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

[Muushka]

Hmmm... the pool thing sort of has me mildly concerned. But surely there will be days and times when a lot of folks are off at the parks.

And I sort of think that the larger crowds will really start later in the month.

Can you tell I'm trying to positively psych myself up so I don't start second guessing my choice?

Our only other place we considered was Animal Kingdom studios. But there we wouldn't be able to walk down for the evening movie and campfire with Chip and Dale. We wouldn't have the nice paths to bike on.

Come on Lodge Lovers.... I'm doing the right thing, right?

Let me get this straight. You're coming to the VWL Groupies thread and asking us if you have chosen the right resort?

In a word, yes.

From my own experience, June is a hot month. There is no better DVC resort to be in when it's hot than VWL.
It exudes cool, calm. Now if it was March or October, I might not be as easily swayed!
But December and warm months? VWL.

 

[bagsmom]

I know, I know! This is the one I want in my heart, and I KNOW the one that best suits all of our needs and wants for this second (more relaxed) WDW vacation.

But the pool thing sort of scared me. Since we will be doing non-park days, I know we will want to spend quite a bit of time at the pools. And with two tween-age boys, you know they will want the super cool main pool!

I've been on the Disney Mom's panel -- anytime anyone asks about pool hopping, they say it's a no-no. Maybe CMs will be on duty to enforce. You'd think the boat drivers would say something when they pick up people at the campground who are obviously ready to go swimming!

Oh well! We tend to be "vampires" anyway -- getting our sun time done as early as possible. We go to our area pool at 7:45 am and are done by 10:30! (I know pools don't open till 10 at WL.)

It will all be good!

 

[BabsBunny]

Hello everyone. DH and I will be staying in a one bedroom at the VWL in October. VWL and BWV are the only DVC resorts we haven't stayed at, and we are looking forward to it.

We have friends staying over at BLT during that time. Is there boat that stops at both resorts? Or can you possibly walk between the two resorts?

 

[Corinne]

The skillet at WCC has Pine Cone waffles! No Mickey Head, but just as tasty.

Roaring Fork does have Mickey Head waffles

Mr Muush is also obsessed with the waffles.

Welcome to bagsmom

Pine cone waffles

Thanks for your response Muush!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hello everyone. DH and I will be staying in a one bedroom at the VWL in October. VWL and BWV are the only DVC resorts we haven't stayed at, and we are looking forward to it.

We have friends staying over at BLT during that time. Is there boat that stops at both resorts? Or can you possibly walk between the two resorts?

There is a boat that goes to the Contemporary and another boat that goes to MK. Your Tweens will love the pools! There's music, pool games and CS is right by the pool! I don't care for the overly active pools ( aka Storm Along Bay). VWL has its own charm. Wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[Sammie]

I was just looking at Disneynutz video of the VWL and I was wondering.

Have the villas ever gotten a new redo of the rooms like SSR is getting.

New carpet, drapes, bedding new fabric for chairs and sofa?

If not, why?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I was just looking at Disneynutz video of the VWL and I was wondering.

Have the villas ever gotten a new redo of the rooms like SSR is getting.

New carpet, drapes, bedding new fabric for chairs and sofa?

If not, why?

I asked that a few posts ago. The main hotel is getting an extensive refurb. When are the villas?

 

[Sammie]

I asked that a few posts ago. The main hotel is getting an extensive refurb. When are the villas?

I know when the resorts get a new do, does not mean the villas do, such as BCV did not get anything when BC and YC did.

But with SSR being much newer than VWL, it got me to thinking and I was watching the video and thinking, that isn't this the originals

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We went to a place called the Moose Cafe for brunch today. It is close by, maybe 25 mins from our house at a local farmers market. They use fresh ingredients from the folks there. it was really good and we will be back!
Anyway, thought we would share a couple pics, thinking of the groupies when we saw these.

Love it!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was just looking at Disneynutz video of the VWL and I was wondering.

Have the villas ever gotten a new redo of the rooms like SSR is getting.

New carpet, drapes, bedding new fabric for chairs and sofa?

If not, why?

They got all of that (wasn't the chair black and white checkered previously?) in late 2009 or thereabouts. Some rooms - studios maybe?Or maybe the master bedrooms? - also got new TV stands and all the rooms received the flat screens. We were staying there in Nov of that year and had the new soft goods in the room and saw a couple of the cabinets out in the hall waiting to be placed in the rooms. I'm thought the sofas all were recovered or replaced too but maybe not.

edit - took a look back and actually it was 2008 for the rehab. Here's a link to a post from Dodie: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28132178&postcount=2384. And then in 2009 the flat screens and new cabinet in the master bedroom.

Did you know they now serve the waffles with 3 different toppings? Bananas foster, Strawberries and orange cream and chocolate chip with whipped cream!!! I couldn't make up my mind so since there are 3 in a serving, I got one with each! YUM!

Those are YUM aren't they!! I tried the Bananas Foster version last Nov.

Here are a couple of questions for you folks "in the know."

I was reading some information on the lodge villas on DVCNews.com. One of the bits of info said "beware pool crowding" due to people coming over from Ft. Wilderness. We will be coming June 8 - 15. Do you folks usually go at this time of year and have you noticed the pool crowding that was mentioned? I didn't think the pools were shared between the campground and the lodge....

Does anybody know if this has decreased since the pool refurb and adding of the slide and water play area at the Fort? It was speculated at that time that it should help decrease the campers from hopping over to the WL pool.

 

[Granny]

I was just looking at Disneynutz video of the VWL...

I looked at that today too. I'm sure Disneynutz wouldn't mind me posting a link to his post with the wonderful VWL 1BR video.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45413335&postcount=2


enjoy, VWL lovers!!!

 

[nolanboys]

We are so excited to stay there this November for Thanksgiving for 5 nights before moving on to 4 nights at AKV for 4 nights. We have never stayed there before, so I have been reading this thread to find our all about the lodge. We love national parks, so the theme fits well for us. Add on the amazing Christmas decorations - my favorite holiday - and I know it's going to be great!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Horselover...apparently they are making all of the dinnerware at WDW a generic white!!!!


BTW....WELCOME BAGSMOM!

WHHAAAAT ?!?!!! How did I miss this.....oh I will SO miss those special touches !

JT.....awesome cafe pics !!!!

Granny....thanks a ton for the link from DisnyNutz . Well done !

 

[MiaSRN62]

Bagsmom.....
We were in villa # 2561 (studio) in May 2009. We were ALL the way near the end of the hallway (I think 2nd room from end ?). Loved our very peaceful, one-with-nature view :

 

[bagsmom]

Nolan Boys -- do you think I would fit in your suitcase? I can't stand the wait till we go in June!

Maria -- thank you!

 

[jimmytammy]

Two new groupies in the same day....WOW!!

Welcome babsbunny and nolanboys!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Yes...I'd like to welcome all the newbie Groupies as well ! Pull up a rocker and let's chat VWL

 

[MiaSRN62]

Well JT....have an ever so slight adjustment to my vacation schedule. If you wouldn't mind when you get a moment to add Sept 26 to my arrival date ? While I enjoy Kidani very much......I was hoping I could have gotten VWL that night. No luck. I'm on a waitlist for VWL but for now, that one added night will be at Kidani. Thank you

 

[Muushka]

Hello everyone. DH and I will be staying in a one bedroom at the VWL in October. VWL and BWV are the only DVC resorts we haven't stayed at, and we are looking forward to it.

We have friends staying over at BLT during that time. Is there boat that stops at both resorts? Or can you possibly walk between the two resorts?

Welcome BabsBunny! My sister calls me Babs once in a while.

Pine cone waffles

Thanks for your response Muush!

Yes, pine cone! They fit that whole 'Lodgey' atmosphere!

I was just looking at Disneynutz video of the VWL and I was wondering.

Have the villas ever gotten a new redo of the rooms like SSR is getting.

New carpet, drapes, bedding new fabric for chairs and sofa?

If not, why?

Yes, as was mentioned, they did replace the fabric for the sofas. WITH THE SAME FABRIC!! A cruel joke if you ask me......

 

[eliza61]

Hmmm... the pool thing sort of has me mildly concerned. But surely there will be days and times when a lot of folks are off at the parks.

And I sort of think that the larger crowds will really start later in the month.

Come on Lodge Lovers.... I'm doing the right thing, right?

Sorry for the late "welcome" to our gang Bagsmom, glad to see ya!

So we generally go around the last weekend in August/first of september.
We really never experienced a day when the pool was so crowded that we did not venture in. Also wanted to note that its amazing the difference "time of day" makes on pool crowd level. noon to 2 seems to be prime swim time and we have seen the cm's checking keys once or twice so I assume folks are still coming over from Ft. wilderness.

That being said the lodge is my all time favorite resort (although I own at BCV's)

As a general rule I don't make room request, I'm pretty happy where ever I land. Even with the dreaded dumpster view. LOL