First time dvc vacation to wvl

chips

Mouseketeer
Joined
Sep 14, 2003
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121
We just returned from a week at wvl two bedroom. Four adults and three four year olds. We couldn't have had a better time.
Last year we did two wvl hotel rooms. With two hotel rooms, we felt homeless. You have to get out of the room. The idea that we could come home and hang around the two bedroom suite was a wonderful feeling.

We stayed in room 4549 fourth floor woods view. I would get it again. We had no issues with room or park cleanliness. Also, they do a great job with the pools. Very clean but no chlorine smell. They must recycle the water frequently. I also loved how warm they keep the pool.

We took the ranger tour with "Stan the man". If anybody is interested I could talk about the tour.


I also loved the enormous master shower with great water pressure. I felt it was a very good use of space.

There was a framed print of a childs leaf collection with the annotation " maple leaf found at the train", taped to the page. Somehow it just struck a resonant chord. A reminisce disney moment for me.

I also loved the Bay lake water shuttles. I spoke to a captain and she said that Morgan of Morgan sailboats drew the original design. They also started out as steam then gas now diesel powered. Great lines on the boat and great attention to construction detail.

Great trip. Just one question. Why do the hotel rooms get an usa today and the villas do not? The mercantile doesn't open until 7:30. I get up at 5:45 to get some personal time but can't get a paper until 7:30. I scrounged around at the front desk and they gave me one for two days before they told me that only hotel rooms get an usa today.

We were asked for an i.d. on checkout Saturday. I liked the idea. Fort Wilderness campers make good use of the lodge pools. The campground pool is centrally located at the camp. However it is a hike from the boat dock. The campers use the lodge pool and spa. My only problem is that the spring break college campers take over the hot tub after 9p.m.
 
Originally posted by chips

We took the ranger tour with "Stan the man". If anybody is interested I could talk about the tour.

Stan was featured in the recent Vacation Magic magazine. He is really a WL treasure of information, and a bit of a legend there since he's been there since Day 1.


Great trip. Just one question. Why do the hotel rooms get an usa today and the villas do not? The mercantile doesn't open until 7:30. I get up at 5:45 to get some personal time but can't get a paper until 7:30. I scrounged around at the front desk and they gave me one for two days before they told me that only hotel rooms get an usa today.

DVC members don't get the paper for one basic reason....we would have to pay for it out of our dues. So I'm sure that rather than force everyone to get a paper and pay for it, they decided to do away with this for the DVC resorts. After all, while we enjoy lounging around the place a bit, there are still a lot of people who want to spend every moment in the parks or on the move, and who would probably not be happy to have the cost of newspapers added to their dues.

I'm glad you had such a great trip. Thanks for sharing your impressions and comments.
 
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

We have also been asked for I.D. at check out. Not a bad idea.

Fort Wilderness campers make good use of the lodge pools

Yes, you're right. Sooner or later, something has to change. The WL pool is just getting way too crowded. I usually don't care much about who swims where but it gets a little frustrating when you can never find an empty chair at the pool.
 
I think in 93 - (if I remember correctly) you could get the paper delivery for an extra charge - but I guess enough members say no that they quit offering it in 94????
 

We may have seen you there, chips!!!

Although we purchased our DVC in 2001, this was our FIRST trip to our home resort, VWL. We were there last week, 3/14 to 3/19.

We were in a 1 bedroom villa, 2502. We LOVED it!!! I agree, the shower alone is something else!!

Our only complaint was a coffee cup that we got off the cupboard that had DRIED ON COFFEE REMAINS on the bottom -- YUCK!!

We spent Tuesday, 3/16 afternoon in the main Lodge pool. It wasn't that crowded at all then.

We had express checkout, and didn't have to present ID.

We didn't get a chance to do the Lodge tour, but will definitely do that next time!!
 
Glad to see you had a good trip! I have one question. Are the people at Fort Wilderness allowed to use the pools at the Wilderness Lodge? Or they just do it.
 
Hi,

Thanks for Sharing!!!

Allison an associate
 
Hi Chips,

I don't really have anything to add to your post other than I was down the hall from you in 4542! I also was at the store every morning for a USA Today.

We just returned on Friday and it was our first time at the WLV We loved being there.
 
Originally posted by Guads6
Glad to see you had a good trip! I have one question. Are the people at Fort Wilderness allowed to use the pools at the Wilderness Lodge? Or they just do it.
They just do it.:rolleyes:
 
Has WDW ever thought about doing anything to stop this.

Believe me, I'm on vacation and it really shouldn't bother me.

BUT...the pool is just plain CROWDED all of the time!
 
Can't WL institute some kind of system like at SAB where you need to show your room key, proving that you are staying there or are a DVC member, then give wrist bands? Didn't appear to cause problems when I was at BCV/SAB.
 
We had lunch at the Lodge on that very Tuesday and the kids swam for an hour or so. It was raining on and off but us "old folks" -- my parents, husband and I -- were under a pool umbrella and did fine. The kids enjoyed swimming in the rain. As the weather cleared the pool became more crowded and we headed back ot Old Key West. I am glad we are staying at the Lodge this June; it's GORGEOUS.
 
Originally posted by Simba's Mom
Can't WL institute some kind of system like at SAB where you need to show your room key, proving that you are staying there or are a DVC member, then give wrist bands? Didn't appear to cause problems when I was at BCV/SAB.
I'm sure if the overcrowding gets to the levels that it did at SAB, they would consider this. It would require putting up a fence around the pool in order to restrict access.

It would seem to me to be obvious to the CM's that if a group of people comes off the dock wearing swim suits, there's a decent chance they aren't staying at WL/VWL.
 
Originally posted by colleen costello
We had lunch at the Lodge on that very Tuesday and the kids swam for an hour or so. It was raining on and off but us "old folks" -- my parents, husband and I -- were under a pool umbrella and did fine. The kids enjoyed swimming in the rain. As the weather cleared the pool became more crowded and we headed back ot Old Key West. I am glad we are staying at the Lodge this June; it's GORGEOUS.

We probably saw you, Colleen!!!

We were swimming from about 2:30 to 4:30.

And we are native Hoosiers too! As a matter of fact, DH is a IU grad, and LOVED Bloomington!!! (I went to Purdue . . .:p )

Small world!!
 
Originally posted by chips
We just returned from a week at wvl two bedroom.

No WLV; it's VWL (The Villas at Wilderness Lodge).

Thank you. :crazy:
 
Glad to hear you had a good time! We recently stayed in a 2 bed at WLV and it was great. It did have that homey feel too it. You described it well in the difference of a 2 bed vs a hotel room.

BTW since you are up so early maybe you could go over to the main bldg., get a cup of coffee, sit by the fire, and "borrow" someones USA Today. Of course put it back neatly by 7am at their door:teeth:
 



















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