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

[dsneygirl]

We camped at Ft Wilderness in May and a couple of mornings biked over for breakfast at Roaring Forks. Never noticed a crowd. Also all FtW literature states the pool at WL is for their guests only. But like others have said you will always have people who pool hop.

As for the shared boats it never was an issue for us. I think we were on a full capacity boat only once in 7 days and that was right after MK closed and fireworks.

I'm sorry your WL experience wasn't what you had hoped for.

 

[wtpclc]

dh and I frequently use the monorail as the quickest way to get to a resort and catch a bus to another park! All of the resorts share transportation to some extent.

Restaurants are public, stores are public, therefore, lobbies must be public.

The pools have been a problem everywhere it seems. I agree with others that they should check id's for towels to try and minimize this.

 

[hitthebids]

I am amazed how off track this thread became. What i learned today. That WL, VWL & FW are joined at the hip and i just have to deal with it. Not. That pool hopping is bad and should be stopped. That no matter what resort i stay at, i am going to share it with anyone that buys a ticket to WDW. That is not acceptable. WDW resorts should be for WDW guests. Guests of WDW should be allowed to use whatever resturants they choose but they are not public places. They are gated for a reason, especially in this day and age. Ever wonder why the monorail resorts have time limits to park when you go for a meal? People would make a PS, not show up and leave their cars all day. Maybe go back in the afternoon and use the pool. It was a pblm that Disney addressed. I learned that the WDW transportain system is a mess and needs to be addressed. I am sorry if anyone feels that i am harsh but we are lucky to get down there once a year and really dont want to hear about pixie dust or to take a taxi. We as owners have a right to expect certains things. And one of those things is not to have to drag two chairs from the beach area at 1030am so my family has a place to put their stuff. And so one thinks i am a total troll, at noon i saw a family with young children looking for chairs and i told them to wait about 5 minutes and they could have ours, i just had to collect my kids. Little magic spreader that i am.

 

[wtpclc]

The "problem" is the Disney wants guests to see the resorts so that they will want to stay at the resorts. Especially, the deluxes. I am sorry that it left a bad taste in your mouth, but there are some thigs that will not likely be changed, as tehy really would not be in Disney's best interests.

 

[Daitcher]

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.

The only thing you should be upset about is your lack of planning. Going to WDW around major holidays is just crazy IMO. Complaining about wait times, resort hoppers, pool hoppers and transportation crowds is just laughable. YOU chose to travel during this busy period. Didn't you realize how busy it would be? The only suggestion I have is to book off season or just try to relax. You are not the only one trying to enjoy WDW.


DAVE

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Who said VWL was a deluxe resort, LOL.

Very funny, Dean!

MG

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I am amazed how off track this thread became. What i learned today. That WL, VWL & FW are joined at the hip and i just have to deal with it. Not. That pool hopping is bad and should be stopped. That no matter what resort i stay at, i am going to share it with anyone that buys a ticket to WDW. That is not acceptable. WDW resorts should be for WDW guests. Guests of WDW should be allowed to use whatever resturants they choose but they are not public places. They are gated for a reason, especially in this day and age. Ever wonder why the monorail resorts have time limits to park when you go for a meal? People would make a PS, not show up and leave their cars all day. Maybe go back in the afternoon and use the pool. It was a pblm that Disney addressed. I learned that the WDW transportain system is a mess and needs to be addressed. I am sorry if anyone feels that i am harsh but we are lucky to get down there once a year and really dont want to hear about pixie dust or to take a taxi. We as owners have a right to expect certains things. And one of those things is not to have to drag two chairs from the beach area at 1030am so my family has a place to put their stuff. And so one thinks i am a total troll, at noon i saw a family with young children looking for chairs and i told them to wait about 5 minutes and they could have ours, i just had to collect my kids. Little magic spreader that i am.

This thread doesn't seem off-track at all...you asked in the title if others agreed with your opinions. Seems you didn't want a debate, only a consensus, which many of us are not willing to give. Although you deny being a snob, some folks (esp. those of us who have stayed at FW) may take offense at being singled out as those who take up all "your" transportation, all "your" towels and pool space, and eat at all of "your" restaurants. What I see here is folks either agreeing or disagreeing with the less-volatile issues of pool-hopping and resort visiting. Sorry if we're not jumping on your particular bandwagon of your "rights" as a DVC owner...the purchase of points does not automatically put a protective bubble around you and yours. You still need to deal with the rest of the visitors.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

The only thing you should be upset about is your lack of planning. Going to WDW around major holidays is just crazy IMO. Complaining about wait times, resort hoppers, pool hoppers and transportation crowds is just laughable. YOU chose to travel during this busy period. Didn't you realize how busy it would be? The only suggestion I have is to book off season or just try to relax. You are not the only one trying to enjoy WDW.
DAVE

I don't think having to put up with pool crashers is reasonable even during busy times. If campers are using the pools at WL, it's reasonable to be concerned about it. Some people do not have the luxury of going during non-busy times, especially if you are in the teaching profession. Your suggestion is worthless to people who do not have the option of going offpeak.

I think the OP is expressing a reasonable concern, especially concerning the pool.

 

[bianca]

My interpretation of the original post is that it was "assumed" that campers were using the WL pool, because she saw people getting off Disney transportation with towels/beach wear. Any number of circumstances could account for this scenario ..... not necessarily campers looking to mooch off the lodge folks. The common misunderstanding seems to be that people THINK that the WL and FW are right on top of each other ..... they aren't. Given the fact that FW has 2 pools and that it would require a minimum of 2 hours (using Disney transportation) to go back and forth between the WL, why would anybody waste precious vacation time doing this? Campers are generally a much more pragmatic lot, so I truly don't think the campers are the problem at WL. That said, I get the pool hopping issue .... it shouldn't be done. However, if we campers took the same attitude as the OP, then only FW guests would be going to the campfire program, attending the Hoop-de-Doo Revue, visiting Tri-Circle D Ranch or horseback riding. Simply put, that is not how Disney World works.

 

[Kadorto]

...Just thought I would invite a few of my buddies...pixie dust heading your way op

 

[ClarabelleCow]

My interpretation of the original post is that it was "assumed" that campers were using the WL pool, because she saw people getting off Disney transportation with towels/beach wear. Any number of circumstances could account for this scenario ..... not necessarily campers looking to mooch off the lodge folks. The common misunderstanding seems to be that people THINK that the WL and FW are right on top of each other ..... they aren't. Given the fact that FW has 2 pools and that it would require a minimum of 2 hours (using Disney transportation) to go back and forth between the WL, why would anybody waste precious vacation time doing this? Campers are generally a much more pragmatic lot, so I truly don't think the campers are the problem at WL. That said, I get the pool hopping issue .... it shouldn't be done. However, if we campers took the same attitude as the OP, then only FW guests would be going to the campfire program, attending the Hoop-de-Doo Revue, visiting Tri-Circle D Ranch or horseback riding. Simply put, that is not how Disney World works.

EXACTLY!!! The original OP seemed to really snub campers like they were the cause of ruining their vacation. At least thats how I read it. I think the only thing the OP can be upset with is the Pool Crashing issue, if it was even hapening. I totally agree pool hopping should be stopped! Period, there is no way to find out who belongs where, etc. I have no problem with people at other resorts checking out the resorts, heck I did that at Thanksgiving, loved all the Christmas decorations. We stay at a resort in Myrtle Beach in August, upon checkin, they give you a bracelet with your room number on it. You need to have that on, whether on your ankle or wrist, to get towels and to get into the pool areas. If you caught without it, your out till you return with it. and upon checkout, if you don't return it, $25.00 due for each missing bracelet!

 

[Daitcher]

I don't think having to put up with pool crashers is reasonable even during busy times. If campers are using the pools at WL, it's reasonable to be concerned about it. Some people do not have the luxury of going during non-busy times, especially if you are in the teaching profession. Your suggestion is worthless to people who do not have the option of going offpeak.

I think the OP is expressing a reasonable concern, especially concerning the pool.

Points well taken. I don't believe half of the OP concerns. Pool crashers? Come on, is it really that big of a problem? Disney doesn't seem to think so or they would use a wrist band system like BCV does. Saying people don't have the option of going offpeak times is really not true. Why don't they have the option? Where there is a will there is a way. Take the kids out of school for a week, move your vacation later,etc. Complaining about crowds at WDW when you go peak times is really ridiculous IMO.


DAVE

 

[hitthebids]

My interpretation of the original post is that it was "assumed" that campers were using the WL pool, because she saw people getting off Disney transportation with towels/beach wear. Any number of circumstances could account for this scenario ..... not necessarily campers looking to mooch off the lodge folks. The common misunderstanding seems to be that people THINK that the WL and FW are right on top of each other ..... they aren't. Given the fact that FW has 2 pools and that it would require a minimum of 2 hours (using Disney transportation) to go back and forth between the WL, why would anybody waste precious vacation time doing this? Campers are generally a much more pragmatic lot, so I truly don't think the campers are the problem at WL. That said, I get the pool hopping issue .... it shouldn't be done. However, if we campers took the same attitude as the OP, then only FW guests would be going to the campfire program, attending the Hoop-de-Doo Revue, visiting Tri-Circle D Ranch or horseback riding. Simply put, that is not how Disney World works.

Do you people even go to Disney? 2 hours to get from FW to WL? There is a mile long path connecting them, or a 20 minute boat ride. And my OP was a poll to see if others felt the same way, and it was directed at DVC'ers who own at VWL. Ohh and if you think taking kids out of school for a week to go to Disney is a good thing, then i feel sorry for you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am amazed how off track this thread became. What i learned today. That WL, VWL & FW are joined at the hip and i just have to deal with it. Not. That pool hopping is bad and should be stopped. That no matter what resort i stay at, i am going to share it with anyone that buys a ticket to WDW. That is not acceptable. WDW resorts should be for WDW guests. Guests of WDW should be allowed to use whatever resturants they choose but they are not public places. They are gated for a reason, especially in this day and age. Ever wonder why the monorail resorts have time limits to park when you go for a meal? People would make a PS, not show up and leave their cars all day. Maybe go back in the afternoon and use the pool. It was a pblm that Disney addressed. I learned that the WDW transportain system is a mess and needs to be addressed. I am sorry if anyone feels that i am harsh but we are lucky to get down there once a year and really dont want to hear about pixie dust or to take a taxi. We as owners have a right to expect certains things. And one of those things is not to have to drag two chairs from the beach area at 1030am so my family has a place to put their stuff. And so one thinks i am a total troll, at noon i saw a family with young children looking for chairs and i told them to wait about 5 minutes and they could have ours, i just had to collect my kids. Little magic spreader that i am.

I'm really sorry to hear you don't think the resort retaurants are public. I would never go to WDW again if I couldn't sample the restaurants at the other resorts. We usually eat a meal at each of the main resort restaurants on a trip. I dare say a lot of locals do the same, and are encouraged to do so by Disney. Why would they build all these restaurants for the benefit of only those staying at that resort? We always go to Artist Point (my bad) and we have never had any trouble getting even a last minute PS, so I don't see the problem there.

 

[bianca]

The OP has clearly never stayed at FW. While there IS a 1 mile walking path between FW and WL, that path starts at the Pioneer Hall area. That path is not only hard to find, but very "woody". Anybody with "girl children" (like myself with 3) would avoid that like the plague! Since the distance from Pioneer Hall to the back of the campground is another mile, it could feasibly be a two mile walk. Let's say the crafty camper uses the internal bus system ..... reallllly bad news. They could wait anywhere from 15-30 minutes for a bus to pick them up by their camping loop, get dropped off at Pioneer Hall, and at that point either walk the 1 mile to WL or wait another 10-20 minutes for a boat down at the marina. Then after arriving at the WL in stealth mode and using the pool for a bit, they would have to repeat the entire process to get back "home". Simply put, we have much better things to do.

 

[CharlesTD]

Hitthebids I feel bad that you don't find family time even for a trip to Disney worth a week of missed school our kids miss 2 weeks each Dec to go to WDW alas we must be terrible parents.

 

[Y-ASK]

Ohh and if you think taking kids out of school for a week to go to Disney is a good thing, then i feel sorry for you.

Was this comment really necessary? I wanted to write more but thought better of it.

Y-ASK

 

[lllovell]

I just shrug off comments like that. I am the only one that can decide what is best for my children and the only time I worry about what someone else might think is when I am dealing with my children and their teachers. No problems to date and I don't expect any in the future.


Now I am really wanting to try VWL!!! Maybe next year!

 

[oldkeywestfan]

I don't mean to make light of the problems some have had, but in reading through this thread, has anyone else had that scene from Caddyshack where the caddies get the pool for 15 minutes pop into their head? One of my favorites!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I don't mean to make light of the problems some have had, but in reading through this thread, has anyone else had that scene from Caddyshack where the caddies get the pool for 15 minutes pop into their head? One of my favorites!

Funny - I was picturing the same thing!!

The pool issues are a problem no matter where you go. I was at Vero and people were jusst sneaking in off the beach to hang at the pool. And there are gates there, all you have to do is ask and someone will let you in. No problem. The only time I have seen this problem solved was at the Atlantis Resort and Casino, every day a bracelet is handed out, (hospital type), it was a different color for every day, and if you didn't have the bracelet on, out of the pool you go!