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

[Dizny Dad]

Me, too. Me, too . . . . . HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KATHY & LE!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

So with all of the renovations, I really haven't caught up with any speculation of the "Club Level" the new DVC resort will offer. Years ago we bought into AK so we could occasionally do a Club Level stay. We did find out that, for us, more than three days in Club Level was annoying. Hard to explain, but we really get along just fine in a more laid back set-up (like the privacy we have in our Villas now). I really don't need someone to keep bringing me stuff when just lounging in the corner. But I can see where DiznyDi will be considering dumping the AK contract for a new DVC contract at The Lodge for her three day splurge in "The Club" once every other year. Hope they have the Mushroom Soup; or maybe I can ask our Club Concierge to fetch some for us . . . .

 

[circhead]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KATHY & LE!!
Hope it's magical

 

[cindy_k]

I'm checking into the WLV tomorrow for a birthday/anniversary weekend. I will try and get a bunch of pictures.

 

[Granny]

I'm checking into the WLV tomorrow for a birthday/anniversary weekend. I will try and get a bunch of pictures.

Happy Birthday, and Happy Anniversary!

Thanks for getting us an update. As you can tell, we are hungry for any news!

 

[Granny]

So with all of the renovations, I really haven't caught up with any speculation of the "Club Level" the new DVC resort will offer. Years ago we bought into AK so we could occasionally do a Club Level stay. We did find out that, for us, more than three days in Club Level was annoying. Hard to explain, but we really get along just fine in a more laid back set-up (like the privacy we have in our Villas now). I really don't need someone to keep bringing me stuff when just lounging in the corner. But I can see where DiznyDi will be considering dumping the AK contract for a new DVC contract at The Lodge for her three day splurge in "The Club" once every other year. Hope they have the Mushroom Soup; or maybe I can ask our Club Concierge to fetch some for us . . . .

DDad...it's hard to project what Disney will do there since they have never come out and talked about the South Wing conversion of WL. But I think there is a good chance that some of the new DVC villas there will be Club Level villas. For one thing, they already have the Club Level amenities set up so no additional cost. And they can charge more points so more $$ for Disney. But the real reason I think there will be Club Level DVC villas is that it gives the sales personnel one more great sales tool. Think of the sales pitch....beautiful lakeside cabins, possibly enhanced 1BR & 2BR villas with an extra bathroom or sleeper chair, possibly Grand Villas, and then Club Level villas. I think they would be able to show any prospective buyer that the CCV resort is much superior to the current VWL.

Really, the sales pitch may be as simple as "look at the beautiful new CCV resort, and now look over to VWL surrounded by a rock pile".

 

[LisaS]

Really, the sales pitch may be as simple as "look at the beautiful new CCV resort, and now look over to VWL surrounded by a rock pile".

I agree. This video sums it up for current VWL owners:

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . Think of the sales pitch . . . . . . . . they would be able to show any prospective buyer that the CCV resort is much superior to the current VWL. . . . . . .

Ahhhh; no. You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool a Groupie.

And I s'pose they will get their own new Logo, with lots of Resort oriented clothing, key fobs, and other stuff. Maybe we will get a token hat (with our new logo )

 

[Granny]

I agree. This video sums it up for current VWL owners:

Oh Lisa...that is just too funny, and so appropriate!!!

 

[Granny]

Ahhhh; no. You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool a Groupie.

And I s'pose they will get their own new Logo, with lots of Resort oriented clothing, key fobs, and other stuff. Maybe we will get a token hat (with our new logo )

Yes, I'm sure they'll throw us a bone. Or a stone.

 

[circhead]

Looking at the pictures has me really nervous about my December trip. They have decimated the landscaping, there's no hint of a pool, and it's only going to get worse since I don't see any evidence of any type of groundbreaking (beach gobbling) for the cabins. Looking at what is going on I think the CM who told me the pool will be available in December was telling me what I wanted so desperately to hear and believe.
Not sure what to do - I want December to be really special - our whole family will be together for the first time for a holiday in a long time and we don't know when the next time we can all be available will be. Our son has been told that his unit will probably be deploying in January and it will be the first trip for our newest granddaughter who arrives in July. Any thoughts?

 

[pinkgirlmommy]

Hi! We are brand new DVC owners and about to book our very first trip for December 2017. VWL 1 bedroom is one of our choices, and I came here to start reading, but it is 312 pages! This will be our first stay in anything besides CBR and I want my hubby and kids to be awed, and have always wanted to see WL. I see that there is construction- do we think that there will be a lot still going on in December, and will that affect the rooms and lobbies and overall experience? Also, will the pool still be closed? If so, maybe we should wait until another time and not have this be our first DVC experience. Monorail resorts are full, so my other options are AKL, BWV, OKW, and SSR. Also, my book says VWL 1 bedroom sleeps 4 and Studio sleeps 5. Is this true? Why would the larger 1 bedroom sleep less than the studio? If that's the case we may not book it since we may have a 5th person joining us.

 

[Granny]

Looking at the pictures has me really nervous about my December trip. They have decimated the landscaping, there's no hint of a pool, and it's only going to get worse since I don't see any evidence of any type of groundbreaking (beach gobbling) for the cabins. Looking at what is going on I think the CM who told me the pool will be available in December was telling me what I wanted so desperately to hear and believe.
Not sure what to do - I want December to be really special - our whole family will be together for the first time for a holiday in a long time and we don't know when the next time we can all be available will be. Our son has been told that his unit will probably be deploying in January and it will be the first trip for our newest granddaughter who arrives in July. Any thoughts?

Pat...we have a December trip booked and have decided to keep our VWL reservation. But the pool is not important to us.

My thoughts would be that you should request a "bus side" villa (even numbered room). There is very little disruption on that side of the villas other than some outside refurbishment that will hopefully be complete by December.

Or if it all makes you too nervous you can check availability for BLT or maybe AKV, OKW or SSR. I mention BLT because with a newborn you may want to have easy access to walking from MK to the resort. AKV has all the animals which are pretty amazing, and OKW and SSR are beautiful resorts too. As long as you have your whole family together at WDW, I'm sure the trip will be a magical one and "really special". Good luck!

 

[Granny]

Hi! We are brand new DVC owners and about to book our very first trip for December 2017. VWL 1 bedroom is one of our choices, and I came here to start reading, but it is 312 pages!

Welcome to our VWL thread, and congratulations on your new purchase! When you say new DVC owners, I assume that you don't own at VWL? If you don't own at VWL, you are about a year away from being able to book December 2017 at the 7 month mark, and it can be very challenging to book VWL at that time if you don't own there. If you do own at VWL, you can book December trips next January at the 11 month mark and your odds are very good. Either way you have lots of time to make up your mind.

You have lots of questions, and unfortunately there really aren't any good answers beyond "I don't know" and "I guess" since Disney has not provided any details on the new construction. The good news is that you are 7-12 months away from making the reservation so more information will be available when you are ready to make the reservation. But I'll give you my thoughts on it as of this time.

This will be our first stay in anything besides CBR and I want my hubby and kids to be awed, and have always wanted to see WL.

When you first drive up to the resort and enter the lobby, I think you will definitely be awed. It is an amazing first impression of the resort that we love. The grounds of WL are beautifully themed, though we do not know what VWL landscaping will look like when the construction is complete.

I see that there is construction- do we think that there will be a lot still going on in December, and will that affect the rooms and lobbies and overall experience?

I don't think it will affect the VWL rooms or lobbies. It will definitely affect the view if you are on the lake side of the villas. Whatever construction is going on will be visible from those villas. As to whether that affects your experience is a personal opinion. For us, we know that it won't bother us that much. For others, such a view could literally ruin their vacation. I think most people fall in the middle ground where they prefer not to overlook construction but won't be overly bothered by it.

Also, will the pool still be closed?

That is also unknown, but I think there is a good chance the pool will be open by the end of next year.

If so, maybe we should wait until another time and not have this be our first DVC experience.

Unless this is your home resort, I would probably steer you away from VWL for this trip. Any of the other DVC resorts would give you an excellent experience in my opinion.

Monorail resorts are full, so my other options are AKL, BWV, OKW, and SSR.

How do you know those resorts are full 19 months out? As I read this, I have a sneaking suspicion you are really looking for this Christmas which would be 2016. In that case, I would say that looking elsewhere might be better. AKV, BWV, OKW and SSR are all great resorts. If you are looking for the "awe factor", AKV would get my nod with the beautiful lobby and the animals just outside your balcony. BWV would be second mostly because it is awesome to be able to walk to two parks.

Also, my book says VWL 1 bedroom sleeps 4 and Studio sleeps 5. Is this true? Why would the larger 1 bedroom sleep less than the studio? If that's the case we may not book it since we may have a 5th person joining us.

Yes, this is true. In the latest refurb, Disney added a drop down sleeper bed in the studios but not the 1BR. So the studios officially sleep 5 and the 1BR sleeps 4.

If you are putting 5 in a 1BR I would recommend AKV-Kidani for your trip. It has a sleeper chair so it sleeps 5 and it has an extra full bathroom which would come in handy with a group that large.

Good luck!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi! We are brand new DVC owners and about to book our very first trip for December 2017. VWL 1 bedroom is one of our choices, and I came here to start reading, but it is 312 pages! This will be our first stay in anything besides CBR and I want my hubby and kids to be awed, and have always wanted to see WL. I see that there is construction- do we think that there will be a lot still going on in December, and will that affect the rooms and lobbies and overall experience? Also, will the pool still be closed? If so, maybe we should wait until another time and not have this be our first DVC experience. Monorail resorts are full, so my other options are AKL, BWV, OKW, and SSR. Also, my book says VWL 1 bedroom sleeps 4 and Studio sleeps 5. Is this true? Why would the larger 1 bedroom sleep less than the studio? If that's the case we may not book it since we may have a 5th person joining us.

By Dec 2017 the majority of the work should be done (perhaps even completed, though I personally doubt it). It's true at VWL that 1BRs sleep 4 and studios sleep 5--studios are the bread and butter for DVC--so if that's an issue, then the 1BR won't be a player. (The studios have a Murphy bed; the 1BRs do not.) However, the "overall experience" at the Wilderness Lodge shouldn't be impacted: the music will be majestic; the lanterns will flicker; the architecture will be amazing; the boats will be running; the lobby will be awe-inspiring; the main pool will be open and even, perhaps, the new Villas pool. I wouldn't NOT book there unless the number of people you have just doesn't match with the room type you want. We tend to complain a bit on here about the changes because most of us have a deep, emotional connection to VWL. By the way, welcome to our Groupies!

cindy_k said:
"I'm checking into the WLV tomorrow for a birthday/anniversary weekend. I will try and get a bunch of pictures."
Thanks, cindy, and WELCOME!!

Finally, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, KAT AND LE!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I agree. This video sums it up for current VWL owners:

Love it!!

 

[horselover]

Looking at the pictures has me really nervous about my December trip. They have decimated the landscaping, there's no hint of a pool, and it's only going to get worse since I don't see any evidence of any type of groundbreaking (beach gobbling) for the cabins. Looking at what is going on I think the CM who told me the pool will be available in December was telling me what I wanted so desperately to hear and believe.
Not sure what to do - I want December to be really special - our whole family will be together for the first time for a holiday in a long time and we don't know when the next time we can all be available will be. Our son has been told that his unit will probably be deploying in January and it will be the first trip for our newest granddaughter who arrives in July. Any thoughts?

I hate to say I told you so but I'm sticking with what I said after you first posted what that CM told you. I think they are full.of crap. Based on what I saw last weekend I will eat a pile of boulders if the pool is done in Dec. There's no way. All construction right now looks to be centered around the new "enhanced food & beverage area" & the area near the lake in front of the Lodge. There's nothing that I saw that indicated ground has even been broken for the new pool. No hole. No nothing. Given the special nature of your trip & the importance of the pool to you my suggestion is change resorts as soon as you can. I'm not sure what your dates are or what type of accommodations you need but I wouldn't get my hopes up for BLT. I couldn't get it & I tried at 9:00 am on the dot at our 7 mo. window last Sat. We also wanted what was probably the easiest category to get for non owners. 1 BR lake view. No go. If you can live with no pool & the construction then stay put. It really is about what you can & can't live with. My problem with requesting bus side if you decide to stay put is that is what everyone is going to want so at least 1/2 of the people that request it are not going to get it. Will you be OK with not getting it? I don't mean to be Debbie Downer but I know what I just saw & I just don't believe they will be that far along in construction by Dec. Only you can decide what you can & can't live with. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Boy, after reading the latest on the thread, it doesn't sound like we are all ready to gather on the beach and sing Kumbaya yet . . . . . remember, it always gets darkest before the sunrise . . and it will be beautiful; different, but beautiful.

 

[circhead]

Pat...we have a December trip booked and have decided to keep our VWL reservation. But the pool is not important to us.

My thoughts would be that you should request a "bus side" villa (even numbered room). There is very little disruption on that side of the villas other than some outside refurbishment that will hopefully be complete by December.

Or if it all makes you too nervous you can check availability for BLT or maybe AKV, OKW or SSR. I mention BLT because with a newborn you may want to have easy access to walking from MK to the resort. AKV has all the animals which are pretty amazing, and OKW and SSR are beautiful resorts too. As long as you have your whole family together at WDW, I'm sure the trip will be a magical one and "really special". Good luck!

Tom - thank you for the words of encouragement. I talked this over with my husband last night and showed him the pictures of what is happening at VWL now.

He told me: 1. We're going for the Christmas feeling that the lodge gives us
2. So what if the quiet pool is closed - we're going 12/30 thru 1/4 it probably won't be warm enough for swimming anyway and if it is we'll use the main pool
3. We'll all be together and the construction will probably scare away lots of people so it will be really serene there.
4. We shouldn't have too much trouble getting into Whispering Canyon for an early dinner on New Year's Eve before the rest of you leave for the parks and Suzy (newborn) and I grab a rocker by the fireplace and just enjoy the ambiance.
5. This is my favorite line - " It's up to you though - whatever will make you happy". Love that man.

I hate to say I told you so but I'm sticking with what I said after you first posted what that CM told you. I think they are full.of crap. Based on what I saw last weekend I will eat a pile of boulders if the pool is done in Dec. There's no way. All construction right now looks to be centered around the new "enhanced food & beverage area" & the area near the lake in front of the Lodge. There's nothing that I saw that indicated ground has even been broken for the new pool. No hole. No nothing. Given the special nature of your trip & the importance of the pool to you my suggestion is change resorts as soon as you can. I'm not sure what your dates are or what type of accommodations you need but I wouldn't get my hopes up for BLT. I couldn't get it & I tried at 9:00 am on the dot at our 7 mo. window last Sat. We also wanted what was probably the easiest category to get for non owners. 1 BR lake view. No go. If you can live with no pool & the construction then stay put. It really is about what you can & can't live with. My problem with requesting bus side if you decide to stay put is that is what everyone is going to want so at least 1/2 of the people that request it are not going to get it. Will you be OK with not getting it? I don't mean to be Debbie Downer but I know what I just saw & I just don't believe they will be that far along in construction by Dec. Only you can decide what you can & can't live with. Good luck with your decision.

Horselover - thank you for the second thoughts that had me go through my decision to stay at VWL for this very special family trip. Thank you for getting me to go over the scenarios with my husband and getting his reaction which helped alleviate my fears. Kaare is very much someone that lets me do all the planning and he just shows up he doesn't like being involved in the details too much. He likes having a done deal put in front of him and just goes with the flow.

 

[horselover]

Tom - thank you for the words of encouragement. I talked this over with my husband last night and showed him the pictures of what is happening at VWL now.

He told me: 1. We're going for the Christmas feeling that the lodge gives us
2. So what if the quiet pool is closed - we're going 12/30 thru 1/4 it probably won't be warm enough for swimming anyway and if it is we'll use the main pool
3. We'll all be together and the construction will probably scare away lots of people so it will be really serene there.
4. We shouldn't have too much trouble getting into Whispering Canyon for an early dinner on New Year's Eve before the rest of you leave for the parks and Suzy (newborn) and I grab a rocker by the fireplace and just enjoy the ambiance.
5. This is my favorite line - " It's up to you though - whatever will make you happy". Love that man.




Horselover - thank you for the second thoughts that had me go through my decision to stay at VWL for this very special family trip. Thank you for getting me to go over the scenarios with my husband and getting his reaction which helped alleviate my fears. Kaare is very much someone that lets me do all the planning and he just shows up he doesn't like being involved in the details too much. He likes having a done deal put in front of him and just goes with the flow.

Excellent. I'm glad you've made a decision you'll be happy with. Have a wonderful trip!