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

[sleepydog25]

Based on greg's wonderful analysis, I'm thinking it will be a Topiary Meet & Greet for the missing bison and geese. . .along with a Frozen slushie stand in keeping with the odd theming already present.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Good afternoon Groupies,
Our countdown is 3 days until we arrive at VWL! I will do my best to post some pictures while at the lodge. It has been a long time and I am not sure if I remember how to post pictures but I downloaded the photobucket app. I will have a college student with me who should be able to figure these things out for her senile dad so we should be able to work it out.

We are driving from New York and our trusty minivan decided it didn't want to make the trip and will be in the shop getting a new timing belt. I scrambled all day and found a reasonable rate for a 2 week rental so that crisis was averted today. We will be staying one night at Disney Hilton Head on Thursday where my daughter will be meeting us. Early Friday morning we will be making the last leg of our journey and staying 9 glorious nights in the lodge. It has been too long and everyone can't wait to get there!

 

[bobbiwoz]

DisneyNutzy glad you found a reasonable rental!

We are stopping in HH during our next drive down which will be after Thanksgiving!

 

[horselover]

Thanks for popping in DisneyNutzy! Always great to hear from you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[twinklebug]

Reading through Greg's notes, I recalled a mention of the new building hosting classes. Cooking classes in particular, which I thought odd. Anyone else see this anywhere or was I dreaming it?

What I want to see is where they plan on popping a beautiful new grilling area for all villas to use like they did over at the Poly. It's the least they can do after ripping the heart out of hidden springs, the woods and ripping out the one tiny grill/randomly placed picnic table that held in there for so long doing the job of a proper setup. #GrillGotNoRespect

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Reading through Greg's notes, I recalled a mention of the new building hosting classes. Cooking classes in particular, which I thought odd. Anyone else see this anywhere or was I dreaming it?

What I want to see is where they plan on popping a beautiful new grilling area for all villas to use like they did over at the Poly. It's the least they can do after ripping the heart out of hidden springs, the woods and ripping out the one tiny grill/randomly placed picnic table that held in there for so long doing the job of a proper setup. #GrillGotNoRespect

Oh, the poor little VWL grill.....

 

[bobbiwoz]

We did use it once when celebrating an adult son's birthday. It was a 4 generation trip!

 

[DenLo]

Here's a good close up of the new pool. I can't tell from this if it is zero entry but I'm still betting it will be on the left side.


View attachment 203986

[/QUOTE]

We were just at WDW last few weeks and it is definitely a zero entry. It was hard to get a photo that shows the zero entry though.

This photo shows the restaurant in the background, but the foreground is the left side of the pool when looking out from the villas. You can see equipment sitting in the pool is going down at an angle.

 

[DenLo]

What I want to see is where they plan on popping a beautiful new grilling area for all villas to use like they did over at the Poly. It's the least they can do after ripping the heart out of hidden springs, the woods and ripping out the one tiny grill/randomly placed picnic table that held in there for so long doing the job of a proper setup. #GrillGotNoRespect

I am not sure where they would place a separate grilling pavilion because it is getting a little crowded out there. And most of us are hoping they will add more trees back into the landscaping. Also keep in mind that any BBQ area especially with a pavilion will increase the dues. There is a lot of maintenance and they are still having problems with people leaving the gas running on grills at the two DVC WDW resorts that have gas grills and the same is happening at Aulani.

 

[sleepydog25]

We were just at WDW last few weeks and it is definitely a zero entry. It was hard to get a photo that shows the zero entry though.

This photo shows the restaurant in the background, but the foreground is the left side of the pool when looking out from the villas. You can see equipment sitting in the pool is going down at an angle.

Great pic and I agree! As close to a confirmation as we're likely to get for awhile. Thanks!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I love all of these pictures. I hope they can fill in the area between the cabins and VWL building with more trees when they are finished but there doesn't appear to be much room. I too am curious by what that outline in by the hot tub is.

 

[Granny]

Actually you can see by the way the shade falls from the bottom wall that goes to the left edge of the pool. There is no shade all the way to the left and then it gradually grows larger until we get to the first corner. I take this as an indicator that this wall is getting higher the further away from the edge you go, so that confirms the zero entry for me.

We were just at WDW last few weeks and it is definitely a zero entry. It was hard to get a photo that shows the zero entry though.

This photo shows the restaurant in the background, but the foreground is the left side of the pool when looking out from the villas. You can see equipment sitting in the pool is going down at an angle.

Okay, between Flossy's shadows and Denise's sloping equipment, I'm calling the zero entry officially a done deal!

We have some awesome sleuths here. And still so many mysteries to solve.

 

[Lakegirl]

Thanks so much for the pictures!!!! They are great. Love to see progress and hoping they put trees between the pool and the cabins!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Lest Disney thinks we have forgotten:

 

[DenLo]

Ranger Jack told us during our recent stay at WDW, that the buffalos were removed because spider mites had killed the shrubs. He did not know if they were being replaced.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Ranger Jack told us during our recent stay at WDW, that the buffalos were removed because spider mites had killed the shrubs. He did not know if they were being replaced.

Aren't the modern topiaries just forms with vegetation growing on them unlike the originals that were actual shrubs. I'm pretty certain that the buffalo used to "roam" now and then and return eventually. The Geese on a stick were definitely forms, not shrubs.

 

[jimmytammy]

Getting into he Christmas Spirit a little early this year(DD and DSIL already put their tree up day after Halloween). We are headed to Greensboro this afternoon for the Holiday Market. Its a great place to see a lot of cool Christmas decorations, gift ideas, sample foods(my favorite part)and lots more. I tend to seek out Wilderness Lodgy type trinkets and decorations while here. Merry Christmas everyone!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Seeing the pictures of the Geese reminded me of the time the bus driver form the airport announced to the riders that we were being welcomed home by the Swans of Fort Wilderness. As I exited, I pointed out that the Swans were Geese, and that it was Wilderness Lodge, not Fort Wilderness. All I will say is that he did not appreciate the comment, and basically gave me body language indicating to take my stuff and move on. Geese . . . . . Welcome Home.

 

[sleepydog25]

Seeing the pictures of the Geese reminded me of the time the bus driver form the airport announced to the riders that we were being welcomed home by the Swans of Fort Wilderness. As I exited, I pointed out that the Swans were Geese, and that it was Wilderness Lodge, not Fort Wilderness. All I will say is that he did not appreciate the comment, and basically gave me body language indicating to take my stuff and move on. Geese . . . . . Welcome Home.

 

[sleepydog25]

Getting into he Christmas Spirit a little early this year(DD and DSIL already put their tree up day after Halloween). We are headed to Greensboro this afternoon for the Holiday Market. Its a great place to see a lot of cool Christmas decorations, gift ideas, sample foods(my favorite part)and lots more. I tend to seek out Wilderness Lodgy type trinkets and decorations while here. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Where is that exactly, JT? I hear it advertised on the radio but never pay attention. Is it more than just this weekend?