Just returned from WLV and BWV

[Mickeysduck]

We just spent 6 days at WLV and 6 days at BWV.
Still tring to make up my mind which resort I liked better.

At WLV the housekeeping people didn't seem as experienced as BWV. I asked for a few more paper bowls (we only had 4 when we got there). One of them told me that they wern't supposed to be nice to the DVC members, but she did "sneak" a few to me later in the day.

Same situation came up at BWV. They quickly brought me lots of bowls, plates, and plastic spoons and forks. They seemed more experienced with guests (naturally, they have been there longer).

At night, over the weekend at BWV, there was a DJ outside that played music till around midnight.

There was too many positives to list here for each resort. No matter where you are at the time, you don't know how anywhere else can top it.

[This message was edited by Mickeysduck on 03-12-01 at 08:20 AM.]

[baileybrad]

the VWL are terrible because what's the world coming to if you can't get more free paper bowls from housekeeping ;) If I were you I would cross the VWL off of my list to stay. You do know that you can get more bowls, spoons, plates, etc. at the Roaring Forks.

[Princess Tess]

Can you tell me what kind of activities they have at VWL for young teens? Or even for the whole family, especially after the parks close.
Thanks.
PT

[BVC4us]

Did they really say that they weren't supposed to treat DVC members well? I'm a new DVC member and I have a real problem with that. I paid a lot of money for this membership and I expect to be treated well and with respect. I hope this isn't the norm at the DVC resorts.

[mdmbdumont]

I would not start getting to worried about a lack of respect before you get there. I just found these boards over the last few days. I have read posts all the way back to October and it sounds like there are a lot of special CM's and Guides at WDW at the resorts. There may be a few inconsiderate people, but my guess is they don't last too long.

JMHO :cool:

Michael

[Peterd]

Sorry to hear how bad your vacation was. Our kids loved the DJ outside the dance hall, I didn't think it went on too late.When we were there, they ended at 10. The one saturday, Christina Aguilera was staying there, and the DJ was playing her songs,joking that she would come down. Our daughter met her the day before at MK and loved it. We thought the DJ ended too early. How late did he play? I thought they only played on Saturday.
Besides the paper plates you were not given,Was that the only thing you didn't like, and would you go back?
Was the Wilderness Lodge villas worth it? We have stayed at the Wilderness lodge and loved it. We haven't tried the Villa side yet. We were thinking of buying into it.

[Mickeysduck]

Don't misunderstand me, our vacation was outstanding and magical as usual. It was far from being a bad vacation.

The DJ played until 11 on Saturday, I was not there on Thursday or Friday but one of the CMs there told us it was 3 nights every weekend.
I think we were just in a bad spot for morning people.

As far as the WLV, it was the comment from housekeeping, not so much the paper plates, that bothered us most, and we got past that rather quickly. Perhaps because the resort is so new, they just don't have the "people" experience that the other resorts have.
We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge the past 3 years and really wanted to stay at the WLV.
I would not hesitate to buy into the WLV. It is very much worth it! The pool could have been a little bigger. I found many people moving to our pool form the Wilderness Lodge pool because that one was so crowded. But it was still not too bad, and most of the time there was very few people.

We actually waited months before buying into BWV waiting for WLV to begin selling. But broke down just before the price increase. I think each resort has it's own good points, and being a DVC member, it's good to know we could stay at any one of them.

If we were buying today, we wouldn't flinch at buying at WLV. It is still one of our favorites and we will surely stay there again in the future.

[Mickeysduck]

As far as activities for teens and whole family there are many at WLV area. Fort Wilderness is a stones throw away where there is Mickeys BBQ, Hoop-de-Do Review, and walk in outdoor movies with Chip and Dale.
They can rent a bike and go on miles of bike trails, boat rentals, parasailing, fishing, canoes, and nature trails for walking. Every night at 9 there is a electric light water parade you can view from the beach. Then there is the suprise activities that you discover while you are there. We ran into a horse and buggy ride after dark that went from Fort Widerness to Wilderness Lodge and back.
If these are the kinds of things you like, then this is the place to be

[MN_DizNut]

And don't forget River Country at FW, and Discovery Island. Plus, my DD loves the arcade, and just hanging out at the Roaring Forks to see who else is there...

Jon

WDW '85 offsite
DL '85
DL '87
WDW '89 offsite
WL '97
WL '97 (again!)
WH '99
WL '99
AStSp '99 (YUCKY!!!)
DCL/Poly Jun/July '02

[TinkerbellRules]

From what I understand, it depends on the time of year you go for the DJ. We didn't see him in Oct, but we weren't there on Saturday night. Our friend's DD loved him! They are planning on going in April and plan to visit the DJ. Their DD (then 8) danced for two hours!

Now, what type of room did you have at each resort? We're trying to get either one for Oct. We need a two BR. I understand the BWV have a 1 BR with a studio attached via door. How does the WLV compare? I haven't seen the lay-out of the room. Does anyone have that and could them email to me?

Thanks!

________________________
In memory of Dale Earnhardt, Sr....
________________________

Been there, done that, going back!

Check my site: http://www.geocities.com/tinkerbellwdw2000/

Off-site 87, 88
All Star Music 97
All Star Music 98
All Star Movies 99
Ft Wilderness Oct 00
BWV/WLV Oct 01

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[bjcgl]

The comment from the housekeeping staff is bothersome - It might be worth giving your "guide" a call to let him/her know what was said to you - that way they can take care of it before it gets to be a problem. After all, they make it seem like we should be treated better than regular paying guests - because we are DVC members!

[DiznEeyore]

I just cannot even imagine what would make a housekeeping CM say that they weren't supposed to be nice to DVC members! You better believe I would've followed up on that comment immediately!

http://thunder.prohosting.com/~travsmom/a&e.jpg
Amy
"DiznEeyore"
Offsite '78
ASMu 10/98
PO 2/99
ASMo/Poly/PO 9/99
Contemporary 9/00
VWL 12/01

[Paul in CT]

Mickeysduck,

If housekeeping gave you extra towels without charging, then BWV must have a different policy than OKW. It was my understanding that for DVC members extra towels over the "allotment" are billed to the room. I guess there are no "towel police" at BWV. :)

Paul in CT

[baileybrad]

if BW housekeeping is giving out "extra towels" then someone is paying to have them cleaned.

And the day that a housekeeping employee starts setting policy (the remark "we are not suppose to be nice to DVC folks" attributed to the VWL employee) is the day that the day WED flips over in his grave. A politically incorrect hk is not a reason to be worried about DVC service. A few more comments like this to the wrong guest will solve that problem very quickly.

[Disnydad]

Somebody mentioned Discovery Island as a thing to do while at the VWL. Discovery Island closed a year or so ago. :(

Don, DVC/VWL 2000

No frogs were riveted during the construction of this post.

OS/90, BC/95, WL/97, Contemp/98&99, Poly/99, DxL/00, CBR/00

[Mickeysduck]

Sorry, Housekeeping at BWV did not give us extra towels.
The point I was trying getting across is that they were very good and filled every request we asked of them quickly and with a smile. We got an extra blanket, extra tissues (not towels, my mistake, one of us had a cold), and paper bowls without any problem whatsoever. I just wanted to get across that they were exceptional and very pleasant.

[Princess Tess]

When I took the tour recently of the model units at DVC's open house BWV and VWL had very similar layouts with the exception of the bathroom designs, the toilet area was closed off with a pocket door for added privacy at VWL. I've read on other threads that some people believe that the kitchen area is a little smaller at VWL.

Mickeysduck - Thank you for the info about teen activities at VWL.

[wdwnut]

hi: i've been going to the wl with teens since 95. the pool and snack bar are the social gathering places they've liked. the kids have always had charging privileges on their room keys and have been known to spend a little time and money in the roaring forks treating a new friend for snacks. the arcade is a little bigger now than it used to be. they've also rented bikes during the day.

[alice in wonderland]

I was wanting to know if the BWV is going to be all I am expecting in October? We bought into the timeshare in Feb of 00' and have stayed in some of the concierge places and then at Hilton Head and were not the least bit impressed with Hilton Head. I have 6 rooms booked for October and am taking alot of family and friends. Any help will help greatly.

Thanks!!

[Mickeysduck]

Aice, I think BWV will be all you expected and then some!
You can walk or take a boat to Epcot and Disney-MGM. Between BW, the YC, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin, there are more restaurants than you can possibly eat at in a month, and plenty of pools and activities both day and night. Don't forget to try your hand at Fantasia Gardens Mini-golf which is also a stones throw away!
Anyone who gets bored at Boardwalk has to really work at it.
My opinion...I don't think you will regret it.

[AnnK]

Alice,
You will NOT be disappointed, and your family and friends will be impressed!
BWV is beautiful! When you pull into the resort it is just gorgeous! THe lobby is very impressive. The rooms are nicely decorated, and very comfortable. The restaurants have fantastic food. You can walk to Epcot, MGM, and to the Fantasia Gardens Golf. The pool is fun for the kids and adults. The communtiy hall has a computer and many N 64 games, as well as ping-pong and foosball. You have a fantastic view of the fireworks at Epcot if you have a boardwalk or non -preferred view, overlooking the entrance. If you don't have these rooms you can see them just by going to the BW or the entrance.
You will LOVE the BW!

[DisneyHumbug]

wdwnut: I'm so glad you mentioned that WL is good for teens. As new DVCers, I'm planning our next Feb. vacation and we've never stayed at WL. Your post makes me feel more confident. Thanks.

FW 86,90,93,94
DxL 95,96,96(Apr&Aug),98
CR 00
CSR 01
OKW 01 can't wait!

[TinkerbellRules]

Thank you for the post :)

________________________
In memory of Dale Earnhardt, Sr....
________________________

Been there, done that, going back!

Check my site: http://www.geocities.com/tinkerbellwdw2000/

Off-site 87, 88
All Star Music 97
All Star Music 98
All Star Movies 99
Ft Wilderness Oct 00
BWV/WLV Oct 01

http://www.geocities.com/pete164/flyTINKERBELL.gif