Wilderness Lodge Home Resort

[ajseagles3]

Let me preface this by saying that I have VWL as my home resort and have NO INTENTION OF EVER SELLING THOSE POINTS!

We stayed there again last week and simply love it. Places like MK, golf courses, and the Hoop Dee Doo are much easier to get to than from other DVC resorts, and driving to the other parks and destinations is a relative breeze. Also, unlike OKW or SSR, the Lodge obviously has "deluxe hotel" amenities. The maintenance fees aren't outlandish compared to other resorts, either.

VWL "haters":
Why is it that the points seem to be reselling at lower rates than places like BCV, BWV, or AKL? Does it have something to do with the lack of Grand Villas?

VWL lovers:
Chime in with your thoughts as well!

 

[penguins1]

No comments on VWL but I just wanted to say GO PSU!!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Why is it that the points seem to be reselling at lower rates than places like BCV, BWV, or AKL? Does it have something to do with the lack of Grand Villas?

BCV doesn't have any Grand Villas either.

 

[ajseagles3]

penguins1 = Thumbs up on PSU, thumbs down on the Penguins!

1000th haunt = True, but there are fewer rooms at BCV in general. The best reason I can decipher for those points reselling at a higher rate is specifically the food/wine festival and the ability to "stumble home" from it!


I'm not being confrontational here... I am simply just curious to understand it better.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I haven't noticed that BWV is selling lower than VWL - what I see is selling at comparable prices.

My best guess for BCV is the combo of SAB and also the walking distance to Epcot coupled with the fact that it is second smallest in size only to VWL. The thing about VWL is that they make you take that lovely boat ride to MK rather than let you walk!

As for AKV - it is newer, original owners bought at a higher price so they probably aren't as willing to go lower and it has an extended length of contract compared to VWL, BCV and BWV.

 

[chemie15]

We stayed at VWL in Jan 09 and absolutely loved it. Actually I told my wife that would really consider adding on a contract for there that I liked it so much. It was just cozy and warm. Of course the weather was pretty cold that week. Also I like the boat ride to MK and the theme of the resort is great. I wish the pool was a little more expansive, but that is what water parks are for I guess.

 

[wildernessDad]

VWL is our favorite. Period. End of sentence.

 

[bgraham34]

I think part of it has to do with the location. You can't walk to MK from it just the boat. So some of the others have a more convenience factor.

 

[twinklebug]

I've never heard of anyone who hates VWL. I have heard people complain about it being 'dark' or about a bad stay. Never anything even close to what I call hate.

VWL is my utmost favorite home away from home. The only reason I bought AKV over VWL was due to the incentives and pricing being offered at the time & that my kids were in love with AKV.

The pricing differences you see are due mostly to the contract end year dates. Put in the fudge factors for the dues differences between resorts and the pricing seems to be very similar to one another... assuming you're not figuring in the direct through disney prices.

 

[disneynutz]

People are interested in BLT because it is close to MK and on the Monorail. As a result all other resorts are in less demand and their prices drop. Disney's heavy marketing of the new resorts unfortunately has a negative affect for existing owners.

 

[GuySmiley]

WL (non-DVC) was always my favorite resort. When we decided to buy DVC we chose AKV because of the longer contract.

 

[bonybroad]

I will buy VWL as soon as I get enough cash. We stayed there in Sept, and it was absolutely our favorite, DVC or not.
We are actually staying at WL in June on the 4/3 deal (out of points!)
Have to figure out a way to get the $, and I will add that puppy right on!

 

[crisi]

I love VWL (home is BWV) and would have bought there had the timing been different. But I'd guess price difference has to do with VWL has nothing that is really objectively special about it. Every resort has their themes - and VWL is among the best. But BW offers standard view rooms and Boardwalk view rooms (and my guess is that Standard View drives price). AKL has the animals (and is new - one of the reasons we didn't buy VWL was because it was the new resort - and resales on the new resorts are always high because most people can't sell at a huge loss). And BCV has SAB.

VWL for such a small resort is pretty easy to get into except around the holidays.

 

[hitthebids]

We also own at WLV and my problem with the property is that is is to close to the camp grounds and the guests there seem to make the WL that much more crowded then it really is. The campers use a lot of the amenities at the resort. Even the "quiet pool" is always crowded. And before I start getting flamed just think about this, Disney would never build a budget resort next to the Grand Floridian for the same reasons.

 

[twinklebug]

We also own at WLV and my problem with the property is that is is to close to the camp grounds and the guests there seem to make the WL that much more crowded then it really is. The campers use a lot of the amenities at the resort. Even the "quiet pool" is always crowded. And before I start getting flamed just think about this, Disney would never build a budget resort next to the Grand Floridian for the same reasons.

Not a flame... just a quick FYI as you make it sound as though the Ft. W folk are undesirables: if you've priced out the cost of a camper recently you'll come to realize that camping is no longer an activity for the poor (100K for a basic no-frills motorhome?!). Have you ever taken a walk around Ft W. and seen the rigs people have in there? (Lawyers, Engineers etc for sure.) In fact, they should be the ones complaining that the people from other resorts come and use the campground facilities. It won't stop me from taking the boat over, enjoying the fields, fishing, canoing or horseback riding In the words of Panic and Pain... "We are scum"

... oh, and their Main pool has been updated w/cool slide, hot tub and ...something else I believe. Disney did a great job on their pool area & it's very, very nice. During this construction FtW Guests were permitted to use the WL pools, but I think that is over now and doubt very many guests want to trek all the way over to WL to lay in the sun.

 

[d-r]

and the cabins aren't exactly cheap either

 

[crisi]

But you can still pitch a tent. And you can still buy a no frills used pop up trailer for cheap.

 

[Disneypirate85]

We have yet to stay at VWL but we do usually make a stop there just to walk thru and soak up some of the ambience...VWL owners you have a beautifull home and I appreciate it.
We own at SSR but LOVE BWV and hope too add on there soon,dang economy holding us back right now, for the convience of walking to EPCOT and DHS having never stumbled from F&W can't comment on that one. But convience is nice and having teens they love the bustle of the BW after sundown. Shawn

 

[dsquarednz]

We picked up our DVC membership when we returned form WDW last year. We have considered it over and over and could not decide. Last Sept, we rented points from friends who are DVC members and loved it so much we decided that we HAD to join. We did some searching and DW found a site (through here I believe) and bought our membership from someone else at a very good rate. We only wanted to be DVC'ers if we could be "A Home" in the WL. We love it that much! I t was our first hotel in WDw together (for our Honeymoon and her fist in many many years) and it will always be our special place. My suggestion if you are unsure, rent some points, stay in a Studio and make sure you love it as much as the rest of us do. If so, it is well worth the $$.

D (Him)