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

[Corinne]

I am surprised at how noisy it is here, many guests speaking loudly in the halls! It's been years since we have stayed in the hotel and it is not as quiet as VWL. The concierge staff is very nice and friendly.

Our friends picked us up last night to go to Epcot and we saw this guy....he truly looked up as if to pose!

 

[DiznyDi]

Good Morning Corinne! What a lovely view you're waking up to! As your time permits, I'm certain we'd all like your observations on the current state of construction. Have a great day!

 

[Granny]

Corinne...that is a beautiful view of the courtyard, pool and Bay Lake. Not to mention your new friend posing for the camera.

And a milestone Anniversary to celebrate...I hope your stay is truly magical!

 

[jimmytammy]

Corrine, with all the talk and rightly so as we are a passionate bunchwhere WL/VWL and WDW in general is concerned, thanks for sharing those shots as a reminder of the serenity that we all love at the Lodge. For all our sakes, I pray that is not lost in the end in the name of a dollar.

I feel like in the long haul, all will be OK. Like Sleepy says, I am disappointed that Osbourne Lights are bidding farewell, but its making way for new things. Walt always said he wanted to keep things changing, and at times, Disney has been lax in that dept., now that changes are OTW, we are scared of what may be in the long run. I too dont like change. But I have to be honest, take Maelstrom for instance, not crazy about Frozen taking its place, but I found myself bypassing it often if the line was longer than 10 mins, which was the norm, so I skipped it a lot. I have a friend here at home, been going to WDW since early 70s, seen lots of changes, talks about things at WDW I never heard of. He longs for a few things to return, but not much. In other words, it can grow stale. I think for me personally I feel the nostalgic feel of (ex.) of Honey I Shrunk The Audience, wish it would return, its the 1st 3D show we saw at WDW. But honestly, if it were there and I took it for granted it always would be, I probably would force my way too it and bypass more often than not.

Im not sure where to end this for me personally other than change is going to happen, we are human, so we dont like change, but once the change happens, we become a little more accepting, but we will still long for the past. Explains why I love The Andy Griffith Show so much, reminds me of my childhood days, going to grandmas on Sun. playing out after dark, walking or riding a bike to the store, knowing my neighbors, etc. I lived in those days, but alas, they will never return. Do I have to like it, heck no, do I have to live with it, heck yes! Same goes for WDW for me

Thanks for letting me ramble on, you may now return to your regularly scheduled DIS visit

 

[twinklebug]

Hi all, my apologies, it has been a bit since I took the time to catch up with the groupies. Your the best bunch on all the forums, but just trying to keep up with all the news and speculations wore me out. Enough of that, I say. It's time to just let things happen.

My summation of all the changes both at VWL and the parks: I can see WDW transitioning over the next half decade into the entertainment park powerhouse they've been known for. It's quite unfortunate that over the last decade (prior to the FL expansion) that it was treated as the unwanted stepchild as Corporate Disney put all their efforts into new parks around the globe. It was as though they felt because WDW was their flagship and most visited area that it needed no support. Hopefully those days are over and they are ushering in the change (although I'm still waiting for the announcements that EPCOT is being restored to it's former glory as Future World seems to be dying a slow, ugly death.)

The scary part of the construction coming up at the villas will be when they construct the fences and start removing trees. Once we get past that there should only be improvements to come. I'm still not happy with the cabins and anticipated segregation of the point rich from the point poor, myself falling into the latter, LOL... but I concluded that even if I had a million points I am frugal enough not to spend them on cabins or bungalows, if I had those to spend I'd be offering them up to make a wish. Studios fit my lifestyle fine and the occasional 1 br unit is a splurge.

The Fort is where I grew up - I saw changes there I didn't like, but I have to admit most of it has been for the better. There is now a pool, better roads and cabins to rent. I miss the old version of the stores, and the existence of the golf carts drive me insane, but admit they have cut down on the people waiting for the buses. My expectations here at the Lodge are similar - we will see some favorites go, but on the upside we should see improvements and additions beyond expectations. I'm dying to see some official art of the project!!! Beats me why Disney hasn't released the announcement with it yet - they're only drumming up negativity with the wait.

 

[Dean Marino]

Good Morning Groupies from our beloved WL!!

We have a lovely courtyard view
View attachment 123525

Dead Images?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for the pictures @Corinne! Those chocolates are soooo cute! I suppose they don't sell them in the store and they can only be gotten with a Concierge stay?

Dead Images?

?

 

[eliza61]

Dead Images?

Can't see mine either Dean

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Monday Folks! The weather here is cool in low 50s, fall is in the air, but as exciting as that is for me, with only 38 days to go, thats what I am really jumping around about wfc4life, sechem32 and me and the kids(they are adults now but will always be kids to me)got together for a quick lunch Sat. and the talk lead to WDW very promptly. I am glad I still get this excited after all these years and countless trips(according to Capt.D, we lost count after 30)

Tammy is still in England, but having a great time. I do think she is ready to come home as the 2 month jaunt is making her miss home. I just know we will be glad when she gets home!

Hope everyone has a blessed week

 

[eliza61]

Boo,
Just heard that this year is the last year for the Osbourne family light show. I've never seen it and it was definitely on my Disney bucket list.

http://www.11alive.com/story/entert...end-osborne-family-christmas-lights/72177870/

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Boo,
Just heard that this year is the last year for the Osbourne family light show. I've never seen it and it was definitely on my Disney bucket list.

http://www.11alive.com/story/entert...end-osborne-family-christmas-lights/72177870/

Yeah we always enjoyed seeing them. I wish they could just put them somewhere else instead of totally eliminating them.

 

[Dizny Dad]

DiznyDi lamented the same thing to me last evening . . . last year for the Osborne Family Lights. We have enjoyed them every year since they were put up. And I always chuckled to myself . . . leaving Ohio for Florida in December so I could experience the fake snow on the Streets of America . . . at least I didn't have to shovel it. And that large floating Christmas Tree in the intersection was from the roof of their kitchen. . . . How big is that kitchen?!? That tree would cover my entire house! So sorry to see them go. DiznyDi & DD just loved them so.

 

[Granny]

Yeah we always enjoyed seeing them. I wish they could just put them somewhere else instead of totally eliminating them.

DLI...great to see you here!

I agree with you...it seems that they could have put the Osbourne Lights somewhere in their parks. It really was one of my family's favorite Christmas attractions (second only to CP) and we will miss it. Walking down the street and seeing all the lights pulsing in beat to the music, "snow" falling on the street from the rooftops and hot chocolate to drink...yes it will be sorely missed.

But as Jimmy points out, everything changes eventually . In general, there are more and better attractions at WDW than when we started. Flower & Garden and Food & Wine festivals are a nice addition to the slower times of the year. And major expansions at DHS and DAK to complement the renovation of Fantasyland at MK. Overall, I think we will be happy to continue going to WDW each year until our DVC contract expires.

I've decided that the VWL expansion will end up being a wonderful finished product. Rather than worry about what will be lost, I'm going to look at it as if it was a brand new place that I'm visiting. My guess is that when they're done, I'll still think it is an awesome resort.

Hopefully Disney won't go to a FP system like Universal which basically requires you to pay for fast passes. That might be the straw that breaks my DVC back.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

DLI...great to see you here!

I agree with you...it seems that they could have put the Osbourne Lights somewhere in their parks. It really was one of my family's favorite Christmas attractions (second only to CP) and we will miss it. Walking down the street and seeing all the lights pulsing in beat to the music, "snow" falling on the street from the rooftops and hot chocolate to drink...yes it will be sorely missed.

But as Jimmy points out, everything changes eventually . In general, there are more and better attractions at WDW than when we started. Flower & Garden and Food & Wine festivals are a nice addition to the slower times of the year. And major expansions at DHS and DAK to complement the renovation of Fantasyland at MK. Overall, I think we will be happy to continue going to WDW each year until our DVC contract expires.

I've decided that the VWL expansion will end up being a wonderful finished product. Rather than worry about what will be lost, I'm going to look at it as if it was a brand new place that I'm visiting. My guess is that when they're done, I'll still think it is an awesome resort.

Hopefully Disney won't go to a FP system like Universal which basically requires you to pay for fast passes. That might be the straw that breaks my DVC back.

Hi Granny! Thanks! Yeah I've been out of touch for awhile. LOL Never stopped thinking about the groupies though!

 

[Dizny Dad]

DLI...great to see you here! . . . . . Hopefully Disney won't go to a FP system like Universal which basically requires you to pay for fast passes. That might be the straw that breaks my DVC back.

I know you remember that paying extra for FPs has been a reoccurring rumor before, along with tiered perks . . .

 

[Granny]

I know you remember that paying extra for FPs has been a reoccurring rumor before, along with tiered perks . . .

Yep, I've heard those rumors. I just put my fingers in my ears and sing loudly out of tune until the rumors go away....


...doesn't always work. Sometimes my wife is the only thing that goes away.

 

[sleepydog25]

hmm if the villa pool is supposed to be completed by Feb, should we stay put? that was the pool we were planning on spending lots of time at, NOT the main pool.

I just read on the DVC member website the following note: "Hidden Springs Pool at Disney's Wilderness Lodge will be closed for enhancements from October 26, 2015 through 2017. Some pathways and other areas will also be closed for refurbishment, beginning in early October 2015. Silver Creek Springs Pool will remain open for your enjoyment during this refurbishment period." The emphasis in bold italics is mine. I thought I'd read they'd be done with the pool in 5-6 months, but obviously, that doesn't appear to be the case which leads me to wonder why those who are staying in February and beyond have not heard from DVC about moving. . .like us.

 

[Kathymford]

I could have sworn that was written differently last week when I was in there. More along the lines of all of the constructions through 2017 ... interesting.

 

[momtwoboys]

exactly what I thought, that it will be a big construction zone till 2017! I will be waiting to hear from my DVC friend tomorrow morning at our 7 month mark what our options are. Wish they had contacted us sooner and hope it all works out.

 

[sleepydog25]

exactly what I thought, that it will be a big construction zone till 2017! I will be waiting to hear from my DVC friend tomorrow morning at our 7 month mark what our options are. Wish they had contacted us sooner and hope it all works out.

Best of luck! When I read this statement, my first thought was that I might have led you astray, so I'm glad you saw my post.