Short report just back from WLV

[szymcl]

Hi,
We just spent a few days at the Villas of Wilderness Lodge. It was our first time at the villas. We have only been DVC members since January, after years of visiting the other resorts. We were at Old Key West in March. The villas were great! We stayed in a studio, as this was just a mother/daughter trip. We received a handicapped room which was OK with us for a short trip. We were on the fourth floor, room 4546, with a woods view, and we could watch the bus stop in the distance. The TV was smallish, 19 inch I guess. The fridge was nice and big, large coffee maker, dishsoap, toaster, and microwave. We received a large supply of paper goods that lasted our entire stay, paper towels, plates, napkins, bowls, flatware.
We love Old Key West, but the villas seem like they would be great for a young family with kids. The buses were not crowded and the boats came quickly. The pools were a good size for young children. The slide was fun but not too big. We bought the mugs and filled up many times with coffee, hot chocolate and real cream from a great dispenser. We love cream in our coffee and hot chocolate.
It's funny, we had just driven from the Real Key West, and it was wonderful to stand on the southernmost point of the continental United States, but Disney just seems like home!
Our actual home resorts are Vero and Boardwalk, but we haven't stayed there yet! Life just gets better and better!

The pools were fun and not too crowded. I watched the electric water pageant in the lake from the beach.

 

[Time4disney]

Thanks for the report on VWL. We went through closing last week and are waiting for final word as to when we can actually make ressies. Our home is VWL and we really want to stay there in Nov. I hope I can get a studio but I have a regular room booked at the lodge just in case.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Fun! From everyone's postings for VWL, I'll be anxious to stay there sometime!

Thanks for the report, glad you had fun!

Sherri

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!! Glad you had a great time!!!

Allison

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had such a nice time. I hope I remember to watch the electrical water parade in November when we're staying at VWL! That's one problem, we always say, "there's a next time", but gosh, sometimes we just have to remember to do special things "this time." Another thing is to get to FW and catch the campfire there.

Bobbi

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

It sounds like you had a great time Where do you plan to stay next time? Did you like OKW better than VWL? Just curious.

I loved reading your trip report. If we ever add-on (I hope so ), I would like it to be at either VWL or BWV

Thanks, Lisa

 

[szymcl]

To answer the question of whether we liked OKW or VWL better, it is just an equal love of both! Old Key West was great for us in the Spring, because we had always wanted to spend some serious time at Downtown Disney. I found the path the first day and I love to walk, so I walked over every day for exercise and shopping. We loved Olivia's and the one bedroom was great and spacious. We actually turned the wrong way out of the laundry room many times, it was so big! The villas were more Disney like and they seemed closer to the magic I guess. Even though the buildings are detached, the main lodge seems right there because of the covered walkway. OKW seems more exclusive in that it seemed that most people there were in the DVC.
Our next trip is Spring Break 2005 at our home BWV in a 2 bedroom Boardwalk view with some teens in tow. We can't wait! I think we'll fly though-it was a long long way down to Key West from Indiana this time. That was one of those, "I have to do it once" kind of experiences!

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey!!

Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at WLV. We are sorta partial to it ourselves

And thanks for putting in that extra about the transportation there. WLV seems to get a bad rep about that.

 

[Good Deeds]

We are planning a trip the last week of January 2005.We have to quickly decide between 2 bedroom at OKW and 2 bedroom at WLV. We are traveling with in-laws and two children....

Any thoughts...?

PS..What about the car issue...we really don't want to rent a car.

Thanks

 

[szymcl]

If I were to chose between OKW and the Villas at WL without a car, I would definately pick the villas at WL. We valet parked our car and did not see it again until check out. We also used bell services for our luggage. The bus is fairly close and the parking lot is far away. At OKW, the beauty of it is that your car is right outside your door. No need for bell services if you drive. You can access it quickly and drive to parks if you want. At WL, you have the boats to MK and Contemporary and Fort Wilderness at your disposal so you don't really need a car. Also, with no car, Roaring Forks Grill is close by for quick refreshments. I love both resorts, for different reasons!
Good Luck in your decision