SleepyatDVC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2001
- Messages
- 2,559
Got back from a wonderful last minute trip to WDW with 3 year old dd sans dh & baby. We met up with my fellow DVCer aunt and 4 of her 8 
kids!
Neither of us had stayed at VWL and wanted to try it out, especially with young kids wanting to go mainly to MK. Was only able to get 2 nights at VWL - moved to OKW for next 2 nights.
I was very, very impressed with VWL. It was an absolutely beautiful resort and I can certainly see why people would choose it as their home resort even with it's higher points structure. Ate at Artist Point & Roaring Forks - both were good - loved the convenience. Lobby was gorgeous. Pool looked great but was too cool to try it out. Ferry boat seemed like great idea.
I wouldn't mind staying there again but I doubt it will be for a few years. Here's why: DD was scared of the dark decor - she absolutely hated the beautiful lobby and kept her eyes on her feet. She complained about going to the scarey hotel even during the day - once in the room, she was fine.
DD was also scared of the ferry - very small & rocky. Also , the ferry gave me bad headaches every time. The ferry seems convenient except they are not big enough, especially, in the morning. It was freezing waiting on the pier in the morning with the wind blowing (warmer at the parks). There were cold & crying kids everywhere. When the ferry finally got there, we didn't make it on even though we were there early - only fit 30+, more than double that amount waiting and more coming. Instead of waiting for the next ferry (too cold), we hopped on the boat (open air) to the Contemporary and walked to the MK. We never seemed to have a good experience with the ferry boats that trip. It probably would have helped if was warmer - although, bigger crowds mean even longer waits. IMHO, a bus would have been more comfortable & just as convenient.
We checked out of the VWL and into OKW - a rack room was ready, so we drove our luggage over and checked-in right away. I had thought it would be more of a hassle to stay there so out of the way - but the minute we got there, a sense of relaxation just came over me. It helped that dd was much happier in the bright & airy surroundings. DD and the other girls loved just playing in the room & balcony. We drove everywhere (DTD, AK & Epcot)`1 and it was actually easier to load up the kids in the car than to wait for a ferry or boat, especially in the evening. I finally felt "home" and remembered why I loved OKW so much.
On our last day, it was finally warm enough to swim, so we pool hopped to SAB after check-out and before our flight home. DD absolutely LOVED the sandy shallow area of the pool. She had so much fun that day - I think she would have enjoyed staying there the entire trip!
I'm glad we'll be staying at BCV for the second part of our trip in September after BWV. She'll be spending a lot of time there - SAB will probably be closed to pool hopping then. Boy, am I tempted to do an add-on at BCV!!
Each resort was wonderful in it's own way. I just think each resort suits us differently depending on when we go, with whom, with how many, for how long, with how old, which parks, how active, and at what stage of life we are at. That's what's so great about the flexibility of DVC!
Now that I'm back, I'm going through withdrawal - September seems too far away! Anyone else feel this way? 
kids!Neither of us had stayed at VWL and wanted to try it out, especially with young kids wanting to go mainly to MK. Was only able to get 2 nights at VWL - moved to OKW for next 2 nights.
I was very, very impressed with VWL. It was an absolutely beautiful resort and I can certainly see why people would choose it as their home resort even with it's higher points structure. Ate at Artist Point & Roaring Forks - both were good - loved the convenience. Lobby was gorgeous. Pool looked great but was too cool to try it out. Ferry boat seemed like great idea.
I wouldn't mind staying there again but I doubt it will be for a few years. Here's why: DD was scared of the dark decor - she absolutely hated the beautiful lobby and kept her eyes on her feet. She complained about going to the scarey hotel even during the day - once in the room, she was fine.
DD was also scared of the ferry - very small & rocky. Also , the ferry gave me bad headaches every time. The ferry seems convenient except they are not big enough, especially, in the morning. It was freezing waiting on the pier in the morning with the wind blowing (warmer at the parks). There were cold & crying kids everywhere. When the ferry finally got there, we didn't make it on even though we were there early - only fit 30+, more than double that amount waiting and more coming. Instead of waiting for the next ferry (too cold), we hopped on the boat (open air) to the Contemporary and walked to the MK. We never seemed to have a good experience with the ferry boats that trip. It probably would have helped if was warmer - although, bigger crowds mean even longer waits. IMHO, a bus would have been more comfortable & just as convenient.
We checked out of the VWL and into OKW - a rack room was ready, so we drove our luggage over and checked-in right away. I had thought it would be more of a hassle to stay there so out of the way - but the minute we got there, a sense of relaxation just came over me. It helped that dd was much happier in the bright & airy surroundings. DD and the other girls loved just playing in the room & balcony. We drove everywhere (DTD, AK & Epcot)`1 and it was actually easier to load up the kids in the car than to wait for a ferry or boat, especially in the evening. I finally felt "home" and remembered why I loved OKW so much.
On our last day, it was finally warm enough to swim, so we pool hopped to SAB after check-out and before our flight home. DD absolutely LOVED the sandy shallow area of the pool. She had so much fun that day - I think she would have enjoyed staying there the entire trip!
I'm glad we'll be staying at BCV for the second part of our trip in September after BWV. She'll be spending a lot of time there - SAB will probably be closed to pool hopping then. Boy, am I tempted to do an add-on at BCV!!
Each resort was wonderful in it's own way. I just think each resort suits us differently depending on when we go, with whom, with how many, for how long, with how old, which parks, how active, and at what stage of life we are at. That's what's so great about the flexibility of DVC!
Now that I'm back, I'm going through withdrawal - September seems too far away!
Anyone else feel this way? 
Actually thats not such a bad thing either!! 
