Just booked VWL - 1st time! Tips??

[SafariTigger]

Just booked VWL for the end of March (dedicated 2 bdrm). We usually stay at SSR but we got lucky and were able to get to try a new resort this time. What special requests should I make for the room? At SSR we always request to be close to the pool and food area. I'm not sure how VWL is set up. Do any of the rooms have a view of the MK fireworks?

 

[ccigliano]

VWL is not like SSR where you need to request to be close to the pool and dining as everything is pretty self contained at adjacent to the WL. I request lakeside with a view of the pool if possible because then I have a shot at actually seeing the lake. The trees are so full now that you can only see a bit of the lake through the trees. We've stayed on the first floor as well as upper floors and my mom prefers the first floor since you seem to have a bigger "patio" than balcony. I don't think any rooms have full views of the fireworks but we've seen them come up over the WL when we have been on the lakeside and out on our balcony or patio. You can actually view the fireworks better from the WL 2nd floor patio or parking lot. Have a great trip.

 

[sleepydog25]

Just booked VWL for the end of March (dedicated 2 bdrm). We usually stay at SSR but we got lucky and were able to get to try a new resort this time. What special requests should I make for the room? At SSR we always request to be close to the pool and food area. I'm not sure how VWL is set up. Do any of the rooms have a view of the MK fireworks?

Agree with the other poster in that you won't get much view, if any, from the Villas. But, you can walk the beach there and catch glimpses. I would ask them not to stick you close to the dumpster area, though the odds are with you not getting one of the few rooms close to that spot. As for other tips, just be sure to get out at night and walk the premises--it's a quiet resort and you can feel a nice breeze sitting in a beach chair, or sit in a rocking chair on the porch to the Villas and listen to the crickets (real and canned) chirping and the lamps that light the way along the walkway to the main WL building flickering late at night. Hit the Hidden Springs pool and spa, then stroll over to the snack bar area in the main lodge for a late night snack just before going to bed. You can even wander around the lobby and take your time scoping it out after most of the hubbub of the day has passed. Hope you enjoy VWL as much as I have.

 

[sweetinmaine]

We enjoyed our stay at VWL last year. It's definitely a quieter resort than some of the others. I like that it's not so spread out as SSR or even BWV. Everything is really close by.

We had a first floor room and in the mornings 2 ducks and a rabbit would be at our patio door greeting us. The grandkids fed them popcorn.

 

[wildernessDad]

I love the "atrium" 2 bedrooms. Below is a link to room layouts.

http://www.jeffreyandjennifer.com/wlvillas_map.pdf

 

[SafariTigger]

Thank you everyone. We are really looking forward to our stay. I am very excited because it will be our first time at Vero (our home resort) and at VWL. I think it will be a great trip!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Depending on how your two children handle sit-down restaurants, you should definitely eat at Artist Point while at VWL--it's one of the top 5 restaurants at WDW. Kids are welcome, and they offer a white chocolate, paint-it-yourself "puzzle" as a child's dessert. Do an early reservation. There is also Whispering Canyon--I've not been overwhelming impressed there, but your kids (esp. the 4-yr old) would likely enjoy the excitement. The food is fine.

 

[ccigliano]

I forgot to mention a few things that we love to do at VWL. After a long day in the parks we head over to the WL and relax by the fireplace on the 2nd floor - it is the floor above the main lobby. It's quiet and you get a lovely view of the lobby. We also love to sit by the lake around 9:30 PM to watch the Electrical Water Pageant - the kids should love it. In the morning we take walks on the nature trail over to the Fort Wilderness and have seen lots of wildlife. Bunnies, deer and even turkeys have accompanied us on our journey over. Then we walk around the campgrounds and take the boat back. The VWL is my favorite at every time of the year. Have a great trip!

 

[Kris10luvsDisney]

Definitely eat at Whispering Canyon - your kids will have a blast! As another poster mentioned you also have to go down to the beach and watch the water pageant go by, it's so nice! We love VWL, we were actually selected to be a flag family one morning and that was a highlight beyond anything else we have ever done at WDW. Don't know if you can request that or not in your ressie, but I would try!

 

[SafariTigger]

We have been to Whispering Canyon a few times. We love it there and just being in the lobby of the WL made us really want to stay there. I had never heard about the water pageant but I am definitely intrigued. I think we will have to check it out. Thank you all so much! I am so excited about the trip how am I going to be able to wait almost 7 more months!!!