VWL and the lack of lake views.

[SoCalKDG]

I agree that all the trees shouldn't be cut down.

I had thought that a thinning out of some of the trees, or the creation of a couple walking paths from VWL down to the lake would actually add to the overall theme of the resort. A lodge in the mountains on the lake.

Having stayed at Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Lake Tahoe, the combination of both the lake and trees makes for an incredible view and theme. I believe WL rooms have this view, why not VWL.

 

[CVW]

The "bacteria" you're probably talking about is Neigleria, an amoeba which can exist in ANY warm-water lake. It can enter the sinuses of young children, causing a rapid untreatable, fatal encephalitis. It tends to exist in the shallow, warmest water of lakes.

It's hard for me to type when my eyes are rolling.

They can't possibly expect people to believe that they would shut down a lake for a bizarre, EXTREMELY rare infection, which I doubt ever happened on their property. Even if it did, it would make more sense to shut down swimming pools because of a drowning a few years back. And any guest who would support this move should likewise be opposed to any lake-swimming anywhere in the country.

Did Disney actually say this was the reason, or is it one of those urban legends that gets spread around? If they did, can anyone pinpoint an official source at Disney saying you can't swim because of microbes?

 

[CVW]

I've actually been to the woods before, and, um, sometimes they have lakes! A lakeview would have been very consistent with the theming.

I've never been to VWL or WL but as I look at the picture, I'm struck by the placement of VWL. They went to lengths to offer lakeviews at WL, and it didn't detract from their theming. I almost wonder if DVD was a tad giddy after the success of BWV and decided people would buy VWL lakeview or no lakeview.

Its placement seems a tad arbitrary. Which makes me wonder if it were put there simply because it had the most agreeable topography; i.e. cheapest to develop. They could have spent more to move it closer to the lake, but why bother? It didn't take long to sell out.

A walking path to the lake, by the way, sounds like a great compromise.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

there is a walking path to the lake, and a path around the lake, it takes all of 1 minute to leave the "quiet" pool and be at the lake beach. The area is swamp, we were down last week and it was very wet in the woods, that could be why it was done the way it was. If they took out the trees, it would probably be even wetter. the root system may help? (just a guess)

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by CVW
I've actually been to the woods before, and, um, sometimes they have lakes! A lakeview would have been very consistent with the theming.

I've never been to VWL or WL but as I look at the picture, I'm struck by the placement of VWL. They went to lengths to offer lakeviews at WL, and it didn't detract from their theming. I almost wonder if DVD was a tad giddy after the success of BWV and decided people would buy VWL lakeview or no lakeview.

Wilderness Lodge has the pool/lake view as a separate reservation class and charges more than it does for their Woods View class. I believe that they were smart in avoiding people wanting/demanding a lake view at VWL and being very dissatisfied with the woods view on the other side when their lake view request was not met.

I don't think DVD was giddy after BWV....I think they learned a lot and wanted to avoid the mess that BWV became regarding the various views. So much of a mess that they ended up with two point structures. And such a continuing mess that they now have three separate reservable views!

No, I think DVD knew exactly what they were doing, and frankly I agree with them.

 

[ErinC]

When we were there last Dec. we rented a pontoon and drove over by River Country. It looked to be in terrible shape and disrepair. Really an eyesore. I would be really surprised, if they were renting out this area for private parties. I hope that they will someday, do something to fix it back up and use it for the guests. I have wonderful childhood memories of camping with my parents at the campground and swimming at River Country. It made me sad to see it looking so awful.

 

[CVW]

I'm still curious about this Neigleria rumor. Any truth to it? Also, are you saying that there's no lake swimming at all? I could have sworn we frolicked on the beach at the Poly on our honeymoon in 1996.

 

[CVW]

Did I say 1996? I meant 1993. I hope my wife's not reading this.

(You see, my marriage has been so great, it only seems like eight years ago...)

 

[SoCalKDG]

Did I say 1996? I meant 1993. I hope my wife's not reading this.

My wife has found out about this site as well. I can't say anything bad about her anymore. Not that there is anything bad about her. Right sweety?

 

[spiceycat]

you can still swim in the lake areas in the early 90's (not to mention the 70 and 80's)- there were signs up telling you about the bacteria - then sometime around 95/96??? WDW decided no more laking swimming. I don't know if the public health come down hard or what....

the DD lake never allowed swimming - that I remember.

 

[DVCDAVE]

There was a gator attack around '96. A 7 year old boy got it. Maybe that caused the closure. I remember swmming in the 70's.

 

[SoCalKDG]

If bacteria was a problem you wouldn't have water skiing, triathelons, etc.

No swimming probably came about due to the number of boats that are on the lake.

Can you wade into the water? How deep can you go if your allowed to go in?

 

[CVW]

I assume the "bacteria" is actually an amoeba, which, as I mentioned, usually thrives in the shallow, warmest portions of lakes where children are most likely to swim. This amoeba (Neigleria) can't survive in the deeper, cooler waters where people usually engage in watersports.

But again, actual deaths from Neigleria are rarer than drownings, so the whole thing seems a little screwy to me. It might be the mindset of Disney Legal. They probably realized that there was a strong financial upside to shutting the lake down to swimmers, and not much downside. Neigleria might have provided them with a convenient excuse. Just a guess.

 

[spiceycat]

sorry CWV the sign said bacteria - and yes WDW CM when I asked say it was because of that

one day when we were there you could swim in the lake in front of BC - the next day you couldn't - they were taking down one sign and putting up the other.

I didn't here about the alligator attack - but that definites makes more sense. Of course in those days if something didn't happen in front me I didn't see it!

of course the lake at BC/YC never had the amount of people that would swim in and around the Polyn.

 

[JimC]

I believe that the VWL/WL theme is woods not lake. So in keeping with its theme I believe the trees should remain.

We are staying there in January and I requested a lake side room because I thought it might be quieter. Don't know if that is true, but we will see.

 

[d-r]

One thing is, those cedar trees around the lake grow very, very slowly, and the ones there are extremely old.

I think this is the reason that they strive not to cut down the cedar trees right at the lake.