Wilderness Lodge DVC additions - Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

note2001

Well-Known Member
Please detail in what way it would "destroy" the Lodge. They converted the upper floors of AKL Jambo House, and it certainly didn't destroy anything there. You can't even tell they did anything. The WL has the main section and 2 wings. What if they convert the wing closest to the current DVC building? What would that hurt?

We are DVC members and absolutely love it, and I simply do not understand all of the comments from everyone of how DVC destroys a resort. I have asked many people here to explain how it destroys a resort, and have yet to receive an answer. We have stayed at AKL, SSR, SSR Treehouses, OKW, BWV, and VGF (and VGC as well), and do not see how DVC has hurt any of them.

Agreed.

The only way I can see this DVC conversion could "destroy" what we love about the lodge is if they do anything to the waterfront. For example: they mow down trees and pop up cabins as a cash grab, essentially removing the "wilderness" from WL.
 

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
Agreed.

The only way I can see this DVC conversion could "destroy" what we love about the lodge is if they do anything to the waterfront. For example: they mow down trees and pop up cabins as a cash grab, essentially removing the "wilderness" from WL.
That would be bad!
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Agreed.

The only way I can see this DVC conversion could "destroy" what we love about the lodge is if they do anything to the waterfront. For example: they mow down trees and pop up cabins as a cash grab, essentially removing the "wilderness" from WL.
The ideas of teepees on the water is what disturbs me. I really hope that doesn't happen. It would look awful and destroy some of the charm of the resort.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
True. And that $/point purchase price is going to have to be significantly less than the cheaper DVC at WL or SSR (I paid $125/point for my contract at WL) since a Value resort like AoA currently lacks the amenities the DVC resorts have - TS restaurants, fitness center, etc. Plus, AoA 1 bedroom suites with a kitchenette will not be on par with the other 1 bedroom villas.

It's unfortunate (or fortunate given that the resort is usually available for a last minute trip) that SSR doesn't have greater demand. I think the grounds are lovely (yes, it's spread out, but so is OKW), you cannot beat the proximity to DTD (love walking along the river), and the best fitness center of all the DVC resorts I've stayed at. No, it's not a Monorail/MK DVC resort, but I like it.
I still think the best case scenario for WDW in general is to improve transportation. SSR doesn't have non-bus transportation to any of the parks. It's not the grounds or the resort itself that holds it back. It's a lack of alternative transportation combined with a lack of signature attractions or restaurants. The monorail resorts are attractions themselves. As is the Boardwalk. People not staying at the Boardwalk make a special trip there for dining or entertainment. Same with Poly, CR or GF. Nobody goes to SSR to eat.

Putting on my best armchair imagineering hat, I would suggest a "light rail" or monorail expansion loop that would connect Disney Springs, SSR, OKW, EPCOT, BC/YC/BW and DHS. This would give those resorts non-bus access to 2 parks, Disney Springs and the Boardwalk plus you could transfer at EPCOT for MK. I say light rail since a ground level transport option would be way cheaper than a monorail (especially for station stops) plus Disney could charge part of the costs back to those DVC owners who woukd benefit from it. I would also charge for parking at Disney Springs to foot some of the bill.

That entire loop is shorter than the current TTC to EPCOT loop. OKW is directly across the highway from EPCOT.
 

doctornick

Well-Known Member
Putting on my best armchair imagineering hat, I would suggest a "light rail" or monorail expansion loop that would connect Disney Springs, SSR, OKW, EPCOT, BC/YC/BW and DHS. This would give those resorts non-bus access to 2 parks, Disney Springs and the Boardwalk plus you could transfer at EPCOT for MK. I say light rail since a ground level transport option would be way cheaper than a monorail (especially for station stops) plus Disney could charge part of the costs back to those DVC owners who woukd benefit from it. I would also charge for parking at Disney Springs to foot some of the bill.

You could probably add Typhoon Lagoon to the loop.

Also, if you add Disney Springs, then you run into the "park at DS for free, take transport to the parks" issue which would mean either charging for parking at DS or not including it in the transport. Actually, this would be an issue if TL is on the loop as well. Not sure the best solution.

But in general, I like the idea of transport connecting SSR/OKW with Epcot and/or DHS.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
You could probably add Typhoon Lagoon to the loop.

Also, if you add Disney Springs, then you run into the "park at DS for free, take transport to the parks" issue which would mean either charging for parking at DS or not including it in the transport. Actually, this would be an issue if TL is on the loop as well. Not sure the best solution.

But in general, I like the idea of transport connecting SSR/OKW with Epcot and/or DHS.
Coronado Springs is real close too.

For Disney Springs I would have made the first 3 hours free. Most people spend less than 3 hours shopping or eating. Also make after 8PM free. So basically if I arrive at Disney Springs before 5PM I pull a ticket and if I'm not out within 3 hours I pay $15 or whatever the park rate is.

If not they could just skip that connection. I just like the idea of having a more convenient way to get to/from Disney Springs for 6 or 7 resorts.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
I think you mean Caribbean Beach. Heck, Port Orleans French Quarter isn't really that far either. But I don't think Disney would want to complicate matters by having some moderates get non-bus links to parks.
Coronado Springs if you continue past DHS. It's on the other side of the highway with Blizzard Beach.

Agreed that they may not want to include moderates...unless they start to add DVC to moderates
 

faye meyers

New Member
I was just at Wilderness Lodge. I'm on a pretty limited budget so staying there is extremely expensive for me. I paid for a courtyard view. My view of the pool was basically a view of the scaffolding. I couldn't see the lake or the pool - at about $350 I was pretty upset. I tried not to let it bother me the first two nights. But I did ask for a room change. They first offered not a very good room but I stayed with request to be on the side (maybe south?) away from scaffolding. They relented and gave me a good room. So...if you are going and are paying for a courtyard view, request a room that has a view unobstructed by the scaffolding.
When I was there, it appeared that the workers were working on the wooden logs on the outside of the hotel. It looked to me that some of the wooden logs were cracked and they were filling the cracks. But I could be wrong...
 

cspencer96

Well-Known Member
I was just at Wilderness Lodge. I'm on a pretty limited budget so staying there is extremely expensive for me. I paid for a courtyard view. My view of the pool was basically a view of the scaffolding. I couldn't see the lake or the pool - at about $350 I was pretty upset. I tried not to let it bother me the first two nights. But I did ask for a room change. They first offered not a very good room but I stayed with request to be on the side (maybe south?) away from scaffolding. They relented and gave me a good room. So...if you are going and are paying for a courtyard view, request a room that has a view unobstructed by the scaffolding.
When I was there, it appeared that the workers were working on the wooden logs on the outside of the hotel. It looked to me that some of the wooden logs were cracked and they were filling the cracks. But I could be wrong...
Refurbishment work is normal, and if there were cracks then it was possibly unavoidable or high priority for aesthetic or structural reason. However, if they did not inform you at check in that your view would be obstructed (it may not have been noted for the CM at the time) then it is perfectly fine to request a change, as you did. The issue there is that they must get very specific about room location and views when finding a new room, as it must meet all expectations, which is why Cast are sometimes reluctant and would like to remedy the situation in another fashion. I hope your stay was pleasant otherwise, as the Lodge is one of WDW's finest hotels when it comes to setting and service.
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Refurbishment work is normal, and if there were cracks then it was possibly unavoidable or high priority for aesthetic or structural reason. However, if they did not inform you at check in that your view would be obstructed (it may not have been noted for the CM at the time) then it is perfectly fine to request a change, as you did. The issue there is that they must get very specific about room location and views when finding a new room, as it must meet all expectations, which is why Cast are sometimes reluctant and would like to remedy the situation in another fashion. I hope your stay was pleasant otherwise, as the Lodge is one of WDW's finest hotels when it comes to setting and service.
That said, if you pay extra for a view, it is unreasonable to offer you a view of scaffolding. Those rooms should have been switched to Standard View (or removed from availability until the work is done if noise would be excessive). They stopped selling the rooms at Poly facing the construction mess.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
That said, if you pay extra for a view, it is unreasonable to offer you a view of scaffolding. Those rooms should have been switched to Standard View (or removed from availability until the work is done if noise would be excessive). They stopped selling the rooms at Poly facing the construction mess.
In defense of Disney, it's Spring Break time so the resorts could be close to full. Logistics around switching multiple rooms around can get tough. If this was planned work then I agree 100% they shouldn't have been rented or at least discounted. If it was emergency work then an alternative room should have been offered if available.
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
In defense of Disney, it's Spring Break time so the resorts could be close to full. Logistics around switching multiple rooms around can get tough. If this was planned work then I agree 100% they shouldn't have been rented or at least discounted. If it was emergency work then an alternative room should have been offered if available.
And if not, a discount. To offer nothing and place a guest in a room you know is subpar is not deluxe level service.
 

note2001

Well-Known Member
And if not, a discount. To offer nothing and place a guest in a room you know is subpar is not deluxe level service.
Not saying you're wrong, but WL has their own definition of what a good view is. :/ I've been stuck with nothing but a rooftop view (directly over the service desk) and been told it was a woods view as I reserved and they would not move me. There's a chance that they feel if you can look out through the scaffolding and see the courtyard, it's a courtyard view.

The Villas don't have this problem as almost all views are true woods view (there is a dumpster view, but even it is not horrible.) If they choose to convert rooms over the service desk or by loading docks, they too will have trouble.
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Not saying you're wrong, but WL has their own definition of what a good view is. :/ I've been stuck with nothing but a rooftop view (directly over the service desk) and been told it was a woods view as I reserved and they would not move me. There's a chance that they feel if you can look out through the scaffolding and see the courtyard, it's a courtyard view.

The Villas don't have this problem as almost all views are true woods view (there is a dumpster view, but even it is not horrible.) If they choose to convert rooms over the service desk or by loading docks, they too will have trouble.
If that is the view of some folks at the main deck, it is unfortunate. I've been lucky to only receive good service at WL and get rooms with reasonable views. That said, I don't think any of the views at WL are that spectacular, so we went with a standard view for our next vacation. We save some money and it's the resort itself that is most beautiful to me. We don't honestly spend much time on the balcony.
 

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
I think you mean Caribbean Beach. Heck, Port Orleans French Quarter isn't really that far either. But I don't think Disney would want to complicate matters by having some moderates get non-bus links to parks.

IMHO, I think the monorail should stop at all the resorts and then take guests to the parks. Expensive to expand? Yes. But it would reduce the congestion, especially at DTD in the evening. I believe it was a bus driver (those bastions of Disney info) who told me that eventually the bus station at Marketplace will close once the new one near Westside opens.
 

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
If that is the view of some folks at the main deck, it is unfortunate. I've been lucky to only receive good service at WL and get rooms with reasonable views. That said, I don't think any of the views at WL are that spectacular, so we went with a standard view for our next vacation. We save some money and it's the resort itself that is most beautiful to me. We don't honestly spend much time on the balcony.

I've requested and always have gotten a woods view room on the higher floors. Don't some of the Villas face the bus stop? That is a view I would definitely not want - the beep beep beep of the buses until 3:00 AM would keep me up all night long.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
@faye meyers, @cspencer96, @GoofGoof, @ISTCNavigator57, @note2001, @LAKid53 ~

The outside refurbishment of the lodge has been going on for several months. When I booked last fall for my stay at the end of January, the courtyard view rooms were cheaper than the woods view that I normally book. Thinking perhaps it was a mistake of some sort, I booked the courtyard view. When we arrived, I learned why the courtyard view was discounted ~ our room overlooked all the scaffolding.
 

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