1st time at VWL..advice

[mep319]

This will be our first DVC trip and our first stay at VWL, any advice on what we should know about the resort...should we make any special requests? We have a studio, any one better than another, with a view? I've heard something about a mini electic light parade on the lake? Any insight would be greatly appreciated and as always......THANKS!

 

[VMS]

We will also be making our first trip home to VWL then too. After spending 4 nights at Universal, we will be at VWL from 8/25 - 8/30. It will be my DS's 9th birthday while we are there, and have made PS for the All American Barbecue. We have never gone in the summer before, so we would like to try it. Also last week made my ressies for my 5 year old DD and myself for Cindy's. At VWL we requested an upper floor non-smoking, although since then I have heard that the upper floors have weird ceilings and balconies you can't see out of. Left the requests alone, though. Hope to see you there. Have a great trip.

 

[ErinC]

We had a 4th floor studio in May(our 1st trip). Most all the views are of the woods. I took my DD's down to the pier where you rent the boats and we watched the electric light parade there. We had a wonderful time and I can't wait to get back. We could also see the quiet pool from our room , if you looked down to our left. When we entered our room for the first time on a Thursday afternoon, I opened the curtains and there were 2 deer outside our room in the woods area. We saw them a couple of times during our stay. Everything was great. Hope you have a great time. Erin

 

[R.J.'s Dad]

We stayed at VWL in May and had a 2 bedroom unit on the 4th floor. Our balcony was great- no odd ceilings. As far as view requests, most of the complex is in the woods so there isn't much choice in that. The light parade goes right past the complex. Good viewing areas are the transportation pier or the marina. If you plan to spend more time at Magic Kingdom use the boats to get there- they are very relaxing and run often. If you have kids be sure to make res. at Whispering Canyon cafe- The food is good and the atmosphere is fun. For an adult dinner Artists Point is great with great views. We also boated to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop-tee-do review- fun for the kids but pricey. Bus service is ok to other parks, but I'd recommend a car. Make sure to take the tour of how they built the resort- it's great. Have fun!!!!

 

[MardiGrasDVC]

We stayed in a VWL Studio in Dec'01. Some special things:

- Ask to be the Flag Family one morning. This is popular and limited, so you should ask for it when you check-in. The only open slot when we checked in was for our very last morning ... and we snagged it!

- Watch the Electric Water Pageant from the beach area. It performs every night at 9:35pm on Bay Lake. (You can also watch it from the Poly at 9pm, GF at 9:15pm, and Contemp at 10:05pm.)

- The geyser goes off every half hour during the day.

- Ask the front desk for a Hidden Mickey list. There are tons of them!!

- Take the free "Wonders of the Lodge" tour. In December it was only offered Wed-Sat at 9am. They will show you all the special features of the Lodge, and point out more Hidden Mickeys!

- Have an elegant meal at Artist Point, or a rollicking good time at Whispering Canyon.

 

[Coastie]

Make sure you ask for some ketchup if you eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe...

 

[Granny]

Good point about the ketchup Coastie.

It helps to wear a Universal Studios t-shirt too!

 

[mep319]

Thanks for all your help but if I could ask Granny why it helps to wear a Universal Studio's T-shirt. Am I missing something?

 

[Granny]

mep319...Coastie and I were pulling your leg a little.

Whispering Canyon is a poorly named place because usually there is a lot going on with the wait staff. They like to get a little noisy and downright crazy sometimes.

Ask for ketchup and you might find the cook coming out of the kitchen making a big and loud fuss (all in fun) about asking for ketchup.

Show up in a Universal Studios hat or t-shirt, or mention to your waiter that you went there that day and he/she might just throw a fit right there.

Different waiters react differently to these things, but Whispering Canyon is known as a place that likes to interact with the guests. Don't be disappointed if you don't get these reactions, but in general the staff loves to "work with" the customers!

They had my daughter standing on her chair leading the entire restaurant in the Hokey Pokey last time we ate there!

 

[mep319]

Thanks for all your help, I'll have to say I was a little confused. I'm really excited about staying at VWL. We made our yearly trips to WDW but due to budget constraints we always did the moderate resorts. Now w/ DVC we are able to enjoy a better resort and are really excited. I also now have an idea of what to expect. I appreciate the time everyone took to answer my question. Thanks again!!

 

[Regina]

You think asking for ketchup is bad, my dining companion made the mistake of asking for a refill of baked beans at the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Let's just say that, among other things, the waitstaff went through an emergency drill explaining that oxygen masks will deploy if there were any "eruptions."

 

[dizfanz]

WLV is great. I would ask for a pool and/or lake view. Great spot to rent boats or bikes. There is a great bike trail over to Fort Wilderness. There are a couple posts on this site about the recreation package at the boat dock. Unlimited use of boats and bikes for length of stay for $199. Artists point is a great restaurant. Whispering canyon great for breakfasts. Very entertaining. Very quiet resort. Bring bug spray for nightly walks outside, especially on the beach. Just hang out and read in the main lodge. Lots of little hinding spots to read pass time. I like grabbing a beer from the gift shop and go to this little outcove on the second or third landing, it has a fireplace and a nice view of the lobby and some nice couches to relax on.