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

Speaking of Mickey Money; if you run into some, grab it. We use to buy it for our kids and include it into their Christmas stockings as a way to announce a trip to The World (before our DVC; late 80's). It is selling now on Ebay and elsewhere for anywhere between $18 and $32 for a $1 bill. That is a better ROI than any period snapshot of Disney stock! Geeze Louise.

Wow! At least this is a bit of Disney history selling for a pretty penny. I hate when people buy up the limited edition items and sell them for a huge profit on ebay :coughs: popcorn buckets :coughs:

Speaking of buying things - what are some DVC items in the Wilderness Lodge shop I should try to snatch up next year? (assuming the same items will still be there)
 
Is anyone of the Groupies planning on attending the Condo Association Meeting in December? We are thinking about going there.
 
Wow! At least this is a bit of Disney history selling for a pretty penny. I hate when people buy up the limited edition items and sell them for a huge profit on ebay :coughs: popcorn buckets :coughs:

Speaking of buying things - what are some DVC items in the Wilderness Lodge shop I should try to snatch up next year? (assuming the same items will still be there)
Not sure anything qualifies as being important enough to grab next year unless they add some things between now and your trip. For the past few years, the t-shirts and sweatshirts have remained essentially unchanged. Same goes for mugs, pens, et. al. There are some cool keychains (though they're cheaply made), and a mug might be of interest though those were the same last February as they were two summers prior. My favorite possession I ever bought there was a well-made Wilderness Lodge hoodie. Got it five years or so ago. I don't know that they still carry them (it has a simple WILDERNESS LODGE written in red across the front with an old WL logo beside it where the L bisects the W vertically). I've worn it literally hundreds of times and it's still in great shape. Has a front 1/2 zipper and pull strings for the hood part. THAT I would recommend.
 
Ok I am a bit slow on the draw here(keeping the western theme going here, with Matt Dillon, Ms Kitty and Festus roaming these parts), I just received my fall Disney Files mag(realized I hadn't gotten one since summer 2015, told y'all I was a little slow on the draw). So I open to page 9 and see our home mentioned and the name change and all. Seems to me if they are h#*l bent on the name change, the picture on said page reflects a train in rugged terrain going in mountain territory. So I propose they install a Big Thunder Mt type train from home through Fort Wilderness for a pickup then on to drop us off at BTMRR. From one pile of rocks to another. Still ain't gonna call it Boulder Rock whatever but feel that's the least they can do for disrupting our lives:crazy:
 

So I propose they install a Big Thunder Mt type train from home through Fort Wilderness for a pickup then on to drop us off at BTMRR. From one pile of rocks to another. Still ain't gonna call it Boulder Rock whatever but feel that's the least they can do for disrupting our lives:crazy:

Sounds reasonable to me

Not sure anything qualifies as being important enough to grab next year unless they add some things between now and your trip. For the past few years, the t-shirts and sweatshirts have remained essentially unchanged. Same goes for mugs, pens, et. al. There are some cool keychains (though they're cheaply made), and a mug might be of interest though those were the same last February as they were two summers prior. My favorite possession I ever bought there was a well-made Wilderness Lodge hoodie. Got it five years or so ago. I don't know that they still carry them (it has a simple WILDERNESS LODGE written in red across the front with an old WL logo beside it where the L bisects the W vertically). I've worn it literally hundreds of times and it's still in great shape. Has a front 1/2 zipper and pull strings for the hood part. THAT I would recommend.

Are the DVC items specific to wilderness lodge or is it generic DVC stuff? I can't say I have ever looked before since we weren't owners. I think I'll just go ahead and get a separate budget going for the gift shop. Might need some WL sweatshirts at the very least.
 
I did see that! :santa: It'll be nice to have a Christmas show there this year.

Wish it were Osborne lights though....:duck:
Agree wholeheartedly! You give up the Osborne Lights for a something less appealing? Sigh.

PiratesLife: They have both. The generic DVC stuff isn't very imaginative and is, well, generic--it hearkens more to overall DVC than actual VWL-related. They do have some WL-specifc stuff, and you might find a few things that you enjoy enough to drop a few dollars. At one time, you could find neat, DVC resort specific items that matched the resort well. For example, you used to be able to get a Lincoln Logs kit that had a distinct WL theme to it. I haven't seen those lately. As the resorts become more homogenized, so has the selection in the gift shops. Instead, Disney seems to prefer more mass-produced, generic DVC items, most of which can be found in any resort. Still, the occasional cool WL item can be had.
 
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PiratesLife: They have both. The generic DVC stuff isn't very imaginative and is, well, generic--it hearkens more to overall DVC than actual VWL-related. They do have some WL-specifc stuff, and you might find a few things that you enjoy enough to drop a few dollars. At one time, you could find neat, DVC resort specific items that matched the resort well. For example, you used to be able to get a Lincoln Logs kit that had a distinct WL theme to it. I haven't seen those lately. As the resorts become more homogenized, so has the selection in the gift shops. Instead, Disney seems to prefer more mass-produced, generic DVC items, most of which can be found in any resort. Still, the occasional cool WL item can still be had.

I miss the days of the abundance of resort specific items. I even miss the wdw specific items but alas it's all changing to Disney parks. Those Lincoln logs sound awesome! I would have bought those for sure.
 
I did see that! :santa: It'll be nice to have a Christmas show there this year.

Wish it were Osborne lights though....:duck:

Oh, I agree with this!!

Actually, so far I had planned one or two short two hour visits to DHS during our stay. This might actually get me to go to that park a little longer. But the last Christmas trip we spent two evenings just hanging out in the Lights for hours. It was so nice! I never expected to love them as much as I did. And then they cancel them after I fell in love with them...
 
I've really avoided saying this..... for several months....

Given this thread title.... has anyone actually provided any data on the current state of the WL? Forgive me - I have to go to other threads to get actual DATA, or real INFORMATION.

Everyone here is an absolutely wonderful person..... but you tend to have a habit of not reporting all that much that is significant? Could we work on this?

Sorry if I have offended anyone - goal is to make this group relevant.
 
I've really avoided saying this..... for several months....

Given this thread title.... has anyone actually provided any data on the current state of the WL? Forgive me - I have to go to other threads to get actual DATA, or real INFORMATION.

Everyone here is an absolutely wonderful person..... but you tend to have a habit of not reporting all that much that is significant? Could we work on this?

Sorry if I have offended anyone - goal is to make this group relevant.

I believe you are asking if anyone has new information to post on the construction?

Per our trip list - ie, Groupies who wish to have their trips listed - your visit in April still remains the last listed visit at VWL. I know that I'm not the only one who has expressed that we are staying away during this time although my fingers are itching to select it for some yet undecided upon trip. We have had a few people share their pictures since your trip but otherwise there is an actual thread dedicated to the expansion. This particular thread isn't specific for that topic - it's been going since long, long before an expeansions was even thought of by Disney although it certainly fits in here when it's discussed. I think a lot of WL visitors post on the expansion thread or the WL resort thread rather than this one under DVC.

Here's the link:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/bo...ilderness-lodge-dvc-expansion-thread.3410778/

On my next WDW visit I am hoping to stop by and see what's happening and will post here if I do.
 
So what is the Groupie consent on AP? Cautiously optimistic that it's back up to a high quality?
 
So what is the Groupie consent on AP? Cautiously optimistic that it's back up to a high quality?
You read my mind. Going on our first adult only trip in May and want to do one really special dinner and not sure with what some people have said about previously not being that great if I should make it Artist point or not? Thoughts appreciated.
 
I've really avoided saying this..... for several months....

Given this thread title.... has anyone actually provided any data on the current state of the WL? Forgive me - I have to go to other threads to get actual DATA, or real INFORMATION.

Everyone here is an absolutely wonderful person..... but you tend to have a habit of not reporting all that much that is significant? Could we work on this?

Sorry if I have offended anyone - goal is to make this group relevant.
No offense taken here. You are spot on that this thread has veered off from what the title says, and I don't defend it, but rather embrace it. This is at least the 6th installment of a similar thread. I think somewhere along the way, we all became friends, heck even family! And our personal lives intertwined. I can say on a personal note, like all of us, health issues, loss of loved ones, etc. came up and I have asked for prayer here. And many here lifted me or my family up. And the prayer got me through.

I have read so many times here, I can't count, how nice of a thread this is and people feel like they can hang out and not be blasted for sharing their opinion. I think thats why this has grown beyond why its not just VWL/WL related anymore. We do try to stay on topic from time to time but ultimately we veero_O

Like KAT said, many here are shying away until the dust settles, me included. So not sure from our group if much will be reported. I plan on going over in Dec to check things out while eating at WCC one evening, and got a feeling with as many groupies there basically same time, we will get a lot of feedback.
 
Hi Groupies! :wave2:

I've been unplugged for a few days on an amazing retreat with my church group. Just a great time to connect and check that my life priorities are somewhat in line with that for which I was created. :)




Speaking of buying things - what are some DVC items in the Wilderness Lodge shop I should try to snatch up next year? (assuming the same items will still be there)

I know you asked about DVC specific items, but we do like some of the WL specific items (which are also reducing in variety it seems). We have a couple of the picture frames that are specific to WL. For a short while they also had a WL snow globe that we love, but I haven't seen that back there for a while. But as for DVC items, I can't say that any of the DVC resorts have much selection for that. I have to agree with
@sleepydog25 that the DVC merchandise is pretty uninspired. I have talked to some of the retail staff and the consensus seems to be that while there are some real DVC fans out there, the items they have for DVC have never been big sellers. It's a chicken and egg sort of thing...will expanded lines of merchandise spur more sales or does there need to be a lot of feedback from members to drive more merchandise?

Is anyone of the Groupies planning on attending the Condo Association Meeting in December? We are thinking about going there.

Hi Flossy! What date is the Condo Association meeting? We've never attended it. I'm not sure how much time it takes up but I'm not sure we would want to spend some of our vacation time listening to DVC sales pitches and spin about current projects. And I would actually toss my cookies if someone defended the Boulder Ridge "re-imagining" of VWL. [insert barfing emoticon]

Ok I am a bit slow on the draw here(keeping the western theme going here, with Matt Dillon, Ms Kitty and Festus roaming these parts), I just received my fall Disney Files mag(realized I hadn't gotten one since summer 2015, told y'all I was a little slow on the draw). So I open to page 9 and see our home mentioned and the name change and all. Seems to me if they are h#*l bent on the name change, the picture on said page reflects a train in rugged terrain going in mountain territory. So I propose they install a Big Thunder Mt type train from home through Fort Wilderness for a pickup then on to drop us off at BTMRR. From one pile of rocks to another. Still ain't gonna call it Boulder Rock whatever but feel that's the least they can do for disrupting our lives:crazy:

Jimmy...I think your point is well made and should be adopted ASAP. I'd prefer a train to MK over extending the monorail. :)

So what is the Groupie consent on AP? Cautiously optimistic that it's back up to a high quality?

Kathy...I have to confess I was confused by your post. Why a question on whether the Annual Pass was back up to high quality? :confused: Then my brain slowly figured out your question. I can't provide a response since it has been a couple of years since our last meal there. But I'm hoping that it has returned to its former first class status.
 
I've really avoided saying this..... for several months....

Given this thread title.... has anyone actually provided any data on the current state of the WL? Forgive me - I have to go to other threads to get actual DATA, or real INFORMATION.

Everyone here is an absolutely wonderful person..... but you tend to have a habit of not reporting all that much that is significant? Could we work on this?

Sorry if I have offended anyone - goal is to make this group relevant.


Hi Dean, and welcome back.

Unfortunately there is no real "news" to report about WL/VWL/CCV. Disney has released no information beyond the name of the new resort and now a blurb about Boulder Ridge but again no details. So all we have is conjecture which we have gone through many times in the past few months. What will the new food service be like? Will the cabins have functional fireplaces? What will the point structure be like? Will they ever plant any trees again?

The last photo of "progress" was posted 3-4 weeks ago of the new pool, and we spent time discussing that and its various possible features such as bubbling springs and zero entry.

As others have indicated, we do not have anyone on site to regularly update us on progress. And we have not had a lot of people making trips as we are a smart group that tends to stay away from Orlando summers. I think you will see some more pictures soon as our trips will kick in for the last couple of months of the year.

As for the thread title, it always refers to VWL Groupies and Lovers. If there is any new information, we always share it and discuss it. But we haven't duplicated other threads that are dedicated solely to the new construction. We always welcome new people who have questions about VWL and provide whatever insight we can about the resort. As such I think we are fulfilling our role as VWL "experts" while also taking time to talk about other issues important to us.

The DISBoard moderators have let this thread run for 10 years in this format, so they must feel that we stay on topic enough to warrant keeping around. I think they like that there is a "safe haven" thread on the boards where people are always welcome to come and "sit a spell on the rockers" with us.

We appreciate your input and you are always welcome here. I'm sure you'll be seeing more information about the progress at WL construction sites in the coming weeks. :)
 



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