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

[sleepydog25]

all excellent info! Yes we have been long time lovers of VWL, in fact we bought dvc years back and never even stayed at the home resort, we always found ourselves here. Both of us have been longtime WDW travelers since our youth ( early 80's) honeymooned in 1997 after much researching on the new Dis way back when the internet was new! Raised our now 2 boys 23, and 21 on wdw trips and now continuing as empty nesters. We just recently sold one dvc contract to purchase our fav! Now we can enjoy our time with the 11 month advantage. Hope I wasnt sounding too down about VWL due to the condition of the rooms too much. Sorry! I just hope it gets some love soon.

Oh, no, not at all! Believe me, I've had my gripes with VWL over the years. Don't get me started about taking away the nature trail to put in cabins--beautiful as they are--or the fact they covered the beach with fake grass (though I like Geyser Point), and most especially that AP is no longer a Signature. You'll find many of us on here miss the old theming in the rooms, even while admitting it was getting outdated. We have every reason to complain and be concerned, and as an "official" DVC Groupie Family (okay, I made that up), we always feel free to share with each other. The only thing Groupies don't do is bicker--in all the years I've been on here, cross words have never happened. It truly is like an extended family. We even have meets and mini-meets when the dates align!

So, pull up a rocker, grab a spittoon, get your favorite libation, and "set for a spell." Oh, and pictures like the one you posted above are exactly what we love to see! Many of us have a long history with DVC and VWL (and other resorts). Great story you have going on there, truly.

 

[gretabull]

I couldn't wait for my trip in August (Copper Creek) to see if I like the lodge area so my offer for DVC at VWL was just accepted!!! I'm so excited! Hopefully it will pass ROFR.

 

[sleepydog25]

Congrats! And... home! (we'll keep our fingers crossed)

 

[Suzabella]

I couldn't wait for my trip in August (Copper Creek) to see if I like the lodge area so my offer for DVC at VWL was just accepted!!! I'm so excited! Hopefully it will pass ROFR.

Congrats!! So excited for you! Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

[PatMcDuck]

What can we do if our BR refurbishment is being pushed back again? The sudden increased availability in the spring has me very suspicious. I bought BR a few years and knew (well thought I knew) that a refurbishment was coming pretty soon. Do we have any recourse to get them to do these much needed improvements?

Thanks all! Still love the Lodge, next trip is Copper Creek (I somehow got a Studio for 5 nights) in September, then BR next year. Thanks to this board for all the tips and info.

 

[DVC Jen]

What can we do if our BR refurbishment is being pushed back again? The sudden increased availability in the spring has me very suspicious. I bought BR a few years and knew (well thought I knew) that a refurbishment was coming pretty soon. Do we have any recourse to get them to do these much needed improvements?

Thanks all! Still love the Lodge, next trip is Copper Creek (I somehow got a Studio for 5 nights) in September, then BR next year. Thanks to this board for all the tips and info.

I have to wonder if they don't have a choice in pushing it back - if that is what is happening. I know furniture/supply stores are having a really hard time getting enough stock in. It is taking months and months for things to come in and then it is rarely a full order. I am just guessing here - but maybe that is coming into play with Disney. Maybe also just hiring the workers needed to do the work is a lot slower than it was pre-covid. Again - just speculation on my part. I agree it needs to be done - badly - but I am trying to stay positive and patient. :: and I am not known for my patience.

 

[Corinne]

Just received an email from my fav Disney blog that Territory Lounge has reopened. I.want.to.be.there.

 

[Corinne]

Of course trying to secure a reservation is another story all together

We have 205 points we must use by 11.30, and there is zero availability for any of our possible travel dates. I wish I hadn’t canceled our September BCV reservation, as we have pushed the system go live date. If anyone would care to send some and moose dust I’d happily take it!

 

[Lakegirl]

all excellent info! Yes we have been long time lovers of VWL, in fact we bought dvc years back and never even stayed at the home resort, we always found ourselves here. Both of us have been longtime WDW travelers since our youth ( early 80's) honeymooned in 1997 after much researching on the new Dis way back when the internet was new! Raised our now 2 boys 23, and 21 on wdw trips and now continuing as empty nesters. We just recently sold one dvc contract to purchase our fav! Now we can enjoy our time with the 11 month advantage. Hope I wasnt sounding too down about VWL due to the condition of the rooms too much. Sorry! I just hope it gets some love soon.

Which one did you sell and which one did you buy?

 

[momtwoboys]

Which one did you sell and which one did you buy?

we sold OKW and we bought BRV!

 

[PatMcDuck]

Ha! We sold BCV and bought BRV! We realized we had stopped staying at BCV (although I still love it there) and were booking at WL most often.

 

[Murron]

Completely unacceptable. We had a mattress (king size in the one bedroom) that was so soft we felt like we were literally sinking down to the box springs. After 4 nights on it I was in so much pain every morning I could not keep on so we called. They were great and replaced it for us. But the woman who came who was in charge apologized and said she didn't know if they had a brand new mattress because of all of the shipping issues that have been happening with Covid - they haven't been able to get replacements of the items they needed replacements for. But, she promised they would do something for us. Luckily as I said, they did locate a brand new mattress and brought in and remade the bed for us.

It didn't really surprise me to find out Disney is having a hard time getting replacement furniture as I think pretty much every one is right now. It has been on the news several times that the cost of big ticket items like furniture has risen drastically because of shipping and manufacturing delays.

I hope this doesn't ruin the resort for you. It is not normally like this. I also really hope you have been able to have a wonderful vacation despite any issues you have had with the room.

I seriously understand that there are supply chain problems all over (we are in our new NC home and furnishing). So I do understand. But seriously, just remove the chair completely and replace with the bedroom chair. I doubt anyone would even notice that a bedroom chair was missing. Creative thinking. Put a couple of the luggage holders from the closet into the bedroom to fill the space.

We've just returned home. I hope when Boulder is refurbished I will come back and try again. The pool was WONDERFUL. Drew at the front desk was amazing. Bert the bell guy too! I hate that those cabins took away the beach. I remember looking out the window from a junior suite in the lodge (now Copper Creek & before we bought/sold our Boulder Ridge) and watching with my coffee the cast member at 4-5 a.m. doing mouse designs in the sand of the beach. I should post those pictures. Now you have to sit behind the grill to watch fireworks and electrical parade. The noise/music from the Geyser Grill is annoying at best and just takes away from the experience. And....am I crazy or losing my memory? Didn't the electrical light parade actually move along the seven seas lagoon passing all the MK resorts? And if I also recall, it lasted at least 20 minutes or more. It was so lovely to sit with other families on that beach with our wine/beer and kids. (I sound so old....the good ole days LOL LOL). Bottom line, we had a good time.

 

[jimmytammy]

Of course trying to secure a reservation is another story all together

We have 205 points we must use by 11.30, and there is zero availability for any of our possible travel dates. I wish I hadn’t canceled our September BCV reservation, as we have pushed the system go live date. If anyone would care to send some and moose dust I’d happily take it!

Moose Dust coming your way!

 

[Corinne]

Moose Dust coming your way!

thanks Jimmy!

I am a PLANNER by nature, so this last minute nonsense doesn’t work for me! I have managed to piecemeal a week at the world in September, but I can honestly say that looking at the numerous reservations and waitlists is making me a tad unhinged.
The fact that I have had to speak to Member Services twice in the last few days has contributed to my feelings of being unhinged haha. I just got off the phone with a lovely CM who did tell me that there have been a number of recent cancelations due to COVID….

 

[Lakegirl]

Corrine so happy to hear you were able to get something. We will be there. The 12th-17th.

 

[Corinne]

Corrine so happy to hear you were able to get something. We will be there. The 12th-17th.

Oh darn, we are scheduled to arrive on the 18th!

 

[Lakegirl]

Oh darn, we are scheduled to arrive on the 18th!

I was originally going that week but changed it because flights at the time were less expensive for some reason. You have a good chance of some of the 50Th things rolling out early. Enjoy!

 

[Corinne]

I was originally going that week but changed it because flights at the time were less expensive for some reason. You have a good chance of some of the 50Th things rolling out early. Enjoy!

You are right, the flights ARE more expensive this week. We had the 4th-11th booked initially oh well, at this point, I’ll be thrilled if we get there at all!

 

[Corinne]

Lots of news articles about Orlando being in “covid crisis” again. Ughhhhhhhhh

 

[TCRAIG]

It is what it is - we’re still planning on going in October and December - we’re vaccinated but have no problem wearing masks and sanitizing and social distancing if it is recommended to keep ourselves - and others - safe…