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

[DenLo]

Here are some of our photos during our VWL stay.

Additional tables and chairs added outside of Geyser Point. No food service. You have to purchase food and drinks at either the To Go counter or at the bar.

New roof addition - Roaring Forks outside dining area.

Boulder Ridge Cove pool feature installed.

Note the moss added to the top of the rocks

Morning sunrise at Geyser Point despite a cloudy morning.

 

[Granny]

Denise...beautiful pictures, thanks!!

Those tables and chairs along the shore of Bay Lake do look mighty inviting! I think I can envision some future Groupie meets out there!

 

[Lakegirl]

Thanks so much for the pictures!!!

 

[horselover]

Denise...beautiful pictures, thanks!!

Those tables and chairs along the shore of Bay Lake do look mighty inviting! I think I can envision some future Groupie meets out there!

I vote for May!

Thanks for the photo update @DenLo!

 

[sleepydog25]

We finally did get the Potrock Letter. To be fair, it was nicely done. It's a bit of a stretch to say the new pool "adds another layer to the resort's rich back story" since they changed that back story so abruptly and recently. Of course, the whole "venture into the woods" notion is a bit ironic. Still, my disappointment comes with some of the choices they made vice this piece of paper and the thought behind it.

 

[DenLo]

I forgot to mention that Wilderness Lodge is doing a test which allows guests to use luggage carts without Bell Services.

I have to admit that as we walked around WL and all the steep ramps, I was wondering when the first accident between a guest driven luggage cart and another guest would occur. Personally I wouldn't want to push a loaded cart up those inclines or for that matter keep the cart from running wild downhill--they look like real back backers.

 

[rkstocke5609]

I forgot to mention that Wilderness Lodge is doing a test which allows guests to use luggage carts without Bell Services.

I have to admit that as we walked around WL and all the steep ramps, I was wondering when the first accident between a guest driven luggage cart and another guest would occur. Personally I wouldn't want to push a loaded cart up those inclines or for that matter keep the cart from running wild downhill--they look like real back backers.

Ick. I really don't like this one bit. I expect a competent efficient bell services that manages the carts. I do not want guests using them. This is a deluxe resort. You want to know where these things end up at hotels that do this? If you are lucky when someone uses them at check in they will dump them near an elevator on the floor they are staying. If they are really lazy, just outside in the hallway one room down from the one they are using. Terrible idea.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have yet to receive the Potted Meat letter, but already, not liking it

 

[Starwind]

I forgot to mention that Wilderness Lodge is doing a test which allows guests to use luggage carts without Bell Services.

I have to admit that as we walked around WL and all the steep ramps, I was wondering when the first accident between a guest driven luggage cart and another guest would occur. Personally I wouldn't want to push a loaded cart up those inclines or for that matter keep the cart from running wild downhill--they look like real back backers.

This would have been nice on our last WL stay. The Magical Expressed dropped us *and our luggage* off, and we had to haul it up the steps, across the driveway and nearly to the front doors ourselves until someone from Bell Services came to assist. Didn't even apologize. And then of course you are expected to tip them....

Would have worked much better if I could have just grabbed one of the carts myself, loaded it and hauled it inside. Of course, the best wuld have been someone actually meeting the bus and seeing if anyone needed luggage assistance, what a concept !! A big huge bus is letting people off at your resort, do you think maybe just maybe someone might need assistance ?

SW

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I racked my brain trying to think where in the heck you were staying . . . I guess I really have taken on the "Name that will remain unspoken" mantra heavily.

= ME
Every. Single. Time.

I got my letter yesterday. It quickly went into the recycling pile.



Weird. When I go to the pool I'm not thinking about getting my nails done. I was just looking at my drink stirrers I'd been collecting every time I visited Trout Pass recently. I told DH they're collectors items now. HIs reponse was I could get at least a penny for them. They have sentimental value! As much as I enjoyed GP I will miss TP as a bar.

I agree- seems odd but glad to hear it's more spa services than just hair. I think it would have fit better inside the building but I guess there wasn't space and they had an empty building outside and needed something to put in it.



Thanks for the photos! Love to see the moss on the rocks, I almost wonder if this was always the plan or a response to the negativity of all the rocks. I did not see any moss in the pool renderings so it has me wondering.

 

[rkstocke5609]

= ME
Every. Single. Time.



I agree- seems odd but glad to hear it's more spa services than just hair. I think it would have fit better inside the building but I guess there wasn't space and they had an empty building outside and needed something to put in it.



Thanks for the photos! Love to see the moss on the rocks, I almost wonder if this was always the plan or a response to the negativity of all the rocks. I did not see any moss in the pool renderings so it has me wondering.

Funny thing about the moss on the rocks - in my experience, moss grows under a tree canopy in dark wet conditions. Now, I also see moss like stuff just below the surface of the water in spots, but I don't think that is called moss. I certainly don't think it grows in direct sunlight at the top of a pile of rock at an abandoned rock quarry -- where would the moisture come from? So, either this is a theming oops, or trees are on the way back?

 

[Seth Paridon]

Hey everybody. Y'all might recall that a couple weeks ago i posted that we purchased resale VWL 175 point contract. We were waiting o Disney's ROFR, and...we PASSED! We now officially own a little piece of our Lodge. We are so excited! We close in three weeks.

Seth

 

[rkstocke5609]

Live from VGC wrap up. The airport was an adventure, we had to load a bus at our gate out to some strange gate out on the tarmack to load onto the plane. Ran late and arrived home at 5:40 AM. Special, as you only stand on these oversize buses, and as another passenger pointed out after 15 minutes of driving, "wow, we are passing the FedEx freight area..." Anyways, just what our feet were looking for.

In regard to our 1BR, I thought it looked like the room had a fresh coat of paint and the unit was really outstanding. But, whether it was refurbed? I was unclear. All the hotel rooms are going through refurb, and I saw pictures of what these are going to look like off the lobby. This was really nice looking, but that doesn't mean the villas are going to get the same. If they are, then our room was not refurbished. At check in, they said it was but we had a maintenance guy bring a DVD player and he said it wasn't. But, whose to say he knows the difference between a hotel suite and a DVC villa?

We loved the California Adventure Food & Wine -- this is interesting as we didn't think much of it at Epcot due to the public drunkeness and felt it inappropriate for our daughter. So much so that I bought a hat (after all, no one in Florida will have one...)

Can someone tell me why I love the CA park? In particular, I love the Hollywood Studios area. Why do I love this when Studios Florida has always been my least favorite place to be? Always just found it dirty and unappealing (Osborne Lights excluded).

We had encounters with Sully, Elastigirl, & Cruella de Ville -- all flying solo without a cast member attendant. Would never happen in Florida.

Waiting for the Supershuttle, we talked with a celebrity limousine driver who claimed that the city of Anaheim is begging Disney to build a third park -- so, this seems to contradict the ride failure due to Anaheim power thing....I mean I can't believe the city is blackmailing Disney into building a third park by withholding power demands of the current two parks... Rumors & opinions abound...

Came home to Potrock letter -- thanks, as the construction encouraged us to discover California. But, fair warning to all considering a trip to California -- seeing DL & CA parks will leave you wondering why can't they do this in Florida? The only ride that is considerably better in Florida is Splash Mountain. I am very concerned that when I return to Florida after two straight years in California that I will be very critical of the rides. The detail and special effects in California are just far superior. Pirates & Space Mountain (Hyper Space in DL) are just so superior I'm not sure I'll ever ride them in Florida again. Disney sure has their work cut out if they want to "wow" me upon my return to Florida.

But, my love of the lodge will be enough to bring me back. At this point though, I could see going each direction every other year -- oh wait, my wife wants to squeeze in Aulani...

Apologies to those that thought this ongoing trip report wasn't appropriate for this thread -- it got longer than I intended. In fact, I didn't plan on it being daily but so many people kept "liking" it I thought I would play it through to its conclusion. Back to the regularly scheduled Wilderness Lodge discussion..

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey everybody. Y'all might recall that a couple weeks ago i posted that we purchased resale VWL 175 point contract. We were waiting o Disney's ROFR, and...we PASSED! We now officially own a little piece of our Lodge. We are so excited! We close in three weeks.

Seth

Now, I can officially say HOME!!

Ron: Enjoyed your reports from California. I, too, enjoyed several rides and experiences much more there than in Florida. On the flip side, we felt CM service, overall, wasn't up to the level we usually get in the World. We also found the line cutting in DL and CA to be rampant which partially fed our disappointment with the CMs since they not once stopped it or said anything. Each resort (CA vs FL) has its highs and lows for us, and hopefully, we'll get back out to California to try those parks out again.

 

[Granny]

Funny thing about the moss on the rocks - in my experience, moss grows under a tree canopy in dark wet conditions. Now, I also see moss like stuff just below the surface of the water in spots, but I don't think that is called moss. I certainly don't think it grows in direct sunlight at the top of a pile of rock at an abandoned rock quarry -- where would the moisture come from? So, either this is a theming oops, or trees are on the way back?

Ron...what you say makes sense, but actually I have seen moss on rocks a lot. Usually in heavily shaded areas, to be sure. But I have seen it fairly often.




I think the mossy rocks do give it a little more ambiance...a small touch but that is the kind of thing Disney used to be really good at.

Hey everybody. Y'all might recall that a couple weeks ago i posted that we purchased resale VWL 175 point contract. We were waiting o Disney's ROFR, and...we PASSED! We now officially own a little piece of our Lodge. We are so excited! We close in three weeks.

Seth

Seth...that's awesome!!!! WELCOME HOME!!!

Apologies to those that thought this ongoing trip report wasn't appropriate for this thread -- it got longer than I intended. In fact, I didn't plan on it being daily but so many people kept "liking" it I thought I would play it through to its conclusion. Back to the regularly scheduled Wilderness Lodge discussion..

Ron...thanks for the ongoing report and observations. And don't worry about going off topic...after all, Peter Dominick was the architect for both WL and Grand Californian resorts! So you're all good!

 

[jimmytammy]

Awesome Seth!! Welcome Home

Ron, loved your trip reports, if anything else comes to mind, do tell!

 

[rkstocke5609]

Ron...what you say makes sense, but actually I have seen moss on rocks a lot. Usually in heavily shaded areas, to be sure. But I have seen it fairly often.

View attachment 228963


I think the mossy rocks do give it a little more ambiance...a small touch but that is the kind of thing Disney used to be really good at.





Seth...that's awesome!!!! WELCOME HOME!!!



Ron...thanks for the ongoing report and observations. And don't worry about going off topic...after all, Peter Dominick was the architect for both WL and Grand Californian resorts! So you're all good!

I agree, I have seen moss on rocks a lot too -- just never at the top of a rock pile in direct sunlight with no shade. But, I agree it looks pretty cool...

 

[DVC Jen]

Here are some of our photos during our VWL stay.

Additional tables and chairs added outside of Geyser Point. No food service. You have to purchase food and drinks at either the To Go counter or at the bar.

New roof addition - Roaring Forks outside dining area.

Boulder Ridge Cove pool feature installed.

Note the moss added to the top of the rocks

Morning sunrise at Geyser Point despite a cloudy morning.

Thanks for the pics.

 

[DenLo]

If it is wet and humid enough moss will grow, I live in Houston and I would know. Sigh.

We have heard several CMs say that there will be a water feature on the rocks pool side and it looks like they have left open space in front of some of the rocks--based on a little binocular use.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Here are some of our photos during our VWL stay.

Additional tables and chairs added outside of Geyser Point. No food service. You have to purchase food and drinks at either the To Go counter or at the bar.

New roof addition - Roaring Forks outside dining area.

What is it with Disney and their lack of umbrellas at so many spots that have the option for them?

Boulder Ridge Cove pool feature installed.

I remember when there were big shady trees right where that rock in the forefront is....

Note the moss added to the top of the rocks

Funny thing about the moss on the rocks - in my experience, moss grows under a tree canopy in dark wet conditions. Now, I also see moss like stuff just below the surface of the water in spots, but I don't think that is called moss. I certainly don't think it grows in direct sunlight at the top of a pile of rock at an abandoned rock quarry -- where would the moisture come from? So, either this is a theming oops, or trees are on the way back?

I was going to post similar - moss requires cooler areas with moisture. So, this must mean big trees coming back there, right?

Thanks for the great pictures Denlo!