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

[wildernessDad]

Boulder Ridge Villas. Should have been changed to Pete Dominick's Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Therein lies the distinction between the old and the new.

 

[wildernessDad]

The name of the new resort should have been 'Cabins Out Yonder and Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.'

 

[Nicoal13]

Hi Nicoal!

Sorry to hear that your DH is not a fan of WDW trips. I feel in many ways that I've been blessed, and one of them is that my DW enjoys our trips as much as I do. But it sounds like you have a great group for your September trip. Have a great one!

As much as I wish he enjoyed WDW, I can't force him, so DS and I enjoy it together or with other family and friends. Now DH does love Vero, so we've worked that into our vacation rotation as well

 

[Nicoal13]

Not sure how I feel about the new name. Excited to see the cabins though.

 

[Dean Marino]

Just my humble opinion....

Call the Villas whatever you like. Just don't try to mess with our CONTRACT. Distinguish the two offerings? GOOD - I am not paying for that new infrastructure, beyond "shared facility".

 

[Granny]

Just my humble opinion....

Call the Villas whatever you like. Just don't try to mess with our CONTRACT. Distinguish the two offerings? GOOD - I am not paying for that new infrastructure, beyond "shared facility".

I think you are in good shape then. If anything, we should see a reduction in some of the shared costs since they are adding the cabins to the WL capacity but my guess is they won't change the current staff requirements much. Which means our piece of the pie should be going down. However, I am not optimistic that we'll see reduced annual fees no matter what they do.

 

[Lisann]

The grounds weren't enough

I agree. The grounds at Wilderness Lodge have always been so beautiful. Just the way they were.

Going from the densely treed surroundings

Again, trees equal beauty.

have no problem writing to let them know we want the bubbling springs and trees back!

Ditto.

and I hope that they don't think that this new name gives them permission to avoid planting trees again.

New and mature trees can certainly be planted. Just seems like a like of work to rip them out and then "landscape" (I know that it creates a clearing for the construction and all, just don't like it).

Boulders and trees can co-exist. Just sayin'. But I am such a tree person, I hope Disney restores this area to its former beauty and then some!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Okay, I threw out my conspiracy theory on the other thread, so I might as well repeat it here.

The theory goes something like this: Disney wants to make the current VWL as undesirable as possible to undermine the resale market for VWL while they are trying to sell the new CC Villas & Cabins. So far, it appears that they are almost going out of their way to achieve that goal.

I think the only worst name they could have given would have been " Concrete Villas". Boulder just about evokes that same thought.

 

[Firepath]

But the part that really scares me in this quote is "allows Walt Disney Imagineers to bring the community's story to life in new ways". I hope they don't mess with the decor of the VWL lobby or other common areas just to tell a stupid story about rocks.

"Once upon a time there was a beautiful villa near what was then the Wilderness Lodge. It was peaceful and relaxing, surrounded by trees and a lovely beach..."

 

[rkstocke5609]

Oh no. I just had a terrible dream that they reimagined the Boulder Ridge story and it involved those troll/boulder creatures from frozen! They rolled around in the lobby and the new pool area and from time to time transformed and offered up useless Information and suggested that you buy more points so that you could afford to book a cabin next trip! Oh the horror!

 

[jimmytammy]

I, too, am looking forward to Welcoming Home the Lodge Enthusiasts involved in the new Wilderness Lodge DVC Resort. But I can hear us now; "So, are you a Groupie1 or Groupie2?" We will always want to differentiate who's who. I will work hard not to think there is a difference, but I am probably kidding myself. I am weak . . .

Jimmy - Love it when you go Biblical!

And for those interested, this is how I see it when I pull out the magical Moose Call at the front desk when I am stuck in a South Wing Room . . .
View attachment 170354

If you want to give this said Moose Call a listen, go to this site

I think it represents well(its 56 secs. long)if you listen to the entire thing how we are all feeling right now about all thats happening around our home. We have enough time before DiznyDad heads home next time to practice this Moose Call. Let our voices(or calls) be heard!!

 

[twinklebug]

Any groupies travel within the US in the more recent years with a lost id? My 18yo just lost his wallet. There's near zilch chance of recovering it before Monday when we leave, he only has a college ID, ss card, birth certificate. No other id in his name. :/ (scratch the college ID, he says he never got it.)

Dizny Dad, may I borrow your moose call to blow in his ear when we finally get to Florida?

 

[Starwind]

Any groupies travel within the US in the more recent years with a lost id? My 18yo just lost his wallet. There's near zilch chance of recovering it before Monday when we leave, he only has a college ID, ss card, birth certificate. No other id in his name. :/ (scratch the college ID, he says he never got it.)

Dizny Dad, may I borrow your moose call to blow in his ear when we finally get to Florida?

I have not had to do this, however:

TSA's page about ID requirements: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

Note the section at the bottom re: forgot your id.

My suggestion would be to allow plenty of extra time and bring what he does have. Something like a copy of his college tuition receipt showing his address may be helpful, too.

Also, check with your airline as they may have their own requirements, too.

Hopefully some others will have experienced advice.

SW

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So last night I finally dropped DVC a note about my questions, concerns and dissatisfaction with what they are doing to the WL resort. At least when they quote "due to member request" I'll know that they know there was one person who didn't request. I really hate that quote. And the name change? Boulder Ridge is way over used as it is. Did anyone else google it? I stopped looking after the first 20 entries. We have Boulder Ridge in Reno. There are companies called Boulder Ridge. A Boulder Ridge Wild Animal park in MI. Boulder Ridge rentals in TX etc etc etc. A name to allow them a richer back story. Bah. Maybe they don't have too many Boulders in FL but most of the country has them in spades.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Lookie what I see happening tomorrow.....a groupie birthday!

Happy Birthday MiaSRN62!

 

[wildernessDad]

When I think boulders, I think of the Flintstones.

 

[wildernessDad]

I kinda like Moose Ridge Villas.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When I think boulders, I think of the Flintstones.

I mostly think Colorado and skiing. Maybe their moving the Blizzard Beach summmit plummet over to the new villas pool? Snow covered rocks? Rocky Mountain High?

 

[Lisann]

I'm sure the new and improved Wilderness Lodge area will be beautiful when all the construction is finished.

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday MiaSRN62!!!!