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

[Granny]

Okay, let's give this a go.


Favorites
Value resort...never stayed in one but Art of Animation would be our choice I'm sure
Moderate...never stayed in one but probably Port Orleans Riverside would be our choice. Love walking around Coronado Springs too.
Deluxe...at this point, I don't know if WL would be my choice. We have gotten "Woods View" in the past which is now "Construction View". We've never stayed at any other Deluxe resort but I think my vote might swing to Grand Floridian.
DVC...VWL of course but this might change if the new look kills the ambiance. Second choice, waiting in the wings, would be BLT.
Park...MK is our favorite though we used to like DHS a lot. DHS is only half a park now and has fallen to the bottom.
Resort eats...Artist Point (though we haven't been there for a while), Boatwright's, Maya Grill, Grand Floridian Cafe and Trail's End
MK table service...Liberty Tree Tavern
Epcot table service...Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, Via Napoli
HS table service...mine would be 50's PTD, Mrs Granny likes Sci Fi Dine In a lot
AK table service...Yak & Yeti

As a bonus:

Disney Springs Counter Service: Wolfgang Puck's Express
Disney Springs Table Service: House of Blues

 

[ErinC]

Favorites:
Favorites
Value resort...probably Pop Century (only stayed there and ASM
Moderate...POR
Deluxe...never stayed deluxe unless DVC
DVC...VWL, BWV, BLT ( any closet at WDW will do, I'm really not that picky) seriously, I can find something about all the DVC's I love. DH really dislikes AKL though.
Park...MK
Resort eats...O'hana (probably our most repeated sit down restaurant) Ate it for Christmas dinner last year.
MK table service...hardly ever eat sit down. We have done BOG three times I think, one dinner, twice lunch
Epcot table service...We've tried several over the years, but none stick out as my favorite. We usually end up at sunshine seasons and eating French pastries!
HS table service...No favs (I think this is the worst park for food)
AK table service...we end up at yak and yeti counter or flame tree. No sit downs here.
Overall, I guess we need to try some new places. Honestly with three kids( Disney adults) I look at the menus and I just don't think the food is worthy of the price most of the time. We eat out a lot at home and it just chokes me to cough up $300 for dinner and it not be that good anyway. When we are empty nesters DH and I will probably eat more in the parks. We have made a pretty regular habit of leaving property a few times each trip and seeking out a really good steak place.

 

[twinklebug]

Favorites
Value resort... none, but I think I'll pop a strong vote for Fort Wilderness here
Moderate... Port Orleans Riverside
Deluxe... not sure. Would need to be concierge level with a good balcony to sit and enjoy coffee or a cocktail on.
DVC... VWL. A very close second is Kidani/Jambo. BWV gets an honorable mention as I would not mind being stuck there every trip either
Park... <blank> or Universal Studios (Should be MK, but over crowding has gotten to me.)
Resort eats... Sanna, Trail's End, Territory Lounge, Beaches & Cream, GF Tea Room.
MK table service... Crystal Palace Breakfast (for the memories: drinking morning OJ while sitting in the sunshine snapping pics of my kids)
Epcot table service... Rose & Crown, Via Napoli, Garden Grill
HS table service... Sci Fi
AK table service... Rainforest Cafe (easy to get to from AKV and never crowded.)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Birthday @magicalmcwho!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday Magicalmcwho!!!!(otherwise known as my buddy Jim, great guy who I would love to cross paths with again someday)

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies BillyJoeBob!!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

BillyJoeBob . . . pull up a chair around the campfire and stay awhile; there is always room for another groupie!

 

[DVCBillyJoeBob]

Thanks for the welcomes. Have not stayed at VWL yet, but will have to try in a future trip. You all make it sound wonderful, plus the sense of community in this tread is great.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for the welcomes. Have not stayed at VWL yet, but will have to try in a future trip. You all make it sound wonderful, plus the sense of community in this tread is great.

Bobbi

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the welcomes. Have not stayed at VWL yet, but will have to try in a future trip. You all make it sound wonderful, plus the sense of community in this tread is great.

Though our Groupies thread exists due to our collective love of the Lodge, we've never limited our numbers just to those who do. Now, we might question someone's mental state who didn't wind up loving the Lodge, but restrict? Never. Seriously, we're glad to have you. Come back and visit often.

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday Magicalmcwho !!!


And to DVCBillyJoeBob....

 

[pmaurer74]

Favorites
Value resort...never stayed in one
Moderate...French Quarter
Deluxe...WL
DVC...GF
Park...MK
Resort eats...Boma, 1900 PF
MK table service...Liberty Tree Tavern
Epcot table service...San Angel, Akershus
HS table service...Sci Fi, 50's PT
AK table service...Tusker House Breakfast

As a bonus:

Disney Springs Counter Service: Earl of Sandwich
Disney Springs Table Service: Only been to one

 

[pmaurer74]

Thanks for the welcomes. Have not stayed at VWL yet, but will have to try in a future trip. You all make it sound wonderful, plus the sense of community in this tread is great.

The Groupies here are wonderful! Some have even got out of their way to help others. Welcome!

 

[DiznyDi]

Wishing Magicalmcwho a very Happy Birthday!

 

[DiznyDi]

So nice to welcome another Groupie! WELCOME BillyJoeBob!

Wishing all of our Groupie friends a safe and happy holiday week-end! Enjoy your time with family and friends.

 

[horselover]

Favorites
Value resort...Never stayed at one but if I did I'd pick AoA
Moderate...Port Orleans French Quarter
Deluxe...Yacht Club
DVC...VWL, BCV
Park...MK
Resort eats...Captains Grill (breakfast), Crews Cup Lounge, Olivias (breakfast)
MK table service...LTT
Epcot table service...Via Napoli
HS table service...50s PTC
AK table service...NA

Twinklebug - FYI Fort Wilderness is a moderate not a value.

Have a great time in HHI Patrick & Luv!

Wishing all my groupie friends a safe & fun holiday weekend!

Di & Dad - thinking of & praying for Katie today.

 

[twinklebug]

Twinklebug - FYI Fort Wilderness is a moderate not a value.

I hear you! The fort is really its own category - not deluxe, but certainly not value.
Haven't been glamping in a decade now, but I should consider it now that I'm out of points for a bit.... Next year's trips are all still up in the air...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Anniversary Audipolo & Icecoldpenguin!!!

 

[Granny]

Saw this posted on DVC Info site about an unhappy VWL guest...

I guess some people are still surprised by the construction? Hard to believe with all the communication going on.

In any event, it might be useful to hang onto the link to answer those people who ask "how bad is the construction at VWL?".

 

[Dean Marino]

Saw this posted on DVC Info site about an unhappy VWL guest...

I guess some people are still surprised by the construction? Hard to believe with all the communication going on.

In any event, it might be useful to hang onto the link to answer those people who ask "how bad is the construction at VWL?".

To US? This is actually funny . Really, "What did you THINK was going to happen?". VWL, and the WL in general, has been very forthright in TELLING people well ahead of time that they are building and converting.

We have TWO sets of "Construction Pins". Going to get our third in November, probably our FOURTH in April 2017 . It's our second home, and we're STICKING with it. All personal opinion - a WL under construction on a BAD day beats "the Springs" on the BEST of days .

The only thing we PERSONALLY worry about? The Staff. THEY are really getting the shaft in terms of Tip Income - and these are people too . Please, if GOING to the WL? Be a little more generous with the staff.... we complain about construction - they have FAMILIES to feed.