The VWL Groupies & Trivia Thread

[ransom]

I'm a potential VWL groupie. DW and I are certainly WL groupies, and we're thinking of buying a DVC contract.

I was just wondering - how are the mattresses at VWL? We really liked the new (post-refurb) ones at WL, and wondered if the VWL has similar mattresses.

 

[blossomz]

They replaced all of the mattresses last summer...we happened to be the first ones to sleep on one of the new ones! We thought they were great!

 

[Granny]

I'm a potential VWL groupie. DW and I are certainly WL groupies, and we're thinking of buying a DVC contract.

That's exactly how DW and I got drawn into DVC. We are huge WL fans and when DVC built there it seemed like a real no-brainer.

If Disney had not built VWL I'm not sure we would have ever joined DVC.

Now, after sampling other DVC resorts we enjoy the variety and even own a contract at BWV too. But our hearts will always be at WL/VWL.

 

[Muushka]

That's exactly how DW and I got drawn into DVC. We are huge WL fans and when DVC built there it seemed like a real no-brainer.

If Disney had not built VWL I'm not sure we would have ever joined DVC.

Now, after sampling other DVC resorts we enjoy the variety and even own a contract at BWV too. But our hearts will always be at WL/VWL.

Our sentiments EXACTLY (well, except about the BWV contract ).

I don't think we would have joined either if it had not been for VWL.

 

[ransom]

They replaced all of the mattresses last summer...we happened to be the first ones to sleep on one of the new ones! We thought they were great!

Wonderful! That's what I was hoping had happened. So they do take good care of the "older" DVC buildings, despite what some say.

 

[Granny]

So they do take good care of the "older" DVC buildings, despite what some say.

Well, room condition was one of the things I reported on from my recent Christmas trip. Here's the full report.

Granny's VWL Christmas

Needless to say, the room was in very good shape except for a couple of minor maintenance things that got corrected right away.

 

[ransom]

Well, room condition was one of the things I reported on from my recent Christmas trip. Here's the full report.

Granny's VWL Christmas

Needless to say, the room was in very good shape except for a couple of minor maintenance things that got corrected right away.

I just read your report - thank you for pointing me to it! It sounds like you're as fond of Roaring Fork as DW and I are. It may seem silly to like a CS place so much, but it's just wonderful to stop by there any time of the day and pick up something nice - or just refill your mug!

Getting back to your post: I'm glad the DVC folks do take care of minor maintenance issues as soon as they're pointed out, in addition to doing regular maintenance such as replacing mattresses regularly. Like a lot of people before me, I've worried that Disney won't care at all about me once I've bought in.

Still, we would like to buy DVC because of the real cost savings it can represent. And we love WL so much. It's just perfect for us, with its small size and north woods theming.

If I could just get over the 35 year contract thing, I'd buy at VWL for sure. But since we're only likely to get 15 years maximum use out of a contract (and then sell it), I worry that the VWL contract will be diminished in value too much for it to make financial sense (especially if they really do build CRV). Unfortunately, no one can gaze in a crystal ball and say what will happen in the future, so I'll just have to resolve that one on my own I suppose.

Wups! Sorry for rambling.

I'll share your experience with DW tonight. Thanks again!

 

[Granny]

If I could just get over the 35 year contract thing, I'd buy at VWL for sure. But since we're only likely to get 15 years maximum use out of a contract (and then sell it), I worry that the VWL contract will be diminished in value too much for it to make financial sense (especially if they really do build CRV). Unfortunately, no one can gaze in a crystal ball and say what will happen in the future, so I'll just have to resolve that one on my own I suppose.

Why do you think you'll only get 15 years maximum use out of a contract? We are close to empty nested and hope to use most of the remaining years without selling.

I would never buy any timeshare, Disney included, with the thought of selling after some period of time and hoping to recoup much of the purchase price. As it happens, we could sell either of our contracts at a nifty profit now but that's just because Disney is employing their ROFR to keep the resale prices up. No guarantee they'll continue that.

We just figured the purchase price as part of the cost of going there. By our calculations, we have gone enough times that the purchase price has almost "paid for itself" and the ensuing years will be the cost of dues only.

Good luck with your decision. As much as you like VWL, I'd hate to see you get shut out for reservations at some points in the future as it is the smallest DVC resort and challenging to book without home booking advantage for many times during the year.

Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be best for you and your family. Enjoy the decision process!

 

[ransom]

Why do you think you'll only get 15 years maximum use out of a contract? We are close to empty nested and hope to use most of the remaining years without selling.

I'm not sure how much longer we'd be able to go, due to age and/or health. It's possible that we'd be able to continue using it 20, or even 25 years hence, but it seems unlikely.

I would never buy any timeshare, Disney included, with the thought of selling after some period of time and hoping to recoup much of the purchase price. As it happens, we could sell either of our contracts at a nifty profit now but that's just because Disney is employing their ROFR to keep the resale prices up. No guarantee they'll continue that.

That's certainly true, but my goal is to maximize the value of what I buy. I just don't know if a 50-year contract will be significantly more valuable than a 35-year contract over the next 15 years.

We just figured the purchase price as part of the cost of going there. By our calculations, we have gone enough times that the purchase price has almost "paid for itself" and the ensuing years will be the cost of dues only.

It'd be great if it works out that way for us. But who knows?

Good luck with your decision. As much as you like VWL, I'd hate to see you get shut out for reservations at some points in the future as it is the smallest DVC resort and challenging to book without home booking advantage for many times during the year.

One option I'm exploring is to buy three contracts over the next three years, each at a different resort, and do the bank-and-borrow thing. That would give me VWL, plus two others. That might be the way to go.

Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be best for you and your family. Enjoy the decision process!

Thank you!

 

[Granny]

Time for another reminder of our beloved Lodge:

Ready to snuggle up with a book in a cozy corner of the Iron Spike room?

 

[Muushka]

Ahhh. Thanks Granny, I needed that.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Love that area Granny.....thanks for the pic

 

[ransom]

Time for another reminder of our beloved Lodge:

Ready to snuggle up with a book in a cozy corner of the Iron Spike room?

Looking at that, I suddenly want to buy the first available VWL contract, regardless of price, number of points, or use year.

What are you trying to do to me??

 

[keliblue]

Looking at that, I suddenly want to buy the first available VWL contract, regardless of price, number of points, or use year.

What are you trying to do to me??

Ahhhhhh the power of the lodge you must become one of us They got me about 4 months ago Our first trip is this september

 

[Mamiamjo]

I am considering purchasing a DVC contract and have kind of narrowed it down to AKV, BCV or VWL. I have some questions, concerns about VWL that maybe you can give me your perspective on.

1) Location, travel time to resorts. I was only there once, but it seems that transportation time to the resorts is a bit long.

2) Small resort, is it hard to book?

Thanks for your help,
Mike

 

[ransom]

Does each VWL unit have its own independently controllable AC unit, like at the WL?

 

[Granny]

I am considering purchasing a DVC contract and have kind of narrowed it down to AKV, BCV or VWL. I have some questions, concerns about VWL that maybe you can give me your perspective on.

1) Location, travel time to resorts. I was only there once, but it seems that transportation time to the resorts is a bit long.

2) Small resort, is it hard to book?

Thanks for your help,
Mike

Mike,

I'll take a swing at your questions.

1. Travel time to resorts? Depends on which resorts. Getting to Contemporary or FW is very easy as there is a boat that makes the Bay Lake circuit to each of the three resorts. If you can get to Contemporary that easily, it also means it is easy to get to Grand Floridian and Polynesian from there via the monorail. SSR is easy...just take the DTD bus and walk over. That leaves OKW, BWV, AKV and BCV which are not particularly easy to get to. Best way is to go to DTD or a park and get on that resort bus. In summary, I'd say VWL is as friendly to getting to other resorts as the other resorts are with the exception of SSR. Since it is so close to DTD it is easiest to get to other resorts from there...but then again SSR isn't on your list!

2. Hard to book? Yes if you don't own there and are looking for busy DVC times of the year. If you do own there, it is not hard to book as long as you make your plans in time to allow you to book at the 11 month mark.

Good luck in your decision process.

 

[Granny]

Does each VWL unit have its own independently controllable AC unit, like at the WL?

If by "unit" you mean villa, the answer is yes. There is one temperature control in a studio, one in a 1BR and one in a dedicated 2BR. If you get a lock-off 2BR then both the 1BR and studio portions each have a temperature control unit.

 

[Mamiamjo]

Mike,

I'll take a swing at your questions.

1. Travel time to resorts? Depends on which resorts. Getting to Contemporary or FW is very easy as there is a boat that makes the Bay Lake circuit to each of the three resorts. If you can get to Contemporary that easily, it also means it is easy to get to Grand Floridian and Polynesian from there via the monorail. SSR is easy...just take the DTD bus and walk over. That leaves OKW, BWV, AKV and BCV which are not particularly easy to get to. Best way is to go to DTD or a park and get on that resort bus. In summary, I'd say VWL is as friendly to getting to other resorts as the other resorts are with the exception of SSR. Since it is so close to DTD it is easiest to get to other resorts from there...but then again SSR isn't on your list!

I'm sorry I meant to say getting to the parks not resorts! From what I read VWL has one of the longest commute times of any Disney Resort. I was wondering what others had experienced in waiting for a boat or bus and then, is it any longer to get to the parks than it is on average from a DVC resort? (maybe I'm spoiled staying at BCV the last two years)

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[jimmytammy]

I'm sorry I meant to say getting to the parks not resorts! From what I read VWL has one of the longest commute times of any Disney Resort. I was wondering what others had experienced in waiting for a boat or bus and then, is it any longer to get to the parks than it is on average from a DVC resort? (maybe I'm spoiled staying at BCV the last two years)

Thanks again,
Mike

I will try to answer this...VWL can be a lengthy wait at times to parks, but so can other resorts. We have experienced long waits at OKW, BCV, CB, SSR and even All Stars. So none of the other resorts are immune. At times, WL has gotten a bad rap about its transportation, but I would say it is equal to all others. Remember, you can take the boat to MK and back. Also, if Epcot bus is a little slow for you, take TandT bus then catch Monorail. I would say bus to DTD is bad, but it is from other resorts as well.

Main thing is, buy where you want to staythe most. This will be best in the long run. Good luck in your decision. Even if you buy at another resort, we will still welcome you here to the groupies