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

[circhead]

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.

I hope it happens for you WD.

 

[circhead]

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.

I was at Poly on opening day. Made the reservation the day it became available to other DVC members. The Poly owners only had a few weeks of exclusive booking privileges prior to other members being allowed to book. It opened April 1st, 2014 just in time for Easter. Somewhere I have the !st day button.

 

[wildernessDad]

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

 

[sleepydog25]

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!

I shall remain skeptical until I see said topiaries returned, but I will say that, if true, this is the best news to come from of WL/VWL talk in months! I hope is part of that return, though it appears by the picture it won't be his original spot. I can live with that as long as he DOES return.

 

[twinklebug]

I shall remain skeptical until I see said topiaries returned, but I will say that, if true, this is the best news to come from of WL/VWL talk in months! I hope is part of that return, though it appears by the picture it won't be his original spot. I can live with that as long as he DOES return.

I would love to see the Bison, Geese and Mickey all 'marching' in on landscaping trucks with the machinery used to be install them (how heavy is a Bison topiary?). I'd camp out for that just as much as for waiting to see the annual Christmas tree go up.

 

[twinklebug]

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.

You're a smart man WD for getting a company to move you. I've wished on that lucky star in your name.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

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.

Prior to a resort going on sale DVD has to declare unit inventory into the association. Whatever they declare will determine how much is able to be booked on points. There is a always a reciprocity clause that allows DVC to reserve rooms that haven't actually been declared but then DVD gets to take the equivalent points back on rooms - ie, if they had all the cabins built but had only declared 1/2 of them and 1/2 of the rooms they could still allow members to book all of the cabins but they would take back the equivalent in the lodge rooms to rent out for cash.

There is always a booking window for those who have purchased at a resort. That window has varied - for example BLT owners had a much longer booking window - was it least 3 months if I recall correctly - than PVB owners where sales were closer to opening than any other resort had been. I think you'll find the info show up here once anything is announced for sales and booking. But they will have to have declared inventory and started sales prior to any of the rooms being available to book with points. Could some of that happen by Dec? Possibly but I think odds are fairly small.

I shall remain skeptical until I see said topiaries returned, but I will say that, if true, this is the best news to come from of WL/VWL talk in months! I hope is part of that return, though it appears by the picture it won't be his original spot. I can live with that as long as he DOES return.

What's really makes me skeptical is that all of them needed rehabbing at the same time? I guess they might have figured with everything else getting "rehabbed" they might as well do those while the resort was half empty. So, I will remain hopeful. It's definitely a good report and I hope the CM was in the know!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Is there time for a birthday cake to get baked after getting home? I sure hope so!!

Have a Happy Birthday tomorrow DiznyDad!!!

 

[Granny]

Okay, I'll jump the gun too...



Happy Birthday Dizny Dad !!!


DiznyDi said you had a long conversation with a CM at VWL. Anyone I know???

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday DiznyDad!!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Happy Birthday DiznyDad!!

 

[Corinne]

Happy Birthday DDad!

 

[twinklebug]

Happy Birthday DiznyDad!

 

[sleepydog25]

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS, D'DAD!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all our moms!

 

[Granny]

To all Groupie Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts and any woman who nurtures and guides children:

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Mothers Day to all the great groupie Moms!!!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Back now to "the grind" as we begin another week in the office. There's lots to catch up on, but as expected, all got along just fine without me.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!

I spent my day mowing the lawn, buying flowers, grocery shopping, and grilling hot dogs for the family. A great day was had by all.

Well, another Disney adventure is "in the can" and ready to be reflected here in the thread over the next so many months. Just to start out, DiznyDi & I had a delightful time meeting up with Granny and his main squeeze. We spent a nice afternoon chewing the fat in the garden terrace beside the Rose & Crown Pub, and met up again the next day to enjoy the crowds and each other as we investigated The Lodge. So much is going on in WDW now, with all the new building going on in Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, the Lodge construction, and various road projects surrounding The World. Wow; the money being invested is mind boggling.

The parks and Resorts were filled with various young groups; class trips, cheer leaders, etc. We stayed at SSR this time. We ran into the concept of Booking Blocks of space, so we were sent to the outer reaches of the resort to allow the incoming groups to stay together. Nothing even close to where we requested was available when we checked in at 8:30 in the AM, even waiting for the rest of the day. I can understand why they do that, but so sorry that it puts owners out to what is left, especially when reservations are made 11 months out. Somehow I just don't think the schools made reservations out as far. Keeping them together is a good idea, but do they really need to be the closest ones to all of the amenities the owners pay for? (sorry, dangling preposition) We had a fine room, just a long walk to anything. My apologies for the whine.

The Flower and Garden Festival was as wonderful as always, with loads of great flower exhibits, butterflies, and food kiosks. Bus transportation was very acceptable; we really never waited very long anywhere we attempted to go. The boats were wonderful, as always; nothing like a nice boat ride from MK to The Lodge - so relaxing!

Again, thanks to all for the Birthday Wishes.

Looking forward to seeing you all at The Lodge . . . . .

 

[Granny]

DDad...glad to see you made it home safely. My guess is that the various groups were cash paying which Disney probably tries to accommodate since it is more profitable than us dues paying members. And SSR, being the largest DVC resort with the most availability, probably gets the brunt of this sort of thing. Sorry you got bumped to the Outer Limits.

And yes, Mrs Granny and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with you and Di. We'll have to do that again on a future trip...can you say December!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . December

 

[Lakegirl]

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!

Wonderful news!!!! Thanks so much for sharing !!!