Wilderness Lodge clear cutting

[DVCcurious]

We just stayed at Wilderness Lodge for about the 5th time since 2010. It WAS our favorite resort. Not anymore.

They have cut down all the trees. Sure there is a tree here and there, but the atmosphere is terrible now.

For example: you can see the Lodge from the boat when you're coming back from MK. There used to be so many trees you couldn't see through them. Also we had a water view room. In the past you used to have a bunch of trees outside your window. Now it's similar to the BLT lake view. There's like no trees and just the lake outside your window.

There's not much "wilderness" to a place with no trees.

 

[Shanti]

We just stayed at Wilderness Lodge for about the 5th time since 2010. It WAS our favorite resort. Not anymore.

They have cut down all the trees. Sure there is a tree here and there, but the atmosphere is terrible now.

For example: you can see the Lodge from the boat when you're coming back from MK. There used to be so many trees you couldn't see through them. Also we had a water view room. In the past you used to have a bunch of trees outside your window. Now it's similar to the BLT lake view. There's like no trees and just the lake outside your window.

There's not much "wilderness" to a place with no trees.

Thanks for this very sad heads up . We loved Wilderness Lodge, too, on our first Disney trip together. Won't be staying there again.

Btw, I recommend writing or calling to complain. Not to fix it, but just to be heard.

 

[DVCcurious]

The only good thing was seeing the caterpillar tractors outside the window. DS4 loved that.

 

[Tiki Sean]

I hope they plan to put at least a few trees back up when all is finished. Otherwise you kind of lose the lodge feeling.

 

[disneynutz]

Less trees and bungalows blocking the water view, not excited about the changes.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

A water boat captain heard me complain and she told me " There will be more trees. Do not worry, "we'll make it rights!" ". I liked the " we'll" and I hope she's correct!

 

[cassie58]

I know - we had ridden there from MK on the boat in 2013 to go to WCC and it was really a wilderness feeling. In Dec. when we rode by on the monorail I was shocked at how it looked with al the trees down. I had heard they were building more villas there, but never imagined they'd be clearing huge areas of all the trees. Each resort has a theme for a reason, and I know our friends who stayed there loved feeling like they do when they stay at a cabin in the Poconos, like a mountain lodge. I do not see them wanting to stay there as it looks now, especially for the price you pay. I imagine they will replant trees, but I don't know if it will feel like a forest around you again.

 

[Granny]

A water boat captain heard me complain and she told me " There will be more trees. Do not worry, "we'll make it rights!" ". I liked the " we'll" and I hope she's correct!

I hope so too. And those boat captains are a lot more knowledgeable than the bus drivers!!

 

[BillPA]

"here will be more trees...", yeah in 15-20 years! Thanks Disney for wrecking another resort.

 

[La2kw]

It's very sad what they have done to the lodge. We spent two weeks there last summer, and cannot believe the amount of clearcutting that has been done since then. What's a Wilderness Lodge with no Wilderness?

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm willing to withhold judgement until they are done, though it is a bit sad to see in the meantime.

 

[Lakegirl]

Yes I am hoping as well that they make it right! Change is good as long as they plant more trees

 

[Anal Annie]

Disney usually does a pretty good job with their landscaping. I'm betting they'll eventually do some "re-forestation" and will strategically plant new trees. Sure, they'll be smaller than the old ones but in 10 years they'll be grown. Probably easier to maintain smaller trees too... I know it's sad for the timebeing tho.

 

[Halle]

My 20 year plus pines had to be removed because of a parasite that was killing them. They looked like the ones at WLV.

 

[tea pot]

This Makes Me So So Sad

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I thought the landscaping was getting a bit unruly down by the beach area. I'm glad to see a clean up and am hoping when it's all said and done will be just as quaint.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Wilderness has come back after the hurricanes a few years ago, I am hoping the boat captain's predictions come to pass, but right now, it is sad, IMO.

 

[Granny]

Disney usually does a pretty good job with their landscaping. I'm betting they'll eventually do some "re-forestation" and will strategically plant new trees. Sure, they'll be smaller than the old ones but in 10 years they'll be grown.

I think they will plant some trees as well. But as a VWL owner with only 25 years left on my contract, I hate to see half that time waiting for the resort to resume its past glory.

 

[Lisann]

Can someone tell me if the 2 bdrm villas at Wilderness Lodge are dedicated 2 bdrms? I will be renting one and don't want the 1 bdrm/studio combo. We need the two queen beds and the king bed combination.

 

[LauraLea]

Can someone tell me if the 2 bdrm villas at Wilderness Lodge are dedicated 2 bdrms? I will be renting one and don't want the 1 bdrm/studio combo. We need the two queen beds and the king bed combination.

You will need to specify that you want a 2 bedroom dedicated villa. The 1 bedroom/studio is a lock-off villa.

Laura