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

[twinklebug]

Happy Birthday Granny!

 

[Granny]

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Happy Birthday Granny!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!!!!​

HOPE YOU HAVE A GRAND BIRTHDAY, GRANNY!!!!!

Happy Birthday Granny!

Happy Birthday Granny!!

Happy Birthday Granny!

A heartfelt thank you for your kind words and wishes. I had a very busy day, but a very good one capped off by dinner with my DW, Daughter and her fiance. I appreciate everyone's posts.

 

[horselover]

A heartfelt thank you for your kind words and wishes. I had a very busy day, but a very good one capped off by dinner with my DW, Daughter and her fiance. I appreciate everyone's posts.

Did I miss a post? I didn't know your DD got engaged. Congrats! When's the big day?

Glad you enjoyed your birthday.

Kathy - purple is my favorite color. All variations of it.

Good morning groupie friends!

 

[Dizny Dad]

And again, early for next year . . . . . .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi! I stumbled upon this thread as I was researching everything Wilderness Lodge. We just returned from a fabulous Disney vacation! We stayed, for the first time, on rented points at BCV. We were wowed, loved BC and BCV, it's a very pretty resort especially at night, we just couldn't imagine anywhere better...until we had dinner at WL. We just fell in love with the peaceful, rustic, beautiful place, my husband especially. We have been discussing buying DVC and after our stay, I think we have narrowed it down to BWV and WL(BR), but we are leaning more towards WL(BR). We absolutely loved BCV, and my son loved SAB, but he is almost 14 and I feel that SAB will eventually lose it's appeal for him. And our daughter is almost 21, so with the kids getting older and doing their own thing, it will be less family trips and more just me and my husband trips until grandkids come along (several years down the road). We would definitely do resort only trips, with maybe just a day or 2 at the parks when it's just me and him. With those thoughts, I feel like we should pick the resort that best suits for me and him. And while BCV was great, the cost (even resale) is a bit high. We did like that we could access Epcot easily from BCV, and that is why we are looking at BWV...but the hallways seem so long, the clown slide - nuff said, and I feel we would tire of the hustle and bustle of the area. We really liked how WL was so peaceful, and the new bar/grille out by the lake is gorgeous. And it is a boat ride away from MK! I would love to hear your thoughts on why WL(BR) is a great choice to buy at. We aren't hurrying into buying DVC, we want to take our time, study the resorts, and make the right decision for us. We are planning a trip next year to look at the resorts more, too. Thanks!

Welcome, catfan! Flossie has given you great advice (bianca, too) about purchasing DVC, so I have little else to add other than to echo her comments. Take your time; do your research; know what you're getting into. You already are a step ahead of many who buy into DVC because you're looking forward to how you will vacation, not just how you take one now. Smart move. Truly, every DVC resort has its charms and advantages. My wife and I have long appreciated the serenity of VWL, even with all the new construction. While we feel the addition of the new CCVC will alter that sense of calm a bit, we're also hopeful that enough will remain to keep us happy--we think it will. Still, the Epcot resorts have the advantage of being close to two parks; AKL was designed by the same architect as the WL so you get a similar sense of being removed from the hustle and bustle of the parks; BLT has an awesome location; VGF possesses lovely rooms at a topnotch resort on the monorail. And the list goes on. Finally, one of the areas where I'd focus is resale vs. direct purchase, especially for any of the resorts you mention. Technically, DVC doesn't sell "direct" for older resorts--they re-sell contracts they've acquired through ROFR (right of first refusal) and other means. While the price per point isn't as high as new resorts, they're still usually significantly higher than the resale market, and for most resorts, you'll have to go on a wait list to get a contract you'd want. Nonetheless, for some, buying direct is the option they want, and that's fine. Good luck with your journey to possible DVC ownership!

 

[Granny]

Did I miss a post? I didn't know your DD got engaged. Congrats! When's the big day?

Glad you enjoyed your birthday.

Thanks, Julie. I can't remember if I posted the engagement news or not. My older daughter is set for an October 7 wedding. I'm trying to keep the father's toast below 7 single space typewritten pages.

And again, early for next year . . . . . .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!

Don't worry DDad...I figure my age won't change for a year so in my opinion any birthday wishes in the next 364 days are on time!

 

[twinklebug]

Does anyone know what would it take for any of the groupies to fall out of love with WL? I'm quite curious about how far Disney could take their changes. For me, they'd have to:

Stop the boats / Drain the lake;
Pave an urban forest around the villas (That road... I'm hoping so hard it isn't as big as it looks);
Remove the covered bridge walkway;
Add a Starbucks to the Villa's lobby (Although I admit I would use it, it doesn't belong);
Draw in so many folks that the Villas lobby is crowded all the time (I love being able to sit in those large leather rockers and listen to the fire).

What did I miss?

 

[horselover]

Does anyone know what would it take for any of the groupies to fall out of love with WL? I'm quite curious about how far Disney could take their changes. For me, they'd have to:

Stop the boats / Drain the lake;
Pave and urban forest around the villas (That road... I'm hoping so hard it isn't as big as it looks);
Remove the covered bridge walkway;
Add a Starbucks to the Villa's lobby (Although I admit I would use it, it doesn't belong);
Draw in so many folks that the Villas lobby is crowded all the time (I love being able to sit in those large leather rockers and listen to the fire).

What did I miss?

Remove the Humphrey totem pole
Change the lobby (back to the totem poles again)
Change the Christmas trees to something less spectacular
Add motorized water sports (jet skis although they're fun I'd vote no)

Agree with the rest of your list especially the boats & hell to the no on Starbucks!!! I still haven't gotten over it being on Main Street. Never have set foot in there since they took the bakery away. The other park locations don't bother me but that one still hurts.

 

[sleepydog25]

Does anyone know what would it take for any of the groupies to fall out of love with WL? I'm quite curious about how far Disney could take their changes. For me, they'd have to:

Stop the boats / Drain the lake;
Pave an urban forest around the villas (That road... I'm hoping so hard it isn't as big as it looks);
Remove the covered bridge walkway;
Add a Starbucks to the Villa's lobby (Although I admit I would use it, it doesn't belong);
Draw in so many folks that the Villas lobby is crowded all the time (I love being able to sit in those large leather rockers and listen to the fire).

What did I miss?

That's a good list, but it would only take maybe 2 or 3 of those to affect such a monumental change in my view of WL (caveat: as unlikely as the first one is, that alone would be enough to make me leave).

Remove the Humphrey totem pole
Change the lobby (back to the totem poles again)
Change the Christmas trees to something less spectacular
Add motorized water sports (jet skis although they're fun I'd vote no)

Agree with the rest of your list especially the boats & hell to the no on Starbucks!!! I still haven't gotten over it being on Main Street. Never have set foot in there since they took the bakery away. The other park locations don't bother me but that one still hurts.

Agree with these, too, although I will admit to having been in the Main St Starbucks a couple of times. I do miss the old Bakery but was never a frequent visitor there. I did love the aromas coming from there, though.

Here are a few more for me:
- Completely remove the nature trail and/or paved bike path to FW
- Board up/stop using fireplaces
- Remove rockers
- Close down AP or alter it to a simple TS
- Change the paint scheme to one of those sported by the new cabins
- Remove the topiary bison and geese. . .oh, wait!

 

[wnielsen1]

I hope the groupies have room for one more as I just became a new DVC member with 100 points at Copper Creek, or as I like to call it, VWL2.

 

[horselover]

I hope the groupies have room for one more as I just became a new DVC member with 100 points at Copper Creek, or as I like to call it, VWL2.

Congrats & welcome to the groupies!

 

[sleepydog25]

I hope the groupies have room for one more as I just became a new DVC member with 100 points at Copper Creek, or as I like to call it, VWL2.

ABSOLUTELY room for more!! In fact, we just got a new shipment of rockers in for our ever expanding empir--umm, group. Furthermore, HOME!! Hopefully, you'll find us an inviting, friendly, and (occasionally ) informative gaggle. Never a requirement to do so, but if you've a hankerin' to list your trips on Page 1, just PM me. Likewise, if you want to share any birthdays or anniversaries, we keep that list on Page 1 also--only PM KAT4DISNEY with that info.

I assume at some point an entrepreneurial soul will start a thread primarily for Copper Creek owners; however, until that time arrives (if it does), we're thrilled to have the new owners join us here since, as we've said all along, all we require is a love of the Lodge.

Edited to add that I forgot to say what Granny did: love that you called it VWL2!

 

[Granny]

I hope the groupies have room for one more as I just became a new DVC member with 100 points at Copper Creek, or as I like to call it, VWL2.

Awesome news, and yes we are happy to CCV members join in here! Congratulations and WELCOME HOME !!

I'm sure that CCV owners will soon have their own impassioned thread, but I think we are happy to have anyone join us as long as the love the WL resort area! And of course, you earned special bonus points by calling your new home VWL2 !!

 

[Dean Marino]

Does anyone know what would it take for any of the groupies to fall out of love with WL? I'm quite curious about how far Disney could take their changes. For me, they'd have to:

Stop the boats / Drain the lake;
Pave an urban forest around the villas (That road... I'm hoping so hard it isn't as big as it looks);
Remove the covered bridge walkway;
Add a Starbucks to the Villa's lobby (Although I admit I would use it, it doesn't belong);
Draw in so many folks that the Villas lobby is crowded all the time (I love being able to sit in those large leather rockers and listen to the fire).

What did I miss?

Violate the BCV contract. That's pretty much it, for us.

And a minor suggestion - if we are to include CCV members in this thread? You need to work on the thread title.

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday, Granny!!!!

new groupies, hope to see all of you often.

 

[Granny]

And a minor suggestion - if we are to include CCV members in this thread? You need to work on the thread title.

Dean...we appreciate all suggestions. As luck (or Disney) would have it, VWL is actually part of both of the DVC resort names on the Wilderness Lodge campus. VWL simply means the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and those words are in both official names that Disney has given the two DVC resorts. The fact that we tend to ignore the Boulder Ridge part...well, that's just us being us.

As I said, I am sure some new CCV owner will start up a thread for that resort. But in the spirit of this thread, we pretty much welcome everyone as long as they aren't dissin' our beloved home.

Happy Birthday, Granny!!!!

Kathy...thanks for the bday wishes.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Dean...we appreciate all suggestions. As luck (or Disney) would have it, VWL is actually part of both of the DVC resort names on the Wilderness Lodge campus. VWL simply means the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and those words are in both official names that Disney has given the two DVC resorts. The fact that we tend to ignore the Boulder Ridge part...well, that's just us being us.

As I said, I am sure some new CCV owner will start up a thread for that resort. But in the spirit of this thread, we pretty much welcome everyone as long as they aren't dissin' our beloved home.



Kathy...thanks for the bday wishes.

We have always said that all it takes is a love of the lodge to stop on in here! And I don't think we've ever designated exactly which lodge that is.

 

[sleepydog25]

We have always said that all it takes is a love of the lodge to stop on in here! And I don't think we've ever designated exactly which lodge that is.

I gave some thought to tossing out the idea of changing this thread's name; however, in the end the notion seemed misbegotten. As a few have said, someone will undoubtedly start a CCVC-specific thread in the future, so I didn't feel the need to jump on the idea myself. Further, this thread has for so long been a site attuned to VWL, that branching out seemed, well, weird. To change the name would change the timbre of the thread, and I'm not ready to do so. Finally, the scope of this Groupie thread has always been more than just VWL--it's been the love of the Lodge, the friendliness of the Groupies--and we don't need a name change to show that. Yes, the Villas part of VWL (or BRV if you must), as well as the new Copper Creek resort villas all fall as part of the Lodge family, and that's good enough for now.

 

[jimmytammy]

Dean
As much as I understand the possible need to re-name the thread, I agree with Granny and Sleepy, we are who we are, and as much as we refuse to call our home anything other than what we know it in our hearts to be, there are some things that are almost too sacred to us to change...the name being one of them. This is something we can control, something they can't take from us or add as they wish(as they have done)against our wishes.
I also feel that a new thread may get started soon as the new owners come along. And no matter, whether folks own or not, all are always welcome, its the love of the Lodge thats the main requirement

 

[wnielsen1]

I don't see the point of a separate VWL2 thread. I think I'll stick around here. Change the title or don't change the title, I'm staying. I love the entire WL including the VWL/VWL2 components. Next time I'm there you'll be able to find me sitting in front of the fireplace at the VWL and I'm not technically an owner there...yet (a resale contract has always been on my mind).