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

[pmaurer74]

We wouldn't mind going the snowbird route, but finances won't let that happen. I have a daughter with her family in Melbourne, so being in that general neck of the woods would be a bonus for us. I do enjoy the mountains here in southwest VA during the late spring to mid-fall timeframe; however, it's those intervening months that cause the issue.

I used to live in SW Virginia about 11 years ago. I liked the weather there most of the year.

 

[DVC Jen]

Oh I don't like it at all. Not even a teeny tiniest bit. It seem very cold to me and I do not like cold.

 

[Crabby_Dan]

I must be a bit west of you, we had at least 2x that, though hard to say with the drifting. It is gorgeous in the sun today though!

Probably. I’m in NE Macomb County. We did end up with about 3 inches by the end of the day.

Well, who's jumping in for the first stay at Riviera? (no, it's not open for booking yet but the pictures and cash costs have been released)

I guess we'll try it sometime as I know things look better in person but overall it's become the blandest resort yet. The Tower rooms have some character but only a muphy bed for sleeping and there doesn't appear to be a kitchenette in the floor plans. I wonder how cheap it will be? Cash prices are high!

With all the changes announced I've said that there never will be another AKL/AKV type resort added to the mix and our lovely lodge is also the last of it's kind I'd guess if this is any indication of the new Disney theming.

I’m mildly interested in checking it out. Maybe stay there someday? I was telling the Dear Wife the other day- we’re pretty much Magic Kingdom/ EPCOT enthusiasts. Hollywood Studios has little interest to us and will only get worse when Star Wars opens. ( I like Star Wars, DW doesn’t, but Star Wars will never be “Disney” to me) Of course the DW chimes in “There’s Toy Story! ”

I laughed at the Murphy bed/ sofa concept, trying to picture the DW and I sitting on the sofa together, then pulling the bed down at bedtime. I said, “ You’ll have to wake me up to pull the bed down - and where will YOU sit?”

I agree with all of you that the new Resorts are just bland. I mostly worry the Reflections Resort will mess up VWL.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I like trying the new resorts, I have stayed at all the WDW DVCs except SS. (I am from NY state originally, theme bores me, location is bad for me as I rarely go to Disney Springs. But I still want to try SS some time, maybe on a split stay). I adore WL, but really like BLT too.....

I think they should have had a 6 guest one bedroom option at Riviera, but I personally do not need that myself. I would assume they build what they think will sell best to the new buyers, younger families, based upon lots of marketing research.

Just back from a wonderful week at WL Boulder Ridge. I love it there, but look forward to the updates coming there as well.

 

[sleepydog25]

I like trying the new resorts, I have stayed at all the WDW DVCs except SS. (I am from NY state originally, theme bores me, location is bad for me as I rarely go to Disney Springs. But I still want to try SS some time, maybe on a split stay). I adore WL, but really like BLT too.....

I think they should have had a 6 guest one bedroom option at Riviera, but I personally do not need that myself. I would assume they build what they think will sell best to the new buyers, younger families, based upon lots of marketing research.

Just back from a wonderful week at WL Boulder Ridge. I love it there, but look forward to the updates coming there as well.

This note is a good reminder that Disney possesses resorts to fit most any taste. Like you, Pat, I've stayed in almost all the DVC resorts save VB, Copper Creek, Boardwalk, and Aulani. Luv and I will knock out the first two this March narrowing our list to two. We've enjoyed some aspect of every resort to be fair. SSR is our least favorite in terms of style and theming, but it's proximity to DS is a plus for us. I didn't mind hoofing it over to the golf course and playing a round, either. OKW has spacious rooms and there is a certain laid-back vibe hard to find at other resorts. BLT is close to MK and is a hub to get to other places quickly, and there's TOWL (for now?). GFV is very pretty and has lots to do there and easy access to other resorts. BCV is close to Epcot and has a fairly nice pool . And so goes the list. All that to say, Riviera doesn't excite me, and I can't imagine ever owning there. Still, I've no doubt we'll check it out for a look-see in the couple of days leading up to our Christmas cruise. Some people will absolutely love it, no doubt.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Oh I don't like it at all. Not even a teeny tiniest bit. It seem very cold to me and I do not like cold.

Well, you probably wouldn’t like the -10 (-26 windchill) that we are expecting tonight. To be fair though it’s been unusually warm this winter and very little snow.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . and there's TOWL (for now?). . . . . . . .

Oh great . . . a wonderful thought to ponder first thing this morning. One more thing to lose. But it is Friday; I'll hold out for the joy of the weekend to hit . . .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well, you probably wouldn’t like the -10 (-26 windchill) that we are expecting tonight. To be fair though it’s been unusually warm this winter and very little snow.

I was just in MN - and found a way to not have to go out in that - stomach flu! Missing that cold was the one bright spot of the day.

 

[jimmytammy]

I used to enjoy Nascar many years ago. Sort of can't help myself, as I live and grew up in the Southeast. As I ponder all thats taking place with Disney and more so with DVC these days, I am reminded how Nascar at one time was a thriving sport, it over took NFL for a few years as the #1 watched sport in the nation.

What made it great for me, personalities, competition, the pageantry of it all. The drivers were unique in their own way, had character. Names come to mind of individuality like Petty, Pearson, Earnhardt, Elliott, Allison and so on. Now, can't tell you 5 drivers off the top of my head. Why, because they are groomed to be alike, nothing stands out about them. Nascar itself forgot its roots. They closed Rockingham and Wilkesboro, scaled back races at Darlington, all in the name of the mighty dollar. They wanted to reach a broader audience. It worked briefly.

When I was going, it was hard to get a ticket, let alone a good seat. Now, the stands are empty. And I think in talking with folks I know who work in some capacity in Nascar, I gather the same info each conversation, the greed overtook the sport. It forgot its fans, it forgot how it got where it did.

Why, why, why Jimmy do you keep babbling on about Nascar you say to yourselves

Well, here is the pondering DVC thing. The 2 new resorts OTW, Riviera and Reflections, make me wonder if DVC has forgotten its core fans. OKW had character, made you feel like you truly were in Key West. BWV, gave the idea of a walk along the shore harkening back to a time of yesteryear. And that takes me up to what I feel are the tops in imagery, immersing to the deep and back resorts. VWL and AKV. These 2 are the pinnacle IMO of what DVC should strive to be, to live up to each time a new resort is unveiled.

But now, the words generic, homogenized and the like seem to be the norm of the day. Just as they have removed the themed blankets of each resort(because its what the Hotel industry does)and other room items that made each resort unique, it takes away the character. Wait, that word, isn't that what Walt built his business on? Alice, Oswald and good ol Mickey! They were unique, memorable. Mickey alone spans generations. He was unique, like nothing of his time, and he made a impact on society.

Got to stop this before it goes further, but my point is, Nascar and DVC are running very similar lines right now. Both forgot where they started, both got greedy, and both will suffer the consequences. I hope someone, soon, can stop the downward spiral, get creativity back into the process, and understand that the core audience of DVC are folks like you and me.

 

[sleepydog25]

I used to enjoy Nascar many years ago. Sort of can't help myself, as I live and grew up in the Southeast. As I ponder all thats taking place with Disney and more so with DVC these days, I am reminded how Nascar at one time was a thriving sport, it over took NFL for a few years as the #1 watched sport in the nation.

What made it great for me, personalities, competition, the pageantry of it all. The drivers were unique in their own way, had character. Names come to mind of individuality like Petty, Pearson, Earnhardt, Elliott, Allison and so on. Now, can't tell you 5 drivers off the top of my head. Why, because they are groomed to be alike, nothing stands out about them. Nascar itself forgot its roots. They closed Rockingham and Wilkesboro, scaled back races at Darlington, all in the name of the mighty dollar. They wanted to reach a broader audience. It worked briefly.

When I was going, it was hard to get a ticket, let alone a good seat. Now, the stands are empty. And I think in talking with folks I know who work in some capacity in Nascar, I gather the same info each conversation, the greed overtook the sport. It forgot its fans, it forgot how it got where it did.

Why, why, why Jimmy do you keep babbling on about Nascar you say to yourselves

Well, here is the pondering DVC thing. The 2 new resorts OTW, Riviera and Reflections, make me wonder if DVC has forgotten its core fans. OKW had character, made you feel like you truly were in Key West. BWV, gave the idea of a walk along the shore harkening back to a time of yesteryear. And that takes me up to what I feel are the tops in imagery, immersing to the deep and back resorts. VWL and AKV. These 2 are the pinnacle IMO of what DVC should strive to be, to live up to each time a new resort is unveiled.

But now, the words generic, homogenized and the like seem to be the norm of the day. Just as they have removed the themed blankets of each resort(because its what the Hotel industry does)and other room items that made each resort unique, it takes away the character. Wait, that word, isn't that what Walt built his business on? Alice, Oswald and good ol Mickey! They were unique, memorable. Mickey alone spans generations. He was unique, like nothing of his time, and he made a impact on society.

Got to stop this before it goes further, but my point is, Nascar and DVC are running very similar lines right now. Both forgot where they started, both got greedy, and both will suffer the consequences. I hope someone, soon, can stop the downward spiral, get creativity back into the process, and understand that the core audience of DVC are folks like you and me.

Great analogy, JT. And I wholeheartedly agree with your conclusions that Disney has forgotten its roots in a rush to improve the bottom line and please major shareholders. I, too, believe Disney has begun alienating the core group who helped build the Mouse Empire. That core group also produced the second generation who fell in love with the magic. What of following generations? Sure, Star Wars and Marvel are popular, but they don't engender the same magic. Why? Because they aren't based on ideals or innocence or simpler times, and people will outgrow them. Preach it, Jimmy!

 

[Granny]

Got to stop this before it goes further, but my point is, Nascar and DVC are running very similar lines right now. Both forgot where they started, both got greedy, and both will suffer the consequences. I hope someone, soon, can stop the downward spiral, get creativity back into the process, and understand that the core audience of DVC are folks like you and me.

​

 

[DenLo]

I know there are number of Maleficent fans here, did you see she is back and showing off her pyrotechnic ability?


https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...f-fantasy-parade-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[jimmytammy]

Denise, I saw this and thats very cool IMO. I was really concerned that 1. she would never be back and 2. if so, she would never breathe fire again. Here I am talking smack about Disney and they go and prove me wrong

I for one am glad they did, prove me wrong that is!

 

[Granny]

Denise...thanks for the update on our favorite parade feature!

Groupies...I just read that Disney has retracted the 2020 point chart that we discussed a couple of weeks ago. Evidently, the new 2020 point chart will be the same as the 2019 point chart. So the incremental points for studios and 1BRs will not be happening as things now stand.

So today has a couple of pieces of good news!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Denise...thanks for the update on our favorite parade feature!

Groupies...I just read that Disney has retracted the 2020 point chart that we discussed a couple of weeks ago. Evidently, the new 2020 point chart will be the same as the 2019 point chart. So the incremental points for studios and 1BRs will not be happening as things now stand.

So today has a couple of pieces of good news!

I wondered if April 1st had come early when I first read that. Quite the shocker!

 

[twinklebug]

I know there are number of Maleficent fans here, did you see she is back and showing off her pyrotechnic ability?

View attachment 378336
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...f-fantasy-parade-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

A PR release from The Mouse and Maleficent in regards to the rumors that she has had "work done":

We are happy to announce that Maleficent has indeed returned to grace the afternoon Festival of Fantasy parade. She had taken some time off following a small melt down in the Magic Kingdom after she witnessed a parent take a Dole Whip away from a child. As we all know, Maleficent is a kind hearted soul who champions the cause of all little ones. After the incident she thought it best to seek time off to mold herself into shape and better harness her inner fire so such another occurrence will not happen. After many months working with a team of specialists she is pleased to announce she has repainted her future to be a bright one.

As for the rumors that she has had "work done": Maleficent is quoted as saying "They are lies and I'll bite the head off of anyone who says otherwise."

-- Well, so much for the temper.

Source: J. Cricket, Imaginary Friend PR

 

[TCRAIG]

I used to enjoy Nascar many years ago. Sort of can't help myself, as I live and grew up in the Southeast. As I ponder all thats taking place with Disney and more so with DVC these days, I am reminded how Nascar at one time was a thriving sport, it over took NFL for a few years as the #1 watched sport in the nation.

What made it great for me, personalities, competition, the pageantry of it all. The drivers were unique in their own way, had character. Names come to mind of individuality like Petty, Pearson, Earnhardt, Elliott, Allison and so on. Now, can't tell you 5 drivers off the top of my head. Why, because they are groomed to be alike, nothing stands out about them. Nascar itself forgot its roots. They closed Rockingham and Wilkesboro, scaled back races at Darlington, all in the name of the mighty dollar. They wanted to reach a broader audience. It worked briefly.

When I was going, it was hard to get a ticket, let alone a good seat. Now, the stands are empty. And I think in talking with folks I know who work in some capacity in Nascar, I gather the same info each conversation, the greed overtook the sport. It forgot its fans, it forgot how it got where it did.

Why, why, why Jimmy do you keep babbling on about Nascar you say to yourselves

Well, here is the pondering DVC thing. The 2 new resorts OTW, Riviera and Reflections, make me wonder if DVC has forgotten its core fans. OKW had character, made you feel like you truly were in Key West. BWV, gave the idea of a walk along the shore harkening back to a time of yesteryear. And that takes me up to what I feel are the tops in imagery, immersing to the deep and back resorts. VWL and AKV. These 2 are the pinnacle IMO of what DVC should strive to be, to live up to each time a new resort is unveiled.

But now, the words generic, homogenized and the like seem to be the norm of the day. Just as they have removed the themed blankets of each resort(because its what the Hotel industry does)and other room items that made each resort unique, it takes away the character. Wait, that word, isn't that what Walt built his business on? Alice, Oswald and good ol Mickey! They were unique, memorable. Mickey alone spans generations. He was unique, like nothing of his time, and he made a impact on society.

Got to stop this before it goes further, but my point is, Nascar and DVC are running very similar lines right now. Both forgot where they started, both got greedy, and both will suffer the consequences. I hope someone, soon, can stop the downward spiral, get creativity back into the process, and understand that the core audience of DVC are folks like you and me.

AMEN TO THIS!!!

 

[Dean Marino]

.

 

[Granny]

FLASH. WDW DVC caves on 2020 Point charts....
Official 2020 "FINAL_2020_DVC_VWL_BRV_Pt_Chts.pdf" closely resembles 2019, at BRV.

Dean...thanks for the image of the revised 2020 point chart. I'm posting it here for ease of viewing.





Let's hope it's the final revision.

 

[sleepydog25]

Yes, let's hope, Granny. If so, that's good news.