(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS INFORMATION THREAD ~2014~

[WDWKOOK]

Does anyone know which entrees from Artist Point you can order from the lounge? Is it true you can't use the meal plan?

73 days to go!

As was already confirmed, the DDP is not accepted at TL. This was the summer TL-AP menu:

Thanks for the construction pictures. It'll be interesting to see how far they get on the pool by my late Oct checkin.


So I decided to tag along on my parents Vegas trip. I'm not a huge gambler but I've been coming out here since I was 17 so it's a nice low maintenance vacation. But I to laugh. My mom was checking in the VIP lounge and so they had given her a $250 resort credit and they were trying to explain that she needed to charge everything to her room and sign a receipt but she kept asking but isn't it on my key? I think my mom misses the magic bands.

However the clerk was super nice and arranged for a fridge in our room when I asked about emptying the mini bar for allergy stuff. And she gave us a room with a coffee pot and a view of the new High Roller Ferris wheel. If you go to Vegas you know how rare it is to get a fridge or a coffee pot, they want you walking the casino to get to the starbucks not lounging in your room.

Lots of 'pixie dust' but still not quite disney, I think I'm down to 36 days till I arrive at the lodge.

That's a cute story.

Been following the construction updates so far as well...but I also think that a vacation is what you make it too. A positive attitude going into it really helps as well. Really hoping all is completed in time for our December trip This is a great thread...and many thanks to everyone for all the updates!!!

I'm confident the pool will be re-opened for your arrival - we expect a full report from you

Good morning ya'll. I just booked our next trip. It will be our 4th stay at the WL Hubby and I are sooo in love with this resort. It just feels like..... coming home. This will also be our first stay CL. And I can't tell you how excited I am about that!!

You picked a great first CL! But, I'll warn you, once you stay CL at WL, there's no going back.

I've seen this reported by a few people at several restaurants--not just WCC. I read one account where the guest walked up and asked if they were taking walkups and were told no. He left the restaurant, went to MDE found an open reservation for 5 minutes later, and then walked back in, said he had a reservation, and was seated! It's crazy, but anyone who is told no walk-ups should check MDE for same-day availability for any restaurant.

That is crazy and reminds me of a story. Back in 2010, DD and I didn't have a WCC ADR so we called the CL desk to see if we could get one for that evening. They said there weren't any tables for two in our preferred time range. So I went downstairs and asked at the WCC check-in if there were any tables for two and we had our choice of times

We are heading out in a few days for our first stay at the Lodge, and our first stay on property. We are super excited, and are planning for a great time despite construction! We have two young children and are hoping to rent bikes to ride to FW.

So: (1). I saw pictures that looked like you could rent bikes with a seat on back for a young child, is that correct?

(2). Do they have kid-sized bikes, too, for our older child? 3). How long would it take us to bike from the Lodge to FW? We were hoping to bike and use FW pool during construction. Once we bike to FW can we continue on biking to the pool? Is it close? Thanks so much!!

You're going to love your first on-property stay! It might help to answer your bike questions if I just post the pictures of the bikes:


~BIKES WITH BABY SEAT ARE COVERED




It depends on where in FW you want to go. If you want to go to the closest attraction which is the stable/ponies, then by bike, it would only take you about 5-10 minutes. You can continue from there, but you'll have to cross another street (which is not a problem at all) to continue riding all around FW. We've ridden over to the other stables where they do horseback riding, which is near the entrance and that takes about 20 minutes from WL. There are nice concrete trails all around FW. An hour R/T will cover it all, but if you backtrack or get off and walk around, you could spend longer.

We are here now. Room 4050 standard view north wing. Our view is a parking lot and smoke house. However each night we watch wishes (or hallowishes) from the balcony. It's awesome! We have two little ones so we are in our room in plenty of time to see from the door/window to balcony. Construction hasn't bothered us at all. I came back to put dd down for nap and there was some noise from pool, but we quickly walked by and entered the north wing building and could no longer hear it. Honestly it isn't any louder than the pool would get with games and kids. Noise level is about the same to me, it's just a different noise. Hope to share some pictures later!

Thank you for the LIVE report

Thank you everyone who is posting the pool pictures! I have been a long time lurker of this amazing thread and recently joined. We stayed at the lodge last year over Halloween and loved it and will return this year 10/29-11/5! It is my husband, my 5 and 3 year old girls and my parents. We booked a standard room last year and got some major pixie dust and got rooms 4127 and 4129. Awesome view of the parade every night and connecting rooms.

My questions are: how many connecting rooms are there actually in the lodge and are most of them courtyard views? Are they taking most courtyard pool views out of the mix during construction? Our requests are connecting and upper level. I am not picky about the view, just want to know if there is a resource to see if there are many connecting rooms in the lodge.

Thanks!

Welcome, Lurker! I have no idea how many connecting rooms there are at WL. Most rooms do have a connecting door as do all the Deluxe rooms. I also don't know which CV rooms have been pulled from inventory. My guess is that all of the ground floor rooms have been, but I really have no information on which ones - sorry. If you booked a CV and requested "high" and "connecting," I don't think they'll have any problem fulfilling that request. But, do keep in mind that some CV rooms face VWL. If you booked CV and want to face toward Bay Lake, then also request an INNER or WL Courtyard room.

We are so excited - our daughter, son-in-law and five year old grandson are joining us at the WL in Oct. We are going to the Halloween party and it will be so much more fun with our grandson along. It will be their first time at the WL.

I hope you'll be able to post LIVE. Will you be doing a TR?

Hi everyone! I'm sorry to kind of interrupt this thread, as I'm sure I'm doing, but I have a question that I didn't get an answer to with a quick search and I'm dying for the answer. if you have 5 adults, a 5 yr old, and a 2 year old are you allowed to stay in one of the deluxe rooms? I thought you could, as that would be 6 people over the age of 3 plus a 2 yr old (and I though under 3 didn't count). I realize it would be tight, I'm not asking about that, i just want to know if it's allowed.

We just got back from a wonderful week at the GF and got an idea for another trip that includes the above scenario. I'm super excited, but if having the 7th person in the form of a 2 yr old excludes us from the deluxe rooms it's back to the drawing board for where to stay, and I'll be bummed.

I also wanted to ask if the deluxe rooms are ever available with a discount - room only, AP, or even AAA? I've never payed rack rate, and would hate to start, but like I said I'm busy making plans and I'll see how it all works out

Thanks so much in advance!!

Yes, it's allowed, but you would need to put the P&P in the bedroom with the two queens. When the living room sleeper is open, there's really no room for a P&P where it wouldn't be in the way of either the hallway or the sink area. Also, the 5-year-old would need to sleep with an adult.

The Deluxe rooms have never been bookable with the Military or AP rate, that I've found. I can't answer about AAA, but even with General Public, they've either been excluded or I think someone once reported them discounted at 5% off maybe. They, like the suites, are usually only bookable at Rack Rate, but it's worth calling and checking.

We leave tomorrow!!! DH working 1/2 day, and then we are on the road, baby!!! I am finishing up last minute laundry, packing, cleaning. Fur babies are already at the doggie hotel...I can't wait!!!

I hope you're having a great vacation!

A different view of the pool:

From september 18th

Thank you for posting your photos. I'm going to put your pool photo in the POST 2 UPDATE.

KOOK- please remind me what size I should resize my photos to on photobucket before I post them here. I know you told me once before, but I can't find it! Thanks.

No problem - how about 450 for the width and Photobucket will automatically set the height.

 

[Divaofdisney]

Any updates by anyone there to see if all is on target with the renovations? Have they encontered any problems? Just was wondering if all was going well???

 

[diddldonna]

Have you arrived at Wilderness lodge and upgraded to club level? If so how much extra did you pay? There is 4 of us xxx

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

-

 

[Shuttlegirl]

We don't want to bring a lot of food / snacks but I was wondering if ginger ale is available from the mercantile. We always like to have some on hand in case of upset tummies. I don't want to pay for shipping on something we may or may not need.

I'm sorry if I didn't post this to the right place - point me in the right direction if you could - some of this gets a bit confusing!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

This was listed on adultsideofdisney. Note last paragraph. Must me a mistake???

Wilderness Lodge - Silver Creek Springs Pool – The main pool and slide will be closed for enhancements. During this time, the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will remain open. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit either the Main Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Complimentary transportation will be provided to both of these neighboring resorts. Through November 27, 2014

Trout Pass Pool Bar closed thru November 27, 2014

Guest room renovations are scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation areas – ending date TBD

 

[NCjenn]

Guest room renovations are scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation areas – ending date TBD



I just saw this too...anyone know if it is true? I haven't seen anything official

Jenn

 

[NCjenn]

Guest room renovations are scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation areas – ending date TBD

I just saw this too. Anyone know if it is true? I haven't seen anything official

Jenn

 

[Sandy321]

I just saw this too. Anyone know if it is true? I haven't seen anything official

Jenn

I wonder if its the rooms that face the pool? I'm sure I read posts that said those rooms are not occupied...

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Have you ever stayed at WL when it was sold out? We are there Dec 2-8th and I noticed there are no rooms left (were debating an upgrade)....I doubt it's a glitch bec it's been that way for over a week.

 

[elaw]

Have you ever stayed at WL when it was sold out? We are there Dec 2-8th and I noticed there are no rooms left (were debating an upgrade)....I doubt it's a glitch bec it's been that way for over a week.

We are there Nov 30-Dec 5th and ended up booking a deluxe room because we couldn't find anything else.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We are there Nov 30-Dec 5th and ended up booking a deluxe room because we couldn't find anything else.

Ok. Thanks!

 

[kevdad]

Have you ever stayed at WL when it was sold out? We are there Dec 2-8th and I noticed there are no rooms left (were debating an upgrade)....I doubt it's a glitch bec it's been that way for over a week.

We'll be there the same time and I do the same checking. All room types are available 12/2-12/4, then there's nothing available. Really strange. Locals visiting for the weekend?

 

[kevdad]

We'll be there the same time and I do the same checking. All room types are available 12/2-12/4, then there's nothing available. Really strange. Locals visiting for the weekend?

What's even more strange is that there's now a ton of availability 11/29-12/4 using the late fall discount, then no rooms at all starting the night of 12/4 even at rack rates.

 

[Lacoccinelle]

Welcome, Lurker! I have no idea how many connecting rooms there are at WL. Most rooms do have a connecting door as do all the Deluxe rooms. I also don't know which CV rooms have been pulled from inventory. My guess is that all of the ground floor rooms have been, but I really have no information on which ones - sorry. If you booked a CV and requested "high" and "connecting," I don't think they'll have any problem fulfilling that request. But, do keep in mind that some CV rooms face VWL. If you booked CV and want to face toward Bay Lake, then also request an INNER or WL Courtyard room.

Thanks Kook for the response. We switched from courtyard back to standard as we did not want to pool view during the renovation. That is why I was hoping there were more connecting rooms than just courtyard view. Thanks!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I hope you'll be able to post LIVE. Will you be doing a TR?.

I'll try to post live if I can.

Any updates by anyone there to see if all is on target with the renovations? Have they encountered any problems? Just was wondering if all was going well???

We are staying at the Yacht Club right now and plan to go over to the WL to check out the pool construction on Friday or Saturday. I'll be sure to report back here with whatever I may find out.

 

[Divaofdisney]

I'll try to post live if I can.

We are staying at the Yacht Club right now and plan to go over to the WL to check out the pool construction on Friday or Saturday. I'll be sure to report back here with whatever I may find out.

Thank you so much. Hope you are having a great time!! I am anxious to see what the finished product will look like- wonder how different it will be from what it was before? I am sure it will be beautiful

 

[AngiTN]

Have you ever stayed at WL when it was sold out? We are there Dec 2-8th and I noticed there are no rooms left (were debating an upgrade)....I doubt it's a glitch bec it's been that way for over a week.

I noticed the lack of rooms on the Disney site for early December when I was booking our trip. But you know what, there are tons of rooms at Orbitz. I think Disney has released some rooms to them (and others like Expedia) so Disney shows them as sold out but in reality, they are not. I had no problems getting our rooms and they had all room levels available. They were even available with the fall promo rate, which I could combine with the 15% off promo with Obitz.

 

[CSchonfeld]

49 days and counting...

I am having fun checking & switching ADRs and the only FP that is eluding me is that darn A&E meet & greet. it will be mine, bwahahahaha.....

Thanks for the pictures and update. This will be or first vacation as just our family- not dance competitions or going to see family- and I am looking forward to it. We have splurged on the dining plan and have a bunk bed room booked and I have a great TA who has taken care of all the details for me including arranging a fairy tale princess day for my kiddos starting with 8:30 reservations at BBB, lunch CRT and dinner at 1900 PF.

I know the pool refurb is scheduled to be done 11/27 but are they running on schedule or a little ahead?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Have you arrived at Wilderness lodge and upgraded to club level? If so how much extra did you pay? There is 4 of us xxx

If you try to upgrade or even downgrade at check-in, the room (not a per person charge) rate difference will be charged or credited. They can tell you what the up-charge would be, if there's availability on the club level for your stay.

We don't want to bring a lot of food / snacks but I was wondering if ginger ale is available from the mercantile. We always like to have some on hand in case of upset tummies. I don't want to pay for shipping on something we may or may not need.

I'm sorry if I didn't post this to the right place - point me in the right direction if you could - some of this gets a bit confusing!

Welcome! You're in the right place, but I might not have the right answer

I couldn't find it in my photos of the fridges, but is that Ginger Ale down next to the Coke?

This was listed on adultsideofdisney. Note last paragraph. Must me a mistake???

Wilderness Lodge - Silver Creek Springs Pool – The main pool and slide will be closed for enhancements. During this time, the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will remain open. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit either the Main Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Complimentary transportation will be provided to both of these neighboring resorts. Through November 27, 2014

Trout Pass Pool Bar closed thru November 27, 2014

Guest room renovations are scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation areas – ending date TBD

I interpreted this as meaning that those lower CV rooms have been pulled from inventory and may be put back before the pool rehab is actually done so the date is TBD. I didn't find any recent WL room renovations permits.

I wonder if its the rooms that face the pool? I'm sure I read posts that said those rooms are not occupied...

That's my theory, too.

49 days and counting...

I am having fun checking & switching ADRs and the only FP that is eluding me is that darn A&E meet & greet. it will be mine, bwahahahaha.....

Thanks for the pictures and update. This will be or first vacation as just our family- not dance competitions or going to see family- and I am looking forward to it. We have splurged on the dining plan and have a bunk bed room booked and I have a great TA who has taken care of all the details for me including arranging a fairy tale princess day for my kiddos starting with 8:30 reservations at BBB, lunch CRT and dinner at 1900 PF.

I know the pool refurb is scheduled to be done 11/27 but are they running on schedule or a little ahead?

Don't give up on A&E. Your plans sound like lots of fun, but I don't have any information on whether the rehab end date will change.