Di$neyDad
<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis-sponsor/" targ
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2003
- Messages
- 52
I got my DVC membership this past June and just got back from my first stay. I stayed at VWL, my home resort, and was VERY happy with the experience.
Looking at the property maps, I thought that the building with the villas was much farther from the main building. But it's actually very close. Of course, the hallways of all WL buildings are very long, so if you're at the far end it's a bit of a walk. But the end of the of the villas that's close to the main lodge is very close and is also very close to the buses.
Second, I got lucky with my request of being "close to the main lodge", which I made because we had relatives staying there. We checked in just before noon and the room was ready. I got room 1501, which is a ground floor studio as close as you can get to the main lodge. It was exactly what I wanted. And we were closer to the check-in desk than my parents, who were in the main lodge but at the far end of one of the hallways.
The room decor was great, and I was surprised at the kitchenette area. I thought the studios just had a microwave and mini-fridge, typical of some hotels. But there was also a sink, and the fridge was about the size of a dishwasher.
The service was also excellent. Our daughter got sick and was in bed for an entire day. We wanted to rent videos for her, which are free for DVC members, but studios don't have a VCR. When I mentioned this to the gift shop CM, she called around and ended up getting someone to bring and setup a VCR for us - free of charge. Since our daughter had a high fever, we wanted to get her checked out by a doctor. The hotel provided a shuttle to and from an urgent care facility, including a stop for a prescription - also free of charge. When I checked in, I requested an extra towel service, since I wasn't sure if the normally provided towels would be enough. Something got screwed up with the request and we ended up getting towel service on three consecutive days. When I called to ask what was going on, they apologized and immediately stated that we would not be charged for the extra service, before I even asked about this. Oh, and for those who monitor such things, I got "welcome homes" from the front-desk CM at check-in and from the front gate attendant when you drive into the hotel.
Although we didn't get to use them, it was nice to see DVC discounts at the Artist Point restaurant as well as for bike and boat rentals.
I can't wait to try out a 2-bedroom for my Thanksgiving trip next year. I'm just waiting for that 11-month window to open up.
Looking at the property maps, I thought that the building with the villas was much farther from the main building. But it's actually very close. Of course, the hallways of all WL buildings are very long, so if you're at the far end it's a bit of a walk. But the end of the of the villas that's close to the main lodge is very close and is also very close to the buses.
Second, I got lucky with my request of being "close to the main lodge", which I made because we had relatives staying there. We checked in just before noon and the room was ready. I got room 1501, which is a ground floor studio as close as you can get to the main lodge. It was exactly what I wanted. And we were closer to the check-in desk than my parents, who were in the main lodge but at the far end of one of the hallways.
The room decor was great, and I was surprised at the kitchenette area. I thought the studios just had a microwave and mini-fridge, typical of some hotels. But there was also a sink, and the fridge was about the size of a dishwasher.
The service was also excellent. Our daughter got sick and was in bed for an entire day. We wanted to rent videos for her, which are free for DVC members, but studios don't have a VCR. When I mentioned this to the gift shop CM, she called around and ended up getting someone to bring and setup a VCR for us - free of charge. Since our daughter had a high fever, we wanted to get her checked out by a doctor. The hotel provided a shuttle to and from an urgent care facility, including a stop for a prescription - also free of charge. When I checked in, I requested an extra towel service, since I wasn't sure if the normally provided towels would be enough. Something got screwed up with the request and we ended up getting towel service on three consecutive days. When I called to ask what was going on, they apologized and immediately stated that we would not be charged for the extra service, before I even asked about this. Oh, and for those who monitor such things, I got "welcome homes" from the front-desk CM at check-in and from the front gate attendant when you drive into the hotel.
Although we didn't get to use them, it was nice to see DVC discounts at the Artist Point restaurant as well as for bike and boat rentals.
I can't wait to try out a 2-bedroom for my Thanksgiving trip next year. I'm just waiting for that 11-month window to open up.
is feeling well. 
