Help for our upcoming WLV stay

[katmittens]

We are staying at WLV in january and we usually stay at OKW. Does WL have video rentals, bingo by the pool, or any of the things like OKW. I am second guessing my decision to stay at WL over OKW. Help did I make the right decision. I like the quiet pool at WL and the food court and close proximity to MK. Also what area is good for a 2 bedroom. What should I request for a quiet location, with a balcony. Thanks for any help.

 

[kim532]

Our trip a couple of years ago we watched the water parade from the beach. And we rented videos from the gift shop. DOn't know about the other things.

Kim

 

[disneynutz]

VWL has the same amenities and events as the other DVC resorts. As far as we are concerned, all of the rooms are quiet.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Ask for a 2 bedroom - lake view - as high up as possible. A lake view on the first or second floor allows you to see the trees with a glimse of the lake when the wind blows. Not that a view of the trees is bad, just if you thought you wanted to sit your morning coffee on the balcony looking at the early activity on the lake, you may be disappointed.

Note - looking out accross the lake, you are staring directly at the old Discovery Island - the only themed park Disney has ever closed. It was replaced with Animal Kingdom.

 

[DiznyDi]

Oh.... don't second guess your decision to stay at VWL! You will love it!

Even the boat transportation is an attraction in and of itself. One evening our boat Capt. stopped in the middle of the lake so we could watch the electric light display. I'm certain there was a 'reason' why we stopped, but it was something totally unexpected and we did enjoy it!

The proximity to Fort Wilderness and the activities available there are a definite plus.

Our two favorite resorts are VWL and SSR and we own at both. If you're there in early January they may still have the Christmas decorations up. I hope you get to see them!

Stop worrying, start reading and planning, and look forward with anticipation to your stay at VWL.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

No one has mentioned the campfire (make s'mores), sing-along with Chip and Dale, and Movies in the evenings at Fort Wilderness which is so close. Don't forget yummy food and fun at Whispering Canyon Cafe and easy access to Mickey's Backyard BBQ and Hoop Dee Doo Review both at FW if you're interested.

We're excited to be staying at VWL for the first time in September!

 

[bobbiwoz]

January is a great time to rent bikes and ride to FW. We often see deer on the connecting trail between the two resorts.

I've seen kids playing bingo by the pool, and there are lots of activities. Just be sure to read the list, so you don't miss what you're interested in.

We'll be there Jan. 6-11 for marathon weekend.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

One big difference between VWL and OKW is the Community Hall. OKW has one, VWL does not. So any of the activities that they have at Community Halls won't happen at VWL.

 

[katmittens]

We will be there Jan 2 to the 8th. I am waitlisted for the last nite in a 2 bedroom dedicated, if I don't get that we will have to move from the dedicated 2 bedroom to a 2 bedroom lock off. Wish me luck.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

I am an OKW owner and I absolutely LOVE the WLV. WLV is a very quiet and relaxing resort and has some great ammenties as others have mentioned similar to OKW (great pool, bingo, movies, good restaurants, nice gift shop, great CM's, etc) but it also has some very unique offerings not found at any other DVC location (camp fires, ELP, access to FW, best holiday decorations, petting zoo at FW, Segway tours, etc). I think you will find, as did I, that WLV is a very well themed resort with great attention to detail. If I were doing a resort only stay, no parks, this is where I would pick as my first choice. My best advice to the OP is to go in to with an open mind and dont compare it to OKW as it is a totally different style resort but yet has many of the appealing things you noted (quiet, calming, etc). I think you will really enjoy it so relax and start planning your trip with a positive attitude knowing that it is a great resort with lots of things to do.

One side note - There is a "dumpster view" category which is not published or known to most (joking, it is not a category, but it does exist). I have received this in the past as have many other DIS'ers. Should you get that view, know that you"ll be in some fine company as many of us here on the DIS have gotten this in the past.

 

[GILL-WDW]

We are at VWL right now and requested a Pool View (which we got) but the trees are getting thicker and you can't see much. Not that i'm complaining at all.... We love the view (Room 3509 Studio).
They are showing movies on the Beach here every night which was a nice surprise (last time we stayed they were not doing that).

 

[wulfekamp]

The ribs at wispering canyon ROCK.

 

[Dawn16]

I am an OKW owner and I absolutely LOVE the WLV. WLV is a very quiet and relaxing resort and has some great ammenties as others have mentioned similar to OKW (great pool, bingo, movies, good restaurants, nice gift shop, great CM's, etc) but it also has some very unique offerings not found at any other DVC location (camp fires, ELP, access to FW, best holiday decorations, petting zoo at FW, Segway tours, etc). I think you will find, as did I, that WLV is a very well themed resort with great attention to detail. If I were doing a resort only stay, no parks, this is where I would pick as my first choice. My best advice to the OP is to go in to with an open mind and dont compare it to OKW as it is a totally different style resort but yet has many of the appealing things you noted (quiet, calming, etc). I think you will really enjoy it so relax and start planning your trip with a positive attitude knowing that it is a great resort with lots of things to do.

One side note - There is a "dumpster view" category which is not published or known to most (joking, it is not a category, but it does exist). I have received this in the past as have many other DIS'ers. Should you get that view, know that you"ll be in some fine company as many of us here on the DIS have gotten this in the past.

Ah, yes, the dumpster view. I've heard of this. Out of curiosity, where exactly are the dumpster view rooms? We're staying in November for the first time so I have no idea. I suppose I'll know if we get one if I look down and see a dumpster

 

[Dawn16]

I am an OKW owner and I absolutely LOVE the WLV. WLV is a very quiet and relaxing resort and has some great ammenties as others have mentioned similar to OKW (great pool, bingo, movies, good restaurants, nice gift shop, great CM's, etc) but it also has some very unique offerings not found at any other DVC location (camp fires, ELP, access to FW, best holiday decorations, petting zoo at FW, Segway tours, etc). I think you will find, as did I, that WLV is a very well themed resort with great attention to detail. If I were doing a resort only stay, no parks, this is where I would pick as my first choice. My best advice to the OP is to go in to with an open mind and dont compare it to OKW as it is a totally different style resort but yet has many of the appealing things you noted (quiet, calming, etc). I think you will really enjoy it so relax and start planning your trip with a positive attitude knowing that it is a great resort with lots of things to do.

One side note - There is a "dumpster view" category which is not published or known to most (joking, it is not a category, but it does exist). I have received this in the past as have many other DIS'ers. Should you get that view, know that you"ll be in some fine company as many of us here on the DIS have gotten this in the past.

Ah, yes, the dumpster view. I've heard of this. Out of curiosity, where exactly are the dumpster view rooms? We're staying in November for the first time so I have no idea. I suppose I'll know if we get one if I look down and see a dumpster

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ah, yes, the dumpster view. I've heard of this. Out of curiosity, where exactly are the dumpster view rooms? We're staying in November for the first time so I have no idea. I suppose I'll know if we get one if I look down and see a dumpster

They are at the end of the long hall, on the right going down. I think they are dedicated studios.

Bobbi

 

[kim532]

I am a proud veteran of the dumpster view. I was in a studio and it is the rooms at the very end of the hall.

 

[katmittens]

I called MS today to change my Oct Vero stay for a two nite stay at Disney and the great guy at MS told me my wait list came through. I am so happy Now I don't have to move from one room to the other for one nite. I am now looking forward to WL. Since I have a 2 bedroom dedicated will I have a chance of getting a dumpster view. Otherwise I am excited to go to VWL in January.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

They are at the end of the long hall, on the right going down. I think they are dedicated studios.

Bobbi

Lakeside or parking lot side?

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

I had the "dumpster view" while being in a 2 BRV I believe on the 5th floor (could be mistaken). Also as an added bonus, when we had this room it was just after the new smoking policy went into affect and this became the employee smoking area next to the dumster (uncertain if it still is or not). As a smoker I found this quite ironic and even commical as we would go to the smoking area while the employees smoked below our room. I dont recall the room number but it was down the end of the hallway, the 2nd to the last room on the left hand side of the the hallway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Lakeside or parking lot side?

Parking lot side. The next poster is indicating something on the lake side (left) as well. I've not had that experience. When we've been on the left, it's more of a tree/maybe glimpses of the lake view.

Bobbi