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

[Corinne]

Granny/Di & Dad when is the Groupie meet??

 

[Granny]

Granny/Di & Dad when is the Groupie meet??

We're meeting tomorrow afternoon along with blossomz at AKV-Kidani. Cool beans!

 

[Corinne]

We're meeting tomorrow afternoon along with blossomz at AKV-Kidani. Cool beans!

Fun! Have a great time!

 

[horselover]

This is our first stay at Boardwalk. We have a most superior room! We booked poolside/gardens view. Our 5th floor room looks into the Courtyard with a nice view of the Boardwalk, Beach Club and space station Earth off in the distance. We've enjoyed our balcony this afternoon and have taken pleasure watching the boats come and go. Just trying to decide if we should 'stay put' or venture out in the rain. Personally, I'm content to just stay put! Too bad it's to rain the duration of our 2 day stay here before we move to VWL. With the weather outlook today into tomorrow and the 24 hr cancellation policy, I've cancelled our Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party reservation. If they have Illuminations this evening, we should be able to see the arial fireworks from our balcony - a definite plus for this resort. Overall and first impression is this is a very busy and (noisy) resort. With so much rain there are few opportunities to stay undercover when going from one outdoor area to another. We're here to relax, and that's exactly what we're doing. Next week is to be quite lovely - and we'll be where it warms our heart as well as our soul. Now, if only we are successful with a lake side room....

Be well Groupies and have a nice week-end! Will check in as we can.
Di and Rich

Village Green! Sweet! I saw your pictures on FB & just assumed you had a BW view. I requested village green for my upcoming visit. I don't hold out a lot of hope I'll get it but it would be nice. I normally request quiet pool view when I have garden/pool view category booked but figured why not give it a shot for village green. I just hope I don't get a scary clown pool view. The clown doesn't bother me so much although those glowing eyes at night are a little freaky, but I find that side to be quite noisy.

Looks like today is the day for sun for you! Just looked at the weather forecast & seems like several sunny days are ahead. Enjoy!

We are in BWV Standard View at the end of the building. So a long walk to the elevators (absolutely no big deal at all) but nice access via the stairs to the bus stop, quiet pool and DHS.

Now, if only it would stop raining so we could enjoy some Florida sunshine!

Rich & Di...great job on scoring a villa on the Village Green area. Those are highly sought-after rooms for that view. I look forward to meeting up with you tomorrow, though we may bump into each other before then especially if you like Seashore Sweets as much as we seem to.

I hope everyone else is doing great!

I usually request end of hall whenever we have standard view. We normally have a car so I like that back door near the parking lot. The long halls don't bother us. Since most people want to be close to the elevators we've always had our request granted.

Have a great time at the groupie meet today!

Happy Anniversary Heather! May is a lovely time for a wedding. Today is our anniversary.

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Anniversary horselover!!!!
I can add you to the anniv. list if you would like

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy Birthday Loribell

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy Anniversary Rusafee1183 !!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy Anniversary Horselover!!!

 

[rusafee1183]

Thank you all so much for the sweet anniversary wishes! Bob had to work yesterday, so we will be celebrating (somehow!) today.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

Happy Anniversary Julie!!!

I hope everyone in the 'World' is enjoying their time! It's finally supposed to clear up for you guys today!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Corinne]

Happy Anniversary Julie

 

[Corinne]

Happy Birthday Loribell

 

[Granny]

What a lovely evening with Groupie friends yesterday. Here's a shot from our mini-meet at Sanaa lounge at AKV Kidani:



In the photo are Dizny Dad, DiznyDi, Mrs. Granny, Granny and blossomz.

Sorry for the graininess of the photo...and it needs color correcting...I've got a new laptop and Windows 8 is not my favorite at this point!

We had a great time as always. Afterwards, DDad & Di were kind enough to invite us over to see their refurbished room at VWL. Like anything else, it is hard to cope with change for something we love so much. My impression was that if this is the way VWL decor would have been when we started, we would have liked it. But I have to admit that they really gave up some of the things and details that we thought contributed to the theming (green cabinet colors, carpet design, stencils on kitchen wall and even Muush's ugly sofa).

What I'll probably never understand is how the studios now officially sleep 5 while the 1BR is still meant for 4. Weird.

In any event, it was a wonderful evening with some great people. Thanks to Rich, Di, Blossom & friends who made it a fun evening.

 

[blossomz]

Thanks for posting Granny! It was so great
to finally meet some groupies!! It was really a wonderful mini meet!

 

[rusafee1183]

What a lovely evening with Groupie friends yesterday. Here's a shot from our mini-meet at Sanaa lounge at AKV Kidani:



In the photo are Dizny Dad, DiznyDi, Mrs. Granny, Granny and blossomz.

Sorry for the graininess of the photo...I've got a new laptop and Windows 8 is not my favorite at this point!

We had a great time as always. Afterwards, DDad & Di were kind enough to invite us over to see their refurbished room at VWL. Like anything else, it is hard to cope with change for something we love so much. My impression was that if this is the way VWL decor would have been when we started, we would have liked it. But I have to admit that they really gave up some of the things and details that we thought contributed to the theming (green cabinet colors, carpet design, stencils on kitchen wall and even Muush's ugly sofa).

What I'll probably never understand is how the studios now officially sleep 5 while the 1BR is still meant for 4. Weird.

In any event, it was a wonderful evening with some great people. Thanks to Rich, Di, Blossom & friends who made it a fun evening.

Looks like you guys had a great time! I can't wait to meet some groupies one of these days!

I had a feeling that I would have the same exact feelings about the refurb as you Granny. It's not that the new look isn't beautiful, but it's just not the same. There was something about the deep dark woodsy accents that made the lodge feel like home. I know it won't have the same soul somehow.

How do you like the updated rooms Di/Dad?

 

[sleepydog25]

Sorry for the graininess of the photo...I've got a new laptop and Windows 8 is not my favorite at this point!

We had a great time as always. Afterwards, DDad & Di were kind enough to invite us over to see their refurbished room at VWL. Like anything else, it is hard to cope with change for something we love so much. My impression was that if this is the way VWL decor would have been when we started, we would have liked it. But I have to admit that they really gave up some of the things and details that we thought contributed to the theming (green cabinet colors, carpet design, stencils on kitchen wall and even Muush's ugly sofa).

What I'll probably never understand is how the studios now officially sleep 5 while the 1BR is still meant for 4. Weird.

In any event, it was a wonderful evening with some great people. Thanks to Rich, Di, Blossom & friends who made it a fun evening.

I've hated Windows 8 since its inception. It is NOT user-friendly, at least not for this user. Luv is generally a smartie when it comes to tech matters, but Windows 8 has drawn her ire, too. Why reinvent the wheel when what you should do is make it more secure. I'm done ranting for now.

We won't actually be staying in our beloved Lodge for at least another year at this point, but I don't know that I'm going to be looking forward to seeing the refurb at that point. So far, on all the threads and comments I've read, those who like the refurb number about 20%; those who dislike it also run about 20%; and the remaining 60% have very mixed emotions about it. Such response is not what I'd hoped to hear.

However, I am thrilled you guys got to meet and are having a good time. Looks as though the weather is perking up, too. Thanks for the updates!

 

[Granny]

I've hated Windows 8 since its inception. It is NOT user-friendly, at least not for this user. Luv is generally a smartie when it comes to tech matters, but Windows 8 has drawn her ire, too. Why reinvent the wheel when what you should do is make it more secure. I'm done ranting for now.

Gotta agree with you and Luv. It's like Microsoft decided it wanted to be Apple and Google and of course is a bad imitation of either while abandoning it's strong points.

We won't actually be staying in our beloved Lodge for at least another year at this point, but I don't know that I'm going to be looking forward to seeing the refurb at that point. So far, on all the threads and comments I've read, those who like the refurb number about 20%; those who dislike it also run about 20%; and the remaining 60% have very mixed emotions about it. Such response is not what I'd hoped to hear.

I think the 20% of those who like it are the same people who never liked VWL because it was "too dark and woodsy".

The 20% of those who dislike it are those who always loved the decor and theming even if it was a bit dark and woodsy. Or maybe because of that.

The middle group is where I was, waiting to see the refurb for myself. I'm probably still in the middle in that I don't like what they changed, but in the scheme of things it is still a great resort. The lobby still inspires us, and the boat horns still waft over the evening air calling us to adventures unknown.

I think the OKW refurb, on the other hand, is getting much more emotional response because at OKW, the villas ARE the thing. No grandiose lobby or other things that one can retreat to and still feel good. Just my opinion, but I can see where they would feel much worse about the refurb.

 

[Corinne]

So happy to see those smiling faces! You all look so great!!!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

Well we will be checking into VWL in 21 days after our 3 night stay at BC and we can't be anymore excited about it. We will be staying in a Studio and my kids are hoping that we will be in one of the refurbed room with the Murphy bed....they want to sleep in separate beds this trip . However, DH and I can't wait to be back at one of our favorite resorts, however this will be our first stay in the Villas section, we have stayed in the lodge a couple of times before.

 

[DiznyDi]

Hi Groupies!
We did enjoy a mini-meet with Granny, Mrs Granny and Blossom along with her friends. Always a pleasure to make new acquaintances and to re-new old ones. It was a fun evening discussing all things Disney among others.

The re-furb: Some random thoughts. Had I not known what the villas were BEFORE, I would think how wonderful, light and bright. I do like the new wood furnishings. Our 1-bedroom has a definite mission/craftsman feel with new iron-look black sconces in the bath area and new ceiling fixture in the kitchen. The curtain rod, TV armoire, coffee table and bedroom side tables all compliment each other. From that aspect, it's nice.

I do not care for the color of the kitchen cabinets or the new white/black granite look counter tops (maybe they're quartz?). While the appliances are all new stainless, the refrigerator is about 3/4 size of a conventional home frig. It did not appear to us that the cupboards were appropriately stocked with the usual cooking/serving utensils. We don't cook while on vacation so this is of little concern to us. There is nice new heavy silverware and knives in the drawer.

The old green wooden chairs are now an odd shade of red. I liked the green better. I would rather have carpet than the new wood laminate flooring. I like the nostalgic feel of the old red/green/white tiles. The larger neutral tile in the bath area is a nice way of bringing the unit up to date and has got to be easier from a maintenance perspective.

We did find a few very minor issues with our room: the ceiling cover plate of the hanging lamp was not attached and a faucet screw cover was missing at the kitchen sink. Not really worth mentioning except the hair blower rattled, smoked and smelled upon use. We did ask to have the hair blower replaced so mentioned the other minor issues.

PoohsFan1 - we were told at check-in that all units have now been re-furbed, so your kids will get their wish!

We spent our day today at Epcot. Crowds were much more manageable today! They were absolutely nuts on Sunday! On tomorrow's agenda is Animal Kingdom.

Count me in as another who significantly dislikes Windows 8

 

[DiznyDi]

Wishing Julie and 'Anniversary Guy' a most wonderful wedding anniversary!

I have fond memories of sharing your strawberry anniversary cake in the Carolwood Pacific room along with JT and family. Good times.

Happy Anniversary!