Some VWL Questions, with a message from Gary Sinise

[CVW]

(First, a message from Gary Sinise)
PLEASE STAND BY FOR MISSION:QUESTION OVERLOAD. AS YOU READ THIS INTERMINABLE LIST OF QUESTIONS, KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON THE SCREEN TO AVOID NAUSEA. DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES OR LOOK SIDE TO SIDE, AS THIS MAY INDUCE NAUSEA. SEVERE NAUSEA WILL REQUIRE THIS THREAD TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS CAST MEMBERS CLEAN UP THE MESS. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE, BUT THE LIST OF QUESTIONS WILL END SOON, AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXIT TO THE GIFT SHOP. NOW CLIMB ABOARD, CADETS. YOU'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS TO ANSWER!

We're considering staying at VWL in 2005 from December16-23rd.

1. How is availability for pre-Christmas at the seven month window for a 2BR?

2. How difficult is the transportation from VWL to MK? Is it a long walk to the boat? Also, does the boat go straight to MK, or does it make rounds all over the lake? (It was an annoyingly long boat ride from BCV to MGM. Same deal at VWL?)

3. How far are you from the TTC to Epcot? Or do you just take the bus?

4. How far are you from Fort Wilderness? Can you walk over there for a bike ride? If not, how do you get there? What would you do on a quiet December day, would you go there, or just hike around Wilderness Lodge with my kids (9,6,3, and 1)?

5. Do the nightly movies continue through the winter? How late into the night do the movies/campfire last? And how do you get back to VWL when you're through?

6. We'll have two small children (stroller bound) and my in-laws, one of whom won't be able to walk the whole park without a scooter. The kids will prefer MK, but the in-laws will prefer Epcot. Which is easier: getting from BCV to Epcot (with which I'm already familiar) or getting from VWL to MK? (This will have a big impact on which resort we choose, actually.)

(Now back to Mr. Sinise)
YOU DID IT CADETS! YOU'VE MADE IT THROUGH THE METEOR BELT OF VWL QUESTIONS, AND EMERGED SAFELY ON THE OTHER SIDE! YOUR SHOULDER HARNESS WILL RELEASE SOON. PLEASE ALLOW A MOMENT FOR THE QUEASINESS TO SUBSIDE BEFORE MOVING ON TO LESS ANNOYING THREADS.

 

[Granny]

LOL....very good intro to your list of questions! I've never read a post with a "pre-show" before!

As for your questions, I'll take a stab:

1. How is availability for pre-Christmas at the seven month window for a 2BR?

Availability for any DVC resort at WDW seems to be a challenge at that time of year. VWL is the smallest resort, and arguably the best decorated during the holidays. Definitely, you will want to call day by day at the 7 month window.

2. How difficult is the transportation from VWL to MK? Is it a long walk to the boat? Also, does the boat go straight to MK, or does it make rounds all over the lake? (It was an annoyingly long boat ride from BCV to MGM. Same deal at VWL?)

VWL shares the MK boat with FW. If I recall correctly, it goes directly to MK from WL, but hits FW first on the way back. We don't find the boat ride to be long at all, but we enjoy cruising past the Contemporary and through beautiful Bay Lake.

3. How far are you from the TTC to Epcot? Or do you just take the bus?

You just take the bus to everything except MK or FW.


4. How far are you from Fort Wilderness? Can you walk over there for a bike ride? If not, how do you get there? What would you do on a quiet December day, would you go there, or just hike around Wilderness Lodge with my kids (9,6,3, and 1)?

FW is a pretty good hike for kids that age. It's a great bike ride from WL (they have bikes at the marina to rent). But it's over a mile, I think, so too far for little ones to walk and maybe too far to push in a stroller.

On a quiet December day with children that age, I'd explore the Lodge (Hidden Mickey Hunt), go on a surrey bike ride, do the Duck Races in the afternoon, maybe cozy up to the fire in the main lobby or the Iron Spike Room.


5. Do the nightly movies continue through the winter? How late into the night do the movies/campfire last? And how do you get back to VWL when you're through?

I don't know anything about the FW movies.

6. We'll have two small children (stroller bound) and my in-laws, one of whom won't be able to walk the whole park without a scooter. The kids will prefer MK, but the in-laws will prefer Epcot. Which is easier: getting from BCV to Epcot (with which I'm already familiar) or getting from VWL to MK? (This will have a big impact on which resort we choose, actually.)

I don't think either are particularly difficult. The boats are pretty stroller/scooter friendly as I recall.

 

[MrsM]

Just to add on - I was surprised that we were allowed to wheel our strollers right onto the boat, I thought we would have to take our kids out and fold them up (the strollers, not the kids ). It was a pleasant surprise (and very easy) to get them on and off in the strollers.

The walk to the boat is not very long (IMO) from the main part of the lodge or from the rear entrance of the villas building. Definitely no farther than from BCV to the International Gateway.

 

[CVW]

Any thoughts on the movies? Is there a charge for this? Is it part of a package with the campfire? How do you get there and back?

 

[off to neverland]

We were there last Feb. with an 8 month old and a 4 year old. The walk to the boat dock from the hotel is beautiful and easy.

There are two boats, (small and big) and I could never figure out which one stopped at FW and which one didn't. LIke a previous poster said, you can roll the stroller directly onto the bigger boat without folding it up. The boat ride is fairly short, even when it does stop at FW.

The only time I didn't like the boat ride is coming back from Wishes one night in the pouring rain. The boat was totatlly full, (overfull in my opinion) and we couldn't even see through the rain. It was so dark; that whole experience sort of spooked me.

On a quiet December day, we'd probably be digging in the sand and hiking toward FW, as far as we could go. My son loved walking through the tall trees.

We're headed back in May. It's a great resort if you have kids and need quick and easy access to Magic Kingdom!!!

 

[todsue99]

I will give you a little help with movies.

They can go late at night, but they have two movies. The second on is for the older kids. We have camped right by the Movies and it was never a problem sleeping so it couldn't be too late(11pm I'll guess), but your kids will love it. Before the movie start they do some sing alongs and light the camp fires. Chip and Dale will also show up. The also sell stuff to make smores(sp?). It comes with everything. The the movie starts and you sit outside on bleachers or benches to watch. You can bring your own chairs or blankets if you want. It is one of those Disney things that is different. If have never done it, you should. A must do in my book. I hope this helps.

 

[KennyK]

We did the movie thing on our last trip to VWL which was right before "Frances" hit. It was alot of fun and alittle confusing navigating around FW if you have never been there.

After departing from the boat at the dock, you walk over to the bus station outside where they have the Hoop-dee-do review. Take the bus to the campfire area. The bus stop is across from where it is. You cross the road and walk a short trail to the outside movie theater.

It is set up in a semi circle, with the benches and bleaches facing the screen and music cart. stage.

There is a fire ring set up to the side for marshmellow roasting.

One of the cast members does a sind-a -long. Alot of fun and as stated before Chip and Dale come out and visit with everyone. A real up close treat.

The fire is started and this is what made me very nervous. Small children were running around waving lighted sticks with flaming marshmellows on them. I was rerally surprised that no one got hurt or burned. Parents just seemed not to care. The CM's kept making announcements about not running and waving the sticks. but kids will be kids.

The movie is shown on a large screen set up in front. Like being in a drive-in-theater. After the movie, getting back to the Villas becomes a little tricky.

You walk back over to the bus stop, the path is lit so don't worry about walking in the dark. We weren't sure which bus we had to take so the first bus that stopped. (going down same side of road as bus stop) we asked. The driver said we had to wait for bus coming from other direction.

Anyway, a few moments later, a bus came up the other way. Stopped, we crossed the road and asked that driver if they were going back to the main bus station. Got a strange answer but got on the bus anyway. It did go to the main bus station over where we orginally got on the bus. Made a stop and then proceeded over to WL. what a surprise. It was confusing especially in the dark and not knowing the layout of FW. But it was an adventure and we would most likely do it again on our next stay at VWL.

By the way, make sure you bring some bug spray as those little buggers do like to bite. It can get a little chilly outside so I would dress appropriately. They do have food for sale and the somores'(sp) kit (1) is plenty for a family.

I hope this helps

Enjoy, its all part of the Disney experience. We really like trying something new we haven't done before each trip.

Kennyk
VWL owner

 

[Laurabearz]

The small boat from WL to FW you must fold up the stroller before getting in... the larger boat you can roll right on...

We did our first NO PARK trip while staying at VWL. Whole week, no parks... it was a great vacation. We went to FW and rode the ponies and enjoyed the petting zoo, did Hoop Dee do..... We booked Character meals at Chef Mickeys and Grand Floridian... rode the monorail all around.... great trip.

 

[CVW]

So does this boat run continuously between FW and WL? If so, why would anyone want to take the bus?

 

[sanddune]

You can only take a bus to MK.( there is no bus serves unless it rains with lighting)

 

[off to neverland]

I don't know why you would take the bus between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.

Unless the weather was rainy...............

 

[KennyK]

The boat stops running between WL and FW at 10:00 pm. The movie gets out after that and there is no other way to get back to WL except the bus. There is also an internal bus route within FW which takes you from the boat dock (aka Hoop-dee-do review building) and the movie/camp fire area.

Kennyk