VWL Studio Room Report

[WolfpackFan]

Well, we're back from our week down at WDW and our first stay as DVC members. It was a great week and we had a really great studio room at VWL. We had room 2531, which is a corner room, with both a balcony and window on the side wall on the second floor and near the elevators. We checked in around 8:30 last Sunday morning. The checkin person said - "I see you've requested a non-smoking room not on the first floor". I then added we'd also like one not overlooking the dumpsters. She smiled and looked on her computer screen and said "you're in luck". Not only did we get everything we wanted but the room was available at 8:30 in the morning. She then said the magical words "Welcome Home" (not the last time we would hear that either). We could not have asked for a better room. It was in the perfect location and had a great view.

We are so happy we chose VWL as our home resort. It was so nice coming back to our quite little corner of the world after being at a crowded park all day. It's like you're entering into a different world as you pass thru the WL entry. You'd never know you're right in the middle of WDW.

We really had no complaints at all about our room or WL or WDW in general. For those that think cutbacks might be effecting the quality of WDW, we did not notice this at all. The place seemed as magical this time as the very first time we visited. We never ran across any cast member that wasn't more than friendly and helpfull. The crowds were huge last week and we've decided this will be the last time we visit during a peak time, but we still had a fantastic week and I'm already trying to figure out when our next visit will be. Also, I'm also trying to figure out how I can add-on some more points.

One final thing - if you're looking for something real special to do - take the Epcot "Around The World On A Segway" tour. We did it and it was terrific. We had such a good time learning how to ride Segways and then taking a tour of World Showcase before it opened.

If anyone has any specific questions, I'll be glad to answer them. I took a ton of photos including a bunch of WL and VWL. Once I have them posted to Webshots, I'll post the address here for folks to look at (including ones showing us on the Segways).

PS - One final thing. The only thing we noticed this trip that really kind of annoyed us, was the large number of double-wide strollers carrying children way too old to be in strollers (like 6, 7 or 8 years old). It's like these strollers are now being used for the convenience of the parents rather than the kid really needs it. Seemed like we were constantly being run over by these things. I don't want to sound like an old crudmugeon on this, but come on folks it's ridiculous for children this old to be strolled around in strollers, just because it's easier on the parents. Sorry if I stepped on any toes with this remark but all three of us noticed it all week long and I've got the bruises on my shins to prove it.

 

[jimmytammy]

Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip!! We love WLV. It is a very cozy spot indeed.

Was your studio a lockoff or a dedicated? The area you were in sounds similar to the area we stayed in a 2 bed in Dec.

We noticed bigger kids in those huge strollers also last 2 trips. It is rather annoying. Just makes it harder on the ones who truly need them and the handicapped as well. Oh well, rules are made for those who dont break them.

 

[Muushka]

We are glad you had a great time. Yes, Cary is a nice place to live, as is VWL! We so agree with your thoughts on WL being away from all the hustle of WDW. This is why we own there also!

 

[ErinC]

Sounds like you had a great room. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Did the halls on the 2nd floor smell like smoke at all? I'm just curious since all the smoking rooms are on the second floor. They started to put us there in December, and then moved us to the 4th floor.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Allison an associate

 

[senecabeach]

Wolfpackfan,

Sooooo wonderful to hear about your trip !!!!!

I have been to WDW each year since its opening in 71..but...just bought in the DVC in 03 @ the BC.
Yea...very dumb of me...but I just retired and finally had the time to investigate the DVC's!!

Going Home for the 1st time in 35 days !!! YAHOO !!

Cant wait to see your pics!!

 

[DVC Jen]

Glad you had a good time and had such luck with your room.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Hi all - Our studio was a dedicated, not a lock-off. I did not notice any smoke smell at all. But then we were the first room on the left on the back long hallway and I never went down past our room.

And hi Muushka. It is nice to hear from a fellow Caryite. It was strange, one morning we were on the bus to Epcot. Started talking to a man next to me and turns out he is from Raleigh also and works at Wake Med. Small world.

And for all - what really made me so happy about our trip was we had heard so much about cut-backs, rude cast members, poor service, etc. We saw none of that. Our visit could not have been better, except for the huge crowds. I have never seen WDW so packed full of people. But then that's good in that people are travelling again and visiting WDW. Everyone needs to experience a peak time at least once, it makes you appreciate non-peak times so much more.

 

[lenshanem]

PS - One final thing. The only thing we noticed this trip that really kind of annoyed us, was the large number of double-wide strollers carrying children way too old to be in strollers (like 6, 7 or 8 years old). It's like these strollers are now being used for the convenience of the parents rather than the kid really needs it. Seemed like we were constantly being run over by these things. I don't want to sound like an old crudmugeon on this, but come on folks it's ridiculous for children this old to be strolled around in strollers, just because it's easier on the parents. Sorry if I stepped on any toes with this remark but all three of us noticed it all week long and I've got the bruises on my shins to prove it.

Not that this applies to us since my oldest has not used a stoller at WDW since she turned three (My youngest at three right now is a different story, we'll use one next trip.), but many that use those electric seat things that normally don't are just as bad I think, if not worse! I can't even count how many times one of us were run over by those things or we were beeped at. I don't think many are used to driving them and they seem to be getting to be quite a few of them. Once after waiting about thirty or more minutes for the parade a woman drove up and parked directly in front of my daughter who was sitting on the curb. (She was about three at the time.) Literally my daughter's face was like an inch from the back of the thing. That had to be one of the most amazing things I have ever saw! We spoke to her and she mumbled something rude, just about then a CM came who I think had seen the whole thing unfold and told her she had to move.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Regarding the electric carts, I noticed an abundance of them also; but didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to sound un-sympathertic to the handicapped. But between the double wide strollers with grown children aboard (or usually loaded down with packages, while the kids walked behind or pushed them) and the electric carts everywhere, it was very difficult walking. What got me was one time I saw a man in an electric cart lead of parade with his cart followed by his family pushing two double-wide strollers, one loaded with packages and the other loaded with two very large kids. The cart basically cleared a path for the rest. It's really gotten out of hand that is for sure. Maybe the large crowds last week made it appear worse than it was, but you really had to be carefull to keep from getting run over.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Concering the comments above about multiple older children in strollers, I can't speak for others since I only have 1 child and he is way past stroller age, but I do remember when he was 6,7, or 8 wishing at times he could ride around--not for my convenience, as was suggested before, but because of the heat and exhaustion of small kids (even if they aren't really little). --epecially in the summertime, when heat exhaustion is a real possibility. Plus, if I actually had more than 1 child to keep track of in the huge parks, I suppose it would be a real convenience to cart them around while keeping them a little cooler and safer at the same time. I can see how the strollers get in the way, but I can also relate to a parent using them, not just for babies, but for older kids.

 

[lenshanem]

Regarding the electric carts, I noticed an abundance of them also; but didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to sound un-sympathertic to the handicapped.

I agree. I certainly don't want to sound unsympathetic either. But, I don't think anyone would argue with the fact that many use those carts that don't normally use them back at home.

You can look at this the same way as the older kid in a stroller - they are using it because they can't walk an entire day. I understand that, but in both situations (stroller and cart) people need to be more aware of others.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I want to post another follow-up to my report here. One thing I was pleasantly surprised with was the size of the Studio unit. It was definitely larger than I was expecting and there was plenty of room for DW, DD24 and myself. DD pulled out the sofa bed each night and she said it slept fine. We also really liked the little kitchenette they had.

We only had two very, very minor complaints about the room (almost not worth mentioning, but I will). DD and DW kept complaining about the location of the toilet paper in the bathroom. Also, I was a little surprised at the small size of the television. We stayed at Pop Century Saturday night and the tv there was much, much larger than the one at VWL.

Previous to this trip, I had thought that when travelling in non-peak times, I'd probably want a 1-BR. But after staying in the Studio I can see us easily staying in a Studio to stretch our points. In the future it will mostly be DW and myself and we'll be wanting to stay for longer extended times and going in non-peak times.

 

[KNWVIKING]

The people that need them and use them on a regular basis in the real world, they're not the ones beeping the horns or running over people. They know how to operate the scooters and have developed the patience required to deal with the crowds. The scooters are becoming a huge problem due to misuse.

As for the strollers: One reason we don't use buses anymore is because of people with Buick sized strollers trying to get on and off. Most of the time the DH stands in the bus doorway trying to figure out how to close the dang thing. It's obvious they only bought the stroller for use in Disney because they have no idea where all the levers are.

 

[DVCDawn]

Honestly, you all sound like a bunch of cranky senior citizens. As the mother of two young children, 1 and 4, I plan on bringing my strollers for a few more years. When you were 6 years old do you think you'd be able to walk or stand for hours and hours every day? I doubt it. Parents know what is best for their own child and if their 6 year old (generally perceived as too big for a stroller) needs to give their feet a little rest or take an impromptu nap during the day then more power to them. Stroll away. Isn't WDW supposed to be a place for families? I'd expect a little more tolerance from people who like to visit the happiest place on earth.

 

[WolfpackFan]

There is a difference between a 1 and 4 year old in a stroller and a 7 and 8 year old. I saw kids in strollers that old last week. In fact several times I saw strollers loaded down with packages with the kids actually pushing them.

As far as senior citizens, I am a member of AARP.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Families, yes. Oversized strollers that don't fit thru ticket turnstiles, take up space for two people on the buses,boats and monorails or run up the back of my ankles, no.

 

[jaysue]

I am glad the double stroller exists especially for either permanent single parents or for a parent who is taking the kids on an outing or a trip without the other parent and who have two kids.

You cannot push two strollers by yourself!

To move to the exact points:

1) Yes, people who abuse things whether they be strollers or electric wheelchairs anything else are annoying - I agree 100% with that part of the OP comments

2) As to the age commentary - I disagree 100% - the childs stamina, temperment, weather conditions should drive the decision to use a stroller or not - I would much rather have happy children at WDW using strollers as they need to than cranky, tired, and stressed out children at WDW

I have used strollers, my shoulders, my arms and just plain old side by side walking with DS#1 at WDW and when my kids are in a stroller, there is a reason for it like at Epcot for example which is a huge park to navigate or AK on a hot windless day where the humdity tries to sap your energy and your fun. At MK, I often have DS#1 on my shoulders (due to crowds) but with DS#2 growing up, a double stroller will be used more and more often as we often do singular parent trips.

If I had two sets of shoulders I would be more than happy to carry both kids in that fashion.

Sweeping statements from people who appear not to be blessed with children at this stage in their lives are to be taken with a rock of salt.

Regards
jaysue

 

[JudithM]

Wolfpackfan, I am glad you enjoyed your first trip "home." It is nice to be away from the park action & to retreat to your part of "home." I am also glad to read your room requests were met & that you heard "Welcome Home."

I hope you enjoy many more visits "home!"

 

[JudithM]

I agree with DVCDawn - stop complaining!

As to the comments about strollers & young children ... my 6 year old niece was with us last year at WDW. This was not her first trip. My sister rented a stroller for her daughter. It helped everyone enjoy the trip. My sister is NOT one of those lazy parents others mentioned on this thread & my niece is NOT lazy either. Who cares if someone puts packages, cameras, pin bags, whatever in the stroller for awhile while the child walks? Also, one might not be aware of why other guests shoose to rent a stroller & allow a child to sit in it.

Also, I am one of those Disney guests who only uses an ECV at WDW. I do not use one at home. Perhaps those guests who complain, without thinking, might like to get around WDW with bad knees, backs or feet, or are under going chemo, etc. Instead of complaining, perhaps you should be greatful that you can walk around WDW without any assistance.

Maybe those of us who do use an ECV, a wheelchair, a power chair, etc. at WDW would not have to run over or beep at guests if everyone paid more attention to the people & things around them. I try to pay attention around me, but if a guests thinks they can out move me & steps in front of me, I cannot stop on a dime! Perhaps more mobile guests will be more aware of those of us who cannot walk as well.