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

[Friendlyadvice2]

I haven't seen the specific line items for the dues, but the increase is about 2% above the average 3.2% annual increase. Definitely not the "big time" increase some were projecting, but definitely more than I was expecting. I suspect property tax estimates could be part of it, but once I see the line items I'll know for sure. For reference, OKW was up over 6% and of course BLT had a large increase like usual as well. Once CCCV goes live is when things will get interesting!

 

[wdrl]

Looking at Boulder Ridge's tax bill from Orange County, it looks like property taxes for Orange County is increasing 7.4% in 2016. I haven't computed the increase for RCID taxes but it's probably about the same percentage increase.

 

[Muushka]

Seeing the pictures of the Geese reminded me of the time the bus driver form the airport announced to the riders that we were being welcomed home by the Swans of Fort Wilderness. As I exited, I pointed out that the Swans were Geese, and that it was Wilderness Lodge, not Fort Wilderness. All I will say is that he did not appreciate the comment, and basically gave me body language indicating to take my stuff and move on. Geese . . . . . Welcome Home.

Oh Dad. What are we to do with you?? Setting the bus drivers straight, thank goodness!!!
Don't they realize that their words matter????

Well I must confess, as I read about the Groupie meet, I am a tad jealous. I really wish we were going to be there with all of you. Maybe in a few years we can join you (we used our points through 2017!). We hope you have a great time.

 

[pmaurer74]

Shout out to all you experts....does the increase in dues seem steep to you???? It was among one of the highest increases I think. I briefly saw it while at work today..sssshhh don't tell anyone. I have to go back and try to find it but it seemed like a big increase to me.

I thought it was quite a big increase. Other resorts had a large increase as well. I am hoping the CCC will help us out in dues in the future or at least less of an increase.

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Election is almost over and we can get on with our lives Day

 

[Dizny Dad]

GO VOTE!

 

[sleepydog25]

GO VOTE!

6:45 this morning. . .

 

[twinklebug]

GO VOTE!

Yes Dad, but I refuse to write in the name of your moose again this year.

I thought it was quite a big increase. Other resorts had a large increase as well. I am hoping the CCC will help us out in dues in the future or at least less of an increase.

I think/hope that the large increase VWL is seeing this year is only due to the fact that the hotel is paying a reduced amount as half of it is under conversion. Come 2018 you should see the numbers balance back out (fingers crossed).

 

[Granny]

Well I must confess, as I read about the Groupie meet, I am a tad jealous. I really wish we were going to be there with all of you. Maybe in a few years we can join you (we used our points through 2017!). We hope you have a great time.

Barb...we'll raise a glass to you, and we really hope that the future holds a meeting for us at some time!

 

[Granny]

Yes Dad, but I refuse to write in the name of your moose again this year.



I think/hope that the large increase VWL is seeing this year is only due to the fact that the hotel is paying a reduced amount as half of it is under conversion. Come 2018 you should see the numbers balance back out (fingers crossed).

I'm not sure how the costs break out for this coming year but I agree that intuitively we should see a pretty good bump for 2017 for VWL and then when CCV comes on line in 2018 we should see VWL come down. Realistically, I'm not sure that will happen. It appears that the VWL increase was in line with other DVC resorts so I'm thinking it will continue to rise in step with other resorts. What we will never know is exactly what services/costs will be split among WL/VWL/CCV and how the splits will be determined. I assume that the new pool will incur greater costs than the old pool (probably will require life guards now?), and if they put in a Community Hall then that too will add to overall costs.

As for voting....where is that head shaking in disgust emoticon?

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

What we will never know is exactly what services/costs will be split among WL/VWL/CCV and how the splits will be determined.

Can't agree more Granny, and that lack of visibility is so very frustrating to me. We really should have access to that data; the current line items simply don't tell the complete story. Sure, we can try to back into what percentage of the resort belongs to each entity, but without knowing how the costs are allocated it really may not help much.

Love the new Avatar by the way.......the Mrs. often uses that nickname when referring to me (like last night when I was looking through the new dues!) Oh well, just 10 more sleeps until our Thanksgiving trip of 10 wonderful days of being "grrrumpy" free!!

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Hi Groupies,
I am going to try and post a few pictures from our current trip. Hopefully it works! So happy to be back at the lodge!

Okay I finally got the picture posting thing down! Lol.
This is the newest member of our family, my sons service dog "BUZZ"! Buzz is loving the lodge and hanging in the Carolwood Pacific room.


Here are a few more pics

 

[sleepydog25]

A couple of enjoyable videos have been posted on the main WL Resort thread of the ongoing construction. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/bo...ss-lodge-dvc-expansion-thread.3410778/page-82

I also had a few random thoughts after viewing the video. Though they're a couple of weeks old, purportedly, the amount of progress on the cabins on the north wing of the Lodge seem to be behind those on the south wing. Further, I know a few excited comments have been made about the possibility of there being a top floor; however, based on what I saw (and granted, I'm not terribly well-versed on construction or architecture), I don't believe a top room will be included. On one of the panning shots, I didn't see anything that would resemble a stairwell or even the outline of one, and though there is a big window on the front of the new cabins, on the back where they face the water I see nothing that suggests a distinct loft-type room. I'm guessing it will be a vaulted ceiling much like the 5th floor of VWL. As for the size of the cabins, given that I think there will be a vaulted ceiling, I'm not sure there will be enough room for a 3BR GV. Ergo, I'm declaring them to be deluxe 2BRs.

I was also struck with how close the tables behind the Trout Pass bar are to the new, again reportedly, QS. If it does indeed wind up including a bar area, I don't see how Trout Pass survives in its current incarnation. Again, it's just a conjecture.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi Groupies,
I am going to try and post a few pictures from our current trip. Hopefully it works! So happy to be back at the lodge!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii270/NYSoftball/D3A8F7DF-FD28-468E-9DA6-49D22E0B6EB4.jpg

Thanks for the pics!

 

[Granny]

Hi Groupies,
I am going to try and post a few pictures from our current trip. Hopefully it works! So happy to be back at the lodge!

Great to hear that you're having a wonderful trip! And thank you for posting the pictures. It's good to see that the VWL signage around the resort is still in place...not a BRV sign in any of your pictures!

I also had a few random thoughts after viewing the video. Though they're a couple of weeks old, purportedly, the amount of progress on the cabins on the north wing of the Lodge seem to be behind those on the south wing. Further, I know a few excited comments have been made about the possibility of there being a top floor; however, based on what I saw (and granted, I'm not terribly well-versed on construction or architecture), I don't believe a top room will be included. On one of the panning shots, I didn't see anything that would resemble a stairwell or even the outline of one, and though there is a big window on the front of the new cabins, on the back where they face the water I see nothing that suggests a distinct loft-type room. I'm guessing it will be a vaulted ceiling much like the 5th floor of VWL. As for the size of the cabins, given that I think there will be a vaulted ceiling, I'm not sure there will be enough room for a 3BR GV. Ergo, I'm declaring them to be deluxe 2BRs.

I was also struck with how close the tables behind the Trout Pass bar are to the new, again reportedly, QS. If it does indeed wind up including a bar area, I don't see how Trout Pass survives in its current incarnation. Again, it's just a conjecture.

Seems like Disney really missed the boat if the cabins are not 3BR at least in the style of the Treehouse villas at SSR. I suppose they could be using a lofted foyer and main room to enhance the "grandeur" of the cabins, but I can't see how they will justify a high point schedule if they have only 2BR cabins. I do agree with you that Trout Pass Bar looks like it is slated for the bulldozer somewhere down the road.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Granny - this sign is still there as of this afternoon

 

[ottawagreg]

I also had a few random thoughts after viewing the video. Though they're a couple of weeks old, purportedly, the amount of progress on the cabins on the north wing of the Lodge seem to be behind those on the south wing. Further, I know a few excited comments have been made about the possibility of there being a top floor; however, based on what I saw (and granted, I'm not terribly well-versed on construction or architecture), I don't believe a top room will be included. On one of the panning shots, I didn't see anything that would resemble a stairwell or even the outline of one, and though there is a big window on the front of the new cabins, on the back where they face the water I see nothing that suggests a distinct loft-type room. I'm guessing it will be a vaulted ceiling much like the 5th floor of VWL. As for the size of the cabins, given that I think there will be a vaulted ceiling, I'm not sure there will be enough room for a 3BR GV. Ergo, I'm declaring them to be deluxe 2BRs.

Sleepy, I agree with this observation. In the second video with the "sounds of construction", starting about the 3:55 mark they are panning the roofs in a tighter shot. One can see the clean wood, with the knotty pine on the rafters. At about 4:09, after a few cabins go by, that wood is covered with roofing plywood material. I am guessing high vaulted wood ceilings with wooden rafters. One floor throughout the structure. There was nothing to imply anywhere in the video that I could see where there would be a second floor, and if there is it would be centered in the middle third of the building, and make for a pretty narrow floor space.

 

[Muushka]

Barb...we'll raise a glass to you, and we really hope that the future holds a meeting for us at some time! View attachment 205670

Thank you Granny. I hope we meet one of these days too!

Honestly, when I look at the pictures/videos of WL, my tummy aches.

 

[jimmytammy]

GO VOTE!

I did last week Dad. When I got to the President, I held my nose, and pressed the button

Hi Groupies,
I am going to try and post a few pictures from our current trip. Hopefully it works! So happy to be back at the lodge!

Okay I finally got the picture posting thing down! Lol.
This is the newest member of our family, my sons service dog "BUZZ"! Buzz is loving the lodge and hanging in the Carolwood Pacific room.

Thanks for sharing the pics. BTW, are the barrels between the comfy leather chairs a new touch, don't remember those from years past? And wanted to say, I love your family pic with Ranger Stan. He was such special man.


Here are a few more pics

 

[sleepydog25]

Granny - this sign is still there as of this afternoon

I didn't even catch this! Love that the VWL sign is still up!! If there, I'd be tempted to steal the sucker. . .