Anyone annoyed by that @#$%^ bell at VWL?

[DisneyKidds]

Just back from a great 5 nights at VWL. We loved it at Christmas time - we loved it this time. The ultimate in relaxation - that's all I can say.

A few observations/thoughts.

We were in room 1558 - aaaalllllllllllll the way down the hall on the first floor, facing the bus stop. We were a little concerned at first as last time we were in the same location but on the third floor and had a wonderful view of the garbage dumpster. Luckily, on the first floor it wasn't an issue as there was a fence and lots of nice plantings hiding the garbage area. The one problem though - a loud bell that went off at all hours, including 3:00 and 4:00 in the am. We have a baby who is a light sleeper and was woken by this @#$%^ bell several times. It also kept my DW up. We probably should have asked to be moved, but never did (don't like to rock the boat you know ). We did mention it (we don't complain ) to the CM on checkout and he said he would pass it along. Anyone else ever hear the bell?

Anyone think that the WL should have its' own boat transportation - seperate from Ft. Wilderness? Apparently they were down a "cruiser" (one of the large boats) this weekend, but the wait for a boat back to the WL after the MK closed was at least 45 minutes, with a total trip of at least an hour. I know WL is cheaper than GF and Poly - but they are all deluxe resorts and should have comparable transportation - it doesn't take anyone an hour to get to those after the MK closes. I have nothing against Ft. Wilderness, but there seem to be so many people that stay there and the boat transportation to the WL gets very crowded.

Roaring Forks food remains disappointing, IMHO. However, the Magic Cookie Bars are just that, and the chocolate frosted brownie was to die for.

Checked out the BCV model - they look beautiful.

Happy to answer any questions.

 

[Regina]

I never heard the bell.

I'd like to see separate transportation. When we were there, we noticed people taking the waterferry back to Ft. Wilderness after spending their day swimming in the WL pools.

 

[ohiominnie]

What bell?

And ditto on seeing FW people in swim gear heading to WL.
WL should have better transportation to the MK (meaning getting you to the MK before non-deluxe resorts. Most days we went to the MK we noticed that All Stars, PO, CSR, CB, etc busses were already there and unloaded. It would be a nice perk for the $$ you pay to have a jump on the park hours (especially without EE)

 

[KNWVIKING]

Was it possibly a back-up alarm from the trash truck emptying the dumpster ? We were ground floor, maybe five rooms or so from the dumpster in Dec and never heard the noise.

As for FW guests using WL pools, don't we go to their camp fire & go on their hayrides ? Not saying either is right or wrong, just know that it happens.Also, maybe the people in swimwear are WL guests returning from RC.

 

[robinb]

I think I know the bell you are talking about. It's outside the adcade and people ring it as they go by. Our studio overlooked the courtyard between the Villas and the main building and we heard the bell a lot. It wasn't loud enough to bother us, though and we were on the 2nd floor.

I loved the VWL, but was given one of the very few studios that did not have a balcony. There was no way I was staying at a DVC resort without a balcony and I asked to be moved. Sometimes you just need to "rock the boat" .

 

[DisneyKidds]

Maybe that @#$%^ing bell is new. Definitely not those harmless bells by the arcade. This was an industrial strength bell that went off for a reason, somehow related to resort operations (as indicated by the CM I mentioned it to on check out). Definitely not a back up alarm from a truck. It was loud and sounded like a school bell or something. We never heard any other noise associated with it either (like a truck, or dumpsters moving, etc.) It went off a lot and would last for maybe 20 to 30 seconds (trust me, that is a long time ). Perhaps it went off when someone accessed the garbage dumpsters. I have no idea, but when I mentioned it at checkout the CM indicated it was not the first time it was mentioned.

Now I am really curious - has no one else heard it, does anyone know what it is, am I going crazy ?

As for the whole Ft. Wilderness using WL pools - I believe that is wrong. Pool hopping is not generally allowed between WDW resorts (DVC members excluded, of course ) so Ft. Wilderness guests should not be using the WL pools. If they want to use them they should stay at the WL. I believe the campfire and hayride, as well as the petting farm and pony rides, are a different story. These activities at Ft. Wilderness are advertised as available to all WDW resort guests.

 

[ohiominnie]

If WDW wanted to discourage WL guests from using FW for the campfire program, hay rides, pony rides or petting zoo (i.e. goats) then they shouldn't give you an activity guide at check in which lists these things and the times they are offered.

My guess (and again, a guess because I'm not totally certain) is that FW check in papers do NOT say "WL pool is open for your use from X-a.m. - X-p.m."

Sorry can't help with the bell. Doesn't sound like the cowbells that we ring....and MUST ring every time we go by lest something bad happens when we don't (superstitious I know!)

 

[lodgelady]

Stayed in April, never heard a bell! Sorry!

As for the Ft Wilderness transportation issue, I do agree that if WL is in the premium category, it should have it's own boats and busses. I tried to be charitable in my thoughts, but I kept thinking that the folks in the campground were paying $50/ night for the same transportation as WL- that didn't seem fair.

The pool issue is also not fair, but as long as Water Country stays closed, "our" pool will be nicer enough than the campgrounds' pools to draw people.

The big question for me is with all of the combined FW/WL services, do the campground guests feel entitled to use the WL pools? maybe they don't think they are doing something that isn't allowed?

 

[erikthewise]

Let me play Devil's Advocate. Which Deluxe resorts currently have their own buses? Unless I miss my guess, it's a very short list: AKL. Generally speaking, the Mods and Values are the ones with their own buses!

I'm sure the guests at GF and Poly would be happy to see WL get it's own buses!

However you have my complete sympathy concerning sharing boats and pools with FW. "Good fences make good neighbors."

 

[BIERMUGG]

Was it outside the room but in the building?
Some fire alarm systems use load bells in the hallways. Maybe it was somebody playing a joke or being an idiot ??

George

 

[DVC Bunny]

DinseyKidds - You're not crazy about the bell. We just got back from VWL and, although I never heard it in the wee hours of the morning, I sure heard it at 2 and 3 in the afternoon. It sounded like a fire exit door was open. Quite annoying!!!

-Deborah

 

[Regina]

Let me play Devil's Advocate. Which Deluxe resorts currently have their own buses?

Why Old Key West, of course.

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by erikthewise "Good fences make good neighbors." [/B]

Well said Erik... I've always enjoyed that saying.....Haven't stayed at the Lodge so I have no idea about the bell but campground using a deluxe pool? Don't seem right!

I am a camper (and do plan to camp someday at FW). But to tell you the truth I probably will poolhop only because it is my one of my dvc privies!

Sorry If I offended anyone! It's just my opinion.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds

Anyone think that the WL should have its' own boat transportation - seperate from Ft. Wilderness? Apparently they were down a "cruiser" (one of the large boats) this weekend, but the wait for a boat back to the WL after the MK closed was at least 45 minutes, with a total trip of at least an hour.

Just had to comment on the cruiser being down -- we were on that particular boat when it went down. We were on our way to the Lodge from MK on Friday when dh noticed one of the security boats riding along side us. He wondered why, but by the time we pulled up to the WL dock, we knew -- our boat was smoking!! It was immediately taken out of service, and we were feeling happy to be docked.

 

[DVC-Don]

Bell? We were in 1555 last month and did not hear any bell.

 

[slp87]

Which Deluxe resorts currently have their own buses? Unless I miss my guess, it's a very short list: AKL.

Definitely not the deluxe resorts at Epcot! We had to ride the bus & boat to Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club & Beach Club before reaching BWV.

 

[melk]

ohiominnie,
You are correct that FW check-in papers do not say that the WL pool is available for use by FW guests. I have stayed at FW cabins several times and this is not a FW privilege. Unfortunately there must be some who pool hop, as there are that do at the other resorts as well. I do agree that they should have separate boats to the Magic Kingdom, just for the sake of time spent waiting and overcrowding. And as far as WL guests taking advantage of activities at FW, I believe the petting zoo, trail rides and campfire are open to WDW guests, not just FW. But I don't think that you could pool hop over to FW(not that you would really want to...). But we have always loved FW and recently bought at VWL just so we could still be close to it and take advantage of some of what it has to offer.

 

[msdis]

We never heard any bell this month either. I wonder if it is a security bell and some kids were having fun with it once they discovered they could make it go off.

You all got my curiosity up that maybe, just maybe something in the "Gazette" misled FW residents into believing it was ok to use WL pool. We just so happened to ride bikes over to FW everyday on our recent trip and I happened to pick up the info they give you at check in so I have read it top to bottom and here is what it says about pools.

"cool off at the ol'meadow swimmin' hole and wilderness pool. Adult and children's pools. Open daily 24 hours. Lifeguard hours change seasonally. For your safety and enjoyment, diaper age children are required to wear swim diapers or rubber pants while using any pool at the Walt Disney World Resort. Swim diapers are available in our merchandise locations for your convenience. Pools are intended for the exclusive use of Disney's Fort Wilderness resort and Campground guests."


I have seen this same wording at other resorts also. In fact there was little to no mention of ANY other WDW resort facilities unlike how the WL encourages it's guests to partake in the FW facilities.

 

[KLR-wlv]

Never heard the bell - but about sharing the boat I totally agree. We stayed at WL 2 years ago before buying into DVC there and the boats were not combined. When we went back last year after WLV was opened they were combined. I never quite understood why when they added the DVC units they cut back on the boats? SOme mornings - since they picked up at FW first - there would be no room and we'd have to wait for another boat. After SPectromagic the wait was horrible. THey either need more boats on the route or go back to what they did before WLV opened and separate the routes.
Kristen

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

To bring in some extra cash, it's rumored he's been working the late shift......pushing the good humor cart around the lodge.

We'll listen for the bell next week when we are there.