Just back! Stayed at WLV

[Pixieduster]

This was our first stay at the WLV and it was wonderful! My husband, my self and our two children ages 5 & 7 really fell in love with this place. We stayed our first night in a studio and then moved to a 1 bedroom. We didn't have enough points left to do the first night in the one bedroom. Check in was easy and the rooms were ready early in the morning which was great. The rooms were beautiful. I could not believe the 1 bedroom. I didn't want to leave there. It was sooo nice. We were on the 4th floor and our rooms were in the back with a view of the woods and you could see some of the lake as well. It was beautiful and incredibly peaceful. We ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe. It was good and very fun. We also did the character breakfast at Artist Point. My 7 year old said it was his favorite breakfast. We went to Roaring Forks many times for a quick bite or to refill our mugs. They had a pretty good selection of food and it was always very fresh. LOVED the doughnuts! The kids loved the pools. We used both the main pool and the quiet pool. I loved strolling along the walkways around the villas in the evenings. It was so peaceful and they have the walkways lit with flickering lanterns. The theming is just great. Disney really does such an excellent job of transporting you to another place. All in all, it was a wonderful stay. I currently own at all three Disney DVC resorts and I love being able to choose between the different themes of each of them. We're very pleased that we added on at this resort.

 

[ohiominnie]

Sounds like a nice relaxing vacation. We've been to WL, and recently bought at VWL. Our first stay there will be in December. I can't wait! But first I must finish packing for our trip to OKW in TWO days!!!!


ohiominnie

 

[chris1gill]

Welcome back! Hope you're ready for questions, we're going in December!! What was your room number if I may ask? It sounds like you had a pretty good view!

Do you happen to know if the boat to the MK is wheelchair accessible by any chance? Also, did you go over to Fort Wilderness at any time? I heard there was a boat to go over to FW for the nightly campfire... I swear this IS the year we will do the campfire!!!

Were you lucky enough to see any wildlife on the grounds of WL? I'm hoping we'll at least see bunnies or something for the kids to enjoy Oh, one last question! You didn't happen to notice the price on the boat rentals at WL did you? I'm hoping they give DVC discounts or something!

Thanks! Can't wait to go in December... it's such a long way off!!

 

[maryp]

chris1, if you want to see some wildlife, take the walk to FW on the path from VWL. We did this last Jan, saw several deer, rabbits, an armadillo or two, and believe it or not, an eagle! It's really a very nice, relaxing stroll. We spoke with a cm who was cutting tree limbs, and he said the deer like the cool weather! Good luck, you'll LOVE VWL!!!!

 

[Pixieduster]

chris1gill, our studio room number was 4539 and our one bedroom was just two doors down in room 4541. We were very happy with the location fo these rooms.

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure about the boat to MK, so I can't help you with that.

We did go over to Fort Wilderness. You can take the boat over, or there are two paths that you can use to get there. There is a paved path for bikes and then a nature trail. My daughter and I walked on the nature trail to Fort Wilderness during our stay and it was very nice. We did see some armadillo during our walk. I was very excited as I had never seen one before. We saw plenty of rabbits around the resort area and many ducks and ducklings. They love the pool and many times went swimming along with the guests.

I didn't notice the price of the boat rentals. We did this last year when we visited the resort, but I don' t remember the cost. I think it was around 20.00 and we did recieve some sort of discount off of that. I thought it was a DVC discount, but when I checked the discounts that were offered during this stay, I didn't see that included. I also have Disney Club and annual passes, so it could have been a discount for one of those. Or it may have been a DVC discount that has since been discontinued.

I hope this is helfpul.

 

[lsutigger]

We're headed to VWL in October and I'm getting really excited. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for taking time for the report. If you thinkof helpful hints, please pass them along.

 

[msdis]

Pixieduster, Glad to hear you had such a great time. We always visit WL but have yet to stay there.

Chris- we took the boat from MK last trip to WL and it was definitely wheelchair accessible. Also to answer another ? we saw an armadillo while visiting a couple years ago. It was in the woods behind the bus stop where the walkways would now be. First time I ever saw one. It was great fun.

 

[buckylarue]

Pixieduster - we just got back yesterday too! You guys were right above us on the other side of the building (we were in 3538). Had a great time and were very impressed with the villas. Disn't have a view of the pool or lake, but couldn't see the parking lot either, just the covered path to the lodge and trees & wildlife, very nice. Loved the pool and whirlpool, sunning on the beach by the lake, etc. (The ducks really do love the pools too; saw several there every morning!)
We walked about halfway to Fort Wilderness on the nature trail, and saw a bunch of rabbits, tiny little lizards, a family of deer, and almost ran into an eagle as it came swooping out of a tree about 10 feet in front of us!
Chris - the boats are USUALLY wheelchair-accessible, but it depends on the water level; sometimes the boats float a little too high or low to get the chair across the threshold easily. The front desk usually knows if the boats are unable to handle chairs and will have a notice posted to take the bus instead if needed.
We were going to rent water mice, but never got around to it, so I don't know the prices (they're not in the stuff I brought back). There isn't any DVC discount for boat rentals right now, but we do get 15% off on tandem parasailing and other stuff at the watersports center t the Contemporary.

 

[Pooh Bear Dad]

<The ducks really do love the pools too; saw several there every morning!>

Sound like a pool Tony Soprano would enjoy

Scott

 

[chris1gill]

Thanks for the info on the wheelchair accessibility, I will plan on taking the water launch & will watch that water level!

Is the nature trail more of a hiking trail or is it flat dirt? Wondering how easy it will be to take a wheelchair over it? If all else fails, I'll send DH & the kids & I'll stay back at the pool.... I'd like to see the animals though myself!!

We've rented the surrey bikes at WL before, but we've not rented boats there... we will this year, I hope we have great fun!!

Thanks for the report, really looking forward to our visit!!

 

[buckylarue]

There's a pretty big patch of deep sand on the nature trail alongside the lake; it was difficult to get thru walking even! The bike/jogging trail is paved tho, so you should have no problems on it.

 

[Newanda]

there is also PAVED path over to fort that ends at the petting farm. the path is not lit at night though.

 

[normr]

That sounds like it was the firsttime you've stayed in a one bedroom, nice isn't it!