VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

twinklebug · Feb 19, 2017

The new parts of the resort are starting to shape up. I can't wait to see the finalized product. To me it's more about the landscaping than anything else.

Does anyone else find it ironic that the new child care area located on the backside of Geyser Point B&G is almost in the same spot where the playground used to be?

Keep in mind as the area progresses to completion that DVC is listening to the members. They have shown in the past that if new units are built with issues and if the members shout loud enough about them, they will come back in and address those problem areas.

Examples:

Kidani needed a covered walkway out the bus stops. Although it was not in the plans, we made our voices heard and they added a very nice one.
BLT had a major issue with the studio bathroom sink being around the wrong side of the wall in the kitchenette area. It was a silly design to have been approved to start with. When owners yelled they listened and fixed it. I'm sure it was not cheap to "flip" a wall around on all the studios and without such noise from the owners (starting here on the web) they most likely would have left them as they were. As a bonus touch, and perhaps to make peace, DVC also added mirrors which many had mentioned were missing. (VWL doesn't have full length mirrors, does it?)

I'm curious if the Poly had any issues aside from plumbing and electrical. But that's enough isn't it.

If, when all is said and done there is a significant problem they will fix it. Just make your voices heard. (I'm hoping the buffalo and geese migrate back.)

TCRAIG · Feb 19, 2017

wildernessDad said:
That company in Orlando made me an offer and it's a significant offer. We're rather surprised by it. I have a week to decide and I'm putting together some questions. It's hard to pull up roots, so I'll be careful about my choice. They're paying to relocate. I'm leaning towards going for it.

FANTASTIC!!

ArielSRL · Feb 19, 2017

jimmytammy said:
Ariel, we bought site unseen, and back in those days, we didn't have much to go on other than pictures in the DVC book. So, our 1st trip to VWL, we flew and got a town car service from the airport. I saw the sign at the front drive, then the wow factor sunk in when we turned the corner, and there it was, The LodgeI got tears in my eyes and we all broke out in the biggest grin when we saw that wonderful green, brown and tan building looming large as we pulled up. We went through those sliding doors and the lobby was out of this world gorgeous! My DW had to coax me over to the front desk to check in as I was just mesmerized.

It took me several trips to slow down and enjoy, soak it all in and really get into the groove of what WL/VWL has to offer... like the music playing so faintly in the background(but is huge in creating an atmosphere of western theming), the smells of pine/fir trees in the lobby of VWL, the quiet serenity of the Carolewood Pacific Room(formerly the Iron Spike Room), the lanterns flickering and the crickets chirping at night and the boat whistles early in the am whisking folks away to lands of fantasy not so far off in the distance. There are many here who can add to all that our favorite resort has to offer.

I can't paint a vivid picture that my senses withhold. But I felt compelled to share my personal feelings and here is why. Show him a picture of the outside of the main Lodge, or show him a picture of the lobby. I can say, seeing either in pictures still doesn't do it justice as standing there in awe of the place. So hold back, don't show him much. Tease him with a nugget, but don't reveal the whole goldmine

Thanks for sharing. I got chills reading this! And I think you are right. Teases are good but let the majority of it be in person!

sleepydog25 · Feb 19, 2017

JT, your words are simply awesome, and as WDad says, they transport me to the Lodge. Few things beat walking into the main lobby--no matter how many times we've done it. It's a transformative experience. I agree, Ariel, that you should do no more than tease despite how difficult that may be. The payoff will be amazing, I'm sure.

We're still looking at our schedule to see about times for a meet in May, and while I don't mean to be the bell cow for this event, I'll post what we determine so that possibly we can meet some Groupies!

bobbiwoz · Feb 19, 2017

Hope we are there for the May meet!

DVC Jen · Feb 19, 2017

ArielSRL said:
, I know I will be...with tears in my eyes, ."

the tear factor is real. WL has been our favorite and we have been going since 2001. That was our first trip there and we so fell in love with it we bought into DVC. So here it is 2017 and I have lost track of how many times we have walked through that lobby - but I still tear up every trip.

sleepydog25 · Feb 19, 2017

DVC Jen said:
I love this group. I can't tell you how long it took me to actually start posting here on a kinda regular basis. I thought it was a pretty tight knit group and I probably wouldn't be welcomed. Boy was I right and wrong. It IS a tight knit group but I was welcomed even without anyone really knowing me.

Welcome Diana. You can sit next to me

I've been meaning to reply, but we're so glad you decided to start posting. As with any new group, making that first decision to check them out a bit more can be slightly daunting. What works in our favor--at least I like to believe so--is that we genuinely welcome anyone who enjoys talking about his/her love of the Lodge. And, unlike some other groups, it's fairly obvious from the start that we're drama free and enjoy each other's company. What may work against us is the fact that we often seem like a family. . .but as you've discovered, we're not a snobby family (okay, okay, I have to admit I won't drink just any Sauvignon Blanc--pretty much has to be from the Marlborough region of New Zealand). Anyway, what has made this group special for me is just what you said--they welcomed me years ago without even knowing me. That, too, has made my love of the Lodge even more special.

P.S. Now, if JT will just stop singing in the shower. . . :rolleyes1

jimmytammy · Feb 19, 2017

sleepydog25 said:
P.S. Now, if JT will just stop singing in the shower. . .

Not gonna happen, its the only place it still sounds good

Starwind · Feb 19, 2017

DVC Jen said:
the tear factor is real. WL has been our favorite and we have been going since 2001. That was our first trip there and we so fell in love with it we bought into DVC. So here it is 2017 and I have lost track of how many times we have walked through that lobby - but I still tear up every trip.

I also tear up every trip, starting when we can first see the building as we come in on DME, and then getting worse when we walk into the main lobby. None of the other resorts do that to me.

SW

sleepydog25 · Feb 19, 2017

jimmytammy said:
. . .it still sounds good

Could I get a second opinion on that?!

:listen:

Bueller?

wildernessDad · Feb 19, 2017

I might have to cancel our May vacation, but I'm still on for December.

Starwind · Feb 19, 2017

FYI, many of you will be pleased to know that VWL is still listed as VWL (spelled out) on the WDW resort Laundry View website (lets you view all the washers and dryers at the resorts, including what is available and in use, time left, as well as you can view weekly average usage to find times less likely to be busy).

SW

sleepydog25 · Feb 19, 2017

Starwind said:
FYI, many of you will be pleased to know that VWL is still listed as VWL (spelled out) on the WDW resort Laundry View website (lets you view all the washers and dryers at the resorts, including what is available and in use, time left, as well as you can view weekly average usage to find times less likely to be busy).

SW

There's such a thing? pirate:

Actually, it gives me a little smile to know some things are as resistant to change as am I.

ArielSRL · Feb 19, 2017

DVC Jen said:
the tear factor is real. WL has been our favorite and we have been going since 2001. That was our first trip there and we so fell in love with it we bought into DVC. So here it is 2017 and I have lost track of how many times we have walked through that lobby - but I still tear up every trip.

I believe it!

rkstocke5609 · Feb 19, 2017

OMG, now after reading all these posts about "tearing up" I'm at home doing it just thinking about it. Probably I'm just a little sad we couldn't ever get my aging MIL down to see it before she passed away last Sunday.

Anyhoo , I wonder....will Wilderness Dad need to purchase another contract to book those "unbooked" nights that can be seen on the member website now and again? I gotta admit, if I ever get lucky enough to be so close I think I'd be tempted......

Starwind · Feb 19, 2017

sleepydog25 said:
There's such a thing? Actually, it gives me a little smile to know some things are as resistant to change as am I.

There is !!

http://classic.laundryview.com/disneyworld/

Viewing it on a mobile app gives more functionality -- like the ability to set alerts. But even on a web page it is kind of neat.

And "VILLAS AT WILDERNESS LODGE"

jimmytammy · Feb 19, 2017

sleepydog25 said:
Could I get a second opinion on that?!

Bueller?

Well, it sounds good to me! Does that count?

sleepydog25 · Feb 19, 2017

jimmytammy said:
Well, it sounds good to me! Does that count?

Absodarnlutely! :thumbsup2

KAT4DISNEY · Feb 20, 2017

Happy Birthday @gabriellyn!!!

jimmytammy · Feb 20, 2017

sleepydog25 said:
Absodarnlutely!

Course my wife and kids say it sounds like a cat caught in the spokes of a bicycle :music:

VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

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