VWL Owners.. give me your thoughts!!!

[momtofour]

We are DVC owners at the Boardwalk with 160 points. We are looking to add on at VWL. Early fifties in age so we are ruling out BLT as the expiration date is too far out. Please give me your thoughts on anything regarding this resort!!! Any input is appreciated. Also, anyone heard of a possible renovation. The rooms look a bit dated to me. (My opinion!!)

 

[es45]

Great question; we're curious about any future renovations at VWL too. I love the resort rooms but I'm not crazy about the villas.

 

[Sandisw]

We stayed there last summer, as part of our first DVC stay, and it was a lovely resort. I liked that it was small and compact, compared to BWV.

My DD 13 really enjoyed the springs pool and it was never too crowded, even though we were there in August. We had a rental car so I don't know how the bus service was, but it was great taking the boat to/from MK. Every time we went out to go, the boat was just arriving and it was an easy ride. In the AM, the boat they use is bigger so they can take more people if you are wanting to go for rope drop.

The walk from the villas to Roaring Forks (CS) or the merchantile was very easy. I didn't think the rooms were that bad, but I can see that having a few updates would be nice (ie: flat screen TV).

We thought the space in the studio was the biggest of the three we stayed in with BWV being 2nd, and BLT being the smallest.

I loved, even in summer, sitting in front of the fireplace, in the rocking chair, reading a book one night (the AC was on so not too hot!!) in the common area. It was just a very serence resort!

Good luck!

 

[perdidobay]

I am 53, DH is 54 and we own equal amount of points at BWV and VWL.

We like Boardwalk for the location to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, we usually stay there when we go in October for F&W . We like to stay at VWL in January, it is so cozy when the weather is cooler. I like that it is a small, more compact resort than Boardwalk, and I love the theming.
We always have a car, so transportation is not an issue for us. We take a boat when we go to the MK, and drive ourselves to the other parks.
As far as refurbishment of the rooms, I have no clue when it might happen.

If I could only own at one resort, it would be VWL, hands down. I could stay there and never go into a park and be very very happy.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

DVC really hasn't changed any of the resorts decor since they opened from what I hear. BWV did get some color changes this last go around and it sounds like OKW will be getting some decor changes but I wouldn't count on anything like that at VWL for awhile - if ever. I actually like the decor and don't feel it's terribly dated. But I understand some people thinking that b/c I have had similar thoughts about other resorts.

Otherwise VWL did have a standard refurb in late 2008. All soft goods, carpet etc. were changed. Some furniture was changed and fabrics on sofa and chair. When we were there this past Nov they were changing out the TV's to flat panels.

We love VWL. It's peaceful yet a short boat or bus ride to MK. Nice access to 4 other resorts (FW, CR/BLT, Poly and GF) and right on Bay lake. I love the workout room being right in the building (more for massage than work out! ). And nice dining that is easy to get to. And if you like to walk there are nice paths going over to FW.

 

[melk]

We own at Vwl and never once regretted purchasing there. We love the theming, the atmosphere, the tranquility of the resort. We especially love the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom (love hearing that boat horn in the morning!). We also love the proximity to Fort Wilderness (can ride a bike over or even walk the trail).

One of our best trips was a few years ago we went for 10 days in August, and some nights we had the quiet pool all to ourselves, the kids loved it! While sitting there we would catch a glimpse of a little armadillo that kept wandering in the bushes.

Just a really nice resort, I'm sure you would be happy with a purchase there. Don't know anything about a refurb, they are probably due for one though.

 

[theww228]

Our family loves VWL and we have little desire to stay else where. VWL is our home resort since that is the place we want to stay.

I do hope they spruce the rooms up a little, but I would be happy staying in a cardboard box at the lodge.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Our family loves VWL and we have little desire to stay else where. VWL is our home resort since that is the place we want to stay.

I do hope they spruce the rooms up a little, but I would be happy staying in a cardboard box at the lodge.

Just curious - what would you like to have spruced up?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just curious - what would you like to have spruced up?

I also love VWL, and I agree they could use some sprucing..
Specifically, the table and chairs always seem to be majorly nicked and scratched, especially the arms of the chair where they go under the table.
The furniture in general seems to get beat up pretty fast. Perhaps the darker woods show the damage more than the lighter colors at the other resorts.
The kitchen floors always seem to be in bad shape as well.

On a side note, the dark green paint at the breakfast bar always seems to have white drips that are dried on the surface. At first I thought it was dry spilled milk, but after seeing it in virtually every VWL villa I have stayed, I think it may be a cleaning solution.
Whichever it is, it needs to be addressed.

MG

 

[tgropp]

VWL is my main home resort and my favorite. It just seems so serene and peaceful, yet when you here the train whistle from the MK, you then realize how close you are to the action.

 

[Granny]

We are DVC owners at the Boardwalk with 160 points. We are looking to add on at VWL. Early fifties in age so we are ruling out BLT as the expiration date is too far out. Please give me your thoughts on anything regarding this resort!!! Any input is appreciated. Also, anyone heard of a possible renovation. The rooms look a bit dated to me. (My opinion!!)

I'd strongly suggest that you stay at VWL before purchasing there. You are already owners, so I'd get a short trip in (you don't indicate where you live so it's hard to know if that's feasible).

VWL is a strongly themed resort which tends to polarize people. Some people find it dark and too woodsy. Others find it serene and comfortable. We own at VWL and BWV and like each for different reasons. I'm not sure what "rooms look a bit dated" means...the theming of the resort itself is mid-1800's. Updating the decor to look like BLT wouldn't make sense with the WL theming.

VWL is a great little resort, and especially wonderful if you can stay there during the holiday season. But I wouldn't buy there unless you really like the theming or location.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd strongly suggest that you stay at VWL before purchasing there. You are already owners, so I'd get a short trip in (you don't indicate where you live so it's hard to know if that's feasible).

I very much agree with Granny's suggestion. And as someone mentioned before, if you like WL, that doesn't mean you'll like VWL. Stay there! We stayed at WL shortly after it opened, and a couple of times after that, and loved it. We said then that if DVC ever built a resort there, we'd definitely buy. Fast forward to late 2001, when they had so we did. Yet the first time we stayed at VWL, we weren't impressed. It just wasn't for us (but another DVC resort was, so we remained DVC members). But some people love it, and some people hate the resort(s) we love. So to each his own. Stay at VWL and decide for yourself.

 

[lodgelady]

We are in the same age range, and I can tell you that the "get away from it all" feel of the VWL really appeals to us after a noisy day at the parks. The go-and- go-some more days come to a lovely and peaceful end. We feel like we are totally away from the hustle and bustle. We love that, BUT you may not.
Honestly, the interior choices were never my favorite. A bit tacky IMHO, but the setting and general beauty of the resort overcomes this for us. Good luck!

 

[Dizny Dad]

The only way I would be willing to give up our VWL points is to pry them from my cold, dead, fingers (2048 - I think. I'll let you know when I get there)

 

[Meriweather]

We just did an add on for VWL. I am so excited (just on Sat).
we plan on staying there every couple of years for a Dec. trip.
We are from the PNW, so the themeing in great for us (and soon moving to AZ....so it will be extra nice).

 

[Cee]

We'll be staying at VWL in November and can't wait. The first and only other time we stayed there was the very first year it opened. Loved it then and I'm confident that I still will.

 

[wildernessDad]

WL is an amazing place designed by a truly great architect - Peter Dominick. RIP

The villas have a railroad theme which is pretty neat.

 

[Donna M]

We will probably try it again since I hear so many good things about it, but I was disappointed with my first trip. We had a great shaped room, the one near the elevator that was zig zag shaped.

I think what could be updated would be the stove. The coils were crooked and wouldn't sit in their slots. We also had a dirty microwave and there was something about the frige that I can't remember. That shaped unit does not have any cabinet space for food, since the washer and dryer are next to the stove. (One great feature about the BLT kitchen- the slide out pantry!) None of these are deal breakers and I loved the DVC lobby.