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

[horselover]

Julie, you do know what us groupies are looking for! I like a few of the pictures on the wall, maybe a rug I saw and the inlay in floor of 1 bed is a nice touch. But it stops promptly for me at this point of likability. As a cabinet builder, I can tell you, the cabinets are about as cheap a cabinet you will find. If they would have continued the shaker style door all around would have made a nice touch. Instead, the cheap tannish look they went with is same as you can buy at office depot. I am not reserving judgement on what the pictures tell me, they really fouled up IMO. Hopefully, when the refurb comes around they will heed our(and I feel sure many others)dislike overall and do better.

I understand the need for modernizing, heck, I like the bells and whistles myself that make life easier on vacation. But the decor is the killer for me. This is where they fail miserably. As twinklebug mentioned, Peter Dominicks influence was needed badly here!

Speaking of Peter Dominick, I remember Ranger Stan speaking of him fondly upon meeting him several times as he visited often to the Lodge over the years. Stan got misty eyed speaking about how they spoke often of going fishing together as they were both avid fisherman. Stan said Peters next visit to the area was supposed to be a planned fishing excursion, but Peter passed away before he made the trip. Stan thought the world of him and he talked of how much Dominick loved the Lodge.

Thank you for your perspective as a builder Jimmy. I too thought all the furniture & cabinets looked cheap but I'm not a builder so what do I know. It's interesting that they chose to install granite for counter tops but then went the cheap route for cabinets. I do love the inlay in the floor. That's my favorite touch in the 1 BR. The walk in shower is nice too. The tub is pretty but doesn't seem very practical & I don't take baths at Disney so it's a waste for me. As others have said I think they could have done so much more with this new "enhanced story" they're trying to get us to buy, but they didn't. Sadly that seems to be the new trend at WDW.

So changing the subject. Anyone going to see Beauty & the Beast this weekend? I'm going Friday afternoon unless something comes up. I can't wait to see it!

 

[sleepydog25]

So what is up with a little stool as a desk chair?

And on a note from further above I was just noticing that the Master bedroom has 2 telephones plus there's a telephone out in the main room......but no bedside clock. Doesn't everyone use their cell phone?

Sooooo, three phones which no one uses but no clocks which people actually do use. Makes sense.

JT: Thanks for the expert opinion! I knew there was something hinky with the cabinetry, and your comments are spot on. Somewhere, somehow Disney saved money with this hodgepodge approach.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Thank you so much for sharing such detailed photos! I still don't like it, just my opinion. I hate that they went modern on the fixtures instead of themed. I miss those lantern lights they used to have. Those are the touches I really appreciated and miss. Oh and as someone with a 1 year old, I still don't understand a family resort making rooms with no tub as a non-bookable category.

 

[horselover]

I have to share this here too. It's just too funny not to share. I cracked up. Worth a watch.

Beauty & the Beast - The Crosswalk Edition.

 

[DenLo]

Thank you @horselover for all the photos of the CCV models. I love all the details you supplied. Someone mentioned using the coffee table in the living room as a desk--I would never have thought of that. That is what we use the table for. I like all the little touches. And I agree with whoever posted that the rock lamp should be in Boulder Ridge and CCV should have something in copper.

But the only thing I was confused about was the wall print of a geodic slice, that was in the bathroom and the bedroom. Is that the wall area between the two rooms? Or are there two prints of that in one villa?

I guess I will get used to the dresser in the studio, but I have to admit right now I keep wishing they had just used the arrow drawer pulls and stuck to one color for the drawers.

 

[horselover]

Thank you @horselover for all the photos of the CCV models. I love all the details you supplied. Someone mentioned using the coffee table in the living room as a desk--I would never have thought of that. That is what we use the table for. I like all the little touches. And I agree with whoever posted that the rock lamp should be in Boulder Ridge and CCV should have something in copper.

But the only thing I was confused about was the wall print of a geodic slice, that was in the bathroom and the bedroom. Is that the wall area between the two rooms? Or are there two prints of that in one villa?

I guess I will get used to the dresser in the studio, but I have to admit right now I keep wishing they had just used the arrow drawer pulls and stuck to one color for the drawers.

I had to go back & look at the photos to refresh my memory. Yes, the geodic slice picture is in the bathroom & the master bedroom.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I had to go back & look at the photos to refresh my memory. Yes, the geodic slice picture is in the bathroom & the master bedroom.

It's kind of a stained glass window between the bedroom and bathroom isn't it? So it would let some light thru to the bathroom but doesn't open to the bedroom.

 

[jimmytammy]

Well the day has arrived! We pull out in just a few to head to Clermont, FL to stay with friends(Brad n Tearsa for those folks who know them from a few groupie meets)tonight until Sun., then we head to SSR until Thurs. Our whole idea of going to FL was for Spring Training games only and a long weekend. Well, thanks to DVC, that changed(no surprise there). We had originally planned on leaving next Wed., stay at Brad n Tearsa's, see Braves-Tigers at WDW, then Tigers-Braves in Lakeland, then head home Sat. Well, change came again!
We decided to extend by a night as Nightranger will be at Epcot Sat night and that merited an extra day for me

So I will be reporting in from sunny FL over the next few days(and I am ready for it, cause its been quite chilly round my house he last few days)

 

[horselover]

Well the day has arrived! We pull out in just a few to head to Clermont, FL to stay with friends(Brad n Tearsa for those folks who know them from a few groupie meets)tonight until Sun., then we head to SSR until Thurs. Our whole idea of going to FL was for Spring Training games only and a long weekend. Well, thanks to DVC, that changed(no surprise there). We had originally planned on leaving next Wed., stay at Brad n Tearsa's, see Braves-Tigers at WDW, then Tigers-Braves in Lakeland, then head home Sat. Well, change came again!
We decided to extend by a night as Nightranger will be at Epcot Sat night and that merited an extra day for me

So I will be reporting in from sunny FL over the next few days(and I am ready for it, cause its been quite chilly round my house he last few days)

Have a great trip JT!

 

[TCRAIG]

Well the day has arrived! We pull out in just a few to head to Clermont, FL to stay with friends(Brad n Tearsa for those folks who know them from a few groupie meets)tonight until Sun., then we head to SSR until Thurs. Our whole idea of going to FL was for Spring Training games only and a long weekend. Well, thanks to DVC, that changed(no surprise there). We had originally planned on leaving next Wed., stay at Brad n Tearsa's, see Braves-Tigers at WDW, then Tigers-Braves in Lakeland, then head home Sat. Well, change came again!
We decided to extend by a night as Nightranger will be at Epcot Sat night and that merited an extra day for me

So I will be reporting in from sunny FL over the next few days(and I am ready for it, cause its been quite chilly round my house he last few days)

Have a Safe Trip!!!

 

[Granny]

So I will be reporting in from sunny FL over the next few days(and I am ready for it, cause its been quite chilly round my house he last few days)

Godspeed, Jimmy. Safe travels.

 

[Granny]

I have to share this here too. It's just too funny not to share. I cracked up. Worth a watch.

Beauty & the Beast - The Crosswalk Edition.

Okay, this is 10 minutes long but it is hilarious! Thanks for posting, Julie!

 

[DenLo]

It's kind of a stained glass window between the bedroom and bathroom isn't it? So it would let some light thru to the bathroom but doesn't open to the bedroom.

It would be pretty, but I think I would have preferred a solid wall between the MBR and bathroom.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well the day has arrived! We pull out in just a few to head to Clermont, FL to stay with friends(Brad n Tearsa for those folks who know them from a few groupie meets)tonight until Sun., then we head to SSR until Thurs. Our whole idea of going to FL was for Spring Training games only and a long weekend. Well, thanks to DVC, that changed(no surprise there). We had originally planned on leaving next Wed., stay at Brad n Tearsa's, see Braves-Tigers at WDW, then Tigers-Braves in Lakeland, then head home Sat. Well, change came again!
We decided to extend by a night as Nightranger will be at Epcot Sat night and that merited an extra day for me

So I will be reporting in from sunny FL over the next few days(and I am ready for it, cause its been quite chilly round my house he last few days)

Safe travels and have a wonderful time!!!

It would be pretty, but I think I would have preferred a solid wall between the MBR and bathroom.

I like the idea although I actually really like the shutters between the rooms. I for one don't care for what I saw at BCV where they took out the opening and this isn't much better but it should at least allow in some light.

Guess that's another thing for a list to write to DVC that I like - features that are there and appreciated as they seem bent on taking any expressed dislikes more into account than considering that people are not as likely to express the positives for things that already are in the rooms.

But I don't mind that they change in future rooms - as people buying in will know what they are getting. It gives a choice for everyone.

 

[horselover]

It's kind of a stained glass window between the bedroom and bathroom isn't it? So it would let some light thru to the bathroom but doesn't open to the bedroom.

You know I don't know. From the way it looked in person it didn't appear to be a stained glass window. It looked like a picture hanging on a solid wall. I guess it could be stained glass. Hard to say since there was no natural light coming through from the balcony. I'm really kind of thinking it's just a picture though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You know I don't know. From the way it looked in person it didn't appear to be a stained glass window. It looked like a picture hanging on a solid wall. I guess it could be stained glass. Hard to say since there was no natural light coming through from the balcony. I'm really kind of thinking it's just a picture though.

If you look closely Julie you can see that it's inset from both sides so something in the middle - also it's a bit reflective with light and is a mirror image from one side to the next. I feel like somebody else somewhere said it was glass.

 

[horselover]

If you look closely Julie you can see that it's inset from both sides so something in the middle - also it's a bit reflective with light and is a mirror image from one side to the next. I feel like somebody else somewhere said it was glass.

You could very well be right Kathy. It looked like a wall but with no natural light in the room it was hard to tell. Does seem strange they'd put the exact same pictures on both walls.

 

[twokats]

JT Have a safe trip and a good holiday

 

[stopher1]

Oh @stopher1 - are you here?
Just wanted to wish you a Happy Anniversary!!!
Hope things are going well!

Hi, Kat! Thank you.

Things are well. It's been a long time since I last posted. Doing well, thank you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi, Kat! Thank you.

Things are well. It's been a long time since I last posted. Doing well, thank you.

Hi Christopher! Nice to see you and glad things are going well!