Staying at VWL for the first time

[pennilessinpa]

We are staying at VWL for the first 3 days of our September vacation. Is there anything special we should look to do or see at this DVC???

I thought I had read somewhere about a flag ceremony??!!??

How about the fireworks view?? Or the Water Pageant???

I just want to make the most of it before we move to BCV.

 

[spiceycat]

watch the EWP from the beach at VWL/WL.

yes do the flagg family - ask on your arrival date - be sure to include all the morning you will there.

do the tour of the resort.

do you like to walk? - walking over to FW is very nice.

if it is raining - the games room at VWL.

do you like to exercise - VWL has one of the best gyms around.

oh by the way since all the guest at WL can now use the gym does that mean VWL annual fees will be less?

try a drink in the lounge at WL.

VWL is a very nice resort.

does anyone in your party like to feed animals - on the pier there is food you can buy - okay for the fish - sure - yea - anyway the birds here are very friendly - but these birds are wild and will bite......although these will also eat out of your hand. bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels, deer can also be seem here.

 

[pennilessinpa]

Thanks for the graet ideas. I hadn't really checked into it; I just liked the idea of staying there. It sounds so nice and peaceful and relaxing, etc.

 

[rwcmath]

Can you easily walk to the place where the nightly campfire at FW is from WL, spiceycat?.. just where does the path come to FW, by the animals? general store? Are there markers?

 

[spiceycat]

no - this path is not heavy lite at night - there are 2 one through the woods (close to the bike rentals) - the other where the buses turn from FW into WL.

you can however take the bus to FW at anytime.

both paths end up at the settlement - near the barn where the show horses are kept (not the ones you can ride) - the petting zoo - right down this road is Pioneer Hall - great place to eat is Trail end Restuarant - you can also take the boat from WL to FW.

yes there is one of their general stores here - near the lake.

the other is where the Campfire takes place.

I have a map of FW at home - that I will try to post tonight - thunderstorm - so I might not be able to do it.

 

[ellenmiele]

The flag raising is great! We did it in April and it was truly one of our most memorable WDW experiences. You can only request to be the "flag family" at the time of check-in. Each day the lucky family meets a CM in the lobby and you all go up to the roof to raise the 5 flags atop the WL. It takes about 45 min all in all and we really felt priviledged to be able to do it. They keep a calendar of the days at the desk and when you check-in you simply need to ask if you could be the flag family one of the days that you are there and if there is a morning that's free you'll get it -- strictly a first come first serve basis. Then they deliver a letter to your room the day before to confirm it and instruct you where and when to meet the CM in the morning. Plus on that day you get an official certificate of participation -- and a great opportunity to take photos w/spectacular views. When we did it our kids were so proud took every chance they could that day to look up at the flags that they had raised!

 

[TinksDH]

The Water Pagent is cool. We love the boatride in the morning to the MK, especially for EE.

Watermice are fun to rent - DS9 & DS7 (as well as the 'big' kids!) really love them.

Take in the scenary - the theming at this resort is incredible. Just stand in the main lobby and look up - you'll be amazed.

 

[jennypenny]

You can take a boat or walk to Ft. Wilderness from Wilderness Lodge. The petting zoo, bar, playground, trading post, buffet, hoop de do theater, and wagon rides are near the boat launch at Ft. Wilderness. If you walk up the "street" (no cars) past all of this, you'll find the buses. You can take one of the buses to the trading post in the middle of the campground. That's where you'll find the nightly campfire and movie.

If you have kids, you can get a drink at the bar, sit on the porch in a wonderful rocking chair, and watch your kids on the playground right in front of the porch. An inspired bit of planning on disney's part.

The buffet is pretty good, and one of the best values in disney. It's definitely an "all american" buffet (we had ribs, fried chicken, corn on the cob)--but good food at a great price. Can't remember exactly but I think adults were $14.99?

We're staying at WLV in late August and I'm trying to find great non-park things to do this time. I'll definitely post when we return.

Jenny

 

[RumpleMom]

We had fun looking for the Hidden Mickeys at VWL. It's a wonderful, relaxing place to vacation.

 

[littlestar]

I think the front desk still has the maps to find the hidden mickeys throughout the resort. A fun thing to do if it rains!