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

[bluecastle]

NoVA here and it’s been so beautiful, low humidity and very pleasant temperatures. Unfortunately, the 3 H’s are returning this weekend and all of next week. Real feel temps over a hundred. TG for the inventor of AC!




I know that there has been a lot of negativity about WDW in various online places lately, but either I’m in denial or just stubbornly holding on to what I love about it. If I didn’t have a granddaughter, I suppose my feelings would be different and I would be thinking of other places, but when I look at our photos from November and see the look in her eyes, meeting the “real” Mickey Mouse, I can’t wait to take her back there. The biggest negative? We are both retired and we just can’t spend money the way we used to. But somehow, finding time in my day to do some WDW “research” (dining options, what rides will she be tall enough for, etc.) still brings me joy. And I can’t wait to share the lodge with her! (Although i know she’s going to ask me where the giraffes and zebras are!)

 

[MsChristy12]

But somehow, finding time in my day to do some WDW “research” (dining options, what rides will she be tall enough for, etc.) still brings me joy. And I can’t wait to share the lodge with her! (Although i know she’s going to ask me where the giraffes and zebras are!)

Good for you!! There are a lot of constant negativity out there, but what's important is how we find joy for ourselves. As long as we find that, we still enjoy what we do and it make us happy, to me that's all it matters! Life is too short...we can't always worry about what's right and wrong at all times. We try out best, but that's all we can do! Enjoy your retirement!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Labor Day folks!!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Ok dumb question that I should know but I don't lol. So I just use my magic band to get into my room but I noticed that the room cards are really cute. I know that I can get one but the stupid question is can I keep it or do I have to turn it in at the end of the stay? I assume if I do get one that I can still use the other ways to get into my room.

 

[ClaraOswald]

What's the bedding like in the Boulder Ridge studio villa? When were were at the Grand Californian (hotel room, not villa) earlier this year...the beds only had sheets and a very thick duvet, which was way too warm for me. I'm wondering if it will be like that at Boulder Ridge when we go in January. And if so, is there any way to get a cotton blanket of some sort or should I plan to pack my own? Thanks!

 

[sleepydog25]

Ok dumb question that I should know but I don't lol. So I just use my magic band to get into my room but I noticed that the room cards are really cute. I know that I can get one but the stupid question is can I keep it or do I have to turn it in at the end of the stay? I assume if I do get one that I can still use the other ways to get into my room.

You may keep your card should you get one, and either method (MB or key card) should work.

What's the bedding like in the Boulder Ridge studio villa? When were were at the Grand Californian (hotel room, not villa) earlier this year...the beds only had sheets and a very thick duvet, which was way too warm for me. I'm wondering if it will be like that at Boulder Ridge when we go in January. And if so, is there any way to get a cotton blanket of some sort or should I plan to pack my own? Thanks!

I'm assuming VWL follows the same guidelines that other non-DL resorts have which is a fitted sheet, regular sheet, a blanket, and the thicker top cover. Also, each room should have two blanket bags on the top shelf in the closet. In those bags you will find extra sheets, pillowcases, and blankets.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

What's the bedding like in the Boulder Ridge studio villa? When were were at the Grand Californian (hotel room, not villa) earlier this year...the beds only had sheets and a very thick duvet, which was way too warm for me. I'm wondering if it will be like that at Boulder Ridge when we go in January. And if so, is there any way to get a cotton blanket of some sort or should I plan to pack my own? Thanks!

The 3 sheets that Sleepy mentioned with a blanket between the top 2.
Any DVC, or any hotel for that matter, will get you blankets etc. You just have to call housekeeping. WDW doesn't use comforters or bedspreads anymore so I'd think only extra blankets could be requested although there are always extras in the closets somewhere or if there's a storage living area table it can be in there.

I didn't know GC had brought back duvets and comforters. Last stay there it was the 3 sheets and blanket on the DVC side and even on the hotel side.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Maybe what I had at the Grand Cali was considered a blanket? But it was thick/fluffy so maybe I'm just weird to consider it a duvet? Ha!

 

[sleepydog25]

Maybe what I had at the Grand Cali was considered a blanket? But it was thick/fluffy so maybe I'm just weird to consider it a duvet? Ha!

Hmmm. . .any pics? The typical top sheet is essentially a heavier sheet with a pattern in it. It's maybe 3-4 times the thickness of a regular sheet but definitely not fluffy! And the blankets Disney has aren't cotton; they're similar to the material you'd find on an electric blanket. . .minus the electricity.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Maybe what I had at the Grand Cali was considered a blanket? But it was thick/fluffy so maybe I'm just weird to consider it a duvet? Ha!

Fluffy would never be used to describe the blankets and sheets! lol They must have started doing something different at the GC.

 

[MsChristy12]

Ok dumb question that I should know but I don't lol. So I just use my magic band to get into my room but I noticed that the room cards are really cute. I know that I can get one but the stupid question is can I keep it or do I have to turn it in at the end of the stay? I assume if I do get one that I can still use the other ways to get into my room.

Confession....
I keep all the fancy resort/hotel key cards!! It's like a souvenir to me...hehe

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Ok dumb question that I should know but I don't lol. So I just use my magic band to get into my room but I noticed that the room cards are really cute. I know that I can get one but the stupid question is can I keep it or do I have to turn it in at the end of the stay? I assume if I do get one that I can still use the other ways to get into my room.

You keep it. And yes, it is linked to your account which is the "key" to using something for entry. That's why you can use any Magicband you've ever had, any keycard etc. I think using your phone is a bit different as it signs into your account vs being stored within your account but that works too.

 

[Ursula J]

New sofa beds question! We're staying in BRV in a 1 bed in December. I know if we get the 5th floor there are rooms (maybe all of them?) that can't fit the murphy beds and will just have sofa beds. How are these? Were they at least replaced in the refurb?

 

[DonMacGregor]

New sofa beds question! We're staying in BRV in a 1 bed in December. I know if we get the 5th floor there are rooms (maybe all of them?) that can't fit the murphy beds and will just have sofa beds. How are these? Were they at least replaced in the refurb?

They are definitely new, but can't say how they are, comfort-wise, as we didn't use ours when we were there.

 

[Granny]

New sofa beds question! We're staying in BRV in a 1 bed in December. I know if we get the 5th floor there are rooms (maybe all of them?) that can't fit the murphy beds and will just have sofa beds. How are these? Were they at least replaced in the refurb?

I stayed in a 1BR with the traditional pull out sleeper sofa this past April. And I did spend a night on the sleeper bed and found it to be fine. No feeling the support bar through the mattress which is probably the biggest issue I've had with that type of bed.

We were on the 5th floor but I think we had room to do the murphy bed. I think they just made the unilateral decision to put regular sleeper sofas on the 5th floor. In the master bedroom there are dormers slanting in on the ceiling that would definitely affect putting a murphy bed in that set up. But I didn't see why they didn't put a murphy bed in the villa I stayed in.


Here's the living room with the sleeper sofa.







Here's the master bedroom with the ceiling dormers:

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I stayed in a 1BR with the traditional pull out sleeper sofa this past April. And I did spend a night on the sleeper bed and found it to be fine. No feeling the support bar through the mattress which is probably the biggest issue I've had with that type of bed.

We were on the 5th floor but I think we had room to do the murphy bed. I think they just made the unilateral decision to put regular sleeper sofas on the 5th floor. In the master bedroom there are dormers slanting in on the ceiling that would definitely affect putting a murphy bed in that set up. But I didn't see why they didn't put a murphy bed in the villa I stayed in.


Here's the living room with the sleeper sofa.


View attachment 792383




Here's the master bedroom with the ceiling dormers:


View attachment 792386

It's disappointing they didn't put them in every room that they would have fit. I get making it easy but VWL is so small it shouldn't have caused a lot of difficulty ether with ordering or with room assignments.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Anyone else see the D23 announcements? What do you think? I'm not happy that they are changing the Country Bears.
https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...at-destination-d23-disney-parks-presentation/

 

[MsChristy12]

I was watching some livestream earlier. I'm not sure how I feel about the Encanto themed land at AK...I think I liked the original rumor being Zootopia land more!! It's AK...Zootopia would make sense, and it would have been so cute!

 

[Nainolaf]

We are at BRV now, 3 nights into a 6 night stay, not stayed at WL for 15 years and i’m glad to say it’s still as amazing as ever! We are on the 4th floor with a pool/ lake view (through the tree tops). The olny small gripes we have are that there is only 1 bedside table in the room which is a pain as I like to have my phone or watch there to see the time, do t know why they didnt do what they did in the GFV and put a small shelf in! I have stacked the 2 stools to cobble together a kind of bedside. The other issue is Geyser point being the sole pool bar now, its a wonderful restaurant with great food and lovely views (we’ve eaten ther 3 times now) but its not really near the pools like the original bar was, also for those who are interested there is a poolside drink service at the BR pool only, not the main pool (or so we were told by our server Daphne)…..we really love this place though and great to be back!