News Long-Term Construction Permit Filed for Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Wait, who said Casino?

And which way to the craps table.

Why not. We’ve got alcohol in the Magic Kingdom now, might as well build a casino too.

 

[MR.Dis]

With those cabins selling so poorly, maybe they build a lodge and make it park of the Cabins DVC?

 

[Phicinfan]

Ok 2 things here….

First here is 1 of your D23 announcements

Second this is for the replacement “train” going from WL to Fort Wilderness, that will also connect to “Reflections” upcoming resort then by bridge to Contemporary

 

[dkcarter279]

Seems right, mail lodge was done a couple years ago and boulder earlier this year

 

[dkcarter279]

Copper creek is due for refresh in 2025

 

[jpeden]

Copper creek is due for refresh in 2025

Maybe prep work for that then?

 

[danlb_2000]

Disney’s Facility Asset Management filed the permit, not WDI which, according to Blog Mickey, suggests this project will not involve significant creative renovations and is likely just a refurb.

@danlb_2000 Any insight you can provide?

Link to permit:

Disclaimer

2 1/2 year expiration and one of Disney's major contractors (Adena), so it's something big.

 

[Phicinfan]

2 1/2 year expiration and one of Disney's major contractors (Adena), so it's something big.

Ok 2 things here….

First here is 1 of your D23 announcements

Second this is for the replacement “train” going from WL to Fort Wilderness, that will also connect to “Reflections” upcoming resort then by bridge to Contemporary

 

[danlb_2000]

One thing to note, there was not a South Florida Water Management District permit for this, so it's likely work on existing structures, which points to a refurb.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Disney’s Facility Asset Management filed the permit, not WDI which, according to Blog Mickey, suggests this project will not involve significant creative renovations and is likely just a refurb.

@danlb_2000 Any insight you can provide?

Link to permit:

Disclaimer

Even when there are creative changes, the hotel renovation projects are still run by FAM.

The goal for room refreshes is every 7 years.

 

[trainplane3]

I hope it's just hefty room refurbishments, infrastructure upgrades, or something along those lines. If they dare ruin either lobby and the train room...

 

[Stripes]

2 1/2 year expiration and one of Disney's major contractors (Adena), so it's something big.

Do you know what contractors were involved in the recent Boardwalk and Grand Floridian refurbs?

 

[danlb_2000]

Do you know what contractors were involved in the recent Boardwalk and Grand Floridian refurbs?

Grand Floridian was Balfour Beatty another big contractor. Not sure about Boardwalk.

 

[tl77]

I just stayed there 2 weeks ago and the Wilderness Lodge building exterior definitely needs a refurb, the Boulder Ridge DVC building is currently getting an exterior refurb

 

[DCBaker]

I just stayed there 2 weeks ago and the Wilderness Lodge building exterior definitely needs a refurb, the Boulder Ridge DVC building is currently getting an exterior refurb

Seems like they heard you?

Not sure if this is related to the specific permit, but Disney has posted a new statement about a refurbishment at the Wilderness Lodge:

Starting August 5, 2024, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will undergo exterior refurbishment work. During this time, Guests may see and hear construction work during daytime hours.

 

[mhochman]

Second this is for the replacement “train” going from WL to Fort Wilderness, that will also connect to “Reflections” upcoming resort then by bridge to Contemporary

With "train" in quotation marks I suppose this isn't an actual train (as in, laying track). But I'm having a difficult time seeing how some sort of path would be set down to connect everything you describe. Specifically, where would a bridge to the Contemporary be placed? Seems out of the way, or a very large bridge.

 

[nickys]

With "train" in quotation marks I suppose this isn't an actual train (as in, laying track). But I'm having a difficult time seeing how some sort of path would be set down to connect everything you describe. Specifically, where would a bridge to the Contemporary be placed? Seems out of the way, or a very large bridge.

It was wishful thinking. And a tongue-in-cheek suggestion of a bridge to the Contemporary!

But a tram or something similar could run from FW, past Reflections to WL. Not necessarily likely but definitely possible. They could upgrade the walking path, currently closed, and have the tram run alongside it. But it wouldn’t happen until Reflections is completed.

 

[mhochman]

It was wishful thinking. And a tongue-in-cheek suggestion of a bridge to the Contemporary!

But a tram or something similar could run from FW, past Reflections to WL. Not necessarily likely but definitely possible. They could upgrade the walking path, currently closed, and have the tram run alongside it. But it wouldn’t happen until Reflections is completed.

Ah, gotcha. I've often felt they could build a wood bridge from WL to a monorail stop.