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

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hey groupie friends! Here in the World now. Did the tour on Wed. There were a few things I liked. Headboards are quite nice. Bathroom in 1 BR is very nice. Tub is lovely but not particularly practical. Shower is nice. TVs are huge but overall nope not a big fan. Furniture really does look cheap. Really don't like the long narrow kitchen. Living area is smaller & more narrow. I took lots of pics but won't be able to post til next week.

I think it was Starwind that asked about the shower faucets. Rain head & handheld. I asked about tubs in the studios. Model had shower only. Some will have shower only & some tubs. By request only, not guaranteed.

Also went to GP on Thu. As much as I grieve the beach it's fabulous! Beautifully done. Views are spectacular on a nice day. Highly recommend the brisket dip & cascadia sangria cocktail. Be warned they are strong! So strong after 2 I completely forgot to take any pics! Sorry. Landscaping around the building looks nice & they've added some tables on the concrete area in front. Still no trees in sight in front of the villas.

Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks for the quick update Julie! Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

They are. The bartender said the new tables just came this week.

And the cushions aren't really white. They look white but they're a cream beigey color. I made that color up.

Criege?

 

[Starwind]

Has anyone else noticed the number of posts regarding confusion between CCV and BRV (scratch that) VWL? I am not saying there was a magic answer that would completely eliminate confusion when opening a second DVC at the same resort but I am thinking this is going to be a headache.

Is anyone planning to change their current plans to stay in CCV on their upcoming trip? Also, does anyone know if there are pictures somewhere from people who have toured it? I want to see more photos!

We are currently booked in a Courtyard view in December. If there is availability we would switch to a CCV studio (cash reservation).

SW

 

[Starwind]

I think it was Starwind that asked about the shower faucets. Rain head & handheld. I asked about tubs in the studios. Model had shower only. Some will have shower only & some tubs. By request only, not guaranteed.

Thank you !!

SW

 

[DenLo]

People still refer to Wilderness Lodge as Ft. Wilderness and vice versa. The new names for DVC resorts at WL will probably confuse people forever. Add in the change of names for the river (Copper) and both pools, Copper Springs Pool (feature) and Boulder Ridge Cove (leisure) and people will have no idea where they are at.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

People still refer to Wilderness Lodge as Ft. Wilderness and vice versa. The new names for DVC resorts at WL will probably confuse people forever. Add in the change of names for the river (Copper) and both pools, Copper Springs Pool (feature) and Boulder Ridge Cove (leisure) and people will have no idea where they are at.

I got confused when I read Copper Springs Pool as a new name for the main pool. I saw springs and immediately associated it with Hidden Springs.

 

[ArielSRL]

Is anyone planning to change their current plans to stay in CCV on their upcoming trip? Also, does anyone know if there are pictures somewhere from people who have toured it? I want to see more photos!

I would've liked to have tried but we are early June, so apparently we were meant for VWL (aka BRV). We have never stayed at WL (we rented points) so it will all be new to us. I think we will like VWL better as far as the rooms go, but the location of CCV is a big plus.

 

[ArielSRL]

cascadia sangria cocktail.

On the list! Glad to read a positive review! Thanks for taking time out of your trip to share!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday IceColdPenguin!!!!
Sorry, late to the party again

 

[jimmytammy]

Julie, thanks for the update, looking forward to seeing the pics when time allows!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have I mentioned that we would love to change our weekend in December in a 1 bedroom a VWL to a 1 bedroom in CC? I would love the change to actually be in the lodge building!!

 

[ErinC]

I'll be anxious to see horselover's pictures, but I think I'll still be disappointed in the result. Really though, for our family the original with the studio with the extra bed fits our needs better anyway. I guess if if we get a 1 or 2 bedroom it won't matter as much. When we go down for our very short 2 day trip in April, I'd like to sneak by the lodge and see the progress, but I'm just not sure we'll have time for that.
Got a notification that my magic bands just shipped for our trip next month. Love getting Disney email on a Saturday morning. Curious though, my daughter and friends just left Saratoga yesterday. I had done online check in for them and used my credit card. My daughter was the only one that even knew the pin for her band. In fact I chose a random number for the other three girls that they didn't even know. None of them intended to use their band for charging. When they ate lunch at BOG on Thursday two of the girls were sent to a self service line and they told the cashier they weren't using their bands, that they needed to put it on a card. Long story short the band was used, and the charge went to the room without them even entering a PIN number. I thought it was weird. My daughter went to the carriage house and checked the bill before they left yesterday, that was the only charge on there thankfully. Kinda made me nervous that they were able to use it without the PIN number. They had the charge reversed and they paid the bill before they left. It wasn't a huge deal to me either way, but I just didn't know you could charge without a PIN number. Anyone else had this experience?
Broke down and bought a copy of Avatar off eBay this morning. I decided before Disney opens pandora I should actually watch the movie. It wasn't on Netflix, or Amazon rental, or iTunes rental, so I bought a copy off eBay for $5. Probably shipping media mail, so I might get to watch it in 2 weeks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'll be anxious to see horselover's pictures, but I think I'll still be disappointed in the result. Really though, for our family the original with the studio with the extra bed fits our needs better anyway. I guess if if we get a 1 or 2 bedroom it won't matter as much. When we go down for our very short 2 day trip in April, I'd like to sneak by the lodge and see the progress, but I'm just not sure we'll have time for that.
Got a notification that my magic bands just shipped for our trip next month. Love getting Disney email on a Saturday morning. Curious though, my daughter and friends just left Saratoga yesterday. I had done online check in for them and used my credit card. My daughter was the only one that even knew the pin for her band. In fact I chose a random number for the other three girls that they didn't even know. None of them intended to use their band for charging. When they ate lunch at BOG on Thursday two of the girls were sent to a self service line and they told the cashier they weren't using their bands, that they needed to put it on a card. Long story short the band was used, and the charge went to the room without them even entering a PIN number. I thought it was weird. My daughter went to the carriage house and checked the bill before they left yesterday, that was the only charge on there thankfully. Kinda made me nervous that they were able to use it without the PIN number. They had the charge reversed and they paid the bill before they left. It wasn't a huge deal to me either way, but I just didn't know you could charge without a PIN number. Anyone else had this experience?
Broke down and bought a copy of Avatar off eBay this morning. I decided before Disney opens pandora I should actually watch the movie. It wasn't on Netflix, or Amazon rental, or iTunes rental, so I bought a copy off eBay for $5. Probably shipping media mail, so I might get to watch it in 2 weeks!

I had a friend with me who did not have charging privileges and we were ordering individually at BOG. Yes, the charge came to the room, that I had my charge card assigned to! I was surprised, but like yours, it was fixed. This was in May, 2016.

 

[Granny]

Have I mentioned that we would love to change our weekend in December in a 1 bedroom a VWL to a 1 bedroom in CC? I would love the change to actually be in the lodge building!!

I've thought about this and I think that, all things being equal, that I will still prefer to be in VWL villas during our stays. We really like that the villas are separate and quiet. I'm sure we'll stay at CCV at some point in the future but at this point we'll hang on to our VWL reservations. But we do wish you the best of luck in getting a CCV reservation Bobbi.

They had the charge reversed and they paid the bill before they left. It wasn't a huge deal to me either way, but I just didn't know you could charge without a PIN number. Anyone else had this experience?

We haven't had the experience but I am not surprised by this. Think of all the thousands of magic bands being used every day at Disney, and it's not surprising that they often run into people who forget their PIN number. I would expect them to at least ask for a photo ID to confirm the identification but knowing Disney I'm not surprised that they overrode the system to allow the room charge without a PIN.

What I don't understand is why they couldn't use a credit card for their lunch. We typically use our credit cards for dining on our departure days since we've already checked out of the room. Haven't ever run into an issue paying that way.

 

[ErinC]

I had a friend with me who did not have charging privileges and we were ordering individually at BOG. Yes, the charge came to the room, that I had my charge card assigned to! I was surprised, but like yours, it was fixed. This was in May, 2016.

Interesting! The only reason I didn't go make my daughter have the charging privileges removed when they arrived was because I didn't think any of them would be able to use it without the pin. Since Thursday was their last day it made me nervous that there might be other "random" charges on there. I wasn't worried about the girls trying to abuse anything, but not sure how you would dispute other charges if they would have appeared. Thankfully it was just $19 bucks, so not a huge concern anyway.

 

[Granny]

I think it was Starwind that asked about the shower faucets. Rain head & handheld. I asked about tubs in the studios. Model had shower only. Some will have shower only & some tubs. By request only, not guaranteed.

I think this is going to give Disney some headaches. All those families with small children and a tub is a request only? Look for many complaining threads on these boards.

 

[DenLo]

I got confused when I read Copper Springs Pool as a new name for the main pool. I saw springs and immediately associated it with Hidden Springs.

Me too.

I think this is going to give Disney some headaches. All those families with small children and a tub is a request only? Look for many complaining threads on these boards.

My brother had four kids and they all were able to take showers by age 2. Mom or Dad had to shower with them when they were toddlers but it worked fine. The kids were short enough that they could easily stand outside the spray of the water, whenever they wanted to. It was a much quicker bath from the parents point of view. So a tub really was only for bath time play.

 

[horselover]

I think this is going to give Disney some headaches. All those families with small children and a tub is a request only? Look for many complaining threads on these boards.

Agree 100%. Maybe they're thinking studioa will mostly be adults? That would be a false assumption. Disney has been making strange decisions lately.

 

[sleepydog25]

Luv and I headed out for our typical weekend jaunt to pick up Starbucks and hit a grocery store for basics. As we drove, we further discussed whether to attempt a switch from VWL to CCVC. I think we've decided to try, though the odds likely aren't in our favor since we have only a three-day window. Still, we figure there's no better time than when they first open to try the new digs, and if we manage to snag a 1BR, we'll do it. Otherwise, we'll be more than happy to stay where we are. Will keep you updated.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I know I've done this before and I'll probably do it again but just feeling a little nostalgic today: