Tell me the good, bad and ugly about VWL

[claire_ont]

We just added on to VWL without ever going there for all the reasons people mentioned. We did a small add-on so that with banking and borrowing we can have a stay in studio every third year in the Christmas season. Looking forward to my first trip.

Claire

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

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!

Please be aware that email goes out to lots of people - I received it as well. **** and Jaki do respond to things everyday of the week so that contract may already be gone. Hopefully it's still there if you decide to do it. However, if you feel you need more points or a different UY I would just wait - they pop up now and again and you should just be ready to offer on it right away when you see it.

Actually - I just looked at their website and it's a sale pending - hope that's you if you decided on it!

 

[arthur06]

Actually - I just looked at their website and it's a sale pending - hope that's you if you decided on it!

Nope, it is not me! However, I think that I need to look around some and be patient! How hard is it to book the first 2 weeks of December? I don't think that I would ever be able to actually go over Christmas.

 

[arthur06]

I guess getting small contracts is the way to go! That one was for sale for easily less than 24 hours!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Nope, it is not me! However, I think that I need to look around some and be patient! How hard is it to book the first 2 weeks of December? I don't think that I would ever be able to actually go over Christmas.

I guess getting small contracts is the way to go! That one was for sale for easily less than 24 hours!

They go very quickly. I know when we bought a small contract several years ago, they were on the phone with us and several others at the same time. I asked the agent if I could think about it and she said it would probably be sold before I could call them back. So I took it and she got of the phone for just a moment to tell the other agents that it was sold.

First two weeks of Dec are extremely popular with members. So you need to book at 11 months out to get what you want.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Nope, it is not me! However, I think that I need to look around some and be patient! How hard is it to book the first 2 weeks of December? I don't think that I would ever be able to actually go over Christmas.

Ah - that's too bad. As was mentioned the small contracts go VERY fast. You usually need to get on the phone right away to get one. That all being said your best off to decide what UY's would work for you and what point level you would like and be ready to jump right in next time one shows up that you would like.

And yes, the first two weeks of Dec is very popular. If it's VWL that you want to stay at you really want to own there to be able to take advantage of the 11 month booking window.

 

[jpeka65844]

The good: the music, the theming, the boat to MK (that I don't mind waiting for!), the decor, the peace, the covered walkway at night, I could go on...

The bad (and the ugly): At the end of your stay, you have to go home!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

One person's con can be another's pro: we like looking at the trees, find it very peaceful and scenic, especially when I can see the lake through the trees. I also like that it's detached from the main lodge, don't mind the walk, and I like the feeling of being over in our special building. It's quieter and more like a vacation home to me. I've been over in the DVC part so many times without even seeing another person.

cons - not being able to walk to a park - but then I don't think it would be so peaceful and relaxing.

 

[circhead]

VWL is my home resort - I love it. IMO it has the most impressive lobby of any resort or hotel there. The villas are well decorated and spotless. The housekeeping staff does a magnificient job and are extremely helpful.

Also, IMHO it is the most spectacular at Christmas - I don't think any of the others are even a close second. I tried booking for early December at 10 months out and have had to waitlist 3 of the 6 nights I wanted. the other 3 are split between a studio and a 1 bdrm. The 3 nights I had to waitlist come right in the middle of my planned vacation. Saturday to Friday. I need Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, and that's 10 months out. I have a feeling that if you don't own there you will never get to stay there when it's decorated for Christmas.

Buy now if you can - I don't think you will ever regret it.

 

[DVC_Princess]

It's definitely my favorite resort. You will absolutely love it. The theming is so amazing that it feels like an oasis in the middle of WDW and the holiday decorations are among the best. Good luck with your decision!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Is it harder to book at VWL now than it was before?

I've stayed at VWL and I don't own there. We went during Christmas week. I called 7 months out exactly on the dot and had no problems getting a room for 8 nights. I own at BCV.

I have pictures that I took too when stayed there at this website:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/556864466iJOWDk

 

[photobob]

I stayed in a studio there in Feb of 2008 and it truly is visually stunning. I had seen photos of it for years but had never seen it in person and walking in that beautiful lobby just makes your jaw drop. There are better locations but no resort more beautiful than WL.

 

[Anna114]

We stayed at the Lodge in May 2006 and fell in love. You can't believe you are in central Florida. The music is amazing. We obtained the list of music from the Mercantile. It my favorite ITUNES playlist. We love the boat ride to the MK. I really can't think of anything negative from our perspective.

 

[SnowWitch]

When we first considered purchasing DVC in the late 90's it had been decided the WLV's would be built. We thought, after staying at the lodge several times prior to this, thats where we will buy. We love the theme, the feel, the decoratiosn at Christmas, the pool, and on and on and on. But we decided to take the tour at the BWV's and we were so sold on location. Bought that day! Since that time I had wanted to stay at the WLV's and had that chance last year.

My thoughts: All of the pluses I mentioned that we loved about the lodge.

Cons: Checkin at the Lodge/villas is as slow as I remember, we were there in low season and we checked in at 1200, we finally got into a room after 5pm. We have owned DVC since 1999 so I am well aware of checkin and check out time. They were no where near capacity. We were visibily sick and no one really cared. Magically after talking to management a room appeared at 5pm , ready.

We had booked a 1 bedroom, for myself, dh, and DD's 2 and 1. It was small. With the pull out couch pulled out you could not walk around it. If we had had the 2nd bedroom and our 2 teens with us this would have been annoying.

If we stay again it will be in the lodge on cash.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

If you go out the door closest to the Lodge, make sure you watch that step up. It is EVIL! The first night of our stay, It JUMPED up and tripped me on purpose! EVIL I say!

Great place to stay other wisel. Look out for Stan the Man! You'll want to take the tour of the Lodge.

I found the view out of the Fourth Floor patio to be spectaularrrrrrrrr!

OK it's a little big.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

And the lodge.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Stupid lag!