Tell me anything and everything about VWL

[monarchsfan16]

We were able to reserve at VWL yesterday. A 2 bedroom for next April (7 month window).
This is our first DVC trip (we own at SSR).
So tell me anything. Likes, dislikes, tips, etc. Do you have a favorite thing about the resort? Anything we need to watch out for?

 

[KayleeUK]

I would love to know this to, we have just swapped part of our trip to VWL at the seven month window

 

[spiceycat]

the resort is lovely!!!

just walk in the lobby at WL - mouth opener!!!

the little rooms all over the place at both resorts - although all (well the ones I have found) at VWL are on the first floor.

the quiet pool - very cute sometimes to just watch.

the EWP at the beach - every night at 9:30 pm or close to it.

the walking path to FW

take time to relax in this beautiful place!!!

there snack bar - although I like the hambugers at POR better - WL/VWL has the BEST refillable mugs in WDW!!!

watching the EWP or firework - on the 4th floor (at WL) porch

looking at deers from your balcony.

the landscaping - look at the animal tracks on your way in - and the animal at the front door(WL) make out of shurb.

and of course Mickey Mouse!!!!

be a flag family - if you don't have a problem with heights.

do the tours!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

We LOVE VWL!!!!!

The springs starting at the lobby and going all the way to the pool is just lovely. The rooms are very cozy. The rustic decor is great. There probably isn't a bad room in the place, but one time we had a room at the top facing the quiet pool. It was so cool to see the lake and the parade from there. Last time, we had a room on the floor facing the woods. That was cool! We saw some neat wildlife like bunnies, cool birds and even a snake (not so cool for me!)

Try eating at Artist Point. We ate there one evening by the window during sunset. It was truly an experience. If you have kids (or even if you don't!) you have to eat at Whispering Canyons! It's so much fun! Be sure to have them ask for ketchup!

My kids beg to stay there every year. Unfortunately, they were booked for the week of Christmas this year, so we're trying out Saratoga Springs. But, I've never been disappointed with Disney, so I'm sure it'll be great!

If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me at Luvmyfam3@go.com

Kim

 

[Granny]

Yeah, you could say that we like VWL.

Here's some more DIS DVC member impressions of the place.... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=654923

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=653851


I would suggest taking the Lodge Tour....very informative and it really lets you see how the attention to detail is so prolific in the theming.

For kids (or adults ) they have a sheet with a Hidden Mickey hunt throughout the Lodge and VWL.

Also, they have the afternoon "duck races" in the creek leading to the pool. Lots of fun for the kids.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[fkj2]

Whispering Canyon had (hopefully still has) this wonderful desert that is made with Haagan-Das ice cream, carmalized bananas in a tortilla shell of some kind. Can't wait to have it again. And you don't have to eat it there. I'd get a "to go" container and take it back to the room.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Originally posted by spiceycat
looking at deers from your balcony.

There are deer in Florida?
Thanks everyone for the great responses. I can't wait...too bad it's still 7 months away.

 

[erikthewise]

I guess the deer are part of the theming!

 

[lsutigger2]

I saw deer, a doe and fawn, one afternoon while sitting on the balcony. We had a studio which faced the bus stop area. It was pretty cool.

So yes there are deer in Florida.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by monarchsfan16
There are deer in Florida?

Funny that is the very same thing the insurance agent asked me when I had to make a claim for the Suicidal deer that ran into my car... thing came out of nowhere, ran parallel down the road with me and then just dove into the car, it was the craziest thing I have ever seen.

Anyway, I agree take a day to just enjoy the hotel. Do the Lodge tour, watch the duck races, take the time to explore and do the Hidden Mickey challenge (this has to be done early in the day as some of the Mickey's are in the dining rooms and they won't let you in after a certain time). You could rent the water sprites or other boats and enjoy some time on the lake. Take some time to sit in the Iron Spike room and enjoy the atmosphere, the walking path the Fort Wilderness is nice, very peaceful and comes right out at Pioneer Hall. Make sure you see the Geyser go off by the Main pool and watch out for those crazy deer.

Have a great time VWL is beautiful, very peaceful and serene.

 

[GEM]

Of course there are deer in Florida. Didn't you guys ever read The Yearling ?

 

[zillow]

The piped in music has some sort of subliminal messaging that FORCES you to both relax and open your wallet to get your kids anything they want from the heavily themed gift shop...

I've seen deer and rabbits from my balcony and always expected that some CM was in the woods giving them a cue or releasing them from a cage since it's always so appropriately timed...

Love the resort so much that I haven't been able to tear myself away to stay anywhere else...

Have fun!

 

[KayleeUK]

Looking forward to staying here, thanks for all the info

 

[monarchsfan16]

Wow. Seeing all these responses is making me even more excited. We've wanted to stay at the WL for years because of the theming, so being able to stay in the villas there is so great.
Guess I'll be able to compare Florida deer to NH deer.

 

[DVCME]

Most of the dedicated two bedroom units are on the top floor (5th floor)

 

[monarchsfan16]

With those duck races...are they real ducks or the little plastic duckies?

 

[spiceycat]

I am fairly certain they were the plastic ones - real ducks will bite!!!

although there are several wild birds there who will come take food out of your hand. tell your kids not tease or these will bite too.

 

[MaryJ]

Originally posted by DVCME
Most of the dedicated two bedroom units are on the top floor (5th floor)

I don't know about that! We have had a dedicated 2 BR every time that we've gone and have stayed on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th floors.

Got to say that the window seat in the Iron Spike room is a great place to curl up with a book, especially on a rainy afternoon. Also, in addition to deer, be on the lookout for armadillos.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by monarchsfan16
There are deer in Florida?
Thanks everyone for the great responses. I can't wait...too bad it's still 7 months away.

Florida is loaded with deer. The Everglades is full of them. I have pictures of them in the swamp.

The Keys have their own species. A small form of whitetail called Key Deer.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by monarchsfan16
With those duck races...are they real ducks or the little plastic duckies?

They are the cute little yellow plastic ones like you would see at the Duck Pond game at a carnival, with numbers on the bottom.

They stick the bunch of them in the creek and they float downstream with the kids egging on "their" duck, never knowing which one is which!

First duck down is pulled out and the kid wins a nice prize. I think they give out second and third place too. Prizes like a free hour of the surrey bikes, etc.


And we have seen deer too on the path from WL to FW. They come pretty close to the path since they know they are safe. Hopefully, nobody has fed them like they do the alligators.