VWL is a wonderful resort. I am sure your family will enjoy it. You are right that itn't always easy to book there. It is the smallest of all the vacation club resorts in WDW.
Funny thing is, before we stayed at BWV this past spring, I was not fond of the clown....but I liked everything else about the resort so much that I got over it!
DW and I stayed at WL (not VWL) this last March. Weather was nice and warm (mid to high 80's) compared to Chicago (go Cubs), and the lodge is very relaxing. I voted for VWL even though we will be going to OKW in May 2011.
Either way - 9 months is way to long not to be Welcomed Home. Enjoy.
Been at VWL in Feb when was COLD at night and the big fire roaring in the lobby was awesome! The boats to MK cannot be beat and MK is our favorite resort. My DD's are older and they loved staying later at MK and taking the boat back on their own. DD's also love riding the monorail to all the different resorts whenever they wanted (boat to Contemporary and away you go)