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

[sleepydog25]

Hello all. I hope you can help me out. I found a BRV contract that I may be buying tomorrow. Offer accepted and all but haven't signed anything yet. We are going next year On Thanksgiving day for 10 nights. There are 9 of us, 7 adults and 2 kids age 5 and almost 2 by then. My concerns are that it will not be done with refurb and I don't really like the outdated theming. I don't know much about Boulder Ridge other than walking around it and I really liked the lobby, etc. I haven't seen the rooms other than on youtube. Everyone talks about how it badly needs a redo.

How long do refurbs take? Do love Boulder Ridge? How are the transportation options?

Thanks in Advance.

,DisneyTrippin'! You've found the friendliest Groupies on the whole of DISBoard-dom, and hopefully we'll be able to provide some insight. I'll answer with my two cents' worth, but I'm sure others will chime in, as well.

Not to discourage you, but there is no telling how long any refurb will take nor the direction it will take, either, in terms of how the new rooms will look. Currently, the only definite refurbishment going on of which I'm aware is in the main Lodge building on the north side--the cash rooms. Now, there have been pics of the renovated section of hallway in the standalone VWL (sorry, BRV) wing, and that does imply a looming refurbishment. When that will happen, to my knowledge, has not been announced. Once started, it's difficult to say how long it will take--if it's a mostly freshening of the units, that would take far less time than if they re-imagine the rooms. Not much help, I'm afraid.
You mention "next year" for Thanksgiving, so I assume you mean 2022? If so, then I'd actually say the odds of a refurbishment happening and being finished would be improved.

As for loving VWL, absolutely we do! For most everyone on here, it's not the rooms that prompted us to buy into the Lodge (or merely to love it), it's the overall ambiance and sense of tranquility the resort provides. I will tell you that YouTube videos don't show the actual "feeling" of the rooms or the resort--they are 2D replications of how someone wishes to present said rooms. You miss the textures, the warmth, the subtle influences of the theming. Not even the highest resolution video can adequately relay those feelings. Nor can the videos show you the feeling of pure relaxation and a true "welcome home" as you step into the VWL lobby itself. While not as grandiose as the main Lodge's lobby, our home-away-from-home lobby makes up for it in intimacy and tranquility. I much prefer to sit in that lobby, or in the Carrollwood Pacific room, and soak up the music and atmosphere. Beyond that, the entire resort brims with small touches that set it apart: lush landscaping, majestic music, a sense of the great outdoors. and theming that Disney rarely bothers with anymore. In fact, there are many of us on here who would prefer Disney keep the old-school theming in the rooms. So, yes, we do love the Lodge and all its trappings.

As for transportation, over the years we've found it to be above average. Buses run to all the parks and mostly seem to be plentiful. Naturally, you also have boat transportation to MK which is itself a ride of sorts. Its central location means you can get to parks and Disney Springs in your vehicle rather easily, as well.

All in all, we love our home resort for all manner of reasons. Some consider the resort too dark or rustic, but that's exactly why we love it. It's a true escape from the crowds and from the cookie-cutter rooms and theming Disney now builds/refurbs. Best wishes moving forward!

 

[vwlfan]

We truly love our first home! And we really like the rooms. We were victims however of a one bedroom that was sorely in need of refurb, especially the pull out, summer before last. We did complain on the last night and management fell all over themselves trying to make it right.

so this is a two pronged answer: Yes it’s a wonderful wonderful place. However no one seems to know the timetable on the refurb. So you might have to watch carefully re that for this one trip. In the end though you will not regret your overall decision.

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies DisneyTrippin'!!
Sleepy and vwlfan gave you some great info of the Lodge and I fall right in there as another not sure when refurb will take place guy. Disney does things at their own pace and we know that can be slower than any of us like or wish for. But I will add, I wouldn't let that stop you from purchasing there if that's where your heart leads you. I can say Sleepy is so right in that the videos, pictures and all dont do justice for the real feel of WL/VWL. Its a feel inside of you, some get it, some dont. Obviously, all here on the groupies get it! The faint music, the crickets chirping along the paths at night, the lanterns flickering, the majesty of the place and so much more, to me, these subtle things are the details that lead to the feeling.
We bought site unseen and too this day, 20 yrs later, we still have no regrets

 

[kes601]

I'm glad I found this thread. We are scheduled at VWL for 4 nights this summer (spending 6 nights at BLT before and 7 nights at BWV after). We've never stayed at WL but have walked through it several times. Rooms at CCV definitely look "nicer" since they are flashy and new, but I am looking forward to staying at VWL because of the building being separate and it looks as though almost every balcony will have a nice view of some sort.. We are planning to use it as the downtime for our trip since it is the only time we won't be walkable to a park.

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies kes601!!!
You have made 3 great choices, all for reasons we would do the same. Wow, 17 nights in WDW, now that's the way to do it right!! VWL is as a relaxing place to stay as I can think of. Even after a long day in a park it can be a great respite. But how you are going about it, awesome idea. VWL is the kind of place I can stay and never long for the parks, its that chill-axing. We used to hang back at the resort on rainy days and it would be so nice, to the point we truly began to realize we didnt have to be in the parks to enjoy our trips. Enjoy your trip and dont be a stranger here!

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm glad I found this thread. We are scheduled at VWL for 4 nights this summer (spending 6 nights at BLT before and 7 nights at BWV after). We've never stayed at WL but have walked through it several times. Rooms at CCV definitely look "nicer" since they are flashy and new, but I am looking forward to staying at VWL because of the building being separate and it looks as though almost every balcony will have a nice view of some sort.. We are planning to use it as the downtime for our trip since it is the only time we won't be walkable to a park.

As JT says, VWL (the whole of the Wilderness Lodge, truly) is a place to unwind and not long for the parks. If you really want to get over to MK--just hop on a boat, and you're there in moments...and the ride over is an attraction unto its own. Most every balcony on the lake side has good to great views, while on the other side you face the woods--but that's quite relaxing, as well, just not quite as scenic. We especially like to walk the resort toward dusk/early evening when the lanterns are lit, the majestic music is playing, and you can hear crickets chirruping softly. Nothing calms me more. And, we hope you and Trippin' visit often!

 

[bobbiwoz]

^ Thank you for mentioning the walks at night. WL resort is extra special then.

 

[sleepydog25]

^ Thank you for mentioning the walks at night. WL resort is extra special then.

It absolutely is! While the entire resort is gorgeous at night, my favorite thing to do is walk between the main Lodge and VWL buildings, in particular, headed to the latter. Walking down that planked boardwalk, seeing the lanterns flickering as though they're whispering a secret, hearing the faint chitter-chatter of the crickets, and listening to the haunting strains of Aaron Copland's "Billy the Kid" movement? Nothing says "home" to me at Disney more than this short trek.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I like the simplicity of DVC Charts for WLV / BRV ... unlike other locations that have to ”up “ the nightly points cause everybody wants to be in a certain advantageous location like near the hospitality house.

 

[sleepydog25]

I like the simplicity of DVC Charts for WLV / BRV ... unlike other locations that have to ”up “ the nightly points cause everybody wants to be in a certain advantageous location like near the hospitality house.

Yes, and when DVC built Copper Creek, they adopted the same point chart there as with VWL, thus making all room categories the same--a studio in CC costs the same number of points as one in VWL for the same night. Same with the 1BRs and 2BRs. Gotta love it!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, and when DVC built Copper Creek, they adopted the same point chart there as with VWL, thus making all room categories the same--a studio in CC costs the same number of points as one in VWL for the same night. Same with the 1BRs and 2BRs. Gotta love it!

Didn't they get a few different changes with the 2022 point charts though that now vary it from VWL? Nothing major of course but I was thinking it might not be identical any longer.

 

[Corinne]

I was thinking about our poor little purple owners locker full of toiletries that have been untouched now for nearly two years! I’m fairly certain The clothing contained in it will no longer fit! When we finally get back I think I’m going to have to purge nearly all of the contents. Not even sure I’ll keep the locker, although I do like my having a Keurig there.

 

[jimmytammy]

I was thinking about our poor little purple owners locker full of toiletries that have been untouched now for nearly two years! I’m fairly certain The clothing contained in it will no longer fit! When we finally get back I think I’m going to have to purge nearly all of the contents. Not even sure I’ll keep the locker, although I do like my having a Keurig there.

We went through ours this last trip and brought things home we found we no longer needed. I was tempted to just do ours in as well, but, with the current environment, and not knowing the future and travel needs, we just kept it.

 

[TCRAIG]

I kept thinking of ours over the summer - I keep Lysol wipes and spray in our OL.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was thinking about our poor little purple owners locker full of toiletries that have been untouched now for nearly two years! I’m fairly certain The clothing contained in it will no longer fit! When we finally get back I think I’m going to have to purge nearly all of the contents. Not even sure I’ll keep the locker, although I do like my having a Keurig there.

Us too on going to have to purge some stuff. I'm thinking our coffee in there would taste very delicious though!

 

[Granny]

Didn't they get a few different changes with the 2022 point charts though that now vary it from VWL? Nothing major of course but I was thinking it might not be identical any longer.

Kathy...I think they only moved the schedule one point here and there. I was told it has to do with the number of units and the point balancing being different between VWL and CCV. But for all practical purposes, the schedules are still pretty much the same. It will be interesting to see if that keeps up in the future...they might have to drop the cabin point requirements down if they are not getting booked. If so, those points would have to go into other CCV units somewhere.

 

[Granny]

So my fellow Groupies, I find myself at the 180 day mark until our first trip to WDW in a couple of years. I have to admit, I haven't kept up with all the procedural changes and I'm finding it hard to get motivated to really research the trip. For part of the trip, our daughter, son-in-law and then 15 month old grandson will be staying with us in a BWV 2BR. I have some questions that, like I said, I just don't want to scour the boards about. So I'll just post them here if that's okay with everyone.

1. Mrs Granny and I have annual pass vouchers that have never been activated. I'm assuming we can activate them for our October trip and start the clock on them? I wasn't sure since Disney isn't selling APs at this point as far as I know.

2. We will be buying park tickets for my daughter and her husband. They haven't locked down what days they will be there yet, so it's hard to buy tickets for them at this time. I think they still have the "buy 4 days, get 2 free" offer out there but it only runs through September 21 and our trip is scheduled for early October. So, assuming they extend the offer, do you have to use those admissions on consecutive days? Or can you do a non-park day in the middle and not lose a day of admissions? We have had APs for so long that I don't know anything about park admissions. Since we will be at BWV during F&W Festival I think I will be buying park hopper tickets for my daughter/SIL so they can go to EPCOT in the evenings no matter which park they hit that day.

3. I guess that Disney is still not doing FastPass, right? So everything is stand by? Does that include the Star Wars attractions at DHS, or are they still on that "show up early and get a timeframe" system? I know that some things may be very different by October (shows, parades & fireworks back?) but I can only plan on what we know right now.

4. How much in advance can we do a park reservation? With my daughter unable to commit to her dates, it makes it hard to book anyway.

5. My understanding is that Magical Express will run through the end of 2021, right? So we should be good there.


I feel like a complete WDW newbie. Frankly, I wish this trip were just DW and me since we could do an entire non-park stay and be happy. But my daughter really wants to go so I can't say no to that!

Any responses/tips you can provide would be welcome. Or even a link to a factual thread about any of the topics above. Like I said, I am challenged to get motivated about planning for this trip at this point.

Thanks so much, and I pray that each of you is happy and healthy at this time.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kathy...I think they only moved the schedule one point here and there. I was told it has to do with the number of units and the point balancing being different between VWL and CCV. But for all practical purposes, the schedules are still pretty much the same. It will be interesting to see if that keeps up in the future...they might have to drop the cabin point requirements down if they are not getting booked. If so, those points would have to go into other CCV units somewhere.

Yes, it was so minimal as I recalled that it raised the question with me of why they even bothered.

So my fellow Groupies, I find myself at the 180 day mark until our first trip to WDW in a couple of years. I have to admit, I haven't kept up with all the procedural changes and I'm finding it hard to get motivated to really research the trip. For part of the trip, our daughter, son-in-law and then 15 month old grandson will be staying with us in a BWV 2BR. I have some questions that, like I said, I just don't want to scour the boards about. So I'll just post them here if that's okay with everyone.

1. Mrs Granny and I have annual pass vouchers that have never been activated. I'm assuming we can activate them for our October trip and start the clock on them? I wasn't sure since Disney isn't selling APs at this point as far as I know. Yes you may active them.

2. We will be buying park tickets for my daughter and her husband. They haven't locked down what days they will be there yet, so it's hard to buy tickets for them at this time. I think they still have the "buy 4 days, get 2 free" offer out there but it only runs through September 21 and our trip is scheduled for early October. So, assuming they extend the offer, do you have to use those admissions on consecutive days? Or can you do a non-park day in the middle and not lose a day of admissions? We have had APs for so long that I don't know anything about park admissions. Since we will be at BWV during F&W Festival I think I will be buying park hopper tickets for my daughter/SIL so they can go to EPCOT in the evenings no matter which park they hit that day. I'd guess they won't extend that offer but for regular tickets there's a timeframe of days to use the tickets that allows a day or two without visiting a park. It depends on the length of the ticket for how many days you get to use the ticket in.

3. I guess that Disney is still not doing FastPass, right? So everything is stand by? Does that include the Star Wars attractions at DHS, or are they still on that "show up early and get a timeframe" system? I know that some things may be very different by October (shows, parades & fireworks back?) but I can only plan on what we know right now. You have to have a park reservation for DHS and of course a valid park admission and then at 7am but you now can try and book a boarding group from the hotel or wherever you are. If you don't get a group then you can try again at 1PM but you have to have actually entered the park by that time. I think they allow hopping to start at 2PM so it's still just those who have DHS park reservations for the day that will have the possibility of getting a boarding group. They did change these hours once a couple of months ago so plan on checking on the timing again by October.

4. How much in advance can we do a park reservation? With my daughter unable to commit to her dates, it makes it hard to book anyway. You can book now for Oct - have been able to for awhile. The 1st was gone for MK at least a couple of months ago and then I think other parks were snatched up for that date as well. I'd try and do it as soon as you possibly can. There's also different reservation buckets depending on if you are staying onsite, have an AP or are using a regular ticket. You are able to go to the parks calendar and see what things are looking like. TIP - DHS is the one that's been booking up 1st for most days. Epcot is last to max out if it does. I've read that nobody has reported being denied hopping later in the day. And some of this may change as capacities increase.

5. My understanding is that Magical Express will run through the end of 2021, right? So we should be good there. Yep!


I feel like a complete WDW newbie. Frankly, I wish this trip were just DW and me since we could do an entire non-park stay and be happy. But my daughter really wants to go so I can't say no to that!

Any responses/tips you can provide would be welcome. Or even a link to a factual thread about any of the topics above. Like I said, I am challenged to get motivated about planning for this trip at this point.

Thanks so much, and I pray that each of you is happy and healthy at this time.

I think I have some of the answers for you Granny! Replies are up above within the quote. It is like a whole new Disney world out there and I'd expect some changes again before October. One thing on the tickets - if you did buy and then the dates weren't right they do give you the value of the ticket to use towards another ticket.

 

[twinklebug]

I kept thinking of ours over the summer - I keep Lysol wipes and spray in our OL.

Add in some TP and that locker would have been gold. I spent many nights stalking Walmart online as they'd pop up a few at a time.... then they'd always mis-deliver it to our neighbor

 

[TCRAIG]

Add in some TP and that locker would have been gold. I spent many nights stalking Walmart online as they'd pop up a few at a time.... then they'd always mis-deliver it to our neighbor

Actually - I think there’s 4 rolls still in there - the ‘good’ stuff - 2 ply Ultra Soft Charmin! I could have auctioned off that locker for a small fortune...