ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Yep.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
How bad is the Wilderness Lodge construction?
- Thread starter laben594
- Start date
humphreys lodge
Member
Yes.
humphreys lodge
Member
We will be there the week prior to your visit. Enjoy it. We will post updates so you will know what to expect.
HurricaneHanna
Well-Known Member
I just got home from WDW. I didn't stay at WL nor did I go onto the grounds, but I was absolutely stunned at how clearly I could see it from the Epcot/MK monorail. No longer is Wilderness Lodge mostly obscured by the trees, soooo many were removed 
I was onsite early in the construction project but this was the first time that I realized how much these changes are going to effect the Lodge that we know and love, permanently.
I was onsite early in the construction project but this was the first time that I realized how much these changes are going to effect the Lodge that we know and love, permanently.
csmat99
Well-Known Member
This is worse than I thought. They took all the trees down and what is that ugly building in background? The quiet pool was named that way for a reason. As soon as you turned the corner from the main theme pool to that area it was like you were in middle of wilderness and it's was peaceful. Breaks my heart the money grab Disney is doing.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
The wooden frame building will be a new restaurant. At present no one is sure if it will be table or quick service. The new "quiet" pool at the Polynesian re-opened with a bar and grill that is classed as quick service, but the Wilderness Lodge building looks much bigger.
The map on this page https://dvcinfo.com/wilderness-lodge-dvc-construction/ shows the new building in red and the grey area off to the left is a covered patio for the restaurant.
Hopefully once the cabins are built they will replace trees to fill in the gaps, but I also assume they will take a few years to grow back in.
There are some recent photos here http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/07/disneys-wilderness-lodge-expansion-news.html showing views from several areas of the resort. The top centre picture is taken from the villa building and shows the restaurant building in the distance and to the right of that the frame of the first cabin. The older building in between is the existing bike rentals (currently closed, can rent at reception).
jenos0524
Active Member
I would think that would be the plan. But like you said I would estimate 5-10 years before the trees start to take over again.
I have never stayed at WL, but since booking last June (Before I knew about the construction) I was excited to stay there. After finding out how much construction, I almost switched. I prob would have switched if it wasn't for Humphreys FB page and all the wonderful people posting updates on the views. I switched my standard view for a courtyard view, and from what I have read a courtyard view room really hasn't changed at all.
(I have stayed at Poly, AKL and All-Star-Music) After my All-star stay I really became a deluxe snob, as I love having the larger lobby, more options for food and to me an All-star even though is still Disney, didn't make me feel as I was on a vacation.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
I'm in a similar situation, we booked last May for a stay this September and we tried to move resort, but didn't want to pay more and there wasn't anything really suitable, we didn't want AKL. So instead we took a free upgrade to Courtyard View so we don't see the missing trees and a credit to our room account to spend! I think the only thing you can see from courtyard view is the new wood framed restaurant building on the beach in the distance.
We've previously loved Port Orleans (both Riverside and FQ) and didn't really like Saratoga Springs, but this will be our first stay in a proper deluxe resort, I am looking forward to internal corridors! But in terms of food options, I was very happy at POR, I think we might find the quick service at the deluxe resort too small.
jenos0524
Active Member
Just enjoy it, I opted to not go to AKL because this is my daughters first trip and I wanted to be close to MK. (I LOVED AKL when i stayed there 10 years ago) I got a bit luckier and upgraded my room for less money, I think I saved about $200 for the 10 day trip and also booked it on the Summer Awaken deal that i get the BB8 Magic Band. I think my magic Bands get sent out in the next few days!!!!!! Only 32 more DAYS!!!
Have Fun on your trip!
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
It will be a new QSR. Trees will be replanted to the west of the resort. Folks need to calm down. It's a construction site with reduced room rates and occupancy (a plus for those who can handle views of sand).
- In the Parks
- No
Well I sure do hope they replace a heap of trees....Wilderness is the name of resort.....and I am hoping they go the route of buying mature trees so there is a shorter term growth fill in. Look what they did to the AK? We were there first year and it was quite lush with mature trees.
So hoping the ambience is restored.....I always have preferred courtyard view of waterfall.......
So hoping the ambience is restored.....I always have preferred courtyard view of waterfall......
.
jenos0524
Active Member
Thats another reason I didn't switch. Poly/GF/Contemp would cost me about $2000+ more. and hearing that occupancy is low, which means less crowds at the pool is great!!! I honestly cant wait to be there. I doubt the construction will be that much in your face, unless you like to sit on your balcony and you are looking right at it. Which is a big reason I wanted the courtyard view, just incase i want to sit out there, while my daughter naps... if she naps, lol.
harryk
Well-Known Member
Other than sleeping at the lodge and using the pool, just how much time do you spend at the lodge when you came to visit the World? Most guests will not notice the construction going on and when you close the door to your room(s) the sound-proofing is generally excellent and you won't notice any work going on.
Jon81uk
Well-Known Member
Not saying you are wrong, but do we know that for certain, as somewhere else there was a comment that it will be table service. I've read it both ways. I was thinking QS too, similar to the new bar & grill at the Poly, but the building at WL looks too big?
jenos0524
Active Member
Based on the size of the building it could have both... a Bar & Grill QS but also a place to eat inside with a view of Bay Lake?
I have read that at the Poly the bar and grill is really only for hotel guests... as you need your MB to get into the area to eat. Maybe they are doing it this way so hotel guests only can use the QS and eat by the pool, but they can also cater to people who just want to visit the resort and eat but may not be a fan of Whispering Canyon's atmosphere.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
FYI, most trees at Animal Kingdom were planted 2-3 years before the park opened, specifically so they'd grow in before the park opened. And during that time the construction wasn't visible to Guests.
Not as easy to do when you're talking about a hotel that's still open and operating and very visible.
-Rob
- In the Parks
- No
Nope not as easy, but thinking like the AK they will get quite mature trees to speed up the process.
THe story isn't construction central, its a lodge in the wilderness....may they never loose sight of that. Meanwhile, I would have preferred it not change, but now more people can love it I suppose? Maybe if I whine a wee bit about construction bother I will get a reduced rate....ha. 
epcotisbest
Well-Known Member
I'm just gonna go with, no. From the Disney website:
"Escape to the rustic majesty of America’s Great Northwest. Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates American craftsmanship and honors the beauty of the untamed wilderness. Soak in the splendor of the great outdoors, from nature trails through pine forests to rocking chairs that overlook a murmuring creek."