Just back from VWL.....

[SimplyMagical]

Just returned from a week at VWL, 2-12 to 2-19. We had a wonderful time, we flew Southwest and managed to be in the A group on our flight to Orlando. We arrived at the airport and we had made arrangements for Florida Tours to meet us, we got a little nervous because we did not see our name on any of the handheld signs. (We have used Florida Tours before and were very pleased) We proceeded to the baggage claim to retrieve our luggage. While we were there we met up with our driver, she had just arrived, we got our luggage and continued on. We stopped for our grocery stop at Publix and proceeded to VWL. Upon arrival we checked in and we were told there were not any dedicated 2 br left. We booked at the 11 month window and specifically requested a dedicated 2 br. We told them we were not happy with a lockoff and needed a dedicated 2 br, we had our 3 dd and our oldest dd had a gf come along. It would be a long week with a pullout for them. After some time and phone calls, a dedicated 2 br was found, 5549. The room was great, although it was near the end of the long hallway facing the woods. We headed off the Epcot for our PS at Alfredo's, our first time eating there. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals, and the service was excellent. Friday we ate at Boma's, a must every trip. We had PS for 5pm, we were the first ones seated. We were a party of 6, the four girls and my wife and I, although it was a bit pricey, $175, we always enjoy eating here. Saturday (Valentine's Day) we had PS at Cinderella's. The meal was very good, although our waitress was a real B****. Sunday we ate at Crystal Palace, PS for 8:50, we sat on the porch and watched the fireworks at the castle before we were seated. We always enjoy eating here. the kids love the buffet and usually fill up. Monday we ate at Le Cellier, we love the cheese soup, always a must for our trips. Tuesday we had PS at the Sci-Fi for lunch, it was completely booked for the day. We always enjoy eating here, it isn't so much the food but the atmosphere. Our waiter was excellent. Wednesday we had PS at Tony's, we hadn't eaten here in a few years. The food was very good, the bread and pesto sauce was delicious. We had a very nice young waiter who was a riot, the kids got a kick out of him. The weather was so so. Cold most of the time but it usually managed to warm up a little in the late afternoon. It actually got into the low 40's overnight. Our first day there was warm and muggy and our last day was clear and sunny. The crowds were huge as they always are President's Week. We met a a very nice couple from Ohio who were in Fla for a month, they are Wilderness Lodge lovers as we are. We happened to be talking about the background music at the lodge and why doesn't Disney sell CD's with it. (it is a mix of approximately 20 or so soundtracks that Disney doesn't have the rights to) They put a cassete recorder behind one of the outdoor speakers and captured 90 minutes or so of the music. They were nice enough to give us a copy so now we can play it at home while we drink coffee out of our WL mugs. Overall we had a great time as always, we don't let the little things bother us while on vacation. If you have any questions we will be glad to answer them.

 

[disgirl]

Glad you had a good time. You mentioned the crowds during President's week. Would you say you noticed a big increase in park crowds from say your arrival day and Sat. or Sun.(14th, 15th)?

You also mentioned the weather. Was it too cold for the kids to swim? Just curious, thinking of possibly going Pres. week next year. Thanks and so glad you had a good week!

 

[SimplyMagical]

We always go Thursday to Thursday, whether it is President's Week or Easter. We find the first two days are a little quieter, but by Saturday, it is madness. We alternate between Feb and April, the weather in Feb is usually cooler than in April, but that doesn't bother the kids, the pools are usually very busy. As I said, it did warm a bit every day in the late afternoon. We usually used early entry at each park daily, and then headed back to the resort around 2 or 3. The kids would go swimming and my wife and I would sit in the hot tub, sometimes just to get warm.

 

[Granny]

I'm glad you had a good trip and enjoyed the atmosphere of VWL so much! Just talking about the music there gets me "homesick"!

Thanks for the report.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks for the quick response. I am sure the hot tub was enjoyable. That is more my speed. I leave the pool for my son, especially in February.

 

[disgirl]

Oh, I just read your other post about the hot tub. Maybe it was not so enjoyable. LOL Sorry, you had to experience that. How inconsiderate on that mom's part. Yuk!!

Patty

 

[tiffany123]

We just returned from a Feb 13-18th stay at BCV. The weather was much cooler than last year but I guess that's the chance you take with mid-February vacations. The pools were all open and the bundled-up lifeguards were working but there were very few people in any of the pools. Both Tuesday and Wednesday had stiff northwest breezes to go with the temps in the 50's. Lots of Disney sweatshirts, jackets and sweatpants being sold in the gift shops. Parks were very crowded as is normally the case during President's Day/Daytona Week time.

 

[jaysue]

On Saturday, it started raining mid-afternoon and did not let up until about 10pm

I was at the MK on a Saturday on Pres Day weekend - normally would not go but I was only in for 2.5 days and was solo so I figured it would be ok

The crowds were large around arrival time - due to weather the afternoon parade was delayed about 40 minutes or so and was not especially crowded. People were leaving the parks

Fantasyland was especially busy as was Space Mountain - standby times were bouncing as high as 80 minutes on Peter Pan, 65 minutes on Pooh and 95 minutes on Space

As the day wore on and the rain kept coming on, more and more people left and by 6:15 pm or so it almost felt like an E-Night

By this time many of the more exposed rides were walkons such as Jungle Cruise and even POTC was essentially a 0-5 minute wait - went on BTMRR in the rain which although somewhat cold felt neat. The Adventureland/Frontierland side was much much less crowded than the Fantasyland/Tomorrowland side from later afternoon to park closing

The first Spectro at 8pm was cancelled due to rain, Wishes went off on schedule at 9pm and the 2nd Spectro went off just slightly later than scheduled and was just great to experience especially with the relatively light crowd

thanks
jaysue

 

[jimmytammy]

Glad to hear you had a nice trip. All the little perturbing things cant get in the way of ruining a trip, thats for sure.
Thanks for the great idea about the cassette recorder. We will be driving in Oct so we can justify bringing along the little extra things.

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Thankyou for posting!

 

[ArnyVee]

I'm a huge fan of Disney music and in particular the background music at the resorts and parks. So much so that I actually make myself CDs of the music. I made a VWL CD for myself (and a few of my fellow DISboard friends!) and I listen to it all the time!

I'm finally going to be staying at VWL for the first time in less than two months! I can't wait!