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

[Man_Of_Leisure]

To answer the OP's original question. No, I don't feel that way; however, there should be tighter security around the pools during peak times.

In our school district a trip to WDW is considered educational and therefore is an excused absence.

Fail to plan, plan to fail.

Man Of Leisure

 

[zillow]

I stayed at (and own at) VWL in May (non-busy time) and yes (horrors) I had to take my daughter out of kindergarten. (I'll let you know if she doesn't get in to Harvard U. later in life.) My point, and I do have one, is that the main pool at the WL is crowded even at non-busy times. It's just not a large enough area for the amount of rooms, (IMO). But no, I never saw campground guests using the pool and wouldn't assume that they did since they have their own pools. There are signs indicating that the pools are for the guests of the VWL and WL only (and, of course, the friendly DVC pool hopper when not at capacity). I do feel though that any Disney guest should be welcome to eat at Roaring Forks, rent boats (I think you need a resort id for this, right?) eat at the restaurants, enjoy the Lodge, etc. I'm curious if anyone has ever requested to pool hop to the WL - my guess is that it's frequently too busy to allow it but I'd be interested in knowing if that has been the experience.

Yes Dean, VWL is a deluxe - but feel free to spread the rumor otherwise - more room for me if no one wants to stay there .

 

[Beca]

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.

Wow!!! I think this post is really unnecessary. You post, and ask others for their opinions....then, you insult them. Seriously??!!!

Beca

 

[lllovell]

I just realized you are the Zillow on my Pillow that helps me fall asleep! (I should pay better attention huh? )

We have never pool hopped and probably won't for a while to come, until our vacationing habits change. We are Sun - thurs nighters, driving down from GA a few times a year, so while we always make swimming time, we enjoy the swim facilities where we are to make the best use of our time.

I bet less people pool hop than most imagine and why would I pool hop where its super crowded?

 

[Kadorto]

Looks like we might need the rest of the department here on this one...pulling a second alarm.. ...pixie dust to all by the way...what is a zillow anyhow...kinda scary that they hang out on your pillow

 

[Tigger1]

I have stayed at both VWL (deluxe Resort) and FW (deluxe campground).

If only 4 were getting of at WL , and they sent separate boats for each resort, it would take a long wait to fill up the WL. It would be much faster for FW guest to not have to stop at WL. I think at park closing they could send separate boats. If one resort did not fill up, then allow the other resort guest on and make the extra stop.

Restaurants should be for anyone in my opinion.

The pool is over crowded. They need to check ids and hand out armbands. If they did this at least during the busiest part of the day it would help.

 

[Cinderella]

Using the restaurants is perfectly reasonable. I would hate to stay at the lodge and find that I couldn't eat at Chef Mickey or Ohana because I wasn't staying at the Cont or Poly. Using the pool at a hotel you are not staying is a different matter. I haven't stayed at WL for some time but we're at VWL in May, and now I am a bit concerned. When I have stayed in the past, the pool as normally been quiet.

I do recall reading on these boards, a few years ago, that locals were actually using the OKW pool, including pool towels.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

... 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

Actually, you are incorrect in your understanding that some people do not have the option of going offpeak. Teachers do not get vacation time. They have christmas break, spring break and the summer, all what I would consider peak times. So while you may label it "ridiculous IMO" teachers are a group who do not have the option of avoiding these high capacity times (although there is certainly more flexibility in the summer) and given the large number of individuals employed as teachers would make your statement incorrect.

My wife (and excellent teacher) and our family usually stay at BC where pool access is controlled due to previous problems with pool crashers. Whether or not those pool crashers moved to WLV or not, I have no information.

 

[CharlesTD]

I guess our teachers in Canada arelucky because they can request time off during the year to go on vacation well in our school system they can so that statement is not totally true for the teachers not being able to go during non peak times.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I guess our teachers in Canada arelucky because they can request time off during the year to go on vacation well in our school system they can so that statement is not totally true for the teachers not being able to go during non peak times.

My Dh just started teaching, and they get 10 days a year personal time.

 

[Sammie]

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

It is definitely a problem during the peak summer months. I don't think when resorts are full that Disney should even allow DVC to pool hop. I think also they don't care about curtailing it because at this time it does not cost them money and guest complaints seem to end up here instead of to them where they might do some good.

Personally I think suggesting taking your children out of school is ridiculous that is not an option for some. And some people are not allowed to have time off except during the summer months.

I agree that it is unrealistic to think that Disney is not going to be crowded during the summer months and I agree that you can not expect the restaurants to be used only by the guests of a particular hotel.

Yes FW and WL are so close in proximity that I am sure guests share facilities on both sides.

However as someone that does visit during the summer, never complains about crowds, I think the pool situation is out of control. And yes I have let Disney know how I feel.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

My Dh just started teaching, and they get 10 days a year personal time.

WOW, sounds great. Unfortunately, my wife does not have that benefit. I wonder what percentage of teachers do have 10 personal days per year. Is this in addition to ill time or instead of ill time?

 

[Beach_Bound9]

I guess our teachers in Canada arelucky...

Yes they are. Please note that I am not stating that all teachers, every single teacher in every teaching system. Perhaps many teachers do get vacation time or enough personal time. Unfortunately, my wife does not, nor do the teachers in the public school systems in our city and suburbs of 1.5 million +.

 

[CharlesTD]

Our school board teachers must be very lucky. They get paid extremly well and get many personal days and sics days plus vacation time. On average my sister takes 14 personal days a year from teaching and has all the vacation time they normally get plus sick days. They can also carry over any days unused she currently has 3 months worth of time she can use if and when she wants. She also makes almost 60K a year and has only been at the school for 4 years.

 

[crisi]

Canada is a very different place than the U.S. You also have single payer healthcare. Higher taxes. Quebec. The Queen on your money. We 'Mericans like to think you are just a "big state to the North just like us" but you are really a whole different country with a whole different culture.

Teachers in the U.S. are generally unionized, but the unions are state central not really national and not all teachers have good deals. Teachers in some states make horribly low wages (like $15,000 U.S.) and often pay for a good deal of their own supplies (glue, construction paper). In other states, teachers can be paid well (particularly with a Masters degree) and may get personal days and have all sorts of flexibility.

 

[Sarahsal]

Our school board teachers must be very lucky. They get paid extremly well and get many personal days and sics days plus vacation time. On average my sister takes 14 personal days a year from teaching and has all the vacation time they normally get plus sick days. They can also carry over any days unused she currently has 3 months worth of time she can use if and when she wants. She also makes almost 60K a year and has only been at the school for 4 years.

Extremely lucky.

 

[DVC Jen]

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.

We own at VWL and yes we have seen a few peopel who obviously weren't staying at WL using the pools (specifically the villas pool). Did it ruin my vacation.. no. Do I refuse to stay at VWL again? No, NO and DOUBLE NO!

Do I feel the pools should be monitored a bit better yes, but ya know what.. we don't live in a perfect world and so these things happen. YOU make your vacation what it is or isn't simply by your own attitude.

Also.. I am a teacher.. I have two daughters and they are older now (middle and high school) so it does make it VERY difficult.. nearly impossibly actually for me to take them out of school for anything much less than a family emergency. BUT if they were younger you can bet your membership I would take them out for a week to go to WDW.

And being a fellow VWL owner.. it doesn't bother me at all that you are bitter over such a trivial matter. More room for the rest of us.

 

[dsneygirl]

Our school board teachers must be very lucky. They get paid extremly well and get many personal days and sics days plus vacation time. On average my sister takes 14 personal days a year from teaching and has all the vacation time they normally get plus sick days. They can also carry over any days unused she currently has 3 months worth of time she can use if and when she wants. She also makes almost 60K a year and has only been at the school for 4 years.

It must vary widely because we were just discussing this with good friends who our teachers and they have 2 personal days per year, nothing close to 14.

 

[KLR-wlv]

Sorry to get off the taking-the-kids-out-of-school debate and back to the OP's concern - but yes I own at WLV and the boat transporation is a joke. I take a bus to the TTC and then the monorail to MK and I still think that will beat the boat. I went to WL before the villas were built and they had dedicated boats - not shared with FW and the boat service was great. THen they open more rooms at the villas - and reduce the boat transportation by joining it with FW. In the am they pick up at FW first - the boats get filled to capacity and then they come to WL and pick up 2 people - so you have to wait for 4-5 boats before ever getting on. You can take a boat to the MK from the Polynesian! But there is no direct bus service from WL to the MK. And everyone talks about how great that boat is! Just don't try using it in the morning or at closing! It would be nice if they made a walking path from WL to the MK. Or just add a bus without having to go to the TTC....

 

[dsneygirl]

Sorry to get off the taking-the-kids-out-of-school debate and back to the OP's concern - but yes I own at WLV and the boat transporation is a joke. I take a bus to the TTC and then the monorail to MK and I still think that will beat the boat. I went to WL before the villas were built and they had dedicated boats - not shared with FW and the boat service was great. THen they open more rooms at the villas - and reduce the boat transportation by joining it with FW. In the am they pick up at FW first - the boats get filled to capacity and then they come to WL and pick up 2 people - so you have to wait for 4-5 boats before ever getting on. You can take a boat to the MK from the Polynesian! But there is no direct bus service from WL to the MK. And everyone talks about how great that boat is! Just don't try using it in the morning or at closing! It would be nice if they made a walking path from WL to the MK. Or just add a bus without having to go to the TTC....

The boat transportation is one of the main reasons we bought at VWL. DH and I are long past commando days (I don't think we ever were) and the boats are so peaceful and relaxing. For us the journey is half the fun. But too each their own.