VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

[sleepydog25]

Happy Thursday, Groupies! Not a lot of news from the mountains of southwest Virginia, but spring has finally warmed up, and we're loving it! No trips for us to Disney anytime soon. Lots of plays I'm in between now and the end of the year and, to be honest, the cost and hassle of a trip that includes parks is just too daunting for now. If we do go in the next year, chances are it will be a resorts-only trip. And that's okay!

 

[Granny]

We are wrapping up our visit and heading home on a plane today. It has been another very nice trip. We visited all the parks, but since we didn’t pony up for Genie + we didn’t go on all that many attractions. Although I did go on Tron for the first time. Great ride, but even with the virtual queue I spent a hour in line once they let my boarding group in.

Lots of strolling around the parks, Disney Springs, and a fair amount of “Lodge time” which is always pleasant. We also enjoyed spending a lot of time with Dizny Dad and Dizny Di (Rich and Di) who used to frequent this thread. We also had lunch with Teapot (Joy) and her husband. The weather was beautiful for our entire stay, and we go home with enough of the Lodge feeling to last us until our next trip in December.

 

[jimmytammy]

Scrolling through old pictures yesterday we ran across Ranger Stan’s retirement celebration some of us ol groupies had for him
It was great seeing him and his “sweetie” Carolyn along with long time groupies teapot, DiznyDi and DiznyDad, Muushka and a few others. There were so many pictures that I need to scroll through to see who else I can find in there.
I will get Tammy to help me post a few of those, especially the ones featuring the groupies who were there

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Happy Sunday everyone! Haven't been on for a bit because I'm going through my no Disney trip blues. Before our trip all I do is watch live streams and tons of youtube videos. Now I can't watch any of that. Hoping to get back in 2 years. I hope everyone is doing well. Not too much going on with our family. Just not looking too forward to summer in Arizona lol. Our oven is currently in pre heat as they say.

 

[sleepydog25]

It's almost the weekend, Groupies! May all your Disney wishes come true!

 

[bluecastle]

Just checking in and hoping everyone is safe from the storms and heavy rains. I think we are supposed to have a heavier than usual hurricane season this year. Still waiting on those cicadas. I know they are coming and I’m curious to see what my DGD’s reaction will be since she is a bit bee and bug phobic.
My countdown is now under 200 days and I’m enjoying the leisurely pace of this planning stage before it gets closer and a bit more stressful.

 

[jimmytammy]

According to our very own groupie, WildernessDad(some of us know him as Hollis), his DVC Planner app has me listed as 203 days til WDW and VWL for our trip with DD and her family, including 3 grands!

I love his app and just realized he also has mousekeeping dates listed as well

In planning stages for another cruise with AnnieT and her DH Alan for April 2025
It’s mine and Annie’s 60th birthdays coming up so we are doing it up right! On the Treasure to boot

We are at Badin Lake in NC this weekend at my dad’s fishing shack. And the chicadas that people have been “freaking out” about for some reason(It happens every 7 years)are out in full force right now. It’s a constant sound like ear ringingwhich I already have, so no biggie for me

As Sleepy said Happy Weekend everyone!!

 

[MsChristy12]

I'll be back at WDW soon!! This is a first for me, I'm doing a quick solo trip over a long weekend, but will be meeting up with some DISers and a friend from SoFlo might drive up and hang out. Not staying at the lodge but I'll be very close by at BLT! So I might even take the boat to the lodge and hang out at Geyser Point. It will be a very different experience without the husband, but also excited to try something new!

 

[kristenrice]

Hi, Everyone!!

I had my first WL experience in 2002 on my honeymoon . Since then, we bought a DVC contract at AKV and we have not made it back to the "other" lodge, except to dine. DH rarely travels to WDW anymore, but my best friend loves Disney as much as I do, so we make an annual "girls trip" using my DVC membership. I've stayed at AKV, BWV, BLT, RR, and OKW....but havenlt made it back to VWL/CCV.

This year, instead of our usual October trip, my friend decided she wanted to try December so we could enjoy the holiday decorations and Christmas atmosphere. Obviously, my first thought was the Wilderness Lodge! I shuddered at the thought of trying to get a reservation at the 7-month window in December, but I did it!! We have our first three nights in a boardwalk view studio at BWV and then we have the last four nights (Dec 13-17) in a 1BR at Boulder Ridge.

The refurbishment looks amazing and I am glad that neither of us will need to sleep on a sleeper sofa. So now, I turn to you guys...

Tell me EVERYTHING I need to know to make our Christmas at the Lodge magical... everything from transportation to dining to room requests...I want to learn from the insiders.
(Mainly...I want to avoid the "dumpster view" room)

Thanks in advance...and I am so happy I found this (epic!) thread.

 

[bluecastle]

Hi, Everyone!!

I had my first WL experience in 2002 on my honeymoon . Since then, we bought a DVC contract at AKV and we have not made it back to the "other" lodge, except to dine. DH rarely travels to WDW anymore, but my best friend loves Disney as much as I do, so we make an annual "girls trip" using my DVC membership. I've stayed at AKV, BWV, BLT, RR, and OKW....but havenlt made it back to VWL/CCV.

This year, instead of our usual October trip, my friend decided she wanted to try December so we could enjoy the holiday decorations and Christmas atmosphere. Obviously, my first thought was the Wilderness Lodge! I shuddered at the thought of trying to get a reservation at the 7-month window in December, but I did it!! We have our first three nights in a boardwalk view studio at BWV and then we have the last four nights (Dec 13-17) in a 1BR at Boulder Ridge.

The refurbishment looks amazing and I am glad that neither of us will need to sleep on a sleeper sofa. So now, I turn to you guys...

Tell me EVERYTHING I need to know to make our Christmas at the Lodge magical... everything from transportation to dining to room requests...I want to learn from the insiders.
(Mainly...I want to avoid the "dumpster view" room)

Thanks in advance...and I am so happy I found this (epic!) thread.

Welcome! It’s so exciting to anticipate a visit to WL during the holiday season.
The first thing that popped into my head was to request to not be on the 5th floor if you want to make sure you don’t have a sleeper sofa. Only floors 1-4 have the Murphy beds.
That’s a great split stay, by the way. The best of both worlds!! Happy planning!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi, Everyone!!

I had my first WL experience in 2002 on my honeymoon . Since then, we bought a DVC contract at AKV and we have not made it back to the "other" lodge, except to dine. DH rarely travels to WDW anymore, but my best friend loves Disney as much as I do, so we make an annual "girls trip" using my DVC membership. I've stayed at AKV, BWV, BLT, RR, and OKW....but havenlt made it back to VWL/CCV.

This year, instead of our usual October trip, my friend decided she wanted to try December so we could enjoy the holiday decorations and Christmas atmosphere. Obviously, my first thought was the Wilderness Lodge! I shuddered at the thought of trying to get a reservation at the 7-month window in December, but I did it!! We have our first three nights in a boardwalk view studio at BWV and then we have the last four nights (Dec 13-17) in a 1BR at Boulder Ridge.

The refurbishment looks amazing and I am glad that neither of us will need to sleep on a sleeper sofa. So now, I turn to you guys...

Tell me EVERYTHING I need to know to make our Christmas at the Lodge magical... everything from transportation to dining to room requests...I want to learn from the insiders.
(Mainly...I want to avoid the "dumpster view" room)

Thanks in advance...and I am so happy I found this (epic!) thread.

Personally, I'd ask for anything near the elevators, your options being (more or less) high floor or lake side and then adding "near elevators." Mostly, soak up the ambiance: the music, the tree in the main lobby (and another very pretty one in the VWL proper lobby), and the awe of the architecture. Some years, they've had hot chocolate and/or cider and cookies/treats set up in the main lobby. However, there's no way of knowing if they'll do it next year--I don't think they've done that for at least a couple of years. Enjoy!

 

[kristenrice]

Welcome! It’s so exciting to anticipate a visit to WL during the holiday season.
The first thing that popped into my head was to request to not be on the 5th floor if you want to make sure you don’t have a sleeper sofa. Only floors 1-4 have the Murphy beds.
That’s a great split stay, by the way. The best of both worlds!! Happy planning!

Personally, I'd ask for anything near the elevators, your options being (more or less) high floor or lake side and then adding "near elevators." Mostly, soak up the ambiance: the music, the tree in the main lobby (and another very pretty one in the VWL proper lobby), and the awe of the architecture. Some years, they've had hot chocolate and/or cider and cookies/treats set up in the main lobby. However, there's no way of knowing if they'll do it next year--I don't think they've done that for at least a couple of years. Enjoy!

I checked out the maps at the beginning of this thread and I have a question... would it be better to request a dedicated 1BR or list the request as "near elevator"?

And THANKS for the heads up on the 5th floor sleeper sofa! I normally request a "high floor" or "top floor" because I do not care to listen to thundering hooves above me

 

[wnielsen1]

And THANKS for the heads up on the 5th floor sleeper sofa! I normally request a "high floor" or "top floor" because I do not care to listen to thundering hooves above me

I had this exact scenario 2 months ago and my request was a room on the 3rd or 4th floor. And that was the only request I made (and it was granted).