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

[eliza61]

This was a picture from the elevator as I stepped off on the second floor. As you can see there are room doors ahead on both sides but you have that big open chandler in the middle. so it's very peaceful IMO.

 

[MaryJ]

Hi! We're staying at VWL for a couple of nights in August and I have a few questions. I'm hoping you don't mind if I pop in here

We're staying in a studio on rented points and looking for recommendations on room requests. DD and DH are afraid of heights. I was thinking of requesting the first floor, but started wondering if critters might be an issue. Maybe 2nd floor is a better option? Also, DD has some special needs and so a quiet area is appreciated. Are the rooms on the pool side OK as far as noise? How about near the elevator? Any suggestions are appreciated.

The other questions concern transportation. We'll only be going to MK and visiting the other resorts in the area. I'm pretty sure we'll mostly use the boats for transportation. I'm thinking there may be times when the bus makes more sense.. so... Do the buses to MK run all day or just early and late? If you leave MK around fireworks or electrical pageant times, are the boats interrupted? Are there better times to just take the bus?

Thanks for your help! I'm really looking forward to staying here!

I have stayed on the first floor and have never had any issues with critters, so I don't think that would be a concern. As far as a quiet room goes, I would request a lake view room. While you won't actually be able to see the lake (especially if you're on the first floor) it will keep you from hearing people/bell services rolling their suitcases/luggage carts over the boarded walkway on the other side of the resort. It can be quite loud at times.

 

[ottawagreg]

The other questions concern transportation. We'll only be going to MK and visiting the other resorts in the area. I'm pretty sure we'll mostly use the boats for transportation. I'm thinking there may be times when the bus makes more sense.. so... Do the buses to MK run all day or just early and late? If you leave MK around fireworks or electrical pageant times, are the boats interrupted? Are there better times to just take the bus?

digiMom,

I cannot think of a time one would want to take bus versus using the boats. We have never used the buses for MK. If you close the park down or leave after Wishes fireworks, the boat is really your only play. Even if you have to wait for a send boat it is still much better than a bus.

The smaller one has more open space than the larger boat. Either way the cool air in the evening is a nice relaxing way to come down from the castle while returning "home".

I'm at work now. I have a detailed floor plan that would show room numbers that you can use to request rooms.

You will really love the lodge.

greg

 

[twinklebug]

digiMom,

I cannot think of a time one would want to take bus versus using the boats. We have never used the buses for MK. If you close the park down or leave after Wishes fireworks, the boat is really your only play. Even if you have to wait for a send boat it is still much better than a bus.

The smaller one has more open space than the larger boat. Either way the cool air in the evening is a nice relaxing way to come down from the castle while returning "home".

I'm at work now. I have a detailed floor plan that would show room numbers that you can use to request rooms.

You will really love the lodge.

greg

My son will only take the bus to/from the MK, stating that it's much faster and less crowded than the boats. While he's probably right, I prefer the ambiance of the boats as long as the weather's nice. Rain and cold will force me over to the buses (and it's a shorter/covered walk from the bus stop back to the villas verses the winding walkway from the boat dock to the main lodge.)

Regarding critters on the first floor: Yes, if you're one to leave your patio door open you very well can get a gecko or snake slithering in. Just don't leave it open, as they climb the buildings well and they'll enter no matter what floor you're on.

 

[Kathymford]

My favorite thing about the lodge, ok one of the the favorites, is taking the boat whenever we can. It just feels like vacation!

 

[ottawagreg]

Rain and cold will force me over to the buses (and it's a shorter/covered walk from the bus stop back to the villas verses the winding walkway from the boat dock to the main lodge.)

That is an excellent point regarding the covered walk. It maybe fifty feet at most until you get under the roof. I don't recall walking in the rain on the boardwalk from the dock. On the flip side though leaving the MK it is much closer to use the boat. They did a redesign on the bus terminals at MK also. I should give that a try. How many stops between the VWL and the castle?

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm away from home so using my phone, but welcome Digimon and Lisann! This is the friendliest group on the DIS, and we're thrilled you've joined us. On page 1, you'll find instructions for grabbing a Moose siggie (only if you are so inclined), and if you want me to add your names to our trip list please shoot me a pm. Jimmytammy handles birthdays and anniversaries. Lisann, from what part of VA do you hail? I'm in the southwest corner off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On a side note to all, I've authored another article on ****************, and this one is entitled the Top Ten Things to Do at WL. Just click on the top ten lists on the menu from that site. See if you agree with me!

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Birthday MiaSRN62!!!!

 

[mvndvm]

Less than a week now til our first trip home as DVC members!!

 

[Muushka]

Less than a week now til our first trip home as DVC members!!

Have a wonderful trip!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA!!!!

I think I like the next one more

I hope it is a very happy one! Where shall we have lunch??

 

[Granny]

Happy Birthday Maria!!!!


Hope it is a wonderful one and that you are feeling much better very soon!

 

[ottawagreg]

The other day digiMom was asking about room locations and preferences. I don't know if this is of any interest to anyone, or if it is helpful. It seems to be the most detailed map of the villas I can find. I do CAD drafting and design work, so this kind of stuff draws my attention. I like to see and know details and scale.

Does anyone know if you are allowed to ask for specific rooms. For example if a guy wanted to have a studio near the elevator with a view of the pool, can I ask for room 3505?

Or a very quiet and more private with a view of the lake, one may might ask for 4561. We are a family of three and do studios. I was surprised at the number to two bedrooms.

greg

 

[twokats]

Happy Birthday, Maria!
Hope it is the best.

 

[DiznyDi]

Wishing Maria a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope your feeling better. May the sun shine for you today as you celebrate your special day. Enjoy!

 

[eliza61]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to ask for specific rooms. For example if a guy wanted to have a studio near the elevator with a view of the pool, can I ask for room 3505?



greg

Greg,
From my sources, (my neighbors daughter is a cm at the Contemporary) they generally do not take specific room request. Generally the problem becomes what happens if that room is not empty or what happens if a guest leaves on Tuesday but you don't arrive to Friday, they won't keep a room sitting empty for 2 days like that.
Now of course you can request it but it's better to keep the request very general, say like "close to the elevators".

Now of course all the groupies are pretty rational human beings but if you can hear the "guest gone wild" stories she tells, you can imagine their reluctance to open that can of worms.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA, HOPE YOUR DAY WAS MAGICAL

 

[sleepydog25]

Happy birthday, Maria!

 

[eliza61]

Tales from the recent trip. Just some pictures to get the weekend going.

This trip we stayed at the Contemporary. I've always had a reluctance to stay here as it's not my favorite themed resort but the stay was wonderful and you absolutely can't beat the walk to MK.

We were on the 6th floor facing the pond. we were directly in front of the pool.



BLT


As always Kudos to Disney design and engineering. Our front door overlooked Chef Mickey's and when I first saw it I was a bit dismayed. I just kept imagining the noise from the restaurant. Resort is fabulously insulated. Noise was never and issue.



and you definitely can't beat the walk to MK

 

[eliza61]

Had lunch at BOG. It was ok. One of those things like eating in Cinderella's Castle, great experience and you do it for the atmosphere but you only really need to do it once as the food is just so-so. Now to be fair we had lunch so we all had some type of sandwich. Also living in Philly has probably jaded me as it's really the city of awesome hoagies and cheesesteaks.

But it is a great example of what Disney does par excellence!! Theming.

 

[Lisann]

Magic bands & FP+
Hate 'em. I reserved using that word until after I tried them. While they are nice to open your room door, I don't like the fact that my information pops up every time it's scanned. I pulled into the parking lot at the BC and the guard there made chit chat about my entire day's adr's. I know it's a very minor thing but it's just weird having the guard say "you'll have a great dinner at nine dragons" when I go to park.

Let me just say FP+ simply does not fit our touring style. the basic problem is that imo it's not easy to make changes. I didn't like the fact that if you use two of your fp's and change your mind on the third one you either have to stop at a fp kiosk or pull out your cell phone, hope the wifi in the parks in adequate that day and try to cancel or change them. Also if you park hop, basically the nano second you enter the second park you must find a fp kiosk. It just really took the emphasis off of enjoying the second park and became an exercise in getting a fast pass. don't even get me started about getting stuck behind a visitor that doesn't speak English.

I completely agree. I don't think it was money well spent on Disney's part, just my humble opinion.

Thanks for the update on the Contemporary. Funny you mentioned the "not so great for tall people" aspect of the resort. It's true!!

 

[horselover]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA!!!