UPDATE--Feeling Disappointed Right Now

[RweTHEREyet]

We had to change our reservations for this March to a week earlier than we had planned. We originally were at BCV, one of our home resorts. BCV not available but, WLV was, so I took it and asked to be on wait list for BCV. I have to say that right now I am not feeling much excitement about staying at WLV. I love the hotel, but when I toured the models, I felt it was really, really dark.

We eventually want to stay at all the DVC resorts, and now would be a good time to not stay at BCV since Storm-a-long will be under renovations, but am still not getting excited.

I don't think that the boat ride to MK will be a definite plus for us as I have heard that the schedule is somewhat eratic.

Anyone have anything they can offer as to why I should be excited if we end up at WLV?


Update--What To Do Now??????????

You guys did a great job of convincing me that staying at WLV would turn out fine for us. I actually tried to call today to see about cancelling the waitlist for the BCV and just stay at WLV. I only got thru to Member Services once, and had to take another call, so I had to hang up. Everytime I called after that I got a busy signal.

So, I get home, check the mail and there is an envelope from DVC. Open it up, check it out and everything stays the same. BUT WAIT, not quite the same, it appears I now have a reservation for the Boardwalk Villas. I never even mentioned BWV in my conversation with Member Services. The confirmation says I have a Preferred View, but aren't most of them at BWV Preferred Views, but not all of them that great?

I'm thinking that they need to put me back at WLV. I think if I am staying in the EPCOT resorts, I would rather be at BCV.

Anyone have this happen to them and how did it turn out?

 

[perdidobay]

You will be able to go out to the WL beach in the evening and watch the Electrical Water Parade

 

[yasuern]

The theming is beautiful! the resort is immaculate! And as far as the boat service to MK is concerned we were there in Dec and had no problems with the boat service. In fact this was one of the aspects of staying at VWL that we enjoyed greatly! There is a lot common space/nooks to sit and relax if you wish to do so - and although I have never eaten there - from all posts I have read - Whispering Canyons is a fun place to eat and the food is good. The hidden Mickeys all over the lodge, The water pagent parade that you can view from the beach of VWL, its just a fantastic place!

 

[goofyforwdw]

Hi Janet How are you guys doing? Ron and I love WLV ,we love the whole theme of the resort and the rooms while not as bright as OKW,BC they have a certian charm. I have never found them to be TOO dark. You really have you choice of two boats the one going to the Contempory,and do the monorail or the bigger too the MK and or Fort Wilderness. Also a night you have the water pagent to check out . I just love to sit and people watch in either lobby
Plus you are in Disney Have a blast. Brenda

 

[ez]

Sometimes things have a way of working out. We "had" to stay at OKW for Thanksgiving this year, because I screwed up our BW ressies. Turned out we had an awesome time and loved OKW. Anyway, the waitlist has never failed me, so you still might end up at BCV. Try to keep a positive attitude for whichever happens, after all, it is a vacation!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Have never really noticed, but is there a marina at Wilderness Lodge?

 

[SimbaNoodle]

You will be at Disney. How can anyone be disappointed. Home is where the Magic is.

 

[iluvdisney]

WL is a wonderful place for vacations - they have a really nice pool and the marina and you can rent the water mice and jump on a boat and go over to the Contemporary or MK and if you're really adventurous - I've heard that there's a walking path over to Ft Wilderness and you can walk to Pioneer Hall and Crocket Tavern. My dd and her hubby just stayed there and loved it! If you get a room overlooking the quiet pool you'll also get a beautiful view!

 

[Desperado]

How about this one. The Bike and Boat plan will be a much better option from WLV than it would be from the BCV. You have a huge oflake to be able to explore and my understandng is that the boats are much faster than at YC & BC. I think it would be a great time to try out that plan and be able to buzz all over the huge lake. There's also the nice walk over to the wilderness cmapground and the petting zoo and activities they have over there. The darker colors fit well with the overall theme and surrounding trees, I don't think you'll be bothered by them. With the one section of SAB up for refurbishing, it's a great time to try out a different resort.

Gotta love that Beach Club Villa area, it is a first class experience.

 

[burnsoc]

One of the things that I liked best about the VWL was it's proximity to FW. When I was a child (one of five) we used to stay at FW, and I have fond memories of the campfire program there. Last year I stayed at WL and went to the campfire at nights, it was just as enjoyable as when I was a child. It is a different atmosphere, but that's what I like about WDW the variety. Try going through your disney travel books and search these boards for things you haven't tried before. Half of the fun in a trip to WDW for me is the planning. Have a great trip!

 

[Cruelladeville]

While WLV is not my home resort--BWV and BCV are--I found the people at WLV to be so very friendly! The theming of the resort, and those nooks are terrific! You can sit in front of the fireplace in a rocker on those cool March evenings and watch the DVC members go by You have access to the best restaurants on property--Whispering Canyon is wonderful for children, and Artist's Point is a luxurious night out for mom and dad(do you like venison? It's on the menu!), and the snack bar has the best soup! Later on, head over to the campground (15 leisurely minute walk away) for the hayride, the campfire, or a carriage ride. I originally stayed there because I messed up my ressies at BWV, and it was wonderful! I am hoping to stay there next Christmas(their decorating this Christmas was especially lovely!). The bus service is probably the best of any resort, and you don't have to walk nearly as far as you do at BC.

 

[Denmage]

We just got back from a 9 day Disney Vacation. The first 5 days were at the WLV and the last 4 days were at Poly. We weren't able to get the villas for the whole time because they were booked solid for New Years and we booked it too late.

But we had a wonderful time! This was our first time to stay at WLV (our home) and we really enjoyed it. The rooms were beautifully themed (right down to the tile in the shower). We had groceries delivered and they put them all away for us. It was nice to have 2 lobbies to hang out in. We were as much a part of the Wilderness Lodge, as were were the villas. It was great to be able to relax in front of one of the fireplaces and enjoy the lodge atmosphere!

The boat and buses were terrific. We hardly had to wait more than 10 minutes for a ride anywhere. We took the boat over the Fort Wilderness the first night so our DD3 could go to the petting farm. We also took the boat to MK and to Hoop-Dee-Doo. Buses got us everywhere else.

Poly was nice, but we really liked WLV and we are planning to schedule our next trip sooner so we can be in the villa for the entire stay.

BTW, while we were at WDW we decided to by another 100 points. We now own a piece of BCV, too!!

Denis

 

[rccomputers]

I have stayed at BCV, BWV, and WLV and by far my favorite is WLV! The theming and overall quiet of the resort was wonderfull. While I felt rushed at the other resorts and crowded. I never felt that way at WL. The rooms have a darker decor but it adds to the charm. Just don't stay on the 5th floor of the Villas. It is darker up there.

You will love it.

 

[dznymom1]

SO many wonderful things have already been mentioned, I don't know how you couldn't be excited now! But let me add Miss Jennyy's fried and roasted chicken from room service! MMMmmmm One of my favorite things about VWL!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Rwe, once you have actually seen VWL, I think the only disappointment you will have is checking out. If you enjoy meticulous (sorry for spelling, don't have my dictionary here on the road) theming and attention to detail, you will love VWL.

Have a great trip!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You guys should be DVC Guides. You almost made me want to cancel my wait list for BCV. Seems like the right time of year to stay at WLV. May cancel that waitlist before the day is out.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Look at it this way: if you have lower expectations than you might normally have, you'll have plenty of room for nice surprises! Try to go with an open mind, and hopefully a bit of extra magic will catch you unawares!

Have a great time!

 

[zillow]

I loved the pool areas (both of them) at night. Cozy, intimate, campy but luxurious - I much prefer that to the open area around BCV or BWV (haven't seen OKW yet). I love the protected feeling of having lots of trees around. You also can't beat approaching the back of the WL at night from the boat - spectacular! I'm having the opposite dilemna. My DH wants to try BCV for our Sept trip and I'm dying to go back to VWL.
You may also want to catch Great Hotels episode covering the WL on the Travel channel. They do a really nice job with it. We showed both tapes to my DH's Aunt and Uncle (who we are taking with us) and they were so enthralled with the WL episode that they turned off the Beach Club episode after it started saying that it looked like any other hotel.
We take Disney transportation everywhere and didn't have any problems with a wait (we have a 3 year old). Sometimes we would take a round-about way to get home and really enjoyed those adventures - it became part of the fun of going out. (Ex. taking bus over to dinner at Poly or GF then hopping on the Monorail back to MK or Contemp to catch the boat - or over to TTC to catch a bus, etc. Our daughter loved it! Good luck with your decision. You'll be at Disney so you really can't go wrong.

Carol

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Bumping up for update. Please see original post.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

UPDATE: VWL still as beautiful as ever!