uh oh. Just booked at VWL. Did I make a mistake?

[shaynar]

I just booked 8 nights at VWL for January 2016. Did I make a mistake given the construction?
Please reassure me!

 

[Dean Marino]

You are going to be FINE. Sandy and I are booked Nov 2015 AND April 2016 . Will something be going on? Probably - but also probably fairly far to the North & South, closer to the beach area .

 

[hstrickland]

Don't forget to check out the fabulous Wilderness Lodge Thread! There will be tons of "reassurance" over there

 

[shaynar]

You are going to be FINE. Sandy and I are booked Nov 2015 AND April 2016 . Will something be going on? Probably - but also probably fairly far to the North & South, closer to the beach area .

Thanks!!! I was thinking that I'd be spending most of my time in the main building so I figured I'd be away from all the commotion, at least for the most part.
The WL thread is actually terrifying There are so many people there saying that they are changing their resort or not going back to WL until 2017, but I just booked on rented points so I can't change!

 

[aVASTGrl]

Don't worry, not all of us are jumping ship!!

 

[Dean Marino]

Thanks!!! I was thinking that I'd be spending most of my time in the main building so I figured I'd be away from all the commotion, at least for the most part.
The WL thread is actually terrifying There are so many people there saying that they are changing their resort or not going back to WL until 2017, but I just booked on rented points so I can't change!

shaynar - it really WILL be OK . Under the very WORST conditions - work crews show up at 8 AM, and leave at 5 PM. Let me take a wild guess as to where you will be between 8 & 5 . Sandy and I are going to be at breakfast (we get up at 8), then one of several parks . I guess we are fairly odd .

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We switched along with a lot of other people. I can't speak for anyone else, but we don't want to risk it.

 

[patty57]

Sorry, but I'm going to get negative here. Even if the actual construction work takes place between 8-5, it doesn't mean that the resort won't be a mess after the work is completed for the day. I stayed on rented points at the tail end of the pool construction last year, and would never knowingly do something like that again. I think it's fine that posters are staying so positive, but I'm not sure that it's realistic.

 

[mrs moon]

Im staying Oct and feel uneasy but everything else is now booked up!...i will hardly be in the room but will spend time around pool and dont want to hear construction then!!...

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Every construction project is different, and only time will tell exactly how the resort is affected, but I am of the camp that says it will be just fine. I would certainly book before, during, and after the construction project. Much of this project involves addition of buildings that are outside of the current WL footprint. Does this mean doom and gloom? Not in my opinion as it means the bulk of the work will be in the "woods" surrounding the lodge and not right in the middle of things. Yes there will be some work closer to the lodge at some point as a new restaurant is built near the South wing, but Disney will do their best to make the resort a nice place to stay during the project. A lot of it might be just a matter of perspective and your personal preferences though, because I also visited WL during the pool construction last summer and while I agree it definitely had an effect on the resort, it still wouldn't have kept me from staying there. If you dwell on the negative, I am sure you will find something to complain about, but there will also be many nice features of the resort that will be in place and ready for you to enjoy. Have fun looking forward to your trip, and perhaps you won't have to wait in line as long at Roaring Fork if a few people go elsewhere.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Sorry, but I'm going to get negative here. Even if the actual construction work takes place between 8-5, it doesn't mean that the resort won't be a mess after the work is completed for the day. I stayed on rented points at the tail end of the pool construction last year, and would never knowingly do something like that again. I think it's fine that posters are staying so positive, but I'm not sure that it's realistic.

I agree.

 

[shaynar]

Well I've already rented points, so it's a done deal.

I'm going with my 3 kids and without my dh so I wanted something close to MK. They're excited about the pool and splash pad at WL, and I'm going to assume that area isn't going to be touched by the construction.

I'll stalk the expansion threads and the DVC board to figure out the best room request to minimize the construction views.

I'm going to try to make the best of it (since I'm spending so much money I'd better have a good attitude!)

 

[eliza61]

Well I've already rented points, so it's a done deal.

I'm going with my 3 kids and without my dh so I wanted something close to MK. They're excited about the pool and splash pad at WL, and I'm going to assume that area isn't going to be touched by the construction.

I'll stalk the expansion threads and the DVC board to figure out the best room request to minimize the construction views.

I'm going to try to make the best of it (since I'm spending so much money I'd better have a good attitude!)

Great attitude.

Now I have to say I will never stay at a resort with construction going on, been there, done that. Just a personal prefence, for the kind of money Disney wants I do not want to look at walls and signs saying "pardon my appearance".
I stayed once at a hotel while undergoing refurb and while we had a perfectly lovely time, it did diminish my enjoyment.

Just me.

 

[mastermind307]

I rented point back in December 2014 to stay at VWL in October 2015. If I would have known about the construction, I probably would have booked at a different resort. This trip I was hoping to only do 1/2 days at the parks and spend more time at the resort enjoying the pool and other amenities. We will be up early and do rope drop so the noise won't wake us up, but I worry about it be loud when we get back from the parks early afternoon. I'm trying not to worry about it too much because I know there's nothing I can do about it. I'm just continuing to plan my trip and hope for the best.

 

[mrs moon]

Will Disney notify guests with an option do you think?

 

[patty57]

Will Disney notify guests with an option do you think?

What do you mean by "an option"? During the pool refurb, they sent out letters to guests. I don't remember if they mentioned the waterpark tickets in that letter because I didn't get one. My trip was scheduled to begin three days after construction was supposed to be finished...which it wasn't.

 

[mrs moon]

Im from UK and last yr they sent out letters detailing construction with option of other pools at other resorts or resort change. I have called Disney from uk and at the moment there is no other option for resort change as similar priced hotels are full . Im wondering if i will recieve a letter with option to change resort with similar price that they may have held back, for guests that demand change.Or am i just dreaming????

 

[patty57]

Im from UK and last yr they sent out letters detailing construction with option of other pools at other resorts or resort change. I have called Disney from uk and at the moment there is no other option for resort change as similar priced hotels are full . Im wondering if i will recieve a letter with option to change resort with similar price that they may have held back, for guests that demand change.Or am i just dreaming????

I don't know if they did anything different for UK guests, or if you were staying at a different resort than WL last year? The letters that US guests received didn't include any options for staying at other hotels as far as I know. There definitely was an option to use the pools at CR or FW though. Since they haven't even officially made an announcement about construction, you probably won't get any information from WDW.

 

[mrs moon]

Last yr i was due to stay at Wl and swapped to AKL after hearing about the pool closure . last yr i had booked through VA so dealt with them rather than Disney .This yr i have booked directly with Disney..Do you not think we will get any sort of letter or official announcement ??...

 

[patty57]

Last yr i was due to stay at Wl and swapped to AKL after hearing about the pool closure . last yr i had booked through VA so dealt with them rather than Disney .This yr i have booked directly with Disney..Do you not think we will get any sort of letter or official announcement ??...

If this project is taking place, there will be an official announcement, but have no idea when. You won't get any notification from WDW until they do. What is VA?