In support of VWL

[lsutigger]

DH and I went to VWL in Oct 01 for our first DVC visit. We really enjoyed the resort. It was calming after coming in from the parks or from playing golf (yes, golf can be stressful!!). Even though our room wasn't what we had requested, we enjoyed our stay just the same. One of several happy CM stories, I stopped mousekeeping one day to ask a question about trash/towel day, and she very gracefully gave me an armload of extra towels. It was nice to have the extra sets. (We were in a studio.) Would have gladly gone back this year, but when I called for reservations and BCV was open, we chose to stay there. We probably will try them all, one of the best parts about DVC.
Thanks Granny for starting this thread!

 

[kda]

From the first time we stayed at WL, it became our favorite resort, and we stayed there 5 more times before finally being able to purchase DVC. After going to 3 (yes, 3) DVC presentations over a 7 year period, we decided to wait until VWL were built. Now our vacations have taken on a new flavor --- life in a 1 BR @ VWL gives a whole new meaning to luxury!

We decided we needed a few more points and gambled that they'd still be available after Christmas. When we found out our use-year suddenly sold out, we were truly bummed. Our guide called a few months later to say we could have points at BWV in our use-year, but we turned him down. I knew there were people dying for those points, but we just weren't interested. While we really enjoy spending some time in the Epcot area, VWL is home --- serene, beautiful, restful, an oasis away from the busy world. Frankly, I'm just as glad that it doesn't appeal to everyone because I don't want it to get too crowded. Can't wait to go there in early December. It seems the perfect place to be at that time of the year.

(PS. We did spend a few days in a 1 BR in OKW last month, and I'd go back there in a heartbeat, too.)

 

[goofyforwdw]

We own at Bw HH and Wl and after HH .WLV is our favorite. One Cm comes to mind we some how we took the wrong plug for the cell phone with us and the charge was running out. As this is how we keep in touch with our kids I was some what distressed I went to the check in area and asked if they possably had a plug that would work, well the CM said I have the same phone and have the charger in my car I will charge it now and leave it for you when I go off duty. I left it with her and went down the next morn and retrived my fully charge phone and called by kids. My husband and I spend some time at the pool bar so he can smoke a cigar and the bar people as so nice . It it bad we know them by name Hi Kendra, Stuart and Carrie.

 

[Janis]

Just returned from our first stay at VWL and loved every minute! All the cast members we encountered were friendly and efficient, and check in was painless. The room (2BR) was clean and everything was in working order. We plan to return many times. Hope this helps anyone who is having second thoughts!

 

[DisneyWorld fanatic]

We love VWL. We stayed at the Logde 3 times prior to becoming DVC members and were so thrilled when we decided to join that VWL was the resort that was available to purchase. We just stayed there for 6 days in Feb and the took the 3 day cruise......our first DVC vacation!!! It was wonderful. We love it so much that we could live there.........permanently!!!!!!
We have ressies for Jan 03......cant wait!!!!!

Jim

 

[Lesley]

We bought a small add on at VWL sight unseen in May of 2001, right before the increase to $75. Our only experience with the WL was at the Pooh character breakfast they used to have. But the theme appealed to us and the photos looked nice....so we did the add on.

We stayed there for the first time in Jan...2 days at the start of our trip using our new points in a 1br. We we absolutely thrilled with our room, the cm's we encountered, just everything.

We also found the valets to be particularly friendly...but the CM we had at check in was great too. We were much more impressed with VWL than with our first home resort BWV (though BWV is great too!) We'd love to have more points there...and i really wish we had enough points to stay there more often!

 

[Granny]

Wow....ask for a few "feel good" comments about VWL and look what happens! You guys did a great job in capturing so much of what we love about VWL.

Muushka...I love your comment "Why throw the baby out with the bath water?". You're right...there's always a chance that someone or something can make a trip less enjoyable, but looking at the big picture, we all thoroughly enjoy WDW and know that in total it's a great experience.

I always enjoy reading the CM stories....and especially on this thread since it was one or two CM's that caused so much trouble recently there. Thank you dizneeluvr, KarenB, disney chic, GrammieMame, lsutigger, and goofyforwdw for sharing your specific CM stories!

spiceycat....I agree completely about the wildlife viewing at VWL. DW and I spotted a deer just off the path heading over to Fort Wilderness...it never moved as we walked about 20 feet from it! And the usual Disney touches with the various animal footprints in the sidewalks at WL have always been really neat. I also appreciate you posting on this thread. I know you were saddled with a really lousy room view on a stay at VWL but it obviously didn't make you think poorly of the resort or the CM's in general.

kda & DisneyWorldfanatic.....my family is just like yours in that we fell in love with WL and that is why buying into VWL was such an easy decision.

And a few mentioned the check-in slowness and I'll have to admit that they could do a better job there. It does seem way too slow, even when they have 7 or 8 people checking folks in! But if you have to wait a long time to check in, you can't beat that lobby for a place to do it!!

Again, thanks to everyone who has posted or continues to post. I think anyone who has second thoughts about their purchase at VWL or upcoming trips should have their fears laid to rest.

You guys are the best!!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We have been to VWL once and absolutely loved it!

 

[Jenny0725]

We are also VWL owners. Our last stay was in December and we had a wonderful time.

Our favorite thing about DVC is the ability to stay at different themed resorts. Each DVC resort gives you a different feel.

We have stayed at HH, BW, OKW and VWL. We are looking forward to staying at VB and BC this fall.

 

[Goofy4Mickey]

After our first trip "home" to VWL in early June, I have nothing but good things to say. Service, from the CMs to room service to restaurant staff, was always fantastic. That goes without saying for the property itself. WL has always been one of our favorites.

Mousekeeping even threw in a surprise, extra trash & towel day with extra towels when they saw we had 2 small children. Just another one of those little touches that keeps us coming back...

 

[SEC]

I have only stayed at my home resort once, last October and it was a great experience! We have previously stayed at WL and love the theming of both the Lodge and the Villas as well as the boat transportation and atmosphere! We are counting down the days until we go "home" again!

 

[ralphd]

Check the clock folks! We don't have very long until 'Homecoming'.


ralphd

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
Hey-I just realized-we also never got a "Welcome home" from the guard.

Out of 5 DVC trips (3 OKW, 2 BWV), we only got a "welcome home" from the guard once - last month at OKW.

I have a friend who is a die hard OKW member, she hated Boardwalk because of the "tiny rooms", she stayed at VWL earlier this week for 3 nights and loved it (1 bedroom). Her 17 year old son said he liked it better than OKW. They were already fans of Wilderness Lodge.

When I joined at BWV, it was being bashed right and left on these boards, I think the "new place" always gets criticism at first until they get things running smoothly.

 

[Paul in CT]

We are owners at OKW, but stayed at a 1 BR last August and had a GREAT time! We did three nights there and three at BWV and two at VB. We enjoyed the boat rides to the MK for a change and my son and daughter thought the workout room was excellent. I'll take their word on that one.

We will be back there again. I hoping to go there in December some time to see the fantastic decorations!

 

[Pointdisney]

Since my wife and I became DVC members in late 1999 we've only stayed at the WLV despite the fact that our 'home' resort is BWV. We love the Lodge; it's quiet surroundings, terrific theming, and the over all experience. A truly great place to enjoy the 'magic'!

 

[dizfanz]

Granny, great idea. Each DVC resort has its own charm, and the VWL are no exception. As you mentioned, the guard is the best. I have mentioned this on the boards before. He had to have been a US Marine. Nothing beats the feeling when you walk into the main lodge. Awesome!!! No matter how many times I've seen it, it still gets me. I love the bike trail that goes to Fort Wilderness, a great activity. Sturdy branches is the best fitness facility in my opinion. Artists point is one of my favorite restaurants. It is really quiet. And my favorite activity, is grabbing a beer from the snack shop and a newspaper and going to that nook that is on the 2nd or 3rd floor in the main lodge that has the fireplace and the couches. Very comfy and hidden away. VWL rocks and nobody's bad experience will ever stop me from going back!!! How's that Granny?

 

[Gigashadow]

All I can say is out of all the trips to WDW and stays with Disneys Resorts, We had a few "Problems" during some of our stays - But NEVER once did any of them not get corrected or addressed ASAP by the staff or management. 2 times we were very well compensated for any "inconveinence" during our stay. Also, we never had to "Battle" with anyone to correct anything. So I am still 100% Happy with my $30,000 timeshare purchase at the VWL and still look foward to enjoying any of my stays at the DVC Resort Collection that keeps growing.

I feel sorry for the people posting their "horror" reports but can only wonder how/why they didn't recieve the same treatment my family is accostom to.

 

[MaryJ]

I'll start off by saying that my family has stayed at WL a few times and now VWL once last month. Every trip has been awesome and the CM's have been very helpful and cheery. My favorite CM is probably the guard at the front entrance gate. If he knows that you are a DVC member, he gives you a sharp salute and says "Welcome Home" with a nice smile. I love that!

We just returned from two weeks at WDW. The first was at VWL and the second at BWV. We got a Welcome Home from the CM at the front desk (I think her name was Marsha) and from the guard at the gate. Not a single Welcome Home when we moved to the BWVs. VWL is our home resort, but we switched resorts primarily because we thought our kids would enjoy the activities around BWV more, but the general consensus was that they liked the themeing and atmosphere at VWL better.

Our room was on the fifth floor and yes, there were vaulted ceilings, but they didn't interfere in any way. Also, it was previously reported in another thread that you could not see out of the balcony when seated in a fifth floor room. This was not true in our case. I looked at other balconies that faced Bay Lake as ours did and could not see any that would have this problem.

We're glad that VWL is our home!! Looking forward to many more stays there!