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

[Granny]

Got a little better one yesterday.

Jade...I think DVC marketing will be looking for your photos to help sell VWL II !!

 

[LoveMickey]

Good afternoon folks, it's been a while since I've been on this board. We are planning a VWL visit for December and was wondering if and when the new DVC rooms will become available.
I believe I heard they would have rooms in the mail lodge, as Jambo house does.

Does anyone have and news on this topic?

thank you as always - you guys are great.

 

[jade1]

The right wing is not open yet, a CM said they will become DVC but wasn't sure when. It looked a long way to go to me.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good afternoon folks, it's been a while since I've been on this board. We are planning a VWL visit for December and was wondering if and when the new DVC rooms will become available.
I believe I heard they would have rooms in the mail lodge, as Jambo house does.

Does anyone have and news on this topic?

thank you as always - you guys are great.

The only thing being said by Disney so far is that construction will be ongoing into 2017. Other than that there's little to nothing that they've officially released for info. It does look like rooms in the main lodge will be converted but we're all just waiting to see what and when.

 

[sleepydog25]

Good afternoon folks, it's been a while since I've been on this board. We are planning a VWL visit for December and was wondering if and when the new DVC rooms will become available.
I believe I heard they would have rooms in the mail lodge, as Jambo house does.

Does anyone have and news on this topic?

thank you as always - you guys are great.

Welcome back! To piggyback on the other comments, it's currently not confirmed that the main Lodge rooms will be DVC; however, it's a near certainty they will be. Given they are just now ripping out sheet rock and that their plan for the new build will stretch well into 2017 if not 2018, there won't be any new DVC rooms this coming Christmas. Perhaps in 2017 there will be some, but I figure they'll not be fully open until mid-2018.

 

[rkstocke5609]

How is this for a solution to the VWL1 / VWL2 drama...first off, they are separate completely with different point charts. We can't have our pool of 1BR and 2BR units being diluted with new owners (especially the coveted dedicated units that aren't part of any new DVC resorts anymore). Having said that what say you groupies to the notion of having an 8 month booking window for these "sister" associations so that each could gain access to the others treasures before the rest of the DVC system? I think this could work -- it retains each other's integrity but at the same time allows preferential access between the two halves of the same resort.

-Ron

 

[Granny]

How is this for a solution to the VWL1 / VWL2 drama...first off, they are separate completely with different point charts. We can't have our pool of 1BR and 2BR units being diluted with new owners (especially the coveted dedicated units that aren't part of any new DVC resorts anymore). Having said that what say you groupies to the notion of having an 8 month booking window for these "sister" associations so that each could gain access to the others treasures before the rest of the DVC system? I think this could work -- it retains each other's integrity but at the same time allows preferential access between the two halves of the same resort.

-Ron

Ron...great comments which make sense. I am 99.9% certain that VWL 2 will be a completely separate DVC resort...after all, it will have a very different expiration date. And I don't see any chance of booking advantages for current VWL owners longer than the 7 month window. Keep in mind that Disney wants to sell those new villas as quickly as possible, and I can't think of any reason they would give current VWL owners any preferential treatment in booking early. I'm sure their thinking is "if you want preferential treatment, buy some points!".

Along those lines, I don't think Disney thinks there is any VWL1/VWL2 drama. In their minds they are building a new resort and it just happens to be right next to an existing one. And yes, I am certain the point charts for VWL2 will be more along the lines of Poly and GVC point charts. From Disney's viewpoint, once you sell in a point increase, there's no reason to go back to the lower point requirement ways.

I also agree that there is a 99.9% probability that the South wing of WL will convert to VWL2. They just refurbed all the rooms at WL a year or so ago, so why else would they have the entire wing under construction?

 

[Granny]

We really believe it will be moved out of the Lobby environment into the "mystery" building out and away from the main Lodge; similar to Narcoosee's at GF. We can see the space being used as the new Roaring Fork to accommodate all the new owners, with the present Roaring Fork used for a small lounge or service area.

DDad...it would seem that would be a great location for AP. We'll have to wait and see I guess. If they built out a nice covered patio area it would be a lovely spot for a meal and some libations too.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Ron...great comments which make sense. I am 99.9% certain that VWL 2 will be a completely separate DVC resort...after all, it will have a very different expiration date. And I don't see any chance of booking advantages for current VWL owners longer than the 7 month window. Keep in mind that Disney wants to sell those new villas as quickly as possible, and I can't think of any reason they would give current VWL owners any preferential treatment in booking early. I'm sure their thinking is "if you want preferential treatment, buy some points!".

Along those lines, I don't think Disney thinks there is any VWL1/VWL2 drama. In their minds they are building a new resort and it just happens to be right next to an existing one. And yes, I am certain the point charts for VWL2 will be more along the lines of Poly and GVC point charts. From Disney's viewpoint, once you sell in a point increase, there's no reason to go back to the lower point requirement ways.

I also agree that there is a 99.9% probability that the South wing of WL will convert to VWL2. They just refurbed all the rooms at WL a year or so ago, so why else would they have the entire wing under construction?

I agree. I do know there are a number of VWL1 owners that are concerned that VWL2 owners would get access to the VWL1 point structure and 1BR & 2BR options. Personally, I am fine with no access to VWL2. However, my reciprocity idea of 8 month booking window access for the "sister associations" was just noting that if they wanted to give access to VWL1 to VWL2 it has to go both ways. And, the point being it helps them advertise options that weren't available at Poly. Of course we'll have to see what the south wing looks like when done.
It will be really interesting if we have all the same amenities less access to cabins and say studios for 25-30 percent less points/night than VWL2. Should be really interesting to see the marketing of that!

 

[Granny]

I agree that it will certainly be interesting. Makes me wonder what the new villas will be like to justify a higher points per night schedule. The cabins will have an attraction all their own but how they will market the room conversions at WL will be interesting. I don't see VWL 2 owners getting any preferential access to VWL1 villas...but on the other hand it is Disney who makes the rules and if they think they can help sell some new points who knows what they will do. I think the documents we all agreed to indicate that home resort ownership guarantees some sort of booking advantage but if I recall correctly they only have to make it a two month booking advantage by contract. So they could do what you suggest, but they are not required to make them reciprocated privileges. At this point, we just have to wait and see. Based on the slow construction schedule, I don't think they are in any hurry to declare inventory and start selling. It could well be similar to BLT where they were almost finished before they opened up sales. I would imagine the time table is dependent on the PVB sales which seem to be sluggish.

 

[Flossbolna]

I was trying to investigate timelines for the AKV Jambo House conversion as this might be an indicator for timeline for VWL2. It seems that AKV was announced in October 2006 and Jambo House conversion started very quickly, Kidani started January 2007. Opening day for AKV was July 2. That was quick!! I am not sure what the Poly timeline is, but I think there they started with the bungalows before they started converting the hotel rooms.

Since they decided to take out the hotel rooms already now, I would think that they are going to look at filling those rooms again as soon as possible. Because otherwise there would have been no need to start the construction inside the resort so early. Empty rooms are not earning any money for Disney. So, looking at the timeline for Jambo House, this might mean an opening date this year!

 

[Granny]

I was trying to investigate timelines for the AKV Jambo House conversion as this might be an indicator for timeline for VWL2. It seems that AKV was announced in October 2006 and Jambo House conversion started very quickly, Kidani started January 2007. Opening day for AKV was July 2. That was quick!! I am not sure what the Poly timeline is, but I think there they started with the bungalows before they started converting the hotel rooms.

Since they decided to take out the hotel rooms already now, I would think that they are going to look at filling those rooms again as soon as possible. Because otherwise there would have been no need to start the construction inside the resort so early. Empty rooms are not earning any money for Disney. So, looking at the timeline for Jambo House, this might mean an opening date this year!

Flossbolna...welcome to this thread! I really don't think they will be having any rooms for this year, and personally I think Disney is unlikely to open much of the new resort next year. Disney doesn't seem to be in any rush to complete the new DVC project at WL, and that probably has to do with sales at PBV being a bit sluggish according to many reports. It seems that there were so many devotees to the Polynesian Resort that said they would buy into DVC if only they'd build at the Poly...and then the pricing and high point schedule came out and I think many of those people had second thoughts. In any event, we'd all like to see them complete the work much sooner at WL so hopefully you are correct!

 

[Flossbolna]

Flossbolna...welcome to this thread! I really don't think they will be having any rooms for this year, and personally I think Disney is unlikely to open much of the new resort next year. Disney doesn't seem to be in any rush to complete the new DVC project at WL, and that probably has to do with sales at PBV being a bit sluggish according to many reports. It seems that there were so many devotees to the Polynesian Resort that said they would buy into DVC if only they'd build at the Poly...and then the pricing and high point schedule came out and I think many of those people had second thoughts. In any event, we'd all like to see them complete the work much sooner at WL so hopefully you are correct!

Thanks for the welcome!!

Of course I have no clue what DVC is really thinking! But maybe they are interested in getting an alternative to the PBV to sell to those people who would be interested in staying in one- and two-bedroom villas? And who knows, the VWL2 point structure might be a little less crazy than the one at the PBV? After all, it is not a monorail resort. So, they might be interested in getting inventory at a WDW resort that is more a traditional DVC resort as soon as possible just because of the difficulties they have at PBV? But maybe this is all wishful thinking on my part because I am going to be there for the holiday season and want to see as little construction as possible.

 

[sleepydog25]

I will admit, talking about the new VWL build is fun speculation. . .almost, ALMOST gets me thinking about buying points there when it opens. Speaking of, I'm firmly in the camp that both the new, as yet unverified, DVC rooms and the cabins will be built on a slower schedule, primarily because of the sluggish sales at PVB. As Granny mentioned, there was a great deal of pre-build excitement with PVB given all the Poly devotees; however, given they only built studios, built 340+ of them, and then upped the ante on points to painful levels, the sales haven't materialized. While they two resorts generally tend to appeal to different audiences, I can't see DVC pushing ahead too quickly on VWL, Part Deux since those might impact PVB sales, particularly as I suspect the new South Wing will have some 1 & 2 BRs. VWL II will be a separate contract, and while it would be nice to have an 8-month window as a current VWL owner, giving one group that advantage over another would be greeted with much derision. It could happen, certainly, but I'm guessing it won't since at the very least the thinking might go something like, "don't give current owners an advantage or they won't buy the new." Point requirements and point cost I figure will closely mirror PVB, though not being on the monorail might ameloriate the former. All speculation, of course.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think I lean towards the idea that Disney will be trying to open the rooms in the lodge ASAP and that we will likely see it before the end of this year or at the latest the beginning of next. Having the rooms out of service for so long does nothing for Disney's bottom line and in their most recent quarterly report they were talking about such high occupancy's and a demand for rooms in the Orlando area so I don't think the let this project languish around. I also wouldn't be surprised if they are looking to have a sales option that does include one and two bedrooms at Walt Disney World to complement PVB studios. It has to be a little difficult for the sales people to say that the people can use their PVB points elsewhere at 7 months or that they have Aulani when they have people there with large families or those who just want the multi room villas.

 

[wildernessDad]

Things are still positive with the potential Moon Express interview. They have relocated to Cape Kennedy. I'm looking to do one more great thing before I retire to the Orlando area and having their help to move to Florida would be a no-brainer. We'll see what happens. If it's not in the cards, I'll hang out here at APL for a year or two more before moving to Orlando.

 

[wildernessDad]

I will admit, talking about the new VWL build is fun speculation. . .almost, ALMOST gets me thinking about buying points there when it opens. Speaking of, I'm firmly in the camp that both the new, as yet unverified, DVC rooms and the cabins will be built on a slower schedule, primarily because of the sluggish sales at PVB. As Granny mentioned, there was a great deal of pre-build excitement with PVB given all the Poly devotees; however, given they only built studios, built 340+ of them, and then upped the ante on points to painful levels, the sales haven't materialized. While they two resorts generally tend to appeal to different audiences, I can't see DVC pushing ahead too quickly on VWL, Part Deux since those might impact PVB sales, particularly as I suspect the new South Wing will have some 1 & 2 BRs. VWL II will be a separate contract, and while it would be nice to have an 8-month window as a current VWL owner, giving one group that advantage over another would be greeted with much derision. It could happen, certainly, but I'm guessing it won't since at the very least the thinking might go something like, "don't give current owners an advantage or they won't buy the new." Point requirements and point cost I figure will closely mirror PVB, though not being on the monorail might ameloriate the former. All speculation, of course.

I agree with this and add that the view from the cabins will not be spectacular like the views from the bungalows. In fact, what views do the cabins have? Mostly a run down island and some boats going by.

 

[Kathymford]

It would be great to get something as a VWLI owner if I buy VWLII. A way to combine points or something (I know this is highly unlikely). It just seems like such a waste to have two contracts at the exact same resort, but be restricted to only certain rooms on one or the other.

FYI, I would LOVE the 8 month window perk.

 

[Dizny Dad]

We all love and appreciate Disney. And it is entertaining to discuss what they may do when it comes to anything DVC, i.e. point charts, booking windows, VWL1 vs. VWL2, etc. It is what makes this thread so great; we all can express our hopes, fears, and dreams about all things Disney and The Lodge.

Just keep in mind, Disney wrote a contract that allows them to do whatever they want within the Timeshare & Real Estate laws of Florida. And being a public company, those with money invested in the company stock expect a return on investment; a powerful pressure on the Board of Directors to always improve the bottom line. Certainly making those that participate in their services (Parks, hotels, movies, etc.) happy always supports that line, but Directors look at numbers, not faces. Again, we all love and appreciate Disney. They do want to keep The World known as the "Happiest Place on Earth". We just need to remember who is the lord and master of that castle.

 

[sleepydog25]

We all love and appreciate Disney. And it is entertaining to discuss what they may do when it comes to anything DVC, i.e. point charts, booking windows, VWL1 vs. VWL2, etc. It is what makes this thread so great; we all can express our hopes, fears, and dreams about all things Disney and The Lodge.

Just keep in mind, Disney wrote a contract that allows them to do whatever they want within the Timeshare & Real Estate laws of Florida. And being a public company, those with money invested in the company stock expect a return on investment; a powerful pressure on the Board of Directors to always improve the bottom line. Certainly making those that participate in their services (Parks, hotels, movies, etc.) happy always supports that line, but Directors look at numbers, not faces. Again, we all love and appreciate Disney. They do want to keep The World known as the "Happiest Place on Earth". We just need to remember who is the lord and master of that castle.

Yeah, and sometimes it ain't King Arthur but the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (I know, I know. . .mixed my eras).