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

[sleepydog25]

Having a great time here at HHI, except for this guy who keeps hassling me about an unpaid “membership fee.” What’s that all about?

I'd pay up--I think he's serious about the fee...I mean, you don't want your credentials as a Groupie revoked, do ya?

Dan,
Is he sorta a tall, lean fellow, rides around on a cart? Same guy kept approaching me at DHHI posing the same question. I never paid him but he was pleasant all the same

I saw him, too! Pleasant AND handsome as the devil!

 

[Granny]

Yes, your toddler must be protected. I hope you be able to have a “rain check“ for this vacation in the future!

That's one of the things that makes this year's cancellation a tough one. My daughter hopes to be pregnant next year so that would push any possible trip down the road a couple of years at least. But it will all be good, I'm sure. Thanks for your comments of support!

 

[Crabby_Dan]

Dan,
Is he sorta a tall, lean fellow, rides around on a cart? Same guy kept approaching me at DHHI posing the same question. I never paid him but he was pleasant all the same

Yep. That’s the guy. He was pleasant. Handsome too.

 

[horselover]

At their resort in HHI! Moved to HHI nearly a year ago and picked up a part-time gig with the custodial department--best job here! I also cross-trained so that I often work as a housekeeping attendant...essentially a bar back for the housekeepers. I haul clean linens and supplies to them, and then haul away the used linens and trash. In between, I run items to guests or housekeepers, as needed. For example, if you run out of coffee on any given morning, you'd call the front desk who would, in turn, contact an attendant (like me!) to grab some and take it to the room.

My custodial duties are generally assigned to the main pool area at the primary resort, the front desk building (Live Oak Lodge), or the Beach House. Again, it's a super job for the most part, and I love what I do. Have met both bobbiwoz and jimmytammy there during their trips to the resort. Come on over! It's a real vacation spot where you can relax, enjoy life, and eat some great food!

That is so wonderful! Having a job you love makes a huge difference to you mental health. We've never been to HHI. We'll need to remedy that at some point. What time of year do you recommend? A time that still has nice weather, but not huge crowds?

 

[sleepydog25]

That is so wonderful! Having a job you love makes a huge difference to you mental health. We've never been to HHI. We'll need to remedy that at some point. What time of year do you recommend? A time that still has nice weather, but not huge crowds?

If you want smaller crowds, anytime after Labor Day and before spring break season. October is lovely--fewer people, ocean is still warm, and everything is open. Early November isn't too bad, either. After spring break but before Memorial Day is usually decent, as well, say late April through mid-May. Water hasn't warmed up a lot, but you can walk in it just fine.

Times to avoid, include spring breaks (weather is iffy during that time, but people come just the same), major holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas), and any time from late May through late August...unless you must have those hot summer days lounging on the beach or pool side. January and February see much smaller crowds, but the weather is cool, and some restaurants do close for a few weeks to reboot for the coming year. Maybe I'll see you down here sometime!

 

[Suzabella]

I 2nd what Sleepy said. Avoid those summer holidays like the plague. The traffic is (one road in and one road out) International Bvld.'ish and the beaches are crowded.

 

[momtwoboys]

still no word on the refurb for BRV? Anyone hear anything???

 

[Corinne]

If you want smaller crowds, anytime after Labor Day and before spring break season. October is lovely--fewer people, ocean is still warm, and everything is open. Early November isn't too bad, either. After spring break but before Memorial Day is usually decent, as well, say late April through mid-May. Water hasn't warmed up a lot, but you can walk in it just fine.

Times to avoid, include spring breaks (weather is iffy during that time, but people come just the same), major holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas), and any time from late May through late August...unless you must have those hot summer days lounging on the beach or pool side. January and February see much smaller crowds, but the weather is cool, and some restaurants do close for a few weeks to reboot for the coming year. Maybe I'll see you down here sometime!

This is so helpful Sleepy! Our adult sons have both expressed interest in visiting HHI, (our younger son is headed there soon for a bachelor golf outing). i have a big birthday next June, so maybe we can get there!

 

[Corinne]

With the new AP announcement earlier this week, I’m wondering what is going to happen with our DVC Gold AP’s. You may recall I was able to renew the expired passes a few months ago. We still have to activate them. The new AP’s do not include Photo Pass, so I’m curious if they’re going to give us the “add on” which they’re now charging $99 for. I kinda enjoyed the perk of Photo Pass, I’m not angry, but I really am growing tired of them taking away so much. I wonder if there is finally going to be some sort of “correction“ for lack of a better term, with longtime guests DVC, AP holders just saying we’ve had enough?

 

[momtwoboys]

With the new AP announcement earlier this week, I’m wondering what is going to happen with our DVC Gold AP’s. You may recall I was able to renew the expired passes a few months ago. We still have to activate them. The new AP’s do not include Photo Pass, so I’m curious if they’re going to give us the “add on” which they’re now charging $99 for. I kinda enjoyed the perk of Photo Pass, I’m not angry, but I really am growing tired of them taking away so much. I wonder if there is finally going to be some sort of “correction“ for lack of a better term, with longtime guests DVC, AP holders just saying we’ve had enough?

we renewed on 8/9 also and will activate them on Nov 1 when we go for my 50bday so curious to see what will happen! Trying to make some dining this AM and the system isnt working. So I have zero hope or interest in the genie paid system, we wont use it! No thanks

 

[jimmytammy]

still no word on the refurb for BRV? Anyone hear anything???

Nothing yet. Disney has a way of keeping info from us that we feel is pertinent in our planning. As owners, it would be nice if they would keep us in the loop, even just to say, there is no date on the horizon.

 

[momtwoboys]

Nothing yet. Disney has a way of keeping info from us that we feel is pertinent in our planning. As owners, it would be nice if they would keep us in the loop, even just to say, there is no date on the horizon.

thank you!! this is why we want to look at other options and book a different resort. Last trip there none of the outlets even held the chargers in, they were all so loose they fell out. We figured by 2022 the rooms would all be redone, hahahaaaaaa. We love all other aspects of the BRV area.

 

[horselover]

I wonder if there is finally going to be some sort of “correction“ for lack of a better term, with longtime guests DVC, AP holders just saying we’ve had enough?

I can only speak for myself, but I will be "correcting". The Genie+ system was the last straw for me. I don't want to hear how they already do it at UA. I don't go to UA I go to DW. They've taken away too many things that used to be perks & now we have to pay, & pay, & pay. I have no doubt Tables in Wonderland will not be returning. I'm tired of it. I won't be renewing my AP next May & my BLT points are being listed for sale today. We'll never be able to do another family trip over Christmas again. The restructure of the point chart ensured that. Hell it's even more now to go in Oct which used to be a lower season. It just really bugs me that they created all these festivals to get people in the parks & now that's it's worked they don't want us to come anymore. I've heard you loud & clear Disney. I'll sell some points, keep the VWL & BCV for now & go less often. Sad that this day has come though.

 

[twinklebug]

Speaking of Annual Passes, and some bad personal experiences with MDE misplacing and loosing passes on me...

Anyone with an annual pass, particularly those who have the digital copy and not a card (such as if you bought it through the website) GET SCREENSHOTS of your passes and details now.

Changing over to the new passes may not do anything to these older ones right away, but one or two iterations of the software and tweaking the passes down the road and they very well could go *poof*, leaving you to stand in a guest services line and beg at a window to restore a pass neither you nor the cast members were guilty of removing.

 

[AlldayIdreamaboutDisney]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are heading down to Disney in November. We have stayed at CCV a few times and the hotel side of WL with our kids, this time it’s just us and we have a split stay SSR and BRV. We are still hoping our waitlist comes through for more nights at BR. We absolutely love Wilderness Lodge and try to stay there as much as we can. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what studio location to request? I really enjoy seeing the pool and Bay Lake if possible. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are heading down to Disney in November. We have stayed at CCV a few times and the hotel side of WL with our kids, this time it’s just us and we have a split stay SSR and BRV. We are still hoping our waitlist comes through for more nights at BR. We absolutely love Wilderness Lodge and try to stay there as much as we can. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what studio location to request? I really enjoy seeing the pool and Bay Lake if possible. Thanks for any ideas!

Hey and a Big Welcome to the Groupies!!!!
I would ask for a pool view as this will be more likely to merit you a lakeside view as well.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey and a Big Welcome to the Groupies!!!!
I would ask for a pool view as this will be more likely to merit you a lakeside view as well.

, ALLDAY! Agree with JT that a pool view request, if honored, would put you lake side, and with any luck, a higher floor. Have a fun trip!

 

[Granny]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are heading down to Disney in November. We have stayed at CCV a few times and the hotel side of WL with our kids, this time it’s just us and we have a split stay SSR and BRV. We are still hoping our waitlist comes through for more nights at BR. We absolutely love Wilderness Lodge and try to stay there as much as we can. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what studio location to request? I really enjoy seeing the pool and Bay Lake if possible. Thanks for any ideas!

Let me add my welcome to the VWL Groupies thread...yes, we haven't quite gotten around to accepting our beloved resort being re-named after rocks.

The odd numbered villas at VWL (or BRV if preferred) face the lake side of the resort. And while many of them afford a nice view of the lake or pool, there are some trees especially near the pool that will block the view a bit. It's not a big thing, but just wanted you to be aware of that. Also keep in mind that 50% of the villas face the lake or pool and it is the most common request there. So please understand that you may not get that lake view. We have one person here who has consistently requested but doesn't often (ever?) get a lake view.

The only suggestion I would have is to keep your request fairly general. And if possible, avoid studio villa 4533 which has a nice pool & lake view but no balcony. It is the only villa at the resort that doesn't have a balcony so when you check in you may mention that you would prefer to avoid that villa if a balcony is important to your enjoyment of a villa.

Have a great trip!

 

[sleepydog25]

1) Let me add my welcome to the VWL Groupies thread...yes, we haven't quite gotten around to accepting our beloved resort being re-named after rocks.

2) We have one person here who has consistently requested but doesn't often (ever?) get a lake view.

1)"...haven't quite gotten around to accepting..." As in never.
2) Here, Kitty, Kitty...

 

[Corinne]

1)"...haven't quite gotten around to accepting..." As in never.
2) Here, Kitty, Kitty...

As in NEVER!!!