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

[Dean Marino]

Another sad reminder of Disney's plans for our beloved VWL, as posted on another board. The Fall 2016 edition of Disney FILES magazine says the transition to the new name will begin on October 25

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You know, every time I hear that new name and the spin Disney puts on the "new, more richly themed name" (where's that throwing up emoticon?), it just makes me a little angry. I was in marketing my whole career and I understand selling and spin, but one thing we always knew was that new sales should not come at the expense of valued customers. I don't blame Disney for wanting to add a DVC resort at Wilderness Lodge, but the whole concept that VWL owners are better off with the change is a joke.


Okay...I feel better now.

No problem - until I have to PAY for a new DVC. Leave us alone, do what you wish.... do NOT try to get me to PAY for it. I have a contract: HONOR IT.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks! We are all set to do our best to ignore the construction! I had a trip with freakishly cold and rainy weather and pool refurb at AKL where we were staying in February 2010 and it is still one of my favorite trips because it was the first time I brought my sister along. I wish we would have been able to not feel like we brought the German winter with us to Florida, but we still made so many wonderful memories that are far more important now to me!

And I am so excited to finally stay at my other home resort (my first contract is the BWV) that I am sure that I will love the trip for all the wonderful aspects of the resort (whatever it will be called) like the direct boat to the MK, the amazing main lobby and the wonderful DVC lobby, the lovely pool, the splurge on a one bedroom for two people, the Christmas decorations, the walking path to Fort Wilderness to go running on - and now the returned Mickey topiary!!

And to a certain extent as a numb it is easier for me to actually be excited about the new stuff coming. The new pool could be really amazing, the new restaurant building at the water front seems to have a lot of potential for a lovely seating area. And who knows, maybe I will even get a chance to book CCV at the 7-month window and get to stay in the lobby building itself. And the beach that was taken away would now have lost all its charm anyway with what they are doing to the beaches all over property right now. So, I feel that this is one loss that does not weigh as much anymore...

Great way to look at it, Flossy! As Granny said, those of us who have known and love VWL for a long time are a bit sad to see the changes. . .changes we thought unnecessary. Still, I point to our trip last February. Despite the construction, the loss of much of the wilderness feel we had come to love, and the many changes we questioned (and still do), the Lodge was still a great place to stay. As I've often remarked, the majestic music still plays; the crickets still chirrup and the lanterns flicker; the restaurants are still unique; the boats still run and horns still blow; and in the end, there's no place we like better. You will have a great trip and make many new, wondrous memories. As for Luv and me? We'll get beyond the changes. Perhaps even a little bit of the beach will survive which would please us immensely. We bellyache a little because that's human nature; yet, in the end, we know how fortunate we are to have a luxury like VWL. . .and it will ALWAYS be VWL to us.

 

[dbavis]

Hey everyone... we're working on purchasing a resale contract for VWL and just wanted to say hi. The Wilderness Lodge has always been my favorite resort even though we just stayed there for the first time this past summer. It is the first Disney resort we ever visited. We had lunch on arrival day at WCC during our trip in 2008. Ever since we've made a point to stop by each trip for lunch or dinner and to just take in the beauty of the resort. We did a split stay this summer at VWL and Poly and, to my surprise, I ended up liking VWL more than Poly. Now we're buying into DVC and looking forward to many more trips 'home'.

 

[Lakegirl]

Hey everyone... we're working on purchasing a resale contract for VWL and just wanted to say hi. The Wilderness Lodge has always been my favorite resort even though we just stayed there for the first time this past summer. It is the first Disney resort we ever visited. We had lunch on arrival day at WCC during our trip in 2008. Ever since we've made a point to stop by each trip for lunch or dinner and to just take in the beauty of the resort. We did a split stay this summer at VWL and Poly and, to my surprise, I ended up liking VWL more than Poly. Now we're buying into DVC and looking forward to many more trips 'home'.

Welcome!!! This group is filled with wonderful people who share a love for Disney and VWL. They are a wealth of information!!!

 

[Granny]

Hey everyone... we're working on purchasing a resale contract for VWL and just wanted to say hi. The Wilderness Lodge has always been my favorite resort even though we just stayed there for the first time this past summer. It is the first Disney resort we ever visited. We had lunch on arrival day at WCC during our trip in 2008. Ever since we've made a point to stop by each trip for lunch or dinner and to just take in the beauty of the resort. We did a split stay this summer at VWL and Poly and, to my surprise, I ended up liking VWL more than Poly. Now we're buying into DVC and looking forward to many more trips 'home'.

Here's a little Moose Dust (our version of Pixie Dust, WL style)coming your way for your resale contract to go smoothly! Good luck!

 

[jimmytammy]

Pictures will be forthcoming but we got to visit some pretty famous sites today! Where Jurassic Park was shot in part, and Jurassic World along with a bunch of there movies and shows. Awesome, awesome place! Got back to Aulani and just chilled. Cant D and I went snorkeling in the reef then boogie boarding int he lagoon, then we all just sank in some chairs by the pool and reminisced about this past week.

As for VWL, it will always be VWL in our hearts, this thread will remain(got a feeling Sleepy would never let it die )as such as long as we all carry the torch. I too look forward to the coming years of the remainder of our contract, but the story will remain the same.

 

[Flossbolna]

I have to say that one of the things that makes me happy about my VWL points is that I have found this group. At first I was a bit surprised to read through pages of birthday greetings on a resort board thread, but now I see how this is part of the friendly quality of this thread! I wish there would be something similar for my other home resort!

 

[DiznyDi]

WELCOME dbavis Like Granny, here's a little moose dust all goes smoothly with your resale contract.

Thanks JT for sharing your wonderful photos! Brings back such vivid fond memories. DDad has promised to take me back again someday.

Enjoy your week-end!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . . the whole concept that VWL owners are better off with the change is a joke. . . . . .

Spin is Spin . . . doesn't matter where or who it is from in life . . . mostly it is insultive and often makes one think "they think we are stupid".

. . . . . . at the end of the day we are lucky to stay anywhere at WDW much less a place as wonderful as VWL. . . . . . . . . .

Granny, I don't disagree, but it is because each owner has made it so, with hard work and dedication; never forget the initial price and the maintenance fees; makes me think Disney is the lucky one . . . . .

And to all of us that are disappointed with the new naming and theming spin for our Lodge, try and think of that image where baby gets their first spoon full of green beans . . . . eventually we end up liking them.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And to all of us that are disappointed with the new naming and theming spin for our Lodge, try and think of that image where baby gets their first spoon full of green beans . . . . eventually we end up liking them.

Using that basis but substitute squash for green beans and I calculate we'll almost be at 2042.

 

[sleepydog25]

)Welcome, dbavis! As Lakegirl mentions, this is one downright friendly group; in fact, we try to be the friendliest, most optimistic group on the DIS. . .and I believe we succeed. Those who first started with the thread way, way, way, way back when set a great example for those of us who came along later and for those who've joined a bit more recently (Lakegirl being one such). We're happy you've opted to buy into VWL resale, though as we often mention, owning at the resort isn't a requirement for our Groupies--just a love of the Lodge. Anyway, grab a rocker, your favorite libation, and sit a spell (spittoon optional). We do follow Groupies' trips on Page 1 (shoot me a PM if you want to be included), as well as birthdays and anniversaries (PM KAT4DISNEY, also optional). Again, glad to have you! We hope you join in often (and share pictures, too ).

"As for VWL, it will always be VWL in our hearts, this thread will remain (got a feeling Sleepy would never let it die )" JT, you are correct, sir!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies bdavis!!!!
And Moose Dust in that contract coming through for you!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Couple more Aulani shots



Casey and I went snorkeling in the reef at Aulani

 

[jimmytammy]

A couple of characters at Aulani(oh, we saw Minnie and Goofy too)



This is an amazing breakfast at Aulani

 

[jimmytammy]

Giovannis shrimp truck up at the North Shore

Bonzai Pipeline...the waves weren't overly big that day

Polynesian Cultural Center

 

[jimmytammy]

View of lagoon at Aulani

 

[jimmytammy]

Jurassic Park!




Jurassic World set


Something big escaped!!

 

[jade1]

Yesterday

 

[Granny]

jade...thanks for the great pictures! It's hard to tell, but those cabins do appear to be a pretty good size. It will be interesting to see how they turn out.

Seems like they are moving along pretty well. It does make me think that there's no reason that this construction should require all of next year to complete.

Thanks again for taking the time to give us this update!

 

[Lakegirl]

jade...thanks for the great pictures! It's hard to tell, but those cabins do appear to be a pretty good size. It will be interesting to see how they turn out.

Seems like they are moving along pretty well. It does make me think that there's no reason that this construction should require all of next year to complete.

Thanks again for taking the time to give us this update!

I hope your right Granny. I just booked s quick May trip and out 7 night 8 day trip in August at the Lodge. I will keep the quick trip at the Lodge but undecided about the the longer August 2017 trip.