Raspberries and Kudos (Trip report long)

[Pinnie]

I just returned a few hours ago from a 4 day "Friends" (NO DH's and SO's) weekend at VWL and will share my "Raspberries and Kudos" about the trip.

RASPBERRIES: SPIRIT AIR earns a few of these. SPIRIT begins boarding 45 minutes before departure. While this used to be a good practice, it sure isn't when the planes are no longer Air Conditioned while sitting at the gate and on the tarmac. It was a blistering 94 when I left DTW on Friday and in the 90s today at MCO. I KNOW it's about saving fuel $$ not running the A/C, but why start boarding so soon and then just sitting at the gate with everyone on board for over 30 minutes? Also, SPIRIT no longer has pillows or blankets, and no longer serves any snacks unless you want to purchase one with a credit card.

Overall grade for SPIRIT C-

RASPBERRIES: To the ROOM READY theory. OK, people, I am NOT getting how this works considering my situation this weekend. We arrived Friday about 3:00 at the VWL. My friend's room was ready but mine wasn't. We went up to his room and found it was a handicapped room with a roll in shower. He didn't care. An hour later I called and was told my room was ready and right above his room. WARNING!! Was this going to be a handicapped room too? I called the desk and was assured it was a REGULAR ROOM. We hauled my stuff up and not only was it a HANDICAPPED ROOM but it was a SMOKING ROOM. This set up would not work for the girls room because we wanted a tub and the ability for one of us to get ready at the sink while one was in the shower/tub. I called the desk and another room was assigned. Now, how was I assigned a smoking/handicapped room when I specifically requested that I NOT have one yet one was available?????

KUDOS: To the front desk CM who took care of everything and assigned us a room..we didn't care that it was the dreaded DUMPSTER VIEW room. It was clean, smoke free and had a tub!

Now, you all can flame me for this, but I just don't get the appeal of the VWL. It is the first time I have stayed there and I am more of a BCV/OKW kind of gal! I am more into pastels and summery things. Parking is not convenient, there are pictures of SNOW in the hallways , and it always seems so "deserted" That is the beauty of DVC ownership. There are so many choices for so many tastes!!!

KUDOS to CM Jason at the Guest Service desk this a.m. at VWL. He tried to print up my boarding pass and was very apologetic for being unable too. Turned out I was "randomly picked" for a TSA screening at MCO. NO big deal, TSAs were cordial and explained the whole process!

Overall grade for VWL: B

KUDOS: SOARIN is awesome. I experienced this ride at DCA back in 2001 and it is just as exciting! However, we fastpassed it and noted that even though there was a posted 90 minute standby line wait, many of the seats on our ride were empty! This was the ONLY attraction we experienced at EPCOT yesterday since park time was not a priority this trip (we are AP holders) We also enjoyed the new food court at The Land!

Overall grade for SOARIN A++++++

We were only at the MK last night for a short time. We walked on Pirates, TTA, ate at Cosmic Ray's, and watched WISHES

KUDOS: Crowd was managable
RASPBERRIES: To the smokers (and there were a LOT) that were smoking all over the park.

We didn't spend any time at MGM or DAK this trip.

KUDOS Drum Corp Show at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday night! What a great time! Crowd was into it! Corps were outstanding and the weather couldn't have been any better! WTG DCI!!!!

Overall grade for the DCI Show: A+++++++++

RASPBERRIES: To the people on the 3rd floor of VWL Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m. that were allowing their kids to run up and down the hallway. We assumed they were checking out. PLEASE don't use the latch as a door stop and let the door bang shut during the wee hours of the morning. Yes YOU were up, but please, be considerate of others!

RASPBERRIES: To whoever called our room at 8:30 this morning, woke us up and then hung up. If you miscall a room, please have the decency to apologize!

A few other issues with VWL: Our friends on one day had another family's ME info on his door. This morning he had someone else's express check out receipt on his door.

KUDOS: Earl of Sandwich. I hope they expand this chain. I can see me making a trip to FL just for a sandwich here.

OVERALL grade for EoS A+++++

Overall grade of trip: A

In a couple of weeks, I am off to Vegas and Disneyland! I am flying NWA and SWA!

pinnie

 

[donald...really]

Thanks for a very interesting trip report.

I bet the person who called you at 8:30 and hung up did not miscall. I bet it was housekeeping seeing if you were still in the room. I have heard of this happening quite often, always on check out day, and have even had it happen to me once.

 

[Pinnie]

Thanks for a very interesting trip report.

I bet the person who called you at 8:30 and hung up did not miscall. I bet it was housekeeping seeing if you were still in the room. I have heard of this happening quite often, always on check out day, and have even had it happen to me once.

You know, I thought about that! If that is the case, it's just WRONG! We have those rooms until 11:00 a.m. and deserve the right NOT to be disturbed!

pinnie

 

[Muushka]

Love the Raspberries/Kudos theme! Kind of like Cheers and Jeers!

While I am VWL lover, I can appreciate that the resort may not be another person's cup of tea. No, I won't send you any nasty PMs for an honest evaluation of the resort! Thank you for sharing, and we cannot wait to go on Soarin.

PS I can believe that it was Mousekeeping calling you, but we have stayed at VWL many times and we have never been called (but we were called both times we stayed at OKW).

 

[perdidobay]

Dang! My last stay the halls were not quite as frigid and I had hoped it was permanant....guess I'll have to bring my parka next trip

 

[MJTinNH]

Thanks for the report! Glad you had a great vacation!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for your report! Had to laugh about pictures of snow in the hallways-maybe that contributes to why DH prefers others to VWL-he hates snow! Have fun in DL-be sure to drop by the DVC sales booths to see what's going on. That's a big priority on my trip (after you-3 more weeks).
BTW, who won DCI this year?

 

[Pinnie]

Thanks for your report! Had to laugh about pictures of snow in the hallways-maybe that contributes to why DH prefers others to VWL-he hates snow! Have fun in DL-be sure to drop by the DVC sales booths to see what's going on. That's a big priority on my trip (after you-3 more weeks).
BTW, who won DCI this year?

I am so looking forward to Disneyland in a couple of weeks!

The CAVS won on Saturday night. They have another amazing show this year and I have a feeling they just may win World Championship again this year in Foxboro (I will be there!). Cadets came in second.

I HATE snow, too. Give me sunshine and OKW and BCVs any day!

pinnie

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Thanks for the report!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

RASPBERRIES: To the ROOM READY theory. OK, people, I am NOT getting how this works considering my situation this weekend. We arrived Friday about 3:00 at the VWL. My friend's room was ready but mine wasn't. We went up to his room and found it was a handicapped room with a roll in shower. He didn't care. An hour later I called and was told my room was ready and right above his room. WARNING!! Was this going to be a handicapped room too? I called the desk and was assured it was a REGULAR ROOM. We hauled my stuff up and not only was it a HANDICAPPED ROOM but it was a SMOKING ROOM. This set up would not work for the girls room because we wanted a tub and the ability for one of us to get ready at the sink while one was in the shower/tub. I called the desk and another room was assigned. Now, how was I assigned a smoking/handicapped room when I specifically requested that I NOT have one yet one was available?????

KUDOS: To the front desk CM who took care of everything and assigned us a room..we didn't care that it was the dreaded DUMPSTER VIEW room. It was clean, smoke free and had a tub! pinnie

Well, this room ready....what more can be said. At least the people working are always friendly, and I'd rather look at the dumpster in WDW than the trash in my neighborhood.

there are pictures of SNOW in the hallways
Overall grade for VWL: B pinnie

We like the snow pix in the hallways. It makes the building feel cooler in the summer so they turn down the AC and keeps the dues payments lower.

RASPBERRIES: To whoever called our room at 8:30 this morning, woke us up and then hung up. If you miscall a room, please have the decency to apologize!
pinnie

This along with the people running the halls early in the morning would drive me crazy. I think they should alternate the snow pix with waterfalls so the kids in the hall get a cool, yet calming effect.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I'm anxious to try VWL. It seems we hear the least about that resort. The lobby and restaurants are beautiful. But I get confused: Am I in Florida or Wyoming? I have to cancel our Teton reservations this year so maybe I can make up for it by trying to get into WL.

 

[lodgelady]

Now, you all can flame me for this, but I just don't get the appeal of the VWL. It is the first time I have stayed there and I am more of a BCV/OKW kind of gal! I am more into pastels and summery things. Parking is not convenient, there are pictures of SNOW in the hallways , and it always seems so "deserted" That is the beauty of DVC ownership. There are so many choices for so many tastes!!! pinnie

No flame will be forthcoming from me We adore VWL, but my sis feels the same way that you do, that is why she owns at BCV.
As far as the service, room ready, mousekeeping call, etc., I am wondering if this summer is already way, way busier than usual. On our trip at the beginning of June I noticed slips in service in the parks, restaurants and DVC resort that I never have seen before on multiple trips. It was also twice as crowded than that same time period a few years ago. While I am glad that Disney is no longer suffering the effects of 9/11, I'm wondering if service will be less due to this crowd level? I am choosing to let it go until this 50th Anniversary mania is over. Maybe the resort is just out straight, and things will be a bit more sane next year ..... Thanks for posting!

 

[lllovell]

We had Mousekeeping knocking on our door at 9 last Thanksgiving weekend when we stayed at All Star Sports to "see if we were gone" (we were up - so no biggie - but had we been sleeping in, I would be chapped). That is the only time I have ever heard from Mousekeeping when we didn't call them first for some reason. (bless their souls, they even came by our OKW Studio at least 3 times because we kept either having the "do not disturb" sign out or 1/2 naked kiddies after a swim on towel/trash day - they left the towels which was good enough for me since it was us making it complicated and STILL came back later in the evening and put out the towels and emptied the trash! Mousekeeping rocks!!!)

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the TR--loved the format !
While we hate snow as well, the snow pictures on the walls don't bother me because I know the FL sun and warmth are outside ! We love OKW, but always felt when we were able to buy that add-on, VWL is where we'd want those points to be there. We find the resort very warm and cozy.
Sorry about your room fiasco---can't imagine how the CM's didn't know you were getting a H/A and SMOKING room when you specifically asked them if this was the case. But glad at least they were able to rectify it. Soarin' sounds great and we can't wait to check out the new Land food court. It was still under construction when we were there in Feb.

 

[Pinnie]

While we hate snow as well, the snow pictures on the walls don't bother me because I know the FL sun and warmth are outside.

After the winter we had up here, there is NO way I want to be reminded of snow...least of all in Florida

I was satisfied that the room situation worked out well. I guess what surprised me most is when I called down to ask if the room was HA, I was told it was a REGULAR room.

You will LOVE Soarin. I am going to DCA in a couple of weeks and plan to ride it again and again!

pinnie

 

[durango kid]

...and I agree with you about Earl of Sandwich. Without a doubt they have the best turkey sandwich on the planet. The price is great too!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

After the winter we had up here, there is NO way I want to be reminded of snow...least of all in Florida

I can most certainly understand this Pinnie ! I despise winters in PA as well. I've only had 2 car accidents in the past 10 years and both were ice/snow related. I hate to even get into my car during bad weather anymore---I've really developed a phobia to winters here. BUT, somehow, the WL just has such beautiful themeing that I can forgive the snow implications

 

[rmontgo892]

Thanks for the TR!

Is it possible that the person who assigns rooms only *saw* handicapped and smoking and then put you in that room???

I thought I read some where but won't swear too it that it is important to put only what you WANT not what you don't want??? They have to scan so many requests that they see only what jumps out at them??

That or the room assigner has a twisted sense of humor since you posted that is the only thing you requested that you NOT get.

Didn't I read on here someone said no dumpster view as a request at VWL and got one? Could that be it?? Only request what you WANT??

Leaving soon for WDW...

 

[perdidobay]

How stupid am I. I thought you meant that the halls were cold
(they always are to me) but you mean the photos of snow. I admit I never noticed!
Yes folks I AM that STUPID!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Great report!!! Sorry you didn't like VWL!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Ms. Sparrow aka Allison