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

[Granny]

I have consistently stated that after I retire, other than returning to Aulani, there is no reason to ever get on an airplane again. I have seen many places in the world, but I have missed so much in our own country flying over great things to see and do in the past 40 years that I just want to stop when I want, pee when I want, eat when I want, stop where I want, and avoid the "Terminal" experience; you know, arrive when they say, stand where they say, line up, get back, sit here, get out, empty your bags, take off your shoes, what have you got there?, you can't have that, you must have this, pay how much for water?, cancelled, postponed, delayed, , , , , ah, , , OK, I'm better now. Just had to get that out. Sorry. Plus I fit better in my car seat and can pass gas and laugh.

DDad...it is so comforting to know that when you do have your retirement party, you already have your speech written out!

I'll toast to that!

 

[vwlfan]

Thanks so much Jen, I really appreciate it!!


I found a shirt for all of us Hallmark Channel fans!


View attachment 361136

Bought that sweatshirt for my wife. It in NO WAY looked like the shirt shown! Faded print, much smaller image. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Dizny Dad]

DDad...it is so comforting to know that when you do have your retirement party, you already have your speech written out!

I'll toast to that!

Save me a parking place.

 

[DVC Jen]

I have consistently stated that after I retire, other than returning to Aulani, there is no reason to ever get on an airplane again. Plus I fit better in my car seat and can pass gas and laugh.

 

[sleepydog25]

Bought that sweatshirt for my wife. It in NO WAY looked like the shirt shown! Faded print, much smaller image. Caveat Emptor.

Good to know, vwlfan! Given neither I nor my wife are Hallmark movie fans (there's only so much fake snow I can take--no offense to those who love Hallmark or fake snow), it's not an issue; however, other Hallmark lovers will appreciate your insight.

Had gotten no new notices of posts on this page, so surprised I was when I got on and saw nearly two pages worth of comments I hadn't seen. Well wishes to all Groupies out there!

 

[jimmytammy]

My DW and her DBF Tearsa need the shirt and the mug! They love the HM channel and watch every single one on recording while cross stitching on Sat. When Capt D and I step in from work on Sat I can tell they are watching it because Tammy gives me this look of "don't talk" with her eyes, eyes that could pierce the devil

Dad and Granny, I want in on the retirement festivities. In fact, I wanna retire too!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Part of my Retirement Festivities will be to visit as many Groupies as DiznyDi & I can find . . .unannounced of course, and only staying a couple of weeks at each place. Please leave the light on in 2020.

 

[sleepydog25]

Part of my Retirement Festivities will be to visit as many Groupies as DiznyDi & I can find . . .unannounced of course, and only staying a couple of weeks at each place. Please leave the light on in 2020.

Sorry, Dad, but we live where you have to pump in the sunshine. . .and our deck lights are out. . .umm, permanently.

 

[Granny]

Part of my Retirement Festivities will be to visit as many Groupies as DiznyDi & I can find . . .unannounced of course, and only staying a couple of weeks at each place. Please leave the light on in 2020.

Oh wow, DDad...I didn't know you were going to go all Cousin Eddie on us! We're looking forward to your unannounced visit!

​

 

[DVC Jen]

My DW and her DBF Tearsa need the shirt and the mug! They love the HM channel and watch every single one on recording while cross stitching on Sat. When Capt D and I step in from work on Sat I can tell they are watching it because Tammy gives me this look of "don't talk" with her eyes, eyes that could pierce the devil

This really made me laugh. I have a crochet shop on Etsy so the holiday season is my SUPER busy time. I am already swamped. So something mindless and happy that I can binge watch while working is perfect for me. I have given my family that look quite often.

 

[wildernessDad]

I'm checking in. All is well. I hope you all are well also!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Checking in groupies......Our last trip was to VGF....wow!! But now waiting to get back to VWL (at Copper Creek this time) in November 2019. Must live through others posts until then

 

[jimmytammy]

Come on by Dad and Di, would love to have a visit with you folks!

WD and BWV Dreaming, thank for checking in and letting us know all is well with you folks

 

[cmoliver5]

Hi All! First stay at VWL (BRV specifically) is booked for May. Staying in a studio and my kiddos will be 3 and 16mo when we travel. Any key suggestions from any regulars with young ones? This will be our oldest’s third trip and our youngest a first so we’ve at least got some experience doing WDW with kids.

Our plan is 4 nights with 3 day single park tickets. We’re going to do an all MK trip this time around so we can enjoy the boats and avoid too much crisscrossing around property.

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi All! First stay at VWL (BRV specifically) is booked for May. Staying in a studio and my kiddos will be 3 and 16mo when we travel. Any key suggestions from any regulars with young ones? This will be our oldest’s third trip and our youngest a first so we’ve at least got some experience doing WDW with kids.

Our plan is 4 nights with 3 day single park tickets. We’re going to do an all MK trip this time around so we can enjoy the boats and avoid too much crisscrossing around property.

cmoliver5! You've stumbled across the friendliest thread on the DIS! (Self-proclamation doesn't make it NOT true ) I believe I speak for all when saying you will love VWL! For the record, the new Copper Creek is--well--new, I believe you'll love the quieter environs of the older VWL. A tad more space, too. If you've not done so, I'd recommend requesting a higher floor with a lake view. That would give you the best odds of seeing the EWP in the evenings. They do have a number of activities, though I haven't taken a young child there in years. One thing you can do that the 3-yr old might like is to ask for a Hidden Mickey hint sheet at the front desk, and then you can go on an adventure to find them. There is a splash pad pool area that is relatively new (three years?) which they'll enjoy, as well. At night, they do s'mores at the fire pit near Geyser Point, and last I heard, they still do family movie night inside the VWL building. You can rent bikes, take a walk over to Ft Wilderness and see ponies, and look for animal tracks in the sidewalks all around the Lodge. As for travel to MK, we prefer boats since they're almost an attraction themselves. Have fun, and again, welcome!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I have been around this board. We just closed on our second contract (AKV this time). We are currently planning a trip with extended family in September of 2019 in a 2 bedroom. My husband and I agree we want to be near MK for convenience and my first choice would be Wilderness Lodge but my husband wants Bay Lake. My in-laws (mother and father in-law, along with sister in law and her new boyfriend and his son) haven't really voiced an opinion since we are paying with our points but they love the Bay Lake idea since they can walk to MK. The rooms themselves look fine and it will be nice having a third bathroom but the theme of the Contemporary really doesn't do it for me. We don't want to do a split stay so it's all or nothing. Should I try and do some hardcore convincing to get everyone to agree to Wilderness Lodge or give Bay Lake a try despite feeling like it's such a sterile place to spend time?

Side note, we stayed VWL last December, staying AKL this December and the Grand next December so it isn't like I have another Wilderness Lodge trip coming up but I am also only one person out of 8.

 

[Granny]

Hi All! First stay at VWL (BRV specifically) is booked for May. Staying in a studio and my kiddos will be 3 and 16mo when we travel. Any key suggestions from any regulars with young ones? This will be our oldest’s third trip and our youngest a first so we’ve at least got some experience doing WDW with kids.

Our plan is 4 nights with 3 day single park tickets. We’re going to do an all MK trip this time around so we can enjoy the boats and avoid too much crisscrossing around property.

Glad to see you stopping by here!

We don't have small children, but I wanted to give you some information on transportation to and from WL to MK since that will be your park destination for this trip. There are actually three options on how to get there:

1. Bus. This is often the quickest way to get from WL to MK. We have never used this transportation option but it is a good one especially if boat trips are not attractive to you.

2. Boat from WL dock to MK: There is a line for the MK boat at the WL dock. This boat takes you directly from WL to MK. This is the most common method we have used over the years, and typically they run the bigger boats that allow you to roll your stroller right onto the boat without folding it up. They tend to run every 20 minutes and can get crowded at certain points during the day.

3. Bay Lake boat to Contemporary Resort. There are two boats which run around Bay Lake to the three Bay Lake resorts. One goes clockwise (Wilderness Lodge - Contemporary - Fort Wilderness) and the other counter-clockwise (WL-FW-CR). They are typically small boats, so you would have to fold up any stroller to get on one. But if the line for the direct-to-MK boat is long, you may want to wait for one of the clockwise boats to come and from there it is a short ride to Contemporary Resort. From there it is a very easy walk over to the MK entrance. We've done this option many times...just look for the boat coming from Fort Wilderness and it will take you to Contemporary next.

The same options are also available for the return trip to Wilderness Lodge, but for that we almost always just wait for the boat that takes us directly to WL from MK.

Good luck with your trip planning. The weather in May should be very nice!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I have been around this board. We just closed on our second contract (AKV this time). We are currently planning a trip with extended family in September of 2019 in a 2 bedroom. My husband and I agree we want to be near MK for convenience and my first choice would be Wilderness Lodge but my husband wants Bay Lake. My in-laws (mother and father in-law, along with sister in law and her new boyfriend and his son) haven't really voiced an opinion since we are paying with our points but they love the Bay Lake idea since they can walk to MK. The rooms themselves look fine and it will be nice having a third bathroom but the theme of the Contemporary really doesn't do it for me. We don't want to do a split stay so it's all or nothing. Should I try and do some hardcore convincing to get everyone to agree to Wilderness Lodge or give Bay Lake a try despite feeling like it's such a sterile place to spend time?

Side note, we stayed VWL last December, staying AKL this December and the Grand next December so it isn't like I have another Wilderness Lodge trip coming up but I am also only one person out of 8.

Welcome back! You are in a quandary to be sure, but here's my advice for what it's worth (it and $2.50 will get you cup of cheap coffee).
a) If the crowd wants BLT, then I'd do that. Chances are they don't take as many trips as you, and it would be special.
b) Based on your comments, it doesn't appear you've actually stayed at BLT. Yes, to some, they can appear sterile looking. However, I prefer the term "clean lines" and "modern." I had reservations the first time I stayed there, but I've now been in BLT three times and enjoyed it each time. Some don't like the modern look; I don't like the new fireworks at MK; I don't like Frozen. My larger point is that it's still Disney, and you will still get that Disney vibe.
c) With that many people, you will love the extra bathroom. Trust me.
d) Convenience. MK is a walk away, as are the buses to other resorts leaving MK. The monorail is at your disposal. Some of the better shopping is at the CR. And though the BLT pool is only average, the CR pool is yours to use, too, and it's better.
e) I think you will like BLT; however, if you don't and the others do, the trip should be fun, anyway. Conversely, if they wind up not liking BLT, you can always say "I told you so."

Truly, I think you should give BLT a shot. It's now one of my top three or four resorts at Disney, and I believe you'll enjoy it.

 

[Crabby_Dan]

Conversely, if they wind up not liking BLT, you can always say "I told you so."

I know that’s what I would do. In fact, I live for this

 

[Corinne]

Bought that sweatshirt for my wife. It in NO WAY looked like the shirt shown! Faded print, much smaller image. Caveat Emptor.

That’s disappointing! I saw a number of them on Etsy, I am thinking of buying a mug.