Tid-Bits from our recent trip-

[Maistre Gracey]

I am not sure what I missed while I was gone, but here are a few small tid-bits of info from our trip-

--VB cottage 1150, and VWL dedicated 2br 4507 were both in great shape, and clean upon check-in.

--Both VB and VWL rooms were pre-assigned, with no hint of a "room ready" policy (that's a good thing).
All room requests were met.

--According to WL front desk, late check-outs are now available. You must arrange with Lodgekeeping.

--For the first time we noticed a sign at The Boardwalk guard shack that said "no parking for Epcot" (or something to that effect). Perhaps it has always been there, but we only noticed it on this trip.

--SSR looks absolutely beautiful. The light pastel colors are very, very nice. My sister commented on what a great location it is for Downtown Disney lovers.

--While the Bonnet Creek property may be nice, the resort sign looks like something from Star Wars.

--Vallet parking was free at The YC because we had a tag from VWL. I explained that I thought we should pay, but the vallet said "no".

--Boat transportation between MK and VWL was a tad frustrating.

--Elevators at VWL were a little tarnished on the inside doors.

--Someone inside Epcot was soliciting timeshare sales at Westgate Resort. This was a private person with an owner referral number. I reported this to the nearest DVC kiosk!

--Probably many more that I will remember later!!!

Overall, one of the best DVC and WDW trips we have had!


My sister and BIL were completely blown away by the Beach Cottage, and VWL!

MG

 

[floridafam]

Sounds like you had a good trip.

Boat transportation between MK and VWL was a tad frustrating

What type of problem did you encounter with the boat service?

 

[Beth]

--Vallet parking was free at The YC because we had a tag from VWL. I explained that I thought we should pay, but the vallet said "no".

We had that experience once before, also.

The deal is... supposedly... once you pay to valet park at one of the resorts, you can valet at any of the other resorts on the same day free of charge. (Kinda like you only have to pay to park at one of the parks, then your pass will get you into the other parks for free.)

This happened to us at the Contemporary - they saw a valet ticket from whichever DVC resort we were staying at the time, and waived their fee.

Glad you had a good trip. We'll be in a Beach Cottage over Labor Day - can't wait!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

MG

How did you like Beach Cottage 1150? It is farthest Beach Cottage to the left in the map below for new VB owners.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Welcome Back, Maistre Gracey


We always look forward to your reports.

Goldi

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by floridafam
What type of problem did you encounter with the boat service?

Hi, floridafam. The biggest problem with the boat was... not enough of them! Long lines after park closing and sharing with FW made for long trips between WL/VWL and MK. The total journey took an hour a couple of times, and almost 90 minutes once.

But, since that is the only negative part of the trip, I am a very happy guy!

MG

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

According to WL front desk, late check-outs are now available. You must arrange with Lodgekeeping.

MG: That is interesting. Did you take advantage of it? I have never heard of that being available before.

HBC

 

[lenshanem]

While the Bonnet Creek property may be nice, the resort sign looks like something from Star Wars.

Sounds cool to me! LOL

Someone inside Epcot was soliciting timeshare sales at Westgate Resort. This was a private person with an owner referral number. I reported this to the nearest DVC kiosk!

WOW! Were they just walking up to people? I wonder if they threw them out?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
MG

How did you like Beach Cottage 1150? It is farthest Beach Cottage to the left in the map below for new VB owners.

Hi, Nick. We loved 1150. It was private (not as private as 1575 on the other far end that we had before), but very close to the parking lot. This was a big plus. You could not hear or see the lot, but it was nice being close to our car. We would request this one again.

MG

 

[floridafam]

I'm surprised that FW and WL share a boat. That seems to be the major source of complaints coming out of WL lately.



Good to hear the Beach Cottage was in great shape. I'm jealous!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Happy Birthday Cat
MG: That is interesting. Did you take advantage of it? I have never heard of that being available before.

HBC

Hi, HBC. No, we did not take advantage of it. I still find it hard to believe also. While I was at the front desk asking a question about my bill, the person next to me asked for a late check-out and it was granted. I then asked the cast member that I was working with, and he said it could be done but you must call Lodgekeeping. I am making the assumption this holds true for both VWL and WL, but that could be the fly in the ointment.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by lenshanem

WOW! Were they just walking up to people? I wonder if they threw them out?

Yes, it was a lady and her husband. She had a stack of Westgate pamphlets, and she discretely walked up to me and started telling me about all the great vacation oppurtunities. The pamphlet had her owner referral number on it, and the DVC person said they could likely track her with that. I doubt they found her right away, but they were very interested in finding her.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by goldilocks_63
Welcome Back, Maistre Gracey


We always look forward to your reports.

Goldi

Thanx, goldilocks_63! I was starting to shake without my daily DIS board fix!

MG

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
Thanx, goldilocks_63! I was starting to shake without my daily DIS board fix!

 

[wdwsos]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
Hi, floridafam. The biggest problem with the boat was... not enough of them! Long lines after park closing and sharing with FW made for long trips between WL/VWL and MK. The total journey took an hour a couple of times, and almost 90 minutes once.

But, since that is the only negative part of the trip, I am a very happy guy!

MG

We felt the same way. We left the MK after Wishes last Monday night, did our usual cut-through-the-stores-startling-innocent-shoppers routine, and were about 100th in line. The first boat didn't come for at least 40 minutes and the line behind us almost went to the turnstiles.

Maistre Gracey, if you saw a 6'3" 16-year-old serenading his family with Little Mermaid tunes, that was us. We either made the wait more enjoyable or annoyed the heck out of everyone...

Dotti

 

[Bexx]

if you saw a 6'3" 16-year-old serenading his family with Little Mermaid tunes, that was us. We either made the wait more enjoyable or annoyed the heck out of everyone...

Now, I would LOVED to have seen that!

Thanks for the report Maistre Gracey. Glad you had such a great time.

 

[wilderness01]

Is the boat the only way to get back to VWL? Isn't there a bus also? Or do you have to go to TTC and then board a bus?

 

[lenshanem]

In December the boat waiting for WL from MK was a nightmare. Didn't impress my parents too well. In fact, my oldest had to go potty after waiting about 15 minutes, I left our group and told them I'd catch the next boat. We had time to go potty, come back and the line was still there! Waited at least another 15 maybe more before a boat finally came. So who knows how long that wait was!

I see it has still not improved!
Do they only have one boat from MK to BOTH WL and FW?!?
Seems after Wishes they would need another boat running.

 

[bobbiwoz]

They certainly needed more boats!

I can't wait to be able to stay in a Beach Cottage. Thanks for telling us all about your trip.

Bobbi

 

[TwingleMum]

Isn't there anything that can be done about the boat situation??