VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[jimmytammy]

I did a walkthrough of the alternate layout 2 bedroom for anyone who wants to see it. We are not professionals, this is our (me and my 7 year old) first tour so nothing fancy but at least wanted to show it off.

Great job Pirate! And your DS makes a great roving reporter I told you wrong, we were in room 2519, just below your room on our 1st 2 bed stay. No matter, it spoiled us rather quickly

 

[bluecastle]

I did a walkthrough of the alternate layout 2 bedroom for anyone who wants to see it. We are not professionals, this is our (me and my 7 year old) first tour so nothing fancy but at least wanted to show it off.

Great video! Your son is a natural.
Just realized that we’ve been commenting on FB. I was the person who asked for your room number after you checked out. Not surprising , I guess.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Great video! Your son is a natural.
Just realized that we’ve been commenting on FB. I was the person who asked for your room number after you checked out. Not surprising , I guess.

Oh how funny!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Just booked a studio villa at BRV for January! This was our top choice so we were shocked to find enough nights in a row for us at the 7 month mark. So bear with me over the next 7 months while I ask a million questions.....

What's the most we can expect to wait for buses/boat when heading to the parks and coming back? We are NOT rope drop people and we don't stay until park close either. I know the times are really going to vary but I'd love to hear what's average and also worst case scenario, to just be prepared.

Are all of the studios the same view category? I'm honestly not sure...I just booked what was available. Not sure what type of room request I should put in.

I remember reading that top floor villas didn't have a murphy bed because of the ceiling slope. So should I try to request a lower floor in order to up my chances of getting a murphy instead of pullout sofa?

How concerned do I need to be about noise at this resort? Especially from the water parade?

 

[yaksack]

Can you get coffee, water, soda, etc. 24 hours per day in the WL? We are going to buy the refillable mugs.

 

[sleepydog25]

Just booked a studio villa at BRV for January! This was our top choice so we were shocked to find enough nights in a row for us at the 7 month mark. So bear with me over the next 7 months while I ask a million questions.....

What's the most we can expect to wait for buses/boat when heading to the parks and coming back? We are NOT rope drop people and we don't stay until park close either. I know the times are really going to vary but I'd love to hear what's average and also worst case scenario, to just be prepared.

Are all of the studios the same view category? I'm honestly not sure...I just booked what was available. Not sure what type of room request I should put in.

I remember reading that top floor villas didn't have a murphy bed because of the ceiling slope. So should I try to request a lower floor in order to up my chances of getting a murphy instead of pullout sofa?

How concerned do I need to be about noise at this resort? Especially from the water parade?

Welcome, Clara! So many Groupies will have more knowledge than me, but here are my initial thoughts. And feel free to ask as many questions as you wish and join in our discussions! We are family here.

The studio categories are pretty much the same--I believe there may be one or two HA units. You're right in that bus run times do vary, but over the years, WL has ranked highly in terms of busing. I think you'll be pleased, and keep in mind there is boat service to MK, as well, which is a great way to travel there and back. The boat wait times can be a little long if you just miss a boat, but plan accordingly, and you'll love them. I believe you are correct about the top floors, so I'd request lake view, near the elevator in your case, or if you don't mind a lower floor, simply say lake view, lower floor. As for noise at the resort, I've found it to be one of the quietest on property. Yes, the EWP does go off around 9 pm nightly, but it's not terribly loud in the rooms if you keep the balcony doors closed. If you're on the lovely woods view side, you won't even hear it most likely. The most noise is in the main lobby where the check in desk, Mercantile, and WCC are located. Beyond that, it's a quiet place, even the pools.

Can you get coffee, water, soda, etc. 24 hours per day in the WL? We are going to buy the refillable mugs.

And welcome to you, as well, yaksack! Yes, I believe recent reports are that Roaring Fork is now 24-hour; if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me soon!

Both of you have great trips!

Also, if anyone wants their trips added to Page 1, just PM me the dates and place you're staying.

 

[Mle8308]

Just booked a studio villa at BRV for January! This was our top choice so we were shocked to find enough nights in a row for us at the 7 month mark. So bear with me over the next 7 months while I ask a million questions.....

What's the most we can expect to wait for buses/boat when heading to the parks and coming back? We are NOT rope drop people and we don't stay until park close either. I know the times are really going to vary but I'd love to hear what's average and also worst case scenario, to just be prepared.

Are all of the studios the same view category? I'm honestly not sure...I just booked what was available. Not sure what type of room request I should put in.

I remember reading that top floor villas didn't have a murphy bed because of the ceiling slope. So should I try to request a lower floor in order to up my chances of getting a murphy instead of pullout sofa?

How concerned do I need to be about noise at this resort? Especially from the water parade?

During the middle of the day the waits, especially for busses, can be 35 minutes and they are often shared with the CR. And with FW on some routes in the evening. Boats are about every 15-20 minutes from what we have experienced. If you are facing the lake, you will hear some noise from the water pageant though it only lasts for about 10 minutes. All studios are the same booking category and yes, request a lower floor for a Murphy bed. Go on YouTube and you’ll find hundreds of videos on the WL and BRV that are very helpful. There are room tours of the newly refurbished rooms. It’s a great resort.

 

[Mle8308]

Welcome, Clara! So many Groupies will have more knowledge than me, but here are my initial thoughts. And feel free to ask as many questions as you wish and join in our discussions! We are family here.

The studio categories are pretty much the same--I believe there may be one or two HA units. You're right in that bus run times do vary, but over the years, WL has ranked highly in terms of busing. I think you'll be pleased, and keep in mind there is boat service to MK, as well, which is a great way to travel there and back. The boat wait times can be a little long if you just miss a boat, but plan accordingly, and you'll love them. I believe you are correct about the top floors, so I'd request lake view, near the elevator in your case, or if you don't mind a lower floor, simply say lake view, lower floor. As for noise at the resort, I've found it to be one of the quietest on property. Yes, the EWP does go off around 9 pm nightly, but it's not terribly loud in the rooms if you keep the balcony doors closed. If you're on the lovely woods view side, you won't even hear it most likely. The most noise is in the main lobby where the check in desk, Mercantile, and WCC are located. Beyond that, it's a quiet place, even the pools.


And welcome to you, as well, yaksack! Yes, I believe recent reports are that Roaring Fork is now 24-hour; if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me soon!

Both of you have great trips!

It’s 24 hours for drink refills, not food. And yes, soon!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like noise shouldn't be an issue for me. Phew!

35 minutes waiting for a bus? Is that average or worst case scenario? Is there any place to sit when waiting for the buses to the parks?

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey All
I feel I have been a Debbie Downer here lately with talk about CC fraud and such
Hopefully these can help redeem my status here a bit

So Im going to share these WL songs for anyone who would like to give a listen
These 2 songs just embody the vibe at WL for me
Enjoy!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Is the quick service restaurant a pretty long walk from BRV rooms? It looks like it on the map but maybe it's not super long?

We plan to eat breakfast there each morning so I'm guessing it makes most sense to eat and then immediate go to the boat launch or bus stop instead of going back to our room.

 

[sleepydog25]

It’s 24 hours for drink refills, not food. And yes, soon!

Yes, I should have noted it was only drinks not food.

Is the quick service restaurant a pretty long walk from BRV rooms? It looks like it on the map but maybe it's not super long?

We plan to eat breakfast there each morning so I'm guessing it makes most sense to eat and then immediate go to the boat launch or bus stop instead of going back to our room.

The resort is small. The bus stop sits in between the main Lodge and the VWL building, so if you wanted to go back to your room before the heading to the bus stop, you're only adding another 3-5 minutes.

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like noise shouldn't be an issue for me. Phew!

35 minutes waiting for a bus? Is that average or worst case scenario? Is there any place to sit when waiting for the buses to the parks?

Probably more of a worst case scenario. You can see bus arrival times on displays at the bus depot, it’s in real time, so you know when the next one is arriving. I believe it’s in your MDE, too. The walk to Roaring Fork can be a bit of a trek depending on where your room is in BR. You do have to go outside, it is a covered walkway if you go that direction. BRV is not connected to the main building. Going from Roaring Fork right to the boat launch after breakfast is a good idea.

 

[ChipNdale8887]

Anyone know how much milk costs in the Gift Shops? We have a 15 month old traveling with us that is drinking whole milk.

 

[MsChristy12]

Not sure if everyone will agree about this, but my husband said the one thing he doesn't like about the WL is....the parking lot!! It can be a tad deep and quite a track to your villa if you come back late, and the closest parking is all the way in the back. We aren't big fans of taking the Disney transportation to the parks. We like driving ourselves so we can leave when we want and go where we want without transfers or wasting time. Their parking lot also doesn't seem that large to accommodate all the resort guests plus visitors that have ADRs. Anyone ever had issues when they come back late from dinner/the parks and can't find parking?

 

[Mle8308]

Not sure if everyone will agree about this, but my husband said the one thing he doesn't like about the WL is....the parking lot!! It can be a tad deep and quite a track to your villa if you come back late, and the closest parking is all the way in the back. We aren't big fans of taking the Disney transportation to the parks. We like driving ourselves so we can leave when we want and go where we want without transfers or wasting time. Their parking lot also doesn't seem that large to accommodate all the resort guests plus visitors that have ADRs. Anyone ever had issues when they come back late from dinner/the parks and can't find parking?

Never had any problems. We don't normally get up close parking, but there have always been spaces, even when we've gone in December.

 

[MsChristy12]

Never had any problems. We don't normally get up close parking, but there have always been spaces, even when we've gone in December.

That's great to know! *phew*

 

[CarolynFH]

That's great to know! *phew*

Back a number of years ago, before Disney became so strict with parking, I’ve read reports of WL guests having to park in the CM lot by the lake. Sounds like being strict might be working!

 

[jimmytammy]

Here is one to get us over Hump Day
Another WL background sound

 

[RuntheMouse]

Not sure if everyone will agree about this, but my husband said the one thing he doesn't like about the WL is....the parking lot!! It can be a tad deep and quite a track to your villa if you come back late, and the closest parking is all the way in the back. We aren't big fans of taking the Disney transportation to the parks. We like driving ourselves so we can leave when we want and go where we want without transfers or wasting time. Their parking lot also doesn't seem that large to accommodate all the resort guests plus visitors that have ADRs. Anyone ever had issues when they come back late from dinner/the parks and can't find parking?

We were there last January (MW so busy) when they will still renovating BRV. Part of the parking lot had been taken over by the cons crew. We still never had a problem with parking, in fact we got a spot right up front on day!