Things to do at VWL

[Andrea T]

We are planning our first visit to VWL in the late spring. Can anyone make some suggestions as to activities in that area, should we choose not to go to the parks one day? Is it just a boat ride to Magic Kingdom? Thank you !

 

[DisneyLodgerz]

There is actually quite a lot to do in that area. There are bike trails behind the hotel and a jogging path. Fort Wilderness is nearby, where you can go horseback riding. We did that last year and it was great. The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review is held at Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness, which is a lot of singing and dancing western style with the standard chicken/ribs dinner.

There is also a petting zoo at Fort Wilderness and River Country, which was the first Disney Water park. It doesn't match up to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, but it is worth a few hours.

You can rent boats at the marina at the Lodge They are on the little water sprites, but they can be a lot of fun.

If you have children, the front desk can give them a list of clues to hunt around the hotel and the grounds for signs of hidden Mickeys. They win a pin or some small trinket for finding all of the Mickeys hidden around the place.

The pool at the Villas is attractive and quiet, if not very big. The one at the Lodge starts as a geyser in the lobby. Water flows into a stream out of the hotel, and over a waterfall to form the pool and waterslide.

At night, you can sit by the pool and watch the electrical water parade in the lake. It is a bunch of boats with lights similar to the Electric Light Parade. It usually gets to the Lodge around 9:30.

My wife and I like to spend a lot of time around the Lodge just relaxing. The hotel itself is worth exploring. There are some cozy fireplaces on several floors and they are great for kicking back after a day at the parks.

The Artist Point restaurant in the Lodge is one of my favorites.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Andrea T
We are planning our first visit to VWL in the late spring. Can anyone make some suggestions as to activities in that area, should we choose not to go to the parks one day? Is it just a boat ride to Magic Kingdom? Thank you !

Yes, it is just a short boat ride to MK.

You did not indicate if you have children or their ages, so it's a little hard to suggest age appropriate activities. DisneyLodgerz provided a great description of the pool and some activities. Also, they have a tour of the WL which I understand is pretty good.

Other good non-park activities might include going to Downtown Disney and doing a little shopping. Or you could take the boat to MK and hop on the monorail and ride that around for a while.

Or just explore the WL and VWL....they are beautiful and as always Disney puts in so many little details that you really have to take some time to notice them.

 

[Grotto]

If your family doesn't mind getting up early, you can try and sign up to be the "Flag Family" one day. The Flag Family gets to go up on to the roof of the main Lodge building and raise the flags for the day. I think the time is around 7am. The views from the roof are great. Afterward, they gave us a coupon for free breakfast at Roaring Forks. Just ask at the desk when you check in if any spots are available.

Also, as someone else noted, there is a tour of the Lodge that is very interesting. They take you around and point out all the little details that make this resort so special. I think it's at 9am. Not sure if it happens everyday.

These activities were offered during our last stay in the Lodge, which was way back in 1999.

Have fun!

 

[Andrea T]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm really excited about trying VWL...that coming from a family who swore we'd never switch from BW!!!! The atmosphere and on site activities will really appeal to our 9 year old son. Thanks again!