mrsminniemouse
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2003
- Messages
- 960
On Sunday we arrived hiome from 13 nights at VWL. We had a great time! It was our second DVC stay, we stayed at SSR last September. We really enjoyed both trips and could see the advantages of both resorts.
Our room at VWL was room 3536, on the third floor. It was a NS 1 bed unit. It was the third or fourth door down the longer hallway but still very close to the elevators. DD nearly 2, loved charging from the elevator, around the atrium shouting 'find our door, find our door' then stopping to point at various red doors saying 'This one!' Often she would stop in the atrium, lean against the bars and look down at the magnificent light fitting (chandelier?) in the lobby and puff. We asked what she was doing and she said she was blowing out the candles on the birthday cake!!! The light chandelier is round and has candle type bulbs on. Bless her!
The room was really nice. Less dark than I imagined from photos I had seen and a tad more space by the dining table and kitchen area than SSR. One thing I did not like so much was the toilet and shower were together, I liked the toilet being behind another door at SSR. Saves time in the morning. We had a nice woods view and you could see a glimpse of the buses through the trees. Great room. One odd thing though, why is the kitcken towel dispenser in the trash cupboard? It actually touches the trash can as you close the cupboard door, yuck! We used the spare roll. Thought that was an odd place to put it...
On the whole we loved VWL. The main pool was very busy every afternoon, too busy for us. We used it in the mornings or used the Hidden Springs pool. Our little girl loved the water feature/ spring in the lobby. She thought the rock formation was a crocodile! (It is a little jagged and green looking) She would run into the lobby looking for her friend the crocodile. She is obsessed with crocodiles and anything green and spiky is a croc, according to her. The Mickey topiary was very popular too!
We used the boat and bus to MK but drove everywhere else. We loved doing MK little and often, it was wonderful to be so close. We did miss being walking distance from a selection of restaurants and shops like you are at SSR or Beach Club (where we used to stay pre-DVC) We used the boat and monorail to get to the Poly for Kona Cafe one night but it took forever. The other hotels seem so near yet so far....However, the close proximity to MK was a tremendous bonus for us so no complaints about location really.
The parks seemed busier than this time last year. I guess the 50th celebration is the cause. We did lots of stuff for DD but managed to ride Soarin individually, I loved it! DH got the bottom seat at the side, could see the edge of screen and lots of dangling legs in front of him. Crush the turtle was fantastic, totally hilarious. We used Photopass and I have order 4 pics using the DVC offer you get a check in. The photos are ok but the tops of several characters heads are missing. Quite honestly our own pics are better. But it is great to have pics of us all together so I bought some. Incidentally, there were characters everywhere, more than I remember seeing before.
There was a slight mix up with my DDE letter, it was not there when I arrived. A great CM at WL Guest Services made the call for me and got a letter faxed over. By the end of the trip Rosa Flores had sent the actual card to the resort so I could use the real thing. We estimate we saved over $120 this trip and we have a 20 night trip planned for this September. Brilliant value!
It was a wonderful trip. DD loved every minute of it and we loved watching her. I never thought the day would come when I could do MGM and miss T of T and still be happy! We kept saying how thrilled we were with our DVC purchase. This trip was a bonus due to the recent add on incentive. We try OKW in September and hopefully BCV next year.
Here are some of the highlights of our trip:
Seeing the delight on DD's face when she met characters. She thinks they are her friends.
Sitting up front of the monorail with the driver, sorry pilot. What a view!
Watching DD dance with Minnie at Cape May Cafe, brought a tear to my eyes.
Again, the delight on DD's face during Fantasmic, Wishes and the MGM parade. She bubbles up with excitement when she sees a familiar character and says 'bang' with every firework
Meeting up with some great DVC friends from NJ. It is so fun to chat to someone who has the same Disney addiction!
Finding a paintbrush on Tom Sawyer Island and getting a front of line access ticket as reward
A butterfly landing on DD's hand at EPCOT's butterfly garden
Going round the lazy river in a hoop twice at BB without DD moving, just relaxing on my lap! (Parents of toddlers understand)
DD playing the drums with the African guy at AK
Shopping, shopping , shopping (I am English- we love the outlet malls!)
As you can tell we had a WONDERFUL trip, we feel so lucky to have DVC. Roll on more great holidays!
THanks for reading, any questions go ahead....
Mandy
Our room at VWL was room 3536, on the third floor. It was a NS 1 bed unit. It was the third or fourth door down the longer hallway but still very close to the elevators. DD nearly 2, loved charging from the elevator, around the atrium shouting 'find our door, find our door' then stopping to point at various red doors saying 'This one!' Often she would stop in the atrium, lean against the bars and look down at the magnificent light fitting (chandelier?) in the lobby and puff. We asked what she was doing and she said she was blowing out the candles on the birthday cake!!! The light chandelier is round and has candle type bulbs on. Bless her!
The room was really nice. Less dark than I imagined from photos I had seen and a tad more space by the dining table and kitchen area than SSR. One thing I did not like so much was the toilet and shower were together, I liked the toilet being behind another door at SSR. Saves time in the morning. We had a nice woods view and you could see a glimpse of the buses through the trees. Great room. One odd thing though, why is the kitcken towel dispenser in the trash cupboard? It actually touches the trash can as you close the cupboard door, yuck! We used the spare roll. Thought that was an odd place to put it...
On the whole we loved VWL. The main pool was very busy every afternoon, too busy for us. We used it in the mornings or used the Hidden Springs pool. Our little girl loved the water feature/ spring in the lobby. She thought the rock formation was a crocodile! (It is a little jagged and green looking) She would run into the lobby looking for her friend the crocodile. She is obsessed with crocodiles and anything green and spiky is a croc, according to her. The Mickey topiary was very popular too!
We used the boat and bus to MK but drove everywhere else. We loved doing MK little and often, it was wonderful to be so close. We did miss being walking distance from a selection of restaurants and shops like you are at SSR or Beach Club (where we used to stay pre-DVC) We used the boat and monorail to get to the Poly for Kona Cafe one night but it took forever. The other hotels seem so near yet so far....However, the close proximity to MK was a tremendous bonus for us so no complaints about location really.
The parks seemed busier than this time last year. I guess the 50th celebration is the cause. We did lots of stuff for DD but managed to ride Soarin individually, I loved it! DH got the bottom seat at the side, could see the edge of screen and lots of dangling legs in front of him. Crush the turtle was fantastic, totally hilarious. We used Photopass and I have order 4 pics using the DVC offer you get a check in. The photos are ok but the tops of several characters heads are missing. Quite honestly our own pics are better. But it is great to have pics of us all together so I bought some. Incidentally, there were characters everywhere, more than I remember seeing before.
There was a slight mix up with my DDE letter, it was not there when I arrived. A great CM at WL Guest Services made the call for me and got a letter faxed over. By the end of the trip Rosa Flores had sent the actual card to the resort so I could use the real thing. We estimate we saved over $120 this trip and we have a 20 night trip planned for this September. Brilliant value!
It was a wonderful trip. DD loved every minute of it and we loved watching her. I never thought the day would come when I could do MGM and miss T of T and still be happy! We kept saying how thrilled we were with our DVC purchase. This trip was a bonus due to the recent add on incentive. We try OKW in September and hopefully BCV next year.
Here are some of the highlights of our trip:
Seeing the delight on DD's face when she met characters. She thinks they are her friends. Sitting up front of the monorail with the driver, sorry pilot. What a view! Watching DD dance with Minnie at Cape May Cafe, brought a tear to my eyes. Again, the delight on DD's face during Fantasmic, Wishes and the MGM parade. She bubbles up with excitement when she sees a familiar character and says 'bang' with every firework Meeting up with some great DVC friends from NJ. It is so fun to chat to someone who has the same Disney addiction! Finding a paintbrush on Tom Sawyer Island and getting a front of line access ticket as reward A butterfly landing on DD's hand at EPCOT's butterfly garden Going round the lazy river in a hoop twice at BB without DD moving, just relaxing on my lap! (Parents of toddlers understand) DD playing the drums with the African guy at AK Shopping, shopping , shopping (I am English- we love the outlet malls!)As you can tell we had a WONDERFUL trip, we feel so lucky to have DVC. Roll on more great holidays!
THanks for reading, any questions go ahead....
Mandy
Now they are the ones who want to go on the TOT. Believe me, they grow so fast. Enjoy!
Would love to read the trip report for Sept-what a wonderfully long trip 
I could never get away with that as a loan officer!
