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

[Flossbolna]

I should have clarified, we will be off property those 3 nights. But when we have been off property before we didn't have issues. I will give your suggestions a try for sure!!

Ah! Then the issue might be the 7-night rule for AP-holders. There is a post explaining it on the theme parks and attractions boards, I will try to find it for you.

 

[Flossbolna]

@jimmytammy this post here should lead you directly to how split stays work: FastPass+ Frequently Asked Questions There is a difference as to whether the onsite part is before or after the offsite part.

How long is your onsite stay? If you have an AP you can only have 7 days worth of FP+ booked at one time (or, if you are staying onsite for longer, then you can book for all the days that are covered by your onsite stay, but not additional days). Could that be the issue?

 

[jimmytammy]

@jimmytammy this post here should lead you directly to how split stays work: FastPass+ Frequently Asked Questions There is a difference as to whether the onsite part is before or after the offsite part.

How long is your onsite stay? If you have an AP you can only have 7 days worth of FP+ booked at one time (or, if you are staying onsite for longer, then you can book for all the days that are covered by your onsite stay, but not additional days). Could that be the issue?

We will be there for 6 nights on site, then 3 nights offsite. That could be the reason I got lucky and was able to book FPs while offsite for that one day. The website in general is having some major issues these days, so even if I could get FPs, right now would be a bust I think.

I am going to look at the FAQ that you posted, thanks a bunch!!

**Followup**
I checked out the FAQ page and sure enough, no FPs until 7 days out for offsite after onsite stay. Only thing I can figure why I landed those AK FPs for the 12th, it was the 1st day i tried for, so maybe that counted as my final day at WDWThankd for the heads up Floss!!

 

[DiznyDi]

Glad you got your issue resolved, JT. I had no clue...

Congratulations momtwoboys! Thats a pretty nice contract! You don't find many at that price point these days.

Hope everyone has a good week!

 

[Lakegirl]

152 days till we are VWL (BRV) whichever! We also just passed ROFR on a 100pt contract at OKW...65pp! YAHOO!!

That is a great price these days!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[DiznyDi]

It's been pretty quiet around here the last day or two. I hope thats a good thing.

DDad was supposed to have his knee surgery tomorrow....... Unfortunately he needs to satisfy insurance requirements before they will authorize it. It's really a good thing we cancelled our Dec. trip.

I saw some of Maria's (Disney) pictures on Instagram yesterday. The Christmas finery abounds. Oh how I'm going to miss this, this year. I'm looking forward to Groupies photos!

Enjoy your Wednesday!

 

[ArielSRL]

Oh how I'm going to miss this, this year.

When I was in college (20 some odd years ago), we would always go the beginning of December so we could enjoy cooler temps, lower crowds, and the Christmas decorations. I've been twice since becoming a teacher (2005 and 2007). Nowadays it is summer break...we have pretty much settled into an early June schedule as I work in GA and we are done before Memorial Day. But oh...how I miss those days of early December trips. I am seeing several Disney friends' FB posts and it makes me long to visit during this season.

My DH, newly converted Disney fan - this past June was his first trip in 35 years and I convinced him to buy DVC right after - has now decided we need to spend at least one actual Christmas in Disney (which I know is crazy but I am going with it). So maybe I'll get to experience Christmas season at Disney soon enough. We will have APs in 2019 so I am shooting for then maybe.

 

[horselover]

When I was in college (20 some odd years ago), we would always go the beginning of December so we could enjoy cooler temps, lower crowds, and the Christmas decorations. I've been twice since becoming a teacher (2005 and 2007). Nowadays it is summer break...we have pretty much settled into an early June schedule as I work in GA and we are done before Memorial Day. But oh...how I miss those days of early December trips. I am seeing several Disney friends' FB posts and it makes me long to visit during this season.

My DH, newly converted Disney fan - this past June was his first trip in 35 years and I convinced him to buy DVC right after - has now decided we need to spend at least one actual Christmas in Disney (which I know is crazy but I am going with it). So maybe I'll get to experience Christmas season at Disney soon enough. We will have APs in 2019 so I am shooting for then maybe.

Not crazy! We did the last 6 years in a row for Christmas. We're on the school schedule too (last year) & I won't go anywhere near FL in summer. That left us only a couple options once the boys were too older to be missing more than a day or two of school. This year we'll be home for Christmas & NYE at Disney. There was a reason we started going to Disney for Christmas & lets just say the reason hasn't changed & I'm not that excited to be at home this year. I'll have to make the best of it but I'll wishing I was at Disney. When you're ready to plan your Christmas trip I'd be happy to share what I've learned about traveling at that time of year. So much fun can be had if you have the right plans.

Morning groupie friends!

 

[Granny]

My DH, newly converted Disney fan - this past June was his first trip in 35 years and I convinced him to buy DVC right after - has now decided we need to spend at least one actual Christmas in Disney (which I know is crazy but I am going with it). So maybe I'll get to experience Christmas season at Disney soon enough. We will have APs in 2019 so I am shooting for then maybe.

Renee...twice we have done stays that included Christmas day. Both were wonderful experiences, though we generally prefer to be at home for Christmas. The crowds do get crazy at that time of year but if you use FP+ and enjoy touring the various resorts for decorations, it is a wonderful time of the year. Both times we ate our Christmas day dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern and enjoyed their turkey meals with all the fixings! So if you are so inclined, it is a great time to visit WDW!

The Christmas finery abounds. Oh how I'm going to miss this, this year. I'm looking forward to Groupies photos!

Di...we are already missing you and Rich even though our trip is three weeks away. But it sounds like the wheels of medical bureaucracy are moving a little slow for Rich, and I agree that cancelling this year's trip is a good idea. We'll definitely lift up a glass for you two on one of our Geyser Point visits...though we probably won't spend 6 hours there as we have been known to do with a certain couple.

 

[Flossbolna]

Not crazy! We did the last 6 years in a row for Christmas. We're on the school schedule too (last year) & I won't go anywhere near FL in summer. That left us only a couple options once the boys were too older to be missing more than a day or two of school. This year we'll be home for Christmas & NYE at Disney. There was a reason we started going to Disney for Christmas & lets just say the reason hasn't changed & I'm not that excited to be at home this year. I'll have to make the best of it but I'll wishing I was at Disney. When you're ready to plan your Christmas trip I'd be happy to share what I've learned about traveling at that time of year. So much fun can be had if you have the right plans.

Morning groupie friends!

Oh, can I pick your brain (and any other Groupies' brains) about NYE at WDW?? We are thinking of trying to book that time of year for 2018/2019. And I am totally scared about getting that reservation. We are looking at arriving on 12/29 and most likely will want to use our BWV points until 1/2 (trying to get a standard view studio, yes, I know, one of the worst booking categories to get!) and then maybe move to VWL (or defect at the 7months mark to AKV, another favorite of ours). If anyone has any insight in whether I should walk the reservation and when I ought to start that, I would love to hear the Groupies' wisdom!

I still owe you all a thank you for your help earlier this year with room requests at BWV and Poly, both worked out well! We had 1024 at BWV, a lovely secluded patio overlooking the lake and the tennis courts. Normally we hate first floor, but that room was just perfect! Especially that the quiet pool was more or less just outside our room!

 

[jimmytammy]

I am in the process of booking online BWV for Oct 2018. I started off 1st not banking my current use yr pts(my fault, should have known better), therefore, I used all 150 pts from 2018 use yr 1st then it pulled a few pts from 2019. So after realizing what happened, I banked my 2017 pts and now I am in day by day mode.

Should I just call from this point? I am a little concerned about the whole thing linking up right where I don't end up with different resize #s. I have 4 more nights to book.

 

[Dizny Dad]

All I could hear was a quiet low moaning sound behind me. Sitting at her desk, DiznyDi was perusing Maria's pictures of Disney's Christmas decorations. I am sorry that I will miss the Groupie meet, the one-on-ones, The Lodge at its finest, the excitement that is Disney at Christmas. But I am most sorry that I have taken our December trip away from DiznyDi, who really feeds on the atmosphere in The World. Yeah, we will be there in February, but it just will not be the same . . . Sorry Sweetheart.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am in the process of booking online BWV for Oct 2018. I started off 1st not banking my current use yr pts(my fault, should have known better), therefore, I used all 150 pts from 2018 use yr 1st then it pulled a few pts from 2019. So after realizing what happened, I banked my 2017 pts and now I am in day by day mode.

Should I just call from this point? I am a little concerned about the whole thing linking up right where I don't end up with different resize #s. I have 4 more nights to book.

You'd be able to have the reservations combined together later Jimmy if you did end up with multiple reservations but calling would have them modify it now as you go. They'd also be able to reallocate and use the banked points and borrowed points first and leave any 2018 points you might have left.

 

[ottawagreg]

When I was in college (20 some odd years ago), we would always go the beginning of December so we could enjoy cooler temps, lower crowds, and the Christmas decorations. I've been twice since becoming a teacher (2005 and 2007). Nowadays it is summer break...we have pretty much settled into an early June schedule as I work in GA and we are done before Memorial Day. But oh...how I miss those days of early December trips. I am seeing several Disney friends' FB posts and it makes me long to visit during this season.

My DH, newly converted Disney fan - this past June was his first trip in 35 years and I convinced him to buy DVC right after - has now decided we need to spend at least one actual Christmas in Disney (which I know is crazy but I am going with it). So maybe I'll get to experience Christmas season at Disney soon enough. We will have APs in 2019 so I am shooting for then maybe.

ArielSRL,

I can speak to some of this. My wife works in the school system too. Add in our daughter's softball schedule and there is probably 3 or 4 weeks in the entire year we can go to the World. We travel in late June and stay for Independence day. The other trip is Christmas. Depending on the the calendar, what day of the week Christmas day lands on and when school lets out, we generally go right after Santa's big day. The last few years (and this year too) we arrive at the castle a few day before. Instead arriving on the 23rd of the 24th.

The first year we stayed at the Lodge when we were there on the 25th, it felt a bit strange to be away from home but that feeling did not last very long. Actually it is a lot of fun. I tease my buddies by sending pics on the golf course wishing them a happy Christmas, and we started making new holiday customs and traditions. May I suggest the candlelight processional on Christmas Eve? Very nice and wonderful way to be reminded of His birth while on vacation. You will enjoy it very much I am sure of that.

We fly 12/23 this year and I am starting to get impatient with the calendar. Ready to go. The last four weeks are always the hardest, like a kid who keeps asking are we there yet. Hope all the Groupies are well. Getting cold in north Illinois, and I still have leaves on the oak trees. I hope they fall before the snow does.

greg

 

[ArielSRL]

Not crazy! We did the last 6 years in a row for Christmas. We're on the school schedule too (last year) & I won't go anywhere near FL in summer. That left us only a couple options once the boys were too older to be missing more than a day or two of school. This year we'll be home for Christmas & NYE at Disney. There was a reason we started going to Disney for Christmas & lets just say the reason hasn't changed & I'm not that excited to be at home this year. I'll have to make the best of it but I'll wishing I was at Disney. When you're ready to plan your Christmas trip I'd be happy to share what I've learned about traveling at that time of year. So much fun can be had if you have the right plans.

Morning groupie friends!

Renee...twice we have done stays that included Christmas day. Both were wonderful experiences, though we generally prefer to be at home for Christmas. The crowds do get crazy at that time of year but if you use FP+ and enjoy touring the various resorts for decorations, it is a wonderful time of the year. Both times we ate our Christmas day dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern and enjoyed their turkey meals with all the fixings! So if you are so inclined, it is a great time to visit WDW!

Thank you both so much for the encouraging words about Christmas visits. I have been at least 16 times to Disney and it will be at least 18 before our Christmas trip so I am okay with doing just some early time at a park and then spending the rest of the time doing resort visits or hanging out at the Lodge. I mean, how can one own at the Lodge and NOT spend a Christmas there, right?? And I certainly do not want to dissuade my new Disney fan, so, of course, I want to give in to his Disney whims!

When the time comes, I am sure I will be posting again to ask for lots of advice!

 

[ArielSRL]

ArielSRL,

I can speak to some of this. My wife works in the school system too. Add in our daughter's softball schedule and there is probably 3 or 4 weeks in the entire year we can go to the World. We travel in late June and stay for Independence day. The other trip is Christmas. Depending on the the calendar, what day of the week Christmas day lands on and when school lets out, we generally go right after Santa's big day. The last few years (and this year too) we arrive at the castle a few day before. Instead arriving on the 23rd of the 24th.

The first year we stayed at the Lodge when we were there on the 25th, it felt a bit strange to be away from home but that feeling did not last very long. Actually it is a lot of fun. I tease my buddies by sending pics on the golf course wishing them a happy Christmas, and we started making new holiday customs and traditions. May I suggest the candlelight processional on Christmas Eve? Very nice and wonderful way to be reminded of His birth while on vacation. You will enjoy it very much I am sure of that.

We fly 12/23 this year and I am starting to get impatient with the calendar. Ready to go. The last four weeks are always the hardest, like a kid who keeps asking are we there yet. Hope all the Groupies are well. Getting cold in north Illinois, and I still have leaves on the oak trees. I hope they fall before the snow does.

greg

Thank you! Yes, I think we, but especially my DH, would love the Christmas Eve Candlelight processional. Now I am getting very excited for all the holiday events that Disney has to offer. How will I be able to wait 2 years??

 

[horselover]

Oh, can I pick your brain (and any other Groupies' brains) about NYE at WDW?? We are thinking of trying to book that time of year for 2018/2019. And I am totally scared about getting that reservation. We are looking at arriving on 12/29 and most likely will want to use our BWV points until 1/2 (trying to get a standard view studio, yes, I know, one of the worst booking categories to get!) and then maybe move to VWL (or defect at the 7months mark to AKV, another favorite of ours). If anyone has any insight in whether I should walk the reservation and when I ought to start that, I would love to hear the Groupies' wisdom!

I still owe you all a thank you for your help earlier this year with room requests at BWV and Poly, both worked out well! We had 1024 at BWV, a lovely secluded patio overlooking the lake and the tennis courts. Normally we hate first floor, but that room was just perfect! Especially that the quiet pool was more or less just outside our room!

You can certainly pick my brain about NYE. I admit I'm a little worried about the crowds but I know what to expect going into it. We're planning to do the pre NYE fireworks at MK on 12/30 & Epcot on 12/31. If NYE is elbow to elbow in Epcot we can always make a quick escape out the IG & back to the BC.

I'll give you my experience for booking this year FWIW. I was not trying for a very limited room like standard view at BWV though so it may not be apples to apples. I didn't want to borrow points so at 11 mos. I booked a split stay (1 BR) between VWL & BCV beginning 12/28. First 3 nights VWL, last 3 BCV because I wanted to be sure we got the 31st at BCV. At 7 mos. I dropped the VWL room & booked those days at BCV. No problems at all getting what I wanted. After the 7 mo. window passed I decided to add the night of 1/3 (flights were way cheaper on 1/4). By the time I wanted to add that day there was no availability at BCV. I wait listed it. It came through about a month or so later.

I understand sometimes people feel the need to walk reservations but that would not be me. I've never had any problems getting what I wanted by booking at exactly 11 & 7 mos. out. Just seems like too much effort to walk it.

 

[Granny]

May I suggest the candlelight processional on Christmas Eve? Very nice and wonderful way to be reminded of His birth while on vacation. You will enjoy it very much I am sure of that.

​

Renee...Greg makes a great suggestion in his post. We have been to CP twice on Christmas Eve and while we enjoy it any time we see it, on Christmas Eve it is even more impactful.

Also, if you are so inclined, there are Christian and Catholic services offered on-site on Christmas day. The last one we attended was at the Contemporary in the convention ballroom. Between Candlelight Processional and the services, we had no problem moving our Christmas to WDW. Enjoy your planning!

 

[ArielSRL]

View attachment 283635​

Renee...Greg makes a great suggestion in his post. We have been to CP twice on Christmas Eve and while we enjoy it any time we see it, on Christmas Eve it is even more impactful.

Also, if you are so inclined, there are Christian and Catholic services offered on-site on Christmas day. The last one we attended was at the Contemporary in the convention ballroom. Between Candlelight Processional and the services, we had no problem moving our Christmas to WDW. Enjoy your planning!

Oh that is good to know. The Contemp is so close to the Lodge that would be convenient.

 

[Flossbolna]

You can certainly pick my brain about NYE. I admit I'm a little worried about the crowds but I know what to expect going into it. We're planning to do the pre NYE fireworks at MK on 12/30 & Epcot on 12/31. If NYE is elbow to elbow in Epcot we can always make a quick escape out the IG & back to the BC.

I'll give you my experience for booking this year FWIW. I was not trying for a very limited room like standard view at BWV though so it may not be apples to apples. I didn't want to borrow points so at 11 mos. I booked a split stay (1 BR) between VWL & BCV beginning 12/28. First 3 nights VWL, last 3 BCV because I wanted to be sure we got the 31st at BCV. At 7 mos. I dropped the VWL room & booked those days at BCV. No problems at all getting what I wanted. After the 7 mo. window passed I decided to add the night of 1/3 (flights were way cheaper on 1/4). By the time I wanted to add that day there was no availability at BCV. I wait listed it. It came through about a month or so later.

I understand sometimes people feel the need to walk reservations but that would not be me. I've never had any problems getting what I wanted by booking at exactly 11 & 7 mos. out. Just seems like too much effort to walk it.

Thank you! 1BR are usually easier than those studios. But somehow I am hoping that people prefer October to December over the pricey NYE period. And for this October I was able to get my BWV studio at 11 months. I am good at being there at the computer exactly at 8am EST.

And your plans for 12/30 and 12/30 are exactly what we are thinking and why we want to be at the BWV!