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

[Flossbolna]

Hi guys! We have officially closed on our first resale contract and can now call VWL home! (I don't care if they rename it). My husband called member services for the first time and had to put it on speaker so I could hear them say welcome home. It feels so right! I am so glad we went with our gut and didn't buy at SSR like so many people tried to convince us to do. Can't wait for our first trip as owners!

Welcome to the Groupies!

You already were sensible and bought resale, so being a little bit sentimental and buying VWL still puts you ahead of those who go out and buy the Polynesian without doing any research. I am really happy that I bought VWL in resale because one of the times of year we like to be at WDW is the Christmas season and I definitely would not have gotten the reservation for my upcoming trip without the home resort advantage.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi guys! We have officially closed on our first resale contract and can now call VWL home! (I don't care if they rename it). My husband called member services for the first time and had to put it on speaker so I could hear them say welcome home. It feels so right! I am so glad we went with our gut and didn't buy at SSR like so many people tried to convince us to do. Can't wait for our first trip as owners!

Congratulations, velkommen, and pull up a rocker! We're glad you found us and hope you'll join in our merry band. While all resorts have their finer points (SSR is becoming more desirable now that Disney Springs is ramping up; BWV/BCV both offer superb access to Epcot and DHS; BLT is a short walk to MK, et. al.), what has sparked the passion in this fair group is the jaw-dropping architecture, combined with the majestic music and (still) notable serenity when compared to other resorts. That you discovered this beauty before purchasing DVC speaks well of your research efforts. We looked at a few, as well, but only VWL spoke to us (and, yes, it shall forever be VWL to us). I doubt you'll get any arguments here. With VWL as your second home, we hope you'll find us to be a second family, as well. You've likely noted we have a library of Groupie trips on Page 1 and a listing of anniversaries and birthdays there, too. No obligation at all, but if you wish to share a trip date, please PM me. If you wish to give up the ol' birthday and/or anniversary info, please PM Rabblerouse--er, I mean KAT4DISNEY. Again, welcome aboard!

 

[Dizny Dad]

WELCOME HOME APiratesLifeForMe2 & Family!!

 

[Granny]

Hi guys! We have officially closed on our first resale contract and can now call VWL home! (I don't care if they rename it). My husband called member services for the first time and had to put it on speaker so I could hear them say welcome home. It feels so right! I am so glad we went with our gut and didn't buy at SSR like so many people tried to convince us to do. Can't wait for our first trip as owners!

Congratulations! And not only WELCOME HOME, but also WELCOME to the VWL Groupies thread. Your refusal to call your home BRV is all the credentials we need to hear to know that you are in the right place! I'm sure you'll enjoy your membership and your new home.

 

[Granny]

Okay, baby sheep and puppies are kind of cute....but for my money you just can't beat an adorable baby moose!



This guy looks like he already knows the awesome responsibility he has to represent our beloved VWL well! Someday they may even put a topiary up in his honor!

 

[horselover]

Okay, baby sheep and puppies are kind of cute....but for my money you just can't beat an adorable baby moose!

View attachment 197614

This guy looks like he already knows the awesome responsibility he has to represent our beloved VWL well! Someday they may even put a topiary up in his honor!

Awwwww.

 

[sleepydog25]

Okay, baby sheep and puppies are kind of cute....but for my money you just can't beat an adorable baby moose!

View attachment 197614

This guy looks like he already knows the awesome responsibility he has to represent our beloved VWL well! Someday they may even put a topiary up in his honor!

Oh, K-A-A-A-T. . .

 

[georgejr]

Hi guys! We have officially closed on our first resale contract and can now call VWL home! (I don't care if they rename it). My husband called member services for the first time and had to put it on speaker so I could hear them say welcome home. It feels so right! I am so glad we went with our gut and didn't buy at SSR like so many people tried to convince us to do. Can't wait for our first trip as owners!

Congratulations!!! Now you'll have many years of hearing Welcome Home.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Congratulations, velkommen, and pull up a rocker! We're glad you found us and hope you'll join in our merry band. While all resorts have their finer points (SSR is becoming more desirable now that Disney Springs is ramping up; BWV/BCV both offer superb access to Epcot and DHS; BLT is a short walk to MK, et. al.), what has sparked the passion in this fair group is the jaw-dropping architecture, combined with the majestic music and (still) notable serenity when compared to other resorts. That you discovered this beauty before purchasing DVC speaks well of your research efforts. We looked at a few, as well, but only VWL spoke to us (and, yes, it shall forever be VWL to us). I doubt you'll get any arguments here. With VWL as your second home, we hope you'll find us to be a second family, as well. You've likely noted we have a library of Groupie trips on Page 1 and a listing of anniversaries and birthdays there, too. No obligation at all, but if you wish to share a trip date, please PM me. If you wish to give up the ol' birthday and/or anniversary info, please PM Rabblerouse--er, I mean KAT4DISNEY. Again, welcome aboard!

Thank you so much! We have stayed in most Disney resorts but Wilderness Lodge is by far our favorite for so many reasons. I think I'm going to enjoy my new family here on the groupies thread.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you so much! We have stayed in most Disney resorts but Wilderness Lodge is by far our favorite for so many reasons. I think I'm going to enjoy my new family here on the groupies thread.

Yeah, we're fairly awesome. Seriously, we pride ourselves on being a friendly, non-drama, familial sort of thread, and in the four+ years of being a Groupie, I can truly say it's been my honor to get to know these folks. They have become part of my extended family. Glad you found us!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oh, K-A-A-A-T. . .

Moose! Why did it have to be baby moose?
How can a puppy or lamb compete with that?!?!?

GROUPIES TURN ON THE LAMB! (I better stop there or it will be chaos that follows)

 

[Flossbolna]

Okay, baby sheep and puppies are kind of cute....but for my money you just can't beat an adorable baby moose!

View attachment 197614

This guy looks like he already knows the awesome responsibility he has to represent our beloved VWL well! Someday they may even put a topiary up in his honor!

Oh!!!

 

[pmaurer74]

Thank you so much! We have stayed in most Disney resorts but Wilderness Lodge is by far our favorite for so many reasons. I think I'm going to enjoy my new family here on the groupies thread.

Welcome Home!!! This is a great group of Moosies.... We fell in love with WL on our first trip and it will always be home for us... at least for 25 more years I hope!

 

[DiznyDi]

Hi guys! We have officially closed on our first resale contract and can now call VWL home! (I don't care if they rename it). My husband called member services for the first time and had to put it on speaker so I could hear them say welcome home. It feels so right! I am so glad we went with our gut and didn't buy at SSR like so many people tried to convince us to do. Can't wait for our first trip as owners!

Congratulations and Welcome Home

So nice to have you here! Have you planned your first stay yet? We have a Big Honkin Groupie meet (BHGM) planned for December at TOWL for anyone in the world at that time. Would love to have you join us!

 

[DiznyDi]

Ahhhhh Granny.....absolutely adorable baby moose! I don't think I've ever seen a picture of a baby moose. So special.

 

[bird4274]

Hello to all the members of VWL Lovers. We have been VWL owners since 2001, but this will be our first return visit since our purchase, I know we really have been missing the best resort, but have been trying different one. I am so confused on what area I should try to request our room location. We check in on Sunday Oct 9 and have booked a dedicated 2 BDR. We will have our 2 grandsons ages 4 and 6 with us this trip. Any suggestions?? The first time we stayed our room overlooked the Villas pool which I know would look out over the construction.

 

[Granny]

Hello to all the members of VWL Lovers. We have been VWL owners since 2001, but this will be our first return visit since our purchase, I know we really have been missing the best resort, but have been trying different one. I am so confused on what area I should try to request our room location. We check in on Sunday Oct 9 and have booked a dedicated 2 BDR. We will have our 2 grandsons ages 4 and 6 with us this trip. Any suggestions?? The first time we stayed our room overlooked the Villas pool which I know would look out over the construction.

WELCOME bird4274! We bought VWL the same year that you did, and like you we have also "sampled" every other WDW DVC resort except Polynesian Villas. So great to hear that you'll be heading back to our favorite resort with the grandsons in tow.

You are correct, all the villas on the lake side will overlook construction. If that isn't your cup of tea, I would request an even numbered room which will put you on the "bus stop side" of the resort. Also request close to the elevators to give you a better chance of avoiding the Dreaded Dumpster View at the end of that hall. Although I don't think any dedicated 2BR villas have that view.

The construction is quite large but if you can put up with it, those rooms do give you a nicer view of Bay Lake with the trees pretty much gone. Your grandsons may be past the nap age? If so, the construction is limited to 9:00 - 4:00 (approximately) each day so if you're in the parks you won't ever hear it.

Have a wonderful trip with the family. And thanks for dropping by!

 

[sleepydog25]

WELCOME bird4274! We bought VWL the same year that you did, and like you we have also "sampled" every other WDW DVC resort except Polynesian Villas. So great to hear that you'll be heading back to our favorite resort with the grandsons in tow.

You are correct, all the villas on the lake side will overlook construction. If that isn't your cup of tea, I would request an even numbered room which will put you on the "bus stop side" of the resort. Also request close to the elevators to give you a better chance of avoiding the Dreaded Dumpster View at the end of that hall. Although I don't think any dedicated 2BR villas have that view.

The construction is quite large but if you can put up with it, those rooms do give you a nicer view of Bay Lake with the trees pretty much gone. Your grandsons may be past the nap age? If so, the construction is limited to 9:00 - 4:00 (approximately) each day so if you're in the parks you won't ever hear it.

Have a wonderful trip with the family. And thanks for dropping by!

I second Granny's welcome and also his thoughts about room location. When we were there in late February, we overlooked where Hidden Springs used to be, and we loved it. Okay, so we didn't love the missing trees and the notion that the serenity that cloaked WL/VWL will likely no longer be there when all is said and done. However, given that construction is a fact of life and we could do nothing about it, we found that the view to the lake was exceptional which allowed unfettered viewing of EWP which I'm sure your grandsons would love. You can't miss the construction, but it's certainly not overly intrusive. Have a great trip and, again, welcome!

 

[pmaurer74]

Congratulations and Welcome Home

So nice to have you here! Have you planned your first stay yet? We have a Big Honkin Groupie meet (BHGM) planned for December at TOWL for anyone in the world at that time. Would love to have you join us!

when is the meeting in December?

 

[Corinne]

Di- prayers for your mom, I hope that she heals quickly.

Julie- the puppy and lamb are both precious. I'll tell you what animal is not precious! The rat we saw today at Epcot . I'd much prefer the eagle!