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

[Kathymford]

My favorite part of owning at VWL is the 11 month window for booking at Christmas. That was one great trip.

 

[horselover]

My favorite part of owning at VWL is the 11 month window for booking at Christmas. That was one great trip.

Mine too. There's no place like Home for the holidays. I look forward to it all year.

 

[Dizny Dad]

My favorite part of owning at VWL is the 11 month window for booking at Christmas. . . . . . . . .

No Argument there . . .

 

[anmay27]

I am definitely on board with the groupies I absolutely love the serenity of WL. If it doesn't happen for us this year, I'll book it for next. I am definitely of the ilk "buy where you want to stay" especially because I will always be going during school breaks. What should I focus on for must do's at VWL?

 

[ParkHoppers]

So if I am understanding room views...odd # rooms are lake side? And even room # faces the bus stop? I was thinking of my room request being upper floor with odd room #. Does that sound like what I should request? Is the dumpster view an even # room? Thanks again for all the help people.

 

[MiaSRN62]

So if I am understanding room views...odd # rooms are lake side? And even room # faces the bus stop? I was thinking of my room request being upper floor with odd room #. Does that sound like what I should request? Is the dumpster view an even # room? Thanks again for all the help people.

Hi.....
This was one of the last rooms I stayed in at VWL...I think if you want a lake view, requesting a high floor and closer to the lobby would be your best bet. Others here would probably know better than me. But the tree views are nice and relaxing as well.........

 

[sleepydog25]

Hi.....
This was one of the last rooms I stayed in at VWL...I think if you want a lake view, requesting a high floor and closer to the lobby would be your best bet. Others here would probably know better than me. But the tree views are nice and relaxing as well.........

I agree. We generally ask for floors 2-4, pool view. This encompasses the higher floors without including the dormer-style balconies on the fifth floor, puts us closer to the elevators/lobby (away from the dumpster view which isn't as awful as it sounds), and indicates lake side all at the same time. Keep in mind, that these are only requests, and in my experience the past 10 years, it's pretty much a crap shoot. We usually end up on floors 3 or 4, lake side, and halfway down the hallway. So, two out of three isn't bad. We have ended up four rooms from the dumpster view, have been on the bus side twice (still very relaxing), and have only been close to the pool twice. Here's a story that encapsulates the request process precisely. As most on here know, Luv and I were married at the Lodge two summers ago. We made our reservations 11 months out and asked for a 1BR lake side overlooking the pool. Of all the times you'd think a request would be honored that would be it, right? Well, we did get the 4th floor and we did get lake side; however, we were nowhere near the pool. Closer to the dumpster than the pool, actually. When we checked in, the CM told us, "you have a great room and location!" Three times. It was pretty much like every other time we'd stayed there. That experience in no way diminished our love for VWL and the Lodge, but it does serve to illustrate that one can only make a request and wish for the best. Good luck!

 

[jimmytammy]

Sounds like a good idea in the afternoon when returning early to Boonesborough.

You mentioned something about drinking, in Boonsbourgh
Dad
Funny thing, I live in a place that is called Boone Station, now encompassed by Burlington, NC(basically a pigpath area where the wagon trail is still visible, it was a stagecoach trail area, and Boone Station, named after Daniel Boone is about 1/2 mile from my house). Turns out, my aunt informed me recently that we are related to Mr. Boone on my grandmas side of the family. Apparently that Wilderness connection didnt fall far from the tree

anmay27
As for must do's, I think for me, taking in the sights and sounds of WL as much as anything is a big plus. Hearing Western themed music playing faintly in the background, seeing lanterns flicker at night, listening for the crickets chirp at night, catching a nap in one of the comfy chairs or enjoying your fav beverage in one in The Carolwood Pacific Room, early morning walks to FW, or a boat ride just for the fun of it, hearing the boats sound off in the AM before the parks open, roaming the grounds, checking out the wonderful foliage, etc. There are so many things to take in. To me, WL has the best grounds and sights and sounds amongst the resorts at WDW. I love a lot of the other resorts on property, but WL just puts me at ease.

 

[Corinne]

Happy Saturday Groupies! Three weeks to go! Work is getting super crazy again so I'm guessing by the time my trip rolls around I'm going to be very ready

 

[jimmytammy]

Ok Folks...this is just wrong, we are getting way to close to the bottom of the 1st page...hope everyone has a great Sunday

 

[sleepydog25]

I am definitely on board with the groupies I absolutely love the serenity of WL. If it doesn't happen for us this year, I'll book it for next. I am definitely of the ilk "buy where you want to stay" especially because I will always be going during school breaks. What should I focus on for must do's at VWL?

The ideas proposed by jimmytammy are exceptional. In addition to his excellent suggestions, you can acquire a list of Hidden Mickeys at the front desk; walk the nature trail and/or paved trail between VWL and FW; sit on the beach and watch EWP and even catch some of Wishes; take in family movie night (also on the beach); rent a surrey bike or boat; grab fresh Mickey waffles in Roaring Fork; watch the geyser blow up close; and put your name on the list to be a flag family. Those who have been chosen to do the last idea say it's an awesome experience. Above all, as JT says, enjoy the beauty, grandeur, and serenity of our home away from home.

P.S. About to wash away here in the mountains. After a gorgeous day Saturday, we've been pounded with rain and wind all day today. Calling for up to 5" of rain by tomorrow night. Stay dry, JT!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Bump . . .

Oooh . . .thud . . .thud . . .thud . . .thud . . .thud . . crash. Sorry, missed my step when I was looking up from the bottom of the 1st page while standing on our thread. Jimmy was right . . This was just wrong.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Now that I'm standing again, Sleepydog mentioned all sorts of cool things to do. DiznyDi & I love eating our cheesy grits on our balcony, listening to the boat horns, after our walk thru the woods and back from Ft. Wilderness early in the morning. Great way to start the day. Sitting on the balcony listening to the electric water parade is a great way to punctuate a great day and turn in (old people - you know, in PJs by 9:30 PM)

 

[Silvermist999]

We will be staying at VWL for the very first time in a little over a month...so excited!
We have booked a LV 1 BR villa.
What types of view can I expect to get? Is there a thread or post that shows room location/views by room type?
Thanks!

 

[Granny]

We will be staying at VWL for the very first time in a little over a month...so excited!
We have booked a LV 1 BR villa.
What types of view can I expect to get? Is there a thread or post that shows room location/views by room type?
Thanks!

Welcome to the VWL Groupies thread, Silvermist999!!!

Look back about a page and read the posts about views. There is not a thread dedicated to VWL views since almost all of the views are pretty much trees and more trees...which we love!

By the way, there is not a way to book a Lake View villa at VWL. Bay Lake Tower has that booking category but not VWL. You can request a lake side villa, but frankly there are very few villas with a view of the lake, and even those have only a partial view through trees or the corner of the pool area. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Granny]

For those who ask about views at VWL, I think this picture says more clearly what we have been saying:

The red roof is the ENTIRE VWL resort. As you can see, trees are the predominant view in almost all of the rooms. It is a very small resort so even if you are in the last room at the end of the hall, it is a pretty short walk to the elevators.

 

[sleepydog25]

For those who ask about views at VWL, I think this picture says more clearly what we have been saying:

The red roof is the ENTIRE VWL resort. As you can see, trees are the predominant view in almost all of the rooms. It is a very small resort so even if you are in the last room at the end of the hall, it is a pretty short walk to the elevators.

As a matter of reference, the lake would be to the left in this picture (that might be the shore to the far left about 10 o'clock), and the bus stop is to the right. In fact, you can see the roof to the bus walkway in the lower right corner. You can also see what some of those dormer-style balconies look like--just up and left from center.

 

[Silvermist999]

Welcome to the VWL Groupies thread, Silvermist999!!!

Look back about a page and read the posts about views. There is not a thread dedicated to VWL views since almost all of the views are pretty much trees and more trees...which we love!

By the way, there is not a way to book a Lake View villa at VWL. Bay Lake Tower has that booking category but not VWL. You can request a lake side villa, but frankly there are very few villas with a view of the lake, and even those have only a partial view through trees or the corner of the pool area. Enjoy your trip!

Oops! You are so right! We have stayed at BLT numerous times and so thats probably why I referenced a lake view villa.

So are there any better views or "not as good views". Are there certain 1 BR villa locations that are more favourable than others that people seem to like?

 

[sleepydog25]

Oops! You are so right! We have stayed at BLT numerous times and so thats probably why I referenced a lake view villa.

So are there any better views or "not as good views". Are there certain 1 BR villa locations that are more favourable than others that people seem to like?

As mentioned, the overwhelming theme at VWL is "trees." That will be your view. However, there are a few rooms that sit unappetizingly close to the dumpster (though it's not the as awful as it sounds, just not ideal). When we request, it's for floors 2-4 and overlooking the pool. Those floors don't have the dormer-style balconies and if you're close to the pool, you won't be close to the dumpster. Again, welcome and good luck!

 

[ParkHoppers]

Thanks for the help on views people. Just trying to avoid the dumpster views like most.Are the dumpster views odd number rooms? Other than those I am a fan of any trees views. Must be really nice.