The VWL Groupies & Trivia Thread

[Granny]

Granny? A controversial thread??? What is this world coming to???

I can't wait!!

PS I hope you had a great time!

Muushka...I posted a trip report and another thread on the BWV Dreaded Gutter View rooms! So far, people seem to understand that it was pretty much tongue in cheek but after all the concerns over the DDV at VWL, I just felt it necessary to let others know that it's really not the end of the world.

We had a great time, and yes DW and I went over to WL for a really nice lunch at Roaring Fork. I like their deli style sandwiches and salads that they now prepare as you wait...the roast beef with blue cheese was excellent!

 

[Muushka]

I read your post and I have to say, you did a great job. You managed to complain with style! I think the thread should be a sticky that people can refer to when they want to complain and not whine! Really, great job.

Glad you got over to our 'beloved Wilderness Lodge"

 

[bobbiwoz]

...

We had a great time, and yes DW and I went over to WL for a really nice lunch at Roaring Fork. I like their deli style sandwiches and salads that they now prepare as you wait...the roast beef with blue cheese was excellent!

I will try that sandwich!!!...VWL trip is coming up Halloween week!!!
Bobbi

 

[Muushka]

Groupies! If you ever toyed with doing a Disney Cruise, there is a great one coming up. And you have 14 months to plan for it!

9/27/08. The magic will have just been refurbished, fresh off dry dock. The itinerary will be Cozumel and Costa Maya and Castaway Cay twice . We swore off DCL because of the price, but we got a great deal through Sam's Club.

Maybe we will see you on board!

PS there is a thread on the cruise roll call board for this cruise that is 98 pages long and it is 14 months away!
Lots of fun people on it.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Groupies! If you ever toyed with doing a Disney Cruise, there is a great one coming up. And you have 14 months to plan for it!

9/27/08. The magic will have just been refurbished, fresh off dry dock. The itinerary will be Cozumel and Costa Maya and Castaway Cay twice . We swore off DCL because of the price, but we got a great deal through Sam's Club.

Maybe we will see you on board!

PS there is a thread on the cruise roll call board for this cruise that is 98 pages long and it is 14 months away!
Lots of fun people on it.

Is it common for DCL to run specials through Sam's, Costco.....
How far away is Roaring Forks from the VWL?
Thanks
Chris

 

[MiaSRN62]

the roast beef with blue cheese was excellent!
__________________

Granny....this was our lunch yesterday ! Love this sandwich !!!!

Thanks Shan and everyone ! I don't want to check out on Wed !

 

[Muushka]

Is it common for DCL to run specials through Sam's, Costco.....
How far away is Roaring Forks from the VWL?
Thanks
Chris

I don't think the walk to RF from VWL is a long one. But I have heard others complain about it. I would call it moderate!

I don't know how common it is but we did one thru Sam's in 2004 also at a group rate (as this one is) and got a very good deal then also. That one was in March. This one (hurricane season ) is much less expensive.

 

[Granny]

How far away is Roaring Forks from the VWL?

Chris....not far at all. Here's the aerial view.

 

[Granny]

Muushka...thanks so much for the kind words. I guess I think the view thing gets a little overblown sometimes. Now it's different if you're being charged extra money or points for a view that isn't so great...like the "preferred view" Maria had at BWV once that clearly wasn't very "preferred".

Granny....this was our lunch yesterday ! Love this sandwich !!!!

This is probably as good a time as any to post this picture...makes me hungry just looking at the menu!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

You guy's are unbelievable! Aerial pics....
Thank you! how many minute walk would ya estimate? 10?
Another topic: When have you found that a cab is a better option going to what parks or ressies?
Chris

 

[blossomz]

I often will cut through the main lodge and out to get to RF. It doesn't take more than 5 minutes! (through the doors facing the villas, not the main lobby)

 

[Granny]

Another topic: When have you found that a cab is a better option going to what parks or ressies?

We always have a car at WDW, and here's what we do. We use the boat to MK, and the buses to any other park.

We drive to DTD and unless we have a tight schedule we use Disney transportation to other resorts. If timing is tight, we'll drive to other resorts to avoid having to make a connection somewhere.

DAK is the only park we'd consider driving to, and rarely do so. We go in the summer and the idea of getting into a steamy car instead of an air conditioned bus just doesn't appeal to us!

 

[MLK-RI]

The walk depends on a lot of things...

Just back from parks - kids starving, not wanting(or having ) anything suitable on hand in Villa - 3 to 5 mins, depending on elevator or chasing starving children down the stairs.

Up before anyone else and going to fill mug with morning coffee, walk over most direct route depending on where villa is located (through lobby, around pool etc.) again 3 to 5 minutes. Walk back coffee in hand could be 20 to half hour. Gotta stroll by the pool and say good morning to the ducks, take in the views from various sots while no one else seems up and out, stroll by the flowers to admire the different colors in various spots, check the "beach" to see if they've raked it and what "animal" may have left their footprints in the sand today.

The walk through the lodge can also take that 1/2 hour back as you might find a big comfy chair to sit and listen to the bubbling springs while you people watch. Maybe head upstairs to one of the overlooks and grab a few minutes there to view the lake over the pool area. Or a stroll through the Mercantile to see what might strike your interest.

Yep that walk back is often far longer than the walk over.

Have a great time.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I like that line of thinking.
Thanks for the info
Chris

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Besides for the sandwiches....
What are some of the top 3 things that you guys do around the lodge? I keep hearing things about boarts,bikes,smores.....
Please give me a little insight. I can't wait for November.
Thanks
Chris

 

[salmoneous]

Taking the scenic route via the pool, it's just under a fifth of a mile from VWL to Roaking Fork. Less than a 5 minute walk (unless you get distracted).

See: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1211220

 

[Granny]

salmoneous....love that satellite pedometer site!! Great job!

Besides for the sandwiches....
What are some of the top 3 things that you guys do around the lodge? I keep hearing things about boarts,bikes,smores.....
Please give me a little insight.

• Ask for the list of Hidden Mickeys at Guest Services, and get hunting!
  
• Watch Fire Rock Geyser erupt every hour on the hour.
  
• Sit in the rocking chairs or one of the comfy chairs in the lobby and watch the world go by.
  
• Take a good look at the fireplace, a 2-billion-year geological record of the earth with fossilized remains of prehistoric animal and plant life. Colorful rock strata layers are re-created in the proportions they occur in the Grand Canyon.
  
• Spend some time exploring the resort, the paintings and artefacts on display.
  
• Take the Wilderness Lodge Tour, to find out lots of interesting facts and see parts of the Lodge you might not normally think to explore.
  
• You don't have to sit inside to eat your food from Roaring Forks Snack Bar, take it just outside where you'll find shaded tables to sit at.
  
• Dine at Whispering Canyon Cafe for a fun mealtime, but don't whatever you do ask for the ketchup (don't say you weren't warned!).
  
• Look out for the portrait artist in the lobby most evening.
  
• If you're approaching the Lodge by ferryboat at night, see if you can make out the large bear's face on the Lodge building.
  
• Check out the smaller totem pole, featuring some familiar faces, next to Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. You can buy a miniature version inside the shop!
  
• Lots of unique souvenirs can be found in Wilderness Lodge Mercantile, especially the Pacific Northwest crafts and themed items on sale.
  
• Check out the animal tracks in the cement outside of the Wilderness Lodge

 

[Coastie]

Don' forget about asking about being the flag family when you check-in.

 

[wildernessDad]

Here's how I get to it.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1211837

 

[MiaSRN62]

We're back
The Lodge is just beautiful......
It was VERY HOT while we were there (pretty much exactly like what we have in Philly right now). We did the parks in the morning and then around noon or shortly after, we came back to the WL. It was too hot/humid to ride bikes---though we saw people doing that. We also like to rent boats from the WL dock but gave that up too because it was simply too hot. Your skin felt like it was sizzling in the sun and there's not much protection out there on Bay Lake. There were actually some crazy people in the hot tubs at 2 and 3 in the afternoon when the heat index was 110 I just didn't get it

Our favorite things to do were walk around the grounds. We all loved looking around for critters. Saw frogs, a small snake, a turtle and some unusual looking bunnies.

We also sat out on the beach and relaxed (watched fireworks and EWP at night from the beach).

Had a chat with a WL bellhop on the way home. He said that DVC at the Contemporary is definitely a "go". He said the ground is very sandy and wet there, so they have to put pilons/pistons in the ground before they can go ahead with construction. He also told me he didn't think they'd be as unique a resort as the WL/VWL was. I had to agree