I have a new favorite DVC

[goldilocks_63]

All, just returned from a lovely last minute trip to VWL, and I have to say I loved it there..... It was so beautiful, and the nighttime views were spectacular.

We stayed in a dreaded HA studio room, but DD had fun playing with the sprayer.....

DVC keeps gettting better and better....

Goldi

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you enjoyed your VWL visit! I agree about the night time views. Last Thursday night, I took some time to walk around, and went onto the overlook. It was especially lovely.

Bobbi

 

[Muushka]

Glad you enjoyed "Our Beloved Wilderness Lodge" (Hi Granny )

We have never gotten the HA rooms yet. We got the balconyless (is there such a word ) one for our first stay, but never stayed in a studio since, so I guess we got that one out of the way .

We love it there also .

 

[jennybobenny]

After several trips to Boardwalk Villas we stayed at Wilderness Lodge this past June. Had cold feet trying someplace new and almost called Member Services for something last minute at BW or BC. It took a few hours but Wilderness Lodge totally won me over - even though I tried very very hard to hate it.

Check in - I'd read horror stories so expected the worst. The CM was polite, efficient, said 'welcome home', took care of all the room cards with appropriate charging privileges, even handled the dining plan without a hitch. Lucky start.

Room location - First impression..hated it. We asked for a pool view and we got wilderness view. Imagine, a wilderness view at wilderness lodge. Oh wait...we didn't ask for a pool view, we asked to be close to the pool. There was only 1 room closer than ours. Yay!

Room decor - First impression..ick! Too dark. Doesn't match. Wait, actually it's kind of cozy. And homey. And comfortable. End result ... loved it!

Pool - What? No clown slide? Kids didn't even miss it. They were having too much fun playing near the rock stream and running over to see the geiser.

Food court - Hey...Boardwalk doesn't have a food court. Loved Roaring Forks! We could definately get used to the convenience -- and the food was great.

In a nutshell. I wanted to hate Wilderness Lodge. I really did. I'm a Boardwalk Villas fan. In the end it won me over. Final rating:

 

[Muushka]

What a great post!

 

[Granny]

All, just returned from a lovely last minute trip to VWL, and I have to say I loved it there..... It was so beautiful, and the nighttime views were spectacular.

Goldi...glad that your stay was a good one. DVC is great to offer so many different resort experiences, and each one has something unique to offer. To paraphrase Will Rogers..."I've never met a DVC resort I didn't like".

In a nutshell. I wanted to hate Wilderness Lodge. I really did. I'm a Boardwalk Villas fan. In the end it won me over. Final rating

That's a funny post...I don't think I've ever heard someone "wanting" to hate a resort they were going to stay at! For what it's worth, we went the other way. We bought at VWL (yes, Muushka, it is certainly beloved ) and were surprised at how much we enjoyed a subsequent stay at BWV. Be careful, we ended up buying a second contract at BWV since we liked it so much! Glad that your trip was a great one!

 

[wdwstar]

Goldi, I am so glad you & DD had a great time at the VWL ! I am sorry i couldnt go with you, with just getting back from the poly & BCVs, DPB
(dear pocketbook) would not have liked it & without mentioning DH point of view.......

I love VWL and especially during Christmas ! What a great choice you made !

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We stayed in a dreaded HA studio room, but DD had fun playing with the sprayer.....

That sounds like a good enough reason to REQUEST a HA room!

Glad you see the light about VWL!

MG

 

[spiceycat]

I also love VWL. but right now I need 2 beds - not one - so OKW wins....

VWL is just so beautiful anytime - but at Christmas it is wonderful.

 

[LisaS]

For what it's worth, we went the other way. We bought at VWL (yes, Muushka, it is certainly beloved ) and were surprised at how much we enjoyed a subsequent stay at BWV. Be careful, we ended up buying a second contract at BWV since we liked it so much!

I think owning at both BWV and VWL is a great combination. We bought a starter contract at BWV and waited to add on until we could check out the other DVC resorts. After staying at VWL, we were hooked and added on there! I like having the 11-month window at both a seaside-type resort with a lot of hustle and bustle and a quiet woodsy resort on a large lake. Can't wait to add on at an African-themed resort with giraffes strolling the grounds.

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, Goldi!

 

[jmatias]

Glad you had a great time!

For our July trip we stayed at BCV and the kids loved it mainly because of the pool. Then one night we went over to WL to eat at Whispering Canyon and as soon as we walked in the lobby that feeling of "amazement and longing started "

Our boys said please book at VWL for our next trip....we miss it here. That was the first time they actually requested a specific DVC resort.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[Inkmahm]

I think owning at both BWV and VWL is a great combination. We bought a starter contract at BWV and waited to add on until we could check out the other DVC resorts. After staying at VWL, we were hooked and added on there! I like having the 11-month window at both a seaside-type resort with a lot of hustle and bustle and a quiet woodsy resort on a large lake. Can't wait to add on at an African-themed resort with giraffes strolling the grounds.

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, Goldi!

ditto! We seem to have the same tastes.

 

[byoung]

I still like BWV better.

 

[goldilocks_63]

I can imagine that it's so cool with the xmas trees....

We're supposed to go to BCV Dec. 9ish for a 1 BR, but I wonder if we could switch.....

DD wants to show off VWL to Daddy

At any rate, I'm so happy to have all these choices.

Goldi

 

[bobbiwoz]

The villa itself has a charming Christmas tree, with the fireplaces and nooks and crannies to sit in, it's really my favorite place to sit and be.

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

At any rate, I'm so happy to have all these choices.

Goldi

you aren't the only one!!! but even if it was still only OKW (DVC then) I would still be happy!!!

 

[jpeka65844]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what's the "dreaded HA room"?? And I've heard a rumor of a "dumpster room"? What room numbers should I be cautious of???



Denice T.

 

[Muushka]

HA is handicap accessible. Although we have not had it at VWL, we did get to experience it at BCV. They are, hmm, how do you say, interesting.

 

[Granny]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what's the "dreaded HA room"?? And I've heard a rumor of a "dumpster room"? What room numbers should I be cautious of???



Denice T.

There are a couple of villas that overlook the maintenance/trash area at VWL. They are at the end of the long hall on the "bus stop" side of the resort.

Keep in mind that someone will likely be in those rooms almost every night year 'round. If it happens to be us on some trips, so be it. We would be the last ones to throw a fit at check-in if our room view request was not met. We would be more strident about the non-smoking since my daughter has asthma, but over the course of DVC ownership we expect that we'll end up with some less-than-lovely views.

I still like BWV better.

Glad to hear it.

 

[Muushka]

snip....
Glad to hear it.

I was thinking the same thing!

Granny is right about sharing the not-so-great rooms. When I 'visit' a different DVC resort from my home resort, I am grateful to be visiting so I will take anything that is given to me. There are only a few rooms at VWL that I would have a hard time taking and I would probably ask to not be put there, but in general, most of the rooms are great.