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

[Granny]

Agent Granny here...with the scoop on the First Stage of VWL 2...I believe it was Dean Marino who asked about heavy equipment.

Well, for the first time since we arrived, this showed up today...






So it looks like they're getting ready to get serious.

Also, on a completely unrelated note...leave it to Disney to get someone to sponsor even their pathways!



I mean seriously, sponsors for paths?

What's next, sponsors for the elevator doors?


Agent Granny...out.

 

[jimmytammy]

Grizzled vet checking in

 

[sleepydog25]

OK, OK . . . . grizzled veterans . . . . . . . grizzled veterans . . . . . . hummmmmmmm . . . . . grizzled?!?!?!?!?!?! OK, all those GRIZZLED VETERANS out there, raise your hands.

Granny, you might have som' 'splainin' to do . . .

He was reaching out to the Alaskan contingent. . .

 

[jimmytammy]

Agent Granny here...with the scoop on the First Stage of VWL 2...I believe it was Dean Marino who asked about heavy equipment.

Well, for the first time since we arrived, this showed up today...



View attachment 125573


So it looks like they're getting ready to get serious.

Also, on a completely unrelated note...leave it to Disney to get someone to sponsor even their pathways!



I mean seriously, sponsors for paths?
View attachment 125574
What's next, sponsors for the elevator doors?


Agent Granny...out.

This spot of grass, Sponsored by Scotts Feed and Seed...Feed your lawn, feeeeddd it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Ok . . .Grrrrr . . I'm in . . . Grizzled as I may be . . .

 

[jimmytammy]

Getting way too close to the bottom of the 1st page sooo

 

[sleepydog25]

Let me help, too. Cool (57F), windy, and rainy off and on (not complaining as we've been bone dry too long), but I hauled myself out of a stupor and went out for a quick 9 holes of golf. The clubhouse isn't even open given the weather, but I played anyway. Didn't do too badly given the conditions, though luv is enjoying much nicer conditions at the World. Some girls get all the breaks. . .

 

[Kathymford]

I'll help too, for Sunday for most of you (ha!).

Hey! I'm going on my first Disney cruise a week from today (Sunday)!! I am BEYOND excited!!!

P.S. Not sure why my ticker is not showing the right number of days, but it is TICKING me off.

 

[jimmytammy]

Kathy
You are going to have a great time! We went on our 1st cruise ever on the Fantasy back in Oct and loved it so much we signed back up for a upcoming Mar 2016. Soak it all in

Sleepy
We too have had a bunch of rain and like you folks much needed. Glad we are getting the soaking rains

 

[sleepydog25]

I'll help too, for Sunday for most of you (ha!).

Hey! I'm going on my first Disney cruise a week from today (Sunday)!! I am BEYOND excited!!!

P.S. Not sure why my ticker is not showing the right number of days, but it is TICKING me off.

I agree with JT that you will love cruising. I believe you're on the Wonder, so I highly recommend Palo for dinner one night. It's an extra $25 per person but very much worth every penny. I suggest the osso bucco as one course and for dessert the chocolate souffle. You have to order that last one in the middle of your meal to make sure it's done when time for dessert comes around.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi Groupies!!! Been mostly MIA while taking in a conference in Boston and then a few days in Maine! Had a great time and was joined by my cousin for the trip. The visit to Maine and the stop at the welcome center at a rest stop in New Hampshire cross 2 more states off the bucket list. I will have to go back to New Hampshire to give it a better accounting but for now I can say that I've stepped foot in it. We only had 2 1/2 days in Maine and spent most of it exploring Acadia - very beautiful! A few trees here and there were just showing the beginnings of changing color but it helped to imagine what it looks like when everything is in full color. Another trip back to see that goes back on the list too! Now I'm back to 80+ degree weather - it was very confusing stepping off the plane last night and having it feel like summer vs the fall weather I was becoming accustomed to.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My favorite posting this week. All? "Sounds like" is not in the equation. WDW has announced a SEPARATE ENTITY, publicly. They NAMED it, and NUMBERED it.

What this means for us: not one PENNY of our dues, or upkeep budget, should be directed toward this SEPARATE PROJECT.
If the Quiet pool is modified as a part of this separate project? Not one penny of our upkeep/maintenance costs should be mis-directed toward it.
When completed? THREE separate entities should pay into the Quiet pool maintenance - Main Lodge, Villa's #1, Villas #2. Same should hold true for any documented facilities assigned to the original "Villa's at WL" contract.

I guess I am relieved. Purely personal - but Sandy and I won't likely live beyond our REAL contract end date. We didn't need any of this.
VERY pleased by the public announcement.... being public? It really will be hard to get around it.

I guess I have a little different thought than this. What DVC/Disney do, as I understand it, is taking all the common area costs at a resort and allocate it based on guest counts. So, with adding new or larger amenities that cost would likely rise although if we are lucky the offset of additional guests might offset the increase. Since the current VWL and the new VWLII will both have access to any of the amenities at the entire resort they all share the ongoing costs. But the costs to build the new was nothing I worried that DVC would be allocating to us however it's the upkeep that is usually going to cost more in the long term anyway. That it appears it will be a separate association makes little or no difference vs it being an addition to the existing units in regards to expenses IMO. Like PVB it is the least expensive way for DVC to add a project with lower infrastructure costs vs building a totally new location. I, for one, remain disappointed in that the "short cut" impacts the enjoyment for 2-3 years of existing owners and feel it's actually a large price we pay in that way.

 

[Dean Marino]

I guess I have a little different thought than this. What DVC/Disney do, as I understand it, is taking all the common area costs at a resort and allocate it based on guest counts. So, with adding new or larger amenities that cost would likely rise although if we are lucky the offset of additional guests might offset the increase. Since the current VWL and the new VWLII will both have access to any of the amenities at the entire resort they all share the ongoing costs. But the costs to build the new was nothing I worried that DVC would be allocating to us however it's the upkeep that is usually going to cost more in the long term anyway. That it appears it will be a separate association makes little or no difference vs it being an addition to the existing units in regards to expenses IMO. Like PVB it is the least expensive way for DVC to add a project with lower infrastructure costs vs building a totally new location. I, for one, remain disappointed in that the "short cut" impacts the enjoyment for 2-3 years of existing owners and feel it's actually a large price we pay in that way.

hmmmm - hadn't thought of that . Well, if the dues go up, I guess they go up. We're just glad that nothing like a "contract extension offer" has been talked about.

 

[Kathymford]

I agree with JT that you will love cruising. I believe you're on the Wonder, so I highly recommend Palo for dinner one night. It's an extra $25 per person but very much worth every penny. I suggest the osso bucco as one course and for dessert the chocolate souffle. You have to order that last one in the middle of your meal to make sure it's done when time for dessert comes around.

Yes, we are on the Wonder. I wanted to book Palo brunch, but nothing is available for me. As a first timer, I didn't know which night to try to do dinner since I thought I should try all the dining at least once ... We are on a 5-night.

Order ahead chocolate soufflé is our specialty! It's our favorite thing at the Jazz Kitchen in DTD at DL...


Hmm....

 

[pangyal]

hmmmm - hadn't thought of that . Well, if the dues go up, I guess they go up. We're just glad that nothing like a "contract extension offer" has been talked about.

I would absolutely love an extension offer for this and all of our 2042 resorts. Those who don't want it can just opt out, but those who do, would benefit greatly IMO.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

One last picture about the clearing by the dock...

View attachment 124746



This is walking up the path from the geyser to closer to the dock. It is not easy to see in this picture, but there were definitely some stumps there that appeared to be newly cut...less than 4 months I'd say. You can see that some of the area is wet marshland and it is not offensive at all. Just wondering why they went to the expense of clearing it out?


We are getting ready to head to Trails End for a late breakfast. The weather has been much better the past couple of days...still overcast but not much rain.

I couldn't see this photo Granny but I did just see some pictures over on the expansion thread. All I can say is wow! They did sneak in with their saws after I was there!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

We got another twofer
Happy Birthday I Book He Pays & Akima!!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Whoa . . . TWOFER!!
Happy Birthday I Book He Pays & Akima!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Had a very interesting conversation with a former CM Saturday. My Dad knows him from church. He and his DW worked there from 2000-2004. She was at Pirates in the store and he was a maint. guy worked in several locations, but mostly MK. He said after 2 mos. there schedules got way off and they didnt see much of each other. So eventually he got a job at Pirates and worked there the rest of his days. She got cancer, and disability from WDW eventually ran dry, so they had to come back to NC to be with family. Sadly, she passed away and they went bankrupt with health bills.

He spoke very highly of his days at WDW, told me lots of stories, including that he used to walk both tracks at Space Mt. and inspect each night after closure. He said they would always keep things new looking, like if a weld were broke, he would call to have it fixed and before the next day, it would be fixed painted, and back up ready to go by opening. He thought it odd they would paint knowing the ride was in the dark, but they were told to make it look new.

 

[twinklebug]

Happy Birthday Akima!

Happy Birthday I Book He Pays!