Tell me the good, bad and ugly about VWL

[arthur06]

I am thinking about adding a small VWL contract. Enough for 4-6 nights every 3 years. Would really like to go early December for Christmas and know that it is a small resort and the 11th month window is really important here!

Tell me more about the pool, close to bay lake and MK? Any help would be great!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I absolutely fell in love VWL. It's my favorite "hotel" style resort. Here are some pics from our Aug trip with pics of the room, the pool, the grounds, etc.
http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/simmerb/Wilderness Lodge/?start=all

For me, the pros:
* a stone's throw from MK
* absolutely beautiful resort (both the lodge and the grounds)
* has a quick service restaurant and a couple of other food options right at the lodge, but is also close to other things (Contemporary and FW)
* nice workout facility

Cons:
* the DVC rooms are disconnected from the main lodge
* you can't refill your refillable mugs at the pool (this was a big deal, as I'd rather have my Diet Coke than food!!! )
* rooms don't have much of a view (they sure aren't bad, but it's not like the golf course/DTD views at OKW and SSR, or BW views!)
* costs more points to stay there than OKW, SSR and some rooms at BWV and AKV
* MFs are higher than some of the other resorts

 

[DVC Mike]

• Magnificently rendered theme - probably the best!
• Quiet, peaceful and romantic setting/architecture (mountain retreat)
• Smallest DVC resort at WDW
• On Bay lake – just a relaxing boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom
• Attached to a deluxe resort hotel (WL)
• Award winning restaurant (Artist Point) plus Whispering Canyon Café
• Silver Creek Springs feature pool
• Fire Rock Geyser
• Valet parking and Room service
• No community hall
• No 3-BR GV

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Beautiful resort with one of the best themes in WDW. The Holiday decorations are among the best also.

Love the resort's "sound track" and easy running paths.

We bought here for the 11 month window and visit VWL at least twice each year.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It has a very nice setting for the villa pool. There are springs in the pool that bubble, there's a nearby hot tub and the tall pine trees just complete a perfect picture.

Especially in December, we love to rent bikes and ride over to FW. Many of the trailers there have decorations that rival Disney's. The people are very friendly, and it's just a pleasant way to spend a few hours. We often see deer on the path between WL and FW. Once I saw a pileated woodpecker in the woods.

I've seen a bald eagle over the lake, while enjoying a cloudy day respite on a rocking chair on the porch of the lodge.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

You don't want to buy at VWL for the views because they all are mostly tree views. We bought there because we are big Yellowstone fans (we used to live in Eastern Montana and visited Yellowstone often). WL and VWL remind us of Yellowstone. And the short boat ride to MK is also a nice plus. WL and the villas both look beautiful at Christmas time.

 

[kimberh]

I agree with all the above, Just want to add, even in the Hot Florida sun, it still seems to feel cool on the hot days. It must be all the trees that are giving the shade. You do not feel like you are in Florida, so if you are wanting to feel Florida, well I feel as if I am in the Pacific Northwest, which I love!

 

[WolfpackFan]

The Good - You are right in the middle of WDW but you'd think you are a thousand miles away.

The Bad and Ugly - Absolutely none.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

You don't want to buy at VWL for the views because they all are mostly tree views.

You say that as if it's a bad thing! Outside of OKW-Trumbo Canal views, they are my favorite views.

 

[jimmytammy]

All good, no bad or ugly

 

[Muushka]

I agree with all the above, Just want to add, even in the Hot Florida sun, it still seems to feel cool on the hot days. It must be all the trees that are giving the shade. You do not feel like you are in Florida, so if you are wanting to feel Florida, well I feel as if I am in the Pacific Northwest, which I love!

Exactly! And in the wintertime, those trees seem to help keep the cold away.
Well, the trees and the awesome fireplaces.

 

[tea pot]

You will love it
We did the same thing. We bought a small contract last Aug so that we could
book the 1st or 2nd week in Dec at the 11 month window.. If you Love Christmas and you Love Disney there is not better place to be in Dec.
Just Magical

 

[Inkmahm]

We own at VWL for our December trips each year. I love the place and love also not having to worry about being able to book there when I want to go there.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm planning out my add-on now - shoot to have it bought and done with as a Christmas gift to myself 2010. Problem is... VWL or BWV. I have almost 2 years to decide.

VWL has my heart as I grew up camping next door in Ft.W. Totally different expereince, and yet, very familiar.

Love the:
Boats to MK, CR & Ft W.;
Pier;
The quiet, cool pathways;
Isolation from the rest of the resorts;
Music piped around the resort;
Waterfall & geysers (esp. one indoors)
Ducks
BUNNIES!

Dislike:
Honestly can't think of anything. Edit... maybe the cowbells outside the Arcade (when we have a room facing it)

 

[arthur06]

I really want to pull the trigger and make an offer...BUT...the contract is only 25 points with an Aug UY. I really want a June UY or anything Dec to June. Also, looking at the '10 point charts with banking and borrowing, 75 still doesn't go real far. I guess if I knew the future this would be easy. But a 50 point contract with an earlier in the year UY would be better.

What to do?????

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I really want to pull the trigger and make an offer...BUT...the contract is only 25 points with an Aug UY. I really want a June UY or anything Dec to June. Also, looking at the '10 point charts with banking and borrowing, 75 still doesn't go real far. I guess if I knew the future this would be easy. But a 50 point contract with an earlier in the year UY would be better.

What to do?????

I hate my UY, so I'm going to have a very biased opinion. We purchased an Aug UY, and travel in Aug. It's a wonderful UY, unless you bank points. When you bank, they expire at the end of July, which means we have to travel earlier than we'd like. With that said, think through your UY carefully (as it sounds like you may be banking and/or borrowing), and it could impact your travel plans.

Also, since you are considering adding on, you're probably going to want to add on points to whatever UY you buy. You don't have to, but it sure makes it easier to manage your points and make reservations. If the same resort, you can pool your points at 8 - 11 months, and if different resorts, you can pool at 7 months. Otherwise, you're using one contract to book certain nights, and one contract to books others. If you run out of points and are just a few short, the only way to cover the rest is to transfer points, and you're only allowed one in or out of a contract per UY.

Play around with the June UY and see if it works for you. One last thought...the 25 pointers almost never stay on the market, so when you find one, you're going to have to jump. My guess is that the this contract may not be available anymore.

Wishing you the best! I know it's a tough decision, and you want to be sure when you buy. You're doing your research, and it will pay off in the end for you!

 

[culli]

We just got back from a split stay at DWL and BCV. DWL was everything that DVCMIKE has always stated about it. He is right on with everything he says about. The thing to think about is what he describes important to you over other places. I for one thought the MK boat was cool.......but waiting for a boat is waiting for transportation. Yes I would rather take the boat then the bus but I would MUCH RATHER walk!

Awesome resort and we would put it as #4 for our requests with BCV, BWV (love resorts and EPCOT area), BLT then DWL. If I could walk from DWL to MK I would probably put it as #2. If you want peace, quiet and relaxation I do have to say DWL has all of that and just a beautiful place.

 

[arthur06]

Play around with the June UY and see if it works for you. One last thought...the 25 pointers almost never stay on the market, so when you find one, you're going to have to jump. My guess is that the this contract may not be available anymore.

I got an email from **** yesterday at about 5pm that there was a 25 pointer for VWL. I don't know if he works on Sunday's but I have to decide tonight if I want to do it! I figured if I don't have an email to him by 6am, I would be out of luck!

 

[dizfanz]

When you stay at VWL, you do not feel like you are at a heavily themed resort, you feel like you are at a Northwest resort. Sitting on the balcony listening to the piped in resort music is a favorite. Grab a coffee or a glass of wine and sit in the alcove with the fireplace above the entrance to the main lodge and people watch. Or maybe a hot cocoa and sit in a rocker in front of the big fireplace. Christmas decorations are the best on property. This resort is about relaxing. Rent a bike and ride over to FW and explore their grounds for a while. Ride the resort boat around to the CR, or Poly and GF and enjoy some cocktails and then ride the boat back. The pools are quiet and subdued. The bar is one of the better ones at a DVC resort. Artist Point is a nice restaurant. Great workout facility. As for the bad and ugly....just try to find one. And don't tell me the hallways are long...you just walked 5 miles in a theme park, I don't want to hear about 100 feet.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The bad? One studio doesn't have a balcony (couldn't fit it in) and one studio has a direct view of the dumpster.