So sell me on VWL vs. BWV

[PocahontasLookALike]

We are planning our trip in early 2007 (I can't believe it's less than a year away!) and would like some input

We stayed at BWV last year as our 'first visit home' and loved everything about it. Loved everything about it...the proximity to EPCOT and MGM...loved the ambiance. Everything.

So should we go again to a place we know we love? Or do we try something new?

If we were going to try something new, we were thinking of VWL. So what are your thoughts?

People here 'warned' us of things at BWV, like the endless hallways...so we were prepared for that. So what are some insightful things about BWV?

 

[Caskbill]

... So what are some insightful things about BWV?

I presume you meant to say "insigntful things about VWL?

1. Be sure to watch the geyser go off, at least once.
2. The boat ride to MK is great. A very relaxing way to travel.
3. Take the boat to Ft. Wilderness and have a great Breakfast buffet, or even better yet, take in one of the evening's HoopDeDoo shows.
4. Stop in the Iron spike room and see some of the railroad cars that Walt use to ride as part of his back yard train system.
5. Be sure to plan on seeing the Electric Boat show at least once. (Check the schedules).
6. Enjoy the pool.
7. Take in the ambience of the lodge itself.


You'll find the hallways are much shorter than BWV.

Beware of the dumpster view room.

The hurricanes took out a lot of the trees so the woods are a little more open than they use to be.

If you have a car, the parking lot is probably the farthest from the rooms of any of the DVC resorts. (But they do have valet service)

Have Fun.

 

[MinMouse]

So should we go again to a place we know we love? Or do we try something new?

We are BWV owners (and SSR add-on just recently) and have stayed there several times since buying in 2003. But we really want to try the other resorts. What I usually do is book my BWV room at 11 mos then call at the 7 mos window to move the reservation to a resort we want to try. We're so excited to try BCV next month. We tried several times with no success at this one so it will be fun to try it out. So I think it's really a question of do you like the same thing over and over or are you ready for a change of pace. We just happen to like the flexibility of trying out the other resorts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are planning our trip in early 2007 (I can't believe it's less than a year away!) and would like some input

I really think that someone with your screen name will LOVE the VWL!

I will warn you that the halls of VWL have been compared to the ones in "The Shining." (Or maybe the Haunted Mansion )

If there is anyone in your party who is interested in renting a boat, I think that those lakes by the WL are the best!

Bobbi

 

[vbalacek]

We've never been to BW, but we LOVE VWL, and are making another trip home in October. Things that we like include:

1) Boat to MK is wonderful (we have small children and spend most of our time there; you can wheel a sleeping child on boat with no problem);
2) We also like the boat to the Contemporary (for different dining opportunities or to hop the monorail to Epcot, which although longer than the bus ride is a ride in itself);
3) We really enjoyed eating at the on-site resturants and thought the room service was great (for those nights we are just too tired to rally);
4) The pool area is lovely, and there are nice spots for taking walks along the shore;
5) The Villas were clean, spacious and quiet. We had a lovely view of the water in our dedicated 2 bedroom.
6) We like the theming, as did our kids (who loved the lobby).

Our one concern in buying VWL site unseen was that we had read complaints about the bus service. We found the bus service to be fine-- no extended waits or any problems.

 

[gppnj]

Both resorts have their strengths, but they're not the same strengths. If you loved everything about BWV, I think you'd be better off going back there than to VWL.

 

[Kick Save]

We're also BWV owners and love everything about the place. We definitely feel "home" when we're there. The time we had a boardwalk view, it was just that much better. We were renting points for that one, but it sold us on making our purchase there. (BW View coming in Dec, too!)

HOWEVER!

My youngest and I took a "scouting trip" to VWL last fall, and also loved it. Everything everybody said above is true, but the biggest sell for me was the theming. Once you're there, you forget you're in Florida. You start thinking you're in the Pacific Northwest pretty quickly. The lobby is just amazing. The scouting trip resulted in us booking it for our trip this coming August. (Though, the August heat will likely not let me FORGET I'm in FLA... )

 

[Squidrific]

This past October I had my heart set on staying at the BC or BWI (pre-DVC). Unfortunately due to F&W and poor planning on my part both resorts were booked and I had to "settle" for VWL. We were so upset because we wanted to stay where the action was and I didn't know anything about WL let alone VWL. OMG What a pleasant surprise. After the return from that trip we purchased our DVC at SSR and also an add-on at VWL.

Everything people say about the theming is right. This is an absolutely beautiful hotel starting from the minute you walk into the lobby and then go outside. The trails to the boat launch are through a pine "forest" on wooden walkways and smell wonderful. The restaurants are great and the staff is terrific. Take the tour through the lodge from the "park rangers". Ask if you can be the flag family. Also just take some time to walk the trails through the woods to Fort Wilderness and if you have kids take them to the petting zoo or the campfire. I was so relaxed that for the first time ever, I looked forward to taking an afternoon break from the parks to go back to the hotel and relax. Also we had wonderful transportation and this was during Wilma when it was extremely crowded.

My advice to you would be that if you really want to stay at BWV why not try a split stay. That way you can spend a few days at the Lodge and then time at BWV and experience both.

 

[LisaS]

We bought into DVC at BWV because we like staying at an Epcot resort for the reasons you mentioned. This past January we decided to give VWL a try so we spent two nights there and we just loved it! We enjoyed being just a boat ride away from the MK and we especially loved the theming. If you've ever stayed in or toured some of the great lodges in Yellowstone or Glacier National Park, you will be amazed at how accurately the WL has reproduced the look and atmosphere of those amazing hotels!

We rented a boat one afternoon and toured the lake. You can even take your boat across the water bridge to the MK! You cannot dock at the MK, but you can go right past it in your boat (take care to stay out of the way of the big resort boats!).

You can rent a regular bike or a surrey bike and peddle over to Fort Wilderness and back. There is also a nature trail that starts near the bike and boat rentals where people have seen deer and other animals during their walks. In the evening after dinner, get something to drink from the lobby bar and just settle in to a couple of comfy chairs in the lobby for a while. It is a wonderful, relaxing resort that will make you feel like you are staying in Yellowstone or Glacier National Park.

We expected we would enjoy our stay, after all, we're in WDW! But as you can see from the photo in my signature, we liked it so much, we added on there! So I suggest you give it a try. Part of the fun of owning DVC is having a chance to try out different resorts.

 

[byoung]

You stayed home try VWL.