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

[Corinne]

Quick question on another front, any idea what the per point price is now for add on through DVC?

102 per point for VWL (we just added on a few weeks ago), and I believe 115 for BCV and BWV.

 

[tea pot]

Hello Groupies

My oldest DD just got back from a Wedding in Iceland
and took this picture for me.
The race was part of their Independence Day Celebration.

She loved Iceland and said it reminded her of Hawaii
I think because of the volcanoes and the black sand beaches.

gotta go and do some catching up

take care

 

[highlander]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I was talking about adding on to my VWL contract with more VWL.

Sorry about the note on the china. I didn't do my homework and search.

We liked the old china. Someone also commented about the size of the coffee cups. I used the Starbucks instant in the packets and didn't realize that the cups were larger. I had the mixture to a science since I like my coffee strong. The first cup in the white mug was rather weak. Much like the Nescafe you get in the parks.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

AAAAKKKKKKKK. I hate change (well, this type of change). Why would they replace the dinnerware that was so beautiful?

Sure, they replace beautiful colorful dinnerware and they keep that fill-in-the-blank carpeting and sofa.
(Yes, Granny, I said that!!)

OK, I'm done. Carry on.......

Now we don't want to upset Granny. You know he hates change too...

 

[Muushka]

TP, thanks for the Iceland pic. Funny how it resembles Hawaii!

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I was talking about adding on to my VWL contract with more VWL.

Sorry about the note on the china. I didn't do my homework and search.

We liked the old china. Someone also commented about the size of the coffee cups. I used the Starbucks instant in the packets and didn't realize that the cups were larger. I had the mixture to a science since I like my coffee strong. The first cup in the white mug was rather weak. Much like the Nescafe you get in the parks.

No worries on the china note. I always come to this thread first for my info .

Now we don't want to upset Granny. You know he hates change too...

Sure we do

 

[blossomz]

Wow! Just downloaded the new dis boards app! Now I will have no problem. Keeping up....I hope! I'm suffering from withdrawal! I must say..I prefer a tropical storm to high heat! We survived Debby and actually had a grand time! Now I need to get caught up!

 

[jimmytammy]

Wow! Just downloaded the new dis boards app! Now I will have no problem. Keeping up....I hope! I'm suffering from withdrawal! I must say..I prefer a tropical storm to high heat! We survived Debby and actually had a grand time! Now I need to get caught up!

Thanks for making me aware of the new app, didnt know it was there
And Im with you on the heat deal. Consecutive days of the stuff is getting tough.

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

 

[Corinne]

Wow! Just downloaded the new dis boards app! Now I will have no problem. Keeping up....I hope! I'm suffering from withdrawal! I must say..I prefer a tropical storm to high heat! We survived Debby and actually had a grand time! Now I need to get caught up!

Welcome back Blossom! Happy to hear you had a great trip!

I have been prompted to download the app when I am on my ipad, but I haven't downloaded it yet.

 

[blossomz]

Seems to be working! No emoticons tho...at least that I could discover.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[bagsmom]

Hi everyone! If you are, indeed, VWL groupies, then you will maybe indulge me and let me tell you our story. (I am very excited, and as our trip is a year away, my husband just wants me to cool my jets!)

I have many fond memories of WDW as a kid. We took our children in 2009 and I about traumatized my husband with our commando style park touring. He said when we went back, he would like a relaxed pace with "off days" in between parks. Days when we bike ride, or explore, or swim, etc.

I started thinking that next year should be the year. Our kids will be 13 and almost 11. A nice jump and a new stage for them, since we went when they were littler. Budget is an issue -- lots of dental and medical stuff this year. Financially not a really wise idea to plan this.... but I'm determined!

One way we thought we'd save money is by doing our own food. Our kids are very picky. Husband and I don't eat much and I'm watching my weight.

My first plan was to do the cabins at FW. But they are expensive! Next step was to explore renting DVC points. A studio is probably going to run us 1500 for the week. Buying tickets separately with no hopper for 4 days will be around 1000. To me, a great week at Disney for 2500 is pretty good!!!!!! Especially if I start saving now!

To me, the villa studio at Wilderness Lodge is going to get us what we want! And I'm willing to bet you agree!

As a new person on here, I'm so excited to go back through the thread and start reading! It will help me keep myself occupied for a while!

I would love to hear any thoughts you might have.... tips, etc. We have never been a guest at a DVC property before, so I know it's a little different than staying at one of the hotels. Also, I'd love to hear of the things you like to do when staying at WL Villas!
Thanks so much! I am soooooooo excited!

 

[twokats]

bagsmom,

Let me be on of the first to welcome you to our home away from home.
As you will read on the thread we all absolutely adore the villas and the lodge. It is a very welcoming place and although I have always done the parks everyday when I am at WDW, we have discussed a stay with off days. I know others have done that and can give more insight.

Please feel free to browse and ask whatever you want. We love to get new groupies!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

bagsmom.....WELCOME to our VWL thread ! I can bet we all thing you made an awesome choice in VWL.

I noticed your children will be 11 and 13, so my first thought in renting a studio is will your kids be comfortable on a pull-out couch all week ? If you feel the answer is "yes", then we can move on.

The feeling of awe you will have walking in to the WL lobby........just awesome !

You'll love having the kitchenette to store some food items in the frig (small dorm sized) and the microwave/toaster for cooking and heating things up. In order to save $$ on food, I sugget you make a pitstop at a Super Walmart or similar nearby. Disney general stores/gift shops have limited items for microwave cooking and are pricier than you will get off property. You can buy a case of bottled water and carry them to the park to avoid the costs per bottle. I've gotten a whole case at Walmart one time for the price of one bottle of Dasani in WDW.

You'll love the ease of getting to the MK via scenic boat ride or bus. I LOVE just sitting on the chairs on the beach area overlooking Bay Lake and reading a book. You can even watch the Electric Water Parade and see *some* of the MK fireworks over the tree tops.

The pools (both at the main Lodge and the Villas)----LOVE

 

[MiaSRN62]

Whoo hoo blossomz and Corrine ! I literally just checked for DIS app about a week ago and didn't find one. Thanks for the heads up. Posting from my iPhone now.

 

[Granny]

Sure, they replace beautiful colorful dinnerware and they keep that fill-in-the-blank carpeting and sofa.
(Yes, Granny, I said that!!)

Now we don't want to upset Granny. You know he hates change too...

Sure we do

Man, you leave the thread for a few days and look how they turn on you!

For the record, I'm not thrilled about switching our our nice plateware for the generic white stuff. But I guess we'll survive the change. As long as they hang on to that lovely couch!!

 

[Granny]

Eliza...thanks for the parade pictures. That dude with Ben Franklin would be Mr. Jefferson, I presume. Seems he wrote something important on that celebrated occasion but I guess he was a one hit wonder!

By the way, I don't know if anyone ever guessed, but that T Rex outside Dinosaur is named Sue.


Bagsmom...welcome to the VWL Groupies thread. Pull up a rocker (lots of them around Wilderness Lodge and the Villas) and sit a spell. If you are looking for some non-park activities, VWL is a great place to stay. You can rent bikes and ride down the lovely path to Fort Wilderness. Or just stroll along the same path and enjoy the scenery and occasional wildlife.

You can rent boats and wander the waters of Bay Lake or take the boat over to Seven Seas Lagoon and bounce around in front of Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.

Your children would no doubt enjoy the Wilderness Lodge Hidden Mickey hunt. Pick up a clue sheet at Guest Services and find those little gems all over the resort, including VWL.

Go on a Lodge Tour with a Ranger. Lots of fun information and trivia about the Lodge.

Enjoy Whispering Canyon Cafe for a meal...but don't go if you are looking for a quiet little getaway lunch. It is an "active" place.

I think you'll have a great time at VWL and the Lodge. Of course, we all love it so you'd expect us to say that. But it sounds like you will really enjoy staying on-site with the transportation amenities and the Extra Magic Hours so you can pack more fun into your park days.

Enjoy!!!!

 

[bagsmom]

Thank you for the welcome! I am so excited I could just burst -- and I really don't know how I'll stand the next 11 months! I am one of those OCD hyper-planners.... I want to start making about 20 lists!

Yes, although my tall boys will be almost 11 and 13, we will be good! The studio is bigger than a regular hotel room at a moderate -- and we are a close family. I don't know how I lucked out this way, but my boys are good pals and don't fight! (They love to annoy each other, but they don't fight. Amazing!)

My father's family was truly into the Disney magic. My aunt remembers going to see Snow White when it premiered! We went to the Magic Kingdom the first year it opened -- camped in a pop up in an orange grove. Hot and buggy! I remember riding the ferry boat back to the parking lot on our last night... holding my Robin Hood stuffed animal, looking at the fireworks in the distance -- and just crying because I didn't want to leave!!!!!!

To me, Disney World is about one and a half steps away from heaven! I want to pass this along to my kids and convince my husband that it's true! The last time we went -- the first for them -- I had a detailed itinerary for every minute of every day. Small, laminated touring plans in hand, we cruised those parks and hit all our dinner reservations!

THis next trip will be a wonderful challenge for me -- I want it to be the trip that will convince my husband to come back again and again!

I can't wait for the magic!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The WL main hotel is getting an extensive renovation. Any talk about the DVC villas getting any renovations?

 

[bagsmom]

Oooo -- is the main lodge being renovated now? Any sort of construction like that would play into our trip decisions...

I hope any renovations happen before or after summer 2013!

How would a person find that out?

Oh -- the dancing banana is back! It's my favorite!

 

[jimmytammy]

Welcome to the groupies bagsmom!!!
We can feel your excitement shining through your words! We are excited for you too!

Any renovations going now will be over by the time you are there. No way to know if there will be any going on when you are there, but we have been to VWL when they are working and they do a very good job to not let it interfere with guests.

Many have done a good job explaining things to do while at VWL. It is a great place to unwind from a day at parks. Also a cool place to hang out and do nothing. We commandoed our 1st 3-4 trips. Once we figured it out, wow what a difference it makes! Slow down and enjoy. Your DH is thinking like a WDW vet, and he will probably enjoy so much more, maybe to the point he will want to return!

The little things I think of while at WL...listening to the crickets chirp at night(Disney version), watching the lanterns flicker, looking at the animal paw prints in the walkways, listening to the western themed music in the background playing so faintly, taking a walk to Ft. Wilderness along the path(sometimes you see deer along the way)and checking out the horses at the stables there.

Take a roundtrip boat ride to the Contemporary then to Ft. Wilderness, do this at night as well and check out the bear face from the water at the back of the main lodge. Witness the geyser spouting every hour and half hour. Check out the flowers around the lodge, especially pretty around the pool area(go up steps). Explore the different levels of the Lodge, you can find some good hideaways to read a book, take a nap, etc.

Be sure to check out the Carolwood Pacific Room, really cozy leather chairs near the fireplace, Walts train cars are housed in here from his personal collection that he rode around his house in CA.

Drink morning coffee on your balcony, be sure to ask for a higher floor as you may see some wildlife early in the morn. DiznyDad will tell you to listen for the horns blow in the morn as the boats take folks to and from MK.

So much to do while just hanging out!!!

Have fun!!

 

[Pirate Granny]

Exactly why my last DVC resale will be VWL. Can't wait to take hubby there this November. I've stayed at the Lodge twice, and the Villa's once with friends...love it and the balcony facing the woods...so great for morning and night balcony un-winds...

Hoping that I get to participate in the Christmas tree exchange...I just bought my ornament to add to the tree if we are lucky enought to get a spot!