VWL did not disappoint!!!(long)

[melk]

Just returned from our first trip to VWL (our home resort) and absolutely loved it!!
We arrived around 5:00 (after a very brief stop at Albertsons to pick up groceries--I had faxed my order and they had it waiting for us--best tip I got off these boards!), and checked in no problem. We had room 3507, a 1-br, non-smoking, pool view. We just loved the view out the windows, the pool is so pretty, especially at night. We always had the drapes open! BTW, I wasn't sure if we would get a pool view because we made the reservations in June, but we did. It wasn't far from the elevators and it was immaculate. Also, very quiet. Only thing that I could find wrong (if you could call it that) in the room was that there was no sheet for the portable crib. I had brought my own from home anyway, so I just used that and left a note for housekeeping when we left.

Unfortunately we didn't have enough points to stay the whole week in the 1-br and we moved to a studio for the last two nights. We will never do that again!!! Our kids are small so it wasn't a big issue, but it's just that we were so spoiled by having the 1-bedroom. We had room 3531 which was a corner studio. There was a window on the side that overlooked the quiet pool and it had a woods view off the balcony. This room didn't seem quite as clean. The bathroom was immaculate but we found popcorn kernels next to the bed and the coffee cups were dirty(that may have been from the previous renters, something housekeeping overlooked). Also, housekeeping was directly across the hall from our room so sometimes you could hear comings and goings from there and it just seemed to be noisier there in general.

So even though we had to switch rooms, we still had a wonderful trip. We loved the lodge, loved the atmosphere. You cannot beat the boat that goes to the MK, and we liked being close to Fort Wilderness as we spent a night there at the campfire and another morning there at the petting farm. The kids loved the pools, also. We did go over and check out Beach Club villas, (very pretty), and OKW (very nice layout), but after seeing them, we were still very happy that we bought at WL.

Sorry this is so long, if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

 

[nanajoyx2]

No questions, but I thought I would let yoy know that when we were there in Sept 2001, our porta-crib didn't have a sheet either, but I called housekeeping and one was brought up immediately, along with another crib, which we didn't need. We were in a 2br, so maybe there are supposed to be 2 cribs.

 

[Lesley]

Just a note....whenever possible, move from a smaller room to a bigger one when changing rooms during a trip! It really does make all the difference.

Glad you had a good trip! I'll be there myself in a few days!

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by melk
Unfortunately we didn't have enough points to stay the whole week in the 1-br and we moved to a studio for the last two nights. We will never do that again!!!

Ah, the smell of Add-on is in the air!!!


Lesley had the same advice I thought of....you'd be better off to check into a studio on a Friday for two nights and leave the 1BR the following Friday morning.

Changing rooms, even in the same resort, is something we do not like to do on vacation. But if you do....always start with the less desirable one so you end that vacation on a high note!!


Glad you enjoyed the VWL. Did you go down to the beach for the Electrical Water Pageant at night?

 

[yasuern]

I love reading positive reports about VWL We are all getting very excited about our 1st stay at VWL coming up in less than a week!!! Thanks for the report and glad you had a good time!

 

[melk]

Thanks everyone, we should have known better and began our trip in the studio!
Granny,
No, we didn't make it to the beach because the little ones were always asleep by 9:30, so we would just go to the balcony. We could hear the applause from the beach though!
Also, I think it was about Thursday when my DH said "I would really like to get some more points" Now all we need is to come into some cash....

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

melk- Thanks for the great review! Could you tell me more about Albertson's? Do they have a website? Was it much more expensive than just stopping at the grocery? Any info would be great! Tonia

 

[melk]

Hi Tonia,
Yes, they do have a website. (I think just Albertsons.com). You can't place your order through that, though. You have to call or fax. I just put my shopping list on the Disney Tips board (sorry, don't know how to make a link for you! ). But maybe that thread can answer your questions.

 

[colleen costello]

Loved reading about your stay at VWL. We haven't been there yet but I would LOVE to stay. I laughed at your mention of the switch to a studio. We have points with my parents. We all go down together in the Spring, but with any leftovers we can sneak down again in the summer. We therefore stay in a studio when it's just myself, dh and the kids. I am AFRAID to get a one-bedroom because I will never want to "go back!" I'd rather get an extra trip to Mickey even with a small room, but the studio does seem tights after having the room with the kitchen!

Please tell us more. Did you feel "isolated?" We usually have our van so the transportation isn't all that important. How about the walking? When my Mom is with us this matters -- she uses a cane. Did you feel like you had to hike a mile to get around? The Villas are so lovely but I am afraid too much mileage for Mom.

Glad you had a nice trip!

 

[melk]

Colleen,
No, I wouldn't say we felt "isolated." In fact, I feel so close to the MK there because you have the boat access. And we are used to staying at Fort Wilderness, which really is a little more isolating because you still need to get transportation from your cabin down to the boat. As far as the walking issue, yes you do walk a lot. DH and I were saying that this is the first time we feel as though we actually lost weight on vacation, LOL!! It may be quite a bit for your mother but I suppose if you just take your time and aren't in a hurry, you could travel at her pace. (I would definitely recommend a room by the elevator, though, because some of those walks in the resort itself seem endless!)

 

[TinkHappy]

Melk~I was all ready to use points to go on a Cruise (maybe) but now after hearing your review...I am feeling a little "homesick"!! Thanks for the great report, I really enjoyed reading it.

 

[jimmytammy]

Melk
Thanks for the great report. We are getting ready to go home 1st time to VWL, our home resort also. We have only seen it from the monorail so to read reports like yours is just getting us more excited. Also thanks for mentioning the FW campfire, we had forgotten about that.

 

[dumbo33]

We did the room switch and went from a studio to a one bedroom. We stayed at VFW first then went to the BCV. A great way to do it. The one bedroom was fantastic!!! We always enjoy the VFW, the atmosphere is great and your right, the boat to Mk is great. We love the solitude but not isolated feel, and of course the theming is fantastic. We have been thinking about add ons also, but now we live about 40 minutes away so not sure we will do now.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the report, and I am glad to hear you enjoyed VWL!!!