VWL Groupies...yes, we love the Lodge!!

[Disney loving Iowan]

Sorry to hear that the job in NC didn't work out but having another western groupie wouldn't be bad! The last 3 years when the snow starts I keep threatening to move south to Vegas or Arizona. Definitely much better winters than Philly - or Iowa!

Sorry to hear North Carolina isn't going to be an option for you. I am still unemployed myself after 3+ years. Now that I have both knees fixed, my plan is to start looking again for a job in the next few months. I do NOT plan to move from WI though, so I need to find something in this area. That will take me quite awhile I am sure, especially now that I've been out for so long. Good luck with your husband's interview!

I had to do a lot of detective work to figure out what happened. I am so sorry about your husband's lay off.

I hope he finds something easily and just the right job. Best wishes.

Thanks everyone. We will see what happens after this week. Now with hockey finally starting again I really don't like the thought of leaving!!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We checked into our dedicated two bedroom villa at VWL this morning. Checked in around 10:30 and they had a two bedroom ready. So we got it. It's beautiful, not much view other than trees, but that's what I expect. We also got a message on our door this afternoon that the pool slide at Silver Creek Springs pool will be closed from Jan 7 until sometime later this month. In the mean time WL and VWL guests are free to use the Contemporary pool slide, but not BLT.

All the holiday decorations are down here, not sure when that happened, though.

 

[bagsmom]

We checked into our dedicated two bedroom villa at VWL this morning. Checked in around 10:30 and they had a two bedroom ready. So we got it. It's beautiful, not much view other than trees, but that's what I expect. We also got a message on our door this afternoon that the pool slide at Silver Creek Springs pool will be closed from Jan 7 until sometime later this month. In the mean time WL and VWL guests are free to use the Contemporary pool slide, but not BLT.

All the holiday decorations are down here, not sure when that happened, though.

Oh wow! I wish I had stowed away in your suitcase! So jealous! Have a wonderful time and keep posting in with reports, if you can! We can vacation vicariously through you!

 

[jimmytammy]

gmi3804
Those room #s are 2519, 3519 and 4519. The only time we have ever stayed in a 2 bed as owners was in 2519 and we loved it. So much so that I wish we had enough pts to stay in a room like that every trip!!

Here is a link to a site I found that has maps of VWL. 3rd pic from top right, 2nd and 3rd pics from bottom left are the ones you will see these rooms.


http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/villas-at-wilderness-lodge/maps-a-photos

 

[jimmytammy]

We checked into our dedicated two bedroom villa at VWL this morning. Checked in around 10:30 and they had a two bedroom ready. So we got it. It's beautiful, not much view other than trees, but that's what I expect. We also got a message on our door this afternoon that the pool slide at Silver Creek Springs pool will be closed from Jan 7 until sometime later this month. In the mean time WL and VWL guests are free to use the Contemporary pool slide, but not BLT.

All the holiday decorations are down here, not sure when that happened, though.

Have a great trip folks!!

 

[bagsmom]

Hey Lodge Lovers!

I thought of a good question for you folks.

WL is a Magic Kingdom area resort. But how is the transportation to MK?

We are one of those families who will want to be at the turnstiles an hour before they open. Early risers and early out. For most of the other resorts, driving your own car is better.

Given that there are a couple of steps involved in getting to MK, is it better to use the boat or bus -- rather than our own car?

But what about mid-day, and end of day? We will want to leave for a while, but come back in the evening for fireworks. We will be there in June, so it will be crowded. What do you think our strategy should be in terms of getting there, leaving, and getting back in?

Thanks!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hey Lodge Lovers!

I thought of a good question for you folks.

WL is a Magic Kingdom area resort. But how is the transportation to MK?

We are one of those families who will want to be at the turnstiles an hour before they open. Early risers and early out. For most of the other resorts, driving your own car is better.

Given that there are a couple of steps involved in getting to MK, is it better to use the boat or bus -- rather than our own car?

But what about mid-day, and end of day? We will want to leave for a while, but come back in the evening for fireworks. We will be there in June, so it will be crowded. What do you think our strategy should be in terms of getting there, leaving, and getting back in?

Thanks!

Using the boat to get to MK has never been a problem for us, and we're also the types who get up early in order to make rope drop. Certainly, the wait for the boats in the evening does get longer in the evenings after the park closes, but it's not horrendous. If you're of a mind to do so, you can always boat over to the Contemporary then walk to MK. Given we always have a car, we've not taken the bus to MK in quite awhile, so I can't speak to that. However, boating is easy peasy.

 

[gmi3804]

gmi3804
Those room #s are 2519, 3519 and 4519. The only time we have ever stayed in a 2 bed as owners was in 2519 and we loved it. So much so that I wish we had enough pts to stay in a room like that every trip!!

Here is a link to a site I found that has maps of VWL. 3rd pic from top right, 2nd and 3rd pics from bottom left are the ones you will see these rooms.


http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/villas-at-wilderness-lodge/maps-a-photos

Thanks - but how was the room laid out? More windows than the standard 2BR layout? Any photos?

 

[gmi3804]

Taking the bus to MK from WL is a cinch too. It goes non-stop to and from MK (not sure if it makes stops sometimes, but it never has when I've been on it), and, of course, lets you off at the front of the park. And the WL bus stop is particularly convenient if you're staying in the villas; it's right outside the main door.

 

[twinklebug]

Just scheduled a quick 4 night weekend for next December at Kidani. Will try to move it over to VWL at 7 months, but if that doesn't happen I'll still be happy - it'll be over my birthday and I adore my home resort.

Putting together our summer trip plans .... of course, I really want to stay at VWL, but with a teenage friend possibly tagging along for my son, the extra space in Kidani makes more sense. Making a pro/con list for each resort from a teen's perspective:

VWL Pro
Boat rentals
Awesome lobby
Quick Food service!
Whispering Canyon Cafe!
Boats over to Ft Wilderness: More food!
Boats to MK and easy access to the awesome monorail.

VWL con...
... eh... none?
(from my point of view: trying to reign in the spending with the boys eating out more.)

Kidani Pro
Easy access to Animal Kingdom (Everest!)
Sanna! Flame Tree BBQ over in AK too!
Big rooms / separate bathroom & a sleeper chair
"Hey look... George is back" (nickname for all the zebra per my son)

Kidani con...
"where's the food?"​

OK, I'm sensing a pattern here... food is the one most important thing in a teenage boy's life (other than goofing around). But of course any guy here could have told me that if I had just asked. Looks like VWL wins. Hm. Maybe I'll just do a split stay again and get it over with.

 

[Thumper4me]

DH and I are staying at VWL January 24-29, 2013. Does VWL have a community center like BWV (our home resort). We are looking to play some ping-pong or air hockey.

Kelly

 

[MassJester]

So what is the one thing (big or small) you find yourself purchasing every trip to wdw.

1. Cinnamon buns at the Bakery on Main Street - never miss those.
2. "Show Seats" at the Flying Fish.
3. Those darned

pins.

 

[twinklebug]

DH and I are staying at VWL January 24-29, 2013. Does VWL have a community center like BWV (our home resort). We are looking to play some ping-pong or air hockey.

Kelly

VWL does not have a community hall, but there is a fantastic room off the villa lobby with tables and built in board games. Trying to recall if I've ever seen a ping pong table out by the pools there... I think I'm confusing Kidani for VWL.

There's a volley ball net on the beach, they have the standard nightly campfire and movie (when weather permits) and of course there's the EWP that comes by during it.

My son likes the VWL arcade, but $20 doesn't last long in there.

 

[Thumper4me]

Thanks Twinklebug!!

We are looking forward to staying at VWL. A movie sound promising and we love the EWP. We may also take the boat to the Contemporary and see the fireworks from TOWL.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hey Lodge Lovers!

I thought of a good question for you folks.

WL is a Magic Kingdom area resort. But how is the transportation to MK?

We are one of those families who will want to be at the turnstiles an hour before they open. Early risers and early out. For most of the other resorts, driving your own car is better.

Given that there are a couple of steps involved in getting to MK, is it better to use the boat or bus -- rather than our own car?

But what about mid-day, and end of day? We will want to leave for a while, but come back in the evening for fireworks. We will be there in June, so it will be crowded. What do you think our strategy should be in terms of getting there, leaving, and getting back in?

Thanks!

In the last year or two we've gotten in to taking the bus from VWL to MK. It's the shortest bus ride you'll find anywhere except possibly Jambo to AK.

We enjoy the boats but I think we've gotten lazy and the bus stop is closer! I definitely would never drive the car from VWL to get to MK. With the need to get from the parking lot to either the ferries or the monorail you will have doubled your time.

DH and I are staying at VWL January 24-29, 2013. Does VWL have a community center like BWV (our home resort). We are looking to play some ping-pong or air hockey.

Kelly

The arcade at WL has an air hockey table but since it's not a community hall you do have to pay to use it. The BLT community hall is just a boat ride away but they don't have either ping pong or air hockey. They may have foosball but I'm not positive. Air hockey at BWV is why I rate it the best Community hall!

 

[Linda67]

Hello everyone

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've now managed to book my final nights so we are now all set for our December trip

Thanks so much for all your wonderful help and advice (and sharing my excitement!)

We have 3 nights at Art Of Animation followed by 11 nights at VWL ......... Woo-Hoo !!!!!

Lx

 

[Inkmahm]

gmi3804
Those room #s are 2519, 3519 and 4519. The only time we have ever stayed in a 2 bed as owners was in 2519 and we loved it. So much so that I wish we had enough pts to stay in a room like that every trip!!

Here is a link to a site I found that has maps of VWL. 3rd pic from top right, 2nd and 3rd pics from bottom left are the ones you will see these rooms.


http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/villas-at-wilderness-lodge/maps-a-photos

We had 5517 in December, 2011 and loved it. The one bedroom villa had vaulted ceilings.

 

[Inkmahm]

Using the boat to get to MK has never been a problem for us, and we're also the types who get up early in order to make rope drop. Certainly, the wait for the boats in the evening does get longer in the evenings after the park closes, but it's not horrendous. If you're of a mind to do so, you can always boat over to the Contemporary then walk to MK. Given we always have a car, we've not taken the bus to MK in quite awhile, so I can't speak to that. However, boating is easy peasy.

As someone who has been dealing with bad knees in recent years, I have been taking the bus from VWL to the MK. The walk is shorter from the bus stop to the admission gates than it is from the handicap parking to the monorail, or even to the boat landing at WL from the villas (walking to the bus stop is shorter than walking to the boat.)

The MK is actually the one park where we often take Disney bus transporation to get to because the walk is shorter than taking our own car. Once my knees are better and we're back at VWL in December, I hope to be able to take the boat over again. I actually like riding the boats as they are peaceful.

 

[Inkmahm]

Just scheduled a quick 4 night weekend for next December at Kidani. Will try to move it over to VWL at 7 months, but if that doesn't happen I'll still be happy - it'll be over my birthday and I adore my home resort.

Putting together our summer trip plans .... of course, I really want to stay at VWL, but with a teenage friend possibly tagging along for my son, the extra space in Kidani makes more sense. Making a pro/con list for each resort from a teen's perspective:

VWL Pro
Boat rentals
Awesome lobby
Quick Food service!
Whispering Canyon Cafe!
Boats over to Ft Wilderness: More food!
Boats to MK and easy access to the awesome monorail.

VWL con...
... eh... none?
(from my point of view: trying to reign in the spending with the boys eating out more.)

Kidani Pro
Easy access to Animal Kingdom (Everest!)
Sanna! Flame Tree BBQ over in AK too!
Big rooms / separate bathroom & a sleeper chair
"Hey look... George is back" (nickname for all the zebra per my son)

Kidani con...
"where's the food?"​

OK, I'm sensing a pattern here... food is the one most important thing in a teenage boy's life (other than goofing around). But of course any guy here could have told me that if I had just asked. Looks like VWL wins. Hm. Maybe I'll just do a split stay again and get it over with.

I was just going to suggest the split stay idea. When we can't decide, that's usually what we end up doing.

 

[bagsmom]

Hello everyone

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've now managed to book my final nights so we are now all set for our December trip

Thanks so much for all your wonderful help and advice (and sharing my excitement!)

We have 3 nights at Art Of Animation followed by 11 nights at VWL ......... Woo-Hoo !!!!!

Lx

Hooray! Now you just have to find a way to distract yourself for a year! But wow -- 2 whole weeks at WDW! That is just a dream come true!