ZekeKelso
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2006
- Messages
- 734
Wanted to take my brother and family to VWL pre-Christmas; tried to rent points at the 7 month window, but everything was booked. Fortunately, a member here had a reservation she couldn't use and let us have it for $13/point. Everything with the rental went smooth and easy.
Check in around 7PM on a Sunday. No line and the CM was very friendly. Somehow the request for "lake side view" didn't make it to our reservation, but the CM searched through what she had and found us the perfect room. Only one glitch - I tried to pay for the DDP with a check (don't know why I thought that was a good idea). After almost everything was done, the CM said she would be right back and disappeared. For 10 minutes. What the heck?
About the time we were sending another CM to find her, she came back and explained. The check-clearing service Disney uses had rejected my check. The CM was very nice about it, gave me a 1-800 number to call, and just put the charges on the room/credit-card where I should have put them in the first place. (Never did bother to figure out what went wrong - I'm guessing my small bank isn't in some network or something - there was oodles of money in the account).
The lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas, there was a group caroling, and the kids had a blast playing on the bridge over the spring. In general, the WL was wonderful - but you guys already know that so I won't gush too much.
As we were walking from the main building to the Villas, I was explaining to my brother how the whole point-rental thing work. He asked when I knew 100% for sure we had a reservation and had not been scammed. I answered, "About 5 minutes ago."
There were a couple maintenance issues with the room. None of which bothered us so we never called. I only mention them because some of you guys are really picky about such things. The sink in the main bathroom drained slowly, a couple of the CFL lights were dim for about 20 minutes after being lit, and we had fights with the HVAC. We got cold air unless we turned the temperature up to max, but then things got too hot. We were turning the heat up and down all week - which sounds like a pain as I write it, but took about 30 seconds out of our vacation in practice.
Bus service to MGM and EPCOT was smooth and easy. We did make a stop at FW to pick folks up on the way to ECPOT. We took busses to MK and boats home. Again, no problems or stops along the way. Although there were no problems, I was a bit stressed by the lack of corrals at the busses. There was always a chance the busses would be full and arguments would break out over who got their first, etc.
Health Club was great - and the CM went out of her way to help DW with lost watch. We also went jogging most days over in FW. To me, the very best thing about WL/VWL is the ability to get outside the "Disney Bubble." Even though technically we are still on Disney property, it doesn't feel like it. Saw several deer in the mornings along with all the birds. Wonderful.
The weather was warm enough for lots of pool time. For you temperature watchers, the main WL pool was very warm. And crowded. The VWL-side pool was significantly cooler - and emptier. Which was perfect for my tastes - I don't like either warm pools or crowds.
Anything else? Oh, I guess I should give my one gripe. We needed a bellman to help with luggage checking out. We called early to arrange it, and they told us there would be no problem just calling when we were ready. So we call, are told somebody will be up in 10 minutes, and then wait 35. No biggie, but it made things a bit rushed getting to AKL for our ADR.
All in all, a great time.
Check in around 7PM on a Sunday. No line and the CM was very friendly. Somehow the request for "lake side view" didn't make it to our reservation, but the CM searched through what she had and found us the perfect room. Only one glitch - I tried to pay for the DDP with a check (don't know why I thought that was a good idea). After almost everything was done, the CM said she would be right back and disappeared. For 10 minutes. What the heck?
About the time we were sending another CM to find her, she came back and explained. The check-clearing service Disney uses had rejected my check. The CM was very nice about it, gave me a 1-800 number to call, and just put the charges on the room/credit-card where I should have put them in the first place. (Never did bother to figure out what went wrong - I'm guessing my small bank isn't in some network or something - there was oodles of money in the account).
The lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas, there was a group caroling, and the kids had a blast playing on the bridge over the spring. In general, the WL was wonderful - but you guys already know that so I won't gush too much.
As we were walking from the main building to the Villas, I was explaining to my brother how the whole point-rental thing work. He asked when I knew 100% for sure we had a reservation and had not been scammed. I answered, "About 5 minutes ago."
There were a couple maintenance issues with the room. None of which bothered us so we never called. I only mention them because some of you guys are really picky about such things. The sink in the main bathroom drained slowly, a couple of the CFL lights were dim for about 20 minutes after being lit, and we had fights with the HVAC. We got cold air unless we turned the temperature up to max, but then things got too hot. We were turning the heat up and down all week - which sounds like a pain as I write it, but took about 30 seconds out of our vacation in practice.
Bus service to MGM and EPCOT was smooth and easy. We did make a stop at FW to pick folks up on the way to ECPOT. We took busses to MK and boats home. Again, no problems or stops along the way. Although there were no problems, I was a bit stressed by the lack of corrals at the busses. There was always a chance the busses would be full and arguments would break out over who got their first, etc.
Health Club was great - and the CM went out of her way to help DW with lost watch. We also went jogging most days over in FW. To me, the very best thing about WL/VWL is the ability to get outside the "Disney Bubble." Even though technically we are still on Disney property, it doesn't feel like it. Saw several deer in the mornings along with all the birds. Wonderful.
The weather was warm enough for lots of pool time. For you temperature watchers, the main WL pool was very warm. And crowded. The VWL-side pool was significantly cooler - and emptier. Which was perfect for my tastes - I don't like either warm pools or crowds.
Anything else? Oh, I guess I should give my one gripe. We needed a bellman to help with luggage checking out. We called early to arrange it, and they told us there would be no problem just calling when we were ready. So we call, are told somebody will be up in 10 minutes, and then wait 35. No biggie, but it made things a bit rushed getting to AKL for our ADR.
All in all, a great time.
