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

[Disney loving Iowan]

DLI
Glad you were able to make your ressie at B&C. I know how it used to be for us, a certain meal to start the trip was always a great start
Keep enjoying and maybe buy some duct tape to set at neighbors door...wait, what, I didnt say that, did I?

LOL. We actually couldn’t take the screaming anymore and they moved us. We ended up with a Boardwalk view!! Got to ride the people mover and had a fantastic lunch at BOG. Headed back to the room to refresh and will head back later

 

[danikoski]

So anyone have an idea of when refurbishments might start at BRV next year? Starting to plan for a June 2022 trip, and trying to decide where to try to rent points for (we've rented before). We LOVE BRV and WL in general. But besides the refurb coming, my mom is probably going to need a handicap accessible room, with at least grab bars in the bathroom, and an ECV. I'm not sure how she's going to like going on busses with an ECV, so considering trying for BWV or BCV due to being able to walk (or roll) to two parks, plus my boys would love the BCV pool. But it's hard to leave WL...it just feels like home.

 

[cellomom]

Thanks Kathy. I have read that getting a crib from Disney is very hit or miss, and not something you can count on. So to be sure I thought I’d see if there were companies that someone might have rented from and were happy with.

For my granddaughter, we rented a crib from a Baby’s Best Friend December 2020, they have since gone out of business due to Covid. I don’t have personal experience but Kingdom Strollers rents cribs and has been recommended by other posters on Disboards.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So anyone have an idea of when refurbishments might start at BRV next year? Starting to plan for a June 2022 trip, and trying to decide where to try to rent points for (we've rented before). We LOVE BRV and WL in general. But besides the refurb coming, my mom is probably going to need a handicap accessible room, with at least grab bars in the bathroom, and an ECV. I'm not sure how she's going to like going on busses with an ECV, so considering trying for BWV or BCV due to being able to walk (or roll) to two parks, plus my boys would love the BCV pool. But it's hard to leave WL...it just feels like home.

The only clue I've seen so far is that mid-March of 2022 there seemed to be lower inventory for booking at the 11 month mark so my guess is that is when they plan to start.

 

[Granny]

For my granddaughter, we rented a crib from a Baby’s Best Friend December 2020, they have since gone out of business due to Covid. I don’t have personal experience but Kingdom Strollers rents cribs and has been recommended by other posters on Disboards.

Thanks so much for the information. A couple of the highly rated services seem to have gone out of business. Hopefully they will open up when attendance rises. I'll keep poking around, but I do appreciate the tip on Kingdom Strollers.

 

[cellomom]

Thanks so much for the information. A couple of the highly rated services seem to have gone out of business. Hopefully they will open up when attendance rises. I'll keep poking around, but I do appreciate the tip on Kingdom Strollers.

A Baby’s Best Friend worked out well for us, very sad they went out of business. Our solution: We (the grandparents) bought a folding portable full-size crib that our son & DIL can transport in the back of their van. First trip with portable crib in 2 weeks

 

[danikoski]

Thanks so much for the information. A couple of the highly rated services seem to have gone out of business. Hopefully they will open up when attendance rises. I'll keep poking around, but I do appreciate the tip on Kingdom Strollers.

In 2019, we were able to get a crib at both AKL and BRV. A CM had to go hunt one down at AKL because housekeeping apparently put it in the wrong room, but we got it. BRV it was right in the middle of the living room waiting for us. We had looked at renting from Kingdom Strollers, but decided to take a bet. Our son was 19 months, so I brought inflatable bumpers with us, just in case he had to share a bed with his brother. We had also talked about running to Walmart or something and getting a air mattress if needed, but Disney came through. Although, writing that, I'm really surprised that I didn't rent a crib since I don't like winging it with details like that. My husband must be rubbing off some...he enjoys unplanned chaos.

 

[jimmytammy]

LOL. We actually couldn’t take the screaming anymore and they moved us. We ended up with a Boardwalk view!! Got to ride the people mover and had a fantastic lunch at BOG. Headed back to the room to refresh and will head back later

Other than the screaming, it sounds like you folks are having a great time. Keep enjoying!

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks so much for the information. A couple of the highly rated services seem to have gone out of business. Hopefully they will open up when attendance rises. I'll keep poking around, but I do appreciate the tip on Kingdom Strollers.

I know Jambo has a wooden crib on wheels, a very petite housekeeper used it to deliver the gel mattress topper they had in storage to our room when I asked. How's that for a two for one info blast? Crib and a gel topper at Jambo!

My kids were all past the crib stage by the time we started staying at Disney, but I did take my little guys on camping trips in an RV. I just made a secure sleeping spot surrounded by blankets, pillows and stuffed animals for them.

 

[sleepydog25]

You know, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Is it a whole sustainable fish??

It is! And it was superb--sweet meat and crispy skin. I'd do this meal again in a heartbeat.

Sleepy, I believe that's Josh D'Amaro

Bingo! It was!! And he was with someone else who had some importance, I'm sure. Certainly, he got the royal treatment.

He seems happy anyway.

Yes. Josh D'Amaro. Dining with the big wigs Sleepy!

Yepper! We went over and had a few drinks, swapped stories, gave him advice on how to run his side of Disney, that sort of thing. . .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yepper! We went over and had a few drinks, swapped stories, gave him advice on how to run his side of Disney, that sort of thing. . .

Well done!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hi everyone! Been a great trip so far! Today we check out of our beloved BWV which is really sad but we can find solace in knowing we are checking into our beloved Lodge today! Just a little about what’s been going on. Day one we went to MK. Ate at BOG and it was so good! Opened the day riding our favorite HM and closed it out the same lol. We were so happy PM opened and we were able to ride it!!! Day 2 was Epcot. Got to try out some food booths and the flowers are beautiful! Played the scavenger hunts and got cute orange bird cups. DD is crazy about that bird. Ate at Tutto Italia. That’s a once and done. Honestly think Olive Garden is better. Rode the Frozen ride. How disappointing. I’m still bitter about the change but to then see how poorly the new ride is was salt in the wound. Going back to Epcot today. Day 3 was HS. Tried for our ROR queue at 7 and no luck. Went and it was so crowded! Walked around Galaxy’s Edge and wow! Cried when I saw the Millennium Falcon. At 1:00 we sat near Gertie where it was the least crowded to try again for ROR and got it! OMG guys it is the best ride I have ever been on in my entire life!!!! So amazing and well done. DD and I cried. How could they do such a great job with that and such a bad jog with Frozen? Ate at Prime Time which was wonderful. I’ve gone on long enough and I’ll stop boring you lol. Time to finish up packing and get to Epcot.

 

[twinklebug]

Hi everyone! Been a great trip so far! Today we check out of our beloved BWV which is really sad but we can find solace in knowing we are checking into our beloved Lodge today! Just a little about what’s been going on. Day one we went to MK. Ate at BOG and it was so good! Opened the day riding our favorite HM and closed it out the same lol. We were so happy PM opened and we were able to ride it!!! Day 2 was Epcot. Got to try out some food booths and the flowers are beautiful! Played the scavenger hunts and got cute orange bird cups. DD is crazy about that bird. Ate at Tutto Italia. That’s a once and done. Honestly think Olive Garden is better. Rode the Frozen ride. How disappointing. I’m still bitter about the change but to then see how poorly the new ride is was salt in the wound. Going back to Epcot today. Day 3 was HS. Tried for our ROR queue at 7 and no luck. Went and it was so crowded! Walked around Galaxy’s Edge and wow! Cried when I saw the Millennium Falcon. At 1:00 we sat near Gertie where it was the least crowded to try again for ROR and got it! OMG guys it is the best ride I have ever been on in my entire life!!!! So amazing and well done. DD and I cried. How could they do such a great job with that and such a bad jog with Frozen? Ate at Prime Time which was wonderful. I’ve gone on long enough and I’ll stop boring you lol. Time to finish up packing and get to Epcot.

Sounds like you're having a great time

I have yet to go on Frozen. I like the movie well enough, but just don't see a reason to stand in a long line for that dissapointment you mention. From what I've seen there are some cute animatronics in there though (Olaf). I never liked the prior version of the ride either.

Say Hi to the Lodge for me. I miss it so much.

 

[Seth Paridon]

Hey gang. We will be making our first trip back to The Lodge since COVID and staying at BRV next month. Quick question...can you still utilize the BBQ grills that are outside? I didn't know if they were still available for use in these restricted times. Many thanks.

Seth

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Hey guys. Enjoying our day at the Lodge. Ate at WC and it was so good. Our waitress Nikki was awesome. Visited the end of the hall. Gotta say I really like the carpe. The light is better in person but I still prefer tho old ones. Really don’t like the white walls. Boring. Don’t hate the red doors. I’ll post pics from that and our view from our patio.

 

[Granny]

Hey gang. We will be making our first trip back to The Lodge since COVID and staying at BRV next month. Quick question...can you still utilize the BBQ grills that are outside? I didn't know if they were still available for use in these restricted times. Many thanks.

Seth

Seth...I haven't heard anything about the BBQ grills. It's a very valid question. Right now, we don't see a lot of "mixed use" types of things like buffets, etc. But you'd think an outdoor grill would be safe enough. Still, I wouldn't assume that. Hopefully someone can come along and help you with your question.

 

[Granny]

Hey guys. Enjoying our day at the Lodge. Ate at WC and it was so good. Our waitress Nikki was awesome. Visited the end of the hall. Gotta say I really like the carpe. The light is better in person but I still prefer tho old ones. Really don’t like the white walls. Boring. Don’t hate the red doors. I’ll post pics from that and our view from our patio.

DLI...thanks for the pictures. I'm sure we'll adjust to whatever the changes are, but I agree that the carpet looks like the best change they've made. From your view I'd say you were in a nice location for easy in and out of VWL. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey gang. We will be making our first trip back to The Lodge since COVID and staying at BRV next month. Quick question...can you still utilize the BBQ grills that are outside? I didn't know if they were still available for use in these restricted times. Many thanks.

Seth

Fairly certain they are. They are here at DHHIR, and usually, such things are a DVC or Disney wide decision. You can always call the resort and ask someone there. Enjoy!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

DLI...thanks for the pictures. I'm sure we'll adjust to whatever the changes are, but I agree that the carpet looks like the best change they've made. From your view I'd say you were in a nice location for easy in and out of VWL. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

We are very close to the lobby. So convenient. I will say these rooms do need updating. There is the normal wear and tear but also we need usb outlets. We are having a heck of a time charging our phones. The outlets are loose and out adapters just don’t stay in them right. I just hope when they redo them they don’t get rid of all the charm.

 

[mvndvm]

Best way to get specific room requests for VWL?