Some Interesting Observations at VB and VWL

[CorbsVWL]

Just got back from 3 days at VB and 3 days at VWL.
A great time was had at both resorts.

We often travel to Disney this time of year.
It was interesting to note that the crowds around Disney (parks, resorts and dining) were far less than usual.

It could be due to where Easter fell this year or a result of 9/11?
What was interesting to note was that in trying to make reservations for accomodations and dining, we were under the impression (based on availability) that it would be as crowded as ever.
What it seems, from talking to a few CMs, is that Disney has scaled back staffing and things are booked based upon ability of what the staff can handle.

This raises an interesting question/concern:
If staffing is scaled back and only so many room reservations can be managed, does that mean potentially rooms could be left empty but we are told there is no availability?
I know several rooms at VB were never occupied during our stay and when we tried to extend our stay another day, we were told no rooms existed.
Is there anything in the by-laws that protect against something like this?
Anyone else notice the same thing last week?

 

[msdis]

Very interesting observation. We will be going next week to WDW and we tried to add on a night as we were arriving around midnight and would just need a place to crash for the night. I started with AS, then the moderates, and finally the deluxes; with AP, DC, AAA, and finally full rack rate. The only room we could get and it was "the only room available" at ANY price was at the Yacht Club for $380/nt. Of course we changed our plans, but I couldn't believe it. After what you say it makes sense. Now we are waitlisted for HH for a night on the way home. Only cash 2-br are available. I can't imagine our DVC rooms not being filled, can you? After all, we are all paying for those rooms and the staff needed, right? Was your request at VB for points or cash?
BTW- any tips for a 1 night stay at VB? We are adding 1 night to our WDW stay to go and check it out for future consideration.
Also, did you take in the boat/bike $199 offer at VWL? Was wondering the restrictions of use. TX!

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

As has been discussed before on this board, you can run into situations at a resort where a room is not available for points, but is for cash, and vice-versa. Since Vero is not sold out, you might expect to see a larger percentage of rooms which are cash only, and yes, I can see DVC letting the room sit empty though I admit it does sound sort of strange.

Also, since Vero isn't sold out, I can see DVC choosing to scale back staffing to a minimum amount needed to handle guests staying on points. Once Vero is sold out, I wouldn't expect this to be the case any longer, since resort operations are payed for from our annual dues.

 

[Lizziemom]

Was also at VWL last week. Crowds were about the same as three years ago when we went and Easter was early, and our school vacation is always the same week in April.

Do not think crowds were due to 9/11 but to the timing of easter. We are going again three years from now, because Easter is again early and will not effect our school vacation.

We did the unlimited boat usage for the week and it saved us a ton of money. Since we have a teenager, he spent many hours out in the Water Mouse while we lazed at the pool. He even skipped some of the parks to use the boats. It includes the pontoon boats, and we enjoyed that. My son was out for 5 hours one day, it was truly unlimited.

The notice in the room said 4 adults, but when we signed up the form had a space for 5 adults' names for the week.

Lizzie

 

[msdis]

Lizziemom- Were there any restrictions on the boats such as how long you could take them out for, like a half hour or hour at a time? Were there times when there were no or few boats available to take out? DH was REALLY looking forward to this, but now he is having second thoughts. I guess it goes back to "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". Thanks!

 

[Lizziemom]

No time limit on the boat usage. We also thought this was too good to be true.

My son was out there so long one day that he ran out of gas and was towed in by the CM that patrol the lakes. They towed him in, and gave him another boat to go back out.

There was never a shortage of boats. they had plenty available.

On the last day, the person running the counter told my son he was supposed to come in and check in every hour. No one ever told us that when we signed up and paid the $200, or on any of the 8 days we were there. This was the first we heard that. Maybe the program is still evolving.

Lizzie

 

[CorbsVWL]

MSDIS,

We stayed in room #1432 at VB.
It was a second floor, corner 2BR overlooking the pool and mini-golf area.
I have 2 little ones (ages 2 and 3) and the location was great.
Of course, VB is so small that everything is pretty close.

The room condition was excellent. There was a littlle wear and tear on the grout in the master bathroom but other than that, everything was great.
The only negative one might find about 1432 is that it is a corner unit and you can hear the passing traffic if you listen closely from one of the balconies.
In general, I'd recommend building 14 if you want to be close to the pool and beach entrance. I also requested an upper floor overlooking the pool. With both VB and VWL, I faxed my room requests about 4 days prior to our arrival to the room controller of each hotel and every request was granted. In fact, at VWL, I got the exact room number we requested.

Have a great trip!

 

[msdis]

Thanks so much everyone for all the tips and advice. I can't believe in 5 days we will be home(VWL) again and trying out the only 2 DVC resorts left for us to try(VB & HH- 1 night each on the drive home), before BCV opens, of course.