What is it about VWL...

[Muushka]

No flames from me. I agree 100% and I am almost twice your age!

The funny part is, at WL we actually look forward to the walks to anywhere. Well, except maybe the parking lot, but once we are off the tar, we are happy campers.

 

[Sammie]

I would definitely give it a try in December, the Grand Floridian is the only resort in my opinion that comes close to the WL at Christmas.

As to the distance to the Villas from the lodge, I am not sure how anyone can make that statement then be able to walk in the parks. The parks at Disney are hundreds of acres, yet a mere hundred yards or so, does some people in it.

 

[d-r]

Interesting post d-r.
I never connected the resorts at MK (Poly, CR and FW/WL) to the lands at MK park.

Actually, you can kind of think of grand floridian as about 75% mainstreet USA and 25% fantasyland.

The three original resorts were polly, cr, and ft. wilderness. Polly was the only one you could see from adventureland, and it fit the theme without the outside world creeping in. Same thing for seeing contemporary from tomorrowland - actually the people mover spiel mentions something about a tomorrowland acres, or something like that, residential community when you go by the view of the contemporary.

ETAf course, the other resort at wdw that really fits in with the park in its area is the animal kingdom lodge.

 

[zillow]

My morning 'walk' from the room to Roaring Forks with my refillable mug is my absolute favorite part of every Disney day. Sometimes I go through the lobby and sometimes around the pool. I wish it was more of a 'walk' so that I could burn off the donut that I end up getting...

 

[VLee]

If you are staying for ten days, then you might consider 4 at the first one and 6 at the second one. I love to switch resorts on a long stay--gives you a different feel and even though I prefer WL at Christmas, all of the resorts are beautifully decorated and offer their own specialties, such as the chocolate village at the BW.

 

[iankh]

I would have to agree with the comment about walking. I just don't get it. I have never really thought twice about the walk from the room at VWL to anyplace else. The walk to the car (self park) has not seemed long either. Now this might be because I live and work in Chicago, and walk everyday to the "L" to get to work, from the "L" to my office and back again.

I rather look forward to the walk at VWL in the early morning. There is something about the stillness, quiet and the natural surroundings. I find it very peaceful and a great way to start the day.

 

[ramkam]

We stayed at the WLV June 26 through July 1. We love WLV. FYI, we had a studio, room 1558, which was located at the end of the hall on the first floor. That put us about as far from the main lodge as you can get. The walk was no problem at all. However, if you like a view, avoid this room. The room looks out on the drive that is used to service the Villas. You lose the feeling of the woods and nothing ruins the atmosphere while you are relaxing on the porch like cast members driving by with their gear in electirc carts.

 

[studog100]

I hear what you are saying about the walk. But I stayed at the BCV in March and we were on the top floor at the end. The hallway was an erie reminder of that scene in Poltergeist. The hallway after walking all day in the parks seemed like miles especially for my 4 yr old. So guess who gets to carry him. An extra 40 pounds of "dead weight" is not fun to carry around. and then in the morning when they are fully rested the go screaming down the hall racing. Walking really wan't the issue, it was more that we wanted to be as close to the holiday spirit/decorations as possible and was told those are mainly in the lobby. No biggie but thank you for all who replied

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thank you all for you advice. After reading your posts, we have decided to switch to VWL. Everyone speaks so highly of it and besides, we have never stayed there so like some of you said, what better time to stay at VWL.

Again thank you all for taking the time to offer advice.

Ken

Good choice.......you won't regret it. We've never stayed at OKW, but we have stayed at just about every other Disney resort and of them all the WL and Villas are the most relaxing place on WDW property. The Hidden Springs pool and hot tub over by the Villas.........heaven. So peaceful and relaxing.

From the Villas it is a relatively short stroll to either the WL lobby, or to the main pool/Roaring Forks/boat launch via the Hidden Springs pool and marina. Very nice walk. I don't find the VWL to be any further from the main resort than the BCV is. Yes, if you have a room aaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllll the way down the long hallway in the villas you can add a few more minutes to that short stroll, but the same can be said of any of the resorts.

The WL is great because the theming is so immersive, the lobby so grand, the atmosphere so cozy. It's wonderful. My DW loves it and she is NOT an outdoorsy, pacific NW, woodsy type person. That says a lot. The lighting, the sounds and music piped throughout the resort.......it all adds to the charm.

Then there is Christmastime at the VWL. Take everything I just said and magnify it. So warm, inviting, and cozy. Holiday music piped through the resort, perhaps the best Christmas decorations on property (only second to the GF, if even). The perfect location for a holiday visit to WDW.

The boat access to the MK is great. Whispering Canyon is a fun place, with good food and decent prices. Renting Sea Raycers (or whatever they call them now) on Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon is a lot of fun.

You will have a great time.

PS. That idea someone posted about splitting your stay......that's a good one. We actually split all our stays now. It's almost like two vacations in one. We usually split between the VWL and BCV.