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

[twokats]

OK, I know I missed birthdays, so late happy birthday to Eliza, Sleepy and Blossom, and to anyone else that I might have missed.

Happy early retirement, Eliza. I know you will love it. . . my husband does.

Enjoyed both of our cruises on the Wonder. Some rough seas, but followed by some gorgeous sunshine and warmth. So looking forward the the cruise scheduled for May on the Wonder thru the Panama Canal. We will wind up at Disneyland for some of the 60th celebrations.

Well, I am in my boot again. My foot decided to make a connection with a ceramic elephant table by my husbands side of the bed and I think I might have either really messed up my middle toe or possibly broke it. Did not have time to go to my bone doctor for an x-ray, but might have to try to go in Monday if it does not get to feeling better. Leave it to me to mess up another bone.

Trying to figure out our dates for our December '16 trip. Having trouble making up my mind.

 

[Firepath]

The DVC website has an "Important Message" above the log in that says you won't be able to pay dues on-line from noon on Jan. 15 thru the 17th due to "Annual Dues Payment Processing currently in effect." I just happened to click on it, was assuming it was just about the holiday hours.

 

[pmaurer74]

tell me about the difference between a 2 bedroom dedicated and a 2 bedroom lock off? I know the lock off has 2 entrances rather than one is that it? I plan to reserve a lock off because my parents want their own entrance but are there any other reasons to reserve one over the other?

 

[Corinne]

tell me about the difference between a 2 bedroom dedicated and a 2 bedroom lock off? I know the lock off has 2 entrances rather than one is that it? I plan to reserve a lock off because my parents want their own entrance but are there any other reasons to reserve one over the other?

A lock off is basically a one bedroom and a studio. So, yes, each will have an entrance but the studio side (second bedroom) will have the kitchenette.

 

[jimmytammy]

tell me about the difference between a 2 bedroom dedicated and a 2 bedroom lock off? I know the lock off has 2 entrances rather than one is that it? I plan to reserve a lock off because my parents want their own entrance but are there any other reasons to reserve one over the other?

I cant speak to the differences in the 2(so why am I answering this ) but I want to add, our one and only stay in a 2 bedroom ever at DVC was at VWL, our 2nd trip on pts., and we had a dedicated, corner room, 2nd floor, near the elevators, facing the pool and it was at 1st sight!! I have to say, if I ever get another 2 bed anywhere on property(actually staying 2 nights before cruise in a few days in a 2 bed at OKW)the bar is set way, way high in comparing to that room. With that said, and your needs, I would definitely ask for one dedicated and ask for near elevators, you might get lucky and land one of those rooms.

Lets put it this way, that was way back in 2003, and it stands out as one of the most memorable DVC trips ever. It was the 1st time we relaxed and took it easy in WDW, after 4 previous commando trips. And the 4th trip, 1st time as DVCers, in a studio at VWL, we had not figured it out yet, started questioning if buying DVC was the smartest choice. But that 2 bedroom set the tone for many outstanding DVC trips to come!

 

[pmaurer74]

I cant speak to the differences in the 2(so why am I answering this ) but I want to add, our one and only stay in a 2 bedroom ever at DVC was at VWL, our 2nd trip on pts., and we had a dedicated, corner room, 2nd floor, near the elevators, facing the pool and it was at 1st sight!! I have to say, if I ever get another 2 bed anywhere on property(actually staying 2 nights before cruise in a few days in a 2 bed at OKW)the bar is set way, way high in comparing to that room. With that said, and your needs, I would definitely ask for one dedicated and ask for near elevators, you might get lucky and land one of those rooms.

Lets put it this way, that was way back in 2003, and it stands out as one of the most memorable DVC trips ever. It was the 1st time we relaxed and took it easy in WDW, after 4 previous commando trips. And the 4th trip, 1st time as DVCers, in a studio at VWL, we had not figured it out yet, started questioning if buying DVC was the smartest choice. But that 2 bedroom set the tone for many outstanding DVC trips to come!

Thank you for sharing. I am worried that this will ruin us forever. We usually stay in studios and are content with that but this trip I am getting 2 2 bedrooms for 14 people and will have to go back to studios likely after that for awhile since I will be using 2 years worth of points. I will keep in mind what you said for the second room.

 

[Granny]

tell me about the difference between a 2 bedroom dedicated and a 2 bedroom lock off? I know the lock off has 2 entrances rather than one is that it? I plan to reserve a lock off because my parents want their own entrance but are there any other reasons to reserve one over the other?

As Corinne indicated, the main difference is the kitchenette in the second bedroom. The trade-off is that if you have a dedicated 2BR villa, the second bedroom has more space in it since it doesn't have an entry hallway. I think that ends up being a larger closet if memory serves.

The other main difference is the dedicated 2BR will have two queen beds while the lock-off (being a studio) will have one queen bed and one sleeper sofa bed. This is true for all the DVC resorts except OKW (2 queen beds in the studios)and BCV (some dedicated 2BR villas with queen and sleeper sofa). Depending on your group demographics, this could be important.

We stayed in 2BR villas for the first several years of our membership with four of us. We now book 1BR villas for the two of us. So yes, it can spoil you. However with 7 in a 2BR you won't have quite the elbow room that we enjoy. What resort are you planning to stay at? For that size of a group I think I would go with OKW for the significantly larger villas plus it has the sleeper chair in addition to the usual sleeping options.

 

[sleepydog25]

I cant speak to the differences in the 2(so why am I answering this ) but I want to add, our one and only stay in a 2 bedroom ever at DVC was at VWL, our 2nd trip on pts., and we had a dedicated, corner room, 2nd floor, near the elevators, facing the pool and it was at 1st sight!! I have to say, if I ever get another 2 bed anywhere on property(actually staying 2 nights before cruise in a few days in a 2 bed at OKW)the bar is set way, way high in comparing to that room. With that said, and your needs, I would definitely ask for one dedicated and ask for near elevators, you might get lucky and land one of those rooms.

Lets put it this way, that was way back in 2003, and it stands out as one of the most memorable DVC trips ever. It was the 1st time we relaxed and took it easy in WDW, after 4 previous commando trips. And the 4th trip, 1st time as DVCers, in a studio at VWL, we had not figured it out yet, started questioning if buying DVC was the smartest choice. But that 2 bedroom set the tone for many outstanding DVC trips to come!

I've had that same room (different floor, I believe), and it was simply amazing! It had a huge common room with an actual dining table, too. We often do studios, but our preferred choice is a 1BR for the extra room and full kitchen, which going forward may be even more important as we look to start cooking more in the room.

 

[twinklebug]

Thank you for sharing. I am worried that this will ruin us forever. We usually stay in studios and are content with that but this trip I am getting 2 2 bedrooms for 14 people and will have to go back to studios likely after that for awhile since I will be using 2 years worth of points. I will keep in mind what you said for the second room.

Laughing at your statement as it is too true. I love the studios, and most of our stays have been in them between VWL and Kidani, but the one bedroom units we've had a number of times always leave me yearning for just a little more when we're back in studios. (I don't dare try Kidani's 1 bedroom units or I'll refuse to stay anywhere else.)

On the opposite end of the spectrum: Our next trip will be to the smallest DVC units on property: Jambo's value. (had to use up those points and get the most number of nights for it ) I'm sure I had one of these back before I became an owner and had rented points. The Jambo DVC was brand new so there were a few perks to make up for the lost space such as everything being brand new, but as anyone who's been there can tell, AKV units were loaded down with huge decorative pillows and there wasn't close to enough places to put them out of the way when bed time came along. It was an interesting game.

 

[DiznyDi]

DDad and I usually reserve a 1-bedroom for ourselves. We r-e-a-l-l-y like the additional space and the washer/dryer. When traveling with family/friends, we always reserve a 2-bdrm. The only time I am concerned with a dedicated vs. a lock-off is if one party is staying longer than another, in which case those staying in the lock-off don't have to move and locate to another unit when the 1-brdm is vacated. If your parents want their own entrance, then you will need to reserve a lock-off.

We were fortunate enough to have the 2-bdrm that JT described. It is an amazing room!

 

[pmaurer74]

DDad and I usually reserve a 1-bedroom for ourselves. We r-e-a-l-l-y like the additional space and the washer/dryer. When traveling with family/friends, we always reserve a 2-bdrm. The only time I am concerned with a dedicated vs. a lock-off is if one party is staying longer than another, in which case those staying in the lock-off don't have to move and locate to another unit when the 1-brdm is vacated. If your parents want their own entrance, then you will need to reserve a lock-off.

We were fortunate enough to have the 2-bdrm that JT described. It is an amazing room!

my parents are leaving a day early... can I have the last night be a 1bedroom and not have to move? or is it not worth the risk to save just a few points?

 

[pmaurer74]

As Corinne indicated, the main difference is the kitchenette in the second bedroom. The trade-off is that if you have a dedicated 2BR villa, the second bedroom has more space in it since it doesn't have an entry hallway. I think that ends up being a larger closet if memory serves.

The other main difference is the dedicated 2BR will have two queen beds while the lock-off (being a studio) will have one queen bed and one sleeper sofa bed. This is true for all the DVC resorts except OKW (2 queen beds in the studios)and BCV (some dedicated 2BR villas with queen and sleeper sofa). Depending on your group demographics, this could be important.

We stayed in 2BR villas for the first several years of our membership with four of us. We now book 1BR villas for the two of us. So yes, it can spoil you. However with 7 in a 2BR you won't have quite the elbow room that we enjoy. What resort are you planning to stay at? For that size of a group I think I would go with OKW for the significantly larger villas plus it has the sleeper chair in addition to the usual sleeping options.

We are staying at WLV. I did not realize that the dedicated had two queen beds in the second room that would be very handy. We have 4 adults and 2 children in one and possibly 6 adults and a baby in the other.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We are staying at WLV. I did not realize that the dedicated had two queen beds in the second room that would be very handy. We have 4 adults and 2 children in one and possibly 6 adults and a baby in the other.

That's the way it is for all the dedicated 2BR's at all DVC resorts with the exception of BCV. It's the only one where some of the dedicated 2BR's have 1 queen plus a sleeper sofa but it is a booking category so you'd know what config you were getting. If you booked dedicated for both rooms then as long as everyone was ok sharing the bedroom you could have real beds for everyone over the age of 3.

 

[pmaurer74]

That's the way it is for all the dedicated 2BR's at all DVC resorts with the exception of BCV. It's the only one where some of the dedicated 2BR's have 1 queen plus a sleeper sofa but it is a booking category so you'd know what config you were getting. If you booked dedicated for both rooms then as long as everyone was ok sharing the bedroom you could have real beds for everyone over the age of 3.

there is still a pullout in the family room too right?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

there is still a pullout in the family room too right?

Yes there is. A queen sofa bed I believe.

As far as if you booked a 1BR for the last night I've heard of being able to stay in the room and they'd likely do that but there would always be the slight chance that you'd have to move. I'd think that would be fairly unlikely though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

there is still a pullout in the family room too right?

OH - but at VWL a 2br lockoff would have the single pull down murphy bed in the studio section. So you'd have the king in the master, the sleeper sofa in the living room and a queen bed, single murphy bed and double sofa sleeper in the 2nd bedroom. So it's just about the config that ends up offering the best option for your group.

 

[Granny]

OH - but at VWL a 2br lockoff would have the single pull down murphy bed in the studio section. So you'd have the king in the master, the sleeper sofa in the living room and a queen bed, single murphy bed and double sofa sleeper in the 2nd bedroom. So it's just about the config that ends up offering the best option for your group.

Thanks Kathy. I am not used to the extra sleeping accommodations in the studio. I forgot about that. I think that would tip me to the lock off.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks Kathy. I am not used to the extra sleeping accommodations in the studio. I forgot about that. I think that would tip me to the lock off.

I can't really get used to the new config at VWL either Granny - just happened to manage an ah-ha moment!

 

[twokats]

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Didn't want the thread to get lost, so giving everyone a quick hello.

 

[sleepydog25]

In keeping with Kathy's desire to keep us higher on the Resorts forum, I'll update you on the latest from the great Artist Point Disappointment Caper. For those who missed it, our two visits there in 2015 seemed to indicate AP had come out of its three-year funk of inconsistent food and service as both times we had a very good meal, especially last September. Fast forward to 1 Jan, and while the experience wasn't awful, once again the food and service were mediocre which shouldn't be the case when your average entree alone costs $45, much less adding in wine, appetizers/salads, dessert, and coffee. There was a lot of gristle in the buffalo; the sides were plain, boring, and in one case, nearly raw. Service started well but tailed off halfway through the meal to where I'd rate the second half as poor.

We contacted the manager when we returned home (we tend to not make a big issue of meals while dining unless it's absolutely horrific), and we told him of our experience from the standpoint of constructive criticism. He was quite responsive and had one of his area managers call us. We discussed our concerns and mentioned that we were so disappointed that we had cancelled our February ADR. She then asked if we would reconsider and eat with them again on their dime. Honestly, we weren't convinced that we wanted to do so and asked if we could mull over the offer. We did, and yesterday we opted to take them up on their offer (the manager already made the reservation and gave us the confirm #). In the end, it's a gratis meal at the restaurant most sentimental to us which is why we agreed. We're a bit hesitant because a) we're generally not comfortable with getting anything free, especially since we don't want to be seen as complainers; b) we'll expect this meal to be very good which it should be because they're expecting us so is that a fair judge of AP?; and c) if it isn't a good experience, we'll be even more reluctant to come back. Stay tuned!