VWL Groupies...yes, we love the Lodge, a lot!!

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday SantaRay and Elvis!!!!

 

[DiznyDi]

Happy Birthday Santa Ray
Happy Birthday Elvis!

 

[Anna114]

What I love about the Villas?? The size of the resort. What do I dislike about the Villas?? The size. We decided not to stay at POFQ and change to VWL and of course because it's within the 7 month window there was nothing available. I love the small resort but if you don't plan it out you can lose out. However, on the bright side.. we thought we would have to stay at OKW or SSR and to our delight the AKV popped up too. Hence, we are getting the opportunity to stay there. I'm very excited about that. I love new experiences. So we won't be staying at our beloved VWL until October of next year. Now that makes me sad.

 

[cahedberg]

Hi fellow groupies! I'm finally at the beloved lodge. After the travel trip from......well, nevermind. I am here and that's what matters. It's super chilly today and sitting in the rocking chairs gathered around the fire is FANTASTIC! I have a question, did I read something about sugar coated donuts? Or am I thinking of something else? I can't remember. Help!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi fellow groupies! I'm finally at the beloved lodge. After the travel trip from......well, nevermind. I am here and that's what matters. It's super chilly today and sitting in the rocking chairs gathered around the fire is FANTASTIC! I have a question, did I read something about sugar coated donuts? Or am I thinking of something else? I can't remember. Help!

Good for you! Wish we were there! Don't know about the doughnuts, but RF does have made-to-order Mickey waffles for breakfast. Have fun!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

A Belated Happy Birthday Mr deebits AKA Ed!

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Happy Birthday SantaRay!

Lots of January BD's for the Groupies!!

Hi fellow groupies! I'm finally at the beloved lodge. After the travel trip from......well, nevermind. I am here and that's what matters. It's super chilly today and sitting in the rocking chairs gathered around the fire is FANTASTIC! I have a question, did I read something about sugar coated donuts? Or am I thinking of something else? I can't remember. Help!

So now I'm jealous - lucky you! Can't help with the donuts though. I don't ever make it further than the Magic Bars.

 

[bagsmom]

Hey everyone! Long time no see!

It's been a wild several months for us. VERY busy. I popped on here and saw the donut question.

I think you are referring to the Drunken Donuts from the lounge. Very yummy and wonderful. Fresh, hot, shaken with sugar and cinnamon, then dunked in a sauce of butter and booze. Oh so tasty!

Enjoy every moment of your visit!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hope everyone stays warm

 

[brobrosmom]

Hey everyone! Long time no see!

It's been a wild several months for us. VERY busy. I popped on here and saw the donut question.

I think you are referring to the Drunken Donuts from the lounge. Very yummy and wonderful. Fresh, hot, shaken with sugar and cinnamon, then dunked in a sauce of butter and booze. Oh so tasty!

Enjoy every moment of your visit!

Saw this post and had never heard of Drunken Donuts....so of course I had to google it! OMG they look scrumptious!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hi everyone! I heard that VWL is getting a makeover this year! Does anyone know what it's going to look like? Any pictures out there? when will it be complete?

We just put in an offer today (which was accepted ) on a contract at VWL, so we are hoping to be new DVC owners there very soon!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi everyone! I heard that VWL is getting a makeover this year! Does anyone know what it's going to look like? Any pictures out there? when will it be complete?

We just put in an offer today (which was accepted ) on a contract at VWL, so we are hoping to be new DVC owners there very soon!

Good luck with ROFR!!!

Here's a link to the story and also the picture that was shown at the annual meeting where it was announced.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/villas-at-wilderness-lodge/news/2462-more-deluxe-studios-will-soon-sleep-five-guests

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi everyone! I heard that VWL is getting a makeover this year! Does anyone know what it's going to look like? Any pictures out there? when will it be complete?

We just put in an offer today (which was accepted ) on a contract at VWL, so we are hoping to be new DVC owners there very soon!

Congrats on the contract, and best wishes for a speedy ROFR! AND welcome to the Groupies! We're a friendly bunch even if we do say so ourselves , and we all share a love of the Lodge. Make yourself at home and join right in.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thanks for the warm welcome sleepydog25 and kat4disney! I'm hoping ROFR goes well and moves quickly too!

I love the new look for the villas! The colors are so nice and bright...any idea when the refurb will be complete?

If our contract passes, we will have some banked points we will need to use before July 31. Not sure if there will be much left in terms of availability by the time we close but I hope so! If not, DH and I were thinking it might be fun to do a "progressive" vacation and move from resort to resort as availability allows so we can get acquainted with as many of the dvc properties as possible. Either way, we know we're going to Disney this summer !

I'll keep you posted on our progress...

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the warm welcome sleepydog25 and kat4disney! I'm hoping ROFR goes well and moves quickly too!

I love the new look for the villas! The colors are so nice and bright...any idea when the refurb will be complete?

If our contract passes, we will have some banked points we will need to use before July 31. Not sure if there will be much left in terms of availability by the time we close but I hope so! If not, DH and I were thinking it might be fun to do a "progressive" vacation and move from resort to resort as availability allows so we can get acquainted with as many of the dvc properties as possible. Either way, we know we're going to Disney this summer !

I'll keep you posted on our progress...

I've done split stays a few times, and it's a good way to get to know various resorts despite the minor headache of having to uproot in the middle of your vacation. I think your progressive idea is superb should the need arise. By the way, I'm offering you a coupon, good for one week, that gives you 50% off the membership dues for the Groupies. For this limited time offer, you can join for only $50, cashier's or personal check payable to moi. And pay no attention to my signature. . .

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies itutorfortravel!!!!

And watch sleepydog(actually we refer to him as slydog around here)The fee is actually supposed to sent to yours truly

 

[eliza61]

Hi everyone! I heard that VWL is getting a makeover this year! Does anyone know what it's going to look like? Any pictures out there? when will it be complete?

We just put in an offer today (which was accepted ) on a contract at VWL, so we are hoping to be new DVC owners there very soon!

Welcome ITFT,

love your tag name. Congratulations on your contract. As you can tell we're pretty partial to the lodge.

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for the warm welcome sleepydog25 and kat4disney! I'm hoping ROFR goes well and moves quickly too!

I love the new look for the villas! The colors are so nice and bright...any idea when the refurb will be complete?

If our contract passes, we will have some banked points we will need to use before July 31. Not sure if there will be much left in terms of availability by the time we close but I hope so! If not, DH and I were thinking it might be fun to do a "progressive" vacation and move from resort to resort as availability allows so we can get acquainted with as many of the dvc properties as possible. Either way, we know we're going to Disney this summer !

I'll keep you posted on our progress...

We generally never did split stays. when you're travelling with 2 or 3 minons you tend to try and make things easier but we do try out new resorts.
I actually own at the BC but find myself at the lodge more often than not. It was my dh's favorite.

 

[eliza61]

who put an idea in my brain (guys tell her that is a dangerous thing to do!! ) and is contemplating resort hopping.

List your favorite dvc resorts in order of "likiness" Sort of like coldstone Ice cream. #1 would be "gotta have it", #2 "love it" #3 like it.

#1. Wilderness lodge. It rejuvinates my soul every time.
#2 Beach club. love the location and the bright color theme. Love the Victorian type decor
#3 Old key West. Love how the buildings are tropical color and the room sizes seem bigger to me.
#4 Animal kingdom lodge. while I loved the decor, I did not like how the building was laid out. seemed so confusing getting to the pool area.
#5 Saratoga Springs. I really couldn't get into this resort. simply too spread out for my taste.

next up: villas at Grand floridian

 

[sleepydog25]

who put an idea in my brain (guys tell her that is a dangerous thing to do!! ) and is contemplating resort hopping.

List your favorite dvc resorts in order of "likiness" Sort of like coldstone Ice cream. #1 would be "gotta have it", #2 "love it" #3 like it.

#1. Wilderness lodge. It rejuvinates my soul every time.
#2 Beach club. love the location and the bright color theme. Love the Victorian type decor
#3 Old key West. Love how the buildings are tropical color and the room sizes seem bigger to me.
#4 Animal kingdom lodge. while I loved the decor, I did not like how the building was laid out. seemed so confusing getting to the pool area.
#5 Saratoga Springs. I really couldn't get into this resort. simply too spread out for my taste.

next up: villas at Grand floridian

Not having stayed at all the resorts, take this list with a shaker of salt.
1) Duh. The Lodge. It entrances me like no other for all the reasons we speak about on this thread.

All the others below rank a distance second behind VWL. . .
2) BLT. It's hard to beat the convenience to MK, TOWL for Wishes, the Monorail, though I'm not a huge fan of the modern feel.
3) AKV. Gorgeous setting, gorgeous rooms, but too distant from everything but AK itself.
4) Tie, but either could move up once we stay there: VGF & Poly. We toured the model of VGF last summer, and it was stunning. However, the general stuffiness I've encountered at GF is off-putting. We plan to stay there in September if our planning works out. Yes, I know, Poly isn't a DVC resort yet, but it will be, and it's the first resort love of my Luv. I may be required to like it.
5) Tie again, though I've never tried any of them: BWV, BCV, OKW, & SSR. The theme of none appeal to me, though I would like to try OKW just to experience the larger rooms. SSR is way too spread out for my tastes; just walking around the grounds is confusing. And while BWV and BCV are appealing for access to Epcot, my occasional forays to their properties and visits to the BWV model didn't spark any fondness in me.

 

[DJGifford]

Good afternoon....

We don't own at VWL... but... we are staying there finally in May!! We are not 100% sure about the decision... my biggest issue is bus service... We visited the Lodge this past Christmas, as it is the most beautifully decorated, as it was in 2011... but the bus service was exceptionally slow (esp compared to OKW)... then it went to the campground... seemed really out of the way....

That being said... we are looking forward to pool time... and relax time too....

Can anyone give information on best locations for rooms??

Thanks,
Dolores