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

[eliza61]

Thursday morning Trivia​

First, happy belated birthday rfassett and Kat, sorry I miss the party.

On June 17th, 1995, the bronze statue of Walt Disney and Mickey mouse, aptly named "Partners" is installed in the hub of WDW's Magic Kingdom.

On June 18th, 1995 the first live wedding was televised from Disney's Wedding pavillion. It was part of the lifetime channels original series called "weddings of a lifetime". stinker that I am, I'm trying to see if the couple is still married. lol

Next door to the pavillion is a one stop shopping Bridal studio named Franke's bridal studio. It is named after the Wedding planner character played by Martin short in the 1991 version of Father of the bride. (pssst. the original with a gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor is soo much better, lol)

The pavillion officially opened July 1995

 

[Dizny Dad]

eliza - Thanks for the history lesson! I love reading this kind of stuff; and sharing it on the thread makes us all better groupies and better Disney reps in our work places and among friends. I know most of the groupies have stories similar in nature; I have become the go-to-guy in my company for Disney info. I did not ask for this position, but do not shun it either. I answer so many questions of those first time visitor looking for the inside track for their family and friends. It is good to have the little history nuggets that enrich our knowledge (and keep others thinking we really know Disney!)

 

[Toolulu22]

Love this information- I had no idea that Franc's was named for Martin Short's character!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

First, happy belated birthday rfassett and Kat, sorry I miss the party.

Thanks eliza!

 

[jimmytammy]

Love the trivia Eliza!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

 

[sleepydog25]

Love the trivia Eliza!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

You, too, JT! Just 13 more days before we're off to the World and our cruise.

 

[ottawagreg]

Hello everyone. We have returned safely from the summer trip. Commute home was brutal. Storms and heavy rain formed a blanket over Chicago, and I hear that there was a tornado warning near O'Hare airport. It was about 3:00 a.m. when we arrived home and got to bed. Then there was the issue of cleaning up the flooded basement. The sump pump motor burned up, but fortunately we had a backup pump on hand and a plumber was able to come over on the travel day and most of it pumped out. All in all we were fortunate. Now it is Friday and we are back into the daily routine.

I could not get into the construction zone. The sneak attack from the main pool side of the south wing and the hallway from the lobby are sealed off with plywood. Completely blocking any access, of course that wold be expected but I tried it anyway. So I went back outside. These pics are all I was able to get. I took them with my cell. Viki has more on the real camera, I'll try to see what might be worthwhile in sharing.







This guy kneeling is gluing 3" CPVC piping. I asked him a few questions. He seemed happy enough to talk with me. He told me that they were installing new plumbing in the floor. I also learned that they were going to go down the entire first floor hallway. I assume that would be both sides of the hallway. I asked him if they there were going to all the floors above and he shook his head, no. I also asked if they were making the rooms larger, and he said yes. However, he seemed confused when I mentioned studios and 1 bedrooms. His boss starting walking toward us so I ended the conversation and moved away, as I didn't want to make any trouble for him.

I gleaned that there is concrete saws cutting slits into the slab to route the new plumbing and the jackhammers are making a cutout to lay the pipes. In the picture above the guy with the filter masking his face was carrying debris from inside to the cart behind the Deere tractor. This went on all day, every day we were there. I met them in the morning at about seven on my way to golf. The noise stopped about four in the afternoon.

 

[ottawagreg]

Later that morning we went for a walk to Trails End for breakfast. Probably the best meal for the money on the entire trip. I don't know which was better, our server or the spread. I do know I wish we had done this sooner, and we will be doing it again. Anyway we had never walked down to the rental boat launch dock and then taken the nature trail before, so we set out on our walk. As we are going out the back entryway to go past Hidden Springs pool we met up with these folks.


I initially thought that it was a DVC sales tour. It turns out they are all Disney employees or contractors. The woman in the white top looking over the shoulders of the two gents with their backs turned was hosting the walk about. I heard her discussing the new pathway in the submittal plans we saw a few weeks ago. They were toting tablets, prints, and cell phones. She was finger pointing and gesturing as she said "new sidewalk will be going through about here and head into that direction." When I heard those words I decided to grab my phone. I think she gave me the stink eye when she realized what I was doing.

These pictures are from the walking pathway down by the lake. I took them while standing on the path looking back at the DVC building.




We have never walked this path before. So I am asking those of you with more local knowledge. However, as I recall from my room views, I do not think the trees used to be so sparse, with so much open space between the lake shore line and the building structure. Is this the same as it has been, or are some trees already cleared? I suspect that some have been felled.

As we approached the end of the pathway, where it turns to the right and crosses the roadway to join the asphalt running trial we found this scene.



It looks to me like they have been clearing stuff and preparing for the construction work. I think it is in close proximity to where the last cabin would be located. A pair of nine yard dumpsters, one of them is filled. Have they always been there? I would think not. I say all of that to say this, it appears that the construction work is imminent. We are debating over the kitchen table about where to reserve for next summer. To get in at the eleven month window for next June, I need to book in the next 4 or 5 weeks. If we pass on the VWL, I guess we have until Thanksgiving. We don't really know where to go. We have always stayed in the wilderness. We did move to Kidani village for two nights in a 1 bedroom and watched the animals. It was very nice, but it wasn't enticing enough to spend eight or nine nights. The Lodge is our best choice for many reasons.

To quote Bill Murray in Stripes when he lost his girlfriend and his job, "And then reality set in".

 

[Granny]

Greg....awesome detective work and visual evidence!!

I guess even those of us with the worst case of denial will have to shrug and start accepting the changes happening to our beloved VWL.

We have never walked this path before. So I am asking those of you with more local knowledge. However, as I recall from my room views, I do not recall the trees being so sparse, with so much open space between the lake shore line and the building structure. Is this the same as it has been, or are some trees already cleared? I suspect that some have been felled.

When first we stayed at VWL the trees were definitely thicker between the resort and Bay Lake. Then the hurricane (Wilma?) in 2004 or 2005 definitely thinned out the trees around the property and noticeably at VWL.

As for additional tree cutting, it's hard to say. But it is clear that whatever they've done so far, it won't be anything as dramatic as what's coming.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I initially thought that it was a DVC sales tour. It turns out they are all Disney employees or contractors. The woman in the white top looking over the shoulders of the two gents with their backs turned was hosting the walk about. I heard her discussing the new pathway we saw in the submittal plans we saw a few weeks ago. They were toting tablets, prints, and cell phones. She was finger pointing and gesturing as she said "new sidewalk will be going through about here and head into that direction." When I heard those words I decided to grab my phone. I think she gave me the stink eye when she realized what I was doing.

I really hope that this whole plan will turn out better than I imagine.

 

[Granny]

I really hope that this whole plan will turn out better than I imagine.

I've been thinking about this and I've come to the conclusion that this is all about "new blood" as far as getting new buyers of VWL points AND cash reservations.

For example, look at the room refurbishing. For those of us who love this resort, the decor was excellent but Disney went ahead and lightened it up and reduced the theming to appeal to those who think that VWL is "too dark & woodsy". (I've seen that comment hundreds of times over the past 10 years on these boards). Disney knows that current VWL owners will keep coming, so the refurb was meant to appeal to a new group of buyers and/or cash reservation folks who may not have liked the old decor.

Similarly, Disney feels that building bungalows and giving a new layout to the pool and recreational areas of VWL will help attract a new customer who may have felt that VWL didn't have great view options, enough amenities or big enough villas. I think Disney is banking that the majesty of Bay Lake (the best water property at WDW) will attract a lot of people, more so than the trees that will be lost. Also, if the bungalows sleep 10 or 12, then the "no Grand Villa" issue will go away at VWL.

To me, it's all about getting new customers to buy points. The only issue I keep struggling with is how will they structure the expiration date on new points. I'm sure they'll figure something out, and hopefully it is not a unilateral assessment to cover a contract extension.

I'm lined up for a September stay at VWL so we'll have to do some snooping then. Greg, you've set the bar pretty high for scouting and documentation!

 

[Dean Marino]

ottawagreg - GREAT work . And we got it here FIRST . Be aware that "that other board" is trying to link your content like mad . We have the world
s best fanatics HERE .

 

[sleepydog25]

I've been thinking about this and I've come to the conclusion that this is all about "new blood" as far as getting new buyers of VWL points AND cash reservations.

For example, look at the room refurbishing. For those of us who love this resort, the decor was excellent but Disney went ahead and lightened it up and reduced the theming to appeal to those who think that VWL is "too dark & woodsy". (I've seen that comment hundreds of times over the past 10 years on these boards). Disney knows that current VWL owners will keep coming, so the refurb was meant to appeal to a new group of buyers and/or cash reservation folks who may not have liked the old decor.

Similarly, Disney feels that building bungalows and giving a new layout to the pool and recreational areas of VWL will help attract a new customer who may have felt that VWL didn't have great view options, enough amenities or big enough villas. I think Disney is banking that the majesty of Bay Lake (the best water property at WDW) will attract a lot of people, more so than the trees that will be lost. Also, if the bungalows sleep 10 or 12, then the "no Grand Villa" issue will go away at VWL.

To me, it's all about getting new customers to buy points. The only issue I keep struggling with is how will they structure the expiration date on new points. I'm sure they'll figure something out, and hopefully it is not a unilateral assessment to cover a contract extension.

I'm lined up for a September stay at VWL so we'll have to do some snooping then. Greg, you've set the bar pretty high for scouting and documentation!

Agree with the others that you've done a great sleuthing, Greg. As for the trees, and as a frequent runner down that trail, the trees look about the same as I recall. We haven't stayed there in a couple of years to be fair, and it's likely they have felled a few; however, it doesn't look too bad. . .right now. I am certain many trees will have to come down, and when that happens, I'm afraid--VERY afraid--the serenity that once was VWL will be lost. I couldn't be more on board with Granny's comments--all signs point toward DVC refurbing and building to suit new tenants who don't have an emotional attachment to the old Disney feel. It's all about the Benjamins, and while I understand that's the way of the world, I still have a deep-seated inkling that I'll be mourning the VWL with which I fell in "love."

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Anniversary DiznyDad and DiznyDi!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Greg, outstanding work!! As for the stink eye, in this case, you had every right, on our behalves, to return, said stink eye to the sender

Granny, I think you have given this subject a lot of thought and for me personally, summed it up. I despise the fact that DVC will build "anything" in the sake of a dollar. Its a business, they have to continue to grow, but at the expense of the serenity of the Lodge, the drawing card, per se, is nit good. I can only hope that like a few Lodges in the old West, these will be cabins, like folks would rent outside of the main Lodge area of those places, in keeping with the theme, not a modular look like those at FW.

To a happier note...lately, Capt D and I have been listening to Live365 on our cell while at work, and DVC Radio plays a loop of DVC related music in addition to many other WDW related songs. So every day this week, I have heard Wishes. And here is where it takes me, not to the fireworks, but to the times shared, the groupies we have met at TOTWL and it makes me smile, thinking back fondly on those memories.

 

[Granny]

ottawagreg - GREAT work . And we got it here FIRST . Be aware that "that other board" is trying to link your content like mad . We have the world
s best fanatics HERE .

There's another board???

 

[twinklebug]

I really hope that this whole plan will turn out better than I imagine.

Expect the worst, and be happy when it's anything better than what we imagined.

I have a trip coming up in a few days, just one more week of work. Greg, you did set that bar high. I doubt I'll be able to top anything you have posted, but that won't stop me and my little camera from trying (hey, I might get lucky and run into an imagineer who spills all the beans ) Your description of the tour guide telling the Disney employees to envision where the paths will be does give me hope that they plan on keeping as many of the trees as they can. Over at the Poly they've done a very nice job of keeping the landscaping in theme with the resort. It's only the ugly bungalows jutting out into the water I dislike. Even if I had a million points I would not stay in one, preferring to take a grand villa at that point cost instead (but that's just me looking for space and privacy.)

I've been playing around the idea of adding some points, what home resort I want, and if I want to keep the awkward December use year (makes it so hard to book a trip from Thanksgiving into December) I'm leaning toward SSR just for the 11 month window on the tree houses. Has anyone here had the chance to stay in one? I wonder if the new cabins will top those, but the point cost on those is bound to be astronomical anyway.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Greg, outstanding work!! As for the stink eye, in this case, you had every right, on our behalves, to return, said stink eye to the sender

I might have been tempted to be discussing with DH how awful the plans for cabins are as we walked past.

I've been playing around the idea of adding some points, what home resort I want, and if I want to keep the awkward December use year (makes it so hard to book a trip from Thanksgiving into December) I'm leaning toward SSR just for the 11 month window on the tree houses. Has anyone here had the chance to stay in one? I wonder if the new cabins will top those, but the point cost on those is bound to be astronomical anyway.

We've stayed in the tree houses once twinklebug. Really enjoyed it! The only complaint was for DH since he likes to go get coffee in the mornings - and usually has several cups. It was more walking to feed his morning coffee habit than he approved of. Otherwise it has a feel very much like VWL - off in the woods and peaceful. We'll definitely go back again when we have the right size group and I'll point out the coffee pot in the villa to DH.

 

[sleepydog25]

Happy 40th Anniversary DiznyDad and DiznyDi!!!! Hope you have the most magical of celebrations!

 

[twokats]

Happy Anniversary, DDa & DDi!!