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

[Friendlyadvice2]

And sorry for being so grumpy about Geyser Point seating availability. Apparently Dizny Di and Dizny Dad were able to get seating a couple of times when they've gone. I guess it will be hit or miss, but I can't imagine how crowded it will be when CCV is completely up and running with all those guests added to the mix.

Not grumpy at all Granny. As I posted a couple weeks back, we had the same impression and it was not comfortable out in the 90 degree heat to sit at one of the waterside tables without an umbrella. Before your post, I was beginning to think our review may have been misguided, so although the problem is likely to get worse with increased occupancy, I at least feel a little better that others have noticed the same issue and we were not being too hard on GP. Thanks for all the pool pics....it really is neat to go back through my photo stash and compare the various stages of construction to the almost finished product.

 

[Granny]

There were seats at the bar and the tables baking out in the sun on the walkway by the lake.

The CM at GP told us this morning that those four tables out on the walkway will be gone when Roaring Fork opens, not to be replaced. So subtract even more seating from the area. Our guess is that the tables will go over to the area behind the new spa (Trout Pass bar).

To be fair, there were some open tables when we got to GP today around noon. Maybe they won't be as crowded on weekdays? We sat out in the sun bake seats again and the open tables quickly filled.

 

[TCRAIG]

The CM at GP told us this morning that those four tables out on the walkway will be gone when Roaring Fork opens, not to be replaced. So subtract even more seating from the area. Our guess is that the tables will go over to the area behind the new spa (Trout Pass bar).

To be fair, there were some open tables when we got to GP today around noon. Maybe they won't be as crowded on weekdays? We sat out in the sun bake seats again and the open tables quickly filled.

Maybe that's why they limited it to just old guys being able to go...oh wait...what's that you say...so sorry - my mistake - I thought it was called Geezer Point!!

 

[Granny]

The seating issue is why I am really hoping they get Roaring Fork open as early in the summer season as possible. I can just imagine what a nightmare it would be trying to find seating while we are there in early July without Roaring Fork as another option. I guess we can always order and take the food up to our villa, but that is not ideal.

One other option that we explored this trip was (on the advice of Dizny Dad and Dizny Di) to try Territory Lounge. We did that one evening and had that great Artist Point portabello soup along with some pulled pork nachos. It isn't a big menu but it was much better than we anticipated and it is a lovely setting. They are also open with a limited breakfast menu so overall it's a nice alternative option if RF isn't open.

 

[wdrl]

One other option that we explored this trip was (on the advice of Dizny Dad and Dizny Di) to try Territory Lounge. We did that one evening and had that great Artist Point portabello soup along with some pulled pork nachos. It isn't a big menu but it was much better than we anticipated and it is a lovely setting. They are also open with a limited breakfast menu so overall it's a nice alternative option if RF isn't open.

One other nice touch about Territory Lounge is that it offers the Tables in Wonderland discount. When we were at the Geyser Point bar last month it did not offer any discounts.

 

[Granny]

One other nice touch about Territory Lounge is that it offers the Tables in Wonderland discount. When we were at the Geyser Point bar last month it did not offer any discounts.

wdrl...you are correct, Territory Lounge did take our TIW card. We didn't have alcoholic beverages but it is a nice option that is also covered by the TIW discount at that location.

Geyser Point is an interesting set-up. It is really comprised of two separate entities...the quick counter service which has its own menu and the sodas, teas, etc along with the refillable mug station. It also offers four beer options, and will deliver to any table in the area when your order is ready.

The other entity is the bar, and it has its own food menu and a more full alcoholic drink list. The bar personnel will wait on the tables within the bar area only...they will not serve the tables (for example) out on the path along the shore. If you want to sit at those tables you have to go up to the bar area and order your food/drink from the bartender and then take it back out to your table. So it is really kind of a combination counter service and table service area. But it's menu has completely different food and drink from the regular counter service area.

So it is actually kind of confusing, and the CMs at each entity try to explain it but many guests are confused. So if you go to the counter service area and order food, you might sit in the bar and have it delivered there by the counter service personnel, not the waiter/waitress from the bar.

Add to the confusion that there is an AP discount of 20% at the counter service section (no other discount available), and there is no discount of any kind at the bar.

I don't understand why they did it that way unless the bar is third party operated. In any event, the CMs all agree that it may evolve over time since the current set up is not straightforward and really not very guest-friendly.

 

[bobbiwoz]

One other option that we explored this trip was (on the advice of Dizny Dad and Dizny Di) to try Territory Lounge. We did that one evening and had that great Artist Point portabello soup along with some pulled pork nachos. It isn't a big menu but it was much better than we anticipated and it is a lovely setting. They are also open with a limited breakfast menu so overall it's a nice alternative option if RF isn't open.

Thanks for telling us about Territory Lounge!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

One other option that we explored this trip was (on the advice of Dizny Dad and Dizny Di) to try Territory Lounge. We did that one evening and had that great Artist Point portabello soup along with some pulled pork nachos. It isn't a big menu but it was much better than we anticipated and it is a lovely setting. They are also open with a limited breakfast menu so overall it's a nice alternative option if RF isn't open.

I've also enjoyed Territory lounge for a lite dinner more than once Granny! The mushroom soup is a favorite.

 

[Granny]

This sign from the elevator shows how the two entities at Geyser Point operate separately:





Different hours, different menus. But operate in the same general space. Very strange.

 

[ArielSRL]

This sign from the elevator shows how the two entities at Geyser Point operate separately:

View attachment 236221



Different hours, different menus. But operate in the same general space. Very strange.

Agreed. And it's hard to figure out what's available at what. I did see some photos of the QS walk up menu though I should've saved those photos. I'm not sure what the bar serves. I saw a menu at one point but it's been awhile.

 

[twinklebug]

Agreed. And it's hard to figure out what's available at what. I did see some photos of the QS walk up menu though I should've saved those photos. I'm not sure what the bar serves. I saw a menu at one point but it's been awhile.

Having heard the noise about what happened to Trader Sam's menus when they first opened, I had to look... Sure enough, there are stolen GP menus for sale on ebay.
What's that quote from Obi Wan in regards to all the thieves at the spaceport / Canteena? "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy"

 

[Granny]

Agreed. And it's hard to figure out what's available at what. I did see some photos of the QS walk up menu though I should've saved those photos. I'm not sure what the bar serves. I saw a menu at one point but it's been awhile.

Ariel...ask and you shall receive. I found these images at the Disney Food Blog site: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2017/...nt-bar-and-grill-at-disneys-wilderness-lodge/

Here's the bar menu:




And here's the counter service breakfast menu:




And here's the counter service lunch/dinner menu:

 

[jade1]

But it's menu has completely different food and drink from the regular counter service area.

So it is actually kind of confusing, and the CMs at each entity try to explain it but many guests are confused. So if you go to the counter service area and order food, you might sit in the bar and have it delivered there by the counter service personnel, not the waiter/waitress from the bar.

Did you experience this? We were given "both" menus at the bar, for sure because the salmon BLT was very tasty. Ordered and delivered. Maybe it changed?

 

[Granny]

Did you experience this? We were given "both" menus at the bar, for sure because the salmon BLT was very tasty. Ordered and delivered. Maybe it changed?

When we sat in the bar area they just gave us the bar menu. It is a multi folded menu with all but the back page dedicated to various alcohol options. The back page is what I showed a picture of above. They did not mention the counter service menu. We sat at a table, not the bar.

Our different experiences reinforces that they are still feeling their way through this somewhat strange set up.

 

[Granny]

For today's pool report...they have installed some rusted looking tanks to the top of the two water features (circled in red):




There are probably 20 workers around the pool, very busy but not clear on what they are doing. One was pouring some concrete to install a sign post. The others seem to gather and point a lot. In any event, they seem to be doing some "finishing touches" and it appears the pool is getting close to being complete.

So I think the summer visitors will be in luck with the pool being open. The have a pool entrance by Geyser Point so it would be easy to leave the pool blocked off from the other construction while being open.

 

[ArielSRL]

Having heard the noise about what happened to Trader Sam's menus when they first opened, I had to look... Sure enough, there are stolen GP menus for sale on ebay.
What's that quote from Obi Wan in regards to all the thieves at the spaceport / Canteena? "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy"

That's crazy! Anyway, I found a Disney Food Blog article with the menus for both places but at the time of the article, it stated that the servers at the bar could take an order for the walk up window items and bring it to you. Not sure if that is still the case?

 

[ArielSRL]

Ariel...ask and you shall receive. I found these images at the Disney Food Blog site: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2017/...nt-bar-and-grill-at-disneys-wilderness-lodge/

Here's the bar menu:

View attachment 236267


And here's the counter service breakfast menu:

View attachment 236268


And here's the counter service lunch/dinner menu:

View attachment 236271

Thank you!! I actually found the article by DFB this morning and saved it! But I do appreciate you posting them for me!

 

[jade1]

Okay, I have to weigh in on Geyser Point. It's a great location and the menus from the quick service location as well as the bar (two separate entities) are pretty good.

BUT...all the griping we've heard about not enough seating is 100% true! Our first evening, well after dinner, we sat at the only available location, which was outside of the bar service area at a table, which was fine. But the last two trips to GP there was not one open table even after doing the helicopter hover over the area hoping for a table to open up. The cushiony chairs are large and take up a lot of space. And there were lots of twosomes sitting at tables for four since there are only a couple of twosome tables. And to add to the capacity issue, there are many people who are enjoying the scenery and ambiance and therefore will sit there for a long time. Can't blame them for that, it is a great setting!

All in all, we give the ambiance and food a grade of A. We give availability and seating capacity a grade of F. Very disappointing. It might get a little better when Roaring Fork is open but I really don't think so. I don't know why Disney made such a great location and setting and then thought it would be lightly attended.

But I imagine Disney is happy with the large crowds. Though if people sit there nursing drinks it really won't pay out for Disney all that well. We shall see!

These highlighted below are spot on IMO:

That is the finished product we hoped for, and it was far exceeded.

A crummy job would have led to way more available seats, but what a great problem to have IMO.

Can always add more tables/chairs in the area, shrink the size of the table/chairs etc, but it's much more difficult to improve the design, location and structure IMO.

The pool will offer more seating as well for guests staying there, and R Forks obviously will impact it also.

there are many people who are enjoying the scenery and ambiance and therefore will sit there for a long time. Can't blame them for that, it is a great setting!

All in all, we give the ambiance and food a grade of A.

I don't know why Disney made such a great location and setting and then thought it would be lightly attended.

 

[ArielSRL]

Did you experience this? We were given "both" menus at the bar, for sure because the salmon BLT was very tasty. Ordered and delivered. Maybe it changed?

When we sat in the bar area they just gave us the bar menu. It is a multi folded menu with all but the back page dedicated to various alcohol options. The back page is what I showed a picture of above. They did not mention the counter service menu. We sat at a table, not the bar.

Our different experiences reinforces that they are still feeling their way through this somewhat strange set up.

The article I read from DFB said they serve the walk up window menu at the bar, as well, but it was from a couple months ago...so yes, I wonder if it has changed.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This sign from the elevator shows how the two entities at Geyser Point operate separately:

View attachment 236221



Different hours, different menus. But operate in the same general space. Very strange.

Ok, I get the bar not opening until 11 but why complicate and add to confusion and not serve food there until midnight too just like at the counter service. The food HAS to be complete me from that kitchen. Don't they know we're tourists and don't want to think quite that hard?!

Best I could guess is that those are the intended hours after Roaring Fork opens and the counter service out here won't be open past 7 or maybe 8 at the latest when it does but still.

On a note - its similar in proximity to Trader Sams and Tangaroa Terrace at DLH. I was getting a drink in at Trader Sams and when asked about food I said I was going to go get something over at the Tangaroa Terrace QS afterwards. They said they'd be happy to get whatever I wanted from there. Nice!