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

[Granny]

We are safely ensconced in our 1BR Standard View at BWV. As I type this, I look to my right out our living room doors and see Illuminations bursting over the BWI side. We have a room in "no man's land" at BWV, which is about halfway between the elevators and the corner across from the bus stop. Not convenient to either the lobby or the bus stop, but really no big deal. It's a Standard View so it's hard to complain about anything, and we are fortunate that part of our balcony has no tree obstruction so we do have a view of the driveway. We got in today, did the 90 minute DME thing, ate dinner at ESPN and walked around the Boardwalk and BC/YC areas. ESPN has an expanded menu and I was very happy with my pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich!

Kathy...not a bad view of Luna pool, though I guess it is really a view of Leaping Libations! Hopefully the patrons there were behaving themselves and not stirring up too much of a ruckus!

Shawn from Oregon....great to hear that you'll be enjoying such a nice long stay at our beloved VWL. And I see from your signature that you know exactly what you are in for at that time of year. I guess that's why you are so excited! Enjoy your trip planning. I think the drop down bed will come in very handy for your group.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

A couple more pictures from around the lodge:

Scaffolding up to the roof:

The new roof!

Out the back of the Villas:

Another close up of the new building going up on the beach:

 

[Shawn]

Shawn from Oregon....great to hear that you'll be enjoying such a nice long stay at our beloved VWL. And I see from your signature that you know exactly what you are in for at that time of year. I guess that's why you are so excited! Enjoy your trip planning. I think the drop down bed will come in very handy for your group.

Yes, we have been raising kids for 29 years and have another 10 to go, so we just embrace the Christmas crowds, as it is either that or hot, hot summer.

Do you or someone have more info or photos of the drop down bed?

 

[rkstocke5609]

According to the run disney website they want a 16 minute/mile pace but as mentioned the 5K is not timed and there were lots of families with younger children doing the event. We weren't paying close attention but there did not seem to be a sweep, or at least not at a 16 min/mile pace. When my sister and I went down on the Boardwalk on Sat to see my niece in the 10K we did see the sweep for that race but they also timed that event. The 5K was really congested and we ended up walking the vast majority of it anyway. So, from what I saw I think it would be no issue for you WD! It was fun and I recommend it!!



Too funny Granny!!!! I was a poor detective though I'm afraid. I just made it over for a few minutes before heading to the airport (picked up a sandwich and the ever yummy Magic Bar). They continue work on the new roof which is a brand new composite shingle replacing the old. In looking at this picture I took in 2011, although I didn't notice at the time, I think it may have been a few years over due! At this time they are only done with the short section nearest the main lodge and are working in the atrium area now.

Since I did not have a room on the lake view side, and not enough time to really run around and see if I could peak thru the fence, I only got the pictures I posted above. That building is in the old beach area - seemingly in the area that was marked to get the new "restaurant". I'm still rather puzzled and only had that one view but first impression is that it can't be much more than a small pool food service location ala what they did at the Poly Oasis pool. But my view was not great so we need more detective work. What did continue to shock me though is how easy it is to see the lake. So many trees gone. I hope all the optimism being shared here of tree replacement comes to fruition. It's more of a lake lodge than wilderness lodge at this point.




I can't believe how fast this trip flew by!!! Lots of fun but wow - it seems like no time at all and snap, I'm in MN to work. And this weather is not like Orlando!!!

Thanks for all the great pictures!! Love them! Hope you enjoy your time in MN. If you are in Minneapolis I highly recommend a trip to "Psycho Suzie's" for dinner & a libation (Been featured on Diner's, Drive-ins, & Dives before its new location).

 

[Corinne]

Granny - we typically stay in a standard view room whenever we are at the BWV, and many times have had the view you have. I enjoy watching the fireworks from illuminations.

Enjoy your trip, I look forward to living vicariously through you since I'm missing our annual F & G trip.

 

[wildernessDad]

Our wait list came through, and we are now booked for 2 weeks at VWL over Christmas and New Years.

Dec 19th - January 1.

This will be our first time in a studio, we'll be tight, but will manage. Staying in the studio allowed us to stay for 2 weeks rather than 1.

So excited. It will be 3 years since our list Disney trip by the time Christmas gets here!

Shawn in Oregon

Have a great time! Please report on the crowds, resort, etc.

 

[Granny]

Kathy...great photos as always. We will watch the developments with great interest!

Yes, we have been raising kids for 29 years and have another 10 to go, so we just embrace the Christmas crowds, as it is either that or hot, hot summer.

Do you or someone have more info or photos of the drop down bed?

Shawn....here's a picture of the studio table below the television:




And here's what it looks like with the table folded away and the drop down bed:

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for all the great pictures!! Love them! Hope you enjoy your time in MN. If you are in Minneapolis I highly recommend a trip to "Psycho Suzie's" for dinner & a libation (Been featured on Diner's, Drive-ins, & Dives before its new location).

Thanks for that suggestion! I'll have to keep it on a list for when I'm in Mpls. I'm actually out to the west of the twin cities but of course fly thru MSP and spend time now and then down there and am always looking for something fun to try.

 

[Granny]

Okay, I won't do a trip report but I do want to say a few things about the first 30 hours of our stay:

#1. BWV 1BR standard view is a beautiful room, and in this instance I think the refurb may be better than what we had before. The room was very clean, and everything in working order. Overall, I am happy with the work done on this, my "other" home.

#2. We were able to add the 4th FP to our magic bands thru the MDE app while in the MK today. Once we entered in the fast pass lane at our third attraction, we were able to open the app and book the 4th FP for that park for the day without going to a kiosk. Good job Disney!

#3. We experienced a little of the additional technology/interaction of the Magic Bands while visiting an attraction. It was pretty cool, and was kind of "magical" when we saw it. I don't want to do any spoilers, but it was unexpected and impressive.

#4. Most important of all, the CMs we've met so far have all been tremendous! Nothing but smiles, how can I help you?, have a magical day, and what appeared to be genuinely friendly greetings and interactions. I stopped by the front desk to talk to the manager just to compliment him on everyone's attitude. It is obviously something that has been stressed as it is so pervasive. It has been, quite frankly, very refreshing especially as we tend to worry about Disney's money grabs and other issues. Overall, it has made me feel at home and very good about this trip, albeit only one day in.


Aside from that, the weather was excellent and we had a nice day at MK. We'll get over to WL/VWL at some point, I'm sure.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There's a birthday tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Luvvwl!!!

 

[rkstocke5609]

Thanks for that suggestion! I'll have to keep it on a list for when I'm in Mpls. I'm actually out to the west of the twin cities but of course fly thru MSP and spend time now and then down there and am always looking for something fun to try.

Hey, I hope you weren't out in Chanhassen anywhere near Paisley Park! With Prince passing it has been nuts out that way all day! Truly a tragic loss. Anyways, I finally figured out how to copy/paste on my iPad, so here is links that everyone can enjoy:
http://www.psychosuzis.com

http://bettydangers.com

Suzis is a Polynesian place that is reminiscent of the beloved Poly, but far more intense.
Betty Dangers is owned by the same restauranteur and is newer - it is a spoof of a preppy country club complete with mini golf and a Ferris wheel (which you can take your drinks on...). These are extremely unique, nothing like them I have ever seen. They actually run a shuttle bus between the two. Suzis is actually on the Mississippi River with a huge deck area and boat dockage so you boat right on up...

The websites are very fun to tour, so everyone else may enjoy these links as well...

 

[Dizny Dad]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUVVWL!!

 

[DiznyDi]

Wishing LUVVWL a very Happy Birthday!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hey, I hope you weren't out in Chanhassen anywhere near Paisley Park! With Prince passing it has been nuts out that way all day! Truly a tragic loss. Anyways, I finally figured out how to copy/paste on my iPad, so here is links that everyone can enjoy:
http://www.psychosuzis.com

http://bettydangers.com

Suzis is a Polynesian place that is reminiscent of the beloved Poly, but far more intense.
Betty Dangers is owned by the same restauranteur and is newer - it is a spoof of a preppy country club complete with mini golf and a Ferris wheel (which you can take your drinks on...). These are extremely unique, nothing like them I have ever seen. They actually run a shuttle bus between the two. Suzis is actually on the Mississippi River with a huge deck area and boat dockage so you boat right on up...

The websites are very fun to tour, so everyone else may enjoy these links as well...

I'll be passing thru Chanhassen today so missed the craziness yesterday. Very sad indeed.

I have to try and get to one of those restaurants one of these days. They look quite fun!

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday LUVVWL !!!

 

[wildernessDad]

15 days to go until AKV Jambo. Woo hoo! We had a club level studio which went into refurb, so they gave us a savannah view studio with club access and also gave us back the difference in points. Yay! We plan on eating the concierge offerings for breakfast and dinner and quick-service for lunch. Hopefully, we'll save a nice chuck of green backs.

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday Luvvwl! Hope it is the best.

 

[sleepydog25]

It feels weird to wish my wife a happy birthday on here since, well, we live together and because I did so a few times today (and yesterday even!). However, it doesn't seem right NOT to. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE!! (fat free cake, of course!)

 

[Flossbolna]

I might be a bit late, sorry!!!

Luvvwl!!!

 

[luvvwl]

Thank you all so much for my birthday wishes! As, always, the LOML (love of my life) provided me with a spectacular day to remember! Poor P won't have a trip to WDW for awhile - unless we do something spontaneous), but we are planning a long weekend over July 4th @ HHI to celebrate our anniversary. We are waitlisted at the DVC, but aren't holding out hope. We booked an oceanview room at the Marriott, which we've stayed at before, and it is amazing so we won't be suffering if the WL doesn't come thru, lol! I have a girls trip in October - one friend and myself are arriving the night before everyone else so I booked a Poly studio but after that my hotel snob princess friends always like to stay club level, so we're off to the Yacht Club for the rest of the time. Don't get me wrong, I am the original of hotel snobs and a princesses, but I don't feel the need to spend 3x more $ for a room I only sleep in just for turn down service and chocolates on my pillow! The lounges are great and the food offerings are phenomenal usually, but neither P nor I really eat that much and we'd prefer to experience the restaurants. Still though, it's an annual girls trip that we've been doing for 11 years now, and for me, it's about us all getting together no matter where we stay, so if I have to suffer club level....