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

[Disney loving Iowan]

I have been seeing reports on other threads about how run down VWL is. Super bummed to hear this and wish they would the refurb ASAP.

I agree that it could use some updating. I just wish the refurb didn't mean removing a lot of the lodge look.

 

[sleepydog25]

I have been seeing reports on other threads about how run down VWL is. Super bummed to hear this and wish they would the refurb ASAP.

Wow. Seems like just a few years back they changed over the flooring, went with the pull down murphy beds and the new storage tables. People are rough.

While VWL rooms may be a bit run down, they're still quite lovely overall. And, yes, it hasn't been a great many years since the last refurb, but as twink says, people are rough. Think about it. Imagine people traipsing in your home almost daily for a few years, packing 5 people into a space the size of your den, kids romping around, suitcases tossed about, spills, tears, constant banging into furniture and walls, using your kitchen without ever cleaning it much, et. al. Truly, it doesn't take long for that space to begin to look used despite the best efforts of Mousekeeping and Engineering. Further, it's natural to see new rooms come on line in other buildings and compare how "shiny" they look in comparison to older rooms. I just hope that the refurbishment that eventually will come doesn't lose the appeal of an actual national park lodge, though I feel quite certain it will. Theming costs money, and Disney won't spend more than they absolutely have to.

 

[TCRAIG]

What time do you plan on leaving?

 

[Disneytrippin']

For those of you that have stayed on the first floor how was it? I am thinking of choosing a floor level room preferably close to the doors headed out by transportation. When looking at touring plans room finder it shows the noise level between 3 and 4. I like the idea of being able to head out without using elevators as my mom will be using a scooter and we will have two littles as well. At the end of the night or, if there are mid day breaks it would be nice to get back to the room quickly too. I also like the idea of a lake view upper floor too but, not sure about the small balconies for our group. Room number suggestions would be helpful too if you've got em. TIY

 

[Granny]

For those of you that have stayed on the first floor how was it? I am thinking of choosing a floor level room preferably close to the doors headed out by transportation. When looking at touring plans room finder it shows the noise level between 3 and 4. I like the idea of being able to head out without using elevators as my mom will be using a scooter and we will have two littles as well. At the end of the night or, if there are mid day breaks it would be nice to get back to the room quickly too. I also like the idea of a lake view upper floor too but, not sure about the small balconies for our group. Room number suggestions would be helpful too if you've got em. TIY

I have never stayed in a first floor villa, but I do have some thoughts. If you are on the "bus side" of VWL, especially if you are near the elevators, you will hear the foot traffic on the walkway between VWL and the main resort lobby. You will especially hear the wheeled luggage being rolled along as people show up for their first/last day dragging the luggage over the uneven boards of the walk way. I would think that would be the noisiest area for a first floor room. The "lake side" villas would be quieter, but during the day you would have the pool noise.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about making an upper floor request. It will be quieter (on either side) and the resort is so small that even if you are farthest away from the elevators you really aren't that far away. Look at the map on page one of this thread and you'll see that you are never more than 15-20 villas away from the elevators. That is a remarkably short distance compared to most DVC resorts.

As for the size of the balcony, I'd say it is pretty close to the same size as the first floor patio areas outside the doors. So I wouldn't make that much of a consideration.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Disneytrippin']

I have never stayed in a first floor villa, but I do have some thoughts. If you are on the "bus side" of VWL, especially if you are near the elevators, you will hear the foot traffic on the walkway between VWL and the main resort lobby. You will especially hear the wheeled luggage being rolled along as people show up for their first/last day dragging the luggage over the uneven boards of the walk way. I would think that would be the noisiest area for a first floor room. The "lake side" villas would be quieter, but during the day you would have the pool noise.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about making an upper floor request. It will be quieter (on either side) and the resort is so small that even if you are farthest away from the elevators you really aren't that far away. Look at the map on page one of this thread and you'll see that you are never more than 15-20 villas away from the elevators. That is a remarkably short distance compared to most DVC resorts.

As for the size of the balcony, I'd say it is pretty close to the same size as the first floor patio areas outside the doors. So I wouldn't make that much of a consideration.

I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you so much. This was very helpful.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

For those of you that have stayed on the first floor how was it? I am thinking of choosing a floor level room preferably close to the doors headed out by transportation. When looking at touring plans room finder it shows the noise level between 3 and 4. I like the idea of being able to head out without using elevators as my mom will be using a scooter and we will have two littles as well. At the end of the night or, if there are mid day breaks it would be nice to get back to the room quickly too. I also like the idea of a lake view upper floor too but, not sure about the small balconies for our group. Room number suggestions would be helpful too if you've got em. TIY

On our last trip we stayed on the first floor. Our room was 2 doors from the lobby and the back door to the quiet pool. It was very quiet. We didn't hear anything coming from the hall. Also even though there was a walking path behind us it wasn't used as much as the other path so there wasn't a lot of noise.

 

[jimmytammy]

Disneytrippin
We have only stayed 1st floor once, much to our disliking. But we are the folks you see out on the balcony in the AM, reading, or working on our computers with a cup o Joe close by. So our one and only experience was in a room facing the wooden walkway Granny mentioned. In 10 mins, our first morning there, we realized quickly we couldn't sit out there. Folks heading to breakfast, parks, etc. caught our attn. and we caught theirs. So being constantly stared at in our PJs wasn't fun. Now our DD and her family got a 1st floor, same trip, pool side and loved it! They heard very little noise, not near as much foot traffic as our side. They could quickly step out the back and be on their merry way. I like being about as high up as I can get too, less noise from above.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Disneytrippin
We have only stayed 1st floor once, much to our disliking. But we are the folks you see out on the balcony in the AM, reading, or working on our computers with a cup o Joe close by. So our one and only experience was in a room facing the wooden walkway Granny mentioned. In 10 mins, our first morning there, we realized quickly we couldn't sit out there. Folks heading to breakfast, parks, etc. caught our attn. and we caught theirs. So being constantly stared at in our PJs wasn't fun. Now our DD and her family got a 1st floor, same trip, pool side and loved it! They heard very little noise, not near as much foot traffic as our side. They could quickly step out the back and be on their merry way. I like being about as high up as I can get too, less noise from above.

Yeah I think being on the other side makes all the difference in the world. We weren't much for actually sitting on the patio but we kept the door open sometimes. The only downside was you get a lot of direct morning sun.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Disneytrippin
We have only stayed 1st floor once, much to our disliking. But we are the folks you see out on the balcony in the AM, reading, or working on our computers with a cup o Joe close by. So our one and only experience was in a room facing the wooden walkway Granny mentioned. In 10 mins, our first morning there, we realized quickly we couldn't sit out there. Folks heading to breakfast, parks, etc. caught our attn. and we caught theirs. So being constantly stared at in our PJs wasn't fun. Now our DD and her family got a 1st floor, same trip, pool side and loved it! They heard very little noise, not near as much foot traffic as our side. They could quickly step out the back and be on their merry way. I like being about as high up as I can get too, less noise from above.

We are serious coffee drinkers too. Like granny said the building isn't that big. This makes me a little more apt to pick a higher floor. I'm relieved because my #1 reason to pick a room is the view. Every morning I get up first and take in the view and atmosphere while drinking my coffee. My parents and son in law will want to do the same.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Yeah I think being on the other side makes all the difference in the world. We weren't much for actually sitting on the patio but we kept the door open sometimes. The only downside was you get a lot of direct morning sun.

By other side do you mean pool view?

 

[Lakegirl]

We are serious coffee drinkers too. Like granny said the building isn't that big. This makes me a little more apt to pick a higher floor. I'm relieved because my #1 reason to pick a room is the view. Every morning I get up first and take in the view and atmosphere while drinking my coffee. My parents and son in law will want to do the same.

I am the same way. i love to get up before everyone else and take it all while enjoying* my coffee.

 

[Corinne]

I am the same way. i love to get up before everyone else and take it all while enjoying* my coffee.

DITTTTTTTOOOOOOO!

 

[bobbiwoz]

DITTTTTTTOOOOOOO!

Me too!

 

[TCRAIG]

Does drinking my Diet Pepsi early in the morning count?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Does drinking my Diet Pepsi early in the morning count?

Sure!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

By other side do you mean pool view?

Yes we faced the quiet pool. Back on page 968 I have a couple of pictures posted of our view from our patio.

 

[Lakegirl]

Does drinking my Diet Pepsi early in the morning count?

Yep!,

 

[jimmytammy]

Question:
I know some one here has at some point dealt with this
I need to book two 2 bedrooms, same resort, same time
How do I do this on the website since member services is so swamped these days?

 

[twinklebug]

Question:
I know some one here has at some point dealt with this
I need to book two 2 bedrooms, same resort, same time
How do I do this on the website since member services is so swamped these days?

You can book both rooms on the website, it will put your name down as in both rooms, but member services can adjust that with a later call.

I honestly don't know why they have that restriction at all. They claim it has to do with the system not being able to recognize both stays, which is false. The system doesn't have to connect the reservations, it just cannot link both to the same MDE profile, a flaw they need to fix for DVC as these are not "hotel rooms".

I have this exact issue going on right now. 2 rooms, one for 12 nights, one for only 2 but right in the middle of my long stay as we overlap and I then hand off my room to my kids who aren't sure of their arrival dates as jobs and airfare prices dictate when they can arrive. If that room is empty the first night Disney will cancel the reservation, so I want my name on the room to keep it should they be delayed. If the points are lost, they'd be expiring soon anyway and that second room is a club level, I'll be more than happy enough to have a latte on the room.

Member services left a message for me last week asking me to call back about "one of my reservations". I know they want to monkey with the names and break the stays up, claiming my name cannot be on both.