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

[KAT4DISNEY]

A few more Darkside run photos:

A congestion point of the 10K. People trying to run all had to just give up and walk here.

The 2 mile marker for the 10K and the worker ready to disassemble. It was really nice to have the race go past the Boardwalk and my sister had easy access to see her daughter running in a race for the first and probably only time. She really enjoyed that and getting to see a bit of what the race experience is like.

Switching over to DHS:

I always enjoy walking from BWV to the park:

The wall blocking off access to Streets of America and everything else back that way. DHS is a pretty small park right now.
It shows the concept art for the new Toy Story Land:

A few Star Wars fireworks:

 

[rkstocke5609]

Kat -- sorry to hear about your dog, hope everything works out!

Wow about that pool timeline! I think the cast member was talking about 2017, not 2016. Just a miscommunication I suspect...

 

[sleepydog25]

As Sleepy has continually told us, it's really a state of mind and depends on whether one feels that it is a depressing construction area or a unique chance to have a wonderful view of Bay Lake.

Lastly, I will reiterate that I think that when the dust settles, it will be a beautiful overall resort. Different from what we knew and loved, but the kind of resort that if we saw it as a first time visitor, we would still be blown away. At the end of all this, I think it will be a better overall resort property, though somewhat at the expense of our "old VWL", nestled in among the trees. What bothers me most of all is that the project will take years, and since we only have 25 use years left, I hate to see them using up any of them.

Luv just asked me bewilderingly, "YOU? Mr. I Hate the Changes at VWL?" I simply explained that all along my thoughts have been that while I rue the cutting of the trees and with the messing with our nature trail and beach, in return the positive news was the nicer lake view and that the Lodge is still inviting, especially sitting in the lobby and relaxing as you say so eloquently. On that last point, I'm wondering if this upgrade will somehow lead to an extension for current VWL owners? I know it didn't go well with OKW, and perhaps all the work on the old Villas is more of a 25-year bandaid than anything else, but you raise an intriguing question given there IS only 25+ years left for the old contracts. Hmmm. . .

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Luv just asked me bewilderingly, "YOU? Mr. I Hate the Changes at VWL?" I simply explained that all along my thoughts have been that while I rue the cutting of the trees and with the messing with our nature trail and beach, in return the positive news was the nicer lake view and that the Lodge is still inviting, especially sitting in the lobby and relaxing as you say so eloquently. On that last point, I'm wondering if this upgrade will somehow lead to an extension for current VWL owners? I know it didn't go well with OKW, and perhaps all the work on the old Villas is more of a 25-year bandaid than anything else, but you raise an intriguing question given there IS only 25+ years left for the old contracts. Hmmm. . .

Will you extend Sleepydog?

 

[Corinne]

DiznyDi, I'm so sorry I missed your birthday! Hope you had a great day!!

 

[DiznyDi]

DiznyDi, I'm so sorry I missed your birthday! Hope you had a great day!!

You've had a lot on your mind lately. Thanks for the belated wishes!

 

[sleepydog25]

Will you extend Sleepydog?

First, I enjoyed the pics, KAT, and will say that I would guess most, if not all, the Disney races have choke points. The Princess Half was extremely crowded the entire way, and in many instances, walking was the only option. They keep runners to tight lanes even on the roadway, more so than any of the dozens of races I've run over the years which include some fairly major races. I've never seen the congestion as we encountered in February.

As to the question above, I'd have to say "no." Given my age, I don't see an extra decade--at best--being worth the cost.

 

[DiznyDi]

OK, so tomorrows the day we meet up with Mr and Mrs Granny. We have a very early flight out of Pittsburgh - 5:30 AM. We'll be at SSR this trip. We haven't been there in several years and are very much looking forward to our stay and to take the opportunity to explore the happenings over at Disney Springs. The advantage to an early flight is that we should be at SSR by 8:30 - 9:00.

Granny, thanks for your pictures, though it makes me sad DDad and I have our Christmas trip booked at the Lodge. The construction didn't bother us last Christmastime. I rather enjoyed sitting on the balcony and watching the work. And it was really nice having full view of the evening Electric Water Parade.

Enjoy your day Groupies!

 

[jimmytammy]

Dad and Di
Have a great trip!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

So now it begins; I heard the drum beating this morning as I got dressed; the long awaited day is on the horizon. DiznyDi was up (6AM) with coffee in hand and smile on her face (Lots to do today don't you know!). We leave tomorrow morning at ~1:45AM for the Pittsburg Airport; boarding our flight at 5:00 AM. Somehow, although we will hit the sack about 8PM, there will be snoring sounds coming from only one side of the room. Gee, guess who?!? See you in The World.

 

[Granny]

OK, so tomorrows the day we meet up with Mr and Mrs Granny.

 

[circhead]

Luv just asked me bewilderingly, "YOU? Mr. I Hate the Changes at VWL?" I simply explained that all along my thoughts have been that while I rue the cutting of the trees and with the messing with our nature trail and beach, in return the positive news was the nicer lake view and that the Lodge is still inviting, especially sitting in the lobby and relaxing as you say so eloquently. On that last point, I'm wondering if this upgrade will somehow lead to an extension for current VWL owners? I know it didn't go well with OKW, and perhaps all the work on the old Villas is more of a 25-year bandaid than anything else, but you raise an intriguing question given there IS only 25+ years left for the old contracts. Hmmm. . .

I don't think they will offer an outright extension to existing VWL owners because I would bet dollars to donuts that the new point structure is going to be higher than the current structure.
What I think they may offer to existing owners is the chance to extend our existing points for some price structure known only to DVC management as long as we do an add-on of VWL ll for x # of points.
IE: if you add on 125 pts at whatever astronomical price point they will come up with you can extend the life of 125 points for only x dollars/point. This strategy helps sell the new development and kind of keeps us satisfied that they gave some consideration to the owners at VWL original.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Have a great trip DiznyDi and Dad!!! Look forward to your thoughts on Disney Springs. We haven't been since before they really started the majority of work as it's a spot we find the buses are less than optimal so we usually tend to go only when staying at SSR or OKW when we can enjoy the boat ride. Whew - 1:45am departure for the airport! I thought some of our west coast to east coast travels were early!

First, I enjoyed the pics, KAT, and will say that I would guess most, if not all, the Disney races have choke points. The Princess Half was extremely crowded the entire way, and in many instances, walking was the only option. They keep runners to tight lanes even on the roadway, more so than any of the dozens of races I've run over the years which include some fairly major races. I've never seen the congestion as we encountered in February.

As to the question above, I'd have to say "no." Given my age, I don't see an extra decade--at best--being worth the cost.

It seems a bit strange that they keep such tight lanes on the roads also, doesn't it? Although I don't have race experience so can only judge from having watched some of the larger races on TV. My niece did experience some frustration over the narrow route that didn't really allow one to gain any headway and from other reports it seems like the people who insisted on it were causing lots of jostling and bumping when they did. Of course to go from a wide path to narrow could produce the bottle neck but in the case of this race the roadway sections were further along where it likely wouldn't have been too problematic. That and the quick sell out of merchandise were the major complaints. Still, we both really enjoyed the experience and she seemed to catch the bug immediately and was going to look at her calendar for when she could plan the next one.

 

[circhead]

I do hope that your CM was right though, we are planning to be there towards the end of the year as well...

If you see a large group of people with a newborn that will be us. Please stop by and say hello - I'd love to meet a fellow VWL groupie.

 

[sleepydog25]

Keeping tight reins allows folks to get to work and get to the parks, I suppose. Naturally, running on Disney property and through a park or two is the main draw of the races, so they have to manage both runners and park goers. On some other pages, sites, and threads, you can find a lot of complaints about people who walk too much on the longer races from those who want to run. These races are too crowded and too full of beginner runners (or one-timers) to be a race to expect to run the entire way unless you're in one of the first corrals. Still, there ought to be a way to provide more space for runners of these races. And, yes, the merchandising is terrible as they allow anyone to come to the expo and buy as much gear as they want. It should be narrowed to just runners for at least the first half of the first day before allowing others to buy anything. For example, the wine glasses for the Half were sold out within a couple of hours of the expo opening, and it wasn't by runners. Go look on Ebay and you'll find one of the glasses for $80--they retailed for $15! People were literally walking out with cases of them. Those folks also gummed up the building of the expo where the merchandise was located which included the race t-shirt which was a dumb choice by RunDisney. Still, they are undeniably fun.

 

[Corinne]

Have a great time Di & Dad! Enjoy your visit with Granny & Mrs Granny!

 

[jimmytammy]

If extension for our original VWL pts. came true, I would seriously consider buying into it. I will be 72, so if still in good shape, I could see myself using them still, but beyond that, I would pass along to our DS and DD for their future use. Since OKW ext. didnt seem to go over real big, I dont see them offering them to any other resort owners anytime soon

 

[Granny]

If extension for our original VWL pts. came true, I would seriously consider buying into it. I will be 72, so if still in good shape, I could see myself using them still, but beyond that, I would pass along to our DS and DD for their future use. Since OKW ext. didnt seem to go over real big, I dont see them offering them to any other resort owners anytime soon

The 2042 expiration date works well for us...I will be quite a bit older than Jimmy at that point and unless my daughters express a desire to own DVC and the extension is a good deal, I will let it pass.

DW and I are meeting up with DDad and Di later today. They should be getting into Orlando right about now!

 

[circhead]

The 2042 expiration date works well for us...I will be quite a bit older than Jimmy at that point and unless my daughters express a desire to own DVC and the extension is a good deal, I will let it pass.

If they offer the extension for a good deal I will probably do it. My kids have already expressed the desire to be able to take their own grandkids when the time comes.
I'll be turning 84 the year the original contract expires - I doubt there will be many Disney trips for me at that point.

DW and I are meeting up with DDad and Di later today. They should be getting into Orlando right about now!

Hope you all have a great time together.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'll be 82 when our contracts expire. Even my children will have AARP cards by that time. We won't be extending.