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

[Corinne]

Unfortunately, we're hitting the road in about an hour. It has been fun, but it's time to get back to reality. . .for about six weeks! Longer trip report to follow.

Sleepy I noticed we miss you and luv by one day in September!

Corinne
Not packed yet, but it wont be long now

have a safe trip! I haven't stayed at Kidani, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed AKL, I'm sure you will too!

 

[jimmytammy]

I know there has been a bit of discussion around the DIS about not finding ressies and such so I explored a little on the WDW website. If you go to My Disney Experience, then My Itinerary, you can find each day with FPs and dining. To find times and dining ressie #s, you hit view details. Takes a few minutes longer to navigate, but sets the mind at ease

 

[DiznyDi]

Happy Birthday Rebecca! Enjoy your special day!

JT and family, have yourselves a wonderful time at Kidani! Safe travels!

And safe travels to you, too, sleepy and luv.

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday Rebecca

Sleepy and Luv, glad you had a good trip.

 

[sleepydog25]

Sleepy I noticed we miss you and luv by one day in September! have a safe trip!

Too bad we will miss you! Luv has an annual girls' trip with friends she's known for years (the group that brought us together, actually), so I spend a couple of days with her, drive to Melbourne and spend a few days with my daughter and her family, then we head back home. And thanks to all for the kind wishes of safe travels--we are back in our humble abode, and the Feline Four are thrilled we have returned. We've a very gracious and kind-hearted neighbor who watches over them in our absence, so they're well-loved in our absence, but they do go a little crazy once we're back. x 4 is about right.

One final note for the night: it was 93F and mostly sunny until we got about three hours from home when we caught up to the weather pattern around here. By the time we arrived home in the mountains, it was 60F, foggy, and rainy. Welcome home!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Man, I'm missing this look! http://s171.photobucket.com/user/VWL_Granny/media/VWLCouch_zps48cf5dee.jpg.html

You might be the only one Granny.

 

[sleepydog25]

Man, I'm missing this look!

To be fair, I've not seen the refurb in person, but based on the pictures, I will miss the old school look. It's not that I don't think the Villas needed updating--they certainly did. However, I liked the darker colors, the homey feeling, the Lodge-esque atmosphere, and the quaint touches of dark green & red. Based on what I've seen--again, only in multiple sets of pictures--the color palettes have lightened to the point of they're approaching a beach-y look, and of that I will not be a fan.

 

[jimmytammy]

To be fair, I've not seen the refurb in person, but based on the pictures, I will miss the old school look. It's not that I don't think the Villas needed updating--they certainly did. However, I liked the darker colors, the homey feeling, the Lodge-esque atmosphere, and the quaint touches of dark green & red. Based on what I've seen--again, only in multiple sets of pictures--the color palettes have lightened to the point of they're approaching a beach-y look, and of that I will not be a fan.

Must be a guy thing, cause I am in line with Granny and Sly on this one. I too have not sen the refurbished rooms yet, only pics, but I def. miss the old look. I am not much on the beach-y stuff either.

Well, next post will be in WDW from Kidani. Promise, I will do all I can to stay in touch. Its a short trip so time will be of essence, but I should be able to at least post in early am/late pm. If photobucket and my phone will cooperate I will try to get some pics on too

See yall on the other side!

 

[sleepydog25]

Must be a guy thing, cause I am in line with Granny and Sly on this one. I too have not sen the refurbished rooms yet, only pics, but I def. miss the old look. I am not much on the beach-y stuff either.

Well, next post will be in WDW from Kidani. Promise, I will do all I can to stay in touch. Its a short trip so time will be of essence, but I should be able to at least post in early am/late pm. If photobucket and my phone will cooperate I will try to get some pics on too

See yall on the other side!

Have a great trip, Jimmy! It was hotter than blazes down there last week (imagine that in Florida. . .in the dead of summer ). Have fun and say hello to the giraffes!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

To be fair, I've not seen the refurb in person, but based on the pictures, I will miss the old school look. It's not that I don't think the Villas needed updating--they certainly did. However, I liked the darker colors, the homey feeling, the Lodge-esque atmosphere, and the quaint touches of dark green & red. Based on what I've seen--again, only in multiple sets of pictures--the color palettes have lightened to the point of they're approaching a beach-y look, and of that I will not be a fan.

Must be a guy thing, cause I am in line with Granny and Sly on this one. I too have not sen the refurbished rooms yet, only pics, but I def. miss the old look. I am not much on the beach-y stuff either.

I don't think just a guy thing - I also miss a lot about the old look especially the better attention to detail.

I think Granny was being a little more specific to the item very prominently displayed in his picture. At least that's what I was commenting about.

Well, next post will be in WDW from Kidani. Promise, I will do all I can to stay in touch. Its a short trip so time will be of essence, but I should be able to at least post in early am/late pm. If photobucket and my phone will cooperate I will try to get some pics on too

See yall on the other side!

Have a great time Jimmy! Most of our stays at AKV have been Jambo but we usually visit Kidani - love Sanaa - and I enjoyed a few nights there a couple of years ago and completely lucked out with my standard view studio being at the start of the Pembe Savannah.

 

[Granny]

You might be the only one Granny.

To be fair, I've not seen the refurb in person, but based on the pictures, I will miss the old school look. It's not that I don't think the Villas needed updating--they certainly did. However, I liked the darker colors, the homey feeling, the Lodge-esque atmosphere, and the quaint touches of dark green & red. Based on what I've seen--again, only in multiple sets of pictures--the color palettes have lightened to the point of they're approaching a beach-y look, and of that I will not be a fan.

Must be a guy thing, cause I am in line with Granny and Sly on this one. I too have not sen the refurbished rooms yet, only pics, but I def. miss the old look. I am not much on the beach-y stuff either.

I don't think just a guy thing - I also miss a lot about the old look especially the better attention to detail.

I think Granny was being a little more specific to the item very prominently displayed in his picture. At least that's what I was commenting about.

Kathy...yes you are right...I was referring to the "ugly" couch and was being a bit of a troll, trying to elicit a little fun on the thread and hopefully luring Muush out of hiding.

Sly & Jimmy....I've seen the refurb in person, and I will say that I don't get the "beachy" feel from it. It is different, it is definitely lighter, but as I recall it doesn't have the pastel tones like BCV or BWV.

I am not an overall fan of the refurb as I liked the darker color scheme, carpeted "family room" and green cabinets (which have now been changed to a color that I guess you could call beige, ecru or cream).

I guess it's like anything else in life, things change over time. After all, I don't look the same as I did in 2000 either.

 

[sleepydog25]

Okay, the new couch might look a little better. . .but I want my dark earth tones back. Hmmph!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kathy...yes you are right...I was referring to the "ugly" couch and was being a bit of a troll, trying to elicit a little fun on the thread and hopefully luring Muush out of hiding.

Sly & Jimmy....I've seen the refurb in person, and I will say that I don't get the "beachy" feel from it. It is different, it is definitely lighter, but as I recall it doesn't have the pastel tones like BCV or BWV.

I am not an overall fan of the refurb as I liked the darker color scheme, carpeted "family room" and green cabinets (which have now been changed to a color that I guess you could call beige, ecru or cream).

I guess it's like anything else in life, things change over time. After all, I don't look the same as I did in 2000 either.

I was wondering if Muushka would appear to comment. I know she loved that couch sooooooo much!

This is my "ugly couch" of the refurb. Cream colored back with autumn leaves. I guess ugly isn't the right term but to me it epitomizes the lack of the old railroad camp theme. It's the one thing that really really bugs me in the rooms. Bought off the rack instead of one of the lovely Disney custom items so often found in the hotels.

Okay, the new couch might look a little better. . .but I want my dark earth tones back. Hmmph!

Sleepy - hopefully you'll like it better than you think. I'd say that overall it was better than I feared - just so generic. And poor workmanship. That's the part that is so sad for our beloved VWL.

 

[twinklebug]

I was wondering if Muushka would appear to comment. I know she loved that couch sooooooo much!

This is my "ugly couch" of the refurb. Cream colored back with autumn leaves. I guess ugly isn't the right term but to me it epitomizes the lack of the old railroad camp theme. It's the one thing that really really bugs me in the rooms. Bought off the rack instead of one of the lovely Disney custom items so often found in the hotels.

<img removed>

Sleepy - hopefully you'll like it better than you think. I'd say that overall it was better than I feared - just so generic. And poorly workmanship. That's the part that is so sad for our beloved VWL.

I don't care for that carpeting either - looks like it was bought off of woot. The couch isn't' much better: I'd have to say that the new is just as bad as the old, where one had too much going on, the other is too plain & makes it look like someone forgot to finish coloring in the picture.

What I did like were the table (part of which is in your pic), the additional bed in the studios and the nice faucet added to the bathroom. I loved the old pump style the SSR treehouses have, and the new one reminds me of those even though they're a modern version.

Just remember, with time, carpeting gets changed out, paint is painted over and the people "in charge" move on. The next refurb will go better.

 

[blossomz]

I miss our old mismatched furniture and most of all...our stencils! It made it so homey....

 

[sleepydog25]

I miss our old mismatched furniture and most of all...our stencils! It made it so homey....

Exactly!

 

[jimmytammy]

Boy Granny, you sure did stir the pot with that old couch pic(BTW, I love how we can all rib each other, and no one takes offense)

We have a great view at Kidani!! Watching the giraffe and his buddies out there now. BTW, Sleepy I mentioned your name and one of the giraffe said something about a fee

We were early on arrival, got our rental along with insurance. We never rent a car so not sure if the lady helping us saw us coming or not, but she talked us into insurance that ended up costing more than he car itself. Any thoughts on this? At this point its done but would like to know for the future. Got checked in quick, headed to MK, rode Mine Train, literally had one minute to spare with our FP time(you know how they give you 15 mins past your time, we had one minute left in that time, just made it). Really cool ride, a little tame, but like the rocking motion and the back and forth of the track, but the real stars of the show are the animatronic dwarves.

Rode Space Mt then headed out to get groceries.

Did something this AM havent done in awhile, room service, and CaptDs african infused flavors french toast, mmmmmm

Headed to Epcot a little later after exploring Kidani.

 

[sleepydog25]

You're right, JT--this group has always been accepting and drama-free, able to kid each other without stepping on toes or anyone taking offense. That's what makes this the most genuinely friendly thread on the DIS. Yeah, I said it. By the way, if the giraffe's DISboards name is "NoNeck," then tell him he owes me, umm, the group $50.

I don't know about your own auto insurance policy, but most of them allow coverage for rental cars under the existing terms. If you didn't know for sure, then getting the insurance was the right call. Before you rent next time, though, be sure to ask your insurance company--I'm guessing you'll already be covered.

We mostly had the same thoughts about SDMT: fun, engaging, and worthy of repeated rides at this point since it's new. However, in terms of sheer excitement it ranks well below the MK standards of Space Mtn and BTMR but is better than Splash Mountain (and far less stinky).

Have fun and stay cool!

 

[JPDtheJD]

Hi you guys. I finally booked our trip for next summer and requested "near elevator" hoping to get one of those dedicated 2 br corner rooms. Is there any other way to try and be sure to get that sort of request? I don't think "corner room" was an option when I called.

 

[Granny]

We were early on arrival, got our rental along with insurance. We never rent a car so not sure if the lady helping us saw us coming or not, but she talked us into insurance that ended up costing more than he car itself. Any thoughts on this? At this point its done but would like to know for the future.

I agree with Sleepy on this one...your personal car insurance or your homeowners probably covers you on this. I've rented cars many times and always waived the insurance. On the other hand, I never had an accident in one (knock on wood) so I don't know if I was smart or not. I think it is a big profit opportunity for the car rental companies (which is why you got the big sell on it). Kind of like the additional warranty they try to sell you when you buy a $20 electrical item at Best Buy.