Great week at the Lodge...

[colleen costello]

Hi all. We are just back from a nice stay at the Lodge. Wanted to report some stuff here... We stayed for two nights at Carribean Beach to save points for the summer trip... That resort was a very nice surprise. On Sunday we moved over to VWL. Folks here will understand the thrill I had when the CM told me at approximately 11:30 am that I had been assigned to a non-smoking room close to the lobby (therefore no dumpster view!) and THE ROOM WAS READY! WooHoo! The room was a dedicated 2-bedroom and everything was in perfect order. I snooped for dust bunnies before we settled in. Having read that the clickers and phones are germy, I sprayed these, plus the bed comforters, with a little can of Lysol I brough along. Once this ritual was done I felt like the room was MINE! The room was spacious and had two little balconies. You all know the DVC topiary Mickey, yes? When I went on our balconies I would get a great view of his tail! I got some great pics of the kids on the one balcony with Mickey in the foreground.

The Lodge is gorgeous and it was great to have all the space. My little son had a day or two down with some stomach bug (this ironic as he took ill on the first trip I used the Lysol) and it was nice to have a big room in which to convalesce. We ate a few lunches at Roaring Fork but had to cancel Whispering Canyon due to the sick kid. Promised him "next time."

The grounds in spring are beautiful, with pansies all over. When you drive out from the front of the building you can see through the trees to the COntemporary, which I think is a new thing post-hurricanes. The weather was chilly a lot while we were there and it seemed the pool was heated extra-warm to make up for this. There was a family of ducks and even the little babies were tame. My children enjoyed these guys a lot.

The Cast Members were all friendly and nice. The only thing missing from our room was a sponge, and I had a heck of a conversation with a nice young man who did not know what a sponge WAS... in English anyway. It is hard to mime SPONGE; he kept trying to give me more packets of dish powder, which I already had! He was so nice, though. I just tipped him and added the sponge to the grocery list. God bless Winn Dixie.

We really enjoyed the Lodge although even with a room close to the lobby, it was a bit much walking for my parents. Next year back to "the retirement home" of OKW. I love it there and will hardly mind returning. We went to Olivia's one night for dinner and the kids can't wait to try out the pool slide. They were quite impressed that they have managed to make the thing "twinkle" at night... There are some nifty little lights in it when you walk past after dark... a nice touch.

Any questions? I would certainly recommend this resort to anyone.

 

[Degli]

This is the 2nd thread I've read recently where a guest requested a missing object from the kitchen. Both times it seems the CM in housekeeping didn't understand? Or couldn't speak English. Is this typical?

 

[jimmytammy]

Glad you enjoyed it! We are kinda partial to the place ourselves.

 

[colleen costello]

Most of the housekeeping staff I encountered seemed to speak English as a second launguage. They were kind and polite but seemed to have limited vocabulary. I can only imagine how hard it is to move here with no English, so I give them credit... But obviously some confusion arises!

We DID encounter some cranky CM's... Few, thank goodness. My son loves to ride in the front of the monorail. He is 7 and thinks this is WAY cool... So we waited after a meal at the Poly and my husband and Dad took the kids up front to ride. DH later reported that the "pilot" was a real stinker. My Dad asked him about enjoying the job and he sort of said "I am here and that's all..." What a jerk! Dh said the kids were too excited to see that the guy was a creep, but it made me mad... If you don't like the job, and feel abused and long-suffering, shut up and go work somewhere else! Why vent to a grandpa who waits all year to vacation with his grandkids? I bring this up because every single housekeeper we interacted with was friendly and kind... I would rather have NICE people who don't speak much English than snotty Americans who do! Just my 2 cents...

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

We also had a case of "not understanding" last time we were at VWL (Oct.). There was no cookie sheet and I did call and ask a couple of times. They brought a broiler pan. I hate to even mention it, because for us it was okay, no big deal. And we did let the front desk know when we checked out. We love VWL and are headed back next Oct.
Had a thought (the first one today !!) if there was a picture menu type deal in the room, if the wrong item it delivered, then you could show what it is you are looking for.??

 

[CarolA]

This is the 2nd thread I've read recently where a guest requested a missing object from the kitchen. Both times it seems the CM in housekeeping didn't understand? Or couldn't speak English. Is this typical?

Yes it is typical... The folks who take these jobs tend to non native english speakers. It is not just DVC. That is true at LOTS of hotels on Disney and outside of Disney. (and in other cities LOL!)

 

[Alphatexana]

Colleen,

Great to hear you had a good time. We just got back from our first stay at the WLV as owners as well and had a great time. Took the inlaws and had the opportunity to stay in a dedicated 2BR as well.

No cranky CMs that I can recall. We did however manage to lose my 4 year old's small backpack of toys and books as we were checking out. We recognized we had lost it between the room and the front lobby but couldn't find it. A very sad trip to the airport after she realized that she had left her brand new Pooh doll with Pirate Costume purchased by her Grandma. All was well a week later though, when the backpack with Pooh arrived in the mail courtesy of the WL's lost and found department.

Chris

 

[tinkgrl]

Colleen,

looking forward to seeing an email from you. Glad you had a good time.

Allison

 

[Lizardbeth61]

and it was FANTASTIC. We had a 1-bedroom this trip . . . last time here it was a 2 bedroom we shared (our family of four - DH, Me & DS 8 & DD 12) with friends (a couple). It was great to have the 1-bedroom just for the four of us and what a 1-bedroom we had!!!! It was on the 5th floor looking over the quiet pool and the lake!!!! It was in perfect working order . . . very clean! We loved it!!!!

After that, we headed out on the 7 night Disney Magic where we bought 120 more points this time at SSR!!! Wooo Hooooo! And I was reluctant to purchase our first points! What a dummy! Should have done it long ago. Anyway, wanted more points because I don't think I want a studio anymore. Where have I heard that comment before????? Oh yeah! From lots of DIS'ers!

Anyway, we love VWL and can't wait to try SSR.

Oh yes, one cranky CM . . . I lost a ring at the Tether ball court. I felt it fly off and figured it would be no problem to find. I was wrong. I searched for while telling myself it was just an object. Then I went to the rental desk to report it in case someone found it. The lady there was quite terse about it telling me I had to report it to the main lost and found, but I thought it would have been nice if she'd made note too in case someone found it quickly. Anyway, I went back to looking and another CM taking care of the dock saw me, stopped and asked what I was looking for and got down in the sand with me to search. I couldn't get him to stop for at least 20 minutes. At that point I'd truly given up and shooed him away after many thanks. He asked if I'd reported it and I told him what happened. While he said nothing against her, it was clear that she should have taken my info.

Anyway, we did eventually find it (My DH thought of a penny being of similar weight and suggested I toss it like I'd tossed the ball. That didn't work. THen DS 8, said to toss the penny with the BALL like I'd actually done and didn't we find it buried about 2 inches down!)!

However, the one terse CM was totally eclipsed by the CM who actually took time to help look with me. What a great guy. If you see him, tell him hi. His name is Mike from NY!

 

[Ksp]

Our first time at VWL (in a 1BR) was wonderful - I can see why so many here on the boards love it there. We hope to go back soon.