A view of VWL from an SSR owner...

[Ducky4Disney]

First of all, VWL is gorgeous - downright stunning! I mean, when you talk about "theme" and whether or not a place really has a theme, there is NO DOUBT that VWL is oozing with it! Disney really did a great job on that whole resort!

The Lodge is beautiful. Large open space, great decor, nice touches everywhere. The Villas building is also unexpectedly beautiful. I love the rooms off to the side with big cushy chairs, a fireplace, and board games. We were on the third floor, #3462 (I think?), right off the center of the building and our view was of the covered bridge leading to the Lodge. Not a great view but I don't care - it was woodsy and quiet. Clearly, the room had been under rehab recently, everything seemed new. Carpet, upholstery, paint, etc. We had 5 towel animals and a big towel Mickey in our room; way more than I've ever seen at SSR. DS LOVED the special channel that runs continuous Disney cartoons (the same one they play in the lobby). Why can't we get that at SSR?

Strolling the grounds we had the same feeling - this place is beautiful. The pools looked nice, there's a sand beach and playground, and of course the waterfall and geyser to enjoy. We only stayed 2 nights before our move to SSR and I'd like to try it again for a longer trip.

Our biggest complaint was the parking. Good Lord! Park in tim-buck-2, hike up to the lodge, through the lodge, outside, over the bridge, into the Villas. WHEW! I am very used to parking pretty close to my building so this was very different for us. I know they have valet and that it's free for DVC members, but DH refused to use it - don't ask me why .

We had a check in issue (we always do) and bell services left a bit to be desired as did the valet at check-in (maybe why DH wouldn't use them) but most people seemed to be nice. Staying at VWL seemed more like a deluxe than SSR - it was strange. As if, because it's part of a deluxe hotel, there's just better service all around.

Checking into SSR was truly like going home for us. While we liked VWL overall, we couldn't wait to go "home"!

D4D

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for the review.

I won't use the valet service, either. Read one too many stories about valets damaging cars and the hassles that occured because of it. It's particularly awful if the car is rented. Also, the valets are no longer Disney employees. Even though I know that it happens very, very, very, very, very rarely, I just don't want to take the chance of it happening to us. (I've seen the way some of the valets drive, LOL).

Again - thanks for sharing your impressions of VWL.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Our biggest complaint was the parking. Good Lord! Park in tim-buck-2, hike up to the lodge, through the lodge, outside, over the bridge, into the Villas.

I'm sure you know this but you can get to the Villas without going thru the lodge; just walk in via the bus stop area directly from the parking lot. We always just unload our stuff by the curb near the bus stop and take our stuff directly to our unit. We never mess with valet and bell service mess (I never know when to tip, so I just do it myself).

 

[spiceycat]

time to join the VWL fan club!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1795696

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I'm sure you know this but you can get to the Villas without going thru the lodge; just walk in via the bus stop area directly from the parking lot. We always just unload our stuff by the curb near the bus stop and take our stuff directly to our unit. We never mess with valet and bell service mess (I never know when to tip, so I just do it myself).

Yes and no - it makes sense because I could see the bus stop from my balcony, so I knew it was close. But when you drive into the resort the sign says "WDW Buses Only" - and we obeyed the signs so we didn't drive up that way for any reason. The first few sections of parking lot are all for valet only which means you have to park in the far section; farther from the bus stop, so I never thought about walking past the Lodge to the bus stop and getting to the Villa's that way.

If we didn't have a car (rental) this resort would be very appealing to me, but with a car the parking situation is nonsense (unless you use valet).

D4D

 

[bobbiwoz]

There is self parking down the very first lane as you enter the WL's parking lot area. The lanes are HA until about 1/2 way down. It's very good to park there, not a bad walk at all to the villas.

Bobbi

 

[Ducky4Disney]

There is self parking down the very first lane as you enter the WL's parking lot area. The lanes are HA until about 1/2 way down. It's very good to park there, not a bad walk at all to the villas.

Bobbi

Good to know!

I would like to stay there again and this might help sway DH. I'd like to stay there with only DH and I so we can really enjoy the resort.

D4D

 

[iteachlit]

Our biggest complaint was the parking. Good Lord! Park in tim-buck-2, hike up to the lodge, through the lodge, outside, over the bridge, into the Villas. WHEW!

This is just another facet of the Lodge's amazing theme. It was designed to make it feel like a real nature hike. Imagine early settlers hauling their wares throughout the great north west.

The Imagineers did a great job, right?