RweTHEREyet
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 4, 1999
- Messages
- 6,642
We got back last night after 7 nights at WLV in a studio, our first stay there. It took 2 hours to get from Orlando to Daytona. I understand part of the problem was the sink hole somewhere cased much traffic to be diverted, and then Daytona had all of its "bike week" people heading out of town.
We enjoyed the Lodge very much, but I think we have decided we are more the BCV and OKW type people. Nothing at all wrong with WLV, just a little dark for our taste, and I am sure it would be perfect for the Christmas holidays.
Our favorite things about our stay:
Arriving at 8:30 in the morning and having our room ready. I think a Saturday morning check-in made the difference.
Walking into the lobby of WL each time does take your breath away.
Having the lobby of the WL so close to WLV for whatever you might need.
Having access to the boat ride to Fort Wilderness to eat that buffet breakfast at Trails End.
The convenience of the boat ride to MK and the Contemporary.
Driving thru the Magic Kingdom toll plaza to get to the resort makes you feel you have truly arrived at WDW.
Being selected to be the flag family on Friday and seeing "the entire world" from that vantage point.
Being greeted by all the carved critters in the lobby area of WLV and seeing the warm, welcoming fireplace there.
The Cast Members were all more than helpful and friendly. We never once felt like second cousins because we were DVC. We loved the valet CM's remembering our names.
Having Housekeeping give me a robe from the suites to use after they took the "bath sheet" on trash and tidy day that I always bring from home. My fault, as I should have hung it in the closet, but forgot it was trash and tidy day.
Being able to walk to Package pickup under cover and not having to drive to another building.
The sound affects of the crickets, etc. that is piped in every night.
Our least favorite things about our stay:
Being on the first floor facing the water where the view is basically underbrush.
Poor lighting in the room, including around the makeup mirror.
Overall darkness of the area.
Except to MK and Ft. Wilderness, transportation is cumbersome and time consuming.
No real complaints, we just know that we are basically "more tropical" people. But, a tchange of scenery occasionally is good for everyone. We enjoyed our stay and would stay there again, but will probably always request OKW or BCV first.
This was really the first time we had spent a full week in a "hotel" type building. It was very interesting to me to see how many of the maids carts there were on Friday morning for all those that checked out not using weekend points. We used a Saturday and the following Friday points for the first time.
Our weather this past week really varied. We had a record high in the 80's one day and on another we needed light jackets during the day as well as the evening. We had some rain, but not a day where it lasted all day. We had days it was called for all day and then never rained until that night. So, you can never really tell based on the forecast, just start your day as you had planned and if rain interferes, go to Plan B.
At MK, the Mickey and 100 Years of Magic landscaping in front of the train station was removed some time during our trip, but the sign was still up at MGM. You now see EVERYWHERE, 75 Years with Mickey. And the Sorcerors Hat at MGM is definitely getting a makeover. I do not remember a Mickey Hand being part of it before, but it is there now, like at EPCOT on Spaceship Earth.
When we found out we were on the first floor, I asked about the possibility of changing rooms. I made sure that I had none of "the bad rooms" or a handicapped room in advance. After quite some time, they determined we could move up to a higher floor if we moved to the far end of the hall or to a handicapped room. We stayed right were put. I asked about first come-first served and I was told that is true in the Lodge, but at WLV it is still based on when reservations are made. Ours were not made until January. It seems we have each been told something different, so who knows what the real situation is.
Unrelated WLV highlights include:
Finally finding Devine at Animal Kingdom. She was a major highlight of our park time. Got some great pictures.
Being able to ride a Segway over at Celebration thanks to a friend of a friend that was kind enough to share his time and Segway with us. What a remarkable piece of equipment with unlimited possibilities.
Any questions I will be glad to answer.
We enjoyed the Lodge very much, but I think we have decided we are more the BCV and OKW type people. Nothing at all wrong with WLV, just a little dark for our taste, and I am sure it would be perfect for the Christmas holidays.
Our favorite things about our stay:
Arriving at 8:30 in the morning and having our room ready. I think a Saturday morning check-in made the difference.
Walking into the lobby of WL each time does take your breath away.
Having the lobby of the WL so close to WLV for whatever you might need.
Having access to the boat ride to Fort Wilderness to eat that buffet breakfast at Trails End.
The convenience of the boat ride to MK and the Contemporary.
Driving thru the Magic Kingdom toll plaza to get to the resort makes you feel you have truly arrived at WDW.
Being selected to be the flag family on Friday and seeing "the entire world" from that vantage point.
Being greeted by all the carved critters in the lobby area of WLV and seeing the warm, welcoming fireplace there.
The Cast Members were all more than helpful and friendly. We never once felt like second cousins because we were DVC. We loved the valet CM's remembering our names.
Having Housekeeping give me a robe from the suites to use after they took the "bath sheet" on trash and tidy day that I always bring from home. My fault, as I should have hung it in the closet, but forgot it was trash and tidy day.
Being able to walk to Package pickup under cover and not having to drive to another building.
The sound affects of the crickets, etc. that is piped in every night.
Our least favorite things about our stay:
Being on the first floor facing the water where the view is basically underbrush.
Poor lighting in the room, including around the makeup mirror.
Overall darkness of the area.
Except to MK and Ft. Wilderness, transportation is cumbersome and time consuming.
No real complaints, we just know that we are basically "more tropical" people. But, a tchange of scenery occasionally is good for everyone. We enjoyed our stay and would stay there again, but will probably always request OKW or BCV first.
This was really the first time we had spent a full week in a "hotel" type building. It was very interesting to me to see how many of the maids carts there were on Friday morning for all those that checked out not using weekend points. We used a Saturday and the following Friday points for the first time.
Our weather this past week really varied. We had a record high in the 80's one day and on another we needed light jackets during the day as well as the evening. We had some rain, but not a day where it lasted all day. We had days it was called for all day and then never rained until that night. So, you can never really tell based on the forecast, just start your day as you had planned and if rain interferes, go to Plan B.
At MK, the Mickey and 100 Years of Magic landscaping in front of the train station was removed some time during our trip, but the sign was still up at MGM. You now see EVERYWHERE, 75 Years with Mickey. And the Sorcerors Hat at MGM is definitely getting a makeover. I do not remember a Mickey Hand being part of it before, but it is there now, like at EPCOT on Spaceship Earth.
When we found out we were on the first floor, I asked about the possibility of changing rooms. I made sure that I had none of "the bad rooms" or a handicapped room in advance. After quite some time, they determined we could move up to a higher floor if we moved to the far end of the hall or to a handicapped room. We stayed right were put. I asked about first come-first served and I was told that is true in the Lodge, but at WLV it is still based on when reservations are made. Ours were not made until January. It seems we have each been told something different, so who knows what the real situation is.
Unrelated WLV highlights include:
Finally finding Devine at Animal Kingdom. She was a major highlight of our park time. Got some great pictures.
Being able to ride a Segway over at Celebration thanks to a friend of a friend that was kind enough to share his time and Segway with us. What a remarkable piece of equipment with unlimited possibilities.
Any questions I will be glad to answer.
)
