VWL/WL....Yes, it's a DELUXE

[Maistre Gracey]

Lately there have been some suggestions that VWL/WL is a “less deluxe” DVC/Disney resort. In my opinion, the notion that VWL/WL is "less deluxe", is absolutely ludicrous.
I feel location is not a huge part of what makes a resort deluxe (I prefer the VWL location anyway). If The Taj Mahal (ya, I know I balled up the spelling on that one) were located in Des Moines Iowa, would it not be deluxe?????? Yes, Disney can charge more for a hotel if it has a monorail, or you can walk to the park. Let's look at the real things that make a hotel "deluxe".
Restaurants- Where at BWV can you eat? I am not asking 'where close by can you eat'. It seems that the most deluxe resorts would have a restaurant on-site. Although BCV's Cape May is a fine place to eat, it can’t compete with the award winning Artist Point.
Sturdy Branches is likely the best work out facility on site.
The two pools at WL/VWL, though not SAB or LP, are more than enough. Actually the quiet pool (in my opinion) is one of the nicer DVC pools.
The interior of all DVC villas are comparable as far as quality is concerned.
As far as theming, I don't think anyone can say that VWL/WL does not have the most intricate theming and attention to detail of any DVC resort (although you may not like the theme).
Please tell me what VWL/WL does not have that makes this resort "less deluxe".

I will thoroughly enjoy staying at all DVCs over the years, but I am confused why some think that VWL/WL is somehow “less deluxe”.

I appreciate and value your opinions......

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I feel location is not a huge part of what makes a resort deluxe

I dissagree, I think location is a huge part of being deluxe. I think WLV has a deluxe location, since you can take a boat ride directly to MK.

 

[Gigashadow]

I will thoroughly enjoy staying at all DVCs over the years, but I am confused why some think that VWL/WL is somehow “less deluxe”. - Maistre Gracey

Completely agree as always, VWL is the Polynesian of the DVC. Eats, Pools, Boats and Bikes, Theme and Location are the major reasons we decided to call the VWL our "Home Resort". Like I always say, There is NO bad DVC resort, they all have their positives for different reasons and that is what made the purchase into DVC all the easier - Flexibility for change as you and your family grow. The avalibility of 4 (for now) "Deluxe" resorts on WDW property gives plenty of room to never get "bored" of going home!

Just my thoughts

 

[d-r]

WL is a deluxe resort, VWL is a home away from home resort. But I agree, WL certainly has the amenities of a deluxe resort.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by d-r
WL is a deluxe resort, VWL is a home away from home resort. But I agree, WL certainly has the amenities of a deluxe resort.

Yes indeed. When I say "deluxe" I mean in a practical way, not the specific Disney designation.

Thanx for pointing that out......

 

[Lesley]

I think the comments made that WL is not "as much" of a deluxe resort as others may be based solely on room size....because all the other deluxe resorts (minus AKL) have larger rooms, and the room size within both lodges is almost the same as the rooms at CBR.

At least that's the only thing I can think of that would make someone call WL less of a deluxe resort than most of the others....

While I do think the rooms, particularly the bunkbed ones, at AKL are a bit cramped....(no experience with rooms in the main WL) the "Lodge" resorts rank right up there with the Polynesian for me. And of course, the VWL is even better!

Yes, definitely....restaurants, pools...

Of course, the monorail resorts do stand out on their own a bit...but that doesn't make them more deluxe....just different.

 

[madcoco]

If The Taj Mahal (ya, I know I balled up the spelling on that one) were located in Des Moines Iowa, would it not be deluxe??????

MaistreGracey: Why you picking on DesMoine Iowa? My DB lives there now. I agree with you.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Oct 01 we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge 9nights and that is what us become members after that stay.
Nov/Dec 02 we were forced to stay at PO/FQ since our cruise was cancelled at the last min Thanksgiving wknd. There was NO place Disney could get us into for 8 consecutive nights at that late time.
Yes, we definately noticed we werent staying at a deluxe resort! I wanted my "home".

 

[Dean]

I didn't say it wasn't deluxe, only slightly less deluxe than some of the other choices. I'd say that Disney's interpretation of the matter is a core element as is location. Saying you don't care what Disney thinks is deluxe or not takes this to the realm of feelings and not objectivity. That's OK, as I noted, WLV will have it's following. I also feel and expect to be born out that WLV in the long run will be mildy less sought after on resales than BCV and BWV. As I noted, I like the resort and had every intention of buying there but thought the points being the same as BWV preferred is and was too many. You must take all the rooms, room sizes, room amenities, location, view, Disney's prices and any other objective data available to make an honest determination. If you want to make the judgement based on your heart rather than the facts, that's ok with me.

 

[anniet]

I don't think room size should be considered when categorizing a resort as deluxe or not. Look at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. Because it's so old, the rooms are not all that large, but anybody who has been there has to agree it's a deluxe resort.

I think deluxe has to do with location, amenities and activities at the resort.

Sturdy Branches is a full service club complete with massage. Artist Point is certainly a first class restaurant. The location on the lake is IMHO one of the best even if it WASN'T so close to MK. And there are plenty of activitities including swimming in a great themed pool and boating on a much larger lake than BWV and BCV and biking. And it has the Electrical Water Pageant every night.

If you took Disney's theme parks out of the equation I think WL/WLV would still be a deluxe resort.

.....but on the other hand, it is a short walk or boat ride to a trailer park!

 

[Dean]

The Taj Mahal is near Disney, we call it Old Key West, LOL.

 

[Regina]

Are you saying that Disney has the Wilderness Lodge in a different category, because it doesn't. If you look at the list of Deluxe Resorts as posted by Disney, the WL is right there. The brief description is: "Disney's Deluxe Resorts are the most luxurious ways to experience a Walt Disney World vacation. These Resorts offer exquisite surroundings, impeccable Guest services and the finest in dining and entertainment."

All of the DVC resorts are categorized as "Home Away From Home." These include the VWL, BWV and BCV as well as OKW as well as the Ft. Wilderness Cabins.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by dvcreg
Are you saying that Disney has the Wilderness Lodge in a different category, because it doesn't. If you look at the list of Deluxe Resorts as posted by Disney, the WL is right there. The brief description is: "Disney's Deluxe Resorts are the most luxurious ways to experience a Walt Disney World vacation. These Resorts offer exquisite surroundings, impeccable Guest services and the finest in dining and entertainment."

All of the DVC resorts are categorized as "Home Away From Home." These include the VWL, BWV and BCV as well as OKW as well as the Ft. Wilderness Cabins.

I'm saying that the rack rates for WL, the discount prices for WL and when WL was on the DC, it was in a different category. It was below the Poly, BC/YC, Poly tower and GF in a category with the Poly Inn rooms. And while the amenties there are nice, there are less of them than for the YC/BC and BW.

 

[PamOKW]

I can't recall off-hand what the breakout was, but there was a listing from DVC that had something like "Premium" Resorts and then "Deluxe" Resorts. I think WL and the Contemporary Garden Wings were in this second tier category. I also think that GF had a category of its own.

Also, in Disney history, OKW was a Deluxe resort when it opened. When the DVC concept was expanded, the Home Away From Home category was developed.

 

[Regina]

Disney does list the Deluxes from least expensive to most expensive: WL, AKL, Contemporary, BW, YC, BC, Poly, and GF.

Looking that the 2002 rack rates, the least expensive rack rate for the WL was $194.00, AKL $204.00, Cont $234.00, BW, YC, BC $289.00, Poly $299.00 and GF $329.00.

With tax, you're still looking at $200.00+ per night. If I'm paying that kind of money, I'd better be in a Deluxe, LOL.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Dean
...And while the amenties there are nice, there are less of them than for the YC/BC and BW.

??????

 

[erikthewise]

While I agree that WL is a deluxe resort and that location is not a defining characteristic of a deluxe resort, it seems clear to me that WL and AKL are distinguished from the other deluxes by room size and rates. I'm sure this was 100% intentional on the part of Disney, probably because they felt there was a market for something priced between CBR and the Epcot & monorail resorts.

Rates of course do not always reflect quality, but many see room size as a quality issue; a larger room is a desirable amenity. Both AKL and WL have unique features that can be seen as compensating for room size.

Even if one felt that WL was somehow inferior to BC or BWI, that would say little or nothing about VWL in comparison with BCV and BWV.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Erik I agree with you, but let's not forget that WL also has deluxe rooms (not the suites), that are similar to a 1br VWL villa (not sure if BW, or BC have them). We must factor the cost of those rooms in also. It would not be fair to just compare WL cheapest rooms.

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by erikthewise
I'm sure this was 100% intentional on the part of Disney, probably because they felt there was a market for something priced between CBR and the Epcot & monorail resorts.

You hit on it exactly. When the WL was being built, Disney had the Deluxe resorts (Y&BC, Poly, GF, etc.), The Home Away From Home Resorts (FW Homes, DI/Treehouses, OKW, etc) and the Value Resorts (CBR, DxL, PO). They then were describing the WL as their first moderate resort. It opened at $159 a night (vs, $89 for value and $225 for Deluxe).

Later, after Disney built the AS resorts ($69 a night), they reclassified the WL as a deluxe and the previous value resorts as moderates.

So, the WL was built to fill the niche between the current moderates and the rest of the Deluxe resorts.

 

[Regina]

Sometimes being a Disney packrat pays off. Here's an excerpt from the 1993 Annual Report, page 36:

"The plush-but-rustic Wilderness Lodge and the moderately priced Disney's All Star Sports Resort will be open by summer."

I would think that they would have described both as "moderately priced" if that was the intent.

An interesting side note. Further into the article is the following:

"Disney Wilderness Junction Resort, a companion to Wilderness Lodge, will be a log-sided structure deep in the woods at the end of a nature trail. With 575 guest rooms, it will open in 1997."

Could that have been the pre-cursor of the VWL???