Wilderness Lodge Mess

[disneymagicgirl]

Just finished speaking with Ricardo from GS and he was above and beyond helpful!! We were moved to CR Garden View with FD and no price change! I was really looking forward to WL and the holiday decor but I think CR will be a great location for us as we'll be spending most of our trip at MK! Thank you all for encouraging me to be persistent!

Funny they offered me 50% off the price change. Oh well, we didn't want CR anyways.

 

[minnime66]

Awesome!!! Glad it worked out enjoy your trip!!!

 

[MamaBear58]

Just had to share this!

No letter from Disney but finally got a response from my TA (hotels dot com):



It would seem that somewhere along the line, without any of us noticing, Disney sneaked another pool in there!

The TA probably means that the pools at the Contemporary and Wilderness Campground will be open for your use. Useless for a quick dip, in my opinion, but I think that's what the TA means.

 

[Three cats]

I don't even have free dining, and my TA got nowhere with Disney. Honestly, if there's no movement on Disney's part, we have to cancel our entire trip. We just can't afford to stay at what we deem a comparable MK resort room, and Disney told her that there's nothing available in what it deems comparable. Unacceptable customer service, as far as I'm concerned.

I was just going to suggest maybe canceling your reservation with the TA and then calling Disney yourself to see what can be done but that probably wouldn't work either, right? If you don't have a reservation you don't have anything to call and ask for an adjustment on, right? Geez, so frustrating.

 

[MamaBear58]

I was just going to suggest maybe canceling your reservation with the TA and then calling Disney yourself to see what can be done but that probably wouldn't work either, right? If you don't have a reservation you don't have anything to call and ask for an adjustment on, right? Geez, so frustrating.

Exactly. That's the only reason I haven't let the WL reservation go yet. I won't use it, but I need it to show when it was made (after permits pulled but before annoucement) so I can see if Disney will work with us on the cost elsewhere. I'm just waiting until August to see if there are room discounts so I can do a true comparison. Not sure if those of you moving to more expensive rooms without a price increase are also able to take advantage of room discounts, although I assume that you can because folks are still taking advantage of free dining.

Plus, it's not as though the bad service is from the TA. She did call ...Disney claimed the only things comparable in the MK area weren't available (although availability comes and goes and I disagree with what they deem comparable). So we have to pay more if we want to stay in the MK area with a pool and no contruction (and even more if we don't want the Contemporary pool because now it has to service both the Contemporary guests AND the WL guests!). So if I cancel it's because the cost is too much for what we're getting that week. Not because the TA did anything wrong. Not really sure what cutting her out of the middle accomplishes.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Just finished speaking with Ricardo from GS and he was above and beyond helpful!! We were moved to CR Garden View with FD and no price change! I was really looking forward to WL and the holiday decor but I think CR will be a great location for us as we'll be spending most of our trip at MK! Thank you all for encouraging me to be persistent!

Wow! Same person I spoke with and same experience (very helpful) but GF

 

[EGW113]

Funny they offered me 50% off the price change. Oh well, we didn't want CR anyways.

I was actually surprised when he said there was no price increase. I expected them to offer to pay 50% of the upgrade as others have reported. Maybe it was because I told him how terribly I was treated by the other CM yesterday? Who knows! Seems like a lot of inconsistency all around but I'm pleased with our outcome so no more complaints from me!

 

[MamaBear58]

I was actually surprised when he said there was no price increase. I expected them to offer to pay 50% of the upgrade as others have reported. Maybe it was because I told him how terribly I was treated by the other CM yesterday? Who knows! Seems like a lot of inconsistency all around but I'm pleased with our outcome so no more complaints from me!

And you were in WL-CY? We were in WL-CY-BB, the most expensive room below Club Level and they offered my TA nothing at either CR or GF.

 

[EGW113]

And you were in WL-CY? We were in WL-CY-BB, the most expensive room below Club Level and they offered my TA nothing at either CR or GF.

Yes, WL CY, upgraded to CR GV. Did your TA speak to GS or just the CM who answers the number from the letter?

 

[Three cats]

Exactly. That's the only reason I haven't let the WL reservation go yet. I won't use it, but I need it to show when it was made (after permits pulled but before annoucement) so I can see if Disney will work with us on the cost elsewhere. I'm just waiting until August to see if there are room discounts so I can do a true comparison. Not sure if those of you moving to more expensive rooms without a price increase are also able to take advantage of room discounts, although I assume that you can because folks are still taking advantage of free dining.

Plus, it's not as though the bad service is from the TA. She did call ...Disney claimed the only things comparable in the MK area weren't available (although availability comes and goes and I disagree with what they deem comparable). So we have to pay more if we want to stay in the MK area with a pool and no contruction (and even more if we don't want the Contemporary pool because now it has to service both the Contemporary guests AND the WL guests!). So if I cancel it's because the cost is too much for what we're getting that week. Not because the TA did anything wrong. Not really sure what cutting her out of the middle accomplishes.

I've just been reading about people calling back 2 and 3 times if they are not happy with the 1st answer they get. Just thought you might be more inclined to give it another shot if you were the one making the calls vs having to go through the TA. Just trying to be helpful is all.

 

[MamaBear58]

Yes, WL CY, upgraded to CR GV. Did your TA speak to GS or just the CM who answers the number from the letter?

No idea. I did not get a letter.

 

[MamaBear58]

I've just been reading about people calling back 2 and 3 times if they are not happy with the 1st answer they get. Just thought you might be more inclined to give it another shot if you were the one making the calls vs having to go through the TA. Just trying to be helpful is all.

Oh I understand. I do plan to call Disney about refunding MVMCP if we cancel, but I believe they won't talk to me about a reservation made through the TA.

 

[EGW113]

No idea. I did not get a letter.

It probably doesn't matter which number she calls but be sure she asks for GS. I called and spoke to CM's 3 times and got nowhere before someone here suggested asking to speak with GS and that was all it took. I didn't even have to push. He offered to switch me immediately when I asked what my options were.

 

[MOdisneymom]

Does anyone know when the lobby construction will be done? Going the end of October and just curious.

 

[MamaBear58]

It probably doesn't matter which number she calls but be sure she asks for GS. I called and spoke to CM's 3 times and got nowhere before someone here suggested asking to speak with GS and that was all it took. I didn't even have to push. He offered to switch me immediately when I asked what my options were.

Thanks...will let her know.

 

[Mommydust]

Based on advice here, I called Disney today to inquire about changing resorts or getting a discount to remain at WL during our trip 9/27 - 10/5 due to pool refurb. The first CM I spoke with offered both AKL Pool View and Ft. Wilderness Cabins for slightly less than our current Woods View at WL (neither of which showed availability online). When I pressed about a room discount for remaining at WL I was transferred to guest services. GS offered even exchange AKL Pool View (a tad more than what I was quoted by first CM) but did not offer Ft. Wilderness Cabins. She also offered $50 off per night if I stay at WL - a savings of $400 for us. She made a note on our reservation so I can talk this over with DH and get back to them about which option we want. All of this to say - it pays to make the phone call. I was neither mean, nor a pushover in my call. Just very matter of fact. Reality is - had I known the pool would be closed back when free dining was released, I would have booked a mod and those are no longer available. Even so - AKL is a great resort, I wouldn't mind staying there again, and $50 off per night at WL is pretty sweet too. Which would you take?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Based on advice here, I called Disney today to inquire about changing resorts or getting a discount to remain at WL during our trip 9/27 - 10/5 due to pool refurb. The first CM I spoke with offered both AKL Pool View and Ft. Wilderness Cabins for slightly less than our current Woods View at WL (neither of which showed availability online). When I pressed about a room discount for remaining at WL I was transferred to guest services. GS offered even exchange AKL Pool View (a tad more than what I was quoted by first CM) but did not offer Ft. Wilderness Cabins. She also offered $50 off per night if I stay at WL - a savings of $400 for us. She made a note on our reservation so I can talk this over with DH and get back to them about which option we want. All of this to say - it pays to make the phone call. I was neither mean, nor a pushover in my call. Just very matter of fact. Reality is - had I known the pool would be closed back when free dining was released, I would have booked a mod and those are no longer available. Even so - AKL is a great resort, I wouldn't mind staying there again, and $50 off per night at WL is pretty sweet too. Which would you take?

I took the $50 off...which was $400 total for us too. I am probably going to use it for a couple date nights for me and DH while we are there. Will cover wilderness den for the kids and our meal. Also looking forward to the waterpark admission.

 

[rdsx28]

Hi all,
Just returned from WL on July 7th. The lobby had little going on as mentioned the bridge was closed and surrounded by small pine trees. THere was no water flowing inside or outside. They were working on the river closest to the hotel and there was construction equipment present but it did not really interfere with guests. I am not sure about the noise as we stay in the Villas and utilize the quiet pool and I honestly never heard a peep of noise from construction. I love WL but must admit if I was offered the deal for POR I would take it. The quiet pool at WL is VERY small and what used to be a nice, quiet area is no longer that. There were many people coming from the main pool to swim there. It was the most crowded I have ever seen it. Being the holiday W/E they were checking that no resort hoppers were at the pool by giving us colored bands after checking that we were actually guests at the hotel. I was told by a CM that a fence was part of the new plan around the main pool? They said it will be like the one at AKL? I've never seen their pool but those of you that have may be able to shed some light on this. To me personally it is very nice that you have the option of using 2 other resort pools but with small children I see it as more of a hassle shuffling them to and from another resort wet towels,tired kids etc but just my opinion. Just as an FYI for the person who asked about the hot tub there is a hot tub at the quiet pool as well that could be used. Good luck to all I can't wait to see the renovations in 2015!

 

[LuvDisney1825]

Based on advice here, I called Disney today to inquire about changing resorts or getting a discount to remain at WL during our trip 9/27 - 10/5 due to pool refurb. The first CM I spoke with offered both AKL Pool View and Ft. Wilderness Cabins for slightly less than our current Woods View at WL (neither of which showed availability online). When I pressed about a room discount for remaining at WL I was transferred to guest services. GS offered even exchange AKL Pool View (a tad more than what I was quoted by first CM) but did not offer Ft. Wilderness Cabins. She also offered $50 off per night if I stay at WL - a savings of $400 for us. She made a note on our reservation so I can talk this over with DH and get back to them about which option we want. All of this to say - it pays to make the phone call. I was neither mean, nor a pushover in my call. Just very matter of fact. Reality is - had I known the pool would be closed back when free dining was released, I would have booked a mod and those are no longer available. Even so - AKL is a great resort, I wouldn't mind staying there again, and $50 off per night at WL is pretty sweet too. Which would you take?

I also took the $50 off per night ($400 savings). I was only interested in the MK area resorts when I called and was not offered an even exchange to switch to CR or GF (only a discount) so I went with the $50/night. Good luck making your decision.

 

[KTexas]

Can someone please provide updated details on construction? I have read somewhere that not only is there a pool renovation but also work being done on the lobby? And stream? We are staying on property for 1st time in late September and trying to make decision about rescheduling trip or booking another resort. We were hoping to return to room in afternoon to let our youngest nap, and I'm wondering if we will have any chance at that.....thank you!