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

[Lisa P.]

Since you don't have a long history of staying at VWL, I'm curious as to your reaction to the refurbishment to the rooms. Did you like it? Did you notice any flaws or anything that stuck out to you? Did it feel Lodge-y?

Yes, yes, to us, it absolutely did! The tree bark style lamp bases and animal silhouette light fixtures, the waterfall bathroom faucets (similar to this), extensive use of contrasting wall tiles in the kitchen and bath, gorgeous board-and-batten heavy doors throughout the condo including the bi-fold door with carved cut-outs of leaves concealing the washer/dryer, the choice of heavily textured upholstery materials for the sofa and armchairs, the huge, sturdy, deep drawers in all the distressed wooden furniture - the dresser, sofa table, nightstands and cushioned bench, the woodsy look of mirror and picture frames... it all added up to a beautiful, relaxing, upscale-rustic, "lodge-y" feel to us!

Frankly, our condo was northeast facing with a deep roof overhang above the balcony. So, with cloudy weather and low sunlight, we often turned on every light and lamp in the room to brighten it up. If the wall and cabinet paint colors were darker, I think it would have felt much too dark to us. So this was just lovely - perfectly soothing and charming!

 

[Lisa P.]

Horselover, Granny, and DisneyDi, thank you for the kind words.

Lisa P
Love the report and pics! Where in NC are you from? We live in Burlington. Every so often, we fellow NC and VA groupies have mini meets around Greeensboro. If you have any interest, let us know. Muushka, sleepydog and luvsvwl, wfc4life and sechem32, CaptainD, TammyNC and myself are usuals, but we always look to add on

What fun! We're in Hendersonville, just south of Asheville in the mountains. So busy right now as we both work full time and I'm finishing up grad school. Once that's done, though... a mini-meet sounds really fun, definitely worth the drive out. Thank you for mentioning it.

We have done a similar tour in Puerto Rico, and I had no idea there were places like this still glowing in FL. We will definitely have to take our kids, since I have no idea if we'll get back to PR before the bay "goes dark." Is swimming allowed? Did they discuss the dangers of pollution, run-off and light pollution to the organisms? Just curious. I will definitely look into this tour!

Awesome, that you were able to do this in PR! We've been wanting to do it here for 2 years but have not visited FL during the right season until now. No, swimming is not permitted, sorry, at least not from the kayaks. Could you swim during this in PR? If you google "bioluminescent beaches", there are fantastic photos of other places where people can swim when the water glows. This kayak tour takes place inside Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

They did discuss a little about the organisms, how they function and conservation concerns, as well as safety issues regarding contact with other wildlife there, like dolphins, manatees, fish, gators, waterfowl, the state bird (mosquitoes ) ... or a larger boat in the dark! We thought A Day Away Kayak Tours was organized, well-run and safety-minded, while navigating the canals at night with a group. They shared this great experience and encouraged a desire to preserve it for the future. I can't say enough good things.

 

[sleepydog25]

Yes, yes, to us, it absolutely did! The tree bark style lamp bases and animal silhouette light fixtures, the waterfall bathroom faucets (similar to this), extensive use of contrasting wall tiles in the kitchen and bath, gorgeous board-and-batten heavy doors throughout the condo including the bi-fold door with carved cut-outs of leaves concealing the washer/dryer, the choice of heavily textured upholstery materials for the sofa and armchairs, the huge, sturdy, deep drawers in all the distressed wooden furniture - the dresser, sofa table, nightstands and cushioned bench, the woodsy look of mirror and picture frames... it all added up to a beautiful, relaxing, upscale-rustic, "lodge-y" feel to us!

Frankly, our condo was northeast facing with a deep roof overhang above the balcony. So, with cloudy weather and low sunlight, we often turned on every light and lamp in the room to brighten it up. If the wall and cabinet paint colors were darker, I think it would have felt much too dark to us. So this was just lovely - perfectly soothing and charming!

Oh, no, I'm glad it was soothing and charming, and I understand how dark it can get at the Lodge. I liked the new look better than I thought I would, but I was curious how a relative newcomer to the Villas would react. I'm thrilled it was rustic and relaxing because that's exactly why we love it there. Thanks so much for your input! (I agree, the furniture--what we saw of it--still has that woodsy look and accents. )

 

[Lisa P.]

...here is a video we just received today from the young lady who shot it. ... It is 10 mins but IMO a very nice production. ... http://vimeo.com/108144428

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 

[BlueFairy]

Awesome, that you were able to do this in PR! We've been wanting to do it here for 2 years but have not visited FL during the right season until now. No, swimming is not permitted, sorry, at least not from the kayaks. Could you swim during this in PR? If you google "bioluminescent beaches", there are fantastic photos of other places where people can swim when the water glows. This kayak tour takes place inside Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

They did discuss a little about the organisms, how they function and conservation concerns, as well as safety issues regarding contact with other wildlife there, like dolphins, manatees, fish, gators, waterfowl, the state bird (mosquitoes ) ... or a larger boat in the dark! We thought A Day Away Kayak Tours was organized, well-run and safety-minded, while navigating the canals at night with a group. They shared this great experience and encouraged a desire to preserve it for the future. I can't say enough good things.

PR has 2 "biobays." They are brilliant year-round, but have had scares over the years of them going completely dark. We visited the more remote one in 2011. At that time it was not regulated as much, and there were no flashlights, we were encouraged to skip DEET, but swimming was allowed. Unfortunately a guest or outfitter did not follow precautions later that year and disturbed a nesting shark, which attacked. Since then, in combination with some scary "dark" periods, they have decided to enforce no-swimming (to limit chemicals in the water) and limit the number of boats on the water. There is a constant battle between developers/tourism outfitters and the evironmentalists, so it is an ever-changing story. We will have to try Titusville to get a comparison. Sounds very similar. Thanks for the link!

 

[eliza61]

We have had sporadic photos of DDs wedding coming in via folks phones and such, and I really havent had a good chance to share those, yet. But here is a video we just received today from the young lady who shot it. Unfortunately the main video camera went on blink 15 mins before wedding started, so the actual ceremony is a bit sporadic, but I have to say, she still did a great job and DD wanted these random shots anyway. It is 10 mins but IMO a very nice production. Got the tears flowing again for me today. Hope yall enjoy!

BTW, Kristian is a Dick Van Dyke fan(actually is friends with him on FB, how she does these things, not sure)but that is his voice in the 1st song, so got the Disney thing going!!

http://vimeo.com/108144428

Sweet Lord, haven't I told you people that I am not a pretty crier? I am more the blubbering, babbling faucet type. Now I've got mascara running down my face and my nose is all swollen, I look like Karl malden with a tan.

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING JT.

psssst. ok, I love, love, love your daughters dress. My guilty pleasure is watching those wedding shows like "say yes to the dress". lol, but I'm always a bit dismayed because now the style is strapless and that's all you see, so tell Kristian I am so digging her dress.

Agree with you, the production is great. great music. lol, god I'm so old.

Congrats again!!

 

[eliza61]

FYI:

one of the moderators.

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2014/10/07/a-walking-tour-of-disneys-wilderness-lodge/

 

[patty57]

Hi All, We are staying at a VWL studio Dec. 1-7 on rented points. Can any of you experts tell me about the coffee pot? Do I bring some of those round filters with the flat bottom and scallopy edges, or do I bring the cone-type filters? I would throw them in my suitcase, along with some coffee.
Thanks for any info. Patty

 

[Corinne]

Hi All, We are staying at a VWL studio Dec. 1-7 on rented points. Can any of you experts tell me about the coffee pot? Do I bring some of those round filters with the flat bottom and scallopy edges, or do I bring the cone-type filters? I would throw them in my suitcase, along with some coffee.
Thanks for any info. Patty

Hi Patty,

Yes, the round filters. I'll see u at other VWL!

 

[patty57]

Hi Patty,

Yes, the round filters. I'll see u at other VWL!

Thank you!

 

[jh91]

Hello, I have been a lurker on this thread trying to learn as much as I can about the VWL. We are going to VWL in a few weeks for the first time. We check in Sunday. I am wondering if there is any way to get my free blizzard beach tickets before hand so we can go on the Saturday before we check in? If not I assume I could get them early Sunday morning? Thanks for the great forum.

 

[DiznyDi]

Hello, I have been a lurker on this thread trying to learn as much as I can about the VWL. We are going to VWL in a few weeks for the first time. We check in Sunday. I am wondering if there is any way to get my free blizzard beach tickets before hand so we can go on the Saturday before we check in? If not I assume I could get them early Sunday morning? Thanks for the great forum.

I don't know anything about free tickets. You do have the Contemporary pool and the Fort Wilderness pool available for use. As far as I know, the free Blizzard Beach tickets were for those staying at the Poly only. I could be really out of the loop and maybe someone knows something more.

 

[DiznyDi]

Hi Patty,

Yes, the round filters. I'll see u at other VWL!

We'll be there, too!

 

[DiznyDi]

We have had sporadic photos of DDs wedding coming in via folks phones and such, and I really havent had a good chance to share those, yet. But here is a video we just received today from the young lady who shot it. Unfortunately the main video camera went on blink 15 mins before wedding started, so the actual ceremony is a bit sporadic, but I have to say, she still did a great job and DD wanted these random shots anyway. It is 10 mins but IMO a very nice production. Got the tears flowing again for me today. Hope yall enjoy!

BTW, Kristian is a Dick Van Dyke fan(actually is friends with him on FB, how she does these things, not sure)but that is his voice in the 1st song, so got the Disney thing going!!

http://vimeo.com/108144428

Jimmy, I watched this, this morning. What a beautiful bride! What a beautiful day! And I, too adore her dress. Everything was so perfect. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jh91]

I don't know anything about free tickets. You do have the Contemporary pool and the Fort Wilderness pool available for use. As far as I know, the free Blizzard Beach tickets were for those staying at the Poly only. I could be really out of the loop and maybe someone knows something more.

I have heard from several places that they are giving BB tickets to WL guests due to the pool being closed. I assume that also applies to VWL guests too correct?

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi All, We are staying at a VWL studio Dec. 1-7 on rented points. Can any of you experts tell me about the coffee pot? Do I bring some of those round filters with the flat bottom and scallopy edges, or do I bring the cone-type filters? I would throw them in my suitcase, along with some coffee.
Thanks for any info. Patty

Welcome aboard, Patty57 and jh91! Patty, as Corinne says, the filters you need are the flat-bottomed ones. We always bring our own filters, coffee grinder, and whole coffee beans. We also buy bottled water due to that funky Florida taste out of the tap. Yep, bit of a coffee snob here. I know nothing about any BB tix, either. Have you tried over on the Wilderness Lodge thread under Disney Resorts (non-DVC)? They might have some knowledge of the situation.

 

[BlueFairy]

Regarding water park tix:

There have been a number of reports over on the WL FAQ thread. The consensus is that they are offered. One person even reported a choice between BB and TL. In any case, the big thing to note is that you need to inquire at checkin. It is not automatic. No one has reported being told no. Apparently this was advertised verbally quite a lot during the refurb announcement, and they area making good on their promise.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Mia
We will not be at MNSSHP on that day, but if there is any chance of a mini meet, lets make it happen. Where are you staying? We will be at Epcot that day, staying at BWV. The only sure thing we have that day is an event at 7:30 at Epcot, Dining with Walt, and a Soarin FP, other than that

Hi Jimmy! I have been thinking on this---how to make a meet work with both our plans (which are opposite parks). Here is what I could try.....we have breakfast at 10:30 am at Whispering Canyon on Oct 24. Our 1st FP in the MK is 1:30 to 2:30 pm. If Rob & I can get to Epcot first between breakfast and our Fast Pass, we could have a quick meet up? I will let you know how that day is going closer to the date. We are at SSR Treehouse Villas.
And I loved the wedding video! So beautiful--everything looked magically perfect. Your daughter was beaming and so pretty. Congrats again to you----I relived some of the emotions of my own daughter's wedding watching the video.

 

[IsabellaandPhineas12]

Hello all, we just got back from our stay at the WLV. We were there from September 26-October 4. It was our first time staying there. It is such a beautiful resort. The construction didn't at all take away from our enjoyment. We look forward to staying there again!

 

[Lisa P.]

We check in Sunday. I am wondering if there is any way to get my free blizzard beach tickets before hand so we can go on the Saturday before we check in? If not I assume I could get them early Sunday morning? Thanks for the great forum.

I have heard from several places that they are giving BB tickets to WL guests due to the pool being closed. I assume that also applies to VWL guests too correct?

We just returned home from a week at VWL. When we checked in, we were offered pool-hopping privileges to the main pool at the Contemporary Resort and at Fort Wilderness Campground, both a boat ride away. We asked about access to BB. The CM asked us how many days we wanted to go, then she went back to the manager, who added them to our Magic Bands. No paper tickets or cards. They were good from check-in until the day of check-out and then expired. We went twice to BB. We didn't even ask about TL because we had read that TL was only going to be offered after BB closed for winter refurbishing. Don't know if that's true or not. It seemed a generous allowance, to us, to provide BB access. Lots of fun.