Back from a great week at VWL...any questions?

[melk]

Just back from another great trip to VWL. This was our second trip home in less than a year and loved it. If I can answer any questions you may have, I will try.

We checked in about 1:30, after picking up our grocery order I had faxed to Albertson's, but our room was not ready yet. They took all our bags, groceries, etc and stored them for us. they did say at check in that we got our requests (non-smoking, pool view) and that we were on the fourth floor. But we didn't get our room number until we called in at 4:00.

We were in room 4511, a dedicated two-bedroom. It was immaculate, awesome view, really hot water in shower. The only drawback was that the master bedroom was closest to the elevator and at night and early in the morning you could hear the elevator running. But all in all a wonderful room.

We rented a surrey bike and went to Fort Wilderness one day and a deer ran across our path, about 20 feet ahead. The kids loved that as well as the armadillos we also encountered. The main pool got a little crowded at times but the quiet pool was always pretty quiet.

Other things we did during our week; Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Cinderella's buffet at GF, campfire sing along at FW, food and wine festival at Epcot, and MK fireworks (one word-AWESOME!).
If I can answer any questions about any of those, I will.

Weather was beautiful, crowds were manageable. It wasn't really as crowded as I was expecting. Lines were usually pretty small but it seemed crowded whenever you were walking around.

Now we just have to plan our next trip!!!

 

[JimC]

Thanks for the post. You mentioned renting a surrey bike and going to Fort Wilderness. How do you get from VWL to FW on a surrey bike? Sounds like it would be great fun! Is their a bike path connecting the two?

 

[melk]

JimC,
Yes, there is a paved bike path to FW and it really isn't that long a ride. The plan had been to rent regular bikes and go over but one of my dd's broke her wrist prior to the trip and really wouldn't be able to manuever her bike. We rented it for 1/2 hour and that gave us time to ride over and park at the petting zoo to spend a little time there and then bike back. They also have a sandy foot path you could walk to FW. Neither is lighted.

 

[JimC]

Melk,

Thank you. We will certainly try that when we go home to VWL.

 

[rriley25]

We loved the surrey bike ride to FW and the path is just right. Not too far or hilly, but just enough to keep everyone interested. I just wanted to add...FW also has pony rides. A nice treat for small children, but bring cash ($3.00). No other form of payment is accepted.

 

[dyingtodisney]

What is a Surrey bike?

 

[DisFam95]

How long is the path? We'll have our 18mo old and our friends w/ 3mo old..not sure I want them on the surrey bike. How long do you think the walk would be? I guess we could take the boat over with the stollers.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for the report! Glad you had a good time!!!

Allison an associate

 

[nanajoyx2]

What day did you check in? We were in that room from Oct . 17 to Oct. 25. I agree it is an awesome room, but we did not notice any noise from the elevator. Maybe we were just too tired at night and in the morning our grandsons made sure we didn't sleep late. We also had great weather and, as always, had a great time.

 

[rriley25]

A surrey bike is a four-wheeled bike with bench-type seating where more than one person is able to pedal. They have different sizes too. I believe up to 6 people can ride in the largest bikes.

I don't know the real distance, but it only takes about 10-15 minutes at a leisurely pace to get to FW. The bikes may be rented at the building near the marina. Because you can choose your own pace, I believe even the youngest child would be safe in these bikes. The pay-off is the petting zoo and the pony rides. Great for little children, probably not for teenagers.

Unlike the path around Crescent Lake near BWV / BCV, there are no big hills to climb. The path wanders through a wooded area between the WL and FW. Once at FW, take your time and enjoy. It really is a favorite of ours.

 

[melk]

nanajoyx2,
That is so funny, we checked in the 25th! As for the elevators, I never would have heard it just being in the room but at night, laying in bed with everything very quiet, we would hear the dull noise of the elevators going up and down. It never kept me from sleep, however!

DisFam95,
I wouldn't say the path is more than mile. You could have your 18mo sit in the basket in the front (we had our 2yo & 6yo up front, with the seat belt on). but you really couldn't bring the 3mo on the bike.