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

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . Perhaps you can score a position at Artist Point as hostess and give us all window seats and free portobello mushroom soup. That would be real nice.

Just as a note: We have always ordered the Portobello Mushroom Soup while dining at Artist Point. We finally realized that that was THE draw for us. It has been good to know that you can order the soup in the Territory Lounge; eat-in or take-out. We generally get some and take it back to the room while passing through the lobby on our way home. But a great venue to savor the soup is the small balcony facing the lake on the third(/) floor. All hail the soup!

 

[horselover]

Happy New Year groupies! Wow took me awhile to catch up here. I know I dropped off again even though I said I'd try to keep up. The last 2 weeks have been a blur. Some of you already know that sadly my MIL passed away while I was at WDW so we had to fly home early. It was sudden & unexpected. Got home on the 28th around 8PM & was in the car at 9AM the next day headed to Long Island. 4 1/2 hrs. down then drove another 4 hours back the same day. It was pretty exhausting. The rest of the week I think DH & I just sleep walked through & now everyone is back to school & work. I've been slammed this week. Welcome to Wave Season! It gets cold & everyone starts thinking about vacations.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

Got back from a wonderful trip at VWL. I wanted to give you a heads up to a not so magical experience. We made a couple of trips to Disney Springs to eat lunch. On our way back, the buses were standing room only. Since we share a bus with the contemporary, lots of people were taking advantage of the parking at Disney Springs to avoid paying the $22 parking fee at the Magic Kingdom. I know this has gone on in the past but I've never seen it like this before. Based on their conversations, well over half of the people on the bus were doing this. If I had to guess, 80% were going to the Magic Kingdom. We were the only people to get off at the lodge one time. The rest of the full bus went on to the contemporary. Not a big deal but certainly an issue for people who don't like crowds or standing on buses. Just wanted people to be aware.

And I think this is likely going to lead to a permanent solution of charging for parking at resorts & DTD. If you haven't heard about this test read this. http://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/4-reasons-why-paid-parking-at-walt-disney-world-resorts-is-nonsensical/

As someone that always has a rental car at WDW & drives everywhere this will really hurt me if it becomes resort wide. I don't make ADRs when I travel solo & I go to resorts to eat (and drink) a lot. I'm praying they find some other solution to the parking problem besides charging non-resort guests to park at other resorts.

Happy New Year!

My heart sank when we took the boat from the Contp to WL yesterday for our NYE dinner at Artist Point. The DVC building looked so strange, I gasped and said "where are the trees!" The captain took me aside as we disembarked and said they will be back, and when the remodel is done, I will be very happy."We will do it right" is also what she said.

The lodge, the Christmas decorations all looked wonderful.

Interesting. I went to the Trout Pass bar after looking at the construction (needed a good stiff drink!). I was chatting with the bartender about the construction & she said for every 3 trees that come down they plant 1. I'll believe it when I see it but I hope that's true.

Happy belated birthday!

I will happily take any input or comments from anyone regarding any experience at the world. I just mentioned Sleepy because I went there to drop a package at OKW the other day. Please anyone who has thoughts or experience feel free to share your opinion. We are staying ten nights and it would save me 20 points or more. We will be studio dwellers, no debate on that. I was going to put on a brave face and stay loyal to the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. But seeing the job site is a slap in the face, a heavy dose of reality. I do a lot of 3D design on commercial and industrial job sites, and have fair amount of knowledge and discernment on this kind of topic. They are still moving earth and doing underground piping right now. The size and scope of the project is bigger than one would think. Especially when the north side of the lodge is considered. That makes it look quite large actually.

I'll give you my input too then. I really enjoy OKW & would stay there more often if I could walk to a park. The location isn't bad but I've become so accustomed to being able to walk from BCV or short boat from VWL that is what I want. The walk to MK from BLT was a nice bonus. OKW was DH & I's first stay as DVC members for F&W. It wasn't walkable to Epcot but the drive is pretty short. Like Jimmy I like Turtle Pond area as well. Olivias is one of my favorites. I go there every trip for breakfast no matter where I'm staying.

So based on your experience best guess how far along do you think construction could be by Dec.? We said we weren't going this year but for a lot of reasons, including my MIL's passing, we kind of feel like we need do over. The only resort I can book at 11 mos. is VWL but I would love to switch to BLT at 7 mos. Not sure I'd have any chance of getting it but it's worth a shot. Any chance of the pool being done?

And now in "other news". My company recently underwent a big merger and as normal with these things, I've been offered a "go away" package. since I was planning on retiring in 2017, I'm going to grab it. 9 months salary and 6 months healthcare package will pretty much get me close to my projected retirement.

My last day in March 31st and I'm planning on having the retirement party at the world. lol

I'm still a ways away from 67 so I have to decide what I want to be when I grow up.

Congrats Eliza & happy belated birthday!

Thanks (I think) for the pictures Di. Confirms what I saw & took pics of but I had to do it from the ground because I couldn't get up high anywhere. Makes me sad.

Back to work. Have a great day groupies!

 

[sleepydog25]

Just as a note: We have always ordered the Portobello Mushroom Soup while dining at Artist Point. We finally realized that that was THE draw for us. It has been good to know that you can order the soup in the Territory Lounge; eat-in or take-out. We generally get some and take it back to the room while passing through the lobby on our way home. But a great venue to savor the soup is the small balcony facing the lake on the third(/) floor. All hail the soup!

Technically, I think it's the fourth floor, Dad, and I only mention it because that's where Luv and I married. Roaring Fork and the ground rooms on that side qualify as floor 1.

 

[Granny]

Did everyone see that Disney is adding a DVC member lounge up inside the glass pyramid of the Journey into Imagination pavilion? Having lost my access to the HP lounge and all the little perks there a number of years back, I can't wait! I love the structure of that building, although as I recall it can get very hot up there with the sun beating down. The news states they're planning on opening it in "late spring". I'm planning on being down that way again in May, watch it open the day I'm headed out to the airport to go home.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/01/conce...ilion-at-epcot-to-reopen-as-dvc-member-lounge

Twinklebug...thanks for posting this. I didn't even know there was a lounge upstairs in that pavilion. Sounds like we'll miss this with our April trip.

I do know that we have enjoyed the Chase lounge for Disney Visa holders during F&W festival in the past, though the line was very long to get in there the last time we went. Still, I do remember the old Annual Passholder lounge during our summer trips to WDW and that air-conditioning with our overheated little ones was awesome!

 

[Granny]

Interesting. I went to the Trout Pass bar after looking at the construction (needed a good stiff drink!). I was chatting with the bartender about the construction & she said for every 3 trees that come down they plant 1. I'll believe it when I see it but I hope that's true.

horselover....I'm with the "wait and see" crowd too but any snippet of hope is welcome as we go through the next two years of construction. I would think that planting trees will be pretty much at the end of the project.

 

[jimmytammy]

Congratulations Eliza!!!!!!!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Birthday SantaRay and Elvis!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday SantaRay and Elvis!!!!

 

[eliza61]

Eliza, That is really great. I congratulate you as well on your retirement. I wish I could be in your club too. I wonder if I will ever see the day when I can pack it in and come and go as I please. Enjoy!

Perhaps you can score a position at Artist Point as hostess and give us all window seats and free portobello mushroom soup. That would be real nice.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. LOL, Sid and Rizzo were a bit more concerned about whether or not we we'll starve to death or God forbid, not see the lodge again. I keep stressing to them that the plan is for them to get job, get married, move out, by your own dvc membership .......

Greg, this is truly one of those times where the "old timer" phrase "time really goes fast" is soooo true. LOL last October I went to my 33rd class reunion FROM PITT!!! I distinctly remember like it was yesterday my sister and I loading up her 1978 beat up ford pinto to schlep from Harlem to Pittsburgh and my grandmother making sure we had emergency money because she was sure we wouldn't make it pass NJ. waaay before cell phones.

Yep, you too will one day turn around and realize that you've been punching Ye ole time card for 30+ years and swear you were just 22.

 

[ottawagreg]

Well I went ahead and changed our lodging reservation from VWL to OKW for the summer trip. My daughter is going to be a little bummed out. Between the construction noise and the swimming pool getting slammed everyday when it is 98*F. I think it is a better play. We are MK park people and she will missing the boat ride the most. However I think it is a worthwhile change. Plus it saved me 28 points. This is the first time that be have booked another resort other than WL in ten years. I hope this is not going to cause too many problems, but it will be a bit of a shock to our family routine for vacationing.

 

[Granny]

Well I went ahead and changed our lodging reservation from VWL to OKW for the summer trip. My daughter is going to be a little bummed out. Between the construction noise and the swimming pool getting slammed everyday when it is 98*F. I think it is a better play. We are MK park people and she will missing the boat ride the most. However I think it is a worthwhile change. Plus it saved me 28 points.

Greg...I just finished booking our December trip at VWL and I am pretty sure we will move elsewhere if there is availability. We are not early risers so construction noise is a potential for us. Of course, we could always ask for the Bayou View on the non-lake side.

This is the first time that be have booked another resort other than WL in ten years. I hope this is not going to cause too many problems, but it will be a bit of a shock to our family routine for vacationing.

We have stayed in a lot of different DVC resorts (all but Poly at WDW) and we find that the change of pace keeps the WDW experience fresh. Every resort has a charm and plus to staying there of some sort, and it is great to experience some other resorts. None have ever made us want to sell our VWL or BWV points, but the variety is a good thing for us. I'm hoping it will be a good thing for you and your family as well.

 

[horselover]

Well I went ahead and changed our lodging reservation from VWL to OKW for the summer trip. My daughter is going to be a little bummed out. Between the construction noise and the swimming pool getting slammed everyday when it is 98*F. I think it is a better play. We are MK park people and she will missing the boat ride the most. However I think it is a worthwhile change. Plus it saved me 28 points. This is the first time that be have booked another resort other than WL in ten years. I hope this is not going to cause too many problems, but it will be a bit of a shock to our family routine for vacationing.

It will be different but sometimes different is good! Like Granny we tried to rotate through all the resorts. The only ones I haven't stayed at are VGF & Poly. I doubt I'll ever stay at Poly. I have 1 night booked at VGF in March with a waitlist for a 2nd night. I'm hoping it comes through so I don't have to move twice in that trip. Be sure to try Olivias for breakfast! Banana bread french toast. Somberro Beach Omelet. Cheesy breakfast potatoes. Yum! You mentioned the purple board. Is there really a lot of negativity towards OKW there? I never noticed but I don't spend a huge amount of time on the main forum. I mostly stick with my friends in the community hole ROFR thread.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Hi everyone. Here at the lodge in a room as far as far could be from the lobby. Literally the second to last room at the end of the hall. I guess I should know better than to not put room requests or do online checkin. Man!!

So, as a point of reference, my wife complained about a dedicated studio we had at the second to last room at the end of the hallway ( lake side) . She said it was forever to walk down the hallway and thought the Poly was better. Now keep this in mind - I counted the steps from my room in Moorea to the elevator and then went to VWL and counted the steps down "The Shining" hallway from the start of the hallway from the lobby. Can anybody guess? There was only a 10 step difference and I was only walking 1/2 of the Moorea building. It's all an optical illusion and a great one at that!

 

[Granny]

So, as a point of reference, my wife complained about a dedicated studio we had at the second to last room at the end of the hallway ( lake side) . She said it was forever to walk down the hallway and thought the Poly was better. Now keep this in mind - I counted the steps from my room in Moorea to the elevator and then went to VWL and counted the steps down "The Shining" hallway from the start of the hallway from the lobby. Can anybody guess? There was only a 10 step difference and I was only walking 1/2 of the Moorea building. It's all an optical illusion and a great one at that!

Ah, you take me back several years ago...9 years ago this week when I posted this VWL Mythbusters thread

http://www.disboards.com/threads/mythbusters-at-vwl.1311760/


The pictures from that thread are gone but anyone who's stayed at BWV or AKV Kidani can tell you that the little hallway at VWL is one of the shorter ones in all the DVC resorts. And for those resorts without hallways, it's usually a much farther walk to bus stops or hospitality areas.

Just sayin'

 

[Kathymford]

As I've gotten used to it, I've realized it's not that far. But we are spoiled and have gotten rooms very close to the elevators previously.

However, this is truly the worst room we've ever stayed in. The temperature in the shower fluctuates (drastically) every 2 minutes. There is practically zero water pressure in the kitchen sink. Just overall it feels very neglected. And, am I crazy? Don't the villas have safes usually?

But WDW is still an awesome vacation for us. My half marathon is in two days, which means our time is almost up. But we've had a great two days at MK so far, with Epcot and HS on deck!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

In memory of the Osborne Lights that shown brightly for the final time last night I wanted to share a few pictures I took in December on our final visit to see them:

 

[rkstocke5609]

Ah, you take me back several years ago...9 years ago this week when I posted this VWL Mythbusters thread

http://www.disboards.com/threads/mythbusters-at-vwl.1311760/


The pictures from that thread are gone but anyone who's stayed at BWV or AKV Kidani can tell you that the little hallway at VWL is one of the shorter ones in all the DVC resorts. And for those resorts without hallways, it's usually a much farther walk to bus stops or hospitality areas.

Just sayin'

Yes!!

Thank you for that, it was very enjoyable to look back in time to see similar thinking. As for the parking lot, we always fly and never have a car. And, I concluded that VWL was very small and that in our old age we would be happy that the buses are so close which cuts the walking considerably! All this aside from just the normal happiness ones eels to walk into the lobby.

I would share this memory from last March regarding the signature dining. Arrived at 1:00 PM on DME to the lodge, enjoyed the pool while waiting for the room, then after room was ready, got changed for a wonderful Dinner at the Contemporary's California Grill. Yep, you guessed it, a table against the glass overlooking the lake on a 4:30 reservation. A bottle of wine and the bison entree. After dinner, a trek to the outside walkway out there to look back at MK, the monorail, & back at the lodge. Then off to MK for some FP's about 7:00.

I have to say that this was my favorite day one of any trip to date, and I plan to repeat it. I highly recommend his restaurant.

 

[jimmytammy]

Granny and rstocke
I always get amused at the "long hallway" controversy that pops up every so often. The halls at BWV, and more so at AKL(esp. when you are the end of either one, now thats a trek. Yet, in our 1st few trips to VWL, we thought the same

Kat
Thanks for sharing those great shots! I was hoping we could make it a quick trip for one last look, but didn't transpire. I am going to miss this part of Christmas at WDW

 

[horselover]

As I've gotten used to it, I've realized it's not that far. But we are spoiled and have gotten rooms very close to the elevators previously.

However, this is truly the worst room we've ever stayed in. The temperature in the shower fluctuates (drastically) every 2 minutes. There is practically zero water pressure in the kitchen sink. Just overall it feels very neglected. And, am I crazy? Don't the villas have safes usually?

But WDW is still an awesome vacation for us. My half marathon is in two days, which means our time is almost up. But we've had a great two days at MK so far, with Epcot and HS on deck!

There's no safe in your room? That's odd. Is it by chance a HA room? That's the only room I've ever stayed in that didn't have a safe.

Sorry about the condition of the room. Have you called maintenance? I would definitely call.

 

[ottawagreg]

Be sure to try Olivias for breakfast! Banana bread french toast. Somberro Beach Omelet. Cheesy breakfast potatoes. Yum! You mentioned the purple board. Is there really a lot of negativity towards OKW there? I never noticed but I don't spend a huge amount of time on the main forum. I mostly stick with my friends in the community hole ROFR thread.

Julie, thanks for the advice on the Sombrero Beach Omelet. That sounds very good and my girls will be enjoying the banana bread french toast. Having some good things to go to at a new resort will help with maintaining a positive attitude. We will also be enjoying having the rental car close by the room and handy. BTW is parking pretty easy there? Around the Hospitality House it looked like parking was at a premium. But when we circled around the resort it opened up a lot by each building. The purple board had a thread recently discussing housekeeping and maintenance. Evidently some folks entered rooms with no towels and used sheets, spills on the floor that were not cleaned up, charges to rooms for extra towels, poor maintenance in some units, "why are we paying MFs if they do not maintain", and so on. I do not post there much if ever at all. But I do pop in there on occasion to see what the scuttle butt is but rarely post or participate in conversation. I can't say there is a lot of negativity there, just one thread blasting OKW. When we were there the place appeared inviting to us.

Greg...I just finished booking our December trip at VWL and I am pretty sure we will move elsewhere if there is availability. We are not early risers so construction noise is a potential for us. Of course, we could always ask for the Bayou View on the non-lake side.

We have stayed in a lot of different DVC resorts (all but Poly at WDW) and we find that the change of pace keeps the WDW experience fresh. Every resort has a charm and plus to staying there of some sort, and it is great to experience some other resorts. None have ever made us want to sell our VWL or BWV points, but the variety is a good thing for us. I'm hoping it will be a good thing for you and your family as well.

GRANNY: by December the "heavy lifting" on construction in terms of noise may be done by Christmas. Also, we arrived on 12/22 and left on 12/31. So the 23rd, and the 28th thru the 30th were really the only work days in the trip. And there was not a lot going on those days. Maybe with the holidays things were just slow. Looking forward to next Christmas, 12/25 is a Sunday. We probably will travel on 12/26 and return 1/2 or something close to it. W will probably return home to VWL for that trip. It will should fairly quiet that week. Uhh.........I hope.


Yeah I am kind of feeling better a day later about going to OKW. We will explore Disney Springs more. I am looking at Raglan Road Irish Pub. Who has dined at that establishment? If I relapse into alcohol consumption, that seems like a good place to start!