Just back from VWL

[Slakk]

Just back and don't want to unpack....

It was our first stay at VWL and to be honest I was less than thrilled to stay there. We own 50 points there at the request of my DH because he thought staying there at Christmas may be fun. I do not like the woods and whole theme really doesn't do anything for me so I was really not looking forward to this trip.

Saying that last year I was sure I would love BWV and was really disappointed when I realized it was not for me.

As usual we were close to the end of the resort (4556) in a dedicated 2BR. The room was clean and in good shape. It seems we are destined to stay as far to the end of any resort no matter what!

Back to the point...

I hate the woods...
I hate the woods...
I hate the woods...

I love VWL!

Everything about it was great (except the buses!) The boat was so great and convenient - I love that the villas are by themselves and not part of the hotel portion. Every morning we woke up to a gorgeous view of trees and loved the peace and quiet. VWL was full but we rarely saw or heard anyone.

We liked it so much that we changed our upcoming BCV visit to VWL so we can play on the lake.

Oh and we also called our guide and did an add on. We decided we would prefer to have more points at VWL then add on at VAK.

We also visited SSR and WOW!!! It has sure grown up! The resort is now even more breathtaking then last year. The resort really is drop dead gorgeous.

Parks were busier than we have ever seen but we had a blast. Cannot wait to be back in 4.5 months!

 

[diznyfanatic]

Thanks so much for the report!

Like you, I really did not expect to love this resort the way that I did when we arrived. I've always been a "beachy" person but something at VWL just spoke to my soul the minute we walked in and we ended up doing a VWL add on very soon after our initial purchase at BWV.

Can't wait until April when we stay in a VWL 2 bedroom! One of my favorite moments is walking through the front doors and viewing that amazing lobby and hearing that majestic music and thinking "I'm home".

 

[Muushka]

Welcome Jody. You are now "one of us".

Glad you loved it as much as we all do!

 

[kimberh]

When the WL (the hotel) was being built, I received a magazine through the Disney club that I belonged to... It had pictures of the lobby being constructed. I wanted to stay there so bad I could taste it. When I heard that there was a DVC at the WL, well, that was it for me and I had not even seen it. Our first stay was in the Villas and OMG, I was done for. I came home and figured out a way to buy at a sold out resort. I was not on this board yet so it was all new to me. I am so glad that you loved your stay.

 

[LisaS]

VWL had the same effect on us! So glad you enjoyed your stay.

 

[Slakk]

Thanks everyone! I just had to laugh that you never know what you will like until you actually stay there!

It was a crazy trip. We had ressies at CRT and I actually got everyone to MK early and then my DM realizes she forgot her tickets! So the folks at CRT were so nice and accomodated our late arrival.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to VWL! It's the one DVC that I couldn't do without! Last night DS called to say they were buying tickets for our second 4 generation gathering there in October. Yeah!!!

Bobbi

 

[jimmytammy]

You had me going there for a minute. Glad you enjoyed it. We are sorta partial to it ourselves.

 

[melk]

Another VWL lover here. We bought it sight unseen, knowing we would love it (the most we had done was walk through the lobby of the main lodge). Our next trip we are splitting between BWV (first time, because DH wants to try something different) and OKW (which we also love). I'm excited but already feeling a bit homesick for our real "home!" Glad you liked it!!!

 

[BlakeNJ]

We stayed at the Lodge portion over Thanksgiving (we were not DVC members yet) and I have to tell you, I can't imagine staying any place else during the holiday season. It was beautiful! It was also very peaceful as you mentioned. Glad you had a great stay.

From what I have seen/read on VAKL, I am sure you'll end up adding a small contract there too--sounds like it's going to be a great place.

 

[eliza61]

I hate the woods...
I hate the woods...
I hate the woods...

I love VWL!

Isn't it amazing how that works! Glad you had a great time.

 

[Granny]

Back to the point...

I hate the woods...
I hate the woods...
I hate the woods...

I love VWL!

We're so glad that you ended up enjoying our home! Frankly, I've never had a problem with someone saying that they hate VWL because it's too dark and woodsy. Let's face it, either you like the theming or you don't, and that falls into the "not my cup of tea" discussion. No problem with that.

You are not the first to be swayed by the theming of this little gem. I'm glad you gave it a whirl and can now be included in the VWL Groupies club!

 

[Slakk]

We're so glad that you ended up enjoying our home! Frankly, I've never had a problem with someone saying that they hate VWL because it's too dark and woodsy. Let's face it, either you like the theming or you don't, and that falls into the "not my cup of tea" discussion. No problem with that.

You are not the first to be swayed by the theming of this little gem. I'm glad you gave it a whirl and can now be included in the VWL Groupies club!

I know this will not suprise anyone her but the resort has EVERYTHING...I love *our* part is not connected to the hotel...I love that the hotel is close by though because we tend to use CS more than TS but we really did like WCC my son loved the stick races - just all around fun and good food too!...I love the boat that makes it so convenient to MK and Epcot plus Contemporary is just a hop skip and a jump away as well.

In fact last night our bed seemed so hard compared to the soft fluffy one we had....

We cannot wait for our June trip to play on the lake! I love how quiet VWL is, the beautiful views (and my view included the trash cans and I am still happy LOL)

I think we found a great mix between SSR and VWL and I think 310 points is a great number!

 

[Inkmahm]

You have good taste in resorts.

 

[DISNEYDUET]

We will be there in May!! I just can't wait!

 

[DVC Jen]

When I first started to read your post I thought to myself "is this person crazy? Not like VWL??? IMPOSSIBLE!"

Imagine my relief when I realized you are quite sane AND have extraordinary tastes in resorts as well.

Welcome to the club.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the report.

 

[Pig Pen]

I had the same fear. I thought VWL would be too much like Vermont. When I go to Florida I expect sand, sun, and surf.

We ended up LOVING VWL. I have downloaded the music and set out pine scented candles to get some of that atmosphere at home. We also purchased rockers for our porch (like the ones in the lobby).

Hey - how do I get a groupie icon????

 

[spiceycat]

VWL is beautiful - I think most people who don't like - just haven't tried it yet!!!!

we stayed at WL until VWL was finished. Still remember the complaints on this board - some members were upset that they could only stay at VWL for 12 points instead of WL for 22 points.

I just don't understand some people.

It is a great resort!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Well, your post swayed me to try a stay at VWL! We live in Maine and thus much of the decor everywhere we go is the whole pine trees-moose-bear motif that goes with VWL so I have always had it in my head that I don't want to stay there (I am sure it is lovely, but it just seems so much like where I live year round). However, if it can win over a woods-hater, well then I will have to give it a try!