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

[twinklebug]

So...I'm not obsessing about the VWL2...really I'm not!

But I do find it interesting, and for some reason I never noted that the plans include ponds between the current VWL and the cabins, with a footbridge or two to cross them.

http://i235.*************************************VWLOverlayDM.jpg

I guess I should have figured that blue meant water on the plans! Duh!

And this plan that was posted calls out "NEW PONDS" and "NEW BRIDGE" as well as a new parking area for the cabins.

Now all this has probably been posted on this thread but for whatever reason I didn't pick up on some of it. The ponds might be nice. Just some more grist for the mill.

I'm not so sure those will be "ponds" as much as swamp land, sort of like what we have the entry bridge going over. From the pictures I'm seeing, they have kept a number of trees right along the villas in those same positions. The bridges will act to keep walking paths above the water levels in the rainy season. I wonder if they'll make them covered bridges (probably not)

 

[sleepydog25]

I noticed them when the plans first appeared, but I'm just not sure how they'll look nor if these will be swampy areas or actual ponds. My guess is whatever costs less to put in and to maintain. Still, it's difficult to not be a little excited to see just how this whole project winds up looking. . .though I will always miss the "old" Villas area.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Like Twinklebug I've thought those areas were going to be similar to the swampy area to the west of the Villas. So, they'll have a bridge over it much like the walkways going out to the boats but it won't be an actual pond per se. We'll have to see though!

 

[Granny]

I was using the word "pond" since that was what was used on the plan. But yes, I anticipate a marshy, swampy area similar to the front of VWL which would be fine...probably more in keeping with the look and feel of the villas. At the end of the day, though, I think it will be all about the trees as far as how much of the former ambiance is returned to our beloved villas.

 

[jimmytammy]

I like the idea of a pond, we can go fishing in the "wilderness"
Seriously, like Granny, I would like to see the trees return to keep the ambiance and flow of what they had going on before

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . . My guess is whatever costs less to put in and to maintain. . . . . . . . . .

Maintenance cost is the interest paid on misconceived landscaping.

Just as a side note: I love to improve and add to our home property. I have worked for 37 years on improving our acreage and making something out of a 1970’s corn field. But I have also held to the idea that if what I am thinking about adding will take more time to maintain than going over the area at 20 mph on the tractor, I think twice. But after 37 years, I, indeed, have a lot of interest I’m paying.

 

[sleepydog25]

Maintenance cost is the interest paid on misconceived landscaping.

Love it!

 

[circhead]

Where are the trees?

Is there really going to be that much open space without trees? I can get that at Beach Club or Boardwalk or any number of other resorts.
The trees were one of the unique things about WL that made it feel more relaxing and like a retreat when you returned from a day out. IMO
The trees added to the sense of serenity that I always got at WL.

 

[Granny]

Where are the trees?

Is there really going to be that much open space without trees? I can get that at Beach Club or Boardwalk or any number of other resorts.
The trees were one of the unique things about WL that made it feel more relaxing and like a retreat when you returned from a day out. IMO
The trees added to the sense of serenity that I always got at WL.

Pat...I think we were all pretty much freaking out when we saw the original plans. And we wondered if they would keep any of the trees. The plans don't include trees anywhere, so they are not part of the construction plan. But that doesn't mean they won't have any trees. It just means they don't include them in construction plans.

I think it is in Disney's interest to try to maintain the look and feel of Wilderness Lodge as much as possible. And I also think that they don't want customers in the cabins to be looking back at an unobstructed view of the current VWL building. Remember, they are trying to sell new points so they will want the cabins to have an attractive as possible setting to help sell. And I think that would include a fair number of trees. If they do it right, I think the look and feel of VWL will be okay, and the cabins quite frankly could be spectacular. According to those who have looked closely at the plans, the cabins will be bigger than the Poly bungalows. That might be partly to help the sale that these cabins will be unique and a relatively great value. We'll have to see about that.

DDad...your words are very wise for one so young!

 

[circhead]

Does anyone know anything about a resort fee that Disney is sending surveys about?

Check out this survey this guy got and just posted -

https://twitter.com/ScottGustin/status/707404345210372096

I'm asking here because you are all normally much better informed than I am.

I would also like to know which deluxe resort has an average price of 350.00 per night or are they quoting 1990 pricing structure?

350.00 per night almost works out to be less than I am paying in annual maintenance fees.

 

[Granny]

Okay Groupies...for those like me who don't read many threads on these boards. But this one is so crazy that I just had to share it:

http://www.**************.net/2016/...id-disney-after-hours-event-at-magic-kingdom/


Really...$149 for EMH with ice cream? I really think that Disney's money grab this year is unbelievable.

 

[Granny]

Does anyone know anything about a resort fee that Disney is sending surveys about?




I'm asking here because you are all normally much better informed than I am.

I would also like to know which deluxe resort has an average price of 350.00 per night or are they quoting 1990 pricing structure?

350.00 per night almost works out to be less than I am paying in annual maintenance fees.

This has been discussed here and I think the consensus is that it wouldn't affect DVC since our dues already pay for most of the services. However, at this point, I wouldn't put it past Disney to try to wring any dollars they can out of anyone.

 

[twinklebug]

This has been discussed here and I think the consensus is that it wouldn't affect DVC since our dues already pay for most of the services. However, at this point, I wouldn't put it past Disney to try to wring any dollars they can out of anyone.

I agree. At this point we can only hope Disney's feeling out the response to the term "resort fee". The results haven't been positive, with the public almost unanimously agreeing that part of the draw to stay on site is that Disney doesn't break out costs like that, and they don't want to see it start.

All we can do is wait and see. Hoping that this isn't a game they're trying to play to pry more money out of the pockets of DVC owners. I do know we have a large number of owners who are both current and retired lawyers. They're sure to keep Disney on the straight path for all of us. Should the fee game begin, it will shift my budgeting.

Although not directly related to the fee discussion, at this point in time I'm just glad I did not move forward with that 200 point add on I almost jumped on last summer.

 

[circhead]

I remember when EMH was a limited ticket event for resort guests only.
I brought it every time it was available but it was not $150.00 per ticket - that's ridiculous.
That's even more than a single day pass. I think Disney management is on the verge of losing its collective mind.

 

[twinklebug]

Okay Groupies...for those like me who don't read many threads on these boards. But this one is so crazy that I just had to share it:

http://www.**************.net/2016/...id-disney-after-hours-event-at-magic-kingdom/


Really...$149 for EMH with ice cream? I really think that Disney's money grab this year is unbelievable.

Although my first reaction is similar to yours, the more I think about it and the fact that Disney has not announced anything, the more it seems that this is an event that hasn't been fully developed out. Disney always gives paid after hours events an exciting name to start with and adds in deserts, drinks and special entertainment.

Yet another thing to keep an ear to the wind for developments on.

 

[sleepydog25]

1) Lack of trees: Yep, it's sad, but as wiser voices have encouraged, DVC has good reason to put in nice landscaping. . .and I hope that includes trees. On a side note, I hope the entire beach isn't wiped out when said and done. . .or the nature trail. But, I digress.
2) Resort fee: I'm with the camp that says DVC owners would be exempt should Disney attempt that ruse. In fact, I don't know that Disney wants the torrent of negative publicity that would come from every person--DVC or not--who would shell out even more money. I will say that should DVC owners be charged a resort fee, there would be serious discussion in the Sleepydog house about selling. I don't mean that as sour grapes, just a statement of inevitability.
3) Disney's After Hours Event: Uh, no.

 

[circhead]

Although my first reaction is similar to yours, the more I think about it and the fact that Disney has not announced anything, the more it seems that this is an event that hasn't been fully developed out. Disney always gives paid after hours events an exciting name to start with and adds in deserts, drinks and special entertainment.

Yet another thing to keep an ear to the wind for developments on.

Kat the announcement and the dates are already on the Walt Disney World page. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/disney-after-hours/

2) Resort fee: I'm with the camp that says DVC owners would be exempt should Disney attempt that ruse. In fact, I don't know that Disney wants the torrent of negative publicity that would come from every person--DVC or not--who would shell out even more money. I will say that should DVC owners be charged a resort fee, there would be serious discussion in the Sleepydog house about selling. I don't mean that as sour grapes, just a statement of inevitability.

That is my initial reaction also. Why would I pay for the same thing twice. Once in my annual DVC fees and again when I actually book a room and stay on property?
Like I've already said if you could actually get a deluxe resort for 350.00 per night it's equivalent to my annual fee. Sell my DVC and just use the annual fee to pay for my vacation. I get to use the initial investment for other things.
At this point in time I could probably sell for more than I paid. I purchased 350 VWL points in 2001 - prices were much lower than they are today even resale.

 

[twinklebug]

Kat the announcement and the dates are already on the Walt Disney World page. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/disney-after-hours/

Thank you for the link. To quote Alice: "Curious."

Still seems like the plans are quite incomplete. I can understand the demand for such an event in that most visitors are unable to participate in the holiday or other special events, but where is the draw to this one? No promise of special parade, fireworks, entertainment or anything else that I can see. If this is for the off-site folk to have their own version of an EMH, it is certainly overpriced.

 

[HopperFan]

Does anyone know anything about a resort fee that Disney is sending surveys about?




I'm asking here because you are all normally much better informed than I am.

I would also like to know which deluxe resort has an average price of 350.00 per night or are they quoting 1990 pricing structure?

350.00 per night almost works out to be less than I am paying in annual maintenance fees.

Yeah ..... I will call this fuzzy math. Even in low season I think the average is 30% or more higher than that.

That said I doubt this will apply to DVC unless you are booking a DVC room via the regular hotel booking mechanism. Owners shouldn't have to pay this.

BUT - this was just a survey a guy got. I haven't heard any others reporting it so it might be a random one. I've had my share of strange surveys that never came to be. Disney is constantly asking questions and testing ideas for reactions ... unfortunately social media has made everything and anything go viral as happening.

I'm still waiting for someone to post that they had to pay to park at a resort they were visiting. Everyone swore it was a new policy but how is it no one is sharing they paid it.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . DDad...your words are very wise for one so young!

It's the hair dye . . .

Okay Groupies...for those like me who don't read many threads on these boards. But this one is so crazy that I just had to share it:

http://www.**************.net/2016/...id-disney-after-hours-event-at-magic-kingdom/

Really...$149 for EMH with ice cream? I really think that Disney's money grab this year is unbelievable.

Hope we can go in our jamies, 'cause I like to be inum by 9:30 PM.

And speaking of Resort fees? As it has been said by many, we already pay for that stuff. It all comes down to holding down price increases and getting the money anyway. Next it will be a "Bed Fee", that is if you want a bed in your room , , , , just sayin"