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

[Corinne]

For some reason I have never eaten there. I think we may try it next trip. Hopefully it's as good as the Disneyland version.

We almost always eat there….as with all things at Disney, they’ve changed quite a bit but the shakes and sandwiches and salads are all pretty good.

 

[Corinne]

So Granny, if you have not requested the rooms specifically, do you request close to elevator/lobby? I am thinking about modifying my request for November, since my original request was for an upper floor, which, by default I will get, lol.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Ugh all of these prices going up today. We went and bought our tickets today just in case. Decided to get park hoppers this time. Wish I had bought the memory maker before now since it went up too.

 

[jimmytammy]

Shhh! Don't tell anyone!

So that's the secret?

TOOOOOO LATE!

Me and my big mouth!!

 

[Granny]

So Granny, if you have not requested the rooms specifically, do you request close to elevator/lobby? I am thinking about modifying my request for November, since my original request was for an upper floor, which, by default I will get, lol.

I generally request lake side, upper floor, close to elevators. My understanding is that they assume that requests are made in order of priority. Last April with that request they had us assigned to a first floor villa on the lake side. But the person before us in line rejected their fifth floor 1BR villa because it didn’t have a murphy style sleeper sofa. So we took that villa and it’s nice view. We would have made do with the original assignment even though it only met one of the three requests. I think it’s just luck.

 

[Granny]

So that's the secret?

yep. You have to do a Jedi mind trick with the assigner a few days before arriving.

I really do wish you a magical room assignment for your next trip.

 

[TCRAIG]

So - I heard it from a balloon seller who heard it from a boat captain who said he heard it from a bus driver that the reason why Jimmy gets the WL VIP room assignment treatment is because of his close relationship with Goofy - or maybe it was close resemblance -

 

[jimmytammy]

So - I heard it from a balloon seller who heard it from a boat captain who said he heard it from a bus driver that the reason why Jimmy gets the WL VIP room assignment treatment is because of his close relationship with Goofy - or maybe it was close resemblance -

GAWRSH!!

 

[jimmytammy]

This game is new, it’s in the little room near front of VWL lobby between Carolewood Pacific room and foyer. Several different digital games to choose from. Sadly, this may have replaced the checkers

Caught up with longtime groupies DiznyDad, far left and DiznyDi, 2nd from right along with Tammy’s brother and his family

 

[jimmytammy]

Sort of tough to get really good shots of the lions at KS but yesterday they weren’t as alusive as normal

 

[jimmytammy]

Maybe there is something to asking for room specific numbers. My BIL and his family didn't know I requested a particular room, 1st, number 3535 and 2nd, 3545. Lo and behold, they got 3535! Luck of the draw or coincidence? Still guessing, but odd that both room requests, mine the 2nd request, and theirs, 1st request were met Mine, I requested by DVC email less than a week to go, theirs, Mon this week by DVC email and they arrived today.

I just have to wonder, does asking for a specific room number get you closer to what you prefer? Does this make it easier for the person entering the info on room requests to make it happen? Or did I just get lucky?

It happened one other time at BWV and a DVC member guy told me to ask for a specific room. I chalked that up to BWV is huge, therefore, the odds were in my favor. But it was during F&W festival, you know they were booked to the gills. VWL is smallest on property, how did I rank 2 rooms specifically asked for by number?

Again, not saying this in a bragging way, but rather making it as an observation for those among us who have struggled through the years to get room requests met. I too have asked for specific things at VWL through the years, like LV, and I end up on the bus side, higher floor, end up on ground floor.

All this is too say, I'm looking for feedback. No one is right or wrong, just wondering your thoughts?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Maybe there is something to asking for room specific numbers. My BIL and his family didn't know I requested a particular room, 1st, number 3535 and 2nd, 3545. Lo and behold, they got 3535! Luck of the draw or coincidence? Still guessing, but odd that both room requests, mine the 2nd request, and theirs, 1st request were met Mine, I requested by DVC email less than a week to go, theirs, Mon this week by DVC email and they arrived today.

I just have to wonder, does asking for a specific room number get you closer to what you prefer? Does this make it easier for the person entering the info on room requests to make it happen? Or did I just get lucky?

It happened one other time at BWV and a DVC member guy told me to ask for a specific room. I chalked that up to BWV is huge, therefore, the odds were in my favor. But it was during F&W festival, you know they were booked to the gills. VWL is smallest on property, how did I rank 2 rooms specifically asked for by number?

Again, not saying this in a bragging way, but rather making it as an observation for those among us who have struggled through the years to get room requests met. I too have asked for specific things at VWL through the years, like LV, and I end up on the bus side, higher floor, end up on ground floor.

All this is too say, I'm looking for feedback. No one is right or wrong, just wondering your thoughts?

I'd say its both yes and no. That is along the lines that Touringplans does but with several room numbers as well as location. And then there's the luck of the draw that the room you request is unoccupied on your check in day.
What I've been told, by WL as it happens, is that if you only request a particular room number and it is occupied then the assignor has no idea why you wanted it and may put you anywhere. I think a room number coupled with a general location is best. Maybe not for me at VWL but it tends to work for pretty well for me everywhere else.

 

[CarolynFH]

Maybe there is something to asking for room specific numbers. My BIL and his family didn't know I requested a particular room, 1st, number 3535 and 2nd, 3545. Lo and behold, they got 3535! Luck of the draw or coincidence? Still guessing, but odd that both room requests, mine the 2nd request, and theirs, 1st request were met Mine, I requested by DVC email less than a week to go, theirs, Mon this week by DVC email and they arrived today.

I just have to wonder, does asking for a specific room number get you closer to what you prefer? Does this make it easier for the person entering the info on room requests to make it happen? Or did I just get lucky?

It happened one other time at BWV and a DVC member guy told me to ask for a specific room. I chalked that up to BWV is huge, therefore, the odds were in my favor. But it was during F&W festival, you know they were booked to the gills. VWL is smallest on property, how did I rank 2 rooms specifically asked for by number?

Again, not saying this in a bragging way, but rather making it as an observation for those among us who have struggled through the years to get room requests met. I too have asked for specific things at VWL through the years, like LV, and I end up on the bus side, higher floor, end up on ground floor.

All this is too say, I'm looking for feedback. No one is right or wrong, just wondering your thoughts?

My theory is that if you just ask for a specific room number, they won’t know why you requested it, so if it’s not available for you, they’ll put you anywhere. OTOH I did once ask for a range of room numbers (the “stack” of standard view BWV 1BRs on the corner by the parking lot) and got the room right next door. So who knows!

 

[bluecastle]

View attachment 801417View attachment 801418
This game is new, it’s in the little room near front of VWL lobby between Carolewood Pacific room and foyer. Several different digital games to choose from. Sadly, this may have replaced the checkers
View attachment 801419
Caught up with longtime groupies DiznyDad, far left and DiznyDi, 2nd from right along with Tammy’s brother and his family

I was wondering what that electronic board was! Even though I like the idea of old-fashioned game pieces, we found there were pieces missing sometimes and there was no one there to ask about replacements. I’m sure my granddaughter will love it.

 

[Granny]

Well Mrs Granny and I made it in today and have settled in nicely to our 3rd floor villa. We are a couple of villas down the long hall and we are happy with our assignment. We are on the lake side, but being on the third floor there isn’t a Great Lake view. More like the old “glimpse of the lake” that we originally had at VWL.




Looking to the left, we have a nice view of the quiet pool.




We enjoyed meeting up with Dizny Dad and DiznyDi at Geyser Point. Sorry, no photos! Tomorrow the daughter, SIL and two grandkids make their first family trip to WDW. We are very excited to have them coming, but also glad to have a day to rest up first!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey Granny
Glad you folks made it safely!
Looking forward to being neighbors at The Lodge

 

[jimmytammy]

Hanging out at Ogas

One of my all time favorite movies and definitely among my top 2 favorites among Disney

Waiting at 50s


We had been sitting for just a few minutes when the waitress came back to our table and noticed Tammy’s SIL glass was empty. She asked her ”honey, are you thirsty or something” then brought her this huge pitcher of tea We all got a good laugh
Whitney, our waitress was really giving Casey a tough time, made him get up and do I’m a little teapot then asked if he had a girlfriend, shaking his head no, she said very boisterous like, “well you do now”
So I reminded him about his gal MT over at WCC and Whitney said she knew MT well, used to work with her in the mornings at WCC. She spoke about how things were at WL as Covid was shutting things down and one day it was only her and one other waiter there and how scary silent things were

 

[Corinne]

Jimmy you sure are having a great time, thanks for taking us along! Wishing we were there with so many of our favorite Groupies!

Question - is everyone still using Mears to get to resort from MCO? We have used them the last few times, but with our grandson not sure if I want to use Uber or Lyft instead. I’d be happy to use a Minnie Van but they are no longer offering airport transfer.

 

[twinklebug]

Jimmy you sure are having a great time, thanks for taking us along! Wishing we were there with so many of our favorite Groupies!

Question - is everyone still using Mears to get to resort from MCO? We have used them the last few times, but with our grandson not sure if I want to use Uber or Lyft instead. I’d be happy to use a Minnie Van but they are no longer offering airport transfer.

Over the past 6+ trips I've been using Lyfts or the bus service themed to trains.

I love the personal, quick and direct service of a Lyft car/SUV, but it's quite non-magical standing curbside at MCO flagging down the car and let's face it, some drive like Cruella deVille, which I suppose is arguably Disney.

The bus service that was Train themed is now merged with Mears and is called Mears Connect. The prices aren't the best anymore but the service is still the most calm and "magical" way to arrive IMHO. With a child who is easy going I'd choose the bus.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Over the past 6,7,8 trips I've been using Lyfts (I love the personal service, but it's quite non-magical standing curbside at MCO flagging down the car and some drive like Cruella deVille) or the bus service themed to trains. That bus service is now merged with Mears and is called Mears connect. The prices aren't the best anymore but the service is still the most calm and "magical" way to arrive IMHO.

We always used ME and always looked at it as part of the vacation experience. Loved the videos they showed. Missed that the last time we took Mears but other than that it was still the same. I asked DD if she would prefer taking an uber next time but she said nope. She loves the experience of taking the bus. I agree. Something about sharing the bus with other people who just landed for their vacation and are on their way to their resort is so fun. I don't even mind stopping at the other resorts first because it is fun to see the other people be so happy and excited to arrive at their resort