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

[Dean Marino]

Nabbed a one bedroom at Copper Creek for the weekend of December 16th! Didn't think it would be available that time of year with so few of the villas declared.

Definitely disappointed with the theming, but it will be fun to try something new and be in the main lodge with all the decorations up.

Good for you - it's a room . A room in a tough time period....

It will take WDW some significant time to sell the CC points. In the interim? They will rent them, sell them, do whatever they must, to make some MONEY. That project cost them.

Now - today? Let's all watch out for "cost shifting". ANYTHING that was an exclusive resource, that has now become "shared". Pool? Nope - but it's now split THREE ways, not two. Sturdy Branches? Now split TWO ways, not ONE.

Just me- I would like to see some resolution on dues items. Changing a contract, unilaterally, tends to be frowned on in US courts. I want to know how MY contract is perceived to be affected.

Great job with CC. Do NOT try to make me pay for it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good for you - it's a room . A room in a tough time period....

It will take WDW some significant time to sell the CC points. In the interim? They will rent them, sell them, do whatever they must, to make some MONEY. That project cost them.

Now - today? Let's all watch out for "cost shifting". ANYTHING that was an exclusive resource, that has now become "shared". Pool? Nope - but it's now split THREE ways, not two. Sturdy Branches? Now split TWO ways, not ONE.

Just me- I would like to see some resolution on dues items. Changing a contract, unilaterally, tends to be frowned on in US courts. I want to know how MY contract is perceived to be affected.

Great job with CC. Do NOT try to make me pay for it.

I just mentioned this in the other thread but Sturdy Branches was always a shared resource with the hotel just as everything else was. The only new part to take on some of the costs is the New cabins but it's essentially the same number of rooms in the main building shouldering their share (possibly fewer?). And now there are other new things.....a community hall, a couple of BBQ areas, a sports court. I don't think we're going to see less in dues. Best I'm hoping for is neutral and I'm not too hopeful about that.

 

[Flossbolna]

I just mentioned this in the other thread but Sturdy Branches was always a shared resource with the hotel just as everything else was. The only new part to take on some of the costs is the New cabins but it's essentially the same number of rooms in the main building shouldering their share (possibly fewer?). And now there are other new things.....a community hall, a couple of BBQ areas, a sports court. I don't think we're going to see less in dues. Best I'm hoping for is neutral and I'm not too hopeful about that.

I think all the upgrading of the property will also cause a rise in property taxes. It seems that the current tax assessor (or whatever that person who sets property taxes is called) seems to be bend on getting more tax out of people. I think Disney is even suing him over the assessment for 2017. But all the new stuff must definitely have an effect on the value of the property.

It will be interesting to see how dues develop for two DVC resorts in the same location. I wonder how they are going to deal with this when one year VWL goes up far more than CCV. This is going to cause quite an outcry.

 

[jimmytammy]

Good for you - it's a room . A room in a tough time period....

It will take WDW some significant time to sell the CC points. In the interim? They will rent them, sell them, do whatever they must, to make some MONEY. That project cost them.

Now - today? Let's all watch out for "cost shifting". ANYTHING that was an exclusive resource, that has now become "shared". Pool? Nope - but it's now split THREE ways, not two. Sturdy Branches? Now split TWO ways, not ONE.

Just me- I would like to see some resolution on dues items. Changing a contract, unilaterally, tends to be frowned on in US courts. I want to know how MY contract is perceived to be affected.

Great job with CC. Do NOT try to make me pay for it.

Could not agree more with you Dean!! I think we will need to keep a stark eye on our dues in the coming years. My hope is DVC will not do this, but is it possible, yes! Whats done is done, happy or not, we have to live with it. But us ol timers(original VWL owners)didn't sign up for it, didn't ak for beach to go away, didn't ask for pool to be removed, etc. Therefore, we don't expect our dues to reflect it either!!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . But us ol timers (original VWL owners) didn't sign up for it, didn't ask for beach to go away, didn't ask for pool to be removed, etc. Therefore, we don't expect our dues to reflect it either!!!!

Yup!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think all the upgrading of the property will also cause a rise in property taxes. It seems that the current tax assessor (or whatever that person who sets property taxes is called) seems to be bend on getting more tax out of people. I think Disney is even suing him over the assessment for 2017. But all the new stuff must definitely have an effect on the value of the property.

It will be interesting to see how dues develop for two DVC resorts in the same location. I wonder how they are going to deal with this when one year VWL goes up far more than CCV. This is going to cause quite an outcry.

I agree Flossi - I do think we're going to see it in the taxes too. I think one explanation given in the past as the basis for fast rising property tax was the sales price for DVC. With CCV selling at what, $168/point? That's a big jump from the $85 or so on the resale market for VWL. And CCV has much of the difference in dues because of the tax portion.

 

[Flossbolna]

I agree Flossi - I do think we're going to see it in the taxes too. I think one explanation given in the past as the basis for fast rising property tax was the sales price for DVC. With CCV selling at what, $168/point? That's a big jump from the $85 or so on the resale market for VWL. And CCV has much of the difference in dues because of the tax portion.

Yes:

I have to admit even though they threw this whole CCV thing at me just after I purchases VWL resale, I am trying to not be too annoyed about it. I knew when buying DVC that it is something where you are totally dependent on the whims of the Walt Disney Company. I was aware that things like that could happen. And to be honest with some other crazy decisions Disney took in recent years, I had no illusions about what motive they had first and foremost: Their own bottom line. I tried to understand the legal safeguards that are in place for timeshare owners and knew that within those a lot can happen. Also, since I only own 150 points at VWL, any increase is not going to hit me as badly as others who own far more points here.

To be honest, there are a few things for which I would not mind an increase in dues, for example I would love daily housekeeping. I know it would cause the dues to go up significantly, so I see why they don't do it.

 

[wildernessDad]

Update: We have moved into temporary housing and I start work next Monday. My last place of employment was casual.

We went to Geyser Point for lunch yesterday. I loved the Bison Burger. Cooked with some pink, however. Great view and the wind was most appreciated given how hot is was.

Our house in Maryland is being fixed up to 'move-in' ready standard. It should be on the market in a week and a half. I hope it sells in 2.

We're going to look at neighborhoods today, Windermere and Dr Phillips primarily. I bought lottery tickets so maybe it'll be Golden Oak. I hope we get settled in a timely manner. We hope to meet up with you all this December if not sooner.

 

[ArielSRL]

Okay Groupies, we are 16.5 days away from our stay at VWL!! A couple more questions, if you don't mind.

First off...does a gallon of milk fit in the fridge or is it best if I order 2 half gallons?

Next...does anyone know if they have Lunchables at the Mercantile (is that what it is called) and if so, is there more than one variety?

Last...is there a small freezer section in the fridge or no?

Thank you all so much for all the help you have given me along the way...this girl is excited for her first WL stay!

 

[twinklebug]

Okay Groupies, we are 16.5 days away from our stay at VWL!! A couple more questions, if you don't mind.

First off...does a gallon of milk fit in the fridge or is it best if I order 2 half gallons?
Get 2 halves. The gallon jug, if it fits, will awkwardly take up too much room.

Next...does anyone know if they have Lunchables at the Mercantile (is that what it is called) and if so, is there more than one variety?
Last summer they had the miniature lunchables, not the boxed version. Bologna (and maybe turkey) and that was it. My son has outgrown them long ago, but out of habit I still look.

Last...is there a small freezer section in the fridge or no?
The new mini fridges with a stainless front do not have the freezer compartment. (This was a mistake in my book as we used that a lot.) However, a few items like Eggos do not need to be kept frozen, they're just more convenient to pop in the toaster frozen.

Thank you all so much for all the help you have given me along the way...this girl is excited for her first WL stay!

Hi Ariel, see my responses above in regards to the mini fridges.
Take note, if you're buying from the resort stores, not all stock the same items. Sometimes worth a peek at what another resort offers.

 

[ArielSRL]

Hi Ariel, see my responses above in regards to the mini fridges.
Take note, if you're buying from the resort stores, not all stock the same items. Sometimes worth a peek at what another resort offers.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Matty B13]

My family and my parents are planning on staying at either CCv or BRV next April, and I was wondering if the boats to the MK can accommodate an ECV for my father? Thanks.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My family and my parents are planning on staying at either CCv or BRV next April, and I was wondering if the boats to the MK can accommodate an ECV for my father? Thanks.

A few years ago they started running 2 different kinds of boats to MK so unless something changed in the last few months he will be able to. But one is the smaller launch that can't accommodate the ECV so you could potentially end up having to wait for the next larger boat if the small one showed up first when you were there. There is also the bus to MK that could take the ECV.

 

[Dizny Dad]

WDad - keep us appraised of how it's going. Good luck on the new adventure!

 

[DiznyDi]

Hello Groupies

Question for Dizny Di and Dad
How did you like the ride itself?
I'm wondering if I could handle it I love Soarin
but sadly can't do Star Wars anymore

The CM's told us it was like Soarin' on steroids. They were correct! It is as if you are riding a winged creature: soaring up and diving down, swooping through narrow openings with the wind in your face. I loved it and can't wait to do it again. It is very smooth - no jerking motions. You need to try it just once!

Enjoy your quick trip Corinne. Moose dust you and the JT family can meet up!

 

[Corinne]

So.....I just discovered the day we are visiting the AK during our whirlwind 'last minute' trip it closes @ 3:30 lol. No matter, we will be departing around that time for the airport. My bigger concern is that we won't be able to enjoy any soft openings because I suspect Pandora will be closed prepping for the media. Guess I have to wait until September to ride Soarin on Steroids

 

[Granny]

A few years ago they started running 2 different kinds of boats to MK so unless something changed in the last few months he will be able to. But one is the smaller launch that can't accommodate the ECV so you could potentially end up having to wait for the next larger boat if the small one showed up first when you were there. There is also the bus to MK that could take the ECV.

@Matty B13 ... When we were there a couple of weeks ago they definitely were using both the larger boat and the smaller launch. If the launch shows up then no ECV allowed so you'd have to wait for the next boat. That means you might wait 20 minutes for a boat that you can't use and then another 20 minutes and honestly there's no guarantee that second one will be a larger boat.

If we had a person using and ECV, I would definitely use the bus to MK. There is also an internal bus to Fort Wilderness in case there is anything there you might be attending. If you have to get to Contemporary then I would bus to MK and then either walk or monorail to CR.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

@Matty B13 ... If you have to get to Contemporary then I would bus to MK and then either walk or monorail to CR.

And that is the only way to get to CR from WL since they only run the smallest launches between WL->CR->FW

Another thought on the boats to MK - if you waited and it was the small launch that pulled in the Captain would know if the other boat running is the larger one that can accommodate ECV's. AFAIK it is the standard to operate one of each so that they can accommodate motorized wheelchairs and ECV's on at least one of the boats but since boats do go down there would always be the possibility they had to shift things around.

 

[Matty B13]

Thanks for the great info, looks like we will just take the bus with "Papa" and "Grammie" from the WL.

 

[jimmytammy]

Hitting the road bright and early in the AM, should be in WDW area by 4pm