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

[horselover]

To US? This is actually funny . Really, "What did you THINK was going to happen?". VWL, and the WL in general, has been very forthright in TELLING people well ahead of time that they are building and converting.

We have TWO sets of "Construction Pins". Going to get our third in November, probably our FOURTH in April 2017 . It's our second home, and we're STICKING with it. All personal opinion - a WL under construction on a BAD day beats "the Springs" on the BEST of days .

The only thing we PERSONALLY worry about? The Staff. THEY are really getting the shaft in terms of Tip Income - and these are people too . Please, if GOING to the WL? Be a little more generous with the staff.... we complain about construction - they have FAMILIES to feed.

Agreed. You would need to be living under a rock to not know VWL is under construction. They are notifying all guests. No sympathy. I was also extremely disappointed to find out all the bartenders & maybe more staff for all I know will need to reapply for their existing jobs because of the name change. Really Disney? That's low. Seniority means nothing. Will make a point to visit in Sept & Oct even though I'll not staying there. We need to support the staff. Construction has nothing to do with them. They shouldn't be punished.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'll give this a go:

Favorites
Value resort...Haven't stayed at one but AoA would be my selection to book.
Moderate...The only one I've stayed at......Dixie Landings.
Deluxe...Hmmm, I've really had some awesome rooms at a few of the Deluxe including WL. At DL it's definitely GC which might be my favorite overall too but I think I have to go with the original - CR MK Tower. A monorail goes thru if for goodness sake! How cool is that!

DVC...now I love VWL, but it's been VGC since it opened. And Aulani is really awesome too.
Park...MK although recently we seem to have spent a lot of time at DHS which not too long ago I might have said was the least favorite. Still haven't quite figured that mystery out.
Resort eats...California Grill, Trail's End and QS is Mara although Roaring Fork is close second.
MK table service...BOG
Epcot table service...Le Cellier and a new found favorite - Rose and Crown. Never had eaten at R&C until this past year!
DHS table service....That's more difficult as I like several there. Perhaps that's why we've spent more time! 50's PT, Sci Fi are the top two.
AK table service...Tusker House

We rarely go to DS so I couldn't do the bonus.

 

[jimmytammy]

Agreed. You would need to be living under a rock to not know VWL is under construction. They are notifying all guests. No sympathy. I was also extremely disappointed to find out all the bartenders & maybe more staff for all I know will need to reapply for their existing jobs because of the name change. Really Disney? That's low. Seniority means nothing. Will make a point to visit in Sept & Oct even though I'll not staying there. We need to support the staff. Construction has nothing to do with them. They shouldn't be punished.

I agree Julie! We have made friends with a few of the CMs over the years at WL/VWL and always, always felt that their service to us was head and shoulders above any other place in the world we have ever been. We are DVC spoiledbut in a good way, to the point we leave, 25-30% when we get great service. We leave more than usual for Mousekeeping, but they give great service. Valet, when we used to use it, same. Not just VWL but other DVCs as well. But it stinks that they are being punished for this reason. Kenny, a CM and friend who once worked at Territory, left several years ago to a PT job at CM, makes twice as much in 2 days as he did in 4 at Territory and feels more appreciated. This is the kind of mentality that scares me that we will continue losing friends and CMs we have come to know, all at the expense of the higher ups

 

[jimmytammy]

We are in Va. Beach area today(actually in historic downtown area of Norfolk, can see USS Wisconsin from our room)since Thurs. PM. Whole intent of trip was to see Dave Mason, Doobie Bros. and Journey last night. Storms shortened each show by quite a bit. Mason came on 30 mins late, therefore, only 4 songs, but a few of the Doobies joined him onstage, so that was cool. He was great, my 1st and hope not last time seeing him. Remember a few hits from my middle school days he had, sadly, he had to cut those from the list.

Then the Doobies hit the stage after another 1 hr delay. The storm hit so hard that the folks on the lawn were told to leave the area, and seek shelter under the concessions areas or go to cars. Rain was one thing, lightning was the kicker though. But once the Doobies hit the stage, man oh man, they were good! Saw them on the so called farewell tour in early 80s, again after they got back together with Tom Johnston, the original lead singer, and now. All 3 times, the recurring theme that stands out for me, musicianship, which lacks these days IMO for the most part(or Im just getting old

Journey did not disappoint either. Not sure how much Journey had to shorten their set, but Whos Crying Now, a huge hit, was left off, which tells me they had to shorten it. Saw them a year ago and they played 2.5 hrs solid(granted they had no opening act). The singer leaves a little to be desired, Steve Perry missing is a piece that cant be replaced. But the singer held his own at times. His voice has a slight deeper tone, so hitting a few of the high notes that Perry didnt struggle with was the only klinker.

Headed back home soon, but 1st, going to try another of the very wonderfully different eats that Norfolk has for lunch

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's another groupie special day!

Happy Birthday wfc4life!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday to a great friend of mine, wfc4life!!!!
I have known him as William for over 30 yrs., but who's counting

 

[Dean Marino]

Agreed. You would need to be living under a rock to not know VWL is under construction. They are notifying all guests. No sympathy. I was also extremely disappointed to find out all the bartenders & maybe more staff for all I know will need to reapply for their existing jobs because of the name change. Really Disney? That's low. Seniority means nothing. Will make a point to visit in Sept & Oct even though I'll not staying there. We need to support the staff. Construction has nothing to do with them. They shouldn't be punished.

WHAT!? "I was also extremely disappointed to find out all the bartenders & maybe more staff for all I know will need to reapply for their existing jobs because of the name change".

OK, to ME? (all personal opinion).... this is just criminal . I personally hope that this is not the case.... we have serious FRIENDS at VWL. The thought of them losing hours and tips, THEN going through some legal mumbo jumbo just to keep their job? ALL wrong.

Please - if you have anything that looks like documented data on this issue..... share it? I might be the only one - but if something of this nature is occurring, I will be sending protest letters to Guest Services faster than the 1985 WDW Computer System can handle them. And I would hope that OTHERS would. .... Just me - this is WRONG.

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday Magicalmcwho and wfc4life!

I also wish all the groupies a fabulous 4th of July.

 

[Dawn T.]

Hi all!

Just received word that my new 50 point VWL contract passed ROFR yesterday! So happy to be a part of this wonderful group!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi all!

Just received word that my new 50 point VWL contract passed ROFR yesterday! So happy to be a part of this wonderful group!

Congrats!

 

[jimmytammy]

Dawn T, Congrats!! You dont have to own at the Lodge, just love the Lodge(which I think you have covered)to belong to this group
Sooo...
Welcome to the groupies Dawn T!!!!

 

[horselover]

WHAT!? "I was also extremely disappointed to find out all the bartenders & maybe more staff for all I know will need to reapply for their existing jobs because of the name change".

OK, to ME? (all personal opinion).... this is just criminal . I personally hope that this is not the case.... we have serious FRIENDS at VWL. The thought of them losing hours and tips, THEN going through some legal mumbo jumbo just to keep their job? ALL wrong.

Please - if you have anything that looks like documented data on this issue..... share it? I might be the only one - but if something of this nature is occurring, I will be sending protest letters to Guest Services faster than the 1985 WDW Computer System can handle them. And I would hope that OTHERS would. .... Just me - this is WRONG.

That's what we were told direct from the 2 CMs at the bar. Said because of the name change it was considered a new entity & they would be required to reapply for their existing jobs. Now maybe this just applies to the bartenders because I'm sure (no evidence to back this up) but I'd bet money as soon as the new "enhanced food & beverage area" is open they will level Trout Pass bar. They won't need 2 bars that close to each other. I do understand you have friends there & are coming from a desire to help but I would ask for you to be careful with this information. I seriously doubt Disney would take kindly to those 2 CMs sharing this info with guests & it is definitely not my intention to get anyone in trouble. That would make me feel horrible. My only intent was to bring light to the fact 1) we need to support the staff & 2) for all Disney's talk on creating magic for guests they certainly could be treating their employees better. Just my opinion of course.

Hi all!

Just received word that my new 50 point VWL contract passed ROFR yesterday! So happy to be a part of this wonderful group!

Congratulations!


Happy birthday wfc4life!!!

 

[Granny]

Hi all!

Just received word that my new 50 point VWL contract passed ROFR yesterday! So happy to be a part of this wonderful group!

Oh yeah!!!

Congratulations on your VWL ownership. And feel free to jump in here at any time!

 

[sleepydog25]

Welcome, Dawn! Once you have trip dates with your new contract, and if you wish to share them with the Groupies, just send me a PM, and I'll be happy to add you to PAGE 1. KAT takes care of birthdays and anniversaries, once again only if you care to share.

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, wfc4life!

Finally, we're enjoying some wonderful weather and excellent seafood here at HHI. Further, we're a five-minute walk via the beach to Disney's HHI Beach House. We stopped in there for a Dole Whip yesterday, and earlier in the day, drove all of three minutes to the actual Disney resort for Mickey Waffles! I have to say, the HHI Disney CMs are overall, far and away, the friendliest bunch we've ever encountered. When I mentioned that to one of the CMs, she said "We get that all the time!" Happy early 4th to all the Groupies!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Independence Day Folks!!
We celebrated yesterday with extended family members with homemade banana ice cream and Dole Whip

 

[Granny]

Happy Independence Day Folks!!
We celebrated yesterday with extended family members with homemade banana ice cream and Dole Whip

Home made Dole Whip? Sounds awesome!


Happy Independence Day to all. Here's a toast to those brave Americans who risked treason and certain death to declare our freedom and independence that we enjoy today!

 

[Granny]

On a VWL related note, here's an aerial view of the construction as of June 29.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

On a VWL related note, here's an aerial view of the construction as of June 29.

View attachment 179309

Maybe the new "pool" will be a mirror image of the holding pond on the north side.

 

[Granny]

Maybe the new "pool" will be a mirror image of the holding pond on the north side.

Kathy...well you never know!

I'm thinking that they will be building some DVC cabins at a location on the aerial picture along the holding pond to the right of the main parking area. Hey, if there's an unclaimed spec of land near water I expect Disney to put DVC villas there! They could probably clear out some more trees and call them castle view classification.


Not to mention they could put a monorail station there and really jack up the points!!