Advice about VWL

[Young Pooh]

We own at BCV and have only ever stayed there, BWV and SSR.

We have the following reservations - 4 nights at BCV(end of Aug), then DCL for 4 nights and then back to BCV for 7 nights.

I am thinking of changing the first 4 nights at the 7 month window and am considering VWL. We have never stayed there or even been to the hotel.

What can you tell me about the villas (we will be in a 1 bed). Does anything differ from those at BCV? What are they balconies like? - the pictures I've seen all tend to just have a small balcony off either the bedroom or living area. What are the views like? - again the pictures I've seen tend to be quite close to the woods and seem not to have a view.

It will be myself, DH and DD (age 4).

 

[wildernessDad]

Woods views mostly. There is a rustic feel to the rooms, matching Wilderness Lodge and the general theme. Some do not like the decor, but I love it. The size of the rooms are similar to BCV. It's 'close' to the MK. I love to take the boat over to the MK from the lodge dock.

The main lodge is spectacular, breath-taking actually. My feeble words cannot describe it, really.

I absolutely love VWL. It's different from the BCV, which we stayed at for the first time this past September. I liked BCV btw.

I say try to switch your ressie to VWL for the first 4 nights just to check it out.

I hope to one day stay at all of the DVC resorts, at least on property. I have 3 more to go - OKW, SSR and BLT. I'll be able to check off OKW next March.

 

[MatterhornMiss]

I recently stayed at both BCV and VWL in a 2BR, and think I prefer VWL over BCV. I liked the secluded, woodsy setting of VWL. I also like that the resort is smaller and more homey. I think my cousins preferred BCV because of SAB. I liked VWL so much I'm saving money to be able to add on there. I can see myself just relaxing around the resort, or wandering over to Ft. Wilderness to see what's going on there.

We were in a 2BR (Dedicated) so it may be a bit different, but the balcony was much larger at VWL than at BCV. At BCV, we just had a small balcony off the living area. At VWL, we had a balcony off the 2nd bedroom and the living area (it was connected). Our view was of the walkway between the main lodge and VWL, but if you faced right, it was a nice view of the lodge. The rooms were about the same size. It is my opinion that the counter service at VWL is better than at BCV, but again, that is just my opinion.

Boat service to the MK was crowded at peak times, but, from what I saw, bus service to and from the BCV (which while we were there also included BC/YC, BWI/BWV, Swan/Dolphin) wasn't any better. There was a separate boat servicing just the CR, Ft. Wilderness and WL, so you could visit either resort via boat (also a bus to Ft. Wilderness that came by frequently while waiting for HS). Bus service was decent, but was shared with the GF (which I didn't get since the GF is on the other side of 7 Seas Lagoon). The quiet pool (which wasn't obvious to me from pictures) has bubbling ("gurgling") jets of water coming up--so, kinda fun for the non-themed pool.

I really liked VWL--If you have the opportunity, I say, give it a chance!

Oh, and don't forget to ask on check in to be a flag family! We weren't there long enough to have any available days open to us.

 

[Anal Annie]

I vote for giving it a try since you're doing a split stay anyway! We stayed there on a cash ressie last January and fell in love with it! I cannot wait to have a chance to go back!

As WildernessDad said, the lobby in the main lodge is spectacular (I don't have any pics to do it justice tho)

Since the resort is designed to represent a mountain lodge, a view of the woods IS sort of a preferred view. We got lucky and got both woods and bit of the DVC pool

 

[kimberh]

To add to all the above posts, I am in agreement. It is our first DVC love. You said you are going in Aug. I will tell you that is just feels that the temp is cooler. It must be the trees. I know we are in Orlando, but you will think you are in the Pacific Northwest. It is something else. We just love it. Request a water view room. This will maybe get you on that side of the property.

 

[bonybroad]

I, too, am saving my pennies for an add-on at VWL. We stayed there in September, and I have never loved a vacation for the resort before.
I truly don't think I will enjoy anything else - I will always be comparing it.
Of course, I haven't even stayed at my home resort yet (SSR), but I will be THERE in November.
How I love DVC.....