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

[horselover]

Happy New Year groupies!

I know I've been MIA for a long time. 2018 seems like a blur.

Like Jimmy I too booked a Dec. stay this am which of course made me think of all of you! What better time to jump back in. I'll try to keep up. No hope of me catching up so I'm starting fresh.

I did get what I wanted at VWL. I was a bit worried after seeing how fast the studios went last year, but I did get one. I haven't been at the Lodge for Christmastime since pre construction. I'm excited to get back. I did pop over when I was there early Dec. staying at BLT. Not the same just popping over though. I did want to tell you I think I've created a new lodge lover! A friend of mine moved from MA to FL over the summer. She came over to spend a day with me. Took her around to a few places, but we ended at the lodge. Started in the main lobby & worked our way over to our home. As we were approaching the door & she saw the rocking chairs she turned to me & said "I just got chills. Now I understand why you love it here so much." The power of the lodge strikes again! They may have ruined the back (IMO) but the heart of the lodge remains the same.

JT very sorry to hear about your dad's truck.

Not sure what to make of the new resale restrictions. It doesn't affect me, but it seems clear DVD is out to kill the resale market.

I will do my best to check in more frequently this year! Hope everyone is doing well!

 

[sleepydog25]

Always glad to hear from you, horsey! Welcome back!! We're planning to book two nights in a studio near Christmas before our cruise. We're a little concerned about getting one, too.

 

[TCRAIG]

Booking VWL this AM for 2 1 beds for Dec. We were considering re-booking at 7 dos, maybe BLT or AKL, then my DD says last night she is perfectly fine staying at the Lodge. I am so proud of her

You raised her right! I also booked us a 1Br for the Lodge Dec 1-8!!! YEAH

 

[bobbiwoz]

I will be arriving at VWL on the 10th of December ..plan on booking in a few days.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I suppose people are walking Studios. No lock off two bedrooms would be available to book today, but one bedroom and two bedrooms are. With DVC raising the cost of one bedrooms in 2020, I am getting angry all over again. I will be happy when my December stay is booked. I may take a break from these boards too.

 

[Lakegirl]

I suppose people are walking Studios. No lock off two bedrooms would be available to book today, but one bedroom and two bedrooms are. With DVC raising the cost of one bedrooms in 2020, I am getting angry all over again. I will be happy when my December stay is booked. I may take a break from these boards too.

So sorry to hear you are having trouble booking. Hoping you get the dates you need.

 

[bobbiwoz]

So sorry to hear you are having trouble booking. Hoping you get the dates you need.

Thank you. I will be OK. I am looking for a dedicated two bedroom, not a lock off. If I have to get two one bedrooms, I could even do that.

 

[jimmytammy]

Well after yesterdays DVC announcement, my thoughts of selling BWV and buying BLT re-sale are curbing. As long as the points that I currently have will allow me to book BLT at the 7 mos window, I think I am going to leave well enough alone!

Its almost like with the 2 new resorts in building phase, its DVC Part Two. In other words, from 1992(OKW)to this moment, we have seen the days of the original DVC pass. Now we are on to the next phase.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Hello Groupie friends...since many of you may be like me and not roam all over the DISBoards, I thought I'd post this news about more DVC resale restrictions:

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/new-dvc-resale-restrictions-and-who-is-most-impacted/

Effective for resale purchases submitted on or after January 19, 2019: Disney Vacation Club resale contracts purchased for the original 14 DVC resorts will only be able to exchange into those 14 existing resorts in the DVC network. These contracts will not be able to exchange into Disney’s Riviera Resort, Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge and possibly additional future properties in the DVC system. All Members will still be able to exchange with RCI.

Once sales of Disney’s Riviera Resort begin, Members who purchase a resale of Riviera will only be able to stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort in the DVC network. Those Members will still have access to RCI.​

At first I thought it was a big deal but if people buying resale after 1/19/19 can still book any of the current resorts, that might not be a major impact on our contracts if we want to sell them.

For Riviera Resort owners, however, it is huge that Disney will restrict resale buyers of RR to only booking at RR.

Yeah, this one is bizarre to me — wouldn’t this drive down the value of Riviera points both Direct & Resale? And, to a lesser degree the resale market of the original 14 resorts? As more new resorts open the effect would multiply. I can’t see how this helps the value of DVC — I think many people buy factoring in it’s relatively easy resale, but this one is far more significant long term than the member benefits thing IMHO...

 

[sleepydog25]

Yeah, this one is bizarre to me — wouldn’t this drive down the value of Riviera points both Direct & Resale? And, to a lesser degree the resale market of the original 14 resorts? As more new resorts open the effect would multiply. I can’t see how this helps the value of DVC — I think many people buy factoring in it’s relatively easy resale, but this one is far more significant long term than the member benefits thing IMHO...

I agree. I've read in a couple of places where people think it's great for them since they apparently never plan to sell their DVC; however, if I were thinking of buying a new DVC that will likely start near $200 pp, with the understanding that if I DO wind up selling (death, divorce, illness, severe change in finances, et.al.) then the resale value will be minimal then, well, I wouldn't do it. Let's say you bought at Reflections (setting aside for a moment the awful name) for $195 pp, then four years later due to an unforeseen financial hardship, you opted to sell. It's a new resort, but who is going to want to buy it resale for, say, even $150 pp if they can only use it to stay at Reflections? As a resale buyer, I'd much rather have a shorter contract at an older resort where I can at least trade in to the current 14-resort option. If we follow this scenario further, if the resale value were to drop precipitously, the original owner would take a bath regardless if it went privately or was ROFR'd by Disney. That entire thought process is what would make me not buy the newer resorts. On the other hand, I suppose Disney is banking on the relative naivete of the majority of those who initially take the DVC plunge. Then again, perhaps I'm missing something here. I have to agree with @jimmytammy that this appears to be a new phase of DVC ownership. Is Disney opting to become more like the industry standard in timeshares rather than leading the way?

 

[rkstocke5609]

I agree. I've read in a couple of places where people think it's great for them since they apparently never plan to sell their DVC; however, if I were thinking of buying a new DVC that will likely start near $200 pp, with the understanding that if I DO wind up selling (death, divorce, illness, severe change in finances, et.al.) then the resale value will be minimal then, well, I wouldn't do it. Let's say you bought at Reflections (setting aside for a moment the awful name) for $195 pp, then four years later due to an unforeseen financial hardship, you opted to sell. It's a new resort, but who is going to want to buy it resale for, say, even $150 pp if they can only use it to stay at Reflections? As a resale buyer, I'd much rather have a shorter contract at an older resort where I can at least trade in to the current 14-resort option. If we follow this scenario further, if the resale value were to drop precipitously, the original owner would take a bath regardless if it went privately or was ROFR'd by Disney. That entire thought process is what would make me not buy the newer resorts. On the other hand, I suppose Disney is banking on the relative naivete of the majority of those who initially take the DVC plunge. Then again, perhaps I'm missing something here. I have to agree with @jimmytammy that this appears to be a new phase of DVC ownership. Is Disney opting to become more like the industry standard in timeshares rather than leading the way?

Or, will DVC enter into selling resales — for example, you agree to pay a 20% commission to list and sell your timeshare through Disney, and then the resale comes with full club privileges? Don’t know if this is legal now, but if ya grease the right Florida legislators....?

 

[TCRAIG]

Well - I’ve been on waitlists for small points at BLT or WLV or VGF or BC for a couple months now - with this price increase - I’m just gunna bite the bullet and go resale and pick up another 50 for VGF - cause other than my OKW and SS pts - I use my Home points for their corresponding Home...

 

[jimmytammy]

Or, will DVC enter into selling resales — for example, you agree to pay a 20% commission to list and sell your timeshare through Disney, and then the resale comes with full club privileges? Don’t know if this is legal now, but if ya grease the right Florida legislators....?

I would have no issues with purchasing a re-sale direct if they were reasonably priced vs. inflated prices. And I have a feeling DVC would inflate the prices big time, just because they can if this becomes the norm. I wonder if they didn't have the foresight to see the re-sale market become a big thing. But who would have seen any timeshare hold its value as DVC has.

Not to mis-represent myself, I and my family still love DVC resorts. The thoughts and memories invoked of our past years as owners brings smiles to our faces, and like a little kid at Christmas, I still get excited when I am booking, still get excited as I pull into the Lodge drive, to be honest, a little pride swells up in me as I know I own a small part of the place, albeit, for a little time. And to be able to share with my now extended family, DSIL and DGS, makes me feel warm inside.

I just hope that as time passes, for instance my DD and her family decide its the right time, the right fit, if they want to purchase DVC, they too can afford it, they too will be able to justify it. But based on the actions that DVC is doing right now, I can't say with a full heart I would tell them yes, its a good move. And I don't like feeling that way when I know the good feelings of the past, to tell them to look elsewhere.

Again, I think another bonehead move on DVC part

 

[DVC Jen]

I would have no issues with purchasing a re-sale direct if they were reasonably priced vs. inflated prices. And I have a feeling DVC would inflate the prices big time, just because they can if this becomes the norm. I wonder if they didn't have the foresight to see the re-sale market become a big thing. But who would have seen any timeshare hold its value as DVC has.

Not to mis-represent myself, I and my family still love DVC resorts. The thoughts and memories invoked of our past years as owners brings smiles to our faces, and like a little kid at Christmas, I still get excited when I am booking, still get excited as I pull into the Lodge drive, to be honest, a little pride swells up in me as I know I own a small part of the place, albeit, for a little time. And to be able to share with my now extended family, DSIL and DGS, makes me feel warm inside.

I just hope that as time passes, for instance my DD and her family decide its the right time, the right fit, if they want to purchase DVC, they too can afford it, they too will be able to justify it. But based on the actions that DVC is doing right now, I can't say with a full heart I would tell them yes, its a good move. And I don't like feeling that way when I know the good feelings of the past, to tell them to look elsewhere.

Again, I think another bonehead move on DVC part

You expressed my thoughts and feelings exactly.

 

[DVC Jen]

Have any of my fellow groupies ever Dined with an Imagineer at Brown Derby? Thoughts? We are doing it for the first time in June. Really wondering what to expect.

 

[Granny]

Have any of my fellow groupies ever Dined with an Imagineer at Brown Derby? Thoughts? We are doing it for the first time in June. Really wondering what to expect.

Jen...that sounds like a fun thing to do! I've never done it, but I would think that any chance to sit down with an Imagineer would be fun especially if they have been with Disney for a while. Just listening to their insights on the various details of WDW would be fascinating, I would think.

My first question would be "Are you the Imagineer in charge of naming resorts?". Then my next question would be..."Boulder Ridge...Reflections...really????"

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have any of my fellow groupies ever Dined with an Imagineer at Brown Derby? Thoughts? We are doing it for the first time in June. Really wondering what to expect.

I did it with two friends about 5 years ago. (It was a delicious meal, all three of us friends have early January birthdays, and we all wore birthday crowns and each of us were complimented a glass of bubbly.)

The Imagineer had worked on the new Dumbo queue, and his story about that was interesting. I was also impressed by just how long he wanted to work for Disney. He first proved himself as an engineer in the general world, then applied and was employed by Disney. He worked on other projects, but Dumbo is the one I most remember.

There were about 11-15 other guests, it was a well rounded group, no one dominated the discussion.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Today I booked 4 nights at VWL, dedicated two bedroom, for myself and three friends. We four will have a weeks stay, one friend, who is also a member, booked us at Kidani for the first three nights.

She gets to show off her favorite, I get to show off mine.

So look for us December 10-14.

Are there dedicated two bedrooms in the open area near the elevators? I think I want to request near elevators.

 

[sleepydog25]

My first question would be "Are you the Imagineer in charge of naming resorts?". Then my next question would be..."Boulder Ridge...Reflections...really????"

Absolutely!

 

[sleepydog25]

Today I booked 4 nights at VWL, dedicated two bedroom, for myself and three friends. We four will have a weeks stay, one friend, who is also a member, booked us at Kidani for the first three nights.

She gets to show off her favorite, I get to show off mine.

So look for us December 10-14.

Are there dedicated two bedrooms in the open area near the elevators? I think I want to request near elevators.

Somewhere, I know there exists a floor-by-floor detailing of the layouts at VWL; however, I've not been able to find it. Still, I'm fairly certain there are dedicated units in the area of which you speak.