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

[Dean Marino]

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

I'll tell you what Sandy and I do....

Several years ago, we got US Passports. Each trip, we carry these, and lock 'em in the safe.

We have not needed to USE these yet.... but in the event we are robbed & lose our Driver's Licencese's in the process? We can board a plane.
In the event the TSA decides it does not "like" a state License (they have been working on this for a good 4 years) - we have Pass Ports.
If an airline stink occurs - and we have to get home through Canada? we have passports.

So - all personal opinion, others may disagree, this is just what WE do. We have US Passports.

 

[jimmytammy]

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

We sure hope so! We dont complain about much round here, so this is our time in the sun, or should that be our time in the clouds. Seriously, it took us awhile to swallow the idea of cabins, Hidden Springs being demolished, etc., etc.
Now this! I think we are just wanting it to be over, let us get back to "our norm" so we can once again enjoy home as we once knew it.

Our family went through some major upheaval a few years ago when our area we live went through massive changes. Bear in mind, we were so country where I grew up, we lived on a gravel road, and I vaguely remember it when I was young. Fast forward to 10 yrs ago. All the sudden, we have stop lights, a school, at least 2000 new homes, a huge apt. complex, 2 shopping centers that has caused massive traffic on a road that used to be a big deal seeing 1 car a day. This was family land, we farmed it. Govt. came in with imminent domain on their side and we were forced to sell what wasnt taken.

My feeling remains, put it back like it was! Change is going to happen. In this country, our insatiable need to make more money, at any cost, is sad. In this case, its an emotional cost for us groupies.

 

[DiznyDi]

Happy Birthday Maria!

 

[Flossbolna]

Now this! I think we are just wanting it to be over, let us get back to "our norm" so we can once again enjoy home as we once knew it.

Yes, I think we were all ready to see some nice concept art of the new restaurant and the new pool. Instead we got rocks... I think if the whole name announcement would have been accompanied by a few pretty pictures, we would feel much better about it. And I am even a very new owner and have never stayed there yet. Get to stay there later this year despite the current construction because I still want to finally stay at my new home. As an overseas owner, I am not at WDW so often and our next DVC stay is most likely going to be Aulani, so who knows when we will be back at WDW to stay at VWL?

 

[Lisann]

so we can once again enjoy home as we once knew it.

Oh, I so agree. But at the end of the day, I don't think the Imagineers' goal is to make WL worse.

Wilderness Lodge has such a place in fan's hearts. I'm so trying to be positive and hoping that we will all love it even more when it is completed, but it's difficult to hold on to that when we don't know what's in store at the end. Part of what makes this change difficult, is that Wilderness Lodge is beautiful just the way it is/was.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Jimmy - If you ask DiznyDi, she will concur that I don't need any practice making my Moose Call get attention.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA!!

 

[twinklebug]

Happy Birthday @MiaSRN62!

 

[sleepydog25]

Best wishes for a great day, Mia!!

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday Maria !!!

 

[Granny]

Oh, I so agree. But at the end of the day, I don't think the Imagineers' goal is to make WL worse.

Wilderness Lodge has such a place in fan's hearts. I'm so trying to be positive and hoping that we will all love it even more when it is completed, but it's difficult to hold on to that when we don't know what's in store at the end. Part of what makes this change difficult, is that Wilderness Lodge is beautiful just the way it is/was.

It sure was! Part of the whole angst is that this is new ground for Disney. They've never disrupted/modified an existing DVC resort in order to sell a different one. And the part that concerns me is that they have zero incentive to make current VWL owners happy with the changes, and huge incentive to make the new CCV resort fantastic and attractive. So I'm sure the overall look and feel will be very nice. But it will certainly never be the same as it was. I guess if you stay on the bus side of the resort it won't seem much different.

I think we are just sensitive since we don't know the plans for the finished product beyond what we've seen posted here. And the plans we have seen don't include the landscaping details. So when Disney tells us our resort will be named after rocks, it does tend to make us worry for the worst possible scenario.

Mostly, we are people who really liked VWL the way it was and who naturally are concerned about how much damage to the old look and feel will be done. A simple name enhancement like Timberline Villas would have gone a long way to making us feel better. Unfortunately, Disney went the other way.

 

[sleepydog25]

It sure was! Part of the whole angst is that this is new ground for Disney. They've never disrupted/modified an existing DVC resort in order to sell a different one. And the part that concerns me is that they have zero incentive to make current VWL owners happy with the changes, and huge incentive to make the new CCV resort fantastic and attractive. So I'm sure the overall look and feel will be very nice. But it will certainly never be the same as it was. I guess if you stay on the bus side of the resort it won't seem much different.

I think we are just sensitive since we don't know the plans for the finished product beyond what we've seen posted here. And the plans we have seen don't include the landscaping details. So when Disney tells us our resort will be named after rocks, it does tend to make us worry for the worst possible scenario.

Mostly, we are people who really liked VWL the way it was and who naturally are concerned about how much damage to the old look and feel will be done. A simple name enhancement like Timberline Villas would have gone a long way to making us feel better. Unfortunately, Disney went the other way.

Couldn't have said it better. . .

 

[circhead]

I would bet there are a lot of OKW owners watching what's happening with VWL. Disney has announced a 2 year "refurbishment" of OKW. Is Disney going to try to add-on there also?
I know it's different because OKW is all vacation club - but if they do an add-on what will happen to the original owners? There are already 2 different contract end dates for one resort.
I wish I could get a sneak peek at what Disney is up to!

 

[Granny]

I would bet there are a lot of OKW owners watching what's happening with VWL. Disney has announced a 2 year "refurbishment" of OKW. Is Disney going to try to add-on there also?

This just in ...at OKW, Disney has announced that they are building a new DVC resort on the OKW property. They are going to build new deluxe villas on the banks of the existing waterway. On all the areas that used to be golf course, they will build beautifully themed Bedouin tent villas surrounding lush waterways. They have announced that they will rename the new resort Plush Oasis Villas & Tents.

The original resort will be renamed the Great Sahara Villas. To accomplish this new direction, they are also going to strip most of the current lush landscaping around the resort.

Disney reports that all this is to enhance the DVC experience, and is based on owner feedback.

 

[Flossbolna]

This just in ...at OKW, Disney has announced that they are building a new DVC resort on the OKW property. They are going to build new deluxe villas on the banks of the existing waterway. On all the areas that used to be golf course, they will build beautifully themed Bedouin tent villas surrounding lush waterways. They have announced that they will rename the new resort Plush Oasis Villas & Tents.

The original resort will be renamed the Great Sahara Villas. To accomplish this new direction, they are also going to strip most of the current lush landscaping around the resort.

Disney reports that all this is to enhance the DVC experience, and is based on owner feedback.

 

[circhead]

Hey Granny maybe they can move that lush landscaping to VWL. After all, all they need for the "Sahara Villas" is sand.

 

[jimmytammy]

I too hope for the best, but at this point, with the renaming, I differ to be skeptically optimistic...which puts me on the fence until said time when all is finished. Back in the day, WL/VWL could do no wrong in most of our eyes. Now, DVC has stepped in to plus something that was already a gem in our eyes...a rare gem at that. A respite from the parks, something that is not easily gained at a lot of the other resorts. A peaceful spot, a slice of heaven on earth. Now to mess with that is and messed up IMO. I do truly and sincerely hope for all to be better in the end, but feeling a bit miffed right now at DVC and Disney for messing with us and our passion for the place

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am just so ready for it all to be over. I have deferred staying at VWL during all of this construction. Going on 2 years since I've stayed. I WANT MY VWL BACK!!!!!!!!

 

[rkstocke5609]

This just in ...at OKW, Disney has announced that they are building a new DVC resort on the OKW property. They are going to build new deluxe villas on the banks of the existing waterway. On all the areas that used to be golf course, they will build beautifully themed Bedouin tent villas surrounding lush waterways. They have announced that they will rename the new resort Plush Oasis Villas & Tents.

The original resort will be renamed the Great Sahara Villas. To accomplish this new direction, they are also going to strip most of the current lush landscaping around the resort.

Disney reports that all this is to enhance the DVC experience, and is based on owner feedback.

And, in a related press release we can now confirm that to better accomplish the "reimagined" theming the entire resort will be served by new transportation -- the "Camel". Disney reports that owner feedback suggested that a move towards a more green alternative to the current bus transportation was in order. Disney is reportedly in negotiations with the Saudi Royal family to provide premium camels for the resort.

 

[circhead]

And, in a related press release we can now confirm that to better accomplish the "reimagined" theming the entire resort will be served by new transportation -- the "Camel". Disney reports that owner feedback suggested that a move towards a more green alternative to the current bus transportation was in order. Disney is reportedly in negotiations with the Saudi Royal family to provide premium camels for the resort.

Don't give them any ideas. I can see the camels from that long ago Aladdin parade in MGM coming back as guest transport between the Sahara Villas and the parks. That's going to be a heck of a line at the camel stops, I think the camels only carry 2 guests at a time, and they spit.

 

[jimmytammy]

Camels...now thats funny Wonder if that means the former WL bus drivers will now officially be re-imagined as "pooper scoopers"