VWL / First Stay Questions...

[speedyf]

We own at SSR, but we were able to get a Sun-Thurs at a VWL 2br for our stay in October.

This will be our first stay at any DVC resort and our first time using points....so, I have a couple of questions.

#1 - Do members usually request a certain room or certain area when staying at a DVC resort? We have always stayed Value or Moderate in the past and have always requested which building we would like even though we knew it wasn't a guarantee.

#2 - Are there any special events or activities we should look into at the resort? We have never seen the Electrical Water Pageant, so we are looking forward to that and I'm sure we will check out the geyser.

On the resort boards, there are specific threads with information (FAQ) for just about each resort. Do they have anything like this for DVC resorts?

Thanks...
Speed

 

[Deb & Bill]

Some members will make requests. But at VWL there isn't much to request. A few rooms have a few of the lake or the pool, but most will just be woods view. It's a very nice, quiet resort.

 

[ccigliano]

It is my favorite resort and I ask for lakeside upper floor for a glimpse of the lake and for the last three visits have been lakeside ground floor. The ground floor rooms are actually growing on me as I like the openess and being able to walk out and stretch my legs. The resort is awesome and the boatride to the MK is quick and relaxing. We love to take walks on the nature trail over to the campgrounds and have often rented boats to go out on the lake. Roaring Fork has great counter service meals, Whispering Canyon table service is a real hoot, and Artist Point is a terrific Signature restaurant. Take some time to roam around the Lodge and sit by its many fireplaces. Let me know if you have any more specific questions.

 

[yasuern]

We haven't stayed there in years but are staying in August.


Upon check in ask see if you could be a flag family during one of the mornings of your stay - you get o go on the roof of WL and help aise the flag and its a great view and I beleive you get a photo of your "service".


Also ask for the Hidden Mickey's hint sheet - lots of them

When you are coming back from MK on the boat look at the Lodge the main bldg windows look like a bear.


I beleive every afternoon they have a tour of the lodge and its very interesting and fun.

You can walk/boat over to Camp wilderness and enjoy the campfire movies and meet chip & dale


Okay thats all I have

Sue

 

[jamie&Greg]

You will Love VWL and being a DVC member!!

VWL has a whole separate bldg. for DVC! All the rooms have pretty much the same view of trees

Make sure you take a walk or the boat over to the camground area - it is really neat there!

 

[speedyf]

Thanks for the great responses. I figured that room location wouldn't make as big a difference at VWL because it's not a huge resort. We will probably request lakeside upper floor...but, we won't be disappointed if we don't get it.

We have been to Whispering Canyon twice and we enjoy eating lunch there. We have also visited Roaring Fork once because I didn't realize that Whispering Canyon closed for a few hours in the afternoon.

Sue...thanks for the tips. My DS9 will especially like the Hidden Mickey sheet and I will put in a request to try to be the Flag Family.

We are already planning our 2nd DVC stay in June 2010. I haven't yet stayed at a DVC resort, but I feel good about the decision to join. My family seems to be addicted as we are having withdrawls since we haven't visited since February 2008 (Mardi Gras Week). This is probably the longest span (about 18+ months) that we have endured without a Disney trip since 2004...lol

Thanks Again...
Speed

 

[Topo Bella]

We own at SSR (which we love), but VWL is really great. The one thing that I think is a "don't miss" is eating at Whispering Canyon. We ate there our first night just after we arrived and it was an awesome way to start the vacation!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

We own at SSR (which we love), but VWL is really great. The one thing that I think is a "don't miss" is eating at Whispering Canyon. We ate there our first night just after we arrived and it was an awesome way to start the vacation!

Our meal was really good there, too. I think my 6 year-old daughter at them out of house and home! Seriously, all I can say is I'm glad we got her to "all you can eat."

Here are some pics of the resort. We were on the 3rd or 4th floor, MK side. I loved the view. It was peaceful. We also just loved the grounds, especially at night.

 

[tgropp]

When we were there in December I asked for a 2 bedroom entering off the atrium /lobby. The rooms seem bigger and when you leave you do not have the hallway to walk. You can also use valet parking at VWL. In short the resort is stunning. Enjoy.

 

[pickles]

we stayed there once and requested the lake view..and technically if you hung yourself off our balcony you could see the lake. you could also hear the water parade from our room as it went by. So, they did try and accomadate us
If I stay there again I would not request that view, as later on I learned what a very hard view that is to get, based on where the building sits.

I would try for pool view or do as the one poster suggested and ask for something that will have a charming interior view or ease of location.

WL has its charm. It is not my favoriate resort as I can't stand the room decor and the small porch and tree view. I like open views.
I love the boat from WL, the gyeser is cute and the walkways are as well
every resort should be tried once..never know which one will charm you the most!! Enjoy your stay

 

[Granny]

#2 - Are there any special events or activities we should look into at the resort? We have never seen the Electrical Water Pageant, so we are looking forward to that and I'm sure we will check out the geyser.

On the resort boards, there are specific threads with information (FAQ) for just about each resort. Do they have anything like this for DVC resorts?

For DVC resorts attached to a regular WDW resort (VWL/WL, BCV/BC, AKV/AKL, BLT/CR) the resort board threads provide most of the information you need. For these kind of resorts, the DVC resort shares the amenities of the main resort so it doesn't have a lot of stand-along amenities.

For other DVC resorts (OKW, SSR) these are primarily DVC guests and those resorts should have their own FAQ.

 

[ammo]

If you have kids with you, there is a rubber duckie race in the late afternoon near the pool. And the CMs run the race over and over until every kid wins, just in case...