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

[bobbiwoz]

We only felt crowded in MK on December 10.

 

[skier_pete]

So opinions from you regulars....staying at boulder ridge for the first in February in a studio. I care more about being close to bus stop or lobby than a specifc view, though don't really want a dumpster view. Any recommendations from room location requests? I perused the thread and a quick glance didn't find anything. Really looking forward to checking out this resort, have wanted to stay here for 20 years.

 

[rkstocke5609]

So opinions from you regulars....staying at boulder ridge for the first in February in a studio. I care more about being close to bus stop or lobby than a specifc view, though don't really want a dumpster view. Any recommendations from room location requests? I perused the thread and a quick glance didn't find anything. Really looking forward to checking out this resort, have wanted to stay here for 20 years.

I would request as close to lobby as possible as that will get you as close to the bus stop as possible as well. I would not request either woods or pool view as that would cut your chances in half. Hope you ha e a great trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Near elevators should work, but I usually get a studio all the way at end of hall, sigh.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Dear groupies,

I am sad that I have been MIA lately. I am still back on Thanksgiving catching up — but before another day passes and I get busy I just want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS! I want to thank all of you for how welcoming you are when I have time to participate. Life is busy. I am excited to return to the lodge this March 26 - April 2nd (Sleepy please add me to the vacation list), I would like to participate in a Groupie meet if anyone is going to be around. Anyways, blessings to everyone that participates here and their loved ones.

 

[DenLo]

Denise...I see what you did there!

I couldn't resist.

 

[sleepydog25]

Dear groupies,

I am sad that I have been MIA lately. I am still back on Thanksgiving catching up — but before another day passes and I get busy I just want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS! I want to thank all of you for how welcoming you are when I have time to participate. Life is busy. I am excited to return to the lodge this March 26 - April 2nd (Sleepy please add me to the vacation list), I would like to participate in a Groupie meet if anyone is going to be around. Anyways, blessings to everyone that participates here and their loved ones.

We're always glad to see Groupies catch up whenever they can. It's true that life gets in the way from time to time, but as many of us say on here, "once a Groupie, always a Groupie" and we love whenever you can find time to check in. I'll add you to Page 1!

So opinions from you regulars....staying at boulder ridge for the first in February in a studio. I care more about being close to bus stop or lobby than a specifc view, though don't really want a dumpster view. Any recommendations from room location requests? I perused the thread and a quick glance didn't find anything. Really looking forward to checking out this resort, have wanted to stay here for 20 years.

Two suggestions have thus far been made, and since you're likely not familiar with VWL (it's what most of us Groupies call, ahem, Boulder Ridge), then you should know that the elevators sit right off the lobby in the VWL building, so requesting either is essentially requesting the same thing. That being said, the hallways at VWL aren't interminably long like those at say AKV or the lengthy, twisting, where the heck am I? hallways at BCV. Many don't realize that the Wilderness Lodge as a whole--to include VWL and the new Copper Creek villas--is a rather intimate and small resort. All bets are off for those who stay in a cabin who might have a lon-n-n-g-g hike staying in one of those.

 

[twinklebug]

Two suggestions have thus far been made, and since you're likely not familiar with VWL (it's what most of us Groupies call, ahem, Boulder Ridge), then you should know that the elevators sit right off the lobby in the VWL building, so requesting either is essentially requesting the same thing. That being said, the hallways at VWL aren't interminably long like those at say AKV or the lengthy, twisting, where the heck am I? hallways at BCV. Many don't realize that the Wilderness Lodge as a whole--to include VWL and the new Copper Creek villas--is a rather intimate and small resort. All bets are off for those who stay in a cabin who might have a lon-n-n-g-g hike staying in one of those.

Oh so true about the intimacy of VWL. I will admit that I cheated the long halls at Kidani this last trip by taking the elevator to the garage and driving to the bus stop Seems everyone uses that trick though and the vehicles migrate from just below the units by the elevators to the lobby area on a daily basis.

@skier_pete you should also be aware that there is one unit in VWL - Boulder Ridge that has no balcony. It is right off the lobby. In february it might not matter much to you since you'll be less likely to want to sit out there, but it should be noted. I *think* it is room 4533. Not sure if there is a special layout to the room that might override the want of a balcony. Anyone?

 

[Granny]

Dear groupies,

I am sad that I have been MIA lately. I am still back on Thanksgiving catching up — but before another day passes and I get busy I just want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS! I want to thank all of you for how welcoming you are when I have time to participate. Life is busy. I am excited to return to the lodge this March 26 - April 2nd (Sleepy please add me to the vacation list), I would like to participate in a Groupie meet if anyone is going to be around. Anyways, blessings to everyone that participates here and their loved ones.

Ron...always nice to see you around here! You are already in the double-digit countdown area for your next trip, and I hope you enjoy it completely! Have a great Christmas season.

 

[Granny]

So....I got the email from Mr. Potrock today with the various DVC member benefit information for next year. The one item that will affect us is this one:

Your in-room experience has never been more important to us. That's why we will begin removing trash from your rooms at Disney Vacation Club resorts on a daily basis in addition to regular housekeeping visits. The daily service begins December 22, 2017, at five resort properties (Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian, Disney's Grand Californian and Aulani). The service extends to all other Disney Vacation Club resorts on January 7, 2018.
​

I don't know about you guys, but this is actually not a welcome addition to Mrs. Granny and I. We will probably have to just put our "Do Not Disturb" sign out more often since we rarely leave the villa before late morning and don't want mousekeeping knocking at the door every day.

While many will welcome this, we actually would prefer it to stay the same.

Especially if this is going to increase our dues for the additional personnel hours required to do this.

Just my two cents. I'm sure that most DVC members will welcome this, especially the new ones who haven't had it any other way.

 

[skier_pete]

So....I got the email from Mr. Potrock today with the various DVC member benefit information for next year. The one item that will affect us is this one:

Your in-room experience has never been more important to us. That's why we will begin removing trash from your rooms at Disney Vacation Club resorts on a daily basis in addition to regular housekeeping visits. The daily service begins December 22, 2017, at five resort properties (Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian, Disney's Grand Californian and Aulani). The service extends to all other Disney Vacation Club resorts on January 7, 2018.
​

I don't know about you guys, but this is actually not a welcome addition to Mrs. Granny and I. We will probably have to just put our "Do Not Disturb" sign out more often since we rarely leave the villa before late morning and don't want mousekeeping knocking at the door every day.

While many will welcome this, we actually would prefer it to stay the same.

Especially if this is going to increase our dues for the additional personnel hours required to do this.

Just my two cents. I'm sure that most DVC members will welcome this, especially the new ones who haven't had it any other way.

This is linked to the fact they are removing all the "Do Not Disturb" signs and replacing it with "Room Occupied" signs. This is because they are instituting a policy of daily inspection of every room in the wake of the Las Vegas terrorist attack. This isn't just Disney changing it's policy, it's hotels in major entertainment locations across the country. Anyways, apparently, Disney wants someone to enter each room every day for inspection because of the law-suits going against the resort hotel in Vegas that they did not do enough to prevent the attack. They are keeping it low-key and calling it "trash removal" for the DVC resorts. If you don't want them coming in your room, your only choice is to close the deadbolt and ignore the knock. They will however just come back later. (If you usually leave your room late, would suggest talk to Housekeeping and let them know so they come later in the day.)

As I said in another thread - this is the choice we have made as a country - by not restricting the "right to bear arms", we will instead have other rights restricted instead - such as the right to privacy in a hotel room that is owned by a public entity. (And don't think this cost won't show up in our dues.) You can also bet that there is a change coming to the hotel/DVC guest policy that will give Disney the right to inspect your baggage as well.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi all....I agree that it was so awesome meeting up with some of you! I have been home since Dec 13 but playing catch-up with Christmas decorating, baking and shopping in between work.

The weather was divine Nov 28 to Dec 2. We did our 7 night cruise (we docked at Castaway Cay to cool, rainy weather with some thunder and lightening). It cleared and warmed up by noon. The day progressively got BETTER to the point the best/warmest weather was around 4 pm when we had to head back to the ship. THEN WE GET TO WDW. The weather was truly inspired by the movie FROZEN. I could not feel my face walking around the parks......especially Sat & Sunday (Dec 9 and 10).

We also encountered some bad crowds. I had a feeling when I couldn't get Moonlight Madness for Dec 11 ON THE SAME DAY the tickets became available. We waited in LONG Fast Pass lines.......it was so odd. We had breakfast at WCC on Dec 10 after the Groupie meet. We waited 35 min for our table. Then waited 45 min for water (had not even had our order taken!!!), then waited another 30 min for food and it came out COLD. We were in danger of missing our Fast Pass times at Hollywood Studios and asked to speak to the manager. She ended up comp'ing our meal and gave us a free Fast Pass because we were cutting it very close to our Toy Story FP time. The manager said it was one of the busiest days she had seen. She also stated she didn't know how it got this bad. I mean. Probably worst service we ever had ever in WDW. So strange because we had had breakfast here on Nov 29 and it was awesome----like night and day. So I agree.....WDW was taken aback by the crowd level??

I live in FL and it's a gorgeous day.......upper 70's now. That freak cold front was really terrible and impacted our enjoyment of our vacation. We ran to Walmart to buy scarves, hats, mittens. We had jackets but that was it. Didn't expect the cold to that level.

Merry Christmas

 

[MiaSRN62]

Granny....loved your visual on the closeness of the Groupies rooms at the Lodge! Very cool!

I am not thrilled with the removal of the DO NOT DISTURB signs. Sometimes we nap in the middle of the day. Do we have to call Housekeeping with our every move. Not happy.

 

[MiaSRN62]

So....I got the email from Mr. Potrock today with the various DVC member benefit information for next year. The one item that will affect us is this one:

Your in-room experience has never been more important to us. That's why we will begin removing trash from your rooms at Disney Vacation Club resorts on a daily basis in addition to regular housekeeping visits. The daily service begins December 22, 2017, at five resort properties (Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian, Disney's Grand Californian and Aulani). The service extends to all other Disney Vacation Club resorts on January 7, 2018.
​

I don't know about you guys, but this is actually not a welcome addition to Mrs. Granny and I. We will probably have to just put our "Do Not Disturb" sign out more often since we rarely leave the villa before late morning and don't want mousekeeping knocking at the door every day.

While many will welcome this, we actually would prefer it to stay the same.

Especially if this is going to increase our dues for the additional personnel hours required to do this.

Just my two cents. I'm sure that most DVC members will welcome this, especially the new ones who haven't had it any other way.

We are with you Granny!!! But looks like we'll have no choice according to news sources:
"guests will be “disturbed” at some point, as it will now be required that a Disney employee enter their hotel room at least once a day to ensure guest safety. If you choose to forgo housekeeping on a given day, the Disney nomenclature states that “the hotel and its staff reserve the right to enter your room for any purposes including, but not limited to, performing maintenance and repairs or checking on the safety and security of guests and property.” Disney states that cast members will give reasonable notice prior to entering by knocking and announcing that they will enter."
So now I feel like I'll have to call Housekeeping if I am taking a shower and nobody else is in the room to hear the knock??? Call if we want to lie down for a midday nap because apparently they'll be coming in regardless of signs on the door. Rob and I are not happy.

 

[twinklebug]

I am not thrilled with the removal of the DO NOT DISTURB signs. Sometimes we nap in the middle of the day. Do we have to call Housekeeping with our every move. Not happy.

This is my concern also. I travel with young adults who come and go, if they tell me I need to dead bolt the door when it is occupied so as not to be surprised by a housekeeper in my room the answer will be a resounding "NO" from me. Why should family members need to wait in the hallway for others in the room to get out of the shower, wake from a nap, or simply remove their headphones to listen for the door?

Also, I have been known to work from my hotel room and cannot pack up my machine every time I want to leave the room. I need to know they will not be entering my room unless I have it ready for them.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So....I got the email from Mr. Potrock today with the various DVC member benefit information for next year. The one item that will affect us is this one:

Your in-room experience has never been more important to us. That's why we will begin removing trash from your rooms at Disney Vacation Club resorts on a daily basis in addition to regular housekeeping visits. The daily service begins December 22, 2017, at five resort properties (Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian, Disney's Grand Californian and Aulani). The service extends to all other Disney Vacation Club resorts on January 7, 2018.
​

I don't know about you guys, but this is actually not a welcome addition to Mrs. Granny and I. We will probably have to just put our "Do Not Disturb" sign out more often since we rarely leave the villa before late morning and don't want mousekeeping knocking at the door every day.

While many will welcome this, we actually would prefer it to stay the same.

Especially if this is going to increase our dues for the additional personnel hours required to do this.

Just my two cents. I'm sure that most DVC members will welcome this, especially the new ones who haven't had it any other way.

What I don't like with this is the change from a Do Not Disturb sign to an Occupied sign. I feel that one prohibits a CM from knocking but the other more or less gives them the ok - just a warning that someone is inside. Other info I read is that every room will be inspected/entered daily. So that means there will have to be some sort of a log and I'm doubtful how often housekeeping will keep checking back on the room if the occupied sign is up or when they'll decided they can just go ahead and knock and come on in.

 

[Granny]

I believe that @skier_pete is correct...this smells a lot like a legal action, and I think Disney would have been smarter to say that they are complying with new legal guidelines rather than trying to spin it as a "member benefit", especially when members are the ones paying for it.

It's a shame, but I guess I'll just chalk it up to another "sign of the times".

 

[bobbiwoz]

I believe that @skier_pete is correct...this smells a lot like a legal action, and I think Disney would have been smarter to say that they are complying with new legal guidelines rather than trying to spin it as a "member benefit", especially when members are the ones paying for it.

It's a shame, but I guess I'll just chalk it up to another "sign of the times".

Sadly, agree.

 

[skier_pete]

I believe that @skier_pete is correct...this smells a lot like a legal action, and I think Disney would have been smarter to say that they are complying with new legal guidelines rather than trying to spin it as a "member benefit", especially when members are the ones paying for it.

It's a shame, but I guess I'll just chalk it up to another "sign of the times".

99% of members won't pay close enough attention to know it's just an excuse to check your room every day. If they are just doing trash service, they are literally looking at 2 minutes a room. Can probably do most resorts (expect big ones like SSR) with 1 extra staff member per day, so cost would be what $30,000 a year across the entire $20 to 40 million dollars that most resorts pay in dues. I don't think that the dues are going to be affected noticeably by this.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I believe that @skier_pete is correct...this smells a lot like a legal action, and I think Disney would have been smarter to say that they are complying with new legal guidelines rather than trying to spin it as a "member benefit", especially when members are the ones paying for it.

It's a shame, but I guess I'll just chalk it up to another "sign of the times".

That's absolutely why.

And still not a good thing IMO.

I was just reading a thread where someone learned about the change to their door hangar when the maid walked in as he was walking around no fully clothed. I guess eventually housekeeping may begin skipping it if they run into too many "interesting" situations.