Just Back from A 2 wk Vacation at VWL!

[dvcdisney]

I just thought I would share a few things about my vacation this past March. First of all the weather was wonderful. It was warm in the day and cool at night. It rained only once, but for such a short period and we were in a restaurant at that time, so we didn't really notice it.

We stayed at the VWL for the whole 14 nights and our room was clean and the resort seemed well kept. However, I was disappointed in our view, I had only request a high floor and we ended up with the view of the road/dumpster/laundry area. Although we didn't hear much, we didn't open the curtains and we rarely sat in the balcony.

We decided to get the DDP again and again, we ended up with about 20 snack credits left (so we used them for snacks to take home).

I did find that it was a lot busier this year than last March. I suppose that's because of the 4/3 promotion. However, I was a bit disappointed with the way the Disney handled this promotion. I noticed a big difference between this year and last. It seemed like there were fewer CM's around. There were garbage on the ground (usually it would have been picked up as soon as it was dropped). I noticed a lot more rude behaviour with the guests. And sadly, I noticed some unDisney-like behaviour from some CMs. I'm not sure if they were just exhausted or just tired of the guests, but some were quite annoyed. And although I can understand their frustration, I think they should be more aware that a lot of the guests are first timers and most likely didn't know what was going on. Another thing I did notice, was an increase in the amount of first timer buttons. I was commenting to my husband that this should be the "Year of the First Timers". I guess it didn't seem quite like Disney this time around. And I'm just hoping it'll be better next vacation.

I will end with a high note. Although the food was not always up to par, I did find that the waitstaff for all of our 14 TS dinners were great. We did not have one complaint about their service.

 

[eliza61]

Glad you had a good vacation. I'm not a big "view" person, we did get the dreaded dumpster view on year but we still used the balcony. Try for a room change next vacation, hey my theory is nothing beats a failure but a try.

It doesn't surprise me about the poor CM's. Disney as with every one else is feeling the effects of this awful recession. My neighbors kid is a mousekeeper at the contemp. She has had her hours cut almost to the part time level. I just hope they don't keep it like this when the economy picks up.

 

[wildernessDad]

I'm glad you room was clean and seemed well-kept!

14 nights at VWL! Wow! That's like spending 14 consecutive nights in heaven! (I guess).

 

[Muushka]

I'm glad you room was clean and seemed well-kept!

14 nights at VWL! Wow! That's like spending 14 consecutive nights in heaven! (I guess).

What he said!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We just returned on the 16th and I have to agree with you. The crowds were horrific and the wait times for the attractions were extremely long. Our family too has commented on the rude behavior we witnessed this trip. We're definitely trying to decide on a week less crowded for our next trip. If there is such a thing anymore. Welcome back and better luck next time with your room view.

 

[corvair]

welcome back..we just back on Saturday...I said the same thing...very crowded...we usually go the end of June and I thought it was just as crowded this trip as it is in the summer...weather was great though

 

[Disneypirate85]

Welcome Back and glad to hear your stay was good.
I bet the CM's are dreading this promo, yes it keeps them employed but WOW running them ragged. Shawn

 

[justloveit]

We just returned and found it to be very crowded also. We did hear that Disney was laying 300-400 people, which surprised us. No wonder the CM's are not happy! There don't seem to be low crowd times anymore.

 

[Florida Princess]

We were there from March 22-25 and noticed how crowded everything was !!
Had a great time despite all the people----how can you not enjoy VWL !!!!
We had requested a corner atrium room (2 bedroom--we had one when we visited March 2-4) but ended up with a top floor lake view that we were very happy with !!! Enjoyed visiting with our Family (they traveled down from NJ) and was sad the day we had to leave VWL

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, 14 days at VWL. That's great

Bobbi

PS. We were at BWV and we met some of the most accomodating CM's there. For example, one of my DFs wanted an envelope to put a strange shaped post card in for mailing. A plain one was provided, but DF really was hoping for something with the BW on it. The CM's talked about it, and then one (these were "behind the desk CM's in the early evening) went into storage area to find something suitable, and made the trip again when another of my DF's thought she could use one as well. We had lots of "Thank you's for coming!" greetings in the hallways.

 

[JACKie SPARROW]

However, I was disappointed in our view, I had only request a high floor and we ended up with the view of the road/dumpster/laundry area.

I completely understand your disappointment! A few years ago we had a beautiful view of the dumpster at BCV. DH and I really use and enjoy the balcony when staying on property. Unfortunately, we were there in August so the heat and humidity made the garbage stink (we were right above it) so bad that we were unable to use our balcony for our entire trip.

Disney is a place of magic so I feel they should be able to hide the garbage and other eye-sores to enhance the views!

 

[permavac]

Thanks for posting - I for one am glad that it's not just me. I was a little depressed after our trip (end of January to beginning of February) this year - and not for the usual reason of having to come home I found that some of the CMs we encountered went out of their way to make our trip UN-magical. After this past trip my DH and I actually decided it's time to take a break from Disney. We, of course, do plan on returning, but with lowered expectations - which I think is kind of sad Who knows, maybe it was just an off time and people are stressed about what's going on in the economy, but they should realize that treating people as poorly as they might be feeling at the time may mean more woes for them in the long run if it makes customers not want to come back... Sorry - I am not usually a Debbie-downer and try to look on the bright side of things but this past trip we had CM problems every single day. Anyway, thanks again for posting - I guess I wasn't just overly sensitive this last time after all.

Terri

 

[Lisa P.]

I was a little depressed after our trip (end of January to beginning of February) this year - and not for the usual reason of having to come home I found that some of the CMs we encountered went out of their way to make our trip UN-magical.

Terri where did you stay on this trip? Was it at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge? Did you have a poor experience with CMs at the resorts, parks, restaurants or sort of scattered? Just wondering.

 

[permavac]

Terri where did you stay on this trip? Was it at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge? Did you have a poor experience with CMs at the resorts, parks, restaurants or sort of scattered? Just wondering.

Let's see - it was certainly scattered. We stayed at Pop for the first 7 nights, then 5 nights at BWV. 2 of the more egregious incidents were at BWV - one at the Boardwalk Bakery (which we love) and one at the General Store. 2 of the rude people we encountered were DVC CMs. 2 were ride workers. 1 bus driver and an assortment of counter service and other individuals. Also, not all of the rudeness was directed towards me - I noticed other people being treated rudely as well. Of course, these all were the exception - as I said, it was about 1 poor interaction per day. This was just a significant increase from what we've experienced in the past (used to be about 1 bad one per trip). Hope that answers your question!

Terri

 

[mrsswat]

I think Disney keeps building more and more hotels, (with LOTS of rooms), and not adding any more parks/attractions. I also think they are cutting staff back, which makes a bad scenario all around. We, too, are taking a break because the Disney "magic" just has not been there the last few times for us.

 

[jamie&Greg]

Ha ha - we got the dumpster view for one night on our last stay at WL - we had an awsome 1-bed for 4 nights w- a great view and at the last min. wanted to stay an extra night. It was a studio with the dumpster view! Views are important to me, espically when the weather is nice! Nothing beat our first 4 nights sitting outside and drinking a glass (or 2) of wine!!

 

[dvcdisney]

Thanks for all the responses. Strangely, I feel better that I wasn't the only one who notice the change in Disney.

The dumpster view was disappointing for us, but it didn't ruin our vacation because we spent most of our time out of the room anyways. My son was the only one who went on the balcony and he just read his book out there. But he did make a comment that it was very quiet out there, more so than other views. We usually get the quiet pool view and although we didn't spend that much time looking out, it wasn't an eyesore like the dumpsters view. We did consider requesting another room but we were tired and decided that we would be fine with it. On the up side, the hallway was very quiet.

What made this vacation less magical for us was the way the guest and the CMs were behaving. Although we did not have a CM behave rudely directly to us, we did notice it towards others. However, I will admit that in some situations, I would not be as tolerable with some guests (but then again, I don't work for Disney). But most of the time, I think the CMs really needed to be a little more patient. Like I said, there were so many first timers this time around. We had conversations with quite a few of them and gave them some suggestions and they were very appreciative. However, not all the guest were so nice. I don't really want to get into the specifics, but I cannot believe these people can go to Disney and act as rudely as they did. There were more people this time around that had the "me" attitude than any past vacations we have had. I just wonder how some people can think that they are the only people trying to enjoy the parks. It really does get to you after a while.

We are still keeping our hopes up that our next vacation will be more magical.

 

[Muushka]

Our trip in Jan was less than magical also, due in part to poor planning on my part (who knew we wouldn't be able to find a hotel room on the way down??) and very crowded parks.

Between point reallocation (lacking the points to vacation as we had planned) and crowded parks, I am trying to talk Mr Muush into selling one of our VWL contracts. We are really enjoying cruising these days, much more relaxing.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We were at POR, then BWV from the 21st to 27th and had a most magical birthday trip.

However, MK on my birthday, March 24th was not a good choice at all. It was very, very crowded. There was an 80 minute wait for BTMRR at noon.

I did see some 1st timers in MK on that day that said they had spent their first and last days at Disney. On another day, I met a couple from Canada that asked how we justified paying $75 for a ticket. Ummm. We don't.

There were definitely some not so happy campers at Disney last week.