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

[Kathymford]

I was thinking about how far some of those cabins will be ... does anyone think they would put a reception desk in the DVC wing lobby? Just a thought. Some them will still be far, obviously, but it's something that occurred to me.

 

[Lakegirl]

We have been back a week and I am already having withdrawals!!! We had amazing weather and absolutely loved the Poly! The DVC pool is amazing!! Everything is so convenient!!! We never waited for the monorail and the walk to TTC was super quick. We took the boat over to VWL and couldn't believe the construction. We went over about mid morning and it was so quite. Everybody else took better pics than I did. It was so wonderful to be at the lodge and I really think it is going to be amazing when it is done. I keep telling myself that. We spent a good potion of time in the lobby and it was so great. It was like a ghost town but I enjoyed the quite.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

.... And based on current construction, I'd say the new pool will be zero entry.

Good observation Granny! Spot on!!!

KAT
Great news!! So glad to hear all is well with your little one

Thanks Jimmy!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was thinking about how far some of those cabins will be ... does anyone think they would put a reception desk in the DVC wing lobby? Just a thought. Some them will still be far, obviously, but it's something that occurred to me.

They did add the concierge back into BCV and there is the little nook that they used to have the DVC guides in that could be used or that. I'd be surprised if they did, but perhaps they will at least while they are selling the new CCC/C3V or whatever it is.

 

[circhead]

I have to say seeing these pictures and what is probably a new counter service restaurant of some sort (I hope you're all right about that), makes me hopeful that the CM that told me the quiet pool will be open for my December trip is correct.
Why have that restaurant/bar open without the pool to draw customers?

 

[Corinne]

Hi Julie, he actually went to SMC, technically not Burlington, but one exit away!

 

[Granny]

Okay, I really hate to bring any bad news to this great group of people, but....

On a visit to VWL last week, Dizny Dad, DiznyDi, my wife and I came to the conclusion that our Mickey topiary near the villas is permanently gone! When you look at the picture below, you will see that the ring of wood landscaping timbers that formed Mickey's area have been removed. And the area has been planted in a manner that makes it flow with the rest of the landscaping in the area.




We don't see why they would have done this if they planned on returning Mickey.


The only thing we could think of was that with a new DVC resort coming on line at WL, they didn't want to confuse people? Regardless, it appears that our Mickey topiary is gone for good. I think I took a picture of it every trip...it was just such a neat thing that I enjoyed seeing every trip. Bummer.

So I'll post one of those old pictures, just for nostalgia's sake:




You can see the landscaping wood that has been removed.

 

[sleepydog25]

Okay, I really hate to bring any bad news to this great group of people, but....

On a visit to VWL last week, Dizny Dad, DiznyDi, my wife and I came to the conclusion that our Mickey topiary near the villas is permanently gone! When you look at the picture below, you will see that the ring of wood landscaping timbers that formed Mickey's area have been removed. And the area has been planted in a manner that makes it flow with the rest of the landscaping in the area.

We don't see why they would have done this if they planned on returning Mickey.


The only thing we could think of was that with a new DVC resort coming on line at WL, they didn't want to confuse people? Regardless, it appears that our Mickey topiary is gone for good. I think I took a picture of it every trip...it was just such a neat thing that I enjoyed seeing every trip. Bummer.

I've told Luv all along that I believe all the topiaries have been removed at WL for monetary reasons, i.e., the bottom line for Disney. Plants and typical shrubs are low maintenance versus a topiary which requires specific care, has to be covered in cold weather, and needs more time-consuming man hours to trim and cultivate. Time = $$. Why else do they rid themselves of Mickey, the bison, and the geese? I agree with Granny that not only will Mickey not return, but I think none of the missing topiaries will be back.

 

[twinklebug]

I loved the topiaries, it makes me quite sad to think Disney may be removing the special little touches the resorts have just to save a few bucks. If they can do this, what is to stop them from taking away the other magical touches, such as shutting off the fireplaces here or over at AKV? What if they decide exotic animals on the savanna are just too costly to maintain and replace them with farm animals, or no animals at all?

Maybe it's time to start sending Member Services with notes letting them know we've noticed and we care. Let them know how we feel about changes like this, so they don't consider pruning down other parts of the resort experience.

 

[Granny]

I've told Luv all along that I believe all the topiaries have been removed at WL for monetary reasons, i.e., the bottom line for Disney. Plants and typical shrubs are low maintenance versus a topiary which requires specific care, has to be covered in cold weather, and needs more time-consuming man hours to trim and cultivate. Time = $$. Why else do they rid themselves of Mickey, the bison, and the geese? I agree with Granny that not only will Mickey not return, but I think none of the missing topiaries will be back.

Sleepy...I painfully have to agree with you on all points.

I loved the topiaries, it makes me quite sad to think Disney may be removing the special little touches the resorts have just to save a few bucks. If they can do this, what is to stop them from taking away the other magical touches, such as shutting off the fireplaces here or over at AKV? What if they decide exotic animals on the savanna are just too costly to maintain and replace them with farm animals, or no animals at all?

Maybe it's time to start sending Member Services with notes letting them know we've noticed and we care. Let them know how we feel about changes like this, so they don't consider pruning down other parts of the resort experience.

Twinklebug...please don't give Disney any more cost cutting ideas! And I can't let that "pruning down other parts" pun go without at least a groan!

 

[DiznyDi]

So sorry for a short description of what we saw at The Lodge during our trip. More detail later when we get home. But I wanted to post these pictures of the ongoing construction at our Lodge.

view from Trout Pass . . .




From the water:




From Sturdy Branches Sidewalk:




South side of South Wing:


From 4th floor hall window:




Just for fun - Shoe Tree:


More later. . . . . . . .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Maybe it's time to start sending Member Services with notes letting them know we've noticed and we care. Let them know how we feel about changes like this, so they don't consider pruning down other parts of the resort experience.

 

[pmaurer74]

Just curious. It seems like the interior of the lodge villas would likely be done way ahead of cabins... what will they do with them? When would they likely be available to use for DVC? With the Poly, did they only allow DVC to use points for rooms in the percentage of points that had been sold as new contracts? When were other DVC members able to use their points for rooms at the Poly? Right away? I would love to move our reservations to the lodge villas for our December trip if that ever becomes an option. I wonder when I should start stalking the reservation board? I realize no one knows the answers to these questions but just curious.

 

[jimmytammy]

I loved the topiaries, it makes me quite sad to think Disney may be removing the special little touches the resorts have just to save a few bucks. If they can do this, what is to stop them from taking away the other magical touches, such as shutting off the fireplaces here or over at AKV? What if they decide exotic animals on the savanna are just too costly to maintain and replace them with farm animals, or no animals at all?

Maybe it's time to start sending Member Services with notes letting them know we've noticed and we care. Let them know how we feel about changes like this, so they don't consider pruning down other parts of the resort experience.

KAT has made a move to approve this, so I second the motion!!
All those in favor...say I(anyone abstain)

 

[DiznyDi]

Okay, I really hate to bring any bad news to this great group of people, but....

On a visit to VWL last week, Dizny Dad, DiznyDi, my wife and I came to the conclusion that our Mickey topiary near the villas is permanently gone! When you look at the picture below, you will see that the ring of wood landscaping timbers that formed Mickey's area have been removed. And the area has been planted in a manner that makes it flow with the rest of the landscaping in the area.

We spent our afternoon yesterday at the Lodge and spoke at length with a delightful CM who assured us the topiaries are out for refurbishment and will be returning. In her words, they needed 'spruced' up. The buffalo had structural damage and was literally falling apart.
She has seen the concept drawings and says we will be very pleased. She also said to expect some type of formal announcement within the next 60 days.
I don't know if you can tell in the photos, but the Villas wing is being re-roofed. I have a nice photo showing them working on the exterior lake side of the bldg and will post once we're home. We leave later today.

Enjoy your week-end!

 

[horselover]

I have to say seeing these pictures and what is probably a new counter service restaurant of some sort (I hope you're all right about that), makes me hopeful that the CM that told me the quiet pool will be open for my December trip is correct.
Why have that restaurant/bar open without the pool to draw customers?

I think that CM is seriously misinformed. I don't believe the pool will be ready in Dec. They do still have the main pool. I could see the new QS (assuming that's what it is) being open but the new pool still under construction. It's something new to pacify guests & make them forget about all the construction going on around them. Fingers crossed the CM is correct because I'll be there in Dec. too but I'm highly doubtful it's actually going to happen.

Hi Julie, he actually went to SMC, technically not Burlington, but one exit away!

SMC = St. Michael's? I'd honestly never heard of that college until we were visiting Champlain. We chatted with a few of the locals who mentioned the college. They had either gone there themselves or knew someone that had. They had great things to say about the school. They don't have the major DS is looking for though.

Kat - so happy to hear the good news about your fur baby!

It's been a crazy week here. Big unexpected expense. I don't know why this seems to happen to me every time I'm getting ready for a trip. Took my car to the shop on Tue. for an alignment & when they started doing the work the rear tire rod snapped in half. Completely rusted away underneath. My car is a 2003. So I couldn't even drive it home & the consensus was due to the underside of my car seriously rusting out it was not worth fixing. Sad about that because the engine was fine. Only 115k miles on it. So I had to go car shopping on Wed. I ended up getting a 2016 Chevy Equinox. Not at all what I thought I would end up with. I was looking at small SUVs & ended up with the mid-sized anyway. I also wasn't even considering Chevy but I have a friend that works for GM & he pushed me to go check them out. I did mostly just to humor him & that's the car I ended up buying. I picked it up last night. All this unexpected activity has left me seriously behind in my trip preparation. I'm starting to get that little pit of anxiety in my stomach knowing I have too much to do in a short amount of time.

This will likely be my last post before I leave. I'll post pictures when I get back. FB friends will get the sneak preview.

Be well groupie friends!

 

[horselover]

We spent our afternoon yesterday at the Lodge and spoke at length with a delightful CM who assured us the topiaries are out for refurbishment and will be returning. In her words, they needed 'spruced' up. The buffalo had structural damage and was literally falling apart.
She has seen the concept drawings and says we will be very pleased. She also said to expect some type of formal announcement within the next 60 days.
I don't know if you can tell in the photos, but the Villas wing is being re-roofed. I have a nice photo showing them working on the exterior lake side of the bldg and will post once we're home. We leave later today.

Enjoy your week-end!

Now this is great news! Thanks for posting Di.

 

[wildernessDad]

We'll, I'm hanging out in front of the laptop waiting to check into our flight tomorrow to MCO. We weren't going to schedule any table service meals this trip, but we did snag a last-minute reservation for the Mother's Day Brunch over at the Contemporary. Hey, the Incredibles will be there!

I want to buy more points, but my practical side tells me that I'm too old for that now. I hate my practical side...

 

[wildernessDad]

In other news, that job with Moon Express has not been opened yet. But the good news is that I haven't been excluded. I figure that I have one more great thing in me before I retire and I may as well have the move to Florida paid by a new employer.

 

[circhead]

From Sturdy Branches Sidewalk:
View attachment 166783

Look there's water in the pool - it will be ready for December. My little engine that could mantra is getting started.