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

[Kathymford]

In California, DL closed to capacity AFTER New Years. During the week. That's crazy unheard of around here. It was also the first day all annual passes were unblocked and the Christmas stuff is still up until the 8th. I'm sure all of those things collided that caused this.

 

[sleepydog25]

Lots of Groupies going back the first half of December. Nobody has officially notified Sleepy to update the front page, but the last couple of pages on this thread indicate that there are a number of us going to be there when you are. I'm sure there will be some Groupie meets at that time.

TOPIC (A): Granny implies a good point: I don't add trips posted during our discussions since some might prefer the relative obscurity of that mention vice a static page where the visits are all listed. If anyone does wish me to add their trips to Page 1, I'm more than happy to oblige. Just PM me so that I'm certain you wish to be added.
TOPIC (B): There are several of us meeting in May based on Page 1, so if anyone has any ideas about when to stage a BHGM, Part Deux during that time, I'm all ears. I suspect we'll all have a better grasp of plans once we get closer and ADRs/FPs have been loaded (naturally, luv has made the former for us already).
TOPIC (C): As for availability during the holidays, PiratesLife, I think you'll be okay, especially if you hold to a 1BR. Studios do go quickly since they're less points, obviously, but even then, I think you'd have a decent chance of one opening if you went on a wait list.

 

[DenLo]

I just got the email that WLV are expanding . Are they just adding more dvc rooms or anything special to them like poly .

I haven't been keeping up lately with new stuff .

One thing is new is that they are expanding the quiet pool and adding another restaurant where the beach was located. Details were in the Winter, Disney Files.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

We just booked for our December 2017 vacation!!! It's just a short trip on 7th-10th. Everything was available but we ended up going with a 1 bedroom so that everyone is more comfortable (3 adults, 1 toddler). So now we will be spending our first DVC vacation at our beloved lodge. To top it all off our best friend is coming down with us for his first ever Disney vacation and he was even able to rent points so he can be in the same building as us (and it was half the cost of rack rates in the main lodge). I'm so excited. 11 months to go

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We just booked for our December 2017 vacation!!! It's just a short trip on 7th-10th. Everything was available but we ended up going with a 1 bedroom so that everyone is more comfortable (3 adults, 1 toddler). So now we will be spending our first DVC vacation at our beloved lodge. To top it all off our best friend is coming down with us for his first ever Disney vacation and he was even able to rent points so he can be in the same building as us (and it was half the cost of rack rates in the main lodge). I'm so excited. 11 months to go

Congrats! Glad it all worked out!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

We just booked for our December 2017 vacation!!! It's just a short trip on 7th-10th. Everything was available but we ended up going with a 1 bedroom so that everyone is more comfortable (3 adults, 1 toddler). So now we will be spending our first DVC vacation at our beloved lodge. To top it all off our best friend is coming down with us for his first ever Disney vacation and he was even able to rent points so he can be in the same building as us (and it was half the cost of rack rates in the main lodge). I'm so excited. 11 months to go

Yay!! Glad it all worked out. We will be at VWL same time, 4-10.

 

[Lakegirl]

We just booked for our December 2017 vacation!!! It's just a short trip on 7th-10th. Everything was available but we ended up going with a 1 bedroom so that everyone is more comfortable (3 adults, 1 toddler). So now we will be spending our first DVC vacation at our beloved lodge. To top it all off our best friend is coming down with us for his first ever Disney vacation and he was even able to rent points so he can be in the same building as us (and it was half the cost of rack rates in the main lodge). I'm so excited. 11 months to go

So happy for you. I am thinking of switching to BCV for our 7 month which is coming up soon and am worried as I watch the beg. Part of August fill up at BCV. Seems they are going right at the 7 month mark and we are traveling with a start date of a Thursday so kind of in the middle of a week. Hoping to get it.

 

[horselover]

So happy for you. I am thinking of switching to BCV for our 7 month which is coming up soon and am worried as I watch the beg. Part of August fill up at BCV. Seems they are going right at the 7 month mark and we are traveling with a start date of a Thursday so kind of in the middle of a week. Hoping to get it.

I had no problem switching from VWL to BCV on the 7 mo. window last year. I had wanted BLT but a couple days already weren't available so I wait listed 1 BR lake view at BLT & booked BCV. Lo & behold a couple months later my wait list for BLT came through. I was shocked. Granted it was a 1 BR not a studio but still didn't think I had a chance. 7 mos switching does work & if all else fails w/l.

 

[Lakegirl]

I had no problem switching from VWL to BCV on the 7 mo. window last year. I had wanted BLT but a couple days already weren't available so I wait listed 1 BR lake view at BLT & booked BCV. Lo & behold a couple months later my wait list for BLT came through. I was shocked. Granted it was a 1 BR not a studio but still didn't think I had a chance. 7 mos switching does work & if all else fails w/l.

What time of year was it?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm curious how many Groupies have gotten the extension number for the new "personal service" that was started early last year? The email from a few days ago that was discussing member benefits for 2017 had a website link and it mentioned this:

"Personalized Member Service
Enjoy an expansion of your personalized Member Services. This offering was first introduced in spring 2016 to assist Members when booking stays at Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Personalized Member Service will continue to be available through 2017, and is expanding to support all reservation types—whether you'd like to stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort or any other Resort available through your Membership.

How It Works
When you call Member Services to make a reservation, your Member Services Advisor will provide you with their individual extension. So whenever you need additional help planning your vacation, a familiar voice is just a phone call away."

In Oct or Nov I finally had a CM provide me with their extension number. It surprised me as it happened at the end of the call. I've actually not used it though because I tend to be perfectly happy with almost all CM's I speak to and I figure I'd likely be waiting for a return call if I attempted to speak to that CM who provided their extension. I thought it was interesting that the process seemed like I was being chosen by the CM, and then I wondered why no one had chosen me before!

If you have gotten the extension have you used it again? If so did you think you received better service in some way?

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm curious how many Groupies have gotten the extension number for the new "personal service" that was started early last year? The email from a few days ago that was discussing member benefits for 2017 had a website link and it mentioned this:

"Personalized Member Service
Enjoy an expansion of your personalized Member Services. This offering was first introduced in spring 2016 to assist Members when booking stays at Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Personalized Member Service will continue to be available through 2017, and is expanding to support all reservation types—whether you'd like to stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort or any other Resort available through your Membership.

How It Works
When you call Member Services to make a reservation, your Member Services Advisor will provide you with their individual extension. So whenever you need additional help planning your vacation, a familiar voice is just a phone call away."

In Oct or Nov I finally had a CM provide me with their extension number. It surprised me as it happened at the end of the call. I've actually not used it though because I tend to be perfectly happy with almost all CM's I speak to and I figure I'd likely be waiting for a return call if I attempted to speak to that CM who provided their extension. I thought it was interesting that the process seemed like I was being chosen by the CM, and then I wondered why no one had chosen me before!

If you have gotten the extension have you used it again? If so did you think you received better service in some way?

We have not gotten a CM's extension, nor have we received an email mentioning the CCVC resort as many others have. We don't plan to buy there; however, it would be nice to feel included.

In other news, the 2 to 4 inches of snow wound up being at least 4" and with the front side of the Arctic blast coming through last night, we're at 4F this morning with wind chill hovering around -15F. No Starbucks run for us since I've yet to clear the driveway!

 

[Corinne]

Hey All! I know I have seen a few posts every so often about a groupie meet in Dec 2017(maybe Dec 8). Just wondering for those folks going in Dec., what dates are you looking at booking, and where are you hoping to stay? We are leaning strongly towards booking VWL Dec. 4-10.

Any chance we could shoot for the 9th?? Our dates are Dec 9-14. Which reminds me I have to PM Patrick!

DLI - it is so great to see you!!!

 

[Corinne]

Happy Belated Birthday Eliza and Bobbi!!!!

 

[Granny]

We have not gotten a CM's extension, nor have we received an email mentioning the CCVC resort as many others have. We don't plan to buy there; however, it would be nice to feel included.

Patrick...are you signed up with the Member site to get the Member e-mails? The e-mail we were quoting came from DVC and I think I get one every month. Hard to remember with the AP e-mails coming as well.

Any chance we could shoot for the 9th?? Our dates are Dec 9-14. Which reminds me I have to PM Patrick!

DLI - it is so great to see you!!!

Corinne...We are flexible to whatever date works for the most Groupies. And we are flexible for more than one meet.

 

[DenLo]

I think at the beginning we were given extensions, but I never wrote one down. Like Kat4Disney said, we are quite happy with many of the CMs we get so don't feel it necessary to call a specific CM.

 

[Granny]

I'm curious how many Groupies have gotten the extension number for the new "personal service" that was started early last year? [snip]

If you have gotten the extension have you used it again? If so did you think you received better service in some way?

Kathy...I called MS yesterday and was not offered a phone extension. But like you, I have rarely had a bad experience with MS so it really doesn't matter much to me. The only issue I ever recall was getting someone once with a pretty thick accent so it was just a challenge for me to communicate. But overall, I've never felt like I need to get my own personal CM at MS. Of course, I only call a couple of times per year, and usually it is to add on a day or two to a trip since they only let us book 7 days. If they ever push that out to 10 days booking at the 11 month window I probably won't call them at all!

 

[jimmytammy]

Corinne...We are flexible to whatever date works for the most Groupies. And we are flexible for more than one meet.

I like this idea

 

[Lakegirl]

I'm curious how many Groupies have gotten the extension number for the new "personal service" that was started early last year? The email from a few days ago that was discussing member benefits for 2017 had a website link and it mentioned this:

"Personalized Member Service
Enjoy an expansion of your personalized Member Services. This offering was first introduced in spring 2016 to assist Members when booking stays at Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Personalized Member Service will continue to be available through 2017, and is expanding to support all reservation types—whether you'd like to stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort or any other Resort available through your Membership.

How It Works
When you call Member Services to make a reservation, your Member Services Advisor will provide you with their individual extension. So whenever you need additional help planning your vacation, a familiar voice is just a phone call away."

In Oct or Nov I finally had a CM provide me with their extension number. It surprised me as it happened at the end of the call. I've actually not used it though because I tend to be perfectly happy with almost all CM's I speak to and I figure I'd likely be waiting for a return call if I attempted to speak to that CM who provided their extension. I thought it was interesting that the process seemed like I was being chosen by the CM, and then I wondered why no one had chosen me before!

If you have gotten the extension have you used it again? If so did you think you received better service in some way?

Kathy. I have been given extensions but not consistently. We have had some really great CM's who I feel really go out of their way to make sure everything is Magical, and then I have had couple that just seemed to want to move on. None that were ever rude or anything to be upset about. The closest was when I Did not call the DVC line to get our annual passes and the CM made a snide remark that I could of called DVC to have them process the tickets.

 

[horselover]

What time of year was it?

Dec. 12/21-28 specfically. Got the full week at BCV when I called at 7 mos. & the full wait list came through a couple months later for BLT. I also was able to add the night of 12/20 at BLT via wait list after the fact. I don't remember when I went on the wait list but it was well past the 7 mo. window.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Any chance we could shoot for the 9th?? Our dates are Dec 9-14. Which reminds me I have to PM Patrick!

DLI - it is so great to see you!!!

Only if there's one earlier Corinne!