Looking for a Home...

[SRB4x41ab]

My wife and I are looking into purchasing some points at the VWL. I was wondering if anyone else has VWL as there home resort? Pros or Cons? What do you think is the hardest time of the year to book a reservation here?

 

[chalee94]

My wife and I are looking into purchasing some points at the VWL. I was wondering if anyone else has VWL as there home resort?

these people...

Pros or Cons?

pros - northwest-y, boat to MK

cons - expires in 2042, not on the monorail

What do you think is the hardest time of the year to book a reservation here?

call right at 11 months for december or else.

it's the smallest DVC resort, though, so if you buy there, you really should plan to book at 10-11 months on a regular basis.

 

[wulfekamp]

Not our home resort BUT your going to love it. We have stayed there twice and had a great time. Wispering canyon has great food and a fun time. Has boat service to MK. One of our favorite DVC resorts

 

[bellazachmom]

We own at BCV but absolutely LOVE VWL!! In fact, we are staying there this April.

I can only think of 2 "cons", but they are not really that bad, just depends on the kind of vacation you like/plan to take.

1. There are no Grand Villas at VWL -- since these pretty much fill up at the other resorts at the 11 month mark it is hard to get them when your 7 month window opens up. If you think this is a type of accomodation that you would like to use during future trips then VWL might not be for you. This is the case at BCV, too, and is our only regret with the purchase of that resort. I had no ideathat GV were even available at the other resorts or we might have purchased somewhere else.

2. You primarily use bus transportation from WL, the exception being a boat to MK and Contemporary/Fort Wilderness. We really enjoy being able to walk to Epcot and DHS from BCV and are considering a BLT add-on so that some days we could walk to MK and then change resorts and walk to Epcot/DHS. It's a bus to AK no matter where you stay!

Also, keep in mind when you want to travel and what you want to do: If you really enjoy going for Food&Wine festival and want to stay at BCV or BWV then you should buy there ... really hard to get at 7 month window as is VWL for Christmas!

Hope this helps a little bit and good luck with your decision.

 

[beachwarmer]

We own at VWL and did that specifically because we go at Christmas and have a small child who loves Magic Kingdom. We bought here (resale) so that we could get it at Christmas.

One con is the small feature pool if you care about pools. It is very busy and crowded when the resorts are full. One other con is the bus to Epcot goes to Fort Wilderness before heading to Epcot and that can get really busy and full.

We love it as a home for Christmas and the pros listed by the others are true. I would add Stan as a pro....being Flag Family is an amazing experience and the view from the roof is amazing. The ladies who run the Children's Club have been there from openning so if you have small children this is a great benefit...and the club is open during the day of a break from the parks for crafts etc.

I make my 11 month reservation tomorrow.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We love our VWL points, and the atmosphere of the lodge and the villas. I love the little springs in the villa pool and the whole area of that pool is so relaxing and beautiful with the tall trees. The DGC love the cement walkways with the footprints of wildlife, and all of the bunnies and ducks that stay around the resort.

The food choices are good, Roaring Forks, Whispering Canyon and Artist Point. The CM's have always been very friendly.

The extended family love to join us at VWL, we take bike rides to and around FW and we like to rent boats at the dock.

We do like the fact that there are lots of dedicated 2 bedrooms, those are the ones with 2 Qs in the second bedroom.

Best wishes to you as you decide where to call home.

Bobbi

 

[melk]

When we were first thinking of buying I kept reading on these boards "Buy where you want to stay." Although we could have gotten a great OKW resale, we really wanted VWL so held out for a resale there that fit us. We've never regretted it.

Although we have stayed at other DVC resorts and enjoyed them, we really love VWL, the atmosphere, the theming, the proximity to MK. It's great to be able to book there 11 months out. Only 57 days until we're there again!!! !!!

 

[SRB4x41ab]

I was just wondering how were the studio rooms at VWL? Do they have many 2 bedroom units at VWL? I would be mainly reserving a studio but I think for a first and maybe second time we would get a 2 bedroom.

 

[alldiz]

My wife and I are looking into purchasing some points at the VWL. I was wondering if anyone else has VWL as there home resort? Pros or Cons? What do you think is the hardest time of the year to book a reservation here?

WLV is my home resort and I couldn't be happier. I have stayed at them all except AKV and it is by far my favorite.

IMO there are NO cons to WLV....I just love everything about the place. I truly wouldn't change a thing.

December is BUSY time. Not only is the points in value season....But holiday time at WLV is very special and a favorite for many DVC'ers at that time of year.
happy planning
Kerri

 

[jamie&Greg]

Hi we own WL and LOVE it!! Put it this way we are thinking of buying more points and will prob. buy WL again. No cons - pros; everything, great themeing, great pool, great rooms, close to MK!!

 

[wdwnut]

Just be warned once you go into a 1br or larger unit, it will be hard to use a studio. We've been thoroughly spoiled; DH doesn't ever want to use a studio, even when it's just the 2 of us. We've stayed at WL and VWL with smaller and larger groups. It is very peaceful there, a nice break from the sometimes hectic pace at WDW.

 

[chalee94]

I was just wondering how were the studio rooms at VWL? Do they have many 2 bedroom units at VWL? I would be mainly reserving a studio but I think for a first and maybe second time we would get a 2 bedroom.

go here for more info and pics.

and here is the basic info from the allears fact sheet:

The Studio Villas are 356 square feet and come with one queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. There is a small dining table and two chairs, color TV, and bathroom. Also included are a microwave, coffee maker, under the counter refrigerator, ceiling fan, wet bar, hair dryer, iron, ironing board and vacuum cleaner. There will also be a private porch/balcony. The Studio Villa can accommodate a maximum of 4 adults and one child under 3 in a crib.

The One-Bedroom Villas are 727 square feet and have one bedroom with a king-sized bed and its own whirlpool tub and TV, a living room (which has a queen-sized sleeper sofa, and TV), one full bathroom, plus a sink/vanity area in the room with the Jacuzzi , a fully equipped kitchen (which includes a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave), dining area (which includes table and four chairs), stacked washer and dryer, hair dryer, a nice walk-in closet as well as a smaller closet, and a private balcony or patio which includes two chairs and a small table. There will also be a private porch/balcony. The One Bedroom Villa can accommodate a maximum of 4 adults and one child under 3 in a crib.

The Two-Bedroom Villas are 1,080 square feet and basically are a Studio Villa and a One-Bedroom Villa that are connected with a communicating door. (See description above of both rooms for what's included.) Master suite has a king size bed; additional bedroom has a two queen size beds; living room has a queen size sleeper sofa. Per Disney, this Two-Bedroom Villa will accommodate "eight adults, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib". There will also be a private porch/balcony.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

VWL and BCV does not have "value" points like OKW, BWV or AKV either.

OK, OKW doesn't have value points per se, but the points are in line with the BWV and AKV value/standard points.


MFs are also pretty high for WLV.

I have to agree with the others...buy where you want to stay.

 

[ccigliano]

My wife and I are looking into purchasing some points at the VWL. I was wondering if anyone else has VWL as there home resort? Pros or Cons? What do you think is the hardest time of the year to book a reservation here?

I purchased a resale at OKW in 1999 before the VWL was built. I stayed at OKW a couple of times and then the VWL opened and I tried it out. I loved it and stayed there for the next few years while it was being sold by Disney without issue - maybe a waitlist once or twice but always got my room . Then Christmastime (early December 2005) everything changed - I called right at the 7 month mark and had to waitlist a studio , and switched my OKW to SSR as it was a new resort. But I always thought that the waitlist would come through eventually but it didn't. I called everyday (morning, noon and evening) the week prior with still no luck . Since it was a 9 day trip to SSR, I called every day from the parks and on day 5 was able to switch to VWL. I came home from that trip - sold OKW and purchased a resale at VWL and have never looked back. I love the WL , the theming, the lake, walks on the nature trail to the campgrounds, and the pool. Pros - 5 min boat ride to MK and I love it. Cons - none. Late November/early December are difficult times to get if you don't book at the 11 month mark. Good Luck!

 

[lisah0711]

We love our VWL points and it will always be our first home. That said, my husband is starting to like our Animal Kingdom stays a little better. And we just added on at VGC so it will be interesting to see who comes out the winner. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Granny]

My wife and I are looking into purchasing some points at the VWL. I was wondering if anyone else has VWL as there home resort?

these people...

Oh no, not THOSE people!




My computer recently died and took with it my many bookmarks, but someone may come along and help the OP with the number of 2BR, studios, etc. As was pointed out, this is the smallest DVC at WDW and I'd say from Thanksgiving until the end of the year it is helpful to own there if you really want to stay there then.

Other times of the year like summer it is easier to get reservations at the 7 month window there. We did just that for this upcoming July.

Good luck, and keep asking questions!!

 

[homedad]

its our home resort and we bought resale, we stayed at the WL before we had DVC and loved it. We haven't stayed at VWL yet but love the fact htat its our fallback, this year were trying the BCV