VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[sleepydog25]

Well...DH has wanted to sell our DVC points for a year and I've held him off. I couldn't argue with him any longer. We really aren't happy with the direction Disney is headed.

We're listing all our contracts this week.

I hope I can still stop by once and a while. I'd really miss the Groupies.

We'll still make trips to Orlando - we also have 2 Marriott TS. We'll just be traveling differently.

It's been a good 20 year run and we've made priceless memories but it's the end of an era for us.

Totally understandable. I haven't been to the World in a nearly two years and have no plans to visit anytime soon, so I may have to face the same quandary. There are just too many other options to enjoy that don't require massive planning and that are far more relaxing. I spent a week on Ocracoke Island last month, and it was the most relaxing, refreshing, and enjoyable vacation in recent memory. So, I get it. And, as DLI mentioned above, you needn't own or even visit DVC (or Disney) to be welcome here on the Groupies page.

We only have a 50 point contract right now and plan to hold on to it for visiting every few years. We have gone from multiple trips per year to not even getting excited about one. We are older and things are just not the same. We have a trip coming up next week and hopefully we will feel some of the magic of long ago.

Also a potential option. Own two contracts, one of which is 50 points, so the possibility exists to keep it and sell the other larger one. While I'm not sure I'd visit the parks, staying in a DVC property itself is kinda cool.

 

[jimmytammy]

Suzabella
Tammy and I pondered the thought of selling in the height of Covid, not because we were concerned about going but rather how the feel of WDW had changed so drastically. And the feel of it is still there to a degree but as an upcoming trip looms for us and sharing DVC with family, I feel the magic creeping back in like the old days as we are able to share it with our loved ones.

So I get it, life changes, and so does our vacation habits too. We are in the midst of considering another route of how we vacation in the future, though, I feel we will hold onto our remaining years of points to be able to take the grands as they age.

But keep this in mind, this group is so much more than VWL related. We are family, so once a groupie, always a groupie. As mentioned many times, you dont have to own too belong. We have gone way beyond the realm of just talking WL and VWL. Little did we know all those years ago when this crazy love of the Lodge would grow into what it is these days. Many have come and gone, but when they do return, they are welcomed with open arms.

In other words, you will always be a part of this group. You do what you need to do to keep your family at home going, this family will always be here for you as well

 

[Suzabella]

You all made me cry. Thank you for making me feel better about all this.

We will still go to Orlando - one of our Marriotts is there. The other is on HHI. These are the 2 places we visit with our DVC points.

The turning point for us was that we were finally planning a trip with our grandson who will be 4 by next summer. DH and I were not as excited to plan it as we were to talk about it which struck us both. It sounded fun to go with him but had to admit that we thought he'd enjoy OI more. And we would, too, we decided.

Then there was that earnings call....

We also did the math. We pay 3 times the maintenance fees for our DVC points as we do our Marriott week annually. It equals the same bedroom count but Marriott is bigger by quite a bit. With retirement not that far off, it just didn't make sense.

Then add in all the 'stuff' going on with Disney. As I've said before, the CM's bring the magic but the suits make the decisions and make policy.

If the opportunity arrises, we'll trade in with II at some point.

This doesn't diminish our love of The Lodge. That is the hardest part. We love it there so much. And we love Disney...or what it once was. Really hoping we see it return to some facsimile of that happy place in our lifetime.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have been atop Beech MT in Banner Elk, NC since Wednesday. Its been some gorgeous weather, temps hovering in high 60s, low 70s, a nice respite from the 105 degree heat index back home. Below are some pics I wanted to share, as it gives off the vibe of WL, to me at least

 

[MsChristy12]

We have been atop Beech MT in Banner Elk, NC since Wednesday. Its been some gorgeous weather, temps hovering in high 60s, low 70s, a nice respite from the 105 degree heat index back home. Below are some pics I wanted to share, as it gives off the vibe of WL, to me at least

Awww bambis!! Looks like a peaceful vacation!

 

[jimmytammy]

Then there was this guy
Casey and myself were returning in our van from a store yesterday when we spotted this bear near our driveway

 

[DisMal]

We have been atop Beech MT in Banner Elk, NC since Wednesday. Its been some gorgeous weather, temps hovering in high 60s, low 70s, a nice respite from the 105 degree heat index back home. Below are some pics I wanted to share, as it gives off the vibe of WL, to me at least

We will be retiring to the Appalachias to build our dream home after our trip this week. We love the area and actually had our wedding in the Smokies years ago. We have never been able to pull off a full stay at Wilderness so I was so excited to find availibility for our celebration trip. I have toyed with the idea to figure out the floor plans for the cabins to build on our property but I‘ve never been able to see more than pictures. I’m taking lots of pictures for inspiration so we can incorporate our favorite Disney home in TN.

 

[Starwind]

We will be retiring to the Appalachias to build our dream home after our trip this week. We love the area and actually had our wedding in the Smokies years ago. We have never been able to pull off a full stay at Wilderness so I was so excited to find availibility for our celebration trip. I have toyed with the idea to figure out the floor plans for the cabins to build on our property but I‘ve never been able to see more than pictures. I’m taking lots of pictures for inspiration so we can incorporate our favorite Disney home in TN.

Disney has the floor plan of the Cooper Creek cabins on their website: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...a/copper-creek-villas-and-cabins/points-rooms

This is a screenshot:

 

[Starwind]

We will be retiring to the Appalachias to build our dream home after our trip this week. We love the area and actually had our wedding in the Smokies years ago. We have never been able to pull off a full stay at Wilderness so I was so excited to find availibility for our celebration trip. I have toyed with the idea to figure out the floor plans for the cabins to build on our property but I‘ve never been able to see more than pictures. I’m taking lots of pictures for inspiration so we can incorporate our favorite Disney home in TN.

And if you go back to the DVC filings there are diagrams like these and info about square footage.

 

[jimmytammy]

We will be retiring to the Appalachias to build our dream home after our trip this week. We love the area and actually had our wedding in the Smokies years ago. We have never been able to pull off a full stay at Wilderness so I was so excited to find availibility for our celebration trip. I have toyed with the idea to figure out the floor plans for the cabins to build on our property but I‘ve never been able to see more than pictures. I’m taking lots of pictures for inspiration so we can incorporate our favorite Disney home in TN.

Thats exciting! To me, its one of the most beautiful places on Gods green earth

 

[DisMal]

And if you go back to the DVC filings there are diagrams like these and info about square footage.

View attachment 786571

I keep checking eBay for plans since I’ve seen other Projects show up randomly. I plan on taking lots of pictures of the exteriors and trying to talk a cm into letting peak at the inside. I’m thinking we would change the bathrooms a bit by eliminating one and adding another room. We don’t need the access area outside so that could be helpful to push out for more space. Not going to keep the outdoor tub/pool, too many critters that we have to share with.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Can anyone tell me what the shampoo/conditioner situation is for the studio rooms at BRV? Small bottles? Large bottles on the walls of the shower? Just trying to figure out if it's enough for 3 people for 6 nights or not. Also, anyone know what brand it is now? Thanks!

 

[DonMacGregor]

Can anyone tell me what the shampoo/conditioner situation is for the studio rooms at BRV? Small bottles? Large bottles on the walls of the shower? Just trying to figure out if it's enough for 3 people for 6 nights or not. Also, anyone know what brand it is now? Thanks!

In the tub/shower, it is wall-mounted dispensers of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. On the vanity, it's bar soap and a tube of lotion. All are H2O products.

 

[ClaraOswald]

In the tub/shower, it is wall-mounted dispensers of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. On the vanity, it's bar soap and a tube of lotion. All are H2O products.

Thanks. I didn't think they had the H2O products anymore. So it sounds like the wall dispensers should have enough for 3 people for 6 nights, right?

 

[DisMal]

My girls and I have lots of hair, never ran out if the bottle is full

Thanks. I didn't think they had the H2O products anymore. So it sounds like the wall dispensers should have enough for 3 people for 6 nights, right?

 

[DonMacGregor]

Thanks. I didn't think they had the H2O products anymore. So it sounds like the wall dispensers should have enough for 3 people for 6 nights, right?

Everything is still H2O. I would guess the wall dispensers have enough for 3 people for about 60 nights.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks. I didn't think they had the H2O products anymore. So it sounds like the wall dispensers should have enough for 3 people for 6 nights, right?

As above, you should be fine, but if you think you're running low, just call Housekeeping and they'll refill the bottles.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks, all! The less I have to pack in my bag, the better. I normally bring my own shampoo/conditioner but since I'll be wearing a hat all day, I figure I'll just use whatever they have.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Another question - does anyone have a picture of the patio/balcony door? I'd like to see what the lock situation is like. Our son is autistic so we like to see what kinds of safety issues we're dealing with beforehand.

thanks!

I watched a couple videos on youtube but didn't see a good shot of it.

 

[jimmytammy]

Another question - does anyone have a picture of the patio/balcony door? I'd like to see what the lock situation is like. Our son is autistic so we like to see what kinds of safety issues we're dealing with beforehand.

thanks!

I watched a couple videos on youtube but didn't see a good shot of it.

The best I remember, they have a night latch type lock near the top but someone else might be better suited to answer this who may have used it