Just back from 9 days at VWL: Caution...very wet!! (and long)

[Rock'n Robin]

We'll be there in one week for 3 nights--can't wait! Thanks for the report! Those of us who have to go in summer (teachers!) need something to look forward to!
Robin M.

 

[melk]

Great report, Granny, I enjoyed reading it. If memory serves me correctly, we were in 3507 our last trip, but it was a one-bedroom lockoff. The view is great, isn't it?
One question: did your second bedroom have two queen beds or the bed/sofa bed combination? Thanks!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the outstanding report, Granny!
I am convinced those who think WDW is 'going downhill' have been hanging around the Rumors & News board too long...
Ahhh.... The morning coffee while listening to the theme music.... You just gotta go there to understand!

 

[Granny]

melk....since it was a dedicated 2BR, we had two queen beds in the second bedroom. Worked out great!

and Maistre G...the music is such an integral part of the WL theming. I don't remember hearing music pumped throughout the grounds at BW or BC area. It probably is, but didn't stick in my mind as much.

And thanks to everyone on the kind words regarding my report. I tried to keep it focused to the DVC aspect of the trip as much as possible.

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks for sharing...sounds wonderful ...except the rain of course...but we had awful rains here too..I think I'd have rather been at Disney...

 

[Lyndarella]

We own at VWL too -- thank you for reminding us how much we enjoy sitting on that balcony with coffee!

 

[rriley25]

Great report. We do love the Lodge.

 

[cgcw]

Granny,

Glad you had a great trip -- despite the weather. Our very first WDW trip was wetter than wet and we still had a great time. We got very comfortable in the "poncho style" and just made the best of it. What else can you do?

Thanks for sharing the highlights of your trip. I look forward to reading them. Makes me more anxious for our stay at VWL in October.

Cindy

 

[Granny]

In case anyone missed the thread about WL music, here it is:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=395354


I think it's awesome of ArnyVee to put this together!

 

[ErinC]

Thanks for the report Granny. We can't wait to get back to VWL in December. I'm hoping for dryer weather this trip. Every vacation we've had in the last 2 years has been nothing but wet. Even our Disney Cruise last year it rained every day in the Bahamas. Who has luck this bad I'm glad you had a good time despite the weather.

 

[TexasAggie]

Was the Bike & Boat package $199 per person? Is it based on the length of stay?

 

[auntsue]

Excellent trip report. I love my BWV, but your report makes me want to rush right out and book the VWL. It sounded wonderful.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Originally posted by TexasAggie
Was the Bike & Boat package $199 per person? Is it based on the length of stay?

From Deb Wills WDWIG -

The Family Plan Boat and Bike Rental costs $199.00 for a group of five. The Family Plan includes unlimited use of watermice, pontoon boats, and bikes; however surrey bike rental is not included in the plan. You must be a Disney resort guest, but you do not have to be a guest of the resort where you purchase the Family Plan. If you buy the Family Plan at the Wilderness Lodge you will not be able to use it anywhere else, as these programs are not reciprocal with the other resorts' marina and bike rental programs.

Please call Disney's recreation line 1-407-WDW-PLAY to verify that this program is still available at the Wilderness Lodge, as plans and policies are always subject to change without notice. You may also wish to call the Wilderness Lodge at 1-407-824-3200 to speak with the Recreation Director to verify the details of the Lodge's particular plan. Information about other resorts' recreation plans can be obtained by calling 1-407-WDW-PLAY.

-- I do believe it is for the lenght of your stay .

 

[anniet]

Granny you made me sooooo homesick I could cry!!!!

Thank you so much for such a great report with details that took me right back to my January trip!!!!!!!

We are going to try BCV and OKW in 1/04, but then I think we are going to have to go back to VWL for 10 days in 1/05!

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by TexasAggie
Was the Bike & Boat package $199 per person? Is it based on the length of stay?

ScottOKW2K nailed this answer. It is $199 for a group to include up to 5 people. And it is for length of stay. That part seemed kind of strange....it's the same cost if you have a 3 day stay or a 2 week stay. But the LOS aspect was a big part of why we chose it. For about $214 (incl. tax), my family of four had unlimited access to boating and biking for 9 days.

 

[ncligs]

"Excellent" report Granny .............thanks for taking the time to do it.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***You must be a Disney resort guest, but you do not have to be a guest of the resort where you purchase the Family Plan.***

Just to clarify: In May I stay at OKW.I can drive over to WL and purchase this package during my stay, correct ? I was under the impression you had to be a guest of WL or VWL.

 

[Granny]

KNWVIKING....my understanding is that you could stay at OKW and buy the plan at WL. But whereever you buy the plan, that's the only bike/boat rental location you can use. So you would have to go to WL any time you wanted to use the plan.

Also, as for the boats....you are not allowed to dock your boat anywhere but it's home dock. So when we rented the boat from WL dock, we could not dock at the marinas at FW, GF, Poly or Contemporary. Likewise, you cannot take your boat somewhere and leave it.

There are a lot of "boating cops" out on the water to ensure the safety of everyone on the lake. They are very strict with safety rules (no problem with that!) and will also ensure that you are not taking your boat to the wrong dock. Every resort has its own color of life jackets, so it's easy for them to tell where you're from.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Thanks Granny. I always thought you had to be staying at that resort. We stay at VWL in Dec and spending $199.00 to play out on the lakes then isn't always a great investment.

 

[hmansure]

Great report Granny! We just returned from VWL and I guess you took all that rain with you too because we had a fairly dry week! Aside from last Sunday's wash-out - the weather was great!

Unfortunately I think you may have taken all the "Welcome Home's" with you, too. Aside from the security guard you mentioned I can't recall any others. At check-in, Shawna (sp?), barely looked up to acknowledge me. The only bonus was our room was ready at 8AM - a first for us at any DVC location.

All-in-all a wonderful resort!