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

[Corinne]

I was actually thinking we should try and meet at our beloved Lodge! Great idea Di!

 

[DVC Jen]

DW & I have enjoyed our empty nester trips quite a bit as well. Very laid back and we find that instead of burning out on WDW, we look forward to our relaxing, low planning trips. Glad you had a great trip!

I think we are going to enjoy many many more as well

 

[sleepydog25]

Late breaking news! As always, take this with a heavy dose of sodium, but on the main WL thread, at least three people have posted they received the following letter from Disney regarding their upcoming stays in mid-Feb to late March:

We are excited you have chosen Disney's Wilderness Lodge as your vacation destination and look forward to sharing the magic of the Pacific Northwest with you.
We are pleased to share our latest addition, Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill, will be open during your stay while Roaring Fork, our quick service food and beverage location, and Trout Pass Pool Bar will be closed for refurbishment. Please be aware of the alternative quick service dining options that will be available for your enjoyment:

Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as specialty cocktails, beer and wine. The menu offers a variety of items, including hot breakfast entrees, a gourmet burger, sandwiches and salads. Kids' meals will also be available.

Territory Lounge is now offering a continental-style breakfast featuring gourmet coffees, pastries and a yogurt parfait.

Now, in response to this news, I did an online chat with a DVC Guest Services member who told me that after checking the advisories, he saw nothing of the sort. Told me that twice, in fact. However, I've no reason to dispute what those posters are saying. . .

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Late breaking news! As always, take this with a heavy dose of sodium, but on the main WL thread, at least three people have posted they received the following letter from Disney regarding their upcoming stays in mid-Feb to late March:

We are excited you have chosen Disney's Wilderness Lodge as your vacation destination and look forward to sharing the magic of the Pacific Northwest with you.
We are pleased to share our latest addition, Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill, will be open during your stay while Roaring Fork, our quick service food and beverage location, and Trout Pass Pool Bar will be closed for refurbishment. Please be aware of the alternative quick service dining options that will be available for your enjoyment:

Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as specialty cocktails, beer and wine. The menu offers a variety of items, including hot breakfast entrees, a gourmet burger, sandwiches and salads. Kids' meals will also be available.

Territory Lounge is now offering a continental-style breakfast featuring gourmet coffees, pastries and a yogurt parfait.

Now, in response to this news, I did an online chat with a DVC Guest Services member who told me that after checking the advisories, he saw nothing of the sort. Told me that twice, in fact. However, I've no reason to dispute what those posters are saying. . .

Thanks for sharing. I have also learned over the years that large companies (like Disney) tend to have communication issues. Frankly I think it's a big problem but I digress. My guess is DVC guest services hasn't received the new information yet.

It does sound like this means 2 quick service instead of completely removing roaring fork. Although it doesn't necessarily mean it will open up with the same offerings. As long as I can keep my bananas foster waffles I'll be just fine!

 

[wdrl]

Late breaking news! As always, take this with a heavy dose of sodium, but on the main WL thread, at least three people have posted they received the following letter from Disney regarding their upcoming stays in mid-Feb to late March:

We are excited you have chosen Disney's Wilderness Lodge as your vacation destination and look forward to sharing the magic of the Pacific Northwest with you.
We are pleased to share our latest addition, Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill, will be open during your stay while Roaring Fork, our quick service food and beverage location, and Trout Pass Pool Bar will be closed for refurbishment. Please be aware of the alternative quick service dining options that will be available for your enjoyment:

Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as specialty cocktails, beer and wine. The menu offers a variety of items, including hot breakfast entrees, a gourmet burger, sandwiches and salads. Kids' meals will also be available.

Territory Lounge is now offering a continental-style breakfast featuring gourmet coffees, pastries and a yogurt parfait.

Now, in response to this news, I did an online chat with a DVC Guest Services member who told me that after checking the advisories, he saw nothing of the sort. Told me that twice, in fact. However, I've no reason to dispute what those posters are saying. . .

We are checking into Boulder Ridge Villas on March 27 for 10 days. Today, we received the email from Disney about the Geyser Point Bar and Grill being opened during our stay.

The email goes on to say that the New Balance running trail will be open for my enjoyment and that the recreational facilities at both Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and the Contemporary Resort will also be available to me.

 

[Granny]

Sleepy...thanks for posting that information. It all looks pretty official to me, and I agree with others that MS probably just didn't get the memo. After all, it doesn't really affect DVC reservations/accommodations so I'm not surprised they weren't told.

I'm actually getting a little excited about Geyser Point food service. Since we tend to spend a fair amount of time around the resort during our stays, additional food options are always welcome! Though I have to say it's hard to believe that Disney is putting money into Trout Pass bar and that it is really being refurbished with another outdoor bar so close by. My guess is that it is be re-purposed, not refurbished.

And Roaring Fork...it certainly won't take months to add a cover to the patio area. But since they are doing that, it seems likely that they will be doing something with the Roaring Fork space. I'm not sure what that would be but it does make sense that they won't close the only indoor counter service food option at the resort.

My only head scratcher in the whole thing is that once they total up the total occupancy of VWL/WL/CCV, will it really be more guests at the resort? I know they are adding the cabins, but the villas take up a lot of room and I think the square footage per guest will go up in the CCV conversions thus reducing the total number of guests at the entire resort.

The head scratching part comes in on the major investments they are making beyond the pool. New eatery, possibly a Community Hall, refurb of existing amenities...will they really need a big second pool and a new eatery?

The only thing I can think of is that WL must have run at a very low occupancy rate, and with the conversion to CCV they do expect significantly more total guests at the resort(s) than in the past. It will be interesting to see.

 

[DenLo]

. . . .

My only head scratcher in the whole thing is that once they total up the total occupancy of VWL/WL/CCV, will it really be more guests at the resort? I know they are adding the cabins, but the villas take up a lot of room and I think the square footage per guest will go up in the CCV conversions thus reducing the total number of guests at the entire resort.

The head scratching part comes in on the major investments they are making beyond the pool. New eatery, possibly a Community Hall, refurb of existing amenities...will they really need a big second pool and a new eatery?

The only thing I can think of is that WL must have run at a very low occupancy rate, and with the conversion to CCV they do expect significantly more total guests at the resort(s) than in the past. It will be interesting to see.

With the changes DVC rooms will represent more than half of the resort. Maybe they are finally realizing DVC members spend more time at the resort than cash guests. So they are adding more places for us to spend money.

 

[Dean Marino]

Thanks for sharing. I have also learned over the years that large companies (like Disney) tend to have communication issues. Frankly I think it's a big problem but I digress. My guess is DVC guest services hasn't received the new information yet.

It does sound like this means 2 quick service instead of completely removing roaring fork. Although it doesn't necessarily mean it will open up with the same offerings. As long as I can keep my bananas foster waffles I'll be just fine!

OK - I know what WL would LIKE to do.....

But having seen the construction state of that "new thing" (won't dignify it as a restaurant)..... it's about where Paddlefish is at DS. My data would be from Nov 19, 2016....
February? GOOD LUCK. There are optimistic projections.... then there are outright lies .

 

[Granny]

With the changes DVC rooms will represent more than half of the resort. Maybe they are finally realizing DVC members spend more time at the resort than cash guests. So they are adding more places for us to spend money.

That could actually be quite true. With Magic Bands and such, they have a wealth of info about our habits. I know that we would fit into your DVC member description.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hmmmmm, so what's happening tomorrow? Oh yes, to the keeper of our thread,
Happy Birthday Sleepydog!!!!
​

 

[DiznyDi]

I had heard the Geyser Point Pool Bar and Grill was opening in February. DDaughter and I will be at the Villas Feb 5-10. no email for me I was hoping we'd get to see this up close and personal. Oh well...

 

[twinklebug]

Happy Birthday SleepyDog!

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday Sleepy!!!

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday Sleepy - Sly - Snoopy Dog !!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Happy Birthday Sleepy!!
​

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday SleepySlyDog!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Sleepy, thanks for sharing the info on changes at WL. Like, Granny, I believe this seems a bit more official than a rumor. I too am a bit excited about new eats at the Lodge, though, I will be upset to see Trout Pass gone if thats where its headed.

 

[DiznyDi]

Happy Birthday Sleepy!

 

[Flossbolna]

The only thing I can think of is that WL must have run at a very low occupancy rate, and with the conversion to CCV they do expect significantly more total guests at the resort(s) than in the past. It will be interesting to see.

Take it with a grain of salt, but a friend of mine who knows lots of CMs in different positions at WDW claims that the WL (hotel part) was suffering from very very low occupancy rates. I think the number that was mentioned was between 50 and 70%. I have no way to verify it, but so far any information that I have gotten through this friend has been very spot on.

Also, as to the question whether more counter service is needed: In December I found Roaring Foarks horribly packed on some occassions. I also think that the new place might actually get people from other resorts to visit because it will have a beautiful location.

And finally I wonder if they might turn Roaring Forks into something similar to the new Wind & Waves Market at Vero Beach. From what I understand this is a counter service as well as the shop for groceries. And I thought I read something about them selling full "meals" there that you can then take back to your villa and eat there. I think that that would actually be a neat concet. Like a full rotisserie chicken with several sides to share as a family. But that is pure speculation on my part!

 

[Corinne]

Happy Birthday Sleepy!!!!
Hope you have a great day!!