Just back from VWL

[gracelrm]

We just got back from our trip to VWL. We brought along DH's extended family - 17 of us in all and we had two dedicated 2BRs and 1 studio. We checked in around noon on Sun. June 13th and the 2 2BRs were ready. I was told they were preassigned by the CM checking us in. DH had to pick up four from the airport at 3:00 and when they returned, the studio was ready. Our rooms were 3556, 3557, and 3560. I believe 3560 (the studio) is one of those considered to be the dumpster view, but the ones in it didn't seem to mind too much. We were a long walk from the elevators, but I guess "long" is a relative term - so we didn't complain too much. Check in seemed to take a while, but perhaps I was just being impatient! Our 2 BR was in great shape. It was clean and only missing a few things and I didn't even notice that anything was missing until the day before we were getting ready to leave! Our relatives seemed thrilled with their room and this was most everyone's first trip to WDW - so we enjoyed seeing them enjoying the vacation. We really lucked out with transportation this trip. We hardly ever had to wait for a bus or boat - only one really long wait to go to DD - which was our first bus trip after arriving! Pool area was clean and well kept, as were all the common areas we passed through. I really have no complaints about the accomodations at all - sorry I can't say the same thing about my husband's family!!!! Now it time to start thinking about our next trip! I just have to wait four months to try and get Christmas reservations to use up our points that went into the holding account after family members decided to check out early. Any questions - ask away!

 

[Granny]

Thanks for the detailed report about your stay at VWL!

I'm impressed that they were able to get all three rooms right next to each other like that. They really do give it their best shot, don't they?

Sorry to hear about the in-laws bailing on you. But look at it this way....you're going to get a bonus trip to WDW and your DH can't exactly complain about it, can he?

I've not had any points go into holding....why do you have to wait four months to try to make Christmas reservations?

Thanks again for sharing the information.

 

[rrpesek]

Hi gracelrm:

We checked in on Sunday the 13th as well. Enjoyed our stay as much as it sounds like you enjoyed yours. We had a dedicated two bedroom (#2552) which we were also very happy with.

I agree with you about transportation this time. Hardly ever a wait for either the bus or the boat.

Glad you had a great time!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Sorry about your family. But so happy you had a great time! I can't wait until I stay there someday! Thanks for posting.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the report, gracelrm. I always enjoy reading a good VWL review.

MG

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks for sharing

 

[gracelrm]

Granny - about the points in holding - it's my understanding that you can only make reservations with holding points two months prior to check-in. This means we can't make reservations until October 18th for a December 18th check in. The bad thing is, if there are no rooms available, then we'll probably just waste those points. There are quite a few stipulations about how and when you can use them. My advice is try to stay away from getting points in "holding". We went ahead and bought APs this trip hoping that we'd be able to get something - somewhere for Christmas. I guess if we're out of luck with a room - then we're out of luck as far as spending more for the APs.

 

[gracelrm]

rrpesek - Just curious - did you all get awakened Wednesday night at midnight by fireworks? Everyone who was asleep in all three of our villas were awakened that night - and that night only at midnight by fireworks. I know PI does them at midnight, but wondered why we only heard them one night.

 

[MJTinNH]

Glad you had a good trip! Thank you for posting!

 

[lsutigger2]

Thanks for the great report! VWL is our next trip, in a one-bdrm. We've stayed twice before but only in a studio. I just love hearing about others good trips. Don't know how you did it with 17 in tow!!

 

[disynut]

Hi Gracerlm!

So glad you all had a good trip--too bad about your in-laws..but sounds like even with so many people you still had a great time!

I also wanted to say "hi" to a fellow Kentuckian! Is your motto "Go Cats" or "Go Cards"?!

Anyway....good luck on getting your Christmas reservations--don't forget to tell them to put you on a waitlist if nothing is available...I recently needed one night on our ressie and I waitlisted at ALL the DVC resorts to get it(it was Memorial Day weekend) and we wound up getting exactly what we wanted! Can you use those points for a regular resort room if nothing is open? That might be an option too!

Jen

 

[rrpesek]

gracerlm,

No, I don't remember being awakened on Wednesday night by fireworks. We may have been too exhausted to hear them!!!!

 

[rrpesek]

I just remembered.....we were at E-Ride night at MK on Wednesday. Were there until 2:00 a.m. so that would explain why we didn't wake up to fireworks at midnight!

 

[gracelrm]

disynut: Hello to you too! We're "Go Cats" all the way, although I do find myself cheering a little more for the Cards now that Pitino is there - I just can't let my DH know that I do!

rrpesek: Come to think of it, we were at E-ride night on Wednesday too! I guess we heard the late-night fireworks on Thursday night instead. Wasn't E-ride great! It was our first time to do that and we loved it!

 

[rrpesek]

gracelrm,

We LOVED E-Ride night! It was our first time as well. We were not sure how the kids would do (or us for that matter!) staying up until 2:00 a.m., but they were so pumped up that they did it with no problem. It was so nice to be able to stay in the park late and ride all of those "e-rides" with little to no wait. I also loved the fact that it was so much cooler temperature wise and so few people. We really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it to anyone!