Villas at Wilderness Lodge

[bhodonne]

Can anyone give me an update on VWL? We have not stayed there and are potentially looking at going in August. Construction have it a mess there? Any reason not to go ahead and book a reservation? Thanks!

Brandon

 

[ErinC]

August 2016? It will most definately be under full construction during that time period, but occupancy is low right now especially in the hotel portion. Guests are reporting that everything seems to be not so crowded due to the construction. There is a wilderness lodge construction thread over on the resorts board with some recent pictures of construction. I think most noise occurs during daytime hours and no one seems to be bothered by the noise at night. Much depends on your personal tolerance for things like this, but most people report still having a great trip. If I were staying in the villas, I would request the bus stop/woods view of the resort so you aren't staring at construction.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

However, 50% of VWL have a construction view, and a lot of people are requesting a view away from construction. So you're not guaranteed to get the request. If having a view of a dirt pit (the pool) would be a negative for you, I'd strongly consider staying elsewhere.

 

[Roccosmom]

How bad do you think the construction will be in Jan 2017? Do you think it will be finishing touches at that point? Any insight is appreciated Thanks!

 

[nzdisneymom]

We had an overnight there this past weekend. As a bonus for being there during construction, they give you a set of construction trading pins that are really cute (sorry, I don't have a picture to post). The info sheet said no work before 9 AM.

 

[pmaurer74]

How bad do you think the construction will be in Jan 2017? Do you think it will be finishing touches at that point? Any insight is appreciated Thanks!

they have barely started. The footers of the cabins are visible, the framing of the restaurant appears done. Construction on the pool will likely be long off. I think 2018 is more likely.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The permits are good for all of 2017, and if you look at the Poly bungalow construction timeline, the odds on the cabins being done by spring 2017 are pretty low.

 

[sleepydog25]

Can anyone give me an update on VWL? We have not stayed there and are potentially looking at going in August. Construction have it a mess there? Any reason not to go ahead and book a reservation? Thanks!

Brandon

We were there a few months back, and the construction didn't affect us at all. As mentioned, the work didn't start until well after we were up and moving (gone for the day in most cases). The restaurants are all open; the lobby is still magnificent; and the boats still run. Crowds were down at the resort, so it was still peaceful. . .outside of having to look at the construction. Even so, we got a room on the lake side, thus facing the construction, and we didn't mind it since we had a clear view of the lake and EWP each night. I hate that they've removed so much of the wilderness there, but that aside, it was still a pleasant stay. I say go ahead and book there (if you can get in this late).

As others have said, I wouldn't count on any of the work being completed until late 2017 if not well into 2018. Disney's past history (see: PVB) suggests they won't be finished quickly, and currently, the entire south wing of the main Lodge is gutted. The new cabins barely have a footprint, and the new quiet pool (such as that might be) likely won't be started until most all else is nearing completion since where it will go in is the staging area for all the other construction going on. I've been saying all along that I don't expect completion until 2018, though they could potentially open some of the new build earlier than that.

 

[Savagekids]

I want those construction pins... but we stayed there last year and are trying something new this year.

 

[disneynutz]

I wonder if construction funding is provided through sales proceeds? Slow to sell PVB, slow to build VWL.

Bill

 

[sleepydog25]

I wonder if construction funding is provided through sales proceeds? Slow to sell PVB, slow to build VWL.

Bill

2020 then.

 

[DebbieB]

I saw a post today that DVC filed a permit for a model room at SSR. Assuming that is for the lodge rooms. So that part maybe open within a year.

 

[Granny]

I wonder if construction funding is provided through sales proceeds? Slow to sell PVB, slow to build VWL.

Bill

Actually, PVB sales have been pretty strong lately. As quoted from DVC Info site...

May Direct DVC Sales saw another strong month for Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (PVB), recording higher sales than any other resort in the past 24 months for the second month in a row.
​

So maybe they will start kicking CCV work into gear at some point soon. But I'm with everyone who says that VWL will be a major construction zone for the next 18 months.

 

[weim1999]

Has anyone used one of the DVC rental companies? I was looking at pros vs cons of using one for a villa.

 

[sleepydog25]

Actually, PVB sales have been pretty strong lately. As quoted from DVC Info site...

May Direct DVC Sales saw another strong month for Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (PVB), recording higher sales than any other resort in the past 24 months for the second month in a row.
​

So maybe they will start kicking CCV work into gear at some point soon. But I'm with everyone who says that VWL will be a major construction zone for the next 18 months.

Remember Mark Twain: "Lies, damn lies, and statistics."

 

[DenLo]

You can see some photos I took during our trip to WDW earlier this month on the DVC News. http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...ilderness-lodge-construction-update-june-2016

 

[Granny]

Has anyone used one of the DVC rental companies? I was looking at pros vs cons of using one for a villa.

In general, you'd be better off starting a new thread instead of putting an unrelated question in an existing thread. You'll get better answers.

But David, one of the sponsors on these boards, does a nice job. The pros for renting points is it is much less expensive than paying cash rates from Disney for the same room. With David's service you get someone who has been providing this service in a reliable manner for some time now. I don't have a link to his site but I'm sure someone here can help you. If not, you will get more and better responses by starting a new thread. Good luck!

 

[wildernessDad]

For our vacation last December, we got 2 extra anytime/anywhere FassPass+'s per day. That was pretty nice.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I bet Disney might offer deeper discounts here next year than say at AKL.

 

[caresy]

Has anyone used one of the DVC rental companies? I was looking at pros vs cons of using one for a villa.

Try David at DVCRENTALS.COM I've rented from him before and there is no worries or hassles!