First we made our reservation only 6 weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised to get a 2br at vwl at such short notice. We borrowed next year points.
Next I bought (rented) another dvc member's points on ebay when their family had to cancel their trip with little notice FOR LESS THAN $5 per point. The strange part is that SHE was thrilled at that price.
I got to return the points back into my account (although of coures since they remain in this use year we will just be forced to return within the next 9 months)
VWL was wonderful. My only complaint is that the busses were very very very slow. I know I have read posts about the ssr buses being delayed, but this was much worse than any of my ssr bus experiences. On 3 occasions we waited more than 45 minutes. The waiting areas would be packed at the wl bus stops. On 2 occasions a cast member was writing down the times, so perhaps they are working on it. Also when I asked him where the mk bus was he said, "it was supposed to be here." And he called on the phone and came over and said "one is leaving now." I know sometimes they are loading wheelchairs and I am pretty patient. However, this problem seemed chronic and not occasional.
We did something crazy and rented a studio at beach club one night (along with the vwl rooms) so we could "legally" use SAB. It was worth every point because my ds3 ds4 and dd7 loved every minute at that pool. And I figure it was less expensive overall than a day in one of the water parks.
We hit the parks and enjoyed even the rain as relief from the heat.
The rain was great on the AK safari. The rain really brough out the animals. Almost all of the animals wer out playing and eating in the rain. It was the best safari we have ever been on.
The ride lines were not horrible considering that the parks were fairly crowded, except soarin' with had a long wait (aprox 90 minutes)
VWL was a serene place to return to each day. The quiet pool near the villas was virtually empty most of the time.
We pool hopped one day to bwv because my kids LOVE that clown's mouth.
Went to the block party tuesday at pi and the kids had a ball with the games and popcorn and mickey bars. I would have never gone except for reading these boards.
Thanks to everyone who posts here, this is where I do my investigating for our family trips. My family wonders at how much information I gather.
Next I bought (rented) another dvc member's points on ebay when their family had to cancel their trip with little notice FOR LESS THAN $5 per point. The strange part is that SHE was thrilled at that price.
I got to return the points back into my account (although of coures since they remain in this use year we will just be forced to return within the next 9 months)

VWL was wonderful. My only complaint is that the busses were very very very slow. I know I have read posts about the ssr buses being delayed, but this was much worse than any of my ssr bus experiences. On 3 occasions we waited more than 45 minutes. The waiting areas would be packed at the wl bus stops. On 2 occasions a cast member was writing down the times, so perhaps they are working on it. Also when I asked him where the mk bus was he said, "it was supposed to be here." And he called on the phone and came over and said "one is leaving now." I know sometimes they are loading wheelchairs and I am pretty patient. However, this problem seemed chronic and not occasional.
We did something crazy and rented a studio at beach club one night (along with the vwl rooms) so we could "legally" use SAB. It was worth every point because my ds3 ds4 and dd7 loved every minute at that pool. And I figure it was less expensive overall than a day in one of the water parks.
We hit the parks and enjoyed even the rain as relief from the heat.
The rain was great on the AK safari. The rain really brough out the animals. Almost all of the animals wer out playing and eating in the rain. It was the best safari we have ever been on.
The ride lines were not horrible considering that the parks were fairly crowded, except soarin' with had a long wait (aprox 90 minutes)
VWL was a serene place to return to each day. The quiet pool near the villas was virtually empty most of the time.
We pool hopped one day to bwv because my kids LOVE that clown's mouth.
Went to the block party tuesday at pi and the kids had a ball with the games and popcorn and mickey bars. I would have never gone except for reading these boards.
Thanks to everyone who posts here, this is where I do my investigating for our family trips. My family wonders at how much information I gather.