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

[sleepydog25]

Hi all, I'm sitting in the lobby of WL right now, just checked out and waiting to head to the airport. Wanted to let you all know it's really loud in the lobby with construction noise on the south side (above the front desk). When it's going on you can't hear the music over the noise of saws, etc. I feel for the cm's who have to field complaints! We were in a studio in the villas and had no noise issues but we were in the parks all day. They just started today on re roofing the villas, so there may be some noise from that. Otherwise the landscaping around the front of the lodge is beautiful as always. It's got growing pains right now but I think in 2018 she's gonna be a stunner

Thanks for the quick update!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

They just started today on re roofing the villas, so there may be some noise from that.

Interesting, I didn't realize this was on the agenda.

 

[sleepydog25]

Interesting, I didn't realize this was on the agenda.

Nor did I, but from aerial shots and personal observation, they certainly seem to be doing so, at least on the units facing the south wing of the Lodge. Wouldn't make much sense to redo those and not the rest of the Villas.

 

[pmaurer74]

I don't know why but for some reason I thought the south wing would go quickly and the cabins and pool would take forever. How many rooms are in the south wing and how does that compare to the number of rooms in the villas building? I know there is potential for these to be studios and 1-2 bedrooms in the south wing from the way it sounds so there cannot be an accurate number until they are done.

 

[jimmytammy]

2nd page just won't do
Happy Sunday Everyone!!

 

[Corinne]

Good morning groupies, hope you are all well. Kathy and Sleepy thanks for your reports. Our 7 month window opened for our September trip. I had the availability at BCV but was interrupted three times (was at work). By the time I could book around noon, the first night was no longer availabl, so I had to waitlist the entire stay. By 9:00 next day only one day was available. Anyway I managed to get a 2br at BWV. That was my bright spot. Dad has had another bad week, and was readmitted to hospital yesterday.

 

[sleepydog25]

I don't know why but for some reason I thought the south wing would go quickly and the cabins and pool would take forever. How many rooms are in the south wing and how does that compare to the number of rooms in the villas building? I know there is potential for these to be studios and 1-2 bedrooms in the south wing from the way it sounds so there cannot be an accurate number until they are done.

Well, the rooms might be done before the cabins; I'm not sure anyone knows the exact timetable for the work other than the planners themselves. As you suggest, getting an accurate account of how many rooms will be released when the work is done is mere speculation at this point, though I'm sure someone knows somewhere. I will say that the Poly guide with whom we spoke last week indicated that there would be some 1BRs and 2BRs as the DVC had "learned their lesson" regarding doing nothing but studios. I don't know that he has any real knowledge, but he spoke with some conviction and his reasoning is sound.

 

[wildernessDad]

Well, we are back from our little jaunt to OKW. We used a rental car to get around and I am very impressed with the Orange Parking Garage. It was the hit of the trip for me. We were able to easily get into the lot and find a parking spot, since every row shows how many open spots are available. We also parked over at the casting lot one day and used the walking bridge to get to the Marketplace. The walkway lets one out near Earl of Sandwich. The Lime Parking Garage is still under construction. But access to Disney Springs got a lot easier and a lot less frustrating for drivers imo.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Something new for a Sunday share:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/sprinkles-to-open-disney-springs-location-with-cupcake-atm/

A cupcake ATM at Disney Springs! About time is what I say.

I'd put it at the resorts that don't have 24 hour QS locations though.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Staying at OKW January 1-6, 2017. Can't wait to see the VWL Christmas decorations!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

WD
I too am a fan of the new parking garage. I have used it 3 times and so far, has been a reason to re-visit DTD/DS. I would avoid the place like the plague before since parking was atrocious. Now, DS makes it easier to navigate back there way.

KAT
Love the idea of a ATM cupcake place. DD tells Tammy if I go missing middle of the night, she knows where to go 1st. Me and cupcakes, we get along well together

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for the pictures Kathy! Did BWV get new hallway rugs? It's been quite awhile since I've stayed there but that rug doesn't look familiar. Can't wait until new rugs go in at BCV. I don't have the same issue with the rooms as many have. I've never been in a truly bad room at BCV. Scuffed paint & some furniture dings are about the worst I've experienced but hallway rugs have needed replacement for years. They look horrible.

How funny that you should ask! Yes, they are doing new hallway carpet. This photo from the first floor shows what must have been the original test rooms. You can see the new carpet in front of them and the old just before. One interesting thing I also noticed is that originally it looks like they planned to paint the wall below the chair rail a tan. But in the second photo you can see that they ended up with it white.

And what the carpet in front of the doors used to be:

I also haven't had a room that was in bad condition at BCV but agree the hallway carpets have looked awful for several years now. And I've seen them cleaning them - the dirt has just stained them badly.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If the rooms directly over the front desk are being included, I'm willing to bet the new villas will have value (or I'd hate the see them labeled as standard) room views for the floors right over that desk. Does anyone who go to the lodge and wanting to see this?:


Many years back, we had the room the next floor up from PinkPony's for a couple of nights, and while it was called 'Woods View', it was just as bad as this. There was also a loud echo from excited adults and children at the bus stop in the early morning. The doors may block the construction noise, but not the voices. :/

Given that VWL was the one place we could go and count on a good room view no matter what they gave us (even the dumpster view wasn't bad) I had hoped the construction would leave these rooms in the hotel inventory.

That view makes the Concierge garden view room I had at VGC several years ago look better! Yes, I could see some tree tops and the roof gravel was greenish!

I'd be pretty sad to get at VWL and not be able to look out at the trees just by pure luck of the draw for the room.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So I made it home yesterday after an early flight from MCO. I had a post on my ipad while at WDW but lost it so I just waited to share some more pictures from the trip.

My view from my final room for the trip - BWV Boardwalk view. The room assigner here met my requests perfectly even to having my room near those I was traveling with. My room from my 1 night in a pool/garden view was right across the hallway so the move itself couldn't have been easier. At least until my Magic Band didn't work on this last room. 4 trips to the front desk from a room that was about as far away as possible and I was finally in. For whatever reason when they checked my out of my room 5004 it did not disassociate me from that room. Had I tried, and it had crossed my mind, I could have entered it. But finally I was set up for room 5003:

From the previous night watching the Star Wars Fireworks at DHS:

Then it was back to the room where we could see Wishes:

And Illuminations:

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Flower and Garden is about to start and each time we went into Epcot there were more signs of it:

After visiting La Cava del Tequila for the first time (and learning it was National Margarita day!) we headed to MK. As we had just missed the express monorail we decided to take the Ferry:

A ride on the people mover showed why we had to wait to use our FP's on SM. Well, actually not why but that people were stuck and lights were on:

A little MSEP:

And Wishes:

And that day was complete!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Wow Kat excellent pics!! I do really like the color scheme they've chosen for the BWV refurb. Thanks for posting!

 

[jimmytammy]

Kat
Wow! You had a great room with a view to see Wishes and Illuminations Loving the pictures and trip report

 

[DiznyDi]

Kathy, I'll offer my thanks, too. Your pictures have been a great way to start my morning!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Thanks all for the cool pics, parking lot info, and other random thoughts. It is always a great way to start off Monday morning back in the office. . . . Nice to see that the F&G stuff is beginning to appear. DiznyDi has not yet started her early morning whispers of how many days yet, but I know she's rarin' to go! About 60 sleeps out . . .I'm sure she will let me know . . . .

 

[horselover]

Great pictures Kathy! Thanks for sharing.