Hmmm interesting thread.
Thanks for the warning, but I wouldn't panic if I had a kid around that age just yet. It seems like the weirdest and most unexpected things scare kids around that age and you just have to be prepared to deal with it (not saying that the original poster didn't, of course, just saying "don't be afraid of the WL").
Just as a contrast to the experience of the original poster, in March we stayed at the VWL while friends of ours stayed in the lodge. They have a 4 year old and a 1 year old and and both kids LOVED the lodge and the surrounding property. In fact, when quizzed about her favorite part of the trip, the 4 year old said "the hotel." I think her parents were a little surprised that the hotel rated above seeing mickey and the princess breakfast, but it also helped convince them to buy into
DVC at the VWL.
On the other hand, we had a near meltdown on the safari ride when the 4 year old learned that there were lions there and there is no way her parents would take her to stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge until she is old enough to really understand and believe that there are no lions on that particular savannah (or grow out of her fear of them).
I agree with the poster who said it's a good idea to know what the theming is for a resort so that you know what to expect before you get there, but on the other hand sometimes you just don't know what your reaction will be (let alone the reaction of a little kid) until you get into the situation.
Lisa