Should we try VWL, after 11 yrs of being a member, never stayed there?

[Jillpie]

We've been to Whispering Canyon twice, loved the main lobby but didn't like how dark the villas were. My DH really wants to try it for our first two nights. We're so used to the pool at the BC, will we not like the pool here? Any tips would be great, what do you like about it in general?

 

[pjharristx]

I would love to stay there some day

 

[Geomom]

Go ahead and try it once--it makes sense to do the resort you're 'uncertain' about for the beginning of your trip so that you can end it at one you know you love.

We stayed at VWL for the first time this August and loved it. For us it brought back memories of our vacations to Yellowstone and other parts out West. I loved the Wilderness Lodge lobby--it really reminded us of the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone. I also liked the Villas lobby--a much smaller scale than the Lodge lobby, but really nice. The Villas also has the 'train room' that has some board games, comfy chairs, and it's the place they show the nightly movies if it's rainy outside. We loved the 'quiet' Villas pool--the bubbling jets were neat and the 'cricket' sounds outside make it feel like you're really in the woods. The Electric water parade goes by nightly on Bay Lake. We walked over to the beach by the boat rentals and watched it from there. We could also see the 'high' fireworks from 'Wishes.' We also enjoyed the boat ride to Magic Kingdom--it was more relaxing than taking the bus which made 2 other stops. This part of our trip felt very relaxing.

I'd suggest not comparing the 2 resorts when you're there--try to just enjoy it for what it is. No, the pool isn't going to be Stormalong Bay--but there were lots of other things to enjoy there!

 

[DVCmember1992]

I agree with Geomom, try it once and for part of your stay. We spent 8 nights at VWL and did not care for it. We felt it was too secluded and quiet. We like the "hustle and bustle" of Disney, and we missed that at VWL. Also, we had a terrible experience with the MK ferries. WL shared with FW and we often had to wait a few trips before we could get to and from MK (we ended up driving from VWL to the MK--a 5 minute drive vs. an hour plus for the ferry some nights!). We also were very disappointed with our room location, so I would recommend requesting a room near the elevators. We were the last room on the ground floor, directly next to the dumpster and in the thick of the brush. We didn't make use of the patio at all. We actually spent our first night of that trip at SSR, and my family of 4 agreed we should have stayed at SSR the entire trip! Oh well, just my opinion. I have stayed at all of the DVC resorts (adding VGF to the list next week!!) and I would not go back to VWL.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree you should try it. 2 nights is not much if you don't enjoy it. We love it there and I think it's the best quiet pool on property. It's usually very quiet and has the "springs" bubbling up. Also the workout room is right in the Villas building and you can also get a massage there if you wish. The lobby villas is very nice and one of the most detailed of any DVC. Compared to the main lobby it's small but it's a nice area to relax - or in the Carolwood Pacific room just off the lobby. A short walk to the beach and the trail and/or path to FW is close by too if you want to take a longer walk.

 

[Geomom]

We also were very disappointed with our room location, so I would recommend requesting a room near the elevators..

I agree about that room request! Our studio was right near the elevators, upper floor, in the section closest to the Lodge--so it was a very short walk for us to the main building. We were overlooking the walkways to the bus/main lodge, but with the pine trees all around we still felt private on the balcony even with people walking back to their rooms. I did feel that the balconies here are smaller than some of the other DVC's--just as a warning.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree with Geomom, try it once and for part of your stay. We spent 8 nights at VWL and did not care for it. We felt it was too secluded and quiet. We like the "hustle and bustle" of Disney, and we missed that at VWL. Also, we had a terrible experience with the MK ferries. WL shared with FW and we often had to wait a few trips before we could get to and from MK (we ended up driving from VWL to the MK--a 5 minute drive vs. an hour plus for the ferry some nights!). We also were very disappointed with our room location, so I would recommend requesting a room near the elevators. We were the last room on the ground floor, directly next to the dumpster and in the thick of the brush. We didn't make use of the patio at all. We actually spent our first night of that trip at SSR, and my family of 4 agreed we should have stayed at SSR the entire trip! Oh well, just my opinion. I have stayed at all of the DVC resorts (adding VGF to the list next week!!) and I would not go back to VWL.

VWL hasn't shared a boat to MK with FW for awhile now. And they also have the best bus service to MK of any resort. 5 minutes. Even though we enjoy the boat ride we often do the buses since the bus stop is so close to the Villas.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks so much everyone, very helpful!

 

[Jillpie]

I agree about that room request! Our studio was right near the elevators, upper floor, in the section closest to the Lodge--so it was a very short walk for us to the main building. We were overlooking the walkways to the bus/main lodge, but with the pine trees all around we still felt private on the balcony even with people walking back to their rooms. I did feel that the balconies here are smaller than some of the other DVC's--just as a warning.

Do you remember your room #? We'll be in a studio and this location sounds great. I know you're not supposed to request a certain room, but just curious. Thanks.

 

[bookwormde]

Yes you should try it. We love WL, but just never got the same feel staying at VWL. It may be that it was the last 3 days of a 15 day trip. The game/reading room is nice as it the atrium décor.

 

[DreamerWDW]

I'd 100% say give it a try. It's our favorite resort, but BCV is one of our favorites too! Especially since you already enjoy the resort itself, staying there will likely add to your feelings about the VWL/WL. You've been members a long time, so I think you should give everything a try once. To me, the boat ride to MK is just MAGICAL. The setting on Bay Lake is breathtaking and something about staying there just "feels right".

 

[alice99]

I'd 100% say give it a try. It's our favorite resort, but BCV is one of our favorites too! Especially since you already enjoy the resort itself, staying there will likely add to your feelings about the VWL/WL. You've been members a long time, so I think you should give everything a try once. To me, the boat ride to MK is just MAGICAL. The setting on Bay Lake is breathtaking and something about staying there just "feels right".

This^^

I love this resort and really enjoy the quietness.

The 2 things that set it apart from other resorts, in my opinion:

1- It's quieter because there are not a lot of outside people walking through. When I go to Beach Club or Boardwalk I feel like there are SO many people just site-seeing. The pool area is quiet and serene, with a lot of trees around. This is the ONLY resort I have spent hanging out by the pool.
2- I enjoy an evening or early morning long walk - The big plus is that there is access to Wilderness campground where I was able to get my 5 mile walk in and not feel like I had to navigate around a lot of people or walk around in a circle over and over. Trying to get some exercise on BLT property is unpleasant, they have signs for jogging path, which is the sidewalk of the resort.... no fun.

It's a very pretty resort with great access to MK. we never waited more than 10 minutes for a boat.... and that was on a day that we JUST missed one as we walked up.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks again everyone, really great replies!

 

[disneygrandma]

We own at BCV, but the villas themselves are one of our least favorite. The location to Epcot is what we like. Our son & his family love SAB.

My husband & I really like VWL. I especially like the theme. I also love how close we are to the main hotel....much closer than at BCV. The WL bus stop is by the villas, so it is very convenient. I would never drive to MK from VWL. At night, we had a fairly short walk from MK to the bus, and an extremely short walk from the bus stop to the villas. As mentioned, the quiet pool seems very secluded....not like the one at BCV. Being near the water, you can view the nightly light parade on the water, and take the boat to either FW, the Contemporary, or MK.

The downside, to us, at VWL are the balconies. Not only are they small, but there aren't any barriers between rooms, or below, to look up in to your balcony. Not very private.

Why not try VWL for a couple of nights? Since it's only 2 nights, I wouldn't do any other parks, other than MK while there. Also, you can take take a boat to the Contemporary, and check things out, and from there, experience all the other monorail resorts., and have your meals at these resorts. Maybe even do HDDR over at FW. VWL is a good location for all the area has to offer.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I love the atmosphere at VWL! I hope you give it a try!

Bobbi

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

VWL hasn't shared a boat to MK with FW for awhile now. And they also have the best bus service to MK of any resort. 5 minutes. Even though we enjoy the boat ride we often do the buses since the bus stop is so close to the Villas.

I found transport to anyplace but MK a pain. Plus if it storms no boats. The transport was my only downer. I wound up driving everywhere

 

[tgropp]

My first stay here was in 1994. It is a beautiful quiet resort but when you are relaxing and hear the Tyson whistle from MK, you realize how close you really are to the action. I always go at Christmas time and that may explain why we go their so much.BCV is a close second. Hope that you try VWL

 

[bobbiwoz]

I found transport to anyplace but MK a pain. Plus if it storms no boats. The transport was my only downer. I wound up driving everywhere

I found out if it storms, no small boats. They did bring out the larger, metal ones. I was staying at BLT, but missed the VWL, so I went over for lunch. Well, in summer, you get storms! They brought out the larger boats to do the WL, Cont., FW loop.

 

[disfountainofyouth]

VWL is our second favorite resort after our Home resort, BCV. While we've stayed there in summer, we enjoy this resort much more during winter
decorated for the holidays.

 

[eporter66]

I would say give it a try, start small (as you and others suggested) 2 nights and just see what you think. Our stay at WL 10 years ago is what got us to ultimately go with DVC, but we have not stayed at VWL yet. There has either been an issue with availability or our points.

What resort(s) do you normally stay at, and what is your favorite?

We just got back from SSR (our home) and loved it. Our DD loves AKL, so we stayed there 2 or 3 years in a row. I have found something great about all of them we have stayed at (OKW, SSR, BWV, AKL), but I do want to try them all at some point.