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

[Friendlyadvice2]

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So I was playing around on the DVC Member page looking at rooms and dates. We are going for our annual December holiday trip and then a short Easter break trip in April next year. But the big trip is next summer. We are debating on when and where. I started at Boulder Canyon Wilderness Villlas to check dates. There are two things I noticed right away that I thought you groupies might like to see. Notice that Hidden Springs pool is still in the pic above the link that says "View Resort Details", which is kind of rubbing our nose in it a bit. In my humble opinion. But when one clicks on the link next to the refurbishments warning that says "view details", the pardon the pixie dust box opens. They warn prospective lodge residents that the "Hidden Springs Pool, ...will be closed through 2017." No chance of any other option than the big pool in the court yard. I thought that I would take a few minutes and share that with youse guys.

The notice of the closure of the pool through 2017 is on point with what the construction foreman shared with me a while back. At that time, he told me it would be the last item completed in that area as it is basically a staging area for the restaurant and cabins on the villas side of the resort. As they back their way out of that area, they will ultimately complete the new pool. Makes sense from a logistics standpoint.

Realizing that Disney would benefit significantly from the new CCCV paying for all the new cabins (especially at current $/pt. levels), part of me is wondering if all of the cabins on the north side of WL will actually be DVC owned. The cabins closest to the road (World Drive I think) are really far from the "DVC" area on the south side. I know they can rent some of them out for breakage income, but until anything is officially announced, it's a possibility (a small one at that) they all won't be DVC.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Realizing that Disney would benefit significantly from the new CCCV paying for all the new cabins (especially at current $/pt. levels), part of me is wondering if all of the cabins on the north side of WL will actually be DVC owned. The cabins closest to the road (World Drive I think) are really far from the "DVC" area on the south side. I know they can rent some of them out for breakage income, but until anything is officially announced, it's a possibility (a small one at that) they all won't be DVC.

Oooooh, oooooh, more numbers and guessing!

IMO I'd place the possibility of not all cabins being DVC at about .0001%. At most resorts there aren't real cut in stone "DVC" areas because DVC has access to all resort amenities. They have been grouped together just thru the build process but room conversions meld things together more and make everything a true mixed use. Now, for example if CR decided they wanted huts along Bay Lake I think it would be unlikely that they would place them north of BLT because there would be a block for CR guests to access amenities since they can't use the BLT pool and pool bar nor anything in that building. But DVC can use any of the CR facilities so if they decided to build DVC huts at that property they could build them anywhere at the resort that CR would agree to.

Now, the popularity of each section of cabins may vary. For those that like the VWL lobby and if the new pool is more featured than the existing WL pool and the CS moves over to that area they might be much more requested. But if the North cabins have firework views? That can be a real draw for many.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Oooooh, oooooh, more numbers and guessing!

IMO I'd place the possibility of not all cabins being DVC at about .0001%. At most resorts there aren't real cut in stone "DVC" areas because DVC has access to all resort amenities. They have been grouped together just thru the build process but room conversions meld things together more and make everything a true mixed use.

I agree with your percentage and while it's true DVC has access to all resort amenities, I can't completely agree that most resorts aren't real cut in stone DVC areas as you mentioned. In fact, that's usually the prevalent argument you here from some folks....that the DVC villas are too isolated from the main hotels, etc. Going through the list, I think they are all cut in stone with the exception of the rooms in Jambo House at AKL. Sure they meld together at some point, but are still separate in my mind. Poly even has its own DVC area longhouses (sure, they are close to the non DVC houses too) and pool and although the bungalows do extend a little ways down the shore, they aren't even remotely close to the distance that the northern cabins will be from the new pool/DVC South wing area at CCCV. I can't think of any other resort room conversions that have occurred yet.

Although I'll most likely never be able to want to afford to stay in one of the cabins, I don't think I'd want to be in any of the cabins on the far end of either area. Time will tell and I always appreciate your thoughts Kathy!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree with your percentage and while it's true DVC has access to all resort amenities, I can't completely agree that most resorts aren't real cut in stone DVC areas as you mentioned. In fact, that's usually the prevalent argument you here from some folks....that the DVC villas are too isolated from the main hotels, etc. Going through the list, I think they are all cut in stone with the exception of the rooms in Jambo House at AKL. Sure they meld together at some point, but are still separate in my mind. Poly even has its own DVC area longhouses (sure, they are close to the non DVC houses too) and pool and although the bungalows do extend a little ways down the shore, they aren't even remotely close to the distance that the northern cabins will be from the new pool/DVC South wing area at CCCV. I can't think of any other resort room conversions that have occurred yet.

Although I'll most likely never be able to want to afford to stay in one of the cabins, I don't think I'd want to be in any of the cabins on the far end of either area. Time will tell and I always appreciate your thoughts Kathy!

What I meant by the build part is that most of the DVC areas are together so nothing to disagree with there, and only that it has come about that way because of design of a single project. But as Disney has converted hotel rooms they also have done "mixed use" with DVC and hotel guests all together. So yes, I agree that DVC has been kept together but what I'm saying is that it's just been because of the way DVC resorts were done in the past, and not thru any real need to have it all together. For example, at VWL, the hotel guests have always been able to use the quiet pool and the work out room was also in the VWL building. There were no restricted areas for DVC nor the hotel guests that made it better to be where they were, and WL could just as easily had a floor in the villas and it wouldn't have mattered just as having DVC rooms in the main hotel wouldn't matter.

 

[Corinne]

This is a pretty random question, but I always tend to post here first, before searching for the answer

One (albeit minor) thing I missed when we joined DVC was the makeup mirror in the bathrooms. It appears some of the refurbished villas now have them. Has anyone stayed at the BWV recently, and if so, did you notice if they have them?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This is a pretty random question, but I always tend to post here first, before searching for the answer

One (albeit minor) thing I missed when we joined DVC was the makeup mirror in the bathrooms. It appears some of the refurbished villas now have them. Has anyone stayed at the BWV recently, and if so, did you notice if they have them?

Yes! They put the makeup mirrors in during the refurb.

 

[Corinne]

Yes! They put the makeup mirrors in during the refurb.

Yay! Thanks for your reply Kathy!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yay! Thanks for your reply Kathy!

You're welcome! And here's pictures - knew I had at least the one.

Studio:

1BR:

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well, time for a bump up on the page! Some oldies from our very first stay at WL. It's the view that made me fall in love with the resort, albeit there had been a big storm or two and they were working on the beach. But still, what's not to love! If all indicators are correct this room likely will now be part of C3V although the view will be different:

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Notice that Hidden Springs pool is still in the pic above the link that says "View Resort Details", which is kind of rubbing our nose in it a bit. In my humble opinion.

Speaking of this, did you all see the Member Insider email for July/August that came out a couple days ago? Guess what the picture was........

 

[sleepydog25]

The pics make me wistful. I'm sure the upgraded WL area will be pretty, but it's never going to hold quite the same emotional attachment that these classic pictures show. And when was the last time the upper level was painted that light blue, eh? Not to mention none of what one sees on the ground at the bottom of the shot exists anymore. . .

 

[Corinne]

Thanks for the photos of the BWV rooms, Kathy! Love the mirror in the studio! I am happy they are lighted as well, I do not recall the Deluxe rooms having lighted makeup mirrors, especially at the WL, last September I really need that!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The pics make me wistful. I'm sure the upgraded WL area will be pretty, but it's never going to hold quite the same emotional attachment that these classic pictures show. And when was the last time the upper level was painted that light blue, eh? Not to mention none of what one sees on the ground at the bottom of the shot exists anymore. . .

I think that pictures has be to pretty old Sleepy! I was wondering if someone might have an idea when it was from? I really can't recall the blue but we didn't tour them until 2005 I think. The little bit you can see at the bottom (and they didn't completely taunt us by showing Hidden Springs, but still ) has some smaller looking trees there that were much bigger by the time they started taking them down.

I also was just looking at the expansion thread over on the resorts board. In case anyone would like to look a poster found recent pictures on WDWMagic.com http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...eek-villas-cabins.897594/page-42#post-7246253

They aren't for the faint of heart. The new restaurant surprised me the most - I hadn't really processed how big the wing going towards the north was. Things are really starting to take shape and the one shot showing the line of cabin foundations starts to give a clearer picture of how that area is going to look.

Thanks for the photos of the BWV rooms, Kathy! Love the mirror in the studio! I am happy they are lighted as well, I do not recall the Deluxe rooms having lighted makeup mirrors, especially at the WL, last September I really need that!

Tell me about it Corinne! I used to wonder what the heck people were talking about that such and such a room was so dark. Now of course, I'm sure it's just that they keep reducing wattage to save on power.

 

[Granny]

Well, time for a bump up on the page! Some oldies from our very first stay at WL. It's the view that made me fall in love with the resort, albeit there had been a big storm or two and they were working on the beach. But still, what's not to love! If all indicators are correct this room likely will now be part of C3V although the view will be different:




Speaking of this, did you all see the Member Insider email for July/August that came out a couple days ago? Guess what the picture was........

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Thanks for the pictures Kathy. Just beautiful!

And that picture of VWL must be from the very first year or so...the trees are so small in the "courtyard" area between the pool and VWL! I remember staying in a villa along that courtyard (beyond the elevators) and being able to clearly look out over Bay Lake. That view disappeared over the years.

The pics make me wistful. I'm sure the upgraded WL area will be pretty, but it's never going to hold quite the same emotional attachment that these classic pictures show. And when was the last time the upper level was painted that light blue, eh? Not to mention none of what one sees on the ground at the bottom of the shot exists anymore. . .

I agree Sleepy, VWL will never be the same. I do think the finished product will still be pretty nice, but some of the aspects that made us love the place are clearly gone forever. I guess that's progress.

I think that pictures has be to pretty old Sleepy! I was wondering if someone might have an idea when it was from? I really can't recall the blue but we didn't tour them until 2005 I think. The little bit you can see at the bottom (and they didn't completely taunt us by showing Hidden Springs, but still ) has some smaller looking trees there that were much bigger by the time they started taking them down.

If I had to guess, I'd say that picture was from 2000 or 2001. We bought in 2001 and I don't recall ever seeing blue paint but I may have missed that in the details. Unfortunately, my pictures from that time are gone forever due to a particularly nasty virus my computer received. But I do think based on the small size of the landscaping trees that this is a very early picture.

 

[jimmytammy]

KAT
I remember when the beach was tore up like that.
And that stock photo is in our 1st DVC chart book that we received as new members back in 01. I too only physically seeing the light green that we are all accustomed too. I wonder if that color wasn't photoshopped back in the day, maybe before the actual color had been painted on?

 

[horselover]

All right, point taken!

With no Groupies heading to the World for the next two months, I guess my focus has been on getting through the "fretting stage" in the CCV development. Hey, at least I got past the "denial stage"!

Not true! I'll be down in Sept. I have a trip to Trout Pass on my agenda for one of the afternoons.

The pics make me wistful.

Me too. I'm going to miss that beach. Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing Kathy.

 

[linzbear]

I usually just lurk around here, but here's an 03 picture with blue from our first trip. I was looking at them recently amazed at how much the trees had grown.....

 

[Granny]

Not true! I'll be down in Sept. I have a trip to Trout Pass on my agenda for one of the afternoons.

Great! I saw your October trip on the first page but didn't see a September trip. Glad to hear we have one of our sleuths heading to spend some time at our home.

I usually just lurk around here, but here's an 03 picture with blue from our first trip. I was looking at them recently amazed at how much the trees had grown.....View attachment 183845

Linzbear...thanks for coming out of lurkdom to share your photo. Very nice! and


Okay, here's another one that DW and I "discuss"....the difference between blue and green. I see this picture and I see green. But my wife will tell me that I have no sense of color so it may well be blue. But to me it is green, pretty much the same as the WL roof.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

View attachment 183667

I usually just lurk around here, but here's an 03 picture with blue from our first trip. I was looking at them recently amazed at how much the trees had grown.....View attachment 183845

Okay, here's another one that DW and I "discuss"....the difference between blue and green. I see this picture and I see green. But my wife will tell me that I have no sense of color so it may well be blue. But to me it is green, pretty much the same as the WL roof.

Thanks for the picture linzbear!!!! Now we also can see approx how long it takes for trees to get to the stature they were around the pool.

Like you Granny, I see more green tone in linzbear's photo than the light blue I see in the marketing picture and after having the 03 picture and the similarity with those colors here's my thought. When you edit a picture you can slightly or significantly change the color tones depending on the white balance. And of course you can completely change a color with photoshop like Jimmy was thinking. Looking at the "red" of the roof and the "tan" of the building coupled with the "blue" of the upper part I think it's a white balance thing that marketing took some liberty with and probably also enhanced (ie, modified) colors too so they could really make it "pop" in the literature. Buildings do darken in weather but I don't think the "tan" was ever that tan and the roof never that orange red. The Trees are greener, the sky is bluer......well, that is true for VWL but they were especially so in that marketing picture!

 

[sleepydog25]

Love the picture, linzbear! And also, WELCOME!!

The color in the latter picture looks more green than blue (unlike the pic from the DVC mailer), but as others have noted, photoshopping can provide the desired effect as can lighting and, often, simply with a certain color filter on a lens much like our wedding photography did with a few shots. Yeah, so roughly 10 years for the newly planted trees to mature. . .provided they do so.

KAT, thanks for the link to other pictures. I wasn't too shocked given all the photos I've seen the past several weeks. I'm trying to come to grips with my innate desires of what I want VWL to be and what I fear it will be. Reconciling the two ain't easy.

 

[linzbear]

Thanks for the picture linzbear!!!! Now we also can see approx how long it takes for trees to get to the stature they were around the pool.

Like you Granny, I see more green tone in linzbear's photo than the light blue I see in the marketing picture and after having the 03 picture and the similarity with those colors here's my thought. When you edit a picture you can slightly or significantly change the color tones depending on the white balance. And of course you can completely change a color with photoshop like Jimmy was thinking. Looking at the "red" of the roof and the "tan" of the building coupled with the "blue" of the upper part I think it's a white balance thing that marketing took some liberty with and probably also enhanced (ie, modified) colors too so they could really make it "pop" in the literature. Buildings do darken in weather but I don't think the "tan" was ever that tan and the roof never that orange red. The Trees are greener, the sky is bluer......well, that is true for VWL but they were especially so in that marketing picture!

Yeah, compared to cameras these days, the one I had sucked (even compared to film - early digital was trash). Add a couple of years of paint fade for the sun and it makes more sense.

Of course now I've realized that maybe my theory of "oh, I already have a picture of the xyz from last trip, it hasn't changed" is not a good one. 6 trips over 12 years and that's the only picture I have of the villas.