VWL...is it just me or do others feel the same way?

[Sammie]

The pool was out of control when we were there. At 10:30 there was not a chair to be found. I had to drag a couple off of the beach. So many chairs with just a towel on them, it is a big pblm. I know we have the quiet pool but the kids like the slide. And the quiet pool was just as jammed as well. It seems to be a Disney pblm not just a VWL pblm. I dont get the pool hopping stuff. I like the pool at the Coranado but im not going to get in my car to go there. And if you like the slides at SAB, why not just go to one of the water parks? Maybe if Disney put in a nice(free) pool area for everyone to enjoy the pool hopping would stop.

Let Member Services know. Only then can anything possibly be done. I personally think during the summer months all pool hopping should be stopped for DVC members. I know that would not make some happy, but I truly do not think it is fair to those staying at these resorts that simply can not handle additional swimmers. I definitely do not think it is fair to the people at non DVC resorts such as the Polynesian to be overcrowded.

And before anyone jumps in and says I don't think DVC members contribute that many to the overcrowding. The reason that SAB is no longer available to DVC pool hopping, was the huge number of members using it daily. Disney did a study prior to stopping it.

I think many have moved to the pools at WL, BW and the Polynesian.

 

[Kadorto]

Take a little hanamae and relax....Hakuna Matata...pixe dust heading your way..

 

[dizplanner]

While it might be time to get rid of the DVC pool hopping perk, I honestly think the bigger problem is other non-DVC people who are pool hopping. People decide to take a break from the park and head to a close resort (WL, Poly, etc). I think the WL pool is too small for WL and VWL without any pool hoppers during the hot weather. So I think Disney needs to start controlling pool hoppers as a first pass and then, if it is proven, eliminate the pool hopping for DVC if it is still a problem.

 

[bianca]

I feel like I need to stick up for the campers here. As a DVC owner AND someone who owns an RV and camps at FW 3 weeks per year, I can assure you that most people at the campground are not using the WL for any perceived "conveniences". As stated earlier, I'm sure there are a few that break the rules, but for the most part, they are few and far between. Most of the folks that stay at FW are residing in $100,00 plus units while paying $70 and up per night (more than All-Stars) for their little paved driveway. For our family, this is in addition to our DVC points. We aren't exactly existing on "beans and weenies" trying to mooch off the folks at WL. Also, on many occasions, we have both a DVC unit and FW booked simultaneously. We have also had WL and FW booked simultaneously (big family, so we need lots of options .... LOL). If I have a DVC unit reserved and am allowed to pool hop, but also am camping at FW, guess what? ...... I just might end up at WL (although to be honest, we've only done this once). Our family is not the only DVC family at FW, either. We regularly eat at Artist Point and my husband and I stop occasionally into the lounge, because we like their assortment of wines and scotch. You do not have to be staying at WL to do this. The "walking trail" from WL to FW is 1 mile long. This alone stops "inter-resort guest mingling". While FW and WL do share a boat, I personally have never found it to be a hardship sharing. In fact, the majority of the time, the boat is near empty. From a financial standpoint, it would not make sense for Disney to run another separate boat for WL guest only. I just thought it good to point out that there are many ways to take a vacation, and that perhaps circumstances aren't always what they appear.

 

[hitthebids]

I think Dizplanner may have hit on something here. How easy would it be for people not staying on site to pool hoop intra day. If you go to EPCOT in the am, you can walk over to SAB or Boardwalk and then go back to EPCOT or MGM in the evening. Pool hooping should be more regulated or stopped. Any one can jump on the monorail and use the Poly pool to cool off. Again it is the abusers who ruin things.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

We just got back from our trip 7/2 thru 7/8 at the VWL. I know that we were there during one of the most crowded times of the year BUT, i am not happy with the fact that the WL shares many of its services with the campgrounds. The Lodge is supposed to be a deluxe resort, yet the pool, the resturants and the transportain is used by the campers more so then the hotel guests. I believe disney should somehow seperate these two properties. VWL is my home resort but i doubt i will stay there any more. For example one late nite leaving the MK, we went to the boats for our return, we were at least 4 boats back. When we did get on and back to the WL, very few people got off. I know that the resorts on the monorail have thier own trains. I am not being snobish or looking down on anyone. I think the WL is just not able to handle the extra people during busy times. I am paying for the use of a deluxe resort and i dont think someone staying at a campground should have access to the same features.

I'm sorry you were unhappy with some of the things you encountered on your recent trip. VWL is our home resort and we stay during Easter and "Jersey Week" (said to be very busy times of year) and I have never noticed any of the problems that seemed to have bothered you. We have always had a great time and have enjoyed every minute of or VWL stays.

 

[dizfanz]

Resort hopping is one of my favorite past-times at Disney. I go to many resorts and tour them and eat at their restaurants. These restaurants are not intended for the sole use of the hotel guests. Disney wants as many people as possible eating at their restaurants and food courts. The pool is for the guests of the hotel period. But other than that, I think you have a false impression of who can eat the hotel's establishments hitthebids.

 

[colleen costello]

We stayed in March at VWl and it got very crowded late in the day. This is the case with all WDW pools. The Villas pool is a great option when the main pool is crowded... They added that when they added the Villas to help with the crowding.

 

[DebbieB]

Regarding transportation, the system is the same at BWV & BCV. The boats and busses are shared with non-DVC resorts, including a non-Disney owned resort (Swan/Dolphin). Sometimes busses stop at all 5 resorts. Lots of people use the Boardwalk and Beach Club restaurants. Did you ever run into a situation at VWL where you had to ride round and round to get a self parking space like frequently happens at BWV?

Roaring Forks at WL is nice, wish BWV had something similiar.

 

[LakeAriel]

I too own at VWL and won't go back till the pool situation is corrected. At Easter you couldn't get a seat at either pool because people who weren't staying at any resort hopped on buses and used the pools. I have written to the CEO of Disney and until they secure the resorts I'll be elsewhere or renting out my points.

 

[CharlesTD]

The boat from VWL also services FW which is no big deal to be honest as for the pool I didn't know they were shared that is good to know because we will be staying at the cabins on points in 07 band will take the path over to use the pool.

 

[LakeAriel]

They don't share pools, but I think you know that already!

 

[CharlesTD]

Actually I have not ever stayed at FW so I didn't know if they were linked in any way and to be honest I didn't read all teh replies to see what others were saying so that is my fault for posting without looking at the whole thread and just posting to the OP. We are buying a motorhome so we will be staying there quite a bit after 2007 and thought it would be great if they did share facilities.

 

[Cruelladeville]

The problems mentioned with the pools happened all over WDW, not just at WL. Most were not DVC members, but many, many people were from other resorts, such as All Stars and the campground. It was very hot, so they were looking for less crowded pools, and they found the DVC resorts. The restaurants were also very, very crowded. I arrived on July 2, and couldn't make ressies at any restaurants during the week As a walk-in, I never had a problem getting a seat, so I am not sure what the problem was. I have been going to WDW during the first week in July for the last 30 years, and have NEVER seen so many people! Since I also travel during Christmas and Easter, it was quite a surprise.

 

[Man_Of_Leisure]

We were at CBR for Easter Week, one of the busiest weeks of the year and we used the pool a couple of times but we spent more time at the water parks relaxing on the lazy rivers. There was normal attendance at the CBR pools, it wasn't too crowded and it wasn't empty. We also went and toured SSR that week, and there were just a couple of people in the pool late in the afternoon.

We visit WDW two or three times a year and have stayed at several of the resorts. We have been to almost every one of the resort pools at least once. I must honestly say that I have not seen a problem with overcrowding. Does it get crowded? Sure. Do you sometimes have to look for a seat? You bet. Are there so many people in the pool at times that you can't swim laps? Of course. But there is a capacity limit for each pool and I am sure the lifeguards enforce it.

The year that Primevil Whirl opened we had APs and there was a special event for AP holders to come enjoy Chesters and Hesters. It was in September, a slower time of the year, and again it was limited to AP holders. To my surprise there were several thousand of us there. Did it discourage me and my family from attending? No. We had a great time. And I kid you not, it was literally packed with people.

Five years ago we went in October during the week of Halloween, another slow time of the year, and we went to the Mickey's Not So Very Scary Halloween Party. They hold several of these after-hours parties over a course of a month in order to minimize the crowds. We had talked with some CMs earlier during the day and they said it would be great, smaller attendance, many opportunities to ride your favorite rides, etc.. It was a madhouse! There were twice as many people there then during the day.

Just for the heck of it, two years ago right after Christmas we made a spur of the moment trip to WDW for New Years. Everyone we knew said that we were crazy and they would never go because of the crowds. You know what? It was crowded. We were packed in there like sardines in the middle of Main Street in front of the Christmas tree between the Emporium and the Candy Store. We met a nice couple with their two children from North Carolina. The fireworks were great, the people were great, everything was great. And we've got ressies to celebrate New Years this year at WDW.

I could go on and on. If you visit WDW, I don't care what time of the year it is, you are going to have crowds. Some of the times are busier than others, especially the summer, Christmas week, New Years, Easter, Martin Luther King's birthday, gay day, etc. etc.. There are ways to avoid most of the crowds if you do a little planning. Otherwise, quit complaining, jump in and have some fun. I'm just glad that I'm a DVCer so I can be guaranteed to be exposed to some of that pixie dust every once in a while.

Man Of Leisure

 

[Dean]

Who said VWL was a deluxe resort, LOL. Seriously, the restaurants, etc are there for all to use. Disney should do a better job with pool crashers at ALL their resorts. IMO, the pool at WL was not large enough prior to the villas so it's even worse now.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I believe that even if only the guests of the resort were in the pool, you would be hard-pressed to find a single pool on Disney property sufficient to accommodate all the guests. Look at how many rooms there are in these places! And on a particularly warm day, you could expect a large number of people wanting to use the pools. Since FW has their own pools, why would they waste so much of their valuable park time hanging out at WL property? Doesn't make too much sense, IMHO.
I don't believe that there should be pool-hopping allowed anywhere. If you want to use the pool, pay for the resort. As to the restaurants and fast food, knock it off. That's for anyone who wants to make PS's for that restaurant. And resort-hopping? How else are you going to know if you want to stay there next time, unless you take a look-see around? But stay out of the pool, please.

 

[Sammie]

I believe that even if only the guests of the resort were in the pool, you would be hard-pressed to find a single pool on Disney property sufficient to accommodate all the guests. Look at how many rooms there are in these places! And on a particularly warm day, you could expect a large number of people wanting to use the pools. Since FW has their own pools, why would they waste so much of their valuable park time hanging out at WL property? Doesn't make too much sense, IMHO.
I don't believe that there should be pool-hopping allowed anywhere. If you want to use the pool, pay for the resort. As to the restaurants and fast food, knock it off. That's for anyone who wants to make PS's for that restaurant. And resort-hopping? How else are you going to know if you want to stay there next time, unless you take a look-see around? But stay out of the pool, please.

Very well said and I agree completely.

Disney resorts are running almost at 100% capacity right now. There simply is no room at any of the pools especially the smaller themed pools such as the ones at WL, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian for anyone other than the registered guests. I think when the resorts reach a certain capacity Disney needs to step in and beef up the enforcement of No Pool Hopping, regardess of who it is and that includes DVC. I have no problem sharing a pool with other DVC members during less than peak times.

 

[Disney Doll]

Hotels are public places, and therefore the lobby and restaurants are for use by the public. I bet there are some locals who may even eat at a favorite restaurant in a Disney hotel.

I agree with you about the pool. The pool should be for the use of WL and VWL guests only.

 

[twinklebug]

I feel like I need to stick up for the campers here. As a DVC owner AND someone who owns an RV and camps at FW 3 weeks per year, I can assure you that most people at the campground are not using the WL for any perceived "conveniences". The "walking trail" from WL to FW is 1 mile long.

Thank you Bianca. I grew up as a camper and one who follows rules. People have a pre-concieved notion that people camp because it's cheap and will abuse the system to get what they want. On the contrary, most fellow campers I have had the pleasure of meeting are quite well off financially (lawyers, engineers, policemen etc) and die-hard rule followers themselves. They simply love having their own bed, kitchen and ability to roam wherever they please. I have stayed in FW many times and LOVE IT. There's no reason to go roaming looking for other amenities, pools or a food court ( ) when you've got everything you could need (plus more) right there.