compare WL vs VWL??!!

[princess angel]

If you have stayed at both the WL, and the VWL, can you please compare the experiences for me????

I have never stayed at WL, but it intrigues me!!!
we are dvc members, and have stayed at the GF, Poly, BWI, AKL, & YC.
I would like to try WL, I find the theming very very powerful! it is so well done! I have visited the VWL also, and really liked them, but I'm not sure that it would be the same experience as if I stayed in the WL.
but being a dvc member it would make more sense, of course I could stay at the WL with an AP discount too, if it's that much better feel, and theming.

what do you think, (and we'd stay in a studio, just dh and I)??? and are there any lake views from the villas?

thank you!!!

Laura

 

[rbuzzotta]

First of all, we are a family of 5 so the villas are much better suited for us. We have stayed at both. I like the villas because they are much quieter and we can always just walk over to the action. When we stayed at WL rooms we had bunk beds and a double plus a crib....very crowded. The view from the WL is better than from the villas. You can see the MK fireworks from some of the rooms at WL, not at the villas. If staying at the villas you have to go out to see the fireworks.........The elevators in the villas seem to work faster.....due to not as many people and having to stop at all floors.

Either place you stay it's a win-win situation.

Enjoy

 

[Granny]

VWL or WL?

Depends on a few things, including the size of your family.

My two DD's really liked the bunk beds we requested in WL. The room is not very big though....equal to the moderates such as CBR. Also, you can request (and pay for) rooms with a nice view of the pool and lake.

Personally, I'd stay at the VWL. You have access to all the same theming, restaurants, pool and transportation as WL with the added benefits of the nicer room.

The only real difference in staying in one vs the other is the rooms. So I think if you ate at WL, used their great pool and did some of their activities, you would end up with the same "feel" as if you did the same from a room within the walls of the WL.

All this, of course, IMHO.

 

[Granny]

I didn't read your post thoroughly enough....you specifically said it was just the two of you. My advice is still the same, though.

Also, there are no lake views from the villas. Woods on three sides with the east leg of WL on the fourth side (some trees between them but it's very visible...not a negative in my opinion).

You really can't go wrong either way.

Sorry for not providing a better response with the first reply.

 

[princess angel]

thanks for the replies so far!!!
seems like it would be great either way.
we never saw an actual room at WL only pics, but we did go in the model at the villas and check it out. we were surprised at how much we liked it, even the studio (which is what we would stay in)!!!

The only thing is that I keep hearing about the quiet cozy nooks, w/couches and fireplaces on the upper levels in the WL. they don't have that at hte villas do they???
although I guess not a big deal, we could always stroll over to the lodge and go upstairs if we wanted to, however, at the villas, the iron spike room looked pretty cozy too!!!

I think probably either way it's nice! do the villas have a hottub on their side???

thanks! any other opinions!!???

Laura

 

[dvc93cats]

the only rooms you can see the lake from VWL is the pool view (very, very limited) so very hard to get. this is the lake view where the boats and rental is kept, so the electrical water pagent would be hard to see from these.

I would not be disappointed with any room in VWL.

However I did love the view of the pool and lake at WL,too. We stayed there every year since it opened, so an added on at VWL was a no-brainer for me.

 

[princess angel]

any other opinions on this???

we do pay $$ w/AP discount for some of our trips, so would it be better to pay $$ for a long weekend at WL
or use points for VWL????

I want to make sure I get the ultimate WL experience!!!

Thank you!!!

Laura

8 days til the Polynesian!!! yipeeeeeeee

 

[MinnieMe2]

We stayed at WL for the first time last Feb. In April we purchased DVC membership at VWL, and stayed there for the first time last month. I had a few concerns about whether or not we'd feel like we were missing something by being in the Villas as opposed to the Lodge, but my fears were totally unfounded. The nice thing is that you can easily access everything the Lodge has to offer, from the pool to Roaring Fork Cafe and refillable mugs. The Villas have their own pool, which is much quieter than the big pool at the Lodge, and my kids (all 15 and older) prefer the hot tub at the Villas to the two at the Lodge. I guess it's bigger and a lot less crowded. The rooms in the Villas are beautiful, in keeping with the theming at the Lodge. And last month DH and I got the list of Hidden Mickeys at the front desk of the Lodge and wandered all over the place looking for them (we only found two). We were on the upper floors, in the lounge, in Artist Point. It was a very nice tour of the Lodge. But it was also nice to go back to our room in the Villas. We love it there...

 

[princess angel]

thanks so much minnieme2!!!
sounds like I can't go wrong with the villas.

we'll, see where next year we want to fit in the WL stay!

would you recommend the summer, spring or fall/winter for a WL stay???

Laura

8 days til polynesian!!! yipeeeeeeee

 

[RLMS56]

We are thinking of switching from GF to VWL for Christmas. The only villa available is a studio for $215 w/AP discount. That includes tax. The CRO CM did not see a view on her screen so she put me on hold and asked a supervisor. She explained that you can request either a water or woods view. I chose water. Any opinions on the view and if anyone could tell me the size of the studio. We are DVC members at BW and have stayed in their studio. Is it similar in size?

 

[KLR-wlv]

I've stayed at both - bought DVC VWL and if you have points - use them for the villas! The studios are much nicer than the hotel rooms and I think the building the villas are in is beautiful - not as grand as the lodge, but definitely more quiet with more quiet areas to hang out (I think). And it's basically connected, so it isn't like you have to take a bus to get to the lodge. I even liked the quiet pool, which I didn't think we'd use at all. WE've been there in May both times which is great, but I definitely want to stay there at the holidays sometime....

 

[RLMS56]

Can you tell me about the water view? Is it overlooking the quiet pool?

 

[princess angel]

RLMS56 -
I'm pretty sure that water view is pool view, from some of the pool view rooms you can see the lake in the distance, but there are no rooms w/real lake views! too bad, right!!??
I stayed in a studio at BWV, and we visited VWL to look around, the studios are the same size, and layout.

now, to figure out when to stay there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laura

7 days til Polynesian concierge!!! yipeeeeeeeee

 

[RLMS56]

I called CRO this am and was able to get a 1 brm instead...$293 w/tax. Also, cancelled my GF ressies.

 

[robinb]

RLMS56:

You are going to love having a 1 BR at VWL!

 

[Dream]

We have been to the WL in Aug. and for Christmas as well as for New Year's....we do sooooo love this place!!! There is nothing more special than being at the WL during the holidays! You have to see it for yourself how gorgeous it is! We are going back Dec. 15th! Summer is great there too...don't get me wrong...but if I could choose a time it would be winter!

 

[Synonymous]

FYI- You can't use points to stay at WL. It was removed from DC when VWL opened up.

 

[princess angel]

yes, I know i can't use points for WL, I planned on paying $$ if I decided to go that route!! we have AP's, so we pay $$ for long weekends w/AP discounts!!! and we use dvc points for our 2 major vacations a yr at WDW!!!
works out perfectly!!!!!

that's why I want to figure out if I want to stay there during a long weekend, or a major vacation??!!! just not sure!

Laura

7 days til poly concierge !!!