMGIRL]

Hi, I'm not happy about this, but we've never been there, this is our first trip to DW so I wanted it to be great. I called and they told me that it was not a big deal, but if I wanted to switch resorts that was an option. I'm concerned that we'll get there and they'll be more going on than just the Roaring Forks remodel. I just talked to my AAA agent and she said she was going to check into for me and get back to me. I don't want to stay some where that is going to be noisy and messy. This may not seem like a big deal to the ones that have been there and know your way around at the food sites, but it is a little scarey for me that's never been there and have purchased the dining package also. I really want to stay there, so hopefully it's really no big deal. I'll let you know what I find out!

 

[Lauralee131]

Hey Farmgirl...when are you going? I'm not happy about it either. I have the dining plan as well and was thinking we'd used a good percentage of our CS meals there. At the top of my head I can't remember what Whispering Canyon is classified as. We've never been to the WL before either and will be going 1/26 thru 2/3. My AAA agent is going to get a call from me as well. Now I'm thinking I may change resorts. I'm sure some people might think it's trivial, but we've been waiting a long, long time for this trip and I just want everything to be perfect and with the RF being closed, it sounds like an inconvenience I don't want.

I figure I can always try the WL another time, right?

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

Hi,
I'm feeling the same stress . I called WL twice and they told me that the refillable mugs will still be available. They also said they will have limited hot meals to go as there is no seating. Also, Whispering Canyon is not counter service. We picked this resort cause of the bunk beds and the only other resort with bunks is AKL. Not sure what to do about this also.

 

[scanne]

We picked this resort cause of the bunk beds and the only other resort with bunks is AKL. Not sure what to do about this also.

Bunkbeds are a request and they don't guarantee them. Wasn't sure if you were aware of this policy.

If you want to be close to MK, why not get a standard garden wing room at the Contemporary? This way, you'll still have the convenience of being near MK and a 24 snack place that will be "CS" for the dining plan (The Food and Fun Center at the CR).

I wouldn't choose my hotel based on the principle that I "might" get bunkbeds. I also wouldn't switch my hotel b/c of a lack of refillable mugs. JMHO.

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

After being put on hold for a very long time while Dave checked with the Manager, I learned that they WILL NOT have refillable mugs available during the refurbishment. He said they will simply have no place to put a soda fountain. With that said, I am sure if they get enough unhappy people (who haven't learned ahead of time on the DIS that the mugs aren't available!) they will do something.

To the OP-- I would not change resorts just for this reason. We are planning to just make do as we love WL so much (see sig!)

 

[Lauralee131]

Ok, after my bout of temporary insanity...I'm back! And I've come to my senses - thanks to my SIL (gotta love her).

We weighed all the pros and cons of switching and saving the $800 bucks by going to POR wasn't worth the comfort of a balcony, and the little goodies like iron/ironing board, etc. Yes, I'm shallow...I admit it

We'll have a fridge in the room anyway, right? So we'll just buy soda..hey - why didn't I think of that?? It seems like such a basic thought and I didn't have that! Ah well, my poor TA is definitely earning her money! I
think I'm driving her insane!

My vacation will be magical with or without refillable mugs!

Thanks to all of you for your input - where would I be without the Dis??

Lauralee131

 

[cdrn1]

You can always use room service or Territory Lounge for the late-night munchies. They have some pretty good stuff.

 

[HLAuburn]

After being put on hold for a very long time while Dave checked with the Manager, I learned that they WILL NOT have refillable mugs available during the refurbishment. He said they will simply have no place to put a soda fountain. With that said, I am sure if they get enough unhappy people (who haven't learned ahead of time on the DIS that the mugs aren't available!) they will do something.

To the OP-- I would not change resorts just for this reason. We are planning to just make do as we love WL so much (see sig!)

Thanks for the info. Did Dave happen to tell you anything about the alternate food options the WL will have while RF is closed?

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Personally I would never choose a hotel just because it had counter service. I choose the resort for other reasons. Roaring Forks being closed alone should not make you want to switch resorts. They will have alternative options available anyway.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for the info. Did Dave happen to tell you anything about the alternate food options the WL will have while RF is closed?

breakfast - pastries, hot breakfast sandwich, cold cereals
lunch/dinner - pizzas, hot dogs, cold sandwiches, salads
snacks - ice cream novelties, cookies, chips, etc
bottled soft drinks, coffee/tea, beer and wine

subject to change

 

[HLAuburn]

breakfast - pastries, hot breakfast sandwich, cold cereals
lunch/dinner - pizzas, hot dogs, cold sandwiches, salads
snacks - ice cream novelties, cookies, chips, etc
bottled soft drinks, coffee/tea, beer and wine

subject to change

Thanks
Isn't that pretty much what the menu is during non-refurb time?

Hopefully it will be much of the same "normal" selection sans a seating area. I can deal with that.

 

[bicker]

We'll have a fridge in the room anyway, right? So we'll just buy soda..hey - why didn't I think of that?? It seems like such a basic thought and I didn't have that!

LOL!!!

My vacation will be magical with or without refillable mugs!

Very very true!

 

[n2mm]

I got a letter yesterday from WL telling me that roaring forks will be closed during my Feb. trip.

 

[Joy]

I must be the only one who doesn't like the refillable mugs! I don't like the plastic taste. I was bummed at first, but now I'm ok with Roaring Forks being closed. There are some lovely areas around the WL to sit and have breakfast. When we did get breakfast from the RF, we never sat in there to eat.