State of VWL

[SpaceMountain77]

Hi everyone,

Is there someone who has recently stayed at VWL and can speak to the state of the resort? Photos, but no trip report, are posted on another site. It appears that much of the ground has been cleared with heavy machinery in place.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[smjj]

Hi everyone,

Is there someone who has recently stayed at VWL and can speak to the state of the resort? Photos, but no trip report, are posted on another site. It appears that much of the ground has been cleared with heavy machinery in place.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

Great question and one I also need to know. We are coming up on our 7 month window to switch and do not want to stay there if it is still a mess and the DVC pool and surrounding area is being worked on and is a real mess...smjj

 

[sleepydog25]

We didn't stay there, but we did visit and do an extensive walk-around at our home resort just a couple of weeks ago. In terms of clearing, yes, they've cleared quite a bit, though the cleared, messy areas sit behind camouflaged fencing. The bike & boat rental area, the beach, and the old Hidden Springs pool area are completely fenced off, and the pool is completely gone, the area where it sat scoured--I can't imagine it will be anywhere near rebuilt in 7 months. Access to the old nature trail is impossible from the resort; however, the paved trail that starts at the confluence of covered walkways between the main Lodge and the Villas is still intact all the way to Fort Wilderness. The south wing of the main Lodge is closed as those rooms are apparently being renovated for DVC purposes. Beyond that, both lobbies remain lovely as ever, all restaurants are open, the main pool is going strong, and the boats still run (they have removed quite a few trees along the boardwalk to the boats, though). Since we didn't stay there, I can't speak to the noise, but if it's like most other builds, the prime noise level happens during the day when most people are at the parks and is done by early dinner time. Hopefully, this bit of info helps you both.

P.S. We're staying there next month for the half marathon, so I'll know more then.

 

[smjj]

the beach, and the old Hidden Springs pool area are completely fenced off, and the pool is completely gone, the area where it sat scoured--I can't imagine it will be anywhere near rebuilt in 7 months.

Is a new DVC pool going to be built or will the just have the main resort pool from this point on??...smjj

 

[SpaceMountain77]

There will be a new pool and table service restaurant added in the cleared space.

We, too, are approaching our 7-month window and hope to book a resort with a murphy bed in the studio.

 

[sleepydog25]

Is a new DVC pool going to be built or will the just have the main resort pool from this point on??...smjj

As SpaceMountain says, there will be a new DVC pool, supposedly much bigger than what existed. Originally, supposition was the new pool would be available within a few months, but they've announced it won't be done until 2017. The overall build for the new cabins and DVC rooms in the Lodge will last into 2018; however, if you use PVB as an example, I'd be shocked if they're completely done with the new VWL II build until late 2018. I'm not a fan of the decision to put a building where the beach is--sorry, was--in order to house a restaurant and other community activities. There has been no definitive word on whether the restaurant will be new or whether it will be one moved from the main Lodge. Either way, I liked the beach at WL as it holds a very sentimental spot in my heart. Alas, they didn't ask me before beginning. . .