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

[sleepydog25]

Sleepy,

The third pic (back of bldg.) is quite impressive. How does the VGC resort compare in overall size to VWL? Is the building as majestic as the Lodge? I have only seen generic pics from web pages and the like. Architecture is very interesting to me and that building seems to have a lot of character.

We are getting close to our summer trip, less than sixty days. Did the online check in and experience the joyful initiation of FP+. I was going thru some pics from our last trip. I must admit I'm looking forward to getting away. I like to walk down the boardwalk and enjoy the wilderness. I don't see views like this in Illinois!!

Hey, Greg! It's rather difficult to ascertain just how big GCH is to WL and VWL combined, but my guess is it's a bit larger since GCH houses a conference center. Likewise, I'm not exactly sure how the two DVC properties proper compare; however, I'm fairly certain the California version is larger. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. As you likely know, the same architect, Peter Dominick, designed both resorts (as well as AKL), thus they share similarities in visual appeal. However, we found WL to be more massive, more majestic, and more Disney-fied in terms of theming. GCH is more refined and elegant than WL, quieter, and doesn't exude the same Disney resort feel you get when hanging out at the Lodge. We attributed that to the fact much (if not most) of the traffic to the DLR parks is considered local (20 million people in the general SoCal area) so the GCH is not a resort destination like most of the WDW resorts. Second, with the conference center and spa, the GCH likely wants to retain a calmer profile; thus, the architecture reflects a greater sense of tranquility. We began calling it the "Grand Florwilderness." Even the music evokes a certain amount of serenity--no stirring anthems just light woodwinds, violins, and piano pieces. In fact, a pianist plays soothing music nightly in the main lobby, though he does toss in the occasional Disney tune. If you want the WL-style music, you have to hang outside the GCH entrance to DCA or walk over to the Disneyland Hotel and walk into the Frontier Tower. There in the small lobby, you'll find a mockup of BTMRR and music that reminds you of our beloved Lodge.

As for the location, it's hard to beat GCH. There is a gateway to DTD located less than a minute from the main lobby which puts you out about 60 steps from Starbucks and about a three-minute walk to the bag check area to both parks. Then, there is the guests-only entry to DCA which is a wonderful benefit to staying there (though I will say no one ever checked to see if we were actually staying at the GCH when we passed through the gate). We didn't try the Storytellers' Cafe which has a Chip n Dale character meal, but we did eat breakfast at Whitewater Snacks, their version of a CS. It's not as extensive as Roaring Fork, but they do make Mickey waffles to order! Our last night's meal was at Napa Rose, and it was marvelous.

We actually do have lovely scenery where we live in the mountains of southwest Virginia, but there is still nothing quite like strolling through and around the Lodge on vacation.

 

[Granny]

... there is still nothing quite like strolling through and around the Lodge on vacation.

Can a get a big AMEN to that!

 

[sleepydog25]

can a get a big amen to that!

amen!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Likewise, I'm not exactly sure how the two DVC properties proper compare; however, I'm fairly certain the California version is larger.

VGC is actually the smallest of all DVC resorts anywhere. 23 2BR lockoffs, 23 dedicated 2BR's and 2 GV's so it's less than 1/2 the size of VWL. But I would guess that GC/VGC combined are a little larger than WL/VWL and as you mentioned they have the conference center too.

An unusual and kind of interesting note is at the time they built VGC there was a larger section added and they are mentioned in the VGC documents and were actually part of the VGC project but not declared into the vacation club and never intended to be at least initially. Anyway - they are GC rooms that look over the front entrance area and include a few rooms in the VGC section too. The interior's are set up as standard hotel rooms. I'd guess there is some agreement with GC at this time but there seems to be future potential for them to be brought back under the DVC wing.

There is a gateway to DTD located less than a minute from the main lobby which puts you out about 60 steps from Starbucks and about a three-minute walk to the bag check area to both parks.

Ahhhhh.......

And since I was in my album pulling up the DTD entrance thought I'd share this. It was the gift for being founding members at VGC. Perhaps looking at it every day slightly influences it for favored status. This also is in the 1 and 2BR villas at VGC so since we mostly stay studios there I only get to see it at home.

 

[sleepydog25]

VGC is actually the smallest of all DVC resorts anywhere. 23 2BR lockoffs, 23 dedicated 2BR's and 2 GV's so it's less than 1/2 the size of VWL. But I would guess that GC/VGC combined are a little larger than WL/VWL and as you mentioned they have the conference center too.

An unusual and kind of interesting note is at the time they built VGC there was a larger section added and they are mentioned in the VGC documents and were actually part of the VGC project but not declared into the vacation club and never intended to be at least initially. Anyway - they are GC rooms that look over the front entrance area and include a few rooms in the VGC section too. The interior's are set up as standard hotel rooms. I'd guess there is some agreement with GC at this time but there seems to be future potential for them to be brought back under the DVC wing.



Ahhhhh.......

And since I was in my album pulling up the DTD entrance thought I'd share this. It was the gift for being founding members at VGC. Perhaps looking at it every day slightly influences it for favored status. This also is in the 1 and 2BR villas at VGC so since we mostly stay studios there I only get to see it at home.

I knew someone would set me straight! Maybe that's why it's so difficult to book. I had to book our room as a cash reservation, and even with my military discount, it was still steep. Ah, but it was wonderful! Yep, that's the entrance to DTC in the first picture; bear a sharp right when you're through it, and there's Starbucks smiling at you. I grind our beans and brew our coffee fresh every day, and when we drive to WDW (our usual mode of travel), we take a grinder and our beans. Not easy to do when flying, so having Starbucks so close was ideal for us. Do they ever actually close the gates of that entrance given how late DTD stays open? Love the painting of GC. Very reminiscent of the feel while there. (I have a feeling the more time goes by, the better our trip will get!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I knew someone would set me straight! Maybe that's why it's so difficult to book. I had to book our room as a cash reservation, and even with my military discount, it was still steep. Ah, but it was wonderful! Yep, that's the entrance to DTC in the first picture; bear a sharp right when you're through it, and there's Starbucks smiling at you. I grind our beans and brew our coffee fresh every day, and when we drive to WDW (our usual mode of travel), we take a grinder and our beans. Not easy to do when flying, so having Starbucks so close was ideal for us. Do they ever actually close the gates of that entrance given how late DTD stays open? Love the painting of GC. Very reminiscent of the feel while there. (I have a feeling the more time goes by, the better our trip will get!

The amount of the villas there definitely does make it far more difficult to book. It's probably part of the reason that they still don't apply the rule of 4 to the DL hotels so people have some options to book closer to their stay because other than the odd night or two it's very very unlikely to get VGC.

Starbucks is new and I know that DH is going to be especially happy to try it out on our next visit! Coffee IS one of the main food groups to him. And yes, I have seen the large gates closed in the later evening hours more than once so I'd guess it's done every night. There is a smaller locked man gate that you can get thru. I think there was security there checking but it may go to just room key access at some hour of the night.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Love the pics Sleepy---more please?!!!


Welcome Home mvndvm...what a great way to celebrate an anniversary too!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday franandaj!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

I will 2nd that Amen!! All in favor...

Sleepy
Love the pics, keep em coming, we will keep looking

Weathering the storms here, looks like today is our turn for the nasty stuff to rear its head. Thundering now and rain is pouring in buckets, going back to bed sounds like a good option

Looking 4wd to our trip in a few days. Hope to catch up and say hey to fellow groupies that will be there at same time.

 

[sleepydog25]

I will 2nd that Amen!! All in favor...

Sleepy
Love the pics, keep em coming, we will keep looking

Weathering the storms here, looks like today is our turn for the nasty stuff to rear its head. Thundering now and rain is pouring in buckets, going back to bed sounds like a good option

Looking 4wd to our trip in a few days. Hope to catch up and say hey to fellow groupies that will be there at same time.

Keep your head down, JT! Hopefully, the worst will miss you guys.

 

[DiznyDi]

Good Morning Groupies!
First things first:
mvndvm I can't think of a nicer Anniversary stay than to have it at our beloved Lodge! I have a countdown app on my iPhone. Its a wonderful way to begin my day seeing the days click off one-by-one. Though admittedly when it says 235 thats just a tad bit disappointing - but at least there's a trip on the horizon My current countdown reads 2!

franandaj! Wishing you the most magical of birthdays!

sleepy and Kathy, I've so enjoyed the sharing of your knowledge, photos and enthusiasm for VGC! Thanks so much!

Well, we're 2 days out. I guess today I'd better get the suitcases out and start packing. We'll be at Boardwalk a few days then over to VWL.
We're hoping to run into Granny and Mrs Granny while at Boardwalk. It looks as if our first few days may be rather wet....

 

[Dizny Dad]

This morning DiznyDi whispered to me, just in case I was asleep, 2 more sleeps . . .that was at 4AM. I thought we were still in the midst of the 3-day-out sleep, but no, that was officially over. And as usual, our DiznyDog hears talking and thinks it is time to go out and have cookies . . . so goes the day.

 

[sleepydog25]

This morning DiznyDi whispered to me, just in case I was asleep, 2 more sleeps . . .that was at 4AM. I thought we were still in the midst of the 3-day-out sleep, but no, that was officially over. And as usual, our DiznyDog hears talking and thinks it is time to go out and have cookies . . . so goes the day.

Di sounds just like Luv!

Since there were some requests for pics from GCH, I've attached a few more.

The view from our balcony. Yep, that's the monorail stretching through the lower left quadrant of the photo. It would come through about every 10-15 minutes starting about 7 a.m. until the park closed about 10 p.m. However, it was super quiet so about all you could hear, even with the balcony door open, was a rush of air as it zipped by.






Also from the balcony looking toward DTD. The portion of yellow building you see in the middle-right part of the shot is the World of Disney store. If you follow the brick path out in the middle of the picture, you would find Starbucks on your immediate left across from WoD store. However, there is a massive, locked, wrought-iron gate there which means we had to walk through our hotel's lobby. Still, it was only three minutes to my usual triple tall, one raw sugar latte.







Finally, here's a more zoomed-in shot looking out toward DTD and Disneyland Park. In the distance, you can see some of the boulders from BTMRR. Pretty darn cool!

I'll have more pics later as I get the time to upload them to Photobucket.

 

[DeeCee735]

I just have to say that these posts are getting me really excited about my first stay at WLV!!! 17 days and counting

 

[sleepydog25]

I just have to say that these posts are getting me really excited about my first stay at WLV!!! 17 days and counting

Yay, you! Even though we just got back from DL, I surely am ready to visit my "home"--VWL.

 

[MiaSRN62]

This morning DiznyDi whispered to me, just in case I was asleep, 2 more sleeps . . .that was at 4AM.

Awesome Dizny Dad!!!!

Sleepy....love the pics....love the view you had!

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday franandaj!!!

Well, we're off in the morning on our 1,000 mile trek to WDW. Driving this time, so we'll just take it easy and probably make it a two day trip.

Looking forward to meeting up with some folks too!

Enjoy, everyone!!

 

[horselover]

Thanks for the great pics Sly! I really need to get out to CA one of these days.

Di, Dad, & Granny - wishing you all wonderful trips! It's too bad I'll just miss you. Still hoping to sneak in a quick hi to J & T when our trips overlap.

Hope all the groupies are doing well!

 

[DeeCee735]

As a first time guest at WLV is there anything I should know about the villas, any request for a specific room location, etc. ? Tia!

 

[Corinne]

Granny-safe travels! Have a wonderful trip!

Di and Dad-get packing!