The NEW WL FAQ (Part 5) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY! Part 2

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Eeyore45

Glad you had a great visit, sounds like you rubbed Humphrey's nose and received a little PIXIE DUST. I can't wait until my next visit.

Beckie

 

[DisneyParkFan]

I have reservations for a Courtyard View non-smoking room at the Wilderness Lodge for early December. Is there a particular wing or floor I should request when I call to finalize and confirm my reservations? What would you suggest?
Thanks in advance!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hello fellow "wilderness lodge lovers!"

We will be back at the Lodge in just a few weeks...what's this I hear about construction in the lobby? Anyone have any insight on this? Thanks!

 

[FantasmicDreams]

I would also like to know about the construction...

Are the rooms all done?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I have reservations for a Courtyard View non-smoking room at the Wilderness Lodge for early December. Is there a particular wing or floor I should request when I call to finalize and confirm my reservations? What would you suggest?
Thanks in advance!

I also have a CY room booked for my upcoming trip (couldn't get the Fl res rate for a lesser room, unfortunately...I like chancing it and usually getting a free upgrade to CY!) I have requested a INNER courtyard view (I have heard stories of people paying for CY view and getting a room looking over the quiet pool) and I also said I did NOT want the 6th floor. The 6th floor (and 7th, but those are concierge rooms so you won't be getting that floor) have solid balconies, so you have to actually be standing at the balcony to see over it. I prefer the "slatted" balconies as you can see your view while in the room, or while sitting on the balcony. We are *bigtime* balcony sitters...nothing like sitting on the balcony at WL, looking at the Electric Water Parade, glass of wine in hand!

You will LOVE the WL. I get tears in my eyes as soon as I step into the lobby. Maybe I am just sappy, but I find that lobby dramatic, emotional, breathtaking and inspiring.

Then again, I also cry at WISHES and feel the same thing! WDW just brings out a lot of emotions in me!

 

[eeyore45]

The construction in the lobby - and in the inner courtyard -

You know those awesome pictures some of you have in the siggy with you standing on the bridge? Well, you cant see that view - the bridoge is there - you get off the elevators go over the bridge on the right is the pool - and the outside window has scaffolding around it - on the left towards the lobby, is a box around something with an apology sign on it - the "box" is the length of the bridge width 3 - 4 ft and the height is at least 6feet, while standing on the bridge you can peer inside, but I couldnt see anything...

We had room 3111 so it was near the corner and if you leaned right you could see the geyser, lake... to the left maybe 3 rooms before it turns to the lobby - there was scaffolding on that one window, only 2 stories... below our balcony on the ground there was lots of "storage" of materials - and covered by ground cloths - dark green ( a little less conspicous)

From the pool as you look towards the lobby the left side of the lodge has scaffolding, some up to the 5th floors...

Since it was my first visit to the Lodge, I can honestly say it didnt take away anything from our experience - we loved everything - maybe it was the people - the drama of the foliage, and the wildlife - it was just magneficent!!

(PS to Becky - yep, we rubbed Humphry's nose - as soon as we got there!! and I said hello to all those that had come before us to rub the magic in!! )

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Wildernesslodgelover and FantasmicDreams

While the exterior scaffolding has been up for over a month in the inner courtyard, before that they had the scaffolding in the front of the Lodge. They are replacing some of the wood fascia. For now the Lobby refurbishments seem to be limited to the indoor Silver Creek Spring area.

We have all known about the refurbishments, they been scheduled for over two years. The first work that was started and completed was the new Concierge Lounge on the 7th floor. (2005) After Roaring Fork was completed they started on the room and hallway refurbishments that were completed late July. They also pressure washed the roof and the exterior of the Lodge. So really for the past two summers they have been working on the Lodge.

We have no idea when all the work will be completed just that once a project is completed they move on to something new.

During this time period I have had 5 visits at the Lodge and the Villas, none of my visits have been effected by the work being done.

Beckie

 

[Smileybug]

Hi everyone I asked this same question on another thread and thought I would post it here as well. It's concerning the construction going on at the lodge. Does anyone know if the lobby/bridge area will be done in time for the Christmas decorations? My DH and I will be there on Nov 26-Dec.2. Thanks for your help.

 

[LoraJ]

What time do they do the construction work? I don't know if any of it is by where I'll be, but we're late sleepers and I'd hate to be awoken every morning at the crack of dawn to banging of hammers or what-not.

 

[Tracy Savage]

So whats the deal with Humphreys nose. Is there a special ritual we need to do when we come in the lodge?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Smileybug

See the post above yours, construction is always contingent on many factors. The work has been going on over at the Lodge most of the year. It hasn't effected most guest.

LoraJ
The work is going on during the day (normal work hours) so if you plan on sleeping in late, you might want to request a room on the Northside of the Lodge.

Tracy
Humphrey is the Lodge Mascot rubbing his nose brings MAGIC. For more information read page 1 my post # 2 toward the bottem of that post I have additional information.

Beckie

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks, Beckie...you post was very informative. I, too, an a late sleeper, so this is something for us to consider. When I say late, I mean 7 or 8 a.m. We don't wake up at the crack of dawn to hit the parks or anything.

I am truly not worried about it. The WL has NEVER let me down!

Oh, and I rub Humphey's nose every trip! Has brought me great luck and many return trips...so I will continue to do so!

 

[eeyore45]

I do believe in magic I do believe!!

We also slept late a day or two, and I mean 9:30 (ok by "we" I mean dd and dh!! I was up and out and at the MK!! lol) there was absolutely no noise - and we were on the 3rd floor -

I will say on the day we checked in the weather was magically cool - and we sat outside, just absorbing everything (so overwhelmingly beautiful!!) and they were moving things, and dropping metal things... but it truly did NOT affect our enjoyment at all - maybe if it had lasted it would have, but I'm thinking one or two drops, clink, and done - and they covered it with a brown or green ground cloth - not an in your face yellow, or blue- so even that wasnt a distraction!! Really!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

From seeing photo's on another thread it looks like they are taking it down from the original location and have in fact moved the scaffolding. I'm sure that did make some noise and it has now been placed right outside the lobby. So they are making progress.

I hope Volkswagenphreak doesn't mind me posting her photo's over here on the FAQ Thread she posted these photo's today.

My family and I just got back yesterday From out stay at WL we were in room 3163 and you couldnt really see much of the construction from our room. The little river going through the pool and the springs that explode with water werent working for about half of our trip, that was kind of disapointing but I thought the construction was'nt that bad at all. Here are a few pictures of the construction.

 

[LoraJ]

Thank you Beckie.
We'll try and do that.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hey Beckie! I don't mean to stir up any trouble, but I saw the original thread where volkswagenphreak posted those pictures, and there were some other pictures on there, too. The pictures from Doncaruana and lucky978 are the ones I am thinking of. Those pictures are a little disturbing, don't you think? Can you post those over here? I felt better after reading this thread, but worse after seeing those pictures on that thread!!!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

No your not stirring up any trouble by posting this, as most on this thread have probably seen all of the photos that are posted on the other thread.

The photo that lucky978 posted is at this point outdated, the new photos Volkswagenphreak posted showed that they have moved all the scaffolding from the corner of the Lodge that extended from rooms #129 around to # 121, the scaffolding is now placed towards the Bear face rooms and Lobby. We also have photos already posted here on the FAQ Thread of this area over a month ago, way before the other thread was posted on the main Resort Board.

This picture was taken last week. We were in room 6049 but this is what the "other side" looked like. It seemed as if they were moving back towards the lobby every day.

The creek in the lobby was dry all week. No water under the bridge.
On our last day, 9/30, they were putting up the wall in the lobby around the bridge/creek area.
I didn't find it intrusive at all, however, like I said - I was on the opposite side of the building. Only a few times did we hear any banging while sitting by the pool. I'm sure anyone going will still love the WL. We did.

The reason I didn't post the photos that doncaruana posted was because they were so dark and showed the same area that Volkswagenphreak showed. With the exception on the pile of scaffolding he posted that they had on the ground under his balcony.

Here is my take on this...the work has been going on for over a month and a half with no complaints of noise or mess. doncaruana and his family check-in to room # 119 a room right next to the area. They come back from the parks during the afternoon and hears noise from the construction area with scaffolding all over the ground outside his room.

The lodge is still the lodge. But if you've got a courtyard room and you go out on the balcony to see a pile of scaffolding, I think you might not like it. Or if you had to listen to guys slinging the scaffolding planks and making a racket.
I notice that the folks saying it didn't bother them had WV rooms.
Here - this is what I looked at out of my room:

Here's the view looking left:

And if I leaned out and looked right, I had this admittedly very nice view:

Be your own judge. I would stick to the outer courtyard (over the pool) if you can, if those pics annoy you. Considering that there is a premium for courtyard rooms - in any season, I found it, and the noise, annoying. But almost all of the lodge folks are inordinatley nice, too, so keep that in mind and, like I said, the lodge is the lodge.

I don't know when the Christmas decorations go up, but I would be extremely surprised if this isn't done by Thanksgiving.

Don

All I can say is yes it was noisy they were removing 7 floors of scaffolding...preparing to move the supplies to the new area. I believe they should have given Don and his family a new room. Did he request one, I don't know but I think he would have request to be moved if the noise had been unbearable.

In Volkswagenphreak two photo's the first photo shows the bottem of the corner area where the scaffolding was, the second photo is when they were still taking it down. This is why I posted her photo's instead of the others.

Hope that made sense.

Beckie

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yes, made perfect sense...you explained it quite well, actually, and calmed my fears yet again! Thanks for going to the trouble, I do appreciate it.

I am gonna give Humphrey's nose an extra rub, just for you!

 

[LoraJ]

I have a few questions.

Forgive me, they are probably repeat questions, but the search doesn't search through threads anymore.

1. Is Valet parking free? And how much do you usually tip? Do you tip when you drop off, pick up or both?

2. Standard rooms on the first page are described as follows: "STANDARD ROOMS: All Non-Smoking rooms with 2 Queen Beds.
Located on Floors 4,5 & 6. On the North(MK) side, they face the service area. There are also 4th floor rooms that overlokk the lobby and look out to roof peaks. Lobby rooms do have balconies."
Do the other standard rooms have balconies too?


3. On my vouchers, it says "an upgrade to a king may be available for an additional charge." Anyone know how much additional, and what our chances would be? I know, probably varies too much to answer, but worth a shot.

Thanks!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Lora

Don't worry about asking any question you may have. I'll try and answer your questions.

1. Is Valet parking free? And how much do you usually tip? Do you tip when you drop off, pick up or both?
There is a daily charge for Valet parking I beleive the charge is now $9.00 a day, (not 100% sure as I'm a DVC Member and it's free for me, it might be a little less) the tip or gratuity is extra. For valet we tip several dollars both when we drop the car off, and when we pick it up. (A little more if it's raining)

2. Standard rooms on the first page are described as follows: STANDARD ROOMS: All Non-Smoking rooms with 2 Queen Beds. Located on Floors 4,5 & 6. On the North(MK) side, they face the service area. There are also 4th floor rooms that overlook the lobby and look out to roof peaks. Lobby rooms do have balconies."
Do the other standard rooms have balconies too?
Yes all the rooms at the Wilderness Lodge have balconies or if the room is located on the ground floor a patio.

3. On my vouchers, it says "an upgrade to a king may be available for an additional charge." Anyone know how much additional, and what our chances would be? I know, probably varies too much to answer, but worth a shot.
I'm not 100% sure but as you stated you have a Voucher I'm going to assume you have a package? Did you book a standard room? Did you request a King size bed? If the answer was yes to all the above questions...I'm thinking this statement on the voucher maybe their way of letting the room assigner know you would like a King size bed even though this isn't available with a Standard View room and that you would be willing to pay for an upgrade. (The room assigner may just upgrade you at no charge)

Rooms with King size beds don't have an additional cost (price) at a Deluxe Resorts. Room views do and in order to recieve a room with a King size bed you would need to upgrade to a Woods or Courtyard View because the standard rooms have 2-Queen size beds.

Beckie