The Wilderness Lodge and Villas FAQ (Part 7) Simbas and Tiggers and Humphreys OH MY!

[Minnie&Nana]

Minnie&Nana is right that the response you received doesn't really mean much. I did a quick search for permit filings and didn't notice anything for the WL except some roofing work. But, unless structural changes are taking place (and with a room rehab. I doubt there would be any), no permits would need to be filed.

Usually the first sign of an impending rehab. is some guests might get notification that they're being bumped to other resorts well before WDW actually announces it. Some Disney-related sites do post weekly rehab. updates for parks and resorts, but none have mentioned WL - yet

WDWKOOK, thanks! FQ and POR both have had permits filed for those rehabs...wonder why..any guesses? They did not gut the rooms or the bathrooms, the way it was done for the previous refurb.

I'm thinking if WL is going to have a refurb beginning in October we will not hear anything until at least September if guests are being moved...or they may be able to complete the refurb without moving guests like they did for FQ and CBR - it is always interesting to anticipate what Disney will do each time!

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK, thanks! FQ and POR both have had permits filed for those rehabs...wonder why..any guesses? They did not gut the rooms or the bathrooms, the way it was done for the previous refurb.

I'm thinking if WL is going to have a refurb beginning in October we will not hear anything until at least September if guests are being moved...or they may be able to complete the refurb without moving guests like they did for FQ and CBR - it is always interesting to anticipate what Disney will do each time!

Maybe they had to file paperwork for POFQ and POR because electrical work was done. The filing only states "guest room renovations." If it were only replacing double beds with queens, then I can't imagine why they had to file paperwork with Orange County for that.

 

[nathanyell]

We are booked up for a Standard room in July. Originally we requested two queen beds as we thought it was likely that two more adults would be joining us, but they are definitely NOT joining us. Is there a little more space in a room with a King size bed? DS will probably sleep in a PnP so we need a smidge more floor space for that. Or should I even bother changing the preference on our reservation?

Definitely try to get the king room. The extra space was so nice when we were there. There is a chair and ottoman in the corner bfut plenty of room for a pack and play

Brian

 

[jak07]

I feel horrible about mentioning the refurb. All I know is what the CL mgr told me. Like I said before, I assumed someone here already knew about it. People here know just about everything.
I honestly believe he told us because he and my DH (who is in the hotel business) were discussing minor adjustments that needed to be done to our room. He then mentioned the refurb and that they were thinking of changing some of the food items in the old faithful club too.
Regarding the response from Disney, I'm not surprised they denied it. They denied BLT until they couldn't deny it any longer. They never tell the guests what is going on, it would ruin the magic.
We were going to go back to WL at the end of the month, but DH wanted to try YC.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I feel horrible about mentioning the refurb. All I know is what the CL mgr told me. Like I said before, I assumed someone here already knew about it. People here know just about everything.
I honestly believe he told us because he and my DH (who is in the hotel business) were discussing minor adjustments that needed to be done to our room. He then mentioned the refurb and that they were thinking of changing some of the food items in the old faithful club too.
Regarding the response from Disney, I'm not surprised they denied it. They denied BLT until they couldn't deny it any longer. They never tell the guests what is going on, it would ruin the magic.
We were going to go back to WL at the end of the month, but DH wanted to try YC.

Yikes, don't feel horrible about anything. You gave us something to fuss over! Rehabs are a good thing, really and predictably, they do come about every 6-7 years at WDW.

Yes, they will continue to deny, mostly because they always seem to be the last to know. I'm sure the denial of big projects such as new DVC resorts (like the new GF Villas that are beginning construction) is so they can have the upper hand in making the big announcement and probably make some lawyer happy. I guess WDW forgets how obsessed we all are with permit filings and such - it's hard to keep a secret from us with such good intell. and people like you

 

[my2disneyboys]

Subbing to this great thread! We are so excited to have just booked Wilderness Lodge for our stay the night before our Disney Dream Cruise - in February 2012.

 

[saintstickets]

Well fellow DISboarders and VWL lovers, our 11 month window is approaching next week and we will call to book a 2 BR at VWL for 5/20-5/25/12. This will be our 1st trip using our DVC-VWL contract. The crew will include 6 adults - DH, DW, DS, DSgf, DD, DDbf. Naturally DW and I will get the master bedroom and the girls will have the second bedroom. The boys will have to rough it on the pull-out sofa and an air mattress! Any suggestions for room requests? I think I read somewhere that certain rooms have two queen beds in the second bedroom - is that correct?

On this trip, we will not venture into the WDW parks scared1 but instead head over to IOA for the WWOHP, Seaworld, Discovery Cove and possibly a day trip to Kennedy Space Center. We will fill in with non-park activities like horseback riding, jet-ski rental, shopping at DTD and miniature golf.

Any and all suggestions for room assignments or activities will be appreciated.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I feel horrible about mentioning the refurb. All I know is what the CL mgr told me. Like I said before, I assumed someone here already knew about it. People here know just about everything.
I honestly believe he told us because he and my DH (who is in the hotel business) were discussing minor adjustments that needed to be done to our room. He then mentioned the refurb and that they were thinking of changing some of the food items in the old faithful club too.
Regarding the response from Disney, I'm not surprised they denied it. They denied BLT until they couldn't deny it any longer. They never tell the guests what is going on, it would ruin the magic.
We were going to go back to WL at the end of the month, but DH wanted to try YC.

Oh my goodness, please don't feel horrible! I am glad you mentioned it and you are not the first - I heard it somewhere else, but have forgotten where. As WDWKOOK said, we enjoy the discussion all in fun and many of us know Disney will not confirm anything until they are ready to make it official.

DISers often hear behind the scenes sort of info from resort managers - and they are more likely in the know about what is upcoming for their resort.

I'm relaly glad you mentioned it - gave me a smile and hope for nice fresh rooms our next stay.

 

[abgardner]

Thanks for your informative postings on the Wilderness Lodge. Do you have any information on the villas at the Wilderness Lodge? I would like to request a quiet one-bedroom villa with a view for my first visit and was wondering if you had any recommendations. Thanks!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Thanks for your informative postings on the Wilderness Lodge. Do you have any information on the villas at the Wilderness Lodge? I would like to request a quiet one-bedroom villa with a view for my first visit and was wondering if you had any recommendations. Thanks!

As I recently found out, there really aren't 'views' at the villas. You might see trees, trees over a walkway, or trees near the villa pool And the villas were really quiet. I was pleasantly surprised at how little I heard. We had a one-bedroom villa and we had people in the room next to us and across the hall and only 2 or 3 times did we hear a turbo-flush and once I heard the kids upstairs on their balcony when I was on ours (during the day). It was very quiet in our room! I did request a room near the elevator and while it wasn't right near it, it was just a few doors down the smaller 'wing'.

 

[Linda67]

Hi everyone

Following our magical stay at WL in May we are now considereing buying into DVC at the Villas

To those who have stayed in Studio accomodation at the Villas, how would you say they compare to the regular Lodge rooms?

Any thoughts and info would be great

 

[sjs314]

Just changed our ressie from the BC to WL this morning. It will be our 3rd time staying at WL. WL is DH's favorite resort and we are happy to be returning to it in October. Off to read over the thread as it has been many years since we stayed at WL and need to catch up on what is new.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Just changed our ressie from the BC to WL this morning. It will be our 3rd time staying at WL. WL is DH's favorite resort and we are happy to be returning to it in October. Off to read over the thread as it has been many years since we stayed at WL and need to catch up on what is new.

Sheila! I'm here too! Good to see you over here.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi everyone

Following our magical stay at WL in May we are now considering buying into DVC at the Villas

To those who have stayed in Studio accommodation at the Villas, how would you say they compare to the regular Lodge rooms?

Any thoughts and info would be great

We far preferred the Villa studio - it is a bit larger, though only one queen bed and a pullout couch. The Lodge room felt very small and cramped to us (it is the same size as CBR, a moderate), but lots of people love the lodge rooms and do not mind the size. It probably bothers me more b/c the far majority of our WDW resort stays have been at the monorail resorts and those rooms are huge. Even the BC room felt small to us.

Anyway - there are better views to be had at the Lodge than the villas which are mostly trees, maybe a walkway and a few have a pool view. We had a very nice studio Villa - corner room with a side window which helped add light since the balconies on the lake side face pine trees.

My friend and I are considering another winter stay at the Lodge after the next refurb happens. I'm hoping they get rid of those humongous headboards!

Hope this helps!

 

[sjs314]

Sheila! I'm here too! Good to see you over here.

DH and I are really happy to be heading back to WL

 

[abgardner]

Thanks, Tinkerbellie, for your quick response. I guess I will see what I get when I ask for a higher floor---going on the assumption that the villas are in a 2-story building. Thank you for your insight.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just changed our ressie from the BC to WL this morning. It will be our 3rd time staying at WL. WL is DH's favorite resort and we are happy to be returning to it in October. Off to read over the thread as it has been many years since we stayed at WL and need to catch up on what is new.

Glad you found us over here. What a wonderful change

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks, Tinkerbellie, for your quick response. I guess I will see what I get when I ask for a higher floor---going on the assumption that the villas are in a 2-story building. Thank you for your insight.

Villas have 5 floors, not 2!

 

[sjs314]

Glad you found us over here. What a wonderful change

Thanks

 

[troynkasey]

Hey everyone, we got back on the 11th from a 6 day stay at WL and it may have been better than I remembered and certainly better than expected. We stayed in 3116 which was a woods view, bunk bed room. The girls LOVED the bunk bed option and I felt like we had a little bit more room than in a dual queen bed room. Could have been perception though. The view was of the Villas and a walkway out of the lodge to the villas. Nothing special, but the bunkbed room was nice. And mousekeeping was amazing. Devora was her name. If you get her, she's awesome. We tipped her and she saw us in the hallway, asked us if we would be coming back soon or could she start. Then she asked if the girls liked the towel animals and thanked us for the tip. Very nice!!!

Our transportation was awesome. Longest wait was for the MK the first day as we just missed the boat to MK. Contrary to past trips, they actually run the big yellow, white and teal colored boats and the little, open air boats. On breezy days, the smaller boats were AWESOME.

The weather was amazing too, so that probably had something to do with it. This was the first time staying at WL that we didn't eat at WC. Roaring Forks did a decent enough job satisfying us. Every night they had a chef's special. Most of the time it was a flatbread pizza. Sunday when we got there, the special was BBQ brisket pizza. It was AMAZING...and I'm not one who likes BBQ chicken pizza.

I'll post a few pictures once we get them unloaded from the camera. Good luck to all who are going and have a great time!!! We certainly did.