Just returned - VWL

[buzz5985]

Just got home from a 4 day cruise on the Wonder (cash) and 3 nights at the VWL (points). Our home resort is HH and BWV and we haven't stayed at either - yet. We loved the VWL!!!! We had a studio, checked in at 10 am, went to AK, returned around 5 pm, and went to our room 4546, which was a lockoff, I believe it is called. It was a handicapped room and had no closet, just the armour, we had a lot of luggage. So I called the front desk and they moved us to room 1501 - a dedicated studio. Two closets we were happy LOL. We were concerned about noise being on the 1st floor, but we loved it. Coming off the 4 day cruise - it was close to the laundry, which I loved. LOL

Everything seemed clean to me, and while we were there, engineering showed up to replace the round towel holders near the sink to towel racks.

We had a really nice time. My DH said - I didn't really have any doubts buying DVC - but now I have no doubts. He is also a plumber (we ran into one of his "regular" customers at Epcot LOL) and for what it's worth, he was very impressed with the faucets and fixtures that were used at the VWL.

My only complaint would be the transportation - but that's another board.

 

[Granny]

buzz....thanks for the quick report! Can you tell us about your check-in experience (time of day, room ready, etc?)?

Also, did they hit you with the $25 room change charge since you switched rooms after getting into your first one?

 

[Kruuzin]

buzz....Does the VWL have a VCR or DVD player? Heading down for XMAS and need to know whether to bring the "DVD presents" or leave them at home. Thanks.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for the report!! Glad you had a good time!

Allison an associate

 

[Simba's Mom]

I also would like to know about the $25 charge, and also whether or not they told you beforehand that the room was Handicapped Accessible. When we stayed there, they didn't tell us the room was HA, but when we got there and asked to move (called within a few minutes), they said "Well, of course you'll have to pay the $25 room change fee." A lady we complained to at DVC at that time told us that VWL was right. We were NOT pleased. Later, we were assured that VWL would not assign HA rooms without notifying the guests any more. That was over a year ago. So did they notify you?

 

[samitis]

Hi,

I was just there this weekend too. I was in a 1BR (first time in one & we LOVED it!)

The room had a VCR, but no DVD player (yet).

Hope this helps!

 

[nezy]

Thanks for the reprt. did you take advantage of resort activities or where you relaxing after the cruise?
I am curious about the sequencing-cruise first then resort. we usually do the reverse. what do you think would be better?

 

[Kruuzin]

Thanks Samitis. That saves packing extra stuff that won't be used.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I can speak about our experience with the cruise-first sequence. We wanted to take a Saturday-Sunday trip over 4th of July week, and I wanted to do the 4 day cruise, so that was the only way to do it--the other way would have been a Wednesday--Thursday trip and the kids would have missed more summer activities, DH would have missed more work, etc. (I'm a teacher so I don't care, LOL).
It did work out all right. We did all of our cruise laundry when we got to VWL for our 3 nights there. We took it easy at the parks since we've done almost all there is to do (don't you love DVC for that reason alone--no commando touring?). We even slept WAY in on July 5th. And the cruise was wonderful!
I can see that doing the cruise and then going home would also be good, but you'd still have that laundry staring you in the face when you got back home (I'm not a laundry doer on vacation!). I guess I'll find out next summer when we do the 7 day!
Robin M.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by buzz5985
He is also a plumber (we ran into one of his "regular" customers at Epcot LOL) and for what it's worth, he was very impressed with the faucets and fixtures that were used at the VWL.

Glad you enjoyed your stay at VWL!!

 

[castleri]

Granny
We were also at VWL this past week and the check in was - efficient - no options given - simply told your villa is not ready yet you can call during the day and check on it - here are the numbers for that. We checked in about 11:15 am and did not get into the room until 4. Then they only gave us the room number for the studio part of the lock off and we had a nervous few minutes until checking with the front desk confirmed we also had the 1BR next door. The check in at BCV was a little better in that we at least got a Welcome Home. The villa was ready and we were given no options just told that our request for upper floor was met but not EPCOT view. We were directly over the Dunes Cove pool (534) and it was nice to sit out on the balconies ( 1 large 1 small) and people watch. We had room 553 last year and were spoiled by the huge balcony, view of illuminations and the fact that there was no door in the middle of the living room wall. I really do not like that arrangement and we had it at both places this time. All that said we had a great trip and small things like the things mentioned just don't matter in the long run.

 

[buzz5985]

Can you tell us about your check-in experience (time of day, room ready, etc?)?

I think I checked in around 9:30 am. LOL Was quick, given a card and told to call between 3:00 and 4:00 to see if room was ready. But . . . we were in AK, so I didn't even get back to VWL until 5:30. I checked what room we were in, went upstairs, realized we had no closet space for all the luggage!!!! Called downstairs, told me to come back to the desk, and placed us in room 1501. I was never informed it was a handicapped accesible studio. But it was funny - I noticed the VCR in that room. We rented a movie - went back to room 1501 to put the movie in the VCR - No VCR. LOL I called and was informed that no Studios have VCR's only 1 & 2 BR. They told me they would try to find me one, but never called me back.

I was not charged $25.

I didn't take advantage of any resort activities. We didn't have any time - with MNSSHP on Thursday night, and my DS 6, wanted to go on the rides. If we had been there longer, would have participated in the activities. I still have the list of what was offered if you want to know.

I'm probably the wrong person to ask about cruise/resort sequence. I am one of those people that are always on the go. I have to be doing something. Look at it this way - I was upgraded on the cruise to a balcony room. Don't ask me how - I don't know. But it was wasted on us. We sleep in the room - that's it. Spent about 10 minutes on the balcony.

 

[buzz5985]

We were Welcomed Home - by the guard in the shack at the entrance, by the Valet Parking attendant, by the Bell Hop, by the front desk. It was very exciting. I think my DH finally get's it. Janis

 

[rbuzzotta]

Glad to hear you had a great cruise/VWL stay.


DH is a builder and also commented on the fixtures at VWL. He is forever checking out all the building stuff at WDW!!!

Did you use points for your cruise??

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by castleri
Granny
We were also at VWL this past week and the check in was - efficient - no options given - simply told your villa is not ready yet you can call during the day and check on it - here are the numbers for that. We checked in about 11:15 am and did not get into the room until 4.

See, this is what I don't get about "room ready". Under that policy, nobody should ever have to wait five hours for a room unless the guest indicates they want to keep waiting for a different room.

And I see that Buzz had a similar experience.

I just wish that Disney would come up with a room assignment policy, COMMUNICATE it to all their employees and members, and stick to it.

Thanks for letting me rant....and hope I didn't get off topic too far.