Don't Want To Offend Anyone....

[brittsmum1998]

But we just came back today from VWL, me, DH and 3 yr old DD, we all hated it....My daughter who is extremely outgoing and has been to Disney World 3 times was afraid to leave the room, it was so dark out and she hated all the trees and dimming lites. We have stayed at the BWV and Fort Wilderness and she absolutely loved it. We started out in a studio and had to switch to a one bdrm just so she and us could get a little privacy. Didn't much enjoy moving either. It was a very bad vacation, not to mention we weren't expecting to pay all of those extra pts. We had thought about adding on a small contract at VWL and have now decided even knowing the price will be much higher to wait for the Beach Club Villas. (I've put my name on the "waiting list" ) whereas there is no more list for small contracts at BWV. Being from MASS, our alergies were bad enough, being in the "wilderness" was worse!! We did notice other children who didn't seem very relaxed there also. We took one full hour one nite to get to an ice cream parlor due to no ice cream shops on site I guess we are used to the BW where you can just go outside. A word of warning to families w/ younger kids, prepare them (I thought we had prepared our dd) I guess I just wanted to vent about what was the worst vacation we have had And i DON"T mean to offend anyone who's home is Villa Wilderness Lodge, it is a beautiful resort, just not for us

 

[dtheboys]

I have a 4 yr old, and he was very relaxed. He enjoyed the WLV, the beach, the pool, etc.
We had a great time.
PS. You didn't offend me, that is what makes the world go round.
That is why Disney has so many different styles of resorts.
If we all loved one resort, DVC would be in trouble and very boring.
My two older boys, love BWV much more than WVL, but not for the reason's you described. They do like the activities of the BWV. I love the trees, lights, lobby,and the seclusion of the WVL.
My wife and I just enjoyed sitting in the lobby at night, having a drink and relaxing.

 

[DVCJman]

I understand your feelings...I have visited WL several times in the past and really would not want to stay there. It is a gorgeous resort, but the general area reminds me of my area here in VA....not that we have a large lodge here...but the general area is....if I stayed there, I would feel as if I were staying at home...

 

[TinkHappy]

WOW!!! I am so sorry to hear you had an unpleasant experience at the WLV. My DF (2DD's 6 & 4, DH and Myself)were just there and my kids LOVED it. Infact, they loved it soooo much we decided to buy into the DVC program. I guess that's what makes the world go 'round. My kids went to the lobby by the fire just about every night for a "bedtime" story. They loved the giser and the pool. We loved the flag raising ceremony. We had wonderful meals at ALL the restaurants. I too found it to be a little dark, but the "forest" is the theme. What a bumber!!! . Start planning for that next BW vacation!!!

 

[David&Danielle]

DW and I agreed that there is no way we would travel all the way to FL from PA to stay in the "mountains".

We want sand and palm trees.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Thanks All, as I said, it was beautiful but we are sooo disappointed in the vacation. I am glad we did it though, we had planned on trying all the resorts, but I really appreciate what I have now. We do have plans to go next february w/ my sister and her family at the Boardwalk and we are looking forward to that. I just hope this is a "stage" my 3 yr old is going thru gosh i LUV these new faces Glad for understanding and that at least we aren't the only ones w/ this type of taste and I'm sooo glad I didn't offend anyone

 

[normr]

What you were expecting, sounds like city life themeing is what you wanted not VWL, but the theme of VWL is WILDERNESS, Northwest territory Yellowstone Park, mountains, where everything is WOODS & Trees.

Before you go and try a new resort, you should know the background of the resort and what it represents, like if you went to Animal Kingdom Lodge, the theme here is Africa, if you go to BW, it's the boardwalk like in Atlantic City, OKW, is Key West. Carribean Beach is like going to a small caribbean island nation, Polynesian Hotel (like going to Hawaii)

It wasn't their fault, I think you showed up expecting something entirely different, but each Disney Resort is based on a different theme and you need to get in the mindset you are visiting. Did you explain this to your DD? Did you take her into the lodge and show her around? Did you take time to go see the geyser.

This is the beauty of WDW, you can stay at different hotels and get the feel of what it would be like to travel to a place like that.

If you don't want to experience the particular theme, then you need to pick the ones you want to try.

One day, I'll try VWL, probably in the winter, so I can sit in a rocker by a fire in the lobby and take in the beauty of the lodge lobby and dream what it would be like to stay at a lodge like this in Yellowstone Park.

 

[brittsmum1998]

We did show her many pictures of this resort and she couldn't wait to go. She was fine w/ the resort until it got dark...as far as the giser? by that point she wasn't about to enjoy anything but the Boardwalk and the Beachclub SAB. I had planned on it being dark, but people's opinions said that the pictures didn't do it "justice" ...I am in NO way blaming anyone for the comments either. I guess IMHO I didn't feel the same "magic" that I have at other resorts, and I guess my DH and DD didn't either. As a previous poster said, thats why with Disney you get many options. I am not blaming Disney or anyone else, just stating my humble opinion

 

[Lizziemom]

My husband and I have stayed at Disney many times. Our favorite place by far is Wilderness Lodge. The funny thing is we love it for many of the reasons people don't like it. We love the quiet peaceful (and dark) nights. We are from the Northeast and spend many nights in NH etc. and don't mind the woodsy motif.

My son (14 yrs old) loves the pool and especially the lake. He will save his allowance for 4 months before a trip to use it to rent the watermouse boats.

The pool has a lifeguard, so important when my son was younger. Even though I stayed at the pool with him, it was nice to have another set of eyes on the pool.

I never bought at OKW due to the lack of a lifeguard. I like the hustle and bustle of BW but like to leave there to return to WL. We are finally considering buying since VWL have opened.

To each his own.

 

[dtheboys]

I wrote earlier about my opion on the this matter. I just wanted to take a minute to say that you or anyone else has not started this topic into a war!!! That's Great!! I read some of the other posts, and it seems like someone is just out for a fight. I think that all of us that reponded handled this matter w/ 100% class!!!
I want to have DVC owners for real neighbors!!
Doug inkbounc

 

[MinnieMe2]

I agree with you, dtheboys!! This whole thread has been very peaceful, and it's kind of a refreshing change.

We just bought at VWL and can't wait for our first trip home in July. We stayed at YC last summer, and tho it's beautiful, there was, for us, just too much hustle and bustle in the YC/BC/BW area. The VWL is a good match for us, the BWV area is a good match for others. Wasn't it nice of Disney to come up with something for all of us !

 

[MaryJ]

I must agree with many of the previous posters and say that's why there are so many different places to stay at WDW. We stayed at VWL in March and loved it enough that we're going to buy into it. My DH is a light sleeper and really appreciated the quiet and dark nights! Our other favorite vacation spot is Colorodo, and the western theme and the pine trees were enough to make me almost feel like I was there. If only Disney could figure a way to make some mountains in the area.

Hope you find a place that will suit your family!

 

[dtheboys]

OH NO!!!!! Disney can make mountains!!! Don't give them any ideas!! Ha Ha!! I'm just joking w/ you!
Look at Blizzard beach, they can build anything they want!!!!
I'm having some fun w/ this!!!
Doug

 

[msdis]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad trip. A lot of us have had something happen to make for an unmemorable stay. It doesn't mean we don't love Disney or DVC. Our home resort is BWV also and DH could care less if he stayed anywhere else. We live in the "woods" too and DH says it reminds him too much of home; the feel he is not looking for. I love the look and feel of VWL myself and would love to stay there and I'm sure we will someday when we can't get ressies at BWV due to short planning. At least you stayed there before buying as it will make your decision to buy at BCV feel a whole lot better.


I'm glad too to be able to see someone post a bad experience and for people not be SHOUTING or criticizing them for doing so. All experiences are real whether we are all there or not!

 

[brittsmum1998]

I am so glad to see such positive responses. My stomach dropped each time I saw a response to my thread. I had no idea what to expect. its so nice to be able to voice an opinion. Its nice to see most people on this site are respectful and understanding. Chalk it up to experience, we did plan on trying each resort. We have now tried OKW and VWL and very much appreciate our HOME at BWV. Fortunate for us that we all belong to DVC and know that while we may not always have the best vacation, we have MANY more to come. I'll be looking forward to my next trip home which won't be until next February Do you believe my DD (who ISN'T always so darling now that she is 3) has been asking all day when we can go back to Disney World Who can figure. THANKS everyone again for your compassion and views

 

[PKK/MJK]

brittsmum

You are definitely not alone!! I thought we were the only people who did not appreciate the VWL. While it is beautifully done, as are all the DVC resorts, it is just too dark for us. When I made this comment to the DVC rep in the sample room, she looked at me as if I had two heads and said I was the only person to voice this comment. Our home resort is OKW, which was the only DVC available when we bought our original points, and we truly love the light airy feeling there. We also have some points at BWV, and while it is not our favorite, it has a wonderful energy and is extremely convenient. We are fortunate that Disney is building DVC resorts with different themes so everyone can find what suits them best.

I agree that it is sooo nice to see such civil responses to this post!! No flaming--HURRAH!!

 

[MinnieMe2]

my DD (who ISN'T always so darling now that she is 3)

If you think three is tough, wait'll she's 14 -- LOL!!!

 

[HeatherPage]

To each their own definitely! I have stayed at the Poly back in my teens with my parents and loved it! I went this past December with my husband on points and while it was still very nice, I was a little disappointed. The fact that I had always gone to Disney in the summer, and we were there when it was chilly was a big factor, also the volcano pool was closed, another factor that detracted from it, plus while the view was great (right on the lagoon across from the Contemporary and Space mountain-we were so far away from the GCH. Basically my point of babbling is different factors and atmospheres can affect a trip. I bet if I went back to the Poly this summer I'd love it again (hot weather and pool would be opened again.) My home is BW but I'm thinking of WLV for our next trip in September of 2002. Will I love it? who knows, but the only way I'll know is if I go and see for myself and that's what you did and then you based your decision on your own personal experience which was smart. Now if they opened up villas at the Poly...man I'd be in trouble...

 

[TeresaNJ]

Do you suppose some of your daughter's dislike of VWL is just due to her age? I remember taking my daughter to WDW when she was four, and all she did was cry at anything that was loud or dark. I spent most of my time in the parks waiting with her outside of an attraction while my boys went on with their father. Even if an attraction was child-oriented, if it was loud, she cried, if it was dark, she cried. We didn't go back again until she was seven. My son, on the other hand, went when he was four, and loved everything.

 

[jcodespoti]

We took the tour of the whole lodge. I found it fascinating I really enjoyed all the unique things that go with the lodge.
I have to agree about the Villas though, granted they are beautiful just not my cup of tea. I work in the woods a lot and for me the boardwalk is the place to be!! But that's what so good about DVC, yes you go to "Disney World" but the experience is different than any other resort. It is to bad that your DD was scared after dark, I can see why especially to a 3 yo.


Joe in CT