First stay @ VWL...opinion and observation

[thelionqueen]

I am sitting here in our 1br villa @ VWL. We've been here 4 nights (out of 6) so I've had a chance to absorb everything and offer my observations.


The Pros
The ambience and decorations for the holidays is great (although not what I was expecting from all the rave reviews I've read). The water flowing through the lobby, and the tree were great to come back to every night.

The DVC pool (not main) is fantastic! What a treat to swim in, especially at night.

The bed in the bedroom is adequate although not the most or least comfortable I've ever slept in. The TV remotes work GREAT compared to BLT.

The staff are very helpful and friendly, and like being close to the main lobby

The Cons

No Community Hall!! I cannot believe I didn't look into this before booking here, oh well, I know now. Although they did have activities for the kids, which they did enjoy.

The very outdated range. Although it does work just fine, I think it's time to upgrade the appliances for sure.

The other major drawback for me is the floor in the bathroom. Honestly, I had to request extra towels so that I didn't have to walk bare foot on it, it was painful. The deep grout lines between each tiny tile was badly done, IMHO.

I also don't like the lack of a desk, it makes typing on the DIS very uncomfortable And why do they only have a 2 seat table in the kitchen? There is so much unused room, they could have a booth or longer table in that area, which would be a HUGE improvement.


The parking so far away from the villas was a HUGE drawback for us! Especially with the cold temperatures, and after a long day at the park, the last thing I wanted to do was look endlessly for a parking spot (which there were few if any) and then walk a VERY long way to our room. If we still had the free valet, that would have made a HUGE difference in our stay.

I was really looking forward to staying here, in fact, was looking at resales several years ago. That said, I will not stay here again. The room seemed poorly planned, outdated and not showing well with age. The resort itself is beautiful, but the villas just don't strike my fancy. Please don't take this as a knock on VWL, we enjoyed our stay, I just feel that other locations have more to offer to our liking

 

[bwvBound]

The other major drawback for me is the floor in the bathroom. Honestly, I had to request extra towels so that I didn't have to walk bare foot on it, it was painful. The deep grout lines between each tiny tile was badly done, IMHO.

I also don't like the lack of a desk, it makes typing on the DIS very uncomfortable And why do they only have a 2 seat table in the kitchen? There is so much unused room, they could have a booth or longer table in that area, which would be a HUGE improvement.

Thanks for sharing your comments -- we look forward to our first VWL stay in mid-January.

re: floors
When you make your rounds to the Treehouses, bring padded slippers. THV uses a pattern of random rock pieces in the bath, entry way and kitchen. While my feet are not normally sensitive ... I was complaining about the rock flooring.

re: desk
FWIW, I was very pleased to find useable desks in my recent stays at both SSR (2BR unit, 2nd bedroom) and THV (master bedroom). Perhaps this request has been heard and incorporated in the newer resorts. Here's hoping it makes back to the earlier resorts during their refreshes!

 

[BCV2002]

I'm sad for you that such little things are bothering you on your trip. To each his own, I guess...

 

[Doug7856]

Thanks for your review and honest opinion.

 

[Scott]

Very interesting observation and a good example of different strokes for different folks. We just got back from a trip to VWL and can't wait to get back. I was very surprised and pleased with how updated and new the room looked...new carpet and flooring, new paint, and even new LCD flat panel televisions...kitchen appliances were not new. We had a two bedroom, room 3545.
Scott

 

[dianeschlicht]

As for the holiday decor....We too felt they had definitely over simplified the holiday decor at WL this year.

BTW, there is a community hall type place over at the main lodge.

 

[Sammie]

I will have to agree about the decorations at the Lodge this year, I too was disappointed. The front desk said they were new so not sure if they scaled back and they are going to add to them or what, but it was a noticeable difference. Also the decorations in the Villa common areas was very sparse compared to what BCVs had.

 

[AR81]

So the VWL's also have been refurbed? A previous poster mentioned the carpet looked new and flat screens? I didn't know they had flat screens. I know size of a tv shouldn't be a big of a deal but when you are paying that kind of money it is nice to see some nice perks....

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I agree about the parking.

We stayed at WL in 2005 (before DVC) and thought the parking was a bit too far away. In actuality, dh parked the car while I checked in. I had no clue where our car was located for the whole week. Dh would just say, oh the SUV is waaaaaayyyy over there.

We kept missing the boat/bus transportation, and I didn't know where we were parked.

Disney enhanced our wilderness experience by giving us a feeling of abandonment.

I hope your next DVC stay is better. Maybe you should try Boardwalk Villas. That makes me happy!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So the VWL's also have been refurbed? A previous poster mentioned the carpet looked new and flat screens? I didn't know they had flat screens. I know size of a tv shouldn't be a big of a deal but when you are paying that kind of money it is nice to see some nice perks....

Our impressions from a month ago were the same as Scott. Thought the villas were in terrific condition. We didn't have flat screens yet but saw them going in to rooms while we were there so they were/are in the process of changing them.

It's different strokes for sure but I had no problem with the tile and I'm barefoot a lot. And as for desks - even when we stay in a Villa with them I never use it - I'm always at the kitchen table - just like I am now at home! I do think the long kitchen tables with more seating makes sense. There are 4 chairs for the table which could be done but it would be cozy dining. Probably not much different than many of the dining tables around the parks though.

 

[Nicsmom]

Scaling back the decotrations? Say it isn't so.

We always thought the decorations at the lodge and Villas were spectacular and really made the place stand out during the holidays.

 

[RoutemanDan]

We just returned from a 1 bedroom that was totally refurbed but no flat screens. This is actually the second time we've had this room, it overlooked the atrium.
I actually prefer the round table to the bench seat and long table.
Was also happy to see the black and white chair gone.

The decorations were less around all of WDW but I felt the lodge was fine. Definitely put us in the mood for Christmas.

 

[jpeka65844]

Very interesting observation and a good example of different strokes for different folks. We just got back from a trip to VWL and can't wait to get back. I was very surprised and pleased with how updated and new the room looked...new carpet and flooring, new paint, and even new LCD flat panel televisions...kitchen appliances were not new. We had a two bedroom, room 3545.
Scott

HEY! We stayed in that room in June, 2008! Hope we left it in good condition for you! Also Samantha Brown used that room to show off the Villas in her Great Hotels Wilderness Lodge special. You're treading hallowed ground!

 

[Anal Annie]

I am sitting here in our 1br villa @ VWL. We've been here 4 nights (out of 6) so I've had a chance to absorb everything and offer my observations.


The Pros
The ambience and decorations for the holidays is great (although not what I was expecting from all the rave reviews I've read). The water flowing through the lobby, and the tree were great to come back to every night.

The DVC pool (not main) is fantastic! What a treat to swim in, especially at night.

The bed in the bedroom is adequate although not the most or least comfortable I've ever slept in. The TV remotes work GREAT compared to BLT.

The staff are very helpful and friendly, and like being close to the main lobby

The Cons

No Community Hall!! I cannot believe I didn't look into this before booking here, oh well, I know now. Although they did have activities for the kids, which they did enjoy.

The very outdated range. Although it does work just fine, I think it's time to upgrade the appliances for sure.

The other major drawback for me is the floor in the bathroom. Honestly, I had to request extra towels so that I didn't have to walk bare foot on it, it was painful. The deep grout lines between each tiny tile was badly done, IMHO.

I also don't like the lack of a desk, it makes typing on the DIS very uncomfortable And why do they only have a 2 seat table in the kitchen? There is so much unused room, they could have a booth or longer table in that area, which would be a HUGE improvement.


The parking so far away from the villas was a HUGE drawback for us! Especially with the cold temperatures, and after a long day at the park, the last thing I wanted to do was look endlessly for a parking spot (which there were few if any) and then walk a VERY long way to our room. If we still had the free valet, that would have made a HUGE difference in our stay.

I was really looking forward to staying here, in fact, was looking at resales several years ago. That said, I will not stay here again. The room seemed poorly planned, outdated and not showing well with age. The resort itself is beautiful, but the villas just don't strike my fancy. Please don't take this as a knock on VWL, we enjoyed our stay, I just feel that other locations have more to offer to our liking

The bus stop is VERY convenient though. The WL buses run like clockwork.

 

[Muushka]

I agree about the parking. My favorite DVC resort for parking is BCV.

Disney enhanced our wilderness experience by giving us a feeling of abandonment.

Where is the tag fairy when you need him/her??

 

[gatordoc]

I agree about the parking. My favorite DVC resort for parking is BCV.

I guess it all depends. I've never had trouble parking at VWL. On the other hand, the last time I stayed at BCV there was a convention going on and absolutely no parking. Had to use valet. Thankfully this was before they started charging.

 

[Scott]

HEY! We stayed in that room in June, 2008! Hope we left it in good condition for you! Also Samantha Brown used that room to show off the Villas in her Great Hotels Wilderness Lodge special. You're treading hallowed ground!

Samantha Brown was in that room!? There should have been a commemorative plaque! This was our 4th trip to VWL, but our 1st trip for Christmas. Our family thought the decorations were absolutely wonderful. If they were more copius in previous years, then I bet it was even more spectacular. We had one of those trips that was just, well magical. No problems worth an extra second of thought...though I get the feeling I need to start looking a bit harder for them.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

I am trying not to go to WDW as much as I have lately. My DL AP doesn't work over there and I find the two "wasted" days of travel wearing. But as I am becoming less enchanted with FL's version of Disney my DW is becoming more enchanted so I am sure that there will me more trips to the East coast in my future. We both loved our last stay at VWL. It felt to us like a homey version of the GCH. Boats and Buses seemed better than anywhere else we've stayed in FL. The only negative thing for us was having to walk by the smoking area when going to and from the lobby and the villas. I would like to try the treehouses some time but other than that I will be trying to stay at the lodge every time we go.

 

[Granny]

The parking so far away from the villas was a HUGE drawback for us! Especially with the cold temperatures, and after a long day at the park, the last thing I wanted to do was look endlessly for a parking spot (which there were few if any) and then walk a VERY long way to our room. If we still had the free valet, that would have made a HUGE difference in our stay.

Since you capitalized the word "huge" for emphasis, I just felt like chiming in since I had addressed this in this post about three years ago. Myths Busted at VWL You can tell it's old since I referenced the now extinct "free valet parking".

Granted, it was pretty much tongue in cheek, but really the parking at VWL is better than BWV, for example. On the other hand, I agree with Muushka that BCV has some great self-parking close to the BCV villas.

I do agree that taking away free valet is bothersome, but if it was going to make a HUGE difference in your stay, why didn't you go ahead and pay for it? In the scheme of a WDW vacation costs, valet parking isn't all that much if it is seen as important.

Aside from that, I agree that it's great that everyone has their own tastes and preferences in DVC resorts. And I think that overall the opinions expressed were candid and constructive. I just don't buy into the "long hallways" or "far away parking".

Thanks for sharing your thoughts though. They can certainly help others who may be deciding whether a stay at VWL is in their future.

 

[ttester9612]

thanks for sharing. I'll be staying in VWL studio for the first time come May. Has anyone stayed in a studio before? Any comments about them?