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

[horselover]

Thanks for the pictures Julie!!!

Sleepy - that table also serves for 8 if it's booked as a 2BR lockoff. I get amused when we book a 1BR and get 8 or 9 place settings but they really couldn't move things in and out depending on if it's booked as a 1BR or a 2BR.



Oh - I laughed out loud when I got to this. As I was scrolling thru I saw the lamp and thought "wow - now we get egg rock lamps for 'wilderness'". So I was just as impressed as you!

Some nice things but so many times I'm thinking - where's the color?! Is the couch in the 1BR a queen pullout? It looks so small - more like a double.

I also was crossing my fingers for a clock to show up in the bedroom picture. I took a picture of the one at VGC in January - I was far more happy to see a clock on a bedside table than one should be!

The next thing I'd love to know - how was the campfire sing-a-long?!

Pretty sure I heard the guide say the pull out was a double but I didn't ask about it myself so I'm not 100% sure.

I was saved from the singalong! I had some friends that did the tour scheduled before mine. They waited for me & we left immediately after I was done & headed to TOWL. Much more enjoyable! They had a guitar player in a cowboy hat but I didn't hear anyone actually singing. They were toasting marshmallows too but I left in favor of booze.

 

[TCRAIG]

And this one I have to post separately just so I can comment on it.

Boulder lamp. Really? How about a nice tree lamp.

View attachment 225689

Ha - looks more like a great big dumpling than a boulder (I must be hungry)...

 

[twinklebug]

Thank you for the pics Julie! They show so much more detail than the others I've seen.

I like the raised coffee table and would like to see more of these put into use in the DVC units across the property. Could come in handy for when those tables are folded away under a bed.
Also nice are the wall decor. Seeing the totems from the main lobby and the mirror were both nice surprises.
And this "little" guy from Brother Bear fits right in with the groupie theme:


On their own, each part of the room looks like they tried to make it nice (within budget). But, all together it has a disconnected look. I have to wonder if the designers ever stepped back and looked at the overall picture. This is why when WL & VWL were first designed the architect himself had specific patterns and furnishings he wanted to be used. He knew that if he left it up to Disney they'd come up with this ... um... "unique" design. (RIP Peter, you were very much needed on this one.)

The boulder lamp is something else, hehe. It reminds me of a giant sized wad of chewed chewing gum.

Complaints about furniture and colors, I still have, but I'm willing to tough it out and be a guinea pig for testing a 1 bedroom unit if anyone is offering Uh, No? Well then, I'll just have to really rough it and go for a cabin. (dreaming)

 

[Granny]

Julie...thanks for taking the time to post the pictures. They are by far the best ones I've seen yet of the CCV villas.

I actually like most of the decor and especially the inlaid floor pattern that ties directly into the main lobby floor at WL. There are more theming touches at CCV than our refurbed VWL villas.

And when I saw the coffee table in the studio open into a desk, I'm thinking "That's really cool"! But then it appears that the coffee table in the 1BR doesn't do that? So I'm thinking "That's really dumb". I do tend to be on a laptop on the coffee table on most trips but we don't book studios so I guess this is something I'll never see. But for the studio people, I think that is a very nice little addition.

 

[Collievet]

First, I'm so glad to have found your thread. I've loved the WL since it opened way back when and have stayed zillions of times. We've been saving up for years to be able to purchase without financing and have our tour set up for April. I really appreciate the pictures you've posted as my hubby won't be joining me for the tour. I'm going to do some VR uploads for him, not sure if I can post those in the future for everyone. Depending, we may either buy CCV or go with a resale for the older villas (we've never stayed there, but have always wanted to)--talk about a HUGE decision!!! So a few questions for y'all:
--do you find that the original villas are a bit too far from the lobby and Roaring Forks?
--what is a POS for the tour?...my definition jives waaay out of context (back to the software comment, but this time in vet med!)
--do you find it hard to book when you're in a pinch, maybe 30 days out?
--how often do the redo the decor? I know the general lodge rooms are done about every 10 yrs (and I have all the original room furniture!!!)

And for those of you wondering about clocks, we stayed at the concierge level in Feb and asked as well. The response was that so many people use their cell phones now, they've removed the clocks from ALL rooms; however, if you really want one, they still have them available, so just ask. I had them set one up for me because I can't see squat at night without my contacts!

Thanks all!!! : )

 

[Dean Marino]

GREAT photos of the new DVC....

No WAY we are buying into that thing. Just us - we've BEEN to Northwest Lodges. That is not a Northwest Lodge. It's a Howard Johnsons.

GOOD news? The entire South Wing of the Lodge will now hit Villa Rental Prices.... The WL will be able to exit from it's perpetual 35% discount cycle.....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

First, I'm so glad to have found your thread. I've loved the WL since it opened way back when and have stayed zillions of times. We've been saving up for years to be able to purchase without financing and have our tour set up for April. I really appreciate the pictures you've posted as my hubby won't be joining me for the tour. I'm going to do some VR uploads for him, not sure if I can post those in the future for everyone. Depending, we may either buy CCV or go with a resale for the older villas (we've never stayed there, but have always wanted to)--talk about a HUGE decision!!! So a few questions for y'all:
--do you find that the original villas are a bit too far from the lobby and Roaring Forks?
--what is a POS for the tour?...my definition jives waaay out of context (back to the software comment, but this time in vet med!)
--do you find it hard to book when you're in a pinch, maybe 30 days out?
--how often do the redo the decor? I know the general lodge rooms are done about every 10 yrs (and I have all the original room furniture!!!)

And for those of you wondering about clocks, we stayed at the concierge level in Feb and asked as well. The response was that so many people use their cell phones now, they've removed the clocks from ALL rooms; however, if you really want one, they still have them available, so just ask. I had them set one up for me because I can't see squat at night without my contacts!

Thanks all!!! : )

Personally I don't find it too far but I'm one who will park a ways out in a parking lot. Walking around a place That enjoy doesn't bother me at all but not everyone wants to walk more.

The POS that was mentioned is the Public Offering Statement that is done for each resort. It gives all the details you'd ever want to know about the piece of real estate you are buying.

DVC isn't the greatest if you can't book months in advance but the time of year you plan to go can make a big difference as well as the length of stay. A late booking like 30 days may most likely mean you'd have to move between resorts. Also SSR is the largest resort and the one most likely to have inventory the longest. I really wouldn't recommend buying the timeshare if booking a month in advance was going to be the normal thing. It could get frustrating. And if you couldn't book between 11 and 7 months then you should buy the most economical resort because booking 7 months or less means it doesn't matter where you own.

DVC was not redoing resorts very frequently - I think it was a 20 or 25 year schedule. But they announced they are reducing that time however I don't recall exactly. Hopefully someone else will recall but there will be soft goods refurbished that will be more often and the the full refurbs maybe every 10-12 years?

On the clocks - they also claimed it was going with the industry standard. Whether people use their phones or not shouldn't matter IMO. I have yet to stay at another hotel that doesn't have a clock - except Vegas. And then they had a tablet for the replacement. I think Disney missed that part of the equation for "industry standard" or else they're still working on installing tablets in all the rooms.

 

[wdrl]

Thanks for the photo tour @horselover. I like the overall look of the villas.

 

[horselover]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments on my photos. Glad they were helpful. I did try to think about what would my groupie friends want to see when I was taking them.

Now if only I had some GP photos.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

Seeing the new pics, I like it more than I initially did. You'd think in Disney's advertising they'd show off more of the nicer touches. Still not a fan of the light wood furniture, but that's mostly personal taste. But I still won't be buying. I had really hoped for sleeping 5 in the 1 bedroom.

 

[aoconnor]

Picture time! You said you wanted 'em so you got 'em! There will probably be some repeats of things you've already seen but I'd like to think I took some photos that only a groupie would think to take. You'll know them when you see them. I'll probably have to split this into at least 2 posts.

Lets start with the studio.
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It's... not quite as bad as I thought. I feel like a little bit darker paint, maybe even with a greenish hue or something, would go a long way to make it feel cozier. That light paint combined with the modern decor just makes it feel like a mass market apartment.

I do like that the kitchenette in the studio is open to the room on one side, it always seems cramped when it's walled in. Definitely not a fan of the galley style kitchen in the 1 bedroom.

If the pull out couch is really only a double that is a major downgrade, especially since they didn't throw in a sleeper chair or murphy bed.

 

[Starwind]

I couldn't figure out how to comment on each photo without messing them up. The table was very nice. The drawer under the bench pulls out for storage. I have to say there was a ton of storage space in the 1 BR as well as lots & lots of outlets & USB chargers. I wish they'd bring back clocks.

I wish I had some pics of Geyser Point to share but as I mentioned after having 2 Cascadia(n?) Sangrias I forgot all about the pictures!

Thank you so much for all the pictures !

SW

 

[bobbiwoz]

I will be doing the tour next Wedesday!

 

[Collievet]

Thanks KAT4DISNEY! I agree about the walking--I don't care because it's my "home" and where my bp goes waaay down, but my husband is an amputee and the less walking, the better. Plus I figured it might be easier to corral the kids too.

It's actually rare we book 30 days out, but occasionally just get that "have to go to Disney" mood and fix it up if I can around kiddos' schedule. Typically we go around my annual convention, so that's an end of Jan or early Feb stay for us. So maybe twice a year visits (three if I can spring for it). Thinking we may do 75 to 100 points to start, but after looking at the pictures, I am wondering about the bed size. The studio main bed looks like a queen vs. 1 bedroom looking like a king? And the pull out sofa looks smaller in the studio as well. Anyone know if this is the case?

 

[sleepydog25]

First, I'm so glad to have found your thread. I've loved the WL since it opened way back when and have stayed zillions of times. We've been saving up for years to be able to purchase without financing and have our tour set up for April. I really appreciate the pictures you've posted as my hubby won't be joining me for the tour. I'm going to do some VR uploads for him, not sure if I can post those in the future for everyone. Depending, we may either buy CCV or go with a resale for the older villas (we've never stayed there, but have always wanted to)--talk about a HUGE decision!!! So a few questions for y'all:
--do you find that the original villas are a bit too far from the lobby and Roaring Forks?
--what is a POS for the tour?...my definition jives waaay out of context (back to the software comment, but this time in vet med!)
--do you find it hard to book when you're in a pinch, maybe 30 days out?
--how often do the redo the decor? I know the general lodge rooms are done about every 10 yrs (and I have all the original room furniture!!!)

And for those of you wondering about clocks, we stayed at the concierge level in Feb and asked as well. The response was that so many people use their cell phones now, they've removed the clocks from ALL rooms; however, if you really want one, they still have them available, so just ask. I had them set one up for me because I can't see squat at night without my contacts!

Thanks all!!! : )

First, welcome to the Groupies. . .and that goes for all the recent posters! We've seen a lot of new (or relatively new) posts from folks, and we're always glad to have them. If anyone of you wish to be included on the Page 1 trip log or birthday log, just PM me or KAT4DISNEY, respectively. Otherwise, pull up a rocker, grab your favorite libation, and sit a spell. To specifically answer your questions (though KAT did a great job already), the VWL rooms aren't far at all--maybe three minutes to the lobby and four to Roaring Forks. Booking within 30 days isn't going to be easy--DVC ownership largely means being able to plan at least 7 months out in most cases. There are exceptions, but you'll be scrambling as a general rule. DVC ownership has been wonderful for us, but keep in mind that each resort has its own life of contract. Thus, if you buy resale vs. direct, then you'll usually be getting resorts with far less years than, say, CCVC will have. For example, if you were to buy VWL resale, then you'll only get another 25 years on the contract. While that works for us, it might not for others. CCVC will give you a contract that lasts until 2067, but it would require spending $170 per point, give or take. Just do your research before you buy. Again, welcome!!

 

[Starwind]

The DVC website describes the bed configurations as:


Deluxe Studio
View Floor Plans- Modal
Views of Pool, Bay Lake, Woodlands, Courtyard, Disney's Wilderness Lodge or Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
1 queen-size bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
Sleeps Up to 4

1-Bedroom Villa
View Floor Plans- Modal
Views of Pool, Bay Lake, Woodlands, Courtyard, Disney's Wilderness Lodge or Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
Sleeps Up to 4

2-Bedroom Villa
View Floor Plans- Modal
Views of Pool, Bay Lake, Woodlands, Courtyard, Disney's Wilderness Lodge or Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
1 king-size bed, 2 queen-size beds, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
Sleeps Up to 8

....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

View attachment 225684

So what is up with a little stool as a desk chair?

And on a note from further above I was just noticing that the Master bedroom has 2 telephones plus there's a telephone out in the main room......but no bedside clock. Doesn't everyone use their cell phone?

 

[twinklebug]

So what is up with a little stool as a desk chair?

That's a desk?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That's a desk?

Good point!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Julie, you do know what us groupies are looking for! I like a few of the pictures on the wall, maybe a rug I saw and the inlay in floor of 1 bed is a nice touch. But it stops promptly for me at this point of likability. As a cabinet builder, I can tell you, the cabinets are about as cheap a cabinet you will find. If they would have continued the shaker style door all around would have made a nice touch. Instead, the cheap tannish look they went with is same as you can buy at office depot. I am not reserving judgement on what the pictures tell me, they really fouled up IMO. Hopefully, when the refurb comes around they will heed our(and I feel sure many others)dislike overall and do better.

I understand the need for modernizing, heck, I like the bells and whistles myself that make life easier on vacation. But the decor is the killer for me. This is where they fail miserably. As twinklebug mentioned, Peter Dominicks influence was needed badly here!

Speaking of Peter Dominick, I remember Ranger Stan speaking of him fondly upon meeting him several times as he visited often to the Lodge over the years. Stan got misty eyed speaking about how they spoke often of going fishing together as they were both avid fisherman. Stan said Peters next visit to the area was supposed to be a planned fishing excursion, but Peter passed away before he made the trip. Stan thought the world of him and he talked of how much Dominick loved the Lodge.