Has anyone stayed at the WLV yet?

[bonzie1]

Has anyone stayed at the new villas at WL yet. We took a quick walk through in March. and at first glance, were disappointed. It looked as though Disney didn't put any extras in at all... just rooms (I'm sure they're beautiful). The pool is plain, even the entrance was just so, so. I guess I was expecting something along the lines of the main WL... that's a WOW. This looked nice, but just like a barracks of rooms. It looks like the main building and pool will be crowded.

We were thinking of trying to stay there in October but wanted to hear from others who've stayed before we put in the reservation. Thanks for any input

 

[bunnymkc]

Our family stayed at the villas in Dec of 2000 on cash as we had stayed at the YC on ponts for 6 days and stayed at VWL for our last 3 days...it was awesome...we had a 2 bdrm and the room was really beautiful...we faced the walkway between the lodge & dvc and it was an easy walk for us to hop to the lodge...I thought their hot tub spa? was one of the best on property and the "quiet pool was nice as the lodge pool was packed....remember it was a little cool in dec so we really had the pool to ourselves...we took the boat to MK for our last 3 days and never used the bus to go anywhere else as we had done everything from our stay at the YC...the boat was great zipped us to MK & the monarail to go to some other resorts...all in all it was a great experience and I would not hesitate to book there again...go for it you will not be dissappointed it is a tuly beautiful resort...Marianne

 

[jfulcer]

and LOVED it. Yes, the entrance isn't as grand as the WL, and they don't have the ammenities you might expect to find in BWV, but for me and my family, the quiet, slow atmposphere the villas just seeped into our bones and made it the most relaxing Disney vacation ever.

The whole theme of the villas is different from the 'theme' of the WL. It, in my opinion was designed to be a little bit less stately, and a lot more low key than the Lodge itself. Which, again, was just wonderful for our vacation.

Jeff <img height="80" width="55" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/goofhead07.gif"> <img height="80" width="125" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/vacclub01.gif">
8/95 WL - Honeymoon!
3/97 Offsite
3/99, 3/00 Offsite
11/99 Offsite - TPA
8/00 Wilderness Lodge
9/00 Offsite - MOWC
3/01 VWL (1st DVC!)

 

[Vanessa]

JFUlcer...what amenities do you think are lacking vs. BWV? The rooms still have safes, hairdriers, etc., right? I own at BWV but we are trying VWL in May (1 BR). I know the atmosphere is different and I don't expect the hustle and bustle of the BW. By the way, do you know if the 1 bedrooms have blenders? I can't remember from the last time we stayed at BW, and we are thinking of mixing a few drinks on our adults only trip! Thanks!

 

[jfulcer]

Vanessa,

I can really only think of a few myself, but I know others have made the comment - at least one other DVC member said it to me while at VWL.

No community hall for gatherings. Plus, I have heard BWV has other nooks and crannies you can plop down in and read or just relax. In order to get that at VWL, you'd have to go up to the Lodge. Of course, you can use the Iron Spike room, but it wouldn't be conducive to a larger family gathering place.

I have heard that at BWV you can rent games and such, but there is no place to do this at VWL and I don't think (I could be wrong!) they do this in the main lodge.

Access to the boardwalk for all kinds of shopping, food, etc. At VWL you really have to make an effort to get somewhere other than the lodge. Mind you, that's not that bad of a thing, but something to consider if you have older teens that like to venture out themselves.

I do believe that we had a blender sitting on our counter at VWL. You will love your stay!

Jeff <img height="80" width="55" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/goofhead07.gif"> <img height="80" width="125" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/vacclub01.gif">
8/95 WL - Honeymoon!
3/97 Offsite
3/99, 3/00 Offsite
11/99 Offsite - TPA
8/00 Wilderness Lodge
9/00 Offsite - MOWC
3/01 VWL (1st DVC!)

 

[twinglefam]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I have heard that at BWV you can rent games and such, but there is no place to do this at VWL and I don't think (I could be wrong!) they do this in the main lodge.

[/quote]I did see people playing games in the Iron Spike Room on the game tables, so I'm sure there are game rentals there. I had never been to WL before so maybe it was just the awesomeness(?) of the WL that came over me....but I considered the VWL part of the WL; the lodge stores, lobby, sitting areas, etc. to me are part of the experience of the VWL. And a beautiful exercise room at VWL is available for use. I used the quiet pool but will surely love the other one for the next trip with the kids. The spa is great too. I get enought "craziness" at the parks and loved the laid back atmosphere. We also used the boats for transportation.

I'm going to try out BW for a few nights in Oct. and am looking forward to the "night-life" on the Boardwalk. It's so nice to have such difficult choices!!! Yeah!

Here we go...........

'74, '79, '82, '86 - as a "kid"
'00 - BCR & offsite
'01 - VWL (purchase trip!)
10/01 - BW & OKW

 

[baileybrad]

and I can't think of one bad thing to say about the VWL. We really enjoyed everything about it. My wife did remark that the "pool lady" acted like a "nazi" when she told the spouse to move her pool chair at the main pool but other than that she enjoyed it, too.

 

[disrailfan]

Going in Nov can't wait after this report

1998 ASM Nov Kids
2000 OKW Dec No Kids
2001 OKW Jun Kids
2001 OKW Nov No Kids

 

[Vanessa]

for the quick reply. We are the parents of a toddler so I never even thought of renting games or places to relax & read a book (I do that during nap time!). The BW does have a very nice plush lobby with comfy couches, and there are some scattered chairs about, as well as the Bellevue Room. There are also tables and benches out along the Boardwalk for people watching. I currently have a bunch of books waiting to be read poolside at VWL!

We really love the BW and are taking a family trip in Sept. with the grandparents. This is a last minute trip to VWL for our anniversary. We also wanted to check it out to see if we'd like to stay there someday with the family. BW is really convenient as we can walk to Epcot and MGM with a stroller vs. getting on a boat or bus.

 

[jfulcer]

but it appeared to be checkers, and if I remember correctly the checkerboard was built into the table. Now, it could be possible there were other games, I just didn't see them and don't know where to find them. It would have given us a different opportunity when we had a rain day, that's for sure.

DW and I on our anniversary spent time curled up in front of the fireplaces in the main lobby of the Lodge on the different floors. Later at night, it was almost deserted - some nice private (but still public) time.

Jeff <img height="80" width="55" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/goofhead07.gif"> <img height="80" width="125" src="http://www.angelfire.com/art/jfulcer/vacclub01.gif">
8/95 WL - Honeymoon!
3/97 Offsite
3/99, 3/00 Offsite
11/99 Offsite - TPA
8/00 Wilderness Lodge
9/00 Offsite - MOWC
3/01 VWL (1st DVC!)

 

[Lisa F]

and although we are die hard BWV fans (calling day by day at the 11 month window to be sure to get our standard view) we really really enjoyed it. I posted a very looooooooooooooong trip report about it in comparison to the BWV when we got back and if anyone is interested and hasn't seen it I can post a link to it.

About the original poster commenting on how "plain" (I think that's the word that was used) the Villas are, I don't agree at all. I'm glad that Disney didn't put in another atrium like in the main lodge. We spent plenty of time in the main building (refilling our mugs, coming back from the parks in our car, dinner at artist point, meeting friends there etc etc etc). We got to experience the grandeur and the beauty of that atrium.

Then, when we were ready to go "home" we walked across the pathway to a beautiful detailed and nicely scaled atrium. The spaces off it are warm and cozy, as are the rooms. The details in the villas, both in the public spaces and the rooms were quite wonderful and we are considering adding on there because I just fell in love. The quiet pool is just that, meant to be a quiet pool without the attraction of a slide. Again, Disney didn't duplicate what was already available but added something that was not already available there but with the same theming.

I guess if someone was expecting a copy of the WL they are going to be disappointed with the villas. I have to say, though, on our one stay at the WL (even before we bought into DVC) I was extremely disappointed with the room there (and my sister felt the same way when she visited as well) and never thought I'd stay there again. When they built the villas we decided to try it (though I was nervous) and now I am in love with the place because I have the best of both world... larger rooms with more amenities and proximity to the lodge itself and the amenities there.

Lisa

"You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build house and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly, you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say 'This is beautiful.' That is architecture. Art enters in."
-Le Corbusier

 

[ParkFreak]

I have to agree with Lisa, although we haven't stayed there yet, we took an impromptu tour last January and one of the big reasons We loved the place was that it was somewhat removed from the lodge and had a very "homey" feel to it. I guess what I'm trying to convey here (again without ever having staying there) is that at the lodge, you felt like you were staying there. While at the Villas, it feels more like you "live" there!

-Craig

Next trip: 9/01 at VWL!!

 

[bonzie1]

How I appreciate everyone's thoughts on the WLV. Yes, I did say it looked plain, but I was sure the rooms made up for that. I'm glad to see those of you who have stayed weren't disappointed. I just love the main lodge, and all the nooks and crannies... but after all, it's only a few steps away! Based on all of your wonderful, honest replies, I think we'll give the villas a try. Thanks so much! October... here we come!