VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 8 February 2026

[sleepydog25]

We just arrived at Fort
Wilderness at around 3:30
Staying til Fri next week
We caught a bus over to go to Geiser point and while it was still light, I saw that the paved path is definitely still there to walk from his lodge to Fort wilderness so my hopes are that will eventually open back up

So here are a couple shots from the bus to WL showing progress on the front side of the new Lakeshore Lodge

I’m setting here at GP soaking in the music, smelling the smoke from the s’mores fire pit and thinking of my fellow Groupies

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Enjoy your trip, JT!

 

[jimmytammy]

Wow - LL is going to be huge!

It is massive
Even bigger than the pictures show
When we took the boat back to FW, we saw even more of it

 

[jimmytammy]

Yesterday we hung around the Fort, explored on our golf cart, got together with our friends Alan and Annie, then got together with our friends Kenny and Ed and went to Hoop Dee Doo

Today we hop to fish in the canals a bit, then head to the new Poly to eat at Wailulu Bar and Grill before heading to MK

 

[jimmytammy]

It was a stretch so this was the best I could get of the cabins at Lakeshore Lodge



And Casey took a shot of us with Kenny and Ed at HDDR last night

 

[jimmytammy]

Little bit better shot of LL from CR dock

Yesterday at 50s PTC w Aunt Elaine
She was recently featured in People magazine celebrating her 50th year at WDW

 

[DVC4US]

Pretty sure I know this but just want to verify - Boulder Ridge is what us old timers know as Villas at Wilderness Lodge. This is the villa side of the house and not the hotel. Correct?

Thanks!

 

[eticketplease]

Pretty sure I know this but just want to verify - Boulder Ridge is what us old timers know as Villas at Wilderness Lodge. This is the villa side of the house and not the hotel. Correct?

Thanks!

Yes, that is correct. They renamed it to Boulder Ridge when they started selling copper Creek, which is inside the hotel.

 

[DVC4US]

Yes, that is correct. They renamed it to Boulder Ridge when they started selling copper Creek, which is inside the hotel.

Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to make sure. We haven't booked at VWL in a long time and are looking at it for an upcoming stay and I wanted to make sure I was booking at the correct place.

 

[eticketplease]

Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to make sure. We haven't booked at VWL in a long time and are looking at it for an upcoming stay and I wanted to make sure I was booking at the correct place.

Hopefully, you’ll have a great stay!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Pretty sure I know this but just want to verify - Boulder Ridge is what us old timers know as Villas at Wilderness Lodge. This is the villa side of the house and not the hotel. Correct?

Thanks!

Yes, and many of us Groupies on this page continue to call the resort by its proper lineage acronym: V W L. In the words of Kuiil, "I have spoken."

 

[DVC4US]

Yes, and many of us Groupies on this page continue to call the resort by its proper lineage acronym: V W L. In the words of Kuiil, "I have spoken."

Always!!!

Just like MGM, and Downtown Disney!

 

[Flossbolna]

We had a lovely 7 night stay that ended last Wednesday at Boulder Ridge which once again confirmed that our home resort is or favorite.

We met some amazing cast members who all love the lodge as much as we do. Was great chatting with them.

We stayed in a studio and had some issues with room assignment. They gave us a first floor room which was the opposite of what we requested. Then tried to move us, but somehow reassigned us to the same room. They promised a room change for the next day. In the end we loved the room location and decided to stay and might have found our new favorite room: 1509. It’s directly next to the laundry room which made us afraid of noise, but we never heard a thing. It is a dedicated studio, which we like, so another bonus. And the location was perfect. Somehow we also ended up spending more time sitting on the patio than we ever did on any balcony. We even had a nice conversation with a lady about the Bouöder Ridge part as she had only ever stayed at Copper Creek. We told her that BRV is far superior, especially with the new renovations which we love. I think we might now be first floor converts, especially if you get a room on the pool side. Not sure I want to be on the bus stop side on the first floor.

I might actually try to request specific room numbers next time. There are rumors that rooms are now assigned by AI, so I think the more specific the request, the better your chances are to get what you want.

The villa was in perfect condition, only the bathroom fan was nearly inoperable. It would go on and then stop after 30 seconds. We got that fixed. The maintenance guy told me that most guests complain that it’s so noisy, so it’s set to short time.

I also decided to try to request an electric water kettle for the room and was successful. So much nicer to make tea with real boiling water than trying to heat water in the microwave.

Food at Roaring Forks was delicious as always. We had our favorites like the Wilderness Salad (one of the best salads in Disney restaurants) and the pulled pork sandwich. My husband really enjoyed the brisket and burnt ends platter which is available for dinner only. He said it’s excellent.

Not a fan of the looks of the new Fort Wilderness resort they are building across the lake. Really takes away the Wilderness feel at the Lodge. Also, I am wondering what is going to happen to transportation when they open that massive resort? I can’t see how sharing busses will make any sense anymore then. Also, will they buy new boats for the additional guests?

Happy to answer any questions about the resort and our stay at WDW if you have any!

Adding some pictures of our villa and the resort.

 

[sleepydog25]

We had a lovely 7 night stay that ended last Wednesday at Boulder Ridge which once again confirmed that our home resort is or favorite.

We met some amazing cast members who all love the lodge as much as we do. Was great chatting with them.

We stayed in a studio and had some issues with room assignment. They gave us a first floor room which was the opposite of what we requested. Then tried to move us, but somehow reassigned us to the same room. They promised a room change for the next day. In the end we loved the room location and decided to stay and might have found our new favorite room: 1509. It’s directly next to the laundry room which made us afraid of noise, but we never heard a thing. It is a dedicated studio, which we like, so another bonus. And the location was perfect. Somehow we also ended up spending more time sitting on the patio than we ever did on any balcony. We even had a nice conversation with a lady about the Bouöder Ridge part as she had only ever stayed at Copper Creek. We told her that BRV is far superior, especially with the new renovations which we love. I think we might now be first floor converts, especially if you get a room on the pool side. Not sure I want to be on the bus stop side on the first floor.

I might actually try to request specific room numbers next time. There are rumors that rooms are now assigned by AI, so I think the more specific the request, the better your chances are to get what you want.

The villa was in perfect condition, only the bathroom fan was nearly inoperable. It would go on and then stop after 30 seconds. We got that fixed. The maintenance guy told me that most guests complain that it’s so noisy, so it’s set to short time.

I also decided to try to request an electric water kettle for the room and was successful. So much nicer to make tea with real boiling water than trying to heat water in the microwave.

Food at Roaring Forks was delicious as always. We had our favorites like the Wilderness Salad (one of the best salads in Disney restaurants) and the pulled pork sandwich. My husband really enjoyed the brisket and burnt ends platter which is available for dinner only. He said it’s excellent.

Not a fan of the looks of the new Fort Wilderness resort they are building across the lake. Really takes away the Wilderness feel at the Lodge. Also, I am wondering what is going to happen to transportation when they open that massive resort? I can’t see how sharing busses will make any sense anymore then. Also, will they buy new boats for the additional guests?

Happy to answer any questions about the resort and our stay at WDW if you have any!

Adding some pictures of our villa and the resort.

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Thanks for the report and pics!. Wow, that new resort is close. I hated when they first began building CC cabins and took away the beach at the Lodge. All the trails and trees? Gone. They got rid of Artist Point and shut down the walking/biking path to FW. I still managed to continue loving the Lodge though it took a couple of years to get over my annoyance of Disney taking away a large swath of "wilderness" from the "Wilderness" Lodge. Perhaps this new resort will work the same for me. . .give it a few years.

Meanwhile, my new co-favorite resort is now AKL**, primarily Kidani. It still feels remote and quiet. We don't do the parks much anymore--in fact, our visits are down to maybe once a year--and we prefer to sit on the balcony and watch animals. Speaking of balconies, I once stayed in a ground floor studio and also enjoyed it. It was fun to sit there and actually watch people. We were on the bus side, but the noise was minimal, but the bustling of people walking down the wooden planks rolling there suitcases was occasionally noticeable. Still, I'd take that room again.

**If I'm frank, our favorite resort is HHI. I worked there a couple of years and love the ambiance, the serenity, the nature, the low country vibe, and they have the best CMs of any Disney property. We do get there often as it's only 5+ hours away instead of the nearly 11 that WDW is.

 

[Beachmom0317]

Thanks for the report and pics!. Wow, that new resort is close. I hated when they first began building CC cabins and took away the beach at the Lodge. All the trails and trees? Gone. They got rid of Artist Point and shut down the walking/biking path to FW. I still managed to continue loving the Lodge though it took a couple of years to get over my annoyance of Disney taking away a large swath of "wilderness" from the "Wilderness" Lodge. Perhaps this new resort will work the same for me. . .give it a few years.

Meanwhile, my new co-favorite resort is now AKL**, primarily Kidani. It still feels remote and quiet. We don't do the parks much anymore--in fact, our visits are down to maybe once a year--and we prefer to sit on the balcony and watch animals. Speaking of balconies, I once stayed in a ground floor studio and also enjoyed it. It was fun to sit there and actually watch people. We were on the bus side, but the noise was minimal, but the bustling of people walking down the wooden planks rolling there suitcases was occasionally noticeable. Still, I'd take that room again.

**If I'm frank, our favorite resort is HHI. I worked there a couple of years and love the ambiance, the serenity, the nature, the low country vibe, and they have the best CMs of any Disney property. We do get there often as it's only 5+ hours away instead of the nearly 11 that WDW is.

Kidani is great! I can't wait to stay in one of the refurbed rooms one day! I actually prefer the Kidani pool to the Jambo one.

Agree I love the charm of the Lodge but it did take a few visits. I actually love the VWL pool and the railroad and mining details they've added throughout the outside of the resort. I love the walking trail down by areas of the Cascade Cabins. I was super upset when the walking trail closed, but the lodge now feels just as special to me as before. I am excited to see the amenities offered at LL and also to be able to stay there. But it will take time getting used to. FW felt like it's own remote little world and it's going to be weird seeing the LL structures so close to the Fort.

 

[GGGT]

"......... Downtown Disney! "

Ahem........you mean "The Village" right?

 

[DVC4US]

Ahem........you mean "The Village" right?

Oh boy... that is old school!!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hello, Groupies!

It's my semi-annual(ish) call for trip dates. If you've booked a vacation or a cruse and wish to have me add it to Page 1, please let me know! I'm certain we have plenty of folks going still, but updates on plans have slowed to a trickle. Some people aren't tickled to provide too much detail, and I understand. However, if you wish to share, please drop me a line and I'll update that page. Your trip doesn't have to be to Disney, either.

On that note, I think I need to add a couple of trips of my own!

P.S. I can't be the only person vacationing in 2026. . .

 

[beccasmom]

We stayed in a studio and had some issues with room assignment. They gave us a first floor room which was the opposite of what we requested. Then tried to move us, but somehow reassigned us to the same room. They promised a room change for the next day. In the end we loved the room location and decided to stay and might have found our new favorite room: 1509. It’s directly next to the laundry room which made us afraid of noise, but we never heard a thing. It is a dedicated studio, which we like, so another bonus. And the location was perfect. Somehow we also ended up spending more time sitting on the patio than we ever d

Thanks for the report. We are normally not fans of first-floor rooms, but your patio view was very nice! Sounds like you had a great trip!

Back in January 2020 our BRV unit had a lake view and they were excavating for the Lakeview Lodge at that time. Of course the pandemic stalled the project. I can’t believe how large the resort will be. It’s a bit overwhelming.

We have a trip coming up in September at BRV for 9 nights and we are really looking forward to it! We love the entire resort, but BRV has our hearts. We enjoy Roaring Fork and especially Geyser Point. Such a lovely resort!

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the report. We are normally not fans of first-floor rooms, but your patio view was very nice! Sounds like you had a great trip!

Back in January 2020 our BRV unit had a lake view and they were excavating for the Lakeview Lodge at that time. Of course the pandemic stalled the project. I can’t believe how large the resort will be. It’s a bit overwhelming.

We have a trip coming up in September at BRV for 9 nights and we are really looking forward to it! We love the entire resort, but BRV has our hearts. We enjoy Roaring Fork and especially Geyser Point. Such a lovely resort!

Have a great stay! 9 nights sounds pretty perfect to me. I am more and more enjoying long stays in one resort.

 

[beccasmom]

Have a great stay! 9 nights sounds pretty perfect to me. I am more and more enjoying long stays in one resort.

Thank you! It’s been a while since we’ve been able to book a longer trip without worrying about work. Retirement comes in handy for things like that!