Why VWL?

[bradyjensen]

There's a great thread below asking "Why Boardwalk Villas", with some excellent and varied responses. We have 180 points at SSR, and I'm thinking of adding on. The question is where. I know the pluses and minuses of SSR and have read alot of the posts on this resort. But I haven't seen as much about Wilderness Lodge, which appeals to me as well. I like the theming and I think it would be a quiet location. But, it also might be a bit outside the mainstream.

So, as with the "Why BWV" thread, I'd really love to hear from VWL owners or frequent guests. Some topics I'd like to get perspective on include:

• Pool and fitness facilities -- is there a quiet pool? How is the gym? Are there jogging paths through the resort?
• Children -- we don't have any, and my Signficant Other isn't too fond of being surrounded by them. (Part of the reason he's not fully on board with the whole Disney thing, but we're working on this.) How does VWL compare to other resorts?
• Proximity to parks and DTD -- how is the transportation?
• Intangibles -- this is most important. what do you just love about VWL? What would you change? How does it make you feel?

I'm looking forward to your experiences!

 

[abner1776]

The pool at VWL is more or less a quiet pool...there is no slide and most of the kids tend to venture over to the WL pool which has a slide.

While I have no statistics to back this up, my observations indicate that VWL and WL tend to have fewer kids per adult than some of the other resorts. Part of it is the themeing and lodge itself in that it tends to attract an older clientele. Thats not to say there are no children because there certainly are kids running around....there just seem to be fewer of them than at the other resorts.

Access to MK is fantastic with the boats running constantly...the boats also tend to be more "romantic" than the busses...another plus for us "empty nesters"

Access to the other parks is great with the busses and with the overall complex being very small and compact, walking to the busses is very easy.

The biggest intangible is the facility itself....it is just a wonderful resort to walk around and spend some quiet time looking at the great job that WDW did with the setup and construction.

We stayed at the WL this past January which is low season, but the staff was great, the other guests were great and we just had a great time.

 

[jade1]

1) Location to MK.
2) Themeing/beauty. IMO The best of any DVC.
3) Food court. Actualy get quick hot food after the parks close.
4) 2 other nice restaurants.
5) Dedicated 2 Bedrooms.
6) Exercise room. One of the best if not the best.
7) Bay Lake. Fishing/boating/water pagent.
8) Pools. Quiet is very nice and Main is one of our favorites.
9) Room service.
10) Valet parking.

 

[Granny]

From the moment you come through the resort gates and drive up the hill towards the magnificent main building, you are transported mentally into the great northwest. You're not sure why, but it feels very different from any other place on Disney property. Maybe it's the lack of palm trees (not one in the entire resort) and the statuesque pine trees everywhere.

Upon arriving you get a closer look at the log & stone building and the fun begins. You exit your vehicle and the sounds of Aaron Copland and other western themed music completes the mental transportation. You go through the massive doors and enter the lobby of Wilderness Lodge.


Wow!

A stunning seven story lobby made of logs and themed with western and native American theming. A gurgling spring with a little bridge that overlooks the back of the lodge and a stream that rolls down the rocks to a swimming pool below with a backdrop of beautiful Bay Lake behind it.

And what's that? Suddenly, a geyser near the pool erupts and sends its mist and spray skyward.

The mental transportation is complete and you're ready to begin your trip at our beloved Wilderness Lodge and the villas.

The theming is carried over to the VWL section perfectly, and you get even more privacy than the Lodge has. A wonderful lounging area called the Iron Spike room with lots of cozy chairs, a fireplace and even some checkerboards.

The rooms have a darker decor, befitting the woodsy aspect of the lodge. And the views are of those wonderful pine trees...you are truly in a forest retreat and can hear the sounds of the forest on your balcony.

Yes, there are great amenities including an excellent workout facility, a nice paved path down to Fort Wilderness that's great for biking or jogging, boats that you can take out on Bay Lake or into Seven Seas Lagoon in front of Magic Kingdom.

But the beauty of this place, and its ability to provide balm for the spirit after a hectic day in the parks, is what truly makes it special.

YMMV

 

[DVCLiz]

From the moment you come through the resort gates and drive up the hill towards the magnificent main building, you are transported mentally into the great northwest. You're not sure why, but it feels very different from any other place on Disney property. Maybe it's the lack of palm trees (not one in the entire resort) and the statuesque pine trees everywhere.

Upon arriving you get a closer look at the log & stone building and the fun begins. You exit your vehicle and the sounds of Aaron Copland and other western themed music completes the mental transportation. You go through the massive doors and enter the lobby of Wilderness Lodge.


Wow!

A stunning seven story lobby made of logs and themed with western and native American theming. A gurgling spring with a little bridge that overlooks the back of the lodge and a stream that rolls down the rocks to a swimming pool below with a backdrop of beautiful Bay Lake behind it.

And what's that? Suddenly, a geyser near the pool erupts and sends its mist and spray skyward.

The mental transportation is complete and you're ready to begin your trip at our beloved Wilderness Lodge and the villas.

The theming is carried over to the VWL section perfectly, and you get even more privacy than the Lodge has. A wonderful lounging area called the Iron Spike room with lots of cozy chairs, a fireplace and even some checkerboards.

The rooms have a darker decor, befitting the woodsy aspect of the lodge. And the views are of those wonderful pine trees...you are truly in a forest retreat and can hear the sounds of the forest on your balcony.

Yes, there are great amenities including an excellent workout facility, a nice paved path down to Fort Wilderness that's great for biking or jogging, boats that you can take out on Bay Lake or into Seven Seas Lagoon in front of Magic Kingdom.

But the beauty of this place, and its ability to provide balm for the spirit after a hectic day in the parks, is what truly makes it special.

YMMV

What he said!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

VWL is my absolute favorite, and it's the themeing, and others have expressed it better than I ever could. There are little "springs" in the villa pool that add a bit of fancy.

I do think that there is more of a problem with pool crashers here, the main pool often seems overly crowded.

Bobbi

 

[littlestar]

The Wilderness Lodge is the best "themed" resort on property when you take into account the magnificent lobbies of the main lodge and VWL. It is stunning. All you have to do is watch the faces of people walking in for the first time. They are truly amazed by the place. They walk in and then they look up - usually not watching where they are going and their mouths are usually hanging open.

It feels peaceful and I love being surrounded by Bay Lake.

 

[MinnieFan]

The Wilderness Lodge is absolutely stunning during the holidays. If you like to visit WDW in December, then owning at VWL and having that 11-month booking window is important. Since VWL is small, it books up fast in December and at other peak times.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Question for all you VWL fans...

I, too, am a huge WL fan. Unfortunately, we haven't stayed there in awhile b/c we have three children and they are still too young for the 2 room thing. Anyhow, getting off track. I would love to add some points at VWL, but I just can't seem to get past the decor of the Villas! I am not a fan at all!

The pics that I have seen show the room to be extremely dark and dated. Like I said, I enjoy staying at the Lodge, but the Villas seem to have no appeal to me, decor wise.

Has anyone else felt this way and did you just learn to love it? Is it something you just get used to? Or am I just seeing awful pics?

Again, I would love to add VWL points, but I need some convincing.

Please help and by no means consider this VWL bashing. That was not my intent.

 

[Granny]

Question for all you VWL fans...

I, too, am a huge WL fan. Unfortunately, we haven't stayed there in awhile b/c we have three children and they are still too young for the 2 room thing. Anyhow, getting off track. I would love to add some points at VWL, but I just can't seem to get past the decor of the Villas! I am not a fan at all!

The pics that I have seen show the room to be extremely dark and dated. Like I said, I enjoy staying at the Lodge, but the Villas seem to have no appeal to me, decor wise.

Has anyone else felt this way and did you just learn to love it? Is it something you just get used to? Or am I just seeing awful pics?

We find the decor to be very similar to the Lodge room decor...lots of wood and earthtone colors and textures. I don't think a light and breezy color scheme (like BCV or OKW) would make any sense at all VWL. I'm not sure what "dated" means, so I can't answer that. I mean, it doesn't look like it was decorated in the 60's or anything like that.

It wasn't something we had to get used to or put up with....it was something we loved from Day One.

If it's a concern, you might want to stay there once before buying to see if it's your cup of tea.

 

[deide71]

I think decor is a personal thing. I love the decor at SSR, don't mind the decor at VWL, BC, dislike the decor at BWV and really hate the decor at OKW. That being said, I would stay at anyone that suited the needs of my vacation (location, availability, room size) and still have a great time.

Decor doesn't make or break my vacation.

 

[rinkwide]

Ah, the Villas At Wilderness Lodge. In my opinion the most memorable DVC resort of them all.

Imagine this: You open the door to your room for the first time, walk through the rustically appointed villa, throw back the red plaid curtains, step out onto the balcony, breathe in deeply...

...and smell rotting garbage wafting up from the dumpsters below.

Unforgettable.

 

[Muushka]

Oh goody Another resort war thread

So, anyway, I had not heard that they were switching over to DVD players. When is this going to take place??

 

[littlestar]

We heard new mattresses and DVD players by October.

 

[bradyjensen]

Oh goody Another resort war thread

Too late I discovered an old thread that has been resurrected with loads of information about each resort -- started as "pros and cons" then turned into "factual information".

Actually, just looking for perspective. If we all wanted the same thing, there's only be one theme park with a single restaurant serving one item. I change my clothes during the day, I might want to change resorts periodically. Not looking to start a war, just gathering experience.

 

[Muushka]

It's never too late for a resort war!! Welcome!!

Not looking to start a war, just gathierng experience.

My comment was not intended for you.

Happy fact gathering! By the way, VWL is our home and we love everything about it! I just copied what I wrote a few days ago on another board..

The music is wonderful.

The place even smells wonderful.

The sounds of the crickets. Love 'em

The fun that is had at Whispering Canyon. We just like to sit and listen

The fact that it is on a lake. I love lakes. Wish I could swim in it!

The EWP. Love it

The fact that when you drive 'home' you get to go into the only DVC resort that is a Magic Kingdom Resort. Now that is special!

My husband loves the pizza at Roaring Forks

I love the fact that their mugs were created so great the first time that they still are the same! And yes, we still use our 7 year old mug!

I love that our parking permit is unique to our resort. Makes me feel special.

I love all the hidden Mickeys.

I love the uniforms that they wear there. Makes it even more 'woodsey'

I love Christmas at VWL. I love all the decorations (even though they have cut them back quite a bit in the past 5 or so years )

I love that the rooms at VWL have red and green everywhere! The tiles, chairs (and I'm sure there are other things) have Christmas trees and Rudolph!

I love the serenity. When we go there, we just relax. The time flies. We stayed at another resort recently and I could not believe the time dragged!

I think that the VWL lovers are a breed all to themselves. The love is VERY strong. It seems like people either LOVE it or really dislike it.

Let us know if you make this wonderful place "home".

 

[keishashadow]

All the above & more is true ...there's a world of difference between decor & ambiance.

After last trip to the Values, we bought WL & BW, sight unseen.

After 1st trip home to WL, up-to-then reluctant DVC'er DH said - sell BW, buy more WL.

We'll see how he feels after staying @ BW in June.

 

[iankh]

I'll just keep posting the same link bout the WL. Read thorouhly and then you will know there is possible to know about WL/VWL and the wealth it has to offer and why some of us love it so much.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=658804

 

[Cinderella]

Yuk - you still use a 7 year old refillable mug! I make mine last a couple of trips but not that long. I suppose you are getting v good value for money though.

Anyway back to the question: Theming - the best in WDW without a doubt.

The peace and tranquility

The lovely pool area and hot tubs.

The erupting geyser.

The cycle path to Fort Wilderness - lovely.

The two lovely restaurants.

Beautiful lobby.

Proximity to MK, and the lovely boatride, which is much quicker than the monorail if you leave MK at closing.

Cons

Roaring Forks - It's horrid - I hope it's improved since the refurb in Jan.

Poor room service choices in comparison to other deluxe resorts.

 

[Muushka]

Yuk - you still use a 7 year old refillable mug!

Well, we have 2 and they are used only at the resort, so maybe 8 times a year for 7 years. 56 times used. I don't think that is yuk!