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

[twinklebug]

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.

I'm keeping an eye on a thread on another board regarding a survey Disney sent out recently asking about charging daily use fee. The wording makes it sound as though it could potentially apply to anyone staying on points. Disney's reasoning: $15/day will provide magical express, parking, Wi-Fi, magic bands, EMH and fast passes. Hmmm....

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm keeping an eye on a thread on another board regarding a survey Disney sent out recently asking about charging daily use fee. The wording makes it sound as though it could potentially apply to anyone staying on points. Disney's reasoning: $15/day will provide magical express, parking, Wi-Fi, magic bands, EMH and fast passes. Hmmm....

Hmmm, indeed.

 

[Granny]

I'm keeping an eye on a thread on another board regarding a survey Disney sent out recently asking about charging daily use fee. The wording makes it sound as though it could potentially apply to anyone staying on points. Disney's reasoning: $15/day will provide magical express, parking, Wi-Fi, magic bands, EMH and fast passes. Hmmm....

I saw that thread. And since our dues already include those costs it would be hard for Disney to justify that upcharge for DVC members staying on points. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure that our contract spells out what additional fees they can charge and I don't think "resort fees" is one of them. Still, it is interesting to watch Disney try to push the pricing envelope in amazing ways.

 

[twinklebug]

I saw that thread. And since our dues already include those costs it would be hard for Disney to justify that upcharge for DVC members staying on points. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure that our contract spells out what additional fees they can charge and I don't think "resort fees" is one of them. Still, it is interesting to watch Disney try to push the pricing envelope in amazing ways.

That's a good point. I know some of those items are considered perks (ME, Wi-Fi and EMH) which they could take away or charge for at any point in time, but I believe others might be a part of our contract such as parking and room keys (in the form of magic bands now). Imagining the front desk trying to tell us we have to pay the fee or we won't be given access to open the door to our rooms

 

[Kathymford]

I wouldn't be surprised if Disney started adding resort fees to hotel stays (i.e., cash). It's a very common practice now; I was shocked last time I was trying to book Las Vegas that even the not great resorts were charging them. It's a great way to make their rates LOOK low until you read the fine print and see that the hotel will be collecting another $15/day in fees.

 

[Granny]

That's a good point. I know some of those items are considered perks (ME, Wi-Fi and EMH) which they could take away or charge for at any point in time, but I believe others might be a part of our contract such as parking and room keys (in the form of magic bands now). Imagining the front desk trying to tell us we have to pay the fee or we won't be given access to open the door to our rooms

Good point about separating perks from essential services. Of course, we don't have all the detail that tells us which items are covered in our dues already. Like Wi-Fi....is that "free" because we are already paying for it? I'd be surprised if we weren't. Regardless, as Sleepy says, it's really up to the Sheriff and how far they want to push costs from them to us.

 

[Granny]

All right, in a completely different direction...

So a week or so ago, my lovely bride asks me to go down the steps to our finished basement. At the landing at the bottom, on the wall, this had magically appeared...




So yeah, I guess Disney knows they've got us.

 

[Flossbolna]

May I ask a stupid question as a newbie to this thread?? Why "(Special Collectors Edition)"? Where there other editions before this one? Will we move on to a new edition at some point?? Just curious!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

A Belated Happy Birthday @ladytink75!!!
Hope your day was special!​

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

May I ask a stupid question as a newbie to this thread?? Why "(Special Collectors Edition)"? Where there other editions before this one? Will we move on to a new edition at some point?? Just curious!

Yes, there have been a few before this. I thought we had links to the others in the first post but can't find the info. The old message boards required new threads after 250 pages or some number otherwise they bogged down the servers or something. (Can you tell I never knew exactly why! But there was a magic number and the mods would come along and close the thread) It doesn't seem like the new software has those issues so it's hard to say if or when a new Groupie thread might have to be started.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good point about separating perks from essential services. Of course, we don't have all the detail that tells us which items are covered in our dues already. Like Wi-Fi....is that "free" because we are already paying for it? I'd be surprised if we weren't. Regardless, as Sleepy says, it's really up to the Sheriff and how far they want to push costs from them to us.

Back in the day DVC did not pay for internet while the hotel guests did. I think it was all included in the resort expenses which we pay a part of and Disney just charged a fee. That was more common when they started and by the time it ended they were one of the few I experienced still adding a fee for it. And now it may all come back around again?! I'd guess it would be as before for DVC though - included. If this all happens, which when regarding Disney's past couple of weeks seems likely. Food menu prices increasing, ticket prices increasing, dining plan increasing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For any that enjoy the Disney movie nights it's that time again on TCM tonight. 20,000 leagues and a couple of nature stories.

 

[Granny]

May I ask a stupid question as a newbie to this thread?? Why "(Special Collectors Edition)"? Where there other editions before this one? Will we move on to a new edition at some point?? Just curious!

Not a dumb question at all. I think this is about the 7th reincarnation of this thread, which is now in its 10th year of consecutive running! Later this year we will have to have a 10 year anniversary party here on the DISBoards.

Most of the other DVC Resort Lovers threads are still on their original thread but this one by far has had the most posts over the years. What can we say, we're a passionate bunch!

That, plus we ended up creating a community whereas the other resort threads tend to be more factual information about the resort in question.

But I decided to try to find links to all the other threads. Here's the ones I found. Maybe there are more?

November 22, 2006 http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-vwl-groupies-trivia-thread.1283264/

April 17, 2008 http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-vwl-groupies-trivia-thread-chapter-2.1795696/

June 18, 2010 http://ww.disboards.com/threads/vwl-lovers-groupies-thread-it-all-started-with-a-moose.2490642/

May 5, 2011 http://xn--www-6o0a.disboards.com/t...hread-meese-ka-mice-ka-moose-kateers.2714808/

April 10, 2012 http://www.disboards.com/threads/vwl-groupies-yes-we-love-the-lodge.2907923/

October 22, 2012 http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-vwl-groupies-and-lovers-thread-it-started-with-a-moose.3011752/ [This one really doesn't count...it was a mistake as the moderators didn't notice that we had shut down an older thread]

March 5, 2013 http://www.disboards.com/threads/vwl-groupies-yes-we-love-the-lodge-a-lot.3075564/

 

[sleepydog25]

Not a dumb question at all. I think this is about the 7th reincarnation of this thread, which is now in its 10th year of consecutive running! Later this year we will have to have a 10 year anniversary party here on the DISBoards.

Most of the other DVC Resort Lovers threads are still on their original thread but this one by far has had the most posts over the years. What can we say, we're a passionate bunch!

That, plus we ended up creating a community whereas the other resort threads tend to be more factual information about the resort in question.

But I decided to try to find links to all the other threads. Here's the ones I found. Maybe there are more?

November 22, 2006 http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-vwl-groupies-trivia-thread.1283264/

April 17, 2008 http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-vwl-groupies-trivia-thread-chapter-2.1795696/

June 18, 2010 http://ww.disboards.com/threads/vwl-lovers-groupies-thread-it-all-started-with-a-moose.2490642/

May 5, 2011 http://xn--www-6o0a.disboards.com/t...hread-meese-ka-mice-ka-moose-kateers.2714808/

April 10, 2012 http://www.disboards.com/threads/vwl-groupies-yes-we-love-the-lodge.2907923/

October 22, 2012 http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-vwl-groupies-and-lovers-thread-it-started-with-a-moose.3011752/ [This one really doesn't count...it was a mistake as the moderators didn't notice that we had shut down an older thread]

March 5, 2013 http://www.disboards.com/threads/vwl-groupies-yes-we-love-the-lodge-a-lot.3075564/

To further elaborate on Flossy's question, for some reason still as yet unfathomable, I was invited to start the current iteration of the Groupies page as we neared the shelf life of the one prior (which as explained was capped at 250 pages). I had huge shoes to fill and opted to come up with the Special Edition title just as something unique to set us apart from other threads. As noted, some form of this page has been going for nearly a decade, about the length of time I've been using the DIS Boards, and never had or have I encountered such a genuinely caring, friendly, helpful, and non-judgmental on any forum anywhere. I can honestly say that this group has become like family to me even though I've met only a handful of them in person. Much like the Lodge itself, I find our thread to be a respite from the harsh realities of life, a welcoming embrace such as you get at grandma's house.

Granny, if it's alright with you, I'll copy the wonderful work you've done and find a spot on Page 1 where all who stumble upon us (as well as those who've been around awhile) can explore a bit of our history.

 

[twokats]

To further elaborate on Flossy's question, for some reason still as yet unfathomable, I was invited to start the current iteration of the Groupies page as we neared the shelf life of the one prior (which as explained was capped at 250 pages). I had huge shoes to fill and opted to come up with the Special Edition title just as something unique to set us apart from other threads. As noted, some form of this page has been going for nearly a decade, about the length of time I've been using the DIS Boards, and never had or have I encountered such a genuinely caring, friendly, helpful, and non-judgmental on any forum anywhere. I can honestly say that this group has become like family to me even though I've met only a handful of them in person. Much like the Lodge itself, I find our thread to be a respite from the harsh realities of life, a welcoming embrace such as you get at grandma's house.

Granny, if it's alright with you, I'll copy the wonderful work you've done and find a spot on Page 1 where all who stumble upon us (as well as those who've been around awhile) can explore a bit of our history.

Not unfathomable, Sleepy. You rescued me!! I was supposed to start this thread, but my good old bones decided to break at that time and I was unavailable (in the hospital to be exact) to take over and you so kindly stepped in and have done a fantastic job. I love our groupie family and look forward to the next ten years with y'all.

 

[Granny]

To further elaborate on Flossy's question, for some reason still as yet unfathomable, I was invited to start the current iteration of the Groupies page as we neared the shelf life of the one prior (which as explained was capped at 250 pages). I had huge shoes to fill and opted to come up with the Special Edition title just as something unique to set us apart from other threads. As noted, some form of this page has been going for nearly a decade, about the length of time I've been using the DIS Boards, and never had or have I encountered such a genuinely caring, friendly, helpful, and non-judgmental on any forum anywhere. I can honestly say that this group has become like family to me even though I've met only a handful of them in person. Much like the Lodge itself, I find our thread to be a respite from the harsh realities of life, a welcoming embrace such as you get at grandma's house.

Granny, if it's alright with you, I'll copy the wonderful work you've done and find a spot on Page 1 where all who stumble upon us (as well as those who've been around awhile) can explore a bit of our history.

Sleepy...that would be great! And if I missed any, they can just add them. I don't know how to "name" links, so if someone wants to clean them up that would be cool too. Thank you!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Happy Birthday Icecoldpenguin!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

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

Yeah, but we love the romantic intentions . . .castles, princesses, heroes, rescues, truth, justice, and the Am. . . . . oops, sorry. Got carried away both times; this time and last.

 

[DiznyDi]

Granny, you did a great job of assembling our previous threads. Thanks!
I thinks there's another:

We're Baaaaack!! **The WLV's groupies & Trivia Thread chapter 3
Discussion in 'DVC-Mousecellaneous' started by eliza61, Jan 2, 2009

How do I get a link? Either I've not had enough coffee yet this AM, or I just simply can't find it.

 

[DiznyDi]

Belated Birthday wishes to @ladytink75

Icecoldpenguin