Tid-Bits from our recent trip-

[Rockweed]

We were at VWL 4/19-25 and saw Wishes on the 20th. Our solution was to walk over to the Contemporary (about a 10 minute walk for 2 adults and 2 teens) and take the small boat from there. We were very lucky to catch the LAST boat running from the Contemporary to the Wilderness Lodge that night! Otherwise, it would have meant a trip to the TTC for a bus - yuck.

On the topic of checking in. We had a dedicated 2-bedroom reserved. When we arrived at 7 p.m. we were told that all the dedicated's had been given out because other people "needed" them. It worked out okay for us. One of the boys said he really didn't mind sleeping on the pull-out sofa. And we didn't have to worry about that second door to the outside world that might be a problem for those with younger kids. Just wanted to let folks know that a confirmed reservation for something doesn't necessarily mean you will get it. Our request for non-smoking was met, and we loved the 4th floor location near the elevators and with a view of the quiet pool. Certainly nothing to complain about there!

Anne

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by 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?

Only the boat or a trip to the TTC.

On an e-night a few years ago, they closed the boat down early and we had to go to the TTC. That was a real pain. With their new extra hours for resort guests they are trying, it will be interesting to hear how they handle VWL/WL transportation.

HBC

 

[chris1gill]

I have a question, when you referred to the "bonnet creek" sign, what or where is that? What did I miss? Sign to what? SSR?

 

[wdwsos]

Originally posted by 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?

The CM at the front desk told me that they had recently been re-trained to give a transportation spiel to guests checking in.
They said that the biggest source of confusion was the fact that WL/MK transportation was only by boat.

Another interesting thing was that the boat driver, on the way over to the MK earlier in the day, reminded the passengers numerous times that the last boat from the MK to the WL would be at 10:15pm. Since Wishes was at 9:30pm, I thought that was a big tough for some, especially those with mobility issues. I know they wouldn't leave people stranded at the dock (or would they?), but I wonder if that accounted for the huge rush of exiting guests when Wishes finished. I know I normally would have strolled, shopped, got a chocolate chip cookie from the bakery, and waited for the crowds to thin.

Dotti

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by chris1gill
I have a question, when you referred to the "bonnet creek" sign, what or where is that? What did I miss? Sign to what? SSR?

I would presume the new fairfield bonnet creek resort that has it's entrance through the WDW road system even though it is not on disney property.

As to the boats (or lackthereof), the cynic in me wonders if that is yet another cost cutting measure.

-Joe

 

[SleepyatDVC]

VWL is a great resort. Stayed there twice. Loved the idea of the convenience of the boat to MK but the reality of the boat wasn't as convenient.

Once in March during a cool spell. It was freezing on the boat dock with the stiff wind blowing across the waters. Waited on the boat dock with 4 freezing and restless little girls. Since we were a party of 7 or 8, they cut the line off right in front of us. We were so cold, we just hopped on the next Contemporary resort boat instead. We then walked over to the MK. The little girls were in umbrella strollers. We prefered the walk to waiting in the cold.

Second trip was in June. Went with just my family of 4. DH was gone during the day to a business conference. I took my 2 girls to the MK by myself during the day. The boat situation improved but there was still a wait (better when it wasn't freezing on the dock) and it did seem to stop at FW on the way going and returning.

 

[PKS44]

If this is the only place people discuss the transportation issues at the WL/VWl then it is unlikely anything will ever change---Disney does listen to us and I strongly suggest you srite a letter to the DVC and or WL management with your concerns...90 minutes is ridiculous but so is an hour...your dues are paying for the transportation--they actually did respond to this issue at the BWV--I don't know if it fixed things there yet or not....but they made an effort to change at least

Paul

 

[floridafam]

Truthfully, I think it's a shame that there are so many problems with the boats.

Why can't they just have seperate boats for WL/VWL and FW?

I'm also curious how dues factor into this? Did anything change as far as transportation goes when the villlas were built or are VWL owners paying for the exact same level of service there was before? Does this make sense? I know what I'm trying to say but it's not worded correctly.

I've also read numerous trip reports about the boat not even stopping at WL because it was already full from FW. I don't think this should happen.

 

[Granny]

Maistre G....my goodness, you could have made several new threads out of your observations!!! Thanks for taking the time to note them and to share them with us.

I'm going to respond to your very first comment:

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

I know that you had expressed some concern over possible lack of top notch cleaning in some instances in the past. I'm so glad to see that you were satisfied. I believe you indicated that you give a room a pretty good once-over when you check in, so a clean room report from you is very good news indeed!!

Besides, I just had to make a comment about one of your many positive remarks since it is the stray negative one that draws all the lightning!

Great comments...thanks for sharing.

 

[Laurabearz]

MG... glad to hear you had a great trip! We stayed in a 2 bedroom in the building behind your Beach Cottage and often wished we were in it.... Good to know it was wonderful!

Some day we will cough up the points for a BC... that is if we can get one at the 7 month window!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the report MG and welcome back
The boat problems from the WL seem to be getting worse over the years. It's a shame to hear this because I love this resort.
On the positive side, you BC at Vero sounded heavenly. Love that resort too. How was your weather ? Hope you had bright, sunny skies

 

[OCDisney]

When we got back from the VWL in January we received one of those survey postcards and I definitly used it to hack on the poor boat service. 40 minutes was the minimum travel time for us.

Our worst experiance though was running as fast as we could down the dock, frantically waving arms and yelling, as the crewman let on the last person (boat wasn't even half full), gathered in the ropes, and closed the door without even looking up. We had actually made it to the chained part before he closed the door so I know he could hear us yelling. So there we stood 25 minutes until the next boat arrived...

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by chris1gill
I have a question, when you referred to the "bonnet creek" sign, what or where is that? What did I miss? Sign to what? SSR?

Yes, the Bonnet Creek sign is for the new Fairfield resort located near The Caribbean Beach Resort. The sign is metalic, and somewhat futuristic looking.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by floridafam
Truthfully, I think it's a shame that there are so many problems with the boats.

Why can't they just have seperate boats for WL/VWL and FW?

Actually, during the busy times they did have seperate boats. They were running two dedicated boats to WL/VWL, and two to FW. The problem was the sheer number of guests leaving after Wishes. That, combined with a 25 minute round trip per boat, made for a long wait. We happened to be toward the end of the line, and once the line shrunk they once again combined boats.
Of course, during the slower times they were always coupled with a trip to FW.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Granny

I know that you had expressed some concern over possible lack of top notch cleaning in some instances in the past. I'm so glad to see that you were satisfied. I believe you indicated that you give a room a pretty good once-over when you check in, so a clean room report from you is very good news indeed!!

Granny, yes the room was in near perfect condition. Both cleanliness and maintenance were completely up to 'Madam Gracey's' standards!

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
How was your weather ? Hope you had bright, sunny skies

Oh yes!!! The weather was perfect at both Vero and WDW. Not a drop of rain, and in the 80's.

MG

 

[colleen costello]

When we stayed last summer in late June, they'd have another boat "hovering" as soon as one left. More than once we missed a boat just to have another seemingly appear out of nowhere. It was our first trip to the Lodge and we were quite impressed. Let's hope they repeat this performance come summer!

MG, you haven't mentioned your "view" so I assume it wasn't of the dumpster??? We are going this June and I am already planning (just in case) the "reasons why I won't take the dumpster-view-room" speech!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by colleen costello

MG, you haven't mentioned your "view" so I assume it wasn't of the dumpster??? We are going this June and I am already planning (just in case) the "reasons why I won't take the dumpster-view-room" speech!

Hi, Colleen. No dumpster view on this trip! 4507 was a great view of the pool. I wasn't sure if I would like a pool view, but the way the lights shimmered through the trees was simply awesome. You really have to see it to believe it. We could also see part of Bay Lake! This is perhaps the best view in all of VWL.

MG

 

[gracelrm]

We've reserved 2 - Dedicated 2 BRS and a studio for our stay in June. I hope we luck out and get the room you had - it sounds great. I also hope the boat transportation is better in June too! We're taking DH family with us and I sure don't want to hear them complaining about it, when I've talked about how great it is to "hop on a boat to the MK"! Glad you have a great trip!

 

[lenshanem]

Like OCDisney, I also mentioned the slow boat transportation from our December VWL trip in my online survey I took from a postcard. Oh, well...