Just back from 12 days at VWL...

[ohiominnie]

We returned from beautiful sunny Florida on Saturday. We came back to cloudy and 50's Ohio. We are the only people in our neighborhood with a tan.

Had a wonderful trip, got a lot done but also relaxed quite a bit. The MK was much more crowded than our previous two May trips, but other parks were not crowded at all. We made note that on May 11th they extended MK hours AND added a second showing of Spectromagic (all that after a CM at Town Hall told us that it was a "very slow day at the MK!")
Made use of the boat plan at VWL....what a value! Did not pool hop one time this trip. Found new things we didn't know existed (i.e. the Campfire Program at FW)
If you have any questions about anything I'd be happy to try to answer them.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How was the transportation? Your room? Where exactly were you (kind of room, floor)? Did you take any WL tours? Did you eat at AP or Territory Lounge and if so, how was it? Did you notice how late Territory Lounge is open? Sorry for all these questions, but taking our first trip "home" to VWL in 4 weeks, DH hasn't even seen it, and I'm getting a little nervous!

 

[ohiominnie]

No problem! Transportation was easy!! The only complaint I have is that the first boat to MK comes at 8:30. By the time it loads and gets to MK the lines are LONG. Of course, when rope drop happens the crowd clears within 5 minutes, but still, there's something psychological to having to be so far back in line that early in the morning. That was the only park we were present for at rope drop....so I can't comment on other park opening lines.

Our room was wonderful. 5th floor 1 bedroom with vaulted ceilings. Slightly smaller closet in this one than the 1 bedroom portion of the 2 bedroom villa we had in December, but nothing to get stressed over. My MIL was in a 1 bedroom on the 4th floor (she owns DVC too) and I did notice she only had one balcony (off of the living room) whereas we had one off of our living room AND our bedroom.

Our room looked out toward the bus stop but not one time did I think "Oh, that bus noise is obnoxious!" Actually, with the doors closed you couldn't hear them at all! Out on the balcony it was a minor background noise.

We did not eat at AP this time but did get the salmon dinners via room service. We had plans to eat there at some point, but after a long day at the park and tired kids we decided to eat in our room (wonderful food and we didn't have to look good!) The kids ate Mickey Macaroni and Cheese that we had picked up in a gift shop....we feasted on salmon. MMMMMMM

Didn't go to Territory Lounge and have no idea on the hours. Sorry.

Ate a few times (breakfasts) at Whispering Canyon. Once had terrible service and a waitress who kept blaming things on other people. When I complained that my son's pancakes were stone cold she said "Oh, well they had trouble with pancakes sticking on the grill, so that's why." When I asked for the vanillia rock candy that has ALWAYS come with my vanilla latte she said "I brought you the syrup, usually we just do one or the other."

Did not take any WL tours this time, but chatted with several cast members about features of the lodge. Nothing official, but very informative.

Hope this helps. You'll have a great time. Don't get nervous!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much for answering my questions so thoroughly. But now I'm afraid you've brought up another thing-that room service. That sounds so nice! Was it a lot more expensive than eating it at AP? How long did you have to wait? Was the food hot? What a wonderful idea-never had room service!

 

[Doctor P]

Glad you had a good trip.

 

[ohiominnie]

Simba's mom....
Room service was great! The price of the food is the same as if you would have bought it at AP. They automatically add an 18% gratuity and a $3 charge. We typically tip 20% at restaurants, so it turns out about even. Any additional tip is optional, and sometimes we have and sometimes we haven't. The man who delivered it didn't just set it down. He cleared our table, put on a white tablecloth and completely set our table. We got everything we would have gotten if we had eaten at AP....breads, salmon pate, onion butter, etc etc....so we gave him another couple of dollars tip.

It turned out to be a little more expensive than eating in the restaurant, but our worn out children watched a video and ate mac-n-cheese and we ate in sweats and had hat hair....definitely NOT how we wanted to go to AP!

Two other times this trip we ordered pizza from room service (typically we do NOT order room service at ALL!) Pizza was very good!

Have fun! Any more questions, feel free to ask.

 

[akghutton]

ohiominnie,
Thanks for the great info on your trip. My husband and I are taking our 2yr-old som to BWV for 8 nights and the VWL for 4 nights. We're interested in the Campfire program but are not sure if it is anything that a 2-year-old would enjoy...any thoughts?
Keely

 

[ohiominnie]

We've got a 7 and 5 yr old. They loved it. If you get there a bit early, the firepit isn't as crazy and hectic. Both times we got there at about 7:15 and nearly had the fire to ourselved. By 7:45 there were so many kids around the fire it was almost scary! The "chuck wagon" there sells marshmallows and sticks and complete smores kits (graham crackers, two hershey's bars, a pack of marshmallows and two sticks) all for a measly $5 --the biggest bargain I've found at Disney so far. RIGHT AT 8:00 the campfire songs begin and Chip and Dale come out and visit. That lasts 25-30 mintues and then there is a little break before the movie.

We went twice....the first time we saw the new Parent Trap. It was a 2 hour movie, so didn't finish up until 10:50. The second time it was The Tigger Movie which was shorter and so finished up around 10:20. You aren't required to stay, so if your two year old gets tired you can just head out. My MIL and her DH went twice...once with and once without us and they left as the movie started.

The campfire lady named Sundee was a bundle of energy. She works (I believe) Saturday through Wednesday. Julie works Thursday and Friday. Julie was much more reserved...did a good job, but just sat on her stool and sang and played the guitar. Sundee was all over the place singing, dancing and interacting with the kids.

It was a really fun time! We'll be going back the next trip. Does anyone know if they have a master list of movies so we can plan more than one week in advance?? That would be helpful!

Hope this helps...
oh..btw, take bug spray.

 

[dizneeluvr]

Just another thought for AKGHUTTON (with the 2 yo)...if you find yourselves in need of a break from the parks for your little one...rent a surrey bike (put him in the basket and let him ring the bell) and bike over to the FW campground. You can park, get out and visit the animals at the petting zoo.

We found this to be a very neat surprise facet of the whole VWL experience for kids. And if you do it, and a peacock takes a liking to your surrey bike while it is parked at the petting zoo, say "Hi" to him from St. Charles, Missouri. That bird was a hoot!

Laura

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Sounds like a fabulous, relaxing time with your family.

 

[Joeblack]

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a great trip. I'd like to try the campfire program. How do you get there? Is there a cost to it?

Thanks

 

[ohiominnie]

We went from the lodge to FW on the boat. Then took an internal bus to the campfire program. Can't tell you which one, we just asked bus drivers!

There is no cost unless you want to buy marshmallows, smores kits, popcorn, etc. They keep a running tab and then total you out at the end of the evening.

It was a great time!
Enjoy!

 

[akghutton]

I just wanted tp thank Ohiominnie and Dizneeluvr for the information and great suggestions for my upcoming trip to VWL with my DH and our 2-yr-old DS. I can't wait and will definitely try both the campfire program and surrey bikes!
Thanks again!

 

[Lizziemom]

The Fort Wilderness petting zoo and pony rides are great for the little ones.

A great "non-park" day the little ones like as much as the parks!

We did this in the morning and the afternoon at the pool with our granddaughter, while the kids went from park to park riding the big rides, what a wonderful day for all of us.

Lizzie

 

[Popovich]

Ohiominnie,

The we are going to be at the VWL in October with our 3 yr old son, 5 yr old daughter, BIL, SIL and grandma and grandpa. We reserved a 2BR and a studio.

Any suggestions on room requests? Can you see the Bay Lake water show from any rooms? I was looking at a map of the resort and it seemed like a LONG LONG walk to catch the boat to MK or to get to the lobby or the bus stop. What room selection would you suggest?

I think we would pass on view if we had to choose between view of something and being closer to bus stop/lobby or pool.

Do you think it's better to take the bus to MK in the morning if we want to get there a little eary? How long did the bus take to MK?

I never thought of room service from AP. Great idea! The DH and I went to AP for dinner on our trip last NOV. and it was wonderful!! We also really enjoyed the Flying Fish at BW.

Thanks for any information! I'm glad you had such a nice trip!

I

 

[Popovich]

Ohiominnie,

The we are going to be at the VWL in October with our 3 yr old son, 5 yr old daughter, BIL, SIL and grandma and grandpa. We reserved a 2BR and a studio.

Any suggestions on room requests? Can you see the Bay Lake water show from any rooms? I was looking at a map of the resort and it seemed like a LONG LONG walk to catch the boat to MK or to get to the lobby or the bus stop. What room selection would you suggest?

I think we would pass on view if we had to choose between view of something and being closer to bus stop/lobby or pool.

Do you think it's better to take the bus to MK in the morning if we want to get there a little eary? How long did the bus take to MK?

I never thought of room service from AP. Great idea! The DH and I went to AP for dinner on our trip last NOV. and it was wonderful!! We also really enjoyed the Flying Fish at BW.

Thanks for any information! I'm glad you had such a nice trip!

I

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Popovich
Ohiominnie,

We reserved a 2BR and a studio.

Any suggestions on room requests? Can you see the Bay Lake water show from any rooms? I was looking at a map of the resort and it seemed like a LONG LONG walk to catch the boat to MK or to get to the lobby or the bus stop. What room selection would you suggest?

Do you think it's better to take the bus to MK in the morning if we want to get there a little eary? How long did the bus take to MK?

I

Popovich,
We prefer the top floor. The ceilings are vaulted! As if your room doesn't look big enough already, the vaulted ceilings make it look huge. We also request non-smoking.

The last trip our room faced out the front to the bus stop (no bus noise whatsoever when our patio doors were closed--and even if they were open it wasn't obnoxious.) Our December trip we did have a "lake view." It really isn't a lake view though as the trees are so dense back there. We could make out a couple of lights from the water pagaent once, but most days we took the walk to the beach and watched it from there.

It's not that long of a walk to your room to the lobby.....I speak from experience because in December we were almost in the last room on the 5th floor! Ditto for the walk to the boat dock. You just have to plan a few extra minutes. But it's a very peaceful walk. There is no bus service to the MK from the lodge...unless you take a bus to TTC and catch the monorail or the ferry. If you want to get to the MK early make sure you are at the boat dock by 8:15. After that the line gets long and sometimes the first boat out won't even accomodate all the people.

Hope this helps and hope you have a great time!