Just returned from a 6 night stay ay VWL

[perdidobay]

...And the Magic is still there.
Our 1 bedroom villa (4535) was in great condition, was very clean and trash and towel service on time. The cast we met from check in to check out were all very friendly and helpful. This villa has a great location just off the open lobby and one door down and across the hall from the trash and recyling room on the 4th floor.
From the bed in the master bedroom (where I was reading one night), I could see and hear the ELP while sitting up.
The two balconies have a great filtered Bay Lake view, I just wish it had been warmer, I would have spent more time sitting out there.
DH and I walked the trail from the villas to FT Wilderness a few times, beautiful tranquil walk, we saw 12 deer on one walk. Saw 2 deer laying down just to the right of the covered walkway to the villas front entrance one day - they blended in so well most people just walked right by and never saw them. One was a buck with 6 points. We didn't see the bobcat we saw last time we stayed at the villas.
Food at Roaring Forks and Whispering Canyon was very good this trip, in fact, we had good meals at every place we had on property. We ate more on property this trip due to the 700 in Disney reward dollars we had to use.

Now we are looking forward to Boardwalk Villas in October for F&W fest!

Edited to correct a few typos and add: No bobcat=more deer around? I think so!

 

[bgraham34]

Glad to hear it. I can't wait for my trip in March.

 

[photobob]

My DW and I went for our only "just us" trip three years ago and stayed at VWL and it is quite a beautiful resort. It had a nice romantic feel to it which I look forward to experiencing again!

 

[wildernessDad]

Glad to hear that you had a great trip at VWL!

 

[Disneypirate85]

Sounds like you had a Great time....Shawn

 

[perdidobay]

My DW and I went for our only "just us" trip three years ago and stayed at VWL and it is quite a beautiful resort. It had a nice romantic feel to it which I look forward to experiencing again!

That is so true about the villas, and even more so when it's cool outside, it feels that much more cozy and romantic.

 

[Cee]

We stayed at VWL last Nov. for F & W Festival and had a wonderful time. We will also be at BWV this Oct. Can't wait! Great minds.....

 

[bfrosty]

VWL is our home resort..we love it!

It is so laid back, just what one needs after a hectic day in the parks....plus your just around the corner, hidden in the woods from all the excitement.

What a great combination!!

Did you rent a 4 person bike? We did in Oct. and rode over to the camp grounds and my DD6 rode a pony over at the pony ride center.

What fun!
Bfrosty

 

[Dizny Dad]

DW and I have never taken the opportunity of walking the trail to Fort Wilderness. It sounds like a great thing to do. Where does it come out at Fort Wilderness?

 

[bfrosty]

I'm not sure where it all goes or ends, but the main path ends at the "Pony" ride center, which is just off to the side of all the main entrances/checkin and so on.

It's paved, wide and very privately wooded...about a 1/4mi to 1/2. It really isn't bad since you do all that walking in the parks anyway.

Just take your time and enjoy it. We saw some wildlife (Rabbits, Squirrels, Turtles, Butterflys and other little creatures). A few joggers, walkers and other bicyclist...but very quiet all in all.

You can walk it, jog it, bicycle it, tandam it, rollerblade it....just take your time. =))

 

[sleepydog25]

...And the Magic is still there.
Our 1 bedroom villa (4535) was in great condition, was very clean and trash and towel service on time. The cast we met from check in to check out were all very friendly and helpful. This villa has a great location just off the open lobby and one door down and across the hall from the trash and recyling room on the 4th floor.
From the bed in the master bedroom (where I was reading one night), I could see and hear the ELP while sitting up.
The two balconies have a great filtered Bay Lake view, I just wish it had been warmer, I would have spent more time sitting out there.
DH and I walked the trail from the villas to FT Wilderness a few times, beautiful tranquil walk, we saw 12 deer on one walk. Saw 2 deer laying down just to the right of the covered walkway to the villas front entrance one day - they blended in so well most people just walked right by and never saw them. One was a buck with 6 points. We didn't see the bobcat we saw last time we stayed at the villas.
Food at Roaring Forks and Whispering Canyon was very good this trip, in fact, we had good meals at every place we had on property. We ate more on property this trip due to the 700 in Disney reward dollars we had to use.

Now we are looking forward to Boardwalk Villas in October for F&W fest!

Edited to correct a few typos and add: No bobcat=more deer around? I think so!

That is the exact room we had when we stayed there during the first week of December. The only issue we had with it was one light bulb was out in the bathroom, so I left it lying on the sink when we left figuring they'd replace it. It was a great room, one I'd definitely recommend. And, yes, it was cold then, too! However, the weather seemed to thin the crowds quite a bit in the mornings. The balconies are great, and we were able to not only see the water pageant, but caught excellent views of Wishes over the tops of the main lodge. In fact, I have video (grainy) of the EWP and Wishes going on at the same time one evening. We count AP as one of our fave places to eat, and although I think the overall quality isn't where it was five years ago, it's still a wonderful place to eat. I love the walk along the trail to Fort Wilderness, which we did, and the trail also serves as my running route. I do love VWL which is why it's my "home away from home."

DiznyDad: If you take the paved trail to FW, it comes out near the pony corral. I believe that's near the bus loading/unloading zone, too. It's roughly one mile each way. However, I often run along the sandy nature trail that starts back by the boat and bike rental. Follow it along the shore line of the lake, and after about 1/3 of a mile, it branches off to the right where it will hook up to the paved trail. If you continue going straight (rather than turn right), the trail continues and comes out at the back of FW near a small canal. That route, too, is about a mile one way. The nature trail is quieter as the paved trail parallels a road. I've seen plenty of nature on both, including dear, rabbits, and once, a hawk with a field mouse in its talons sitting just off the paved trail, flying off only as I got even with it. Cool stuff!

 

[perdidobay]

I'm not sure where it all goes or ends, but the main path ends at the "Pony" ride center, which is just off to the side of all the main entrances/checkin and so on.

It's paved, wide and very privately wooded...about a 1/4mi to 1/2. It really isn't bad since you do all that walking in the parks anyway.

Just take your time and enjoy it. We saw some wildlife (Rabbits, Squirrels, Turtles, Butterflys and other little creatures). A few joggers, walkers and other bicyclist...but very quiet all in all.

You can walk it, jog it, bicycle it, tandam it, rollerblade it....just take your time. =))

bfrosty is correct, the path, (the paved one is the exercise path) will end up at the petting stables, you can walk between the pens and turn left and you'll be right at Pioneer Hall. We began our walks on the dirt trail that starts behind the small building near the marina where you rent bikes. You walk past the area where they show movies and continue along the edge of Bay Lake, this nature trail continues alongside the lake until you reach a fence with a sign that says "Castmembers only beyond this point". The the trail turns to the right, and meets up with the paved exercise trail. It is along this nature trail we saw all the deer. There is a great photo op on this trail, you can get a great shot of Space Mountain from there. There are some Bat houses nailed high up in one of the trees along the trail, plus some wild satsuma trees with some low hanging fruit.

To answer your question bfrosty, we never did rent tandem bikes. Next time I guess!

 

[perdidobay]

That is the exact room we had when we stayed there during the first week of December. The only issue we had with it was one light bulb was out in the bathroom, so I left it lying on the sink when we left figuring they'd replace it. It was a great room, one I'd definitely recommend. And, yes, it was cold then, too! However, the weather seemed to thin the crowds quite a bit in the mornings. The balconies are great, and we were able to not only see the water pageant, but caught excellent views of Wishes over the tops of the main lodge. In fact, I have video (grainy) of the EWP and Wishes going on at the same time one evening. We count AP as one of our fave places to eat, and although I think the overall quality isn't where it was five years ago, it's still a wonderful place to eat. I love the walk along the trail to Fort Wilderness, which we did, and the trail also serves as my running route. I do love VWL which is why it's my "home away from home."

DiznyDad: If you take the paved trail to FW, it comes out near the pony corral. I believe that's near the bus loading/unloading zone, too. It's roughly one mile each way. However, I often run along the sandy nature trail that starts back by the boat and bike rental. Follow it along the shore line of the lake, and after about 1/3 of a mile, it branches off to the right where it will hook up to the paved trail. If you continue going straight (rather than turn right), the trail continues and comes out at the back of FW near a small canal. That route, too, is about a mile one way. The nature trail is quieter as the paved trail parallels a road. I've seen plenty of nature on both, including dear, rabbits, and once, a hawk with a field mouse in its talons sitting just off the paved trail, flying off only as I got even with it. Cool stuff!

Thanks for sharing that info, we posted at the same time, so I didn't see your info that I basically repeated! Those light bulbs over the sink in the toilet area took some getting used to for me, they light up slowly.
We love AP, but didn't eat there this trip, *sigh* I love the smoky portobello soup. But with DVC, there's always a next trip!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for sharing that info, we posted at the same time, so I didn't see your info that I basically repeated! Those light bulbs over the sink in the toilet area took some getting used to for me, they light up slowly.
We love AP, but didn't eat there this trip, *sigh* I love the smoky portobello soup. But with DVC, there's always a next trip!

Yes, that's right--those lights do take a long time as they now use the mini-fluorescents! The smoky portobello is still scrumptious. But, you're correct, there's always a next trip. Thanks for the post.

 

[rwcmath]

I love that trail, we usually rent bikes and we also have seen deer there.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Sounds like you had a terrific trip. The kind of relaxing type DH and I love. I have a question about the balconies at VWL. From pictures I've seen some of them don't look very private. Do they have the dividers between like at SSR? I love spending time on the balcony but don't wish to be elbow to elbow with my neighbors so am wondering about this. We always book 2 bedroom villas as DD and family travel with us. We have yet to stay at VWL but have stayed in the main lodge and loved it.

 

[Friendofpluto]

We are hoping to be able to book at 7 months. How are the studios? If I ask for a wooded view will I get a nice room.

 

[sleepydog25]

Sounds like you had a terrific trip. The kind of relaxing type DH and I love. I have a question about the balconies at VWL. From pictures I've seen some of them don't look very private. Do they have the dividers between like at SSR? I love spending time on the balcony but don't wish to be elbow to elbow with my neighbors so am wondering about this. We always book 2 bedroom villas as DD and family travel with us. We have yet to stay at VWL but have stayed in the main lodge and loved it.

Never having stayed at SSR, I'm not sure about the dividers, but at VWL there are no dividing "walls" between balconies. Each balcony sits apart, but you aren't shielded from your neighbors if that's what you mean. There are balconies on the top floor, however, that do look as though you wouldn't see your neighbor, but they might have restricted views unless you stand based on the pics.

We are hoping to be able to book at 7 months. How are the studios? If I ask for a wooded view will I get a nice room.

You would be hard-pressed NOT to get a wooded view with any room at VWL, whether studio, 1BR, or 2BR.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Never having stayed at SSR, I'm not sure about the dividers, but at VWL there are no dividing "walls" between balconies. Each balcony sits apart, but you aren't shielded from your neighbors if that's what you mean. There are balconies on the top floor, however, that do look as though you wouldn't see your neighbor, but they might have restricted views unless you stand based on the pics.

Thanks for the info sleepydog25. I think I'd prefer the "walls" between the balconies a bit better but I still look forward to staying at VWL.

 

[Dizny Dad]

This thread makes me want to get back to VWL as soon as possible! Our May trip to VWL can't come soon enough!