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

[DiznyDi]

Tea Pot - LOVE your new avatar!

DDad and I chose to stay at the Lodge for our December trip. I'll be so sad..... But I do so love the decorations! We were assured the Christmas decorations would not suffer due to construction.

Caseys - would love to have some corn dog nuggets about now. Enjoy!

 

[Granny]

Hi groupies! I have a question for all of my DVC experts. I currently have two contracts with different use years and different home resorts (October VGC and December VWL). I've figured out how to manage that pretty well, but now I am considering adding on yet again (duh, it's what we do, right). How does it work if I'm going to add on to my December use year, but at a different resort (OKW)? Is it just another drop down on the site? Any insight would be helpful.

I also have two home resorts and two use years. If you buy another set of points at a new resort, it will be a separate contract since it will have new "home booking" benefits for OKW. If you buy through Disney, my understanding is that they can hook your new points to the VWL master contract (assuming both are purchased from Disney). I don't know of any great benefits to doing that. And if you buy resale, they won't hook them together anyway.

So yes, you will end up with a third drop down option on DVC Member site. I think you're smart...managing two UY's (February and October for me) is hard enough...no way would I want to try to manage 3 UY's.

Just curious about OKW choice...is it because of cost per point? Annual dues? Grand Villas? I'm only asking because OKW is generally not too hard to book at the 7 month window. It would seem that adding more Dec UY VWL points might be easier and give you a stronger 11 month booking advantage since you would have more points at one resort. But there is no right or wrong with DVC...just want to be sure to look at all the angles. Good luck!

 

[Granny]

And I agree with you taking issue. lol Not the place to be just to hang out for a couple of days. I also believe the new Hidden Springs (and let's hope it stays that way) will be done by sometime in the spring. As for the other construction, one would need a crystal ball to know when it will be finished. However, I will leave you with these three simple letter: P, V, & B. (Hint: they're still not done.)

Sleepy...great point about PVB.

You know, I was amazed when looking at that PBS documentary on Walt Disney when they indicated that they broke ground for WDW in May 1967 and in just over four years it was opening! Think about what they accomplished in 4 years and then they announce a 3 year construction window for WL/VWL "enhancements"? I know they have to work around guest experiences since they aren't closing WL or VWL, but really 3 years? Methinks Walt would have "asked" for a little quicker timetable!

 

[theww228]

Pretty well packed up for heading home tomorrow. Everyone else is asleep so I decided to sneak down to the carol wood room for a night cap. Ah, nothing more relaxing!

Does this look familiar?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi groupies! I have a question for all of my DVC experts. I currently have two contracts with different use years and different home resorts (October VGC and December VWL). I've figured out how to manage that pretty well, but now I am considering adding on yet again (duh, it's what we do, right). How does it work if I'm going to add on to my December use year, but at a different resort (OKW)? Is it just another drop down on the site? Any insight would be helpful.

I also have two home resorts and two use years. If you buy another set of points at a new resort, it will be a separate contract since it will have new "home booking" benefits for OKW. If you buy through Disney, my understanding is that they can hook your new points to the VWL master contract (assuming both are purchased from Disney). I don't know of any great benefits to doing that. And if you buy resale, they won't hook them together anyway.

So yes, you will end up with a third drop down option on DVC Member site. I think you're smart...managing two UY's (February and October for me) is hard enough...no way would I want to try to manage 3 UY's.

Actually even with the resale contract DVC will make it a subcontract under your existing membership in the same UY. You just have to have the title identical to your first. I also always let my broker know I was already an owner and when I completed the paperwork for DVC I would add my existing membership number. It's not a 100% guarantee that it'll end up under your existing but I've had it be done more than once.

The way it works on the website won't be another drop down. You can go into your points detail and see the individual contracts but on the booking engine you'll only see the combined totals of whatever UY you have selected in the drop down on the first page where you select the room to search for. So if you select the Dec UY membership you'd see a combined total available for VWL and OKW.Then, when it comes down to selecting points for the room you are reserving, if you are in the 7 month window, you'll see both the VWL and the OKW contracts and points available in each and can choose which points you wish to use. If it's in the 11 to 7 month window then you'll only see the contract for whichever home resort you are trying to book.

 

[jimmytammy]

Pretty well packed up for heading home tomorrow. Everyone else is asleep so I decided to sneak down to the carol wood room for a night cap. Ah, nothing more relaxing!

Does this look familiar?

Yes, yes it does. I love that room! I remember one night I was coughing like crazy with a cold, so at 10pm, I went down there, pulled up a comfy leather rocker in front of that fireplace with a good book, and spent til 6am napping, reading and just enjoying the ambiance. We have had a few wonderful groupie meets there too

 

[jimmytammy]

Sleepy...great point about PVB.

You know, I was amazed when looking at that PBS documentary on Walt Disney when they indicated that they broke ground for WDW in May 1967 and in just over four years it was opening! Think about what they accomplished in 4 years and then they announce a 3 year construction window for WL/VWL "enhancements"? I know they have to work around guest experiences since they aren't closing WL or VWL, but really 3 years? Methinks Walt would have "asked" for a little quicker timetable!

Granny, you are so right about Walt getting things done. That generation in general came from tough times, so they had a great work ethic. My Dad is much like that, and he instilled it in me and glad he did. He reminds me a lot of Walt in that regard. A fellow co-worker who has been with my dad 52 yrs. says this about my Dad..."Rome wasn't built in a day, but then again, Ray Whitesell wasn't the foreman on that job"

 

[DVC1991]

Hi everyone!!

Soon to be VWL groupie!! My friend and I are going down next month and staying at the DVC villas for the first time! We have always gone to whispering canyon for dinner and admired the resort, so we are super excited to finally be staying there!!

Any advice for us newbies?

 

[eliza61]

Hi everyone!!

Soon to be VWL groupie!! My friend and I are going down next month and staying at the DVC villas for the first time! We have always gone to whispering canyon for dinner and admired the resort, so we are super excited to finally be staying there!!

Any advice for us newbies?

Welcome!!

Advice: lol, one of my favorite activities is to get a cup of coffee and go down to the lobby early in the morning. I sit in one of the big chairs by the fireplace and listen to the wonderful music.

it's a great resort

 

[Dizny Dad]

Welcome DVC1991!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Sleepy...great point about PVB.

You know, I was amazed when looking at that PBS documentary on Walt Disney when they indicated that they broke ground for WDW in May 1967 and in just over four years it was opening! Think about what they accomplished in 4 years and then they announce a 3 year construction window for WL/VWL "enhancements"? I know they have to work around guest experiences since they aren't closing WL or VWL, but really 3 years? Methinks Walt would have "asked" for a little quicker timetable!

Lol- too true Granny! My favorite around us is an interstate extension that's been going on for 10 plus years to extend approx 10 miles and still only part is open. Actually, there was the previous 5 or 6 years for another shorter section. I always tell DH that if they were building the highway system in the US today we'd be waiting for another 50 plus years before we'd make it across the country. And I'm probably way underestimating that timeframe!

 

[theww228]

Morning of 11/18

 

[Granny]

The way it works on the website won't be another drop down. You can go into your points detail and see the individual contracts but on the booking engine you'll only see the combined totals of whatever UY you have selected in the drop down on the first page where you select the room to search for. So if you select the Dec UY membership you'd see a combined total available for VWL and OKW.Then, when it comes down to selecting points for the room you are reserving, if you are in the 7 month window, you'll see both the VWL and the OKW contracts and points available in each and can choose which points you wish to use. If it's in the 11 to 7 month window then you'll only see the contract for whichever home resort you are trying to book.

Kathy...thanks so much for correcting my misstatements. I had heard that linking to the master contract with a resale is kind of iffy for MS administration. And I guess I "assumed" that the new contract would be a separate drop down. If it is under a master contract, I guess it would make sense as it would make it easier to book with both contracts at the 7 month window instead of booking some days with each and asking MS to link the reservations. I appreciate the good info!

 

[Granny]

Hi everyone!!

Soon to be VWL groupie!! My friend and I are going down next month and staying at the DVC villas for the first time! We have always gone to whispering canyon for dinner and admired the resort, so we are super excited to finally be staying there!!

Any advice for us newbies?

Welcome DVC 1991!

Please let your friend know that the construction around the resort will be there, and personally I would request a "bus side" view (even number room) to avoid potential construction noise and general construction viewing. Aside from that you will be staying at what is unquestionably the best holiday destination at WDW with the holiday decorations and WL theming blending perfectly to make you feel like you are in Christmas heaven!

Enjoy the trip!

 

[DVC1991]

Welcome DVC 1991!

Please let your friend know that the construction around the resort will be there, and personally I would request a "bus side" view (even number room) to avoid potential construction noise and general construction viewing. Aside from that you will be staying at what is unquestionably the best holiday destination at WDW with the holiday decorations and WL theming blending perfectly to make you feel like you are in Christmas heaven!

Enjoy the trip!

Thanks for the advice!!! I was wondering what the best situation would be with all that construction going on!

 

[theww228]

On the DME heading to MCO and then cold Ohio. Brrrrr!

We had a great time at the lodge and can't wait until next October to head back. Btw, resort decorations are not up yet, darn!

 

[Kathymford]

I also have two home resorts and two use years. If you buy another set of points at a new resort, it will be a separate contract since it will have new "home booking" benefits for OKW. If you buy through Disney, my understanding is that they can hook your new points to the VWL master contract (assuming both are purchased from Disney). I don't know of any great benefits to doing that. And if you buy resale, they won't hook them together anyway.

So yes, you will end up with a third drop down option on DVC Member site. I think you're smart...managing two UY's (February and October for me) is hard enough...no way would I want to try to manage 3 UY's.

Just curious about OKW choice...is it because of cost per point? Annual dues? Grand Villas? I'm only asking because OKW is generally not too hard to book at the 7 month window. It would seem that adding more Dec UY VWL points might be easier and give you a stronger 11 month booking advantage since you would have more points at one resort. But there is no right or wrong with DVC...just want to be sure to look at all the angles. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice and thank you @KAT4DISNEY with the detailed description! That's exactly what I wanted to know!

We were looking to buy direct (small add-on), so it was a waitlist issue. We waitlisted two resorts: the lodge (duh) and OKW. We liked boat access no matter where the boat goes. LOL. Well, the waitlist for OKW came through first, so now we are just deciding.

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome DVC1991!!!!
Just being here constitutes you as an official groupie...but remember this, once a groupie, always a groupie
As for staying there, check out the Carolwood Pacific Room, a couple of Walt's personal train cars from his home track are located here. Great place to unwind after a day in the parks.
Enjoy the ambiance of it all, the lanterns flickering while the crickets chirp, the faint background music playing western themed tunes. Take the Wonders of the Lodge Tour. Enjoy all the little nooks and crannies of the entire place, great places to read, enjoy a drink of choice, or just watch the people rush around.

 

[DiznyDi]

WELCOME DVC1991! So very nice to have you here! DDad and I will be at the Lodge next month, too. We'll be the old folks, walking slowly with not a care in the world. You can often find us sitting in the (villas) rockers by the inglenook in front of the fireplace. What are your dates? We'll be there Dec. 12-19.

Things to do: take time to enjoy the serenity and tranquility of the lodge (even with construction). The Carolwood Pacific Room in the Villas is a great place to hang out, too. The large leather rockers make for a great afternoon respite - particularly on your last day while waiting for DME.

Try to take the Lodge tour. This is given by one of the Rangers and is available several days each week. It's around 9:00AM and will last about an hour. This gives wonderful insight and history. Well worth the hour investment.

We enjoy an early morning walk over to Fort Wilderness. Some here will stay for the breakfast buffet at Trail's End before returning. Reports are that it's one of the best values on property - and good, too! That's on our bucket list. It's about a mile each way. You'll see deer so close you can almost touch them. On one walk we saw 23 deer! We even saw a bobcat once. You can walk back, take a boat to Contemporary/monorail or take a boat to Magic Kingdom. I wouldn't recommend taking a bus. There's an internal bus route that you need to take to get you to the bus stop. This really eats up a lot of time.

Theww228 - many thanks for your bird's eye view and updates on the construction. Sorry you weren't able to see any of the Christmas decorations yet. I always thought it would be fun to find out when the big lobby tree was to be put up and camp out on one of the upper floor areas and watch as the tree came in and was set up. Maybe someday.... All good things must come to an end. Time to start planning your next trip. Welcome back home. You chose a wonderful day to return. Our temperatures reached nearly 70.

Kathymford - decisions, decisions.... DDad and I are much the same - we like the boats! We particularly enjoy hearing the boat horns on the water first thing in the morning.

 

[Dizny Dad]

WELCOME DVC1991! . . . . . . DDad and I will be at the Lodge next month, too. We'll be the old folks, walking slowly . . . . . . . . .

Geeze Louise Dear, I resemble that remark . . .