So torn! WL during construction, AKL or Poly/BW split?

[branv]

I am in a crisis of indecision and would love some insight.

We are currently booked in a standard room at WL for DS's first trip (at age 2) in November. It's pretty clear that construction will have started on WL DVC expansion, which with our room type, would have us facing a massive construction site. Biggest problem is that DS (and DH on WDW vacations), nap in the afternoon. And this level of construction will most likely be disruptive, even with a white noise machine. So, what to do?! We've priced out a few options with our TA, who has some good travel deals. But I'm torn as to what to choose.

Keep WL, since it's close to MK (again, toddler) and we got it for a great price. Just pray construction isn't all that bad? I priced a courtyard room (away from construction), and *if* a discount was released by Disney, it's still quite a bit more expensive.

Move to AKL, which is $150 cheaper than WL, and since it's so far out, use that savings towards a car for the week (on our trips before DS, we always rented cars and loved it). Maybe pay for valet so we can park closer to MK. But man, it's just SO far from MK, which is like 70% of our trip.

Another option is a split stay at BW and Poly. The first night would be at BW because our agency only had deals for Poly starting on our second night. But I think that will work since we'd planned on spending our first night/morning at DHS/Epcot anyway. My thoughts are live from one tiny overnight bag that night, then drop our bags off at bell services for transfer in the morning on the way to the park. After lunch, just use the Epcot monorail to TTC and walk to Poly. And I've always wanted to stay at the Poly. Plus monorail to MK! However, this plan costs us $500 more than our WL stay. OUCH. And we aren't guaranteed a balcony (which was a big reason for staying deluxe so we could sit out there after DS goes to bed at night). Plus the upheaval of a two year old in a new place x 2.

There are so many pros and cons that I'm totally vapor locked. Would love some insight. WWYD?

 

[mrs moon]

Im also staying Oct and have no clue what to do!!!!

 

[MrsSkellington]

We'll be there for our 2 1/2 year old's 1st trip in October/November too. The nap thing is a concern for us too. I'm anxiously watching the Wilderness Lodge thread to see how things are going. Someone did mention that if it is too much to deal with when you are there, the resort might be able to switch to you another room or even another hotel. Not sure how true this is (switching to another resort entirely), but it is an option. I do have my heart set on WL, and now there isn't much choice for us as far as switching since we got the Free Dining. I wish I could offer more advice. Good luck!

 

[Bree]

Poly is still under construction too. They will be closing the east pool and doing some major renovations over there. You could request a room away from it and a balcony, but it's just a request and you could end up paying more and still end up near construction.

 

[branv]

Oh my goodness! Still construction at Poly? All the way into November?! Ack! Does Disney build *anything* fast anymore?

Thanks so much for the heads up!

 

[La Belle]

We are also staying at WL, standard room in December. Like you I am very torn and don't know what to do! In the end I think I'll take the chance and stay at WL but I might pay to upgrade my room? I wouldn't want to be staring at all the construction, lot clearing etc. I haven't told DH about the construction. We have our heart set on WL.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I would stay with WL. My reasoning is that November is still fairly early in the construction process, just about two months in to a multi-year project. Most of the work will likely be in the "woods" surrounding the lodge, so hopefully the noise effects on the main part of the lodge will be minimal. There are no guarantees, and noise can occur even when there isn't a major addition going on, but to get to stay at WL with the relative value of a Standard view room I'd go for it. Time will tell how bad the construction actually turns out to be, but I am optimistic because the bulk of the project seems to be adding rooms to areas that are currently remote from the main lodge. Later in the project there may be changes to the restaurants and beach area of the lodge itself, and then you'd have to decide if the negatives were worse, but initially I don't think it will be terrible.

You could also request a standard view room that opens to the lobby, which is what we prefer. You can hear noise from WCC, especially in the evenings, but your balcony will face away from the construction, especially if you wind up on the South side of the lobby. We have stayed on the south side of the lobby twice after booking Standard view and loved it.

Have a great trip, and enjoy your planning! Don't let the construction work take the fun of planning such a big trip away, you'll still be at WDW in a great resort.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I would not stay at WL...people are already reporting jackhammering during the day despite the fact there were no warnings ahead of time. Now we know there is going to be an expansion in the fall lasting for two years. My husband and I do not spend the whole day at the park and we would also like to be able to nap or enjoy the pool. Believe me, I would love to stay at WL too but we switched to GF already. I would pick the Poly because the construction there is almost done and AK is so far away.

 

[alldiz]

I have the same problem... Staying WLV over thanksgiving week. Only place I can switch to is SSR.
So far away and I'm not sure if construction is finished from DTD.
Hope it's not too noisy!
Kerri

 

[Lesverts]

I have a one night booked Nov 28. Do not care one bit if there is construction. In all honesty Wilderness Lodge needs some updates, especially to the technology in the rooms. But It is 100% worth it to me. So.

 

[chocolateavocado]

Same here... We were booked for our 1st stay at WL over Thanksgiving. Just switched yesterday to Beach Club/ but now am questioning my decision. While the BC looks beautiful, we spend alot of time at MK. We have only been to Disney once & stayed at Poly & LOVED it - but w/the construction going on there- not sure what to do. May consider a split between BC & Poly....
Good luck w/ whatever you decide!

 

[PlutoFan76]

I've done a two night BW then 4 nights at Poly split. It was wonderful. Not only are the hotels wonderful, but it was the best of all for transportation. We watched the Illumination fireworks from our BW balcony the first night and the MK fireworks from the POLY beach the last night. It was an amazing trip and we barely used the bus. It was monorail and boats for us!

 

[rwdavis2]

AKL. It's not that far away. A bus might take 10 minutes or so more.

 

[kmorlock]

We have a December 2015 trip at WL Woods Vw....We were at BCV in a studio.. We received a letter re: refurb at BCV, promptly called number on letter and were switched to a room at WL which was unavailable under our discount (bounce back) until then. We were so happy to move back to WL as it is a favorite especially for Christmas Season. Then all the talk re: DVC expansion started about two weeks later! I'm stalking the phone daily but of course none of the CM's are probably allowed to confirm the expansion even if they do know about it. So, only thing available for us now is AKL Pool Vw., or Club Level CR, CL YC/BC, and Water View BW which are all very expensive upgrades!

I'm going to sit tight for now until I get some confirmation or letter. Speaking from experience on how the pool refurb was done, the group that handles the construction calls often can offer more than what shows available, discount rooms, upgrade, etc...it was not cut and dry re: the pool. Different guests got different offerings depending on who they talked to and how their reservation was booked.

If anyone reading this has not done so, check out the Wilderness Lodge thread and page 1 just under the pictures is a link to a thread re: the expansion. Lots of good information there courtesy of mods and especially, WDWKOOK. So, until confirmation, I would perhaps wait it out if moving meant extra expenses.

 

[FTM22]

We bailed on WL last year because of the pool project and went to AKL. I loved the resort and the buses were just fine. Seeing what happened with the pool, we were very glad to have changed resorts. We didn't find any of the bus rides last year to be long from AKL except for DTD. With a 2YO, I wouldn't want to change resorts, but then I am not fond of that idea at any age. I'd say either stick with WL or move to AKL.

This time, we are booked WL on CL with the FD and I am hopeful that we will not have to move again. I too am monitoring the thread and suggest you do the same. My family really wanted to return to WL this time so I am going to need a fine reason to move us.

 

[Daisy62]

We are booked at WL club level in December. Construction noise won't bother us as we won't even be in the room during the day. I did request a courtyard view though as we have only had woods views in the past. There is no way I'd cancel WL unless I planned on being in the room all day.

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

Just wanted to chime in, I just returned from AKL with 3 boys...ages 12,6, and 2. I did not feel the least bit isolated and was shocked at how quickly we got to the parks each day, after reading so often how far away the resort is. I agree with the pp that only the DTD bus seemed to take a long time and, honestly, the buses to and from DTD have always seeemed to take forever, no matter where I've stayed (even the time the boats were not running and we had to bus back to POFQ).

 

[aVASTGrl]

Since you're traveling with a little one, I would definitely avoid WL; I don't nap during the day, so I'm not concerned about the construction, but your little one would most definitely be disturbed. I vote for AKL, it's amazing, and the bus service, to us, has always been amazing; certainly better than some other Resorts we've encountered.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We're staying at VWL in October and I have no intention of switching ahead of time. It's just too early to panic, IMO, and if you get there and it's intolerable you can ask to be moved to another resort. I really don't think that there is going to be huge impacts to any current guest areas during the first phase of construction...there is going to be site work, etc., and the trees are so thick that I don't think it's going to be a big deal.