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

[Friendlyadvice2]

When I finally convince DH that we need to buy in, I have always planned SSR as the cost is low and the dues are low. However, if VWL stayed at a nice price point, I'd love to buy in there. Where does it sit as far dues? Mid level? Lower or higher end?

In addition to the great information already provided by others, I think it's important to point out that we are facing uncertain times in regards to dues at VWL. Historically, VWL has experienced an average annual increase in dues of about 3.2%. The dues accounted for both the direct costs of VWL and the shared expenses with the main WL hotel and of course property taxes. However, with CCV about to come online, there will essentially now be three separate entities that are going to be responsible for paying any shared expenses of the whole resort, (an example being transportation) and it is currently unknown what percentage of the total cost pool will be allocated to each entity.

At a high level, it certainly seems logical (because that's what Disney wanted to accomplish) that the main WL will now incur a lower percentage of the cost pool because it will have a reduced room-base, but we can't just assume that that same lost percentage will be picked up by CCV because we simply don't know the make-up of the new room types (studio, 1 and 2 bdrm, and maybe GVs) or how many points the new cabins will account for. All we know is that there will be at least 184 vacation homes based on Disney filings. We also have no visibility into how Disney actually calculates the cost pool and what's in there before it's even allocated to each entity. In addition, many of the DVC resorts have seen increased property taxes that have been one of the main drivers of increased dues for those resorts, so it would seem that with a nice new fancy restaurant, 26 additions to our shoreline and a new "not-so-quiet" pool complete with "near-by" water tower that our property taxes will be going up as well.

So as far as dues are concerned, it isn't so much a question of where we've been or where we are, but more along the lines of, where are we going? And unfortunately, none of us have enough visibility to that information to make anything more than just guesses at this point. Time will tell....

 

[horselover]

Still waiting to hear if Wdad will be running a shuttle for the big Groupie meet at his new Golden Oaks retreat . . . . . .

Sounds a lot better than under the bushes at The Lodge as Jimmy once proposed . . . but any Groupie meet will do!

Ha! I forgot about the bushes. There are so few left now not sure we'll all fit. We may be relegated over to the laundry area. There's still bushes there!

Heard from the Mrs.? How goes their trip?

 

[ArielSRL]

Here are all the 2017 dues:
Aulani Villas (sub) $5.28
Saratoga Springs $5.60
Grand Californian $5.61
Bay Lake Tower $5.62
Grand Floridian $5.90
Polynesian $6.14
Beach Club Villas $6.27
Old Key West $6.41
Boardwalk Villas $6.47
Wilderness Lodge $6.54
Animal Kingdom $6.59
Aulani Villas $7.03
Hilton Head $7.27
Vero Beach $8.11

And here's a link to dues history as the resorts have changed around in ranking periodically:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/dvc-resource-center.3516203/#post-55874468

Not too terribly much in difference. I would probably start out with a small contract for an every other year use, so it would probably be doable. Thank you!

 

[ArielSRL]

In addition to the great information already provided by others, I think it's important to point out that we are facing uncertain times in regards to dues at VWL. Historically, VWL has experienced an average annual increase in dues of about 3.2%. The dues accounted for both the direct costs of VWL and the shared expenses with the main WL hotel and of course property taxes. However, with CCV about to come online, there will essentially now be three separate entities that are going to be responsible for paying any shared expenses of the whole resort, (an example being transportation) and it is currently unknown what percentage of the total cost pool will be allocated to each entity.

At a high level, it certainly seems logical (because that's what Disney wanted to accomplish) that the main WL will now incur a lower percentage of the cost pool because it will have a reduced room-base, but we can't just assume that that same lost percentage will be picked up by CCV because we simply don't know the make-up of the new room types (studio, 1 and 2 bdrm, and maybe GVs) or how many points the new cabins will account for. All we know is that there will be at least 184 vacation homes based on Disney filings. We also have no visibility into how Disney actually calculates the cost pool and what's in there before it's even allocated to each entity. In addition, many of the DVC resorts have seen increased property taxes that have been one of the main drivers of increased dues for those resorts, so it would seem that with a nice new fancy restaurant, 26 additions to our shoreline and a new "not-so-quiet" pool complete with "near-by" water tower that our property taxes will be going up as well.

So as far as dues are concerned, it isn't so much a question of where we've been or where we are, but more along the lines of, where are we going? And unfortunately, none of us have enough visibility to that information to make anything more than just guesses at this point. Time will tell....

Thanks for that info. That is definitely something to watch and keep in mind.

 

[Flossbolna]

Not too terribly much in difference. I would probably start out with a small contract for an every other year use, so it would probably be doable. Thank you!

I also wanted to chime in that you also need to factor in how many points you need for a comparable stay. For example, for one week in October in a studio at BLT you need more points than for the same week in a studio at VWL. Depending on how likely you are to stay mainly where you own, this is another factor to take into account.

 

[Granny]

You ask why they would have a water tower by the quarry? I don't know but don't they have them both by the pool at FW and the Paddock pool for the slides? It seemed to be a favorite Disney pool design.

And don't forget Hilton Head too!




Disney procurement personnel must have gotten a great deal on water tower slides at some point!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

And I'm thinking they should have brought Fred Flinstone in as the new mascot with The Bedrock Gravel Company look they've pulled together.

One more comment: There is going to be a bee problem at the outdoor coke machine. This needs to be enclosed.

This is the first thing I thought of as well.


The more and more this comes together and we are getting an idea of colors, I feel like Thunder Mountain Railroad should make a detour to Wilderness Lodge.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Not too terribly much in difference. I would probably start out with a small contract for an every other year use, so it would probably be doable. Thank you!

On small contracts you don't feel the difference as much.

I also wanted to chime in that you also need to factor in how many points you need for a comparable stay. For example, for one week in October in a studio at BLT you need more points than for the same week in a studio at VWL. Depending on how likely you are to stay mainly where you own, this is another factor to take into account.

Agreed. The newest resorts have their dues spread out over more points as they've experienced point creep over the early resorts. SSR still is the "best buy", even more do if you stay there, with lower buy in, some of the lowest dues and now with the standard view point rooms it's improved if you book early for one of those. I have a spreadsheet I haven't updated for awhile that compared the cost of rooms - dues × point requirements - think it's time to update when I can and see what, if anything, has changed. I think VWL probably falls in the lower half if you buy and stay there. Definitely need to update my spreadsheet and see!

 

[Granny]

Its up to Disney as to how much sales times it wants from the commencement of sales to when the resort opens. In BLT's case, sales started in September 2008 and the resort opened on August 4, 2009. In PVB's case, sales started January 12, 2015, and the resort opened April 1, 2015. Even if sales begin tomorrow for CCV, the resort could open any time within the next 9 months or so.

wdrl...thanks so much for the detailed explanation of the timing of Disney construction, sales and occupancy of a new resort. Very helpful for those like me who just never got a handle on it. I appreciate you taking the time to provide the extended post for us.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

This "outdoor coke machine" attracting bees is something I'll have to watch for as it seems many have had a negative experience and I know my DD won't "bee" too pleased. I will say that with two recent stays at the BCV, we had zero problems with bees at the outdoor beverage station at Hurricane Hanna's and it's completely exposed.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This "outdoor coke machine" attracting bees is something I'll have to watch for as it seems many have had a negative experience and I know my DD won't "bee" too pleased. I will say that with two recent stays at the BCV, we had zero problems with bees at the outdoor beverage station at Hurricane Hanna's and it's completely exposed.

I think some areas will Bee more prone to the problem. Time of year will make a difference too.

 

[ArielSRL]

I also wanted to chime in that you also need to factor in how many points you need for a comparable stay. For example, for one week in October in a studio at BLT you need more points than for the same week in a studio at VWL. Depending on how likely you are to stay mainly where you own, this is another factor to take into account.

On small contracts you don't feel the difference as much.



Agreed. The newest resorts have their dues spread out over more points as they've experienced point creep over the early resorts. SSR still is the "best buy", even more do if you stay there, with lower buy in, some of the lowest dues and now with the standard view point rooms it's improved if you book early for one of those. I have a spreadsheet I haven't updated for awhile that compared the cost of rooms - dues × point requirements - think it's time to update when I can and see what, if anything, has changed. I think VWL probably falls in the lower half if you buy and stay there. Definitely need to update my spreadsheet and see!

Thank you both so much for your help! These are all very good points to consider!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

I think some areas will Bee more prone to the problem. Time of year will make a difference too.

That makes sense Kathy. Now I've personally never noticed any bee issue at VWL either, but I'm guessing that based on some folks' reaction to the announcement of the outdoor machine that evidently there may be reason to believe that VWL may be one of those areas prone to bees?

 

[DenLo]

And don't forget Hilton Head too!


View attachment 219015

Disney procurement personnel must have gotten a great deal on water tower slides at some point!

I stand corrected. Water towers are used at pools, but this time it looks to be pretty decorative outside the pool area.

 

[wildernessDad]

Still waiting to hear if Wdad will be running a shuttle for the big Groupie meet at his new Golden Oaks retreat . . . . . .

Sounds a lot better than under the bushes at The Lodge as Jimmy once proposed . . . but any Groupie meet will do!

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . Heard from the Mrs.? How goes their trip?

Yup. Both DiznyDi & DD are having a great time. They have already shopped out Disney Springs, seen all of the shows at AK, and are now heading for a FP at Toy Story Mania. They did confirm to me that RF is open and poppin'. GP had guys with hard hats on the roof, and I have no word on Trout Pass.

Most of the time when DiznyDi & I show up at MCO, there is a crowd at the ME. Here is what met DiznyDi & DD on Sunday evening . . . .

 

[Dizny Dad]

Wilderness Lodge photos as of 2-6-17 . . . . . . .

 

[Granny]

DDad...thanks for posting the pix from Di.

And that's a great room they are in. That view used to be blocked by trees between the quiet pool and the villas. Not anymore.

 

[jimmytammy]

Still waiting to hear if Wdad will be running a shuttle for the big Groupie meet at his new Golden Oaks retreat . . . . . .

Sounds a lot better than under the bushes at The Lodge as Jimmy once proposed . . . but any Groupie meet will do!

And there aren't enough bushes left to meet under now, so I vote for the shuttle to WDads too

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . . That view used to be blocked by trees . . . . .

Yeah, trees.

. . . . . I vote for the shuttle to WDads too

It will be a large Groupie meet, so I'm sure we will need a standard WDW Shuttle bus. Let's hope Wdad can arrange it, 'cause I pretty sure it would be crowded in his car.