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

Posted: Tuesday July 30, 2024 3:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new construction permit for its Wilderness Lodge Resort hotel at Walt Disney World.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort overview

The permit is assigned to Adena Corporation, a long-term Disney partner who has worked on numerous major projections at Walt Disney World, including EPCOT's World Celebration, TRON Lightcycle Run, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Most notably, the permit has its default 12-month validity period extended to December 25, 2026.

We do not yet know the purpose of the construction, which is vaguely described in the permit as "General Construction." Given the permit's timeframe and the contractor involved, a significant update of the resort appears to be a possibility.

The last refurbishment of Disney's Wilderness Lodge took place in 2021. During this refurbishment, the rooms were updated with new modern nature themes while retaining elements of the resort's Pacific Northwest aesthetic. Key updates included new hardwood flooring, modernized furniture, new blackout curtains, and a redesign of the headboards and accent walls with subtle Disney references such as Bambi and Chip & Dale. The bathrooms also received significant upgrades, including dual showerheads and wood tile accents.

Disney has yet to announce a refurbishment or update to Wilderness Lodge.

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mhochmanAug 08, 2024

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

nickysAug 08, 2024

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.

mhochmanAug 08, 2024

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.

DCBakerAug 07, 2024

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.

Tim LohrAug 01, 2024

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

danlb_2000Jul 31, 2024

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

StripesJul 31, 2024

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

trainplane3Jul 31, 2024

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...

lazyboy97oJul 31, 2024

Even when there are creative changes, the hotel renovation projects are still run by FAM. The goal for room refreshes is every 7 years.

danlb_2000Jul 31, 2024

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.