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

[jimmytammy]

OK, so just returned from VWL... stay from May 21-27. Second floor room 2548. The one bedroom was quite comfy (I still like OKW and BWV though). We were on the side that face the bus stop... but couldn't see through all the lush trees. We could occasionally hear the beep beep beep, but only if the door was open to the balcony. The DVC pool was nice, but why can't they have a bar there? The Main pool we didn't use at all... they weren't allowing pool hopping and were checking guests, which was nice...but they were doing that for the DVC pool. There was a movie on the beach every night except for one they moved inside. They also have campfires with marshmallow toasting... yummmm.... We saw the light parade once. Over all the resort is very nice, but I prefer the other two that I mentioned. (I live in NH, and although this resort is West... it reminded me too much of NH)

The bus service left much to be desired. We took the boat to Contemporary and walked to MK (boat to MK only runs 30 minutes before park opens). Took the boat to Contemporary took monorail to transportation center then to epcot... .etc... this was faster than the bus service from VWL.

The main pool bar ran out of ice one night....

The counter service was decent...

I would stay here again, but not a first choice

hmmmm... that is all for now

Its funny that you mention not having such a stellar stay but love OKW. We were the same after our 1st OKW stay, said we would never stay there again, but the lower pts plus hearing about the size of the 1 beds lured us back(our 1st stay was in a studio, reminded us of a standard room at resorts)and we fell in love with OKW
Buses at VWL can be sporadic. Boats are the way to go when heading to MK. We have done so many scenarios, heading on the boat that takes you to FW and Contemp. then Monorail to MK, but the main boat direct to MK is fastest and runs pretty consistent. And I agree with Greg, boat to Contemp then Monorail to Epcot tends to be quicker than bus. At least it feels like it to me
Once the dust settles, try VWL again, you may find a better time. For us, it is relaxing, great place to wind down after the parks, much like OKW.

 

[eliza61]

OK, so just returned from VWL... stay from May 21-27. Second floor room 2548. The one bedroom was quite comfy (I still like OKW and BWV though). We were on the side that face the bus stop... but couldn't see through all the lush trees. We could occasionally hear the beep beep beep, but only if the door was open to the balcony. The DVC pool was nice, but why can't they have a bar there? The Main pool we didn't use at all... they weren't allowing pool hopping and were checking guests, which was nice...but they were doing that for the DVC pool. There was a movie on the beach every night except for one they moved inside. They also have campfires with marshmallow toasting... yummmm.... We saw the light parade once. Over all the resort is very nice, but I prefer the other two that I mentioned. (I live in NH, and although this resort is West... it reminded me too much of NH)

The bus service left much to be desired. We took the boat to Contemporary and walked to MK (boat to MK only runs 30 minutes before park opens). Took the boat to Contemporary took monorail to transportation center then to epcot... .etc... this was faster than the bus service from VWL.

The main pool bar ran out of ice one night....

The counter service was decent...

I would stay here again, but not a first choice

hmmmm... that is all for now

Hey DJ,


It's really weird I've always found bus service at the world sporadic and this is going on almost 20 years of visiting. Most of the time I chalk it up to the fact that I'm a bit ADHD so waiting in general is not my strong suit and the fact that I'm a native New Yorker, say what you will about the big apple, but the transit system is pretty darn good. We think any thing more than a 7 minute wait for a bus is ridiculous. Anyhoo, we never visit the world without a car.

Do you mean the quiet pool when you said DVC pool? I know the quiet pools at BC and BW also do not have a bar so I think that is intentional. Does BLT have a bar at it's quiet pool?

I stayed at SSR but we didn't swim that year.

Thanks for the update.

 

[twinklebug]

Exciting news - just found out, not only is my son going to join us for the second half of our trip at VWL, but my sister and her boys will be over in the main lodge for the first half! (some kind of a summer deal going on where she got a courtyard view room for $266/nt, not bad imho)



She worked as a College Program CM for the carrousel, Small World and some narration show many years back over the spring and summer and knows how deathly hot and crowded the place can get over the holiday. This was the one thing that was holding her back. I think however as a CM your attitude changes when you are forced to be working in those hot conditions.

My response: We hit the parks early in the day, and later in the evening. The mid day hours are for the pool. I forgot to tell her how crowded the pools get - particularly the feature pool) Wondering if I should share this tidbit. Her boys are 8 and 10. I did mention she'll probably want waterpark passes.

By the way, is it just me, or is Downtown Disney unbearably hot & dry in the summer months? I find it much more so than AK.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . Do you mean the quiet pool when you said DVC pool? . . . . . . . .

Can't help but just jump in and say that I love the DVC quiet pools; I don't need a bar at the pool (I can walk as far as I need to if I'm inclined for such libation).

Unfortunately. Kadani's DVC pool is not a quiet pool, although I've heard it referred to as such. It does have a bar, but I wish they had left the cruise music and beat on the ship, along with the nice young lady with a microphone encouraging me to get with it.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy Birthday sechem32!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I freely acknowledge that we are one of the few that often use the bus to MK. We consider it the best bus service and route that you'll find at WDW. So fast, convenient to the villas and it's never full because everyone else want to ride those very charming and attractive boats.

We also have absolutely horrid luck with the boats for timing and it happened yet again this past trip. Going to Cali Grill for dinner. As we were walking past the main pool we saw the boat pulling away. As we watched it chug towards the CR we saw the other boat heading from FW to the CR so we knew it would be 20 minutes at best until we could get to the CR. We had 30 minutes by the time we spotted the other boat but I have no trust in them going on schedule when we need them too. So off to the car we went. At least this time we knew we just missed the boat where previously, more than once, we've waited 15-25 minutes for a boat to even show up and then it's one heading the wrong way. But if we're just going for a joy ride then they are there immediately. Sometimes Mickey is an evil little mouse.

Otherwise other than the MK bus at VWL it's fair to say that bus service from all the MK resorts is time consuming compared to resorts such as OKW, SSR and AKV because all the resorts share with at least one other resort. Still we'll stick with the bus. 20 minutes from VWL to Epcot. That's about what we get when we stay at BLT and going to Epcot via the monorail. Apparently buses like us more than boats.

 

[Corinne]

Oh so exciting.....
So what do you do when you can't sleep? I generally go downstairs to my computer and cruise the net hoping to get tired. Occasionally I'll clean my 'plastics' cupboard. Sometimes I even start planning the next trip. Pixie dust for 3 good nights sleep so you can hit the parks full steam ahead!

Lol, I am soooo not as ambitious as you Di! I usually just watch the clock!

I also noticed that you have a birthday coming up Corinne - sounds like you'll be celebrating at the world?!?!?! One of the best places to start another year IMO. Good luck with the sleep!

No, my birthday is next Friday, and my sister and I are just heading down for a quick long weekend trip, leaving Saturday, back on Tuesday. DH and I are heading down in September and will be celebrating our 29th anniversary at the California Grill

Have a good and safe trip.

Thanks Kathy!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

No, my birthday is next Friday, and my sister and I are just heading down for a quick long weekend trip, leaving Saturday, back on Tuesday. DH and I are heading down in September and will be celebrating our 29th anniversary at the California Grill

Haven't you heard about the birthday week? I started that at 40.

At 50 it's going to the birthday month!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Can't help but just jump in and say that I love the DVC quiet pools; I don't need a bar at the pool (I can walk as far as I need to if I'm inclined for such libation).

Unfortunately. Kadani's DVC pool is not a quiet pool, although I've heard it referred to as such. It does have a bar, but I wish they had left the cruise music and beat on the ship, along with the nice young lady with a microphone encouraging me to get with it.

She or he is always our signal that it's time to check out other things. Even as a youngster I don't know if I would have thought they needed to be as loud as they are.

 

[Corinne]

Haven't you heard about the birthday week? I started that at 40.

At 50 it's going to the birthday month!

Why, yes, Kathy I have! I always celebrate---and my family just loves to tease me whenever I say it's birthday week!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Why, yes, Kathy I have! I always celebrate---and my family just loves to tease me whenever I say it's birthday week!

Good! There has to be some perks with these ever occurring Birthdays!

 

[Corinne]

Good! There has to be some perks with these ever occurring Birthdays!

Exactly! OK groupies I'm going to try and get some sleep! I will check in from The World!

 

[dreamlinda]

Hi Everyone ~ some thoughts on our stay in May, and a question. We stayed in a studio 4 nights earlier this month. Although it's just my DH and I, we usually stay in a 1 bedroom. We are used to a king bed, and I am sometimes restless at night so having a separate living area is a nice perk. We have been trying studios to save points, but have to say it has hurt the quality of our stays. I LOVED the murphy bed they have added to the VWL studio rooms!! One restless night I just moved to the murphy bed and ended up sleeping there quite comfortably. Made me wonder if these beds have been added to the 1 bedroom units? Have a ladies trip coming up in September, and having a murphy bed in the living room would be great.

Loved our stay at VWL, always do, one of our favorite resorts. Only one complaint; mid trip we were at typhoon lagoon and returned to our room late afternoon to find all our towels on the floor and the bath a mess. They had installed new hardware in the bathroom (towel rods, hooks, etc.) which are nice, but no one cleaned up after maintenance, and we needed to shower and get to a dinner ADR. They worked with us, but this oversight was inconvenient and disappointing.

BTW - does anyone else wish they offered some studio rooms with king beds? This would be a total hit with us, and they could still have a sleeper chair / murphy bed for one or two small children...

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Anniversary Bobbiwoz!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Exactly! OK groupies I'm going to try and get some sleep! I will check in from The World!

Have a safe trip and a fun time!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Have fun in WDW Corinne!!!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Happy Anniversary Bobbiwoz!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Everyone ~ some thoughts on our stay in May, and a question. We stayed in a studio 4 nights earlier this month. Although it's just my DH and I, we usually stay in a 1 bedroom. We are used to a king bed, and I am sometimes restless at night so having a separate living area is a nice perk. We have been trying studios to save points, but have to say it has hurt the quality of our stays. I LOVED the murphy bed they have added to the VWL studio rooms!! One restless night I just moved to the murphy bed and ended up sleeping there quite comfortably. Made me wonder if these beds have been added to the 1 bedroom units? Have a ladies trip coming up in September, and having a murphy bed in the living room would be great.

Loved our stay at VWL, always do, one of our favorite resorts. Only one complaint; mid trip we were at typhoon lagoon and returned to our room late afternoon to find all our towels on the floor and the bath a mess. They had installed new hardware in the bathroom (towel rods, hooks, etc.) which are nice, but no one cleaned up after maintenance, and we needed to shower and get to a dinner ADR. They worked with us, but this oversight was inconvenient and disappointing.

BTW - does anyone else wish they offered some studio rooms with king beds? This would be a total hit with us, and they could still have a sleeper chair / murphy bed for one or two small children...

Sorry about your incident following the maintenance in the bathroom. That really was an oversight on their part.
As for the king bed---we have not given it much thought. Hubby and I sleep on a queen bed now and that is fine for us. My wish is that there would be some studios that offer 2 beds vs just the pullout. My kids are all adults now (20, 23 and 26). No one likes to sleep on the pullout for comfort reasons---though my 20 yo daughter thought the sleeper chair at BLT was comfy.

When hubby and I travel with my two girls as we are the end of June, only OKW's studios fit our needs and they are sold out via DVC, but available for cash right now. So we either are forced in to two studios for the four of us or jump to a 2 bedroom. We opted for Art Of Animation this trip just because we want 2 real beds. Don't have enough DVC points to book a 2 bedroom for 3 nights after a recent disney wedding we had in April and I booked some relatives in DVC.

 

[Granny]

Made me wonder if these beds have been added to the 1 bedroom units? Have a ladies trip coming up in September, and having a murphy bed in the living room would be great.


BTW - does anyone else wish they offered some studio rooms with king beds? This would be a total hit with us, and they could still have a sleeper chair / murphy bed for one or two small children...

My wish is that there would be some studios that offer 2 beds vs just the pullout.

dreamlinda...they have not added the pull down bed to the 1BR villas and evidently have no plans to. So strangely enough, the Studios now officially sleep 5 and the 1BR 4 (though they will allow another without bedding). Weird huh?

As for the king bed in the studio, I don't see that. Even with the sleeper chair that would take the official capacity of the villa down to 3 and that would cause issues with point redistributions or other repurcussions.

Maria...I understand the desire for 2 regular bed studios but it would create yet another classification within the studios (in addition to HA) and we'd hear about people complaining that they didn't want the second bed which takes up too much room, or they really needed the second bed but didn't get it. I've heard the same suggestion for two queen beds in the master bedroom of the 1BR/2BR villas. It would make sense for some but others would be put out if they didn't get the king bed.

In a resort such as VWL with so few villas it might be hard to do. In other resorts such as OKW, SSR and AKV they might have plenty of villas that they could split into a new classification.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[sleepydog25]

Happiest of Anniversaries, bobbiwoz!