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

[pangyal]

Has anyone received construction letters for December yet? I'm seeing reports on another thread that they are offering room transfers to another resort to Lodge guests, but December is booked solid for all of DVC, so even if we wanted to switch, I'm not sure what they would offer at this point?

 

[Brian Noble]

Looks like we might sneak one last pre-construction trip in early this August...too much work to do, but hey, vacation is important too, right?

 

[ottawagreg]

We are going in December. Christmas week. Nine nights-our longest Disney vacation ever. Booked in January with no idea all this was pending. We are going to have to go with plan. Room booked and airfare bought n paid for. We are going to be happy and enjoy our time there. Count it as goodness and blessings. What else can one do. A thankful heart is a happy heart. Some folks have no home. I would be so selfish to complain about a Christmas vacation at WDW. Take the good with the bad.

 

[Dean Marino]

I'm not too worried about Disney telling me my timeshare has expired - as you said the publicity that causes will ruin any future sales of DVC.....

Here here. In the end, Disney has GREAT lawyers, and they will "win" anything Disney wants them to win. HOWEVER - as soon as Disney screws an entire class of DVC owners? DVC is dead. Is there anyone that believes this would be a good business move? . Nail me - and I sell my contract for $1, then wait for ROFR.

 

[Granny]

We are going in December. Christmas week. Nine nights-our longest Disney vacation ever. Booked in January with no idea all this was pending. We are going to have to go with plan. Room booked and airfare bought n paid for. We are going to be happy and enjoy our time there. Count it as goodness and blessings. What else can one do. A thankful heart is a happy heart. Some folks have no home. I would be so selfish to complain about a Christmas vacation at WDW. Take the good with the bad.

This is a great attitude, and so right. While we express concern that what we all have in common is being changed, I think we also know that it is not the end of the world. If I had a VWL reservation next year, I don't think I'd change it. Maybe request a "bus side" view and still enjoy all the other great attributes of this resort. You will have a great Christmas week, I'm sure!

 

[Brian Noble]

Looks like we might sneak one last pre-construction trip in early this August...too much work to do, but hey, vacation is important too, right?

Earlier today, I'd talked myself out of it. However, after chatting it over with the family, I am all in. My daughter (a rising HS senior) and I will spend several days on college vists, and then spend a week in a 1BR at VWL, just the two of us. We are planning a very Bay Lake Society week at VWL!

 

[jimmytammy]

It seems we all are approaching our upcoming VWL trips with caution but with remaining optimism, wouldnt expect any less from us groupies
I have been thinking about asking for bus view like Granny suggested. My MIL will be spending most of her time those 2 days at the resort so I want it to be as pleasant of an experience as possible.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Going to be an interesting 2 or more years . . . . . . . . . .

It just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser . . .

 

[pangyal]

For questions about the construction, would you all recommend calling MS or Guest Services directly at WL? Does GS at the Lodge deal only with the hotel side or can they help with DVC as well?

 

[Granny]

For questions about the construction, would you all recommend calling MS or Guest Services directly at WL? Does GS at the Lodge deal only with the hotel side or can they help with DVC as well?

Honestly, I wouldn't expect either to be able to provide much information. What they've already "published" is likely to be all we see for quite some time. This is a big, long term project and I'm sure they'll want the flexibility to move various parts of the project around on their timeline without having told anyone the original timeline.

I am pretty sure that MS would not be able to tell you anything about this. You can try calling Guest Services but again, I wouldn't hold out much hope for real information.

Personally I would go ahead with your plans, ask for an even number room (bus side) near the elevators. I think the Lodge will still have that awesome Christmas decoration and feel that we all love so much. The key for this type of thing is the mindset...if you are upset/bummed before you get there it seems likely to run over into the vacation time.

I feel for you, but at this point I'd try to keep the hope that Disney will deliver a Christmas experience you will cherish for years to come. Good luck!

 

[Kathymford]

We are going in January for marathon weekend. I thought about trying to switch resorts, but I miss the lodge terribly and duh, it's marathon weekend. No chance anything is open by now unless I want to change resorts every day. LOL.

We honestly haven't spent much time on the trails. The lobby and theme of the inside of the resort is what always what takes my break away. Also, as long as they don't mess with my ability to take the boat to MK!! Also, for what it's worth, I was able to book AP for January with not issues, but who knows when in the next two years those changes may (or may not) happen.

 

[pangyal]

Honestly, I wouldn't expect either to be able to provide much information. What they've already "published" is likely to be all we see for quite some time. This is a big, long term project and I'm sure they'll want the flexibility to move various parts of the project around on their timeline without having told anyone the original timeline.

I am pretty sure that MS would not be able to tell you anything about this. You can try calling Guest Services but again, I wouldn't hold out much hope for real information.

Personally I would go ahead with your plans, ask for an even number room (bus side) near the elevators. I think the Lodge will still have that awesome Christmas decoration and feel that we all love so much. The key for this type of thing is the mindset...if you are upset/bummed before you get there it seems likely to run over into the vacation time.

I feel for you, but at this point I'd try to keep the hope that Disney will deliver a Christmas experience you will cherish for years to come. Good luck!

My rational side knows you are completely right, but we have been mired in Pan-Am Games related construction in Toronto for the past few years, plus they have built two new buildings around us during that time, and i am just so sick of construction! Plus, when we scored the VWL reservation for Christmas, my mom decided to come for the first time and of course the flights were pricey...so I am more disappointed on her behalf as it's always been her dream to stay there.

I really appreciate the idea of asking for a bus side view. Honestly, we will have a great time, but we booked there for the nature trail, the beach movies/campfire, and the serenity. Looks like none of that will be possible (at least this time ).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You mean we may finally get a lake side room with all of you asking for my bus side?

 

[Dean Marino]

It seems we all are approaching our upcoming VWL trips with caution but with remaining optimism, wouldnt expect any less from us groupies
I have been thinking about asking for bus view like Granny suggested. My MIL will be spending most of her time those 2 days at the resort so I want it to be as pleasant of an experience as possible.

Which brings me to a question of great practicality......

How, exactly, does one REQUEST "Bus View"? ONLINE check in does not list "Bus View". I'm guessing that this is yet another "Call Call Call"?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Which brings me to a question of great practicality......

How, exactly, does one REQUEST "Bus View"? ONLINE check in does not list "Bus View". I'm guessing that this is yet another "Call Call Call"?

The rooms on that side are even numbered according to the maps. I always call or email MS with requests. MS will be quite confused to start getting that request!

 

[Granny]

Which brings me to a question of great practicality......

How, exactly, does one REQUEST "Bus View"? ONLINE check in does not list "Bus View". I'm guessing that this is yet another "Call Call Call"?

I do room view requests via e-mail...there's a button on the Members site next to the Member Services phone number. My last few calls to MS have been lengthy (20 minutes plus) waits. E-mail works just fine. I'd request an even number villa near the elevators. That should hopefully avoid The Dreaded Dumpster View villas. Which, by the way, may well be quieter than the lake side villas.

You mean we may finally get a lake side room with all of you asking for my bus side?

Kathy...you know you're only going to get lake side if you request bus side!

 

[ottawagreg]

Kathy...you know you're only going to get lake side if you request bus side!

I humbly and respectfully submit that hereto and forthwith the bus side view rooms shall now be known as the wilderness view rooms as there will be more trees there than the lake view side. Of course there will a different name needed than lake view as davey Crockett cabins are going to block most of the water. Hmmm.... Pool bar view? Chaise lounge view?

 

[circhead]

I'm trying to decide what to do for February. Should I go with my home VWL or try somewhere else?

I already let the fear of the construction get me to move my Christmas reservation - but I really want to stay at the lodge one last time before it's unrecognizable from the lodge I purchased in 2001.

We were staying at the Poly forChristmas that year and went to see the Lodge. I must say it was love at first sight. We're from NYC and the towers were still burning (they burned for months, you could see smoke rising from the ashes literally for months). The sight, sounds and smells at the lodge really did my heart good. For me it's always been a restorative, soul soothing place and I LOVE IT AS IS.

 

[Lakegirl]

I'm trying to decide what to do for February. Should I go with my home VWL or try somewhere else?

I already let the fear of the construction get me to move my Christmas reservation - but I really want to stay at the lodge one last time before it's unrecognizable from the lodge I purchased in 2001.

We were staying at the Poly forChristmas that year and went to see the Lodge. I must say it was love at first sight. We're from NYC and the towers were still burning (they burned for months, you could see smoke rising from the ashes literally for months). The sight, sounds and smells at the lodge really did my heart good. For me it's always been a restorative, soul soothing place and I LOVE IT AS IS.

I would of kept my Christmas at the lodge and done February somewhere else.

 

[circhead]

I would of kept my Christmas at the lodge and done February somewhere else.

I've been haunting DVC website trying to get it back. Second thoughts too late but without the hidden springs pool and my granddaughters with me I moved to Jambo. I like Jambo but it's not VWL.