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

[whositsandwhatsits]

Welcome to our friendly band of Groupies! Like Greg, I was warmly welcomed a couple of years ago and have found this group to be genuinely caring to the point where many have become fast friends and hold mini-meets both at Disney and beyond. You've a right to be excited about visiting our beloved Lodge as it is the original glue that first connects us. We hope you'll get to know us and let us get to know you--and that goes for each of our new visitors. I do regret to inform you, however, that your initiation fee is due within two weeks, payable to moi. Thanks to a recently negotiated discount offer, the normal $50 fee has been reduced to $35. ;-) Again, welcome!

LOL!!! Do you accept paypal?

Hello michyi and Polynesian27 and whoistsandwhatsits!

I don't have the cool graphics but I offer a friendly "How ya doin?"

It really is one of the nicest place on the world wide web. Did not know a soul when I jumped in and everyone treated me with with kindness from the get go. I am sure it will be your experience too.

greg

Thank you!!

You guys are making me love WL without even having been there yet.

Agreed!!!! This thread is really confirming that we made the absolute right choice.

 

[Granny]

Welcome whositsandwhatsits, michyi and Polynesian27!!!

While it does seem a bit self-aggrandizing to call ourselves the friendliest bunch on the DIS Boards, I will admit that (to paraphrase Will Rogers), I've never met a Groupie I didn't like!

Groupies ...I've been running around the country the past couple of weeks so hard to find time to be here. I flew up to Providence last weekend to accompany my daughter on her drive to our home in St. Louis. That was a nice two day trip.

Then on Thursday we drove down to New Orleans which is her new location for work. DW & I are in the Big Easy now helping DD settle in to her new place.

Oh, and we just happen to be eating way too much jambalaya, gumbo and beignets!

Hard to believe it is already August, isn't it! This year is flying by!


To the new Groupies...you will love VWL at any time of year but Christmas is definitely a special time. Enjoy it, and make sure you take time from the hustle and bustle of a WDW trip to enjoy the sights and sounds of this wonderful place.

 

[Corinne]

Happy Saturday Groupies, and a big to all our new groupies!

Question regarding MDE.....all of my info, resort and dining reservations, magic bands, friends and family......poof....gone

Has anyone had this issue? I have never had a problem before.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Saturday Groupies, and a big to all our new groupies! Question regarding MDE.....all of my info, resort and dining reservations, magic bands, friends and family......poof....gone Has anyone had this issue? I have never had a problem before.

I've read.about some people having that problem. Personally I've had to relink reservations before but it's always found them again. I think others have said there's would be gone and then just reappear some time later.

 

[Corinne]

Thanks for the response Kathy...I will try to be patient! Not too easy for me!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Corinne...I have had trouble ALL week with phone, web site and MDE. My room reservations are ALL GONE as of today on the website. I called Tech Support and the CM told me "Mickey was busy making magical enhancements to the website". I was freaking out for a minute thinking we lost our rooms.

How did the wedding go??!!! Was thinking about you!

 

[MiaSRN62]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BWV DREAMIN

 

[ottawagreg]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3293939

hello fellow groupies, I came across this last night. In case you missed it, you may find it worthwhile to have a look at the pictures. Especially those new to our group and have not yet had the opportunity to visit there and see first hand how nice it is.

greg

 

[jimmytammy]

For those having issue seeing ressies and FPs on MDE, we too are having same. I have friends who arrived yesterday and said system was down there as well, CMs couldnt pull up info.

 

[michyi]

Welcome to our friendly band of Groupies! Like Greg, I was warmly welcomed a couple of years ago and have found this group to be genuinely caring to the point where many have become fast friends and hold mini-meets both at Disney and beyond. You've a right to be excited about visiting our beloved Lodge as it is the original glue that first connects us. We hope you'll get to know us and let us get to know you--and that goes for each of our new visitors. I do regret to inform you, however, that your initiation fee is due within two weeks, payable to moi. Thanks to a recently negotiated discount offer, the normal $50 fee has been reduced to $35. ;-) Again, welcome!

The check is in the mail.

 

[sleepydog25]

The check is in the mail.

I'll be looking for it!

A quick note to say we are at the World now (arrived yesterday), and we're staying at BLT in a 1BR to allow my 14-yr old DD to have her own bathroom. (Priorities!) Lovely suite, great view from 11th floor overlooking pool and lake, and crowds have been small in the mornings at MK, except for New Fantasyland. More to come when I have time!

 

[twinklebug]

I'll be looking for it!

A quick note to say we are at the World now (arrived yesterday), and we're staying at BLT in a 1BR to allow my 14-yr old DD to have her own bathroom. (Priorities!) Lovely suite, great view from 11th floor overlooking pool and lake, and crowds have been small in the mornings at MK, except for New Fantasyland. More to come when I have time!

Enjoy! Hoping you have a moment to snap a pic of your view and upload, even if it has rain (there's something magical about those Florida storms)

 

[ottawagreg]

I'll be looking for it!

A quick note to say we are at the World now (arrived yesterday), More to come when I have time!

Sly, will you have time to take a boat ride to WL? Curious about construction over there? Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Enjoy! Hoping you have a moment to snap a pic of your view and upload, even if it has rain (there's something magical about those Florida storms)

I have snapped dozens of pics, but so far have had no time (or when time, no energy) to upload a pic to share. But, I'll endeavor to do so soon. Our view is tremendous, and I took a shot of the pool with the early dawn sky in the background this morning.

Crowds have been much better than we anticipated. We arrived Sunday around 9:30, checked in at BLT, then went to MK. Despite having to wait to get our APs verified and in the system (Disney can manage millions of FPs but can't seem to figure out how to let you validate your own AP that you purchased online), we found no masses of people in most of MK for the first 2-3 hours. . .except in New Fantasyland. We walked on Pirates, waited 10-15 minutes for SM, HM, Buzz, and others. We were stunned. Basically the same story yesterday, too, as we spent the a.m. in MK then the p.m. in DHS. Almost didn't do the latter as a deluge hit as we were driving over. Waited in car for 15 mins, then opted to brave the elements. Good decision! Rain let up after half an hour. Did our three FPs and came back to the resort. More to come later!

Greg: It's in the plans, but not til the last day. Hopefully, I can give you a report then.

 

[tea pot]

Sleepy

Glad to hear the updated news of our happy place
and thanks for taking the time to report in.
Enjoy the Magic

 

[Corinne]

Have fun Sly!! I look forward to any photos you decide to share!

 

[DiznyDi]

Thanks sleepy for your update/report! Enjoy your time at the World. We'll miss you while you're gone but will try to keep things going on the thread in your absence.

DDad and I spent a few days in Virginia visiting our son for his birthday. He and his wife are moving into a new apartment.... on the fourth floor.....without any elevator! I counted 60 steps to get to their floor. Boy would I hate to make that trip on grocery day. They have a lovely corner apartment with a wrap-around balcony and a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.

In regard to MDE and Magic Bands, as yet we've experienced no difficulties. While making our dining reservations, the CM did 'lose' one of the reservations and said IT was making 'enhancements' to the system. Hopefully those experiencing problems will see them resolved.

 

[sleepydog25]

Another good day at the World! EMH at Epcot, lunch at Marrakech, FPs, dinner at Il Molino, and then we opted to drive over to our beloved Lodge. No construction going on at all. Fountain/stream in lobby operating normally, as was the waterfall, and the streams to the pool and geyser. No sign of anything. We did notice the handicap access pool chairs, and I can't recall if those were installed before or not, including two at the Hidden Springs pool. Luv mentioned as we were leaving that she saw a sign saying "Wilderness Lodge Open House," but we didn't check it out. Perhaps we will when we return for dinner Friday night. Otherwise, all seemed well at our other home. May not get pics uploaded while here as we're either busy or resting. Perhaps we'll get a chance soon. We're enjoying BLT tea pot!

 

[BlueFairy]

Hi. Dropping in to say hello. I'm mostly a lurker here, but stay connected over on the WL FAQ on the Resorts board.

We are finishing up 3 nights at the WL. I'm happy to report that everything is picture perfect! We walked over and took a look around the Carolwood Pacific room today and DD6 fell in love. Such a cozy place.

The construction is non-existent for now. I did ask at Concierge about the plans. They plan to be down from "September to November" with a pool closure. No details on specifics, except to say they are adding an enclosure. He suggested that details from higher up are sketchy and contractors won't be pinned down. He would not confirm that August construction is out of the question, but did say the closure is scheduled for September. Reassuring, but not exactly concrete. Anyway, that's the latest. The Resort board Lodgers wanted to know. Thought it might help someone here.

 

[jimmytammy]

Sleepy and Blue Fairy
Thanks for the updates on VWL/WL construction. Always curious as to the goings on at "home" and eagerly waiting for the end result.

Sleepy
Friends from back home arrived Sat and had exact same issues with APs. Apparently its system wide. We are having difficulty finding our dining ressies for the last few days.

We are flying to WDW Sun-Thurs for a 1st time stay at Kidani and cant wait