Anyone annoyed by that @#$%^ bell at VWL?

[DisneyKidds]

Just back from a great 5 nights at VWL. We loved it at Christmas time - we loved it this time. The ultimate in relaxation - that's all I can say.

A few observations/thoughts.

We were in room 1558 - aaaalllllllllllll the way down the hall on the first floor, facing the bus stop. We were a little concerned at first as last time we were in the same location but on the third floor and had a wonderful view of the garbage dumpster. Luckily, on the first floor it wasn't an issue as there was a fence and lots of nice plantings hiding the garbage area. The one problem though - a loud bell that went off at all hours, including 3:00 and 4:00 in the am. We have a baby who is a light sleeper and was woken by this @#$%^ bell several times. It also kept my DW up. We probably should have asked to be moved, but never did (don't like to rock the boat you know :)). We did mention it (we don't complain ;)) to the CM on checkout and he said he would pass it along. Anyone else ever hear the bell?

Anyone think that the WL should have its' own boat transportation - seperate from Ft. Wilderness? Apparently they were down a "cruiser" (one of the large boats) this weekend, but the wait for a boat back to the WL after the MK closed was at least 45 minutes, with a total trip of at least an hour. I know WL is cheaper than GF and Poly - but they are all deluxe resorts and should have comparable transportation - it doesn't take anyone an hour to get to those after the MK closes. I have nothing against Ft. Wilderness, but there seem to be so many people that stay there and the boat transportation to the WL gets very crowded.

Roaring Forks food remains disappointing, IMHO. However, the Magic Cookie Bars are just that, and the chocolate frosted brownie was to die for.

Checked out the BCV model - they look beautiful.

Happy to answer any questions.

[Regina]

I never heard the bell.

I'd like to see separate transportation. When we were there, we noticed people taking the waterferry back to Ft. Wilderness after spending their day swimming in the WL pools.:(

[ohiominnie]

What bell?

And ditto on seeing FW people in swim gear heading to WL.
WL should have better transportation to the MK (meaning getting you to the MK before non-deluxe resorts. Most days we went to the MK we noticed that All Stars, PO, CSR, CB, etc busses were already there and unloaded. It would be a nice perk for the $$ you pay to have a jump on the park hours (especially without EE)

[KNWVIKING]

Was it possibly a back-up alarm from the trash truck emptying the dumpster ? We were ground floor, maybe five rooms or so from the dumpster in Dec and never heard the noise.

As for FW guests using WL pools, don't we go to their camp fire & go on their hayrides ? Not saying either is right or wrong, just know that it happens.Also, maybe the people in swimwear are WL guests returning from RC.

[robinb]

I think I know the bell you are talking about. It's outside the adcade and people ring it as they go by. Our studio overlooked the courtyard between the Villas and the main building and we heard the bell a lot. It wasn't loud enough to bother us, though and we were on the 2nd floor.

I loved the VWL, but was given one of the very few studios that did not have a balcony. There was no way I was staying at a DVC resort without a balcony and I asked to be moved. Sometimes you just need to "rock the boat" :).

[DisneyKidds]

Maybe that @#$%^ing bell is new. Definitely not those harmless bells by the arcade. This was an industrial strength bell that went off for a reason, somehow related to resort operations (as indicated by the CM I mentioned it to on check out). Definitely not a back up alarm from a truck. It was loud and sounded like a school bell or something. We never heard any other noise associated with it either (like a truck, or dumpsters moving, etc.) It went off a lot and would last for maybe 20 to 30 seconds (trust me, that is a long time :(). Perhaps it went off when someone accessed the garbage dumpsters. I have no idea, but when I mentioned it at checkout the CM indicated it was not the first time it was mentioned.

Now I am really curious - has no one else heard it, does anyone know what it is, am I going crazy :)?

As for the whole Ft. Wilderness using WL pools - I believe that is wrong. Pool hopping is not generally allowed between WDW resorts (DVC members excluded, of course :)) so Ft. Wilderness guests should not be using the WL pools. If they want to use them they should stay at the WL. I believe the campfire and hayride, as well as the petting farm and pony rides, are a different story. These activities at Ft. Wilderness are advertised as available to all WDW resort guests.

[ohiominnie]

If WDW wanted to discourage WL guests from using FW for the campfire program, hay rides, pony rides or petting zoo (i.e. goats) then they shouldn't give you an activity guide at check in which lists these things and the times they are offered.

My guess (and again, a guess because I'm not totally certain) is that FW check in papers do NOT say "WL pool is open for your use from X-a.m. - X-p.m."

Sorry can't help with the bell. Doesn't sound like the cowbells that we ring....and MUST ring every time we go by lest something bad happens when we don't (superstitious I know!)

[lodgelady]

Stayed in April, never heard a bell! Sorry!

As for the Ft Wilderness transportation issue, I do agree that if WL is in the premium category, it should have it's own boats and busses. I tried to be charitable in my thoughts, but I kept thinking that the folks in the campground were paying $50/ night for the same transportation as WL- that didn't seem fair.

The pool issue is also not fair, but as long as Water Country stays closed, "our" pool will be nicer enough than the campgrounds' pools to draw people.

The big question for me is with all of the combined FW/WL services, do the campground guests feel entitled to use the WL pools? maybe they don't think they are doing something that isn't allowed?

[erikthewise]

Let me play Devil's Advocate. Which Deluxe resorts currently have their own buses? Unless I miss my guess, it's a very short list: AKL. Generally speaking, the Mods and Values are the ones with their own buses!

I'm sure the guests at GF and Poly would be happy to see WL get it's own buses!

However you have my complete sympathy concerning sharing boats and pools with FW. "Good fences make good neighbors."

[BIERMUGG]

Was it outside the room but in the building?
Some fire alarm systems use load bells in the hallways. Maybe it was somebody playing a joke or being an idiot ??

George

[DVC Bunny]

DinseyKidds - You're not crazy about the bell. We just got back from VWL and, although I never heard it in the wee hours of the morning, I sure heard it at 2 and 3 in the afternoon. It sounded like a fire exit door was open. Quite annoying!!!

-Deborah

[Regina]

Let me play Devil's Advocate. Which Deluxe resorts currently have their own buses?

Why Old Key West, of course.:D :D

[MAC3]

[i]Originally posted by erikthewise "Good fences make good neighbors." [/B]

Well said Erik... I've always enjoyed that saying.....Haven't stayed at the Lodge so I have no idea about the bell but campground using a deluxe pool? Don't seem right!

I am a camper (and do plan to camp someday at FW). But to tell you the truth I probably will poolhop only because it is my one of my dvc privies!

Sorry If I offended anyone! It's just my opinion.

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds

Anyone think that the WL should have its' own boat transportation - seperate from Ft. Wilderness? Apparently they were down a "cruiser" (one of the large boats) this weekend, but the wait for a boat back to the WL after the MK closed was at least 45 minutes, with a total trip of at least an hour.
Just had to comment on the cruiser being down -- we were on that particular boat when it went down. We were on our way to the Lodge from MK on Friday when dh noticed one of the security boats riding along side us. He wondered why, but by the time we pulled up to the WL dock, we knew -- our boat was smoking!! It was immediately taken out of service, and we were feeling happy to be docked. ;)

[DVC-Don]

Bell? We were in 1555 last month and did not hear any bell.

[slp87]

Which Deluxe resorts currently have their own buses? Unless I miss my guess, it's a very short list: AKL.
Definitely not the deluxe resorts at Epcot! We had to ride the bus & boat to Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club & Beach Club before reaching BWV.

[melk]

ohiominnie,
You are correct that FW check-in papers do not say that the WL pool is available for use by FW guests. I have stayed at FW cabins several times and this is not a FW privilege. Unfortunately there must be some who pool hop, as there are that do at the other resorts as well. I do agree that they should have separate boats to the Magic Kingdom, just for the sake of time spent waiting and overcrowding. And as far as WL guests taking advantage of activities at FW, I believe the petting zoo, trail rides and campfire are open to WDW guests, not just FW. But I don't think that you could pool hop over to FW(not that you would really want to...). But we have always loved FW and recently bought at VWL just so we could still be close to it and take advantage of some of what it has to offer.

[msdis]

We never heard any bell this month either. I wonder if it is a security bell and some kids were having fun with it once they discovered they could make it go off.

You all got my curiosity up that maybe, just maybe something in the "Gazette" misled FW residents into believing it was ok to use WL pool. We just so happened to ride bikes over to FW everyday on our recent trip and I happened to pick up the info they give you at check in so I have read it top to bottom and here is what it says about pools.

"cool off at the ol'meadow swimmin' hole and wilderness pool. Adult and children's pools. Open daily 24 hours. Lifeguard hours change seasonally. For your safety and enjoyment, diaper age children are required to wear swim diapers or rubber pants while using any pool at the Walt Disney World Resort. Swim diapers are available in our merchandise locations for your convenience. Pools are intended for the exclusive use of Disney's Fort Wilderness resort and Campground guests."


I have seen this same wording at other resorts also. In fact there was little to no mention of ANY other WDW resort facilities unlike how the WL encourages it's guests to partake in the FW facilities.

[KLR-wlv]

Never heard the bell - but about sharing the boat I totally agree. We stayed at WL 2 years ago before buying into DVC there and the boats were not combined. When we went back last year after WLV was opened they were combined. I never quite understood why when they added the DVC units they cut back on the boats? SOme mornings - since they picked up at FW first - there would be no room and we'd have to wait for another boat. After SPectromagic the wait was horrible. THey either need more boats on the route or go back to what they did before WLV opened and separate the routes.
Kristen

[Johnnie Fedora]

To bring in some extra cash, it's rumored he's been working the late shift......pushing the good humor cart around the lodge. ;)

We'll listen for the bell next week when we are there.

[Margie J]

I just returned from VWL on Sunday and I'll tell you ... I was about to smack some people that were ringing the bells outside the arcade! Thankfully, I was in 2538 and never heard any noise on that side.

There were a bunch of teens wandering the Resort late at night on the weekend. Maybe they were up to no good (besides cavorting in the hot tub around midnight).

[DisneyKidds]

Some good theories out there but I'm still not sold on one. Thanks Deborah for confirming that we are not insane :). What room were you in?

George - I am pretty sure it was outside and not in the building. That would explain why DVC Don never heard it. He was in an odd number room so he faced Bay Lake and was on the other side of the building from the suspect dumpster area. Were the alarm inside he might have heard it.

I like Mickey well enough, but if he wants to hawk ice cream at 3 am I'll show him that a Goofy Premium Ice Cream bar will in fact fit in his...... almost forgot, this is a family site :).

[BIERMUGG]

FW has no pools on property. River Country is closed, rumor has it for good. Rumors on another board is that River Country will reopen as FW resort pool. If this is true We will have a real water park to pool hop to.


George

[ohiominnie]

FW has pools. I don't know how many, but I'm sure I saw one as we took the orange loop bus around one day. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was a pool.

If they open up RC as a FW pool and we are indeed allowed to hop there, I hope they do something about checking ID's or something so the place doesn't turn into another SAB.

[ErinC]

We were there this past weekend. I never heard the bell but we were on the 4th floor facing bay lake. I was in the line for a boat back from MK Friday night for that 45min. wait. Frankly the boat and transportation service we had on this trip (our first DVC) was probably the most wait time we have ever experienced with the Disney system. Several waits for over 20 min. for buses on a few days. Our best was probably when we stayed at the value resorts, and then the mods. I have never figured out why those that spend the most money at Disney get the worst transport service.:confused: go figure!

[melk]

BIERMUGG,
OhioMinnie is correct, FW has two pools. One is pretty large, in the center of the campground, used mainly by the campers. The other one is smaller and is situated in the cabin area. Neither one is themed, maybe part of the problem of FW guests wanting to go visit a more interesting pool.

[Maistre Gracey]

I always here bells when I sleep... Then I realize that I am just hitting the snooze button about 50 times.:D

[BIERMUGG]

Goes to show you can not believe rumors, sorry.

George

[Caskbill]

A couple of observations:
First:
I am a camper (and do plan to camp someday at FW). But to tell you the truth I probably will poolhop only because it is my one of my dvc privies!
Sorry to disappoint you but DVC pool hopping priviledges apply only when staying at a DVC resort on points. Pool hopping is not a DVC priviledge when staying at any other resort.

Second, I get the impression some DVD'ers seem to act like the CG resort guests are 2nd class citizens. I own DVC (since 1993) and also have a 34 foot Motor Home, and believe me I paid a lot more for that Motor Home than for my DVC membership. (Actually about 7 times more). Paying $50 for a campsite where you basically get a parking space with electricity and water is not cheap. (Camping there is $70/night during premier season)

Staying in a VWL studio, mid season is 14 points a night, so considering dues that's less than $50 worth of annual dues. So the campground guest is paying more for their vacation stay considering their initial investment in a camper and their daily camping fee than a DVC guest staying in a studio mid-week.

I've stayed at both VWL and the FW campground. I agree the FW guests should not be using the WL pool, (just like GF or Poly guests should not use the WL pool), <u>but I see no problem with sharing boat service.</u>

Remember that at one time the Wilderness Lodge was knows as Ft. Wilderness lodge. Many people still call it this, and I believe many guests may still be confused between the two names. When the checkin papers at FW mention the Wilderness pool I think they are referring to the main campground pool, but I can see where some may mistake this as meaning the "Ft Wilderness Lodge pool".

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't remember "Ft Wilderness Lodge" :confused: (but I do remember The Polynesian Village!)
Anyway, I think both FW & WL should have dedicated boats to the MK. It may help with the "full boat frustration". It may not make a difference if there are two shared boats, or one dedicated for each. Just Psychological I guess. :)

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Caskbill


So the campground guest is paying more for their vacation stay considering their initial investment in a camper

That works if they bought a 34 foot fully loaded motor home. But I'll bet a few points that a good percentage of the campers at FW did not spend more than we did for DVC. Tents, pop ups and other little trailers don't come close to our financial expenditure.

Does that make me think I am BETTER than them or that they are second class citizens? No. But I feel the same way about them as I do about other "non-WL" guests. They shouldn't be using our pool unless they are DVC. That's the rules.

[Caskbill]

OhioMinnie:

I definitely agree with you about who should and who should not be using the WL and VWL pools. That's for the guests staying at those resorts and any FW guests have no more right to be using those pools than someone staying at the All Stars, or even the GF for that matter. Pool hopping among Disney resorts is not permitted except for DVC members pool hopping between DVC resorts, when, and only when, they are staying at a DVC resort on points.

And yes tents and pop-ups are less expensive than probably all DVC memberships. Please note though that in my experiences camping at FW I believe the vast majority of campsites have motorhomes , fifth-wheel campers, and full size trailers. New these types of units will range from $25k to $250k, and up, so I still feel that most FW guests have more invested in their camping unit than most DVC members. Even the pop-up campers today cost $4k to $7k today. However we don't camp at FW during the summer, when school is out, but rather off-season. It is highly likely that the makeup of campers during the summer may include a higher percentage of tent, or pop-up campers of families on more limited budgets.

I also concede that it is also true that owning a camping unit allows vacations at other than WDW, so even though the investment is higher in many cases as compared to purchasing DVC, the total investment can allow more days usage (camping) during a season than a given number of points will allow at a DVC resorts.

On the downside, though, my camper has decreased in value each year since I purchased it :(, while my DVC purchase has increased in value every year. :D. On the flip side, taxes on my camper have gone down every year (they're based on value), while my DVC dues have gone up.

Anyway the point I was trying to make is that these guests have just as much pride in staying in their campers at FW as we have pride in staying in our DVC resorts. And therefore I thought that it sounded a little stand-offish saying WL and VWL deserved their own boat service and shouldn't have to share it with FW guests.

BTW it is my understanding that during high capacity seasons, the CG does have it's own boat, and the Lodge has it's own also.

Maybe I just read the tone of some of the posts wrong. I also believe I stand corrected in that the Wilderness Lodge was never offically named Ft. Wildrness Lodge. I know it has been called that, incorrectly, and that may be from where my earliest recollections came from.

Sorry for getting off-topic here. As to the bell at the villas, I have never heard it so really can't help out there.

[msdis]

Bill

You are so right about the campers at FW. We rode bikes from WLV every day to FW on our recent trip and were blown away at the vast majority of the campers there. I have owned 2 campers in years past and although they did not rival my investment in DVC they were nice campers. But what we saw there would rival my HOUSE and I think I have a really nice house. And there were not a few but a great deal of REALLY nice, expensive "homes". And the cabins for rent looked REALLY nice too. We teased about how the FW cabins and camp sites had more space between neighbors than Celebration does. LOL!!!

[Dano1182]

The Bell is one of two Cow Bells located out side of Arcade.
Every kid passing them sems to ring them.

The breakfast in Roaring forks was terrible.

Our CM waiter was going through the motions.Not very happy in his job.

The others seemed to be making attempts at entertaining children.But were not very good.
I go to disney expecting some cheesey entertainment but this was bad.

THE WORST BREAFAST I HAVE EVER HAD

What were those potatoes ?????????

[Dano1182]

I forgot to mention it seemed as though we were the only people staying in the lodge poolside most seemed to be campers from Ft Wilderness.
Even met a couple of local teeenagers crashing the pool.


Back to Boardwalk next year.

[MAC3]

Wasn't trying to make anyone feel out of sorts. I certainly don't have aot of cash so No big deal. I am a camper I sleep in a two room tent couldn't afford what you have.

But I still believe good fences make good neighbors. I don't think that I am any better than anyone staying at the campground (which I have always wanted to do) or people saying @ the All Stars (which I have done many times and would do again).

Just my opinion,