WL vs FW Cabins

[GOOFY4DONALD]

We are trying to decide between the 2 for our upcoming Nov trip. There are 5 of us that include 3 kids DD15, DD12, and DS 9. We have stayed in and loved the FW Cabins on our first trip. The second time we went we stayed at The Poly. Although I loved the convenience of the resort, we found the rooms too crowded for all 5 of us. We were planning on staying at the Cabins again but realized how much we have loved each visit to WL and would like to give it a try. Now I know that we have to book a deluxe room, since there are 5 of us, and the cost is a bit higher. What I would like to know is if the WL gives you, somewhat, more privacy than a traditional resort room (what my DH craves after 12 hours in a park) with the hotel style convenience (that I crave). Or is it just a wilderness themed resort?

 

[vicki_c]

The WL does have "traditional resort rooms" so I'm not sure how it would be any more private. At first I thought you were asking if the cabins at FW were more private, but then realized you already stayed there, so you knew what they were like. I would guess the cabins seem a lot more private than any resort.

I don't know if I would call it wilderness themed (guess it depends on how you define that - it is named that, so maybe that's just me!), but Northwest/National Park themed.

 

[suemom2kay]

The only alternative I can think of is to rent points from a DVC owner and book a 1 Bedroom. Not sure if you're allowed 5 in the 1 bedroom though.

Honestly, with the size of your family; I think you're much better off at the cabins. You're close enough to WL to easily visit and the Fort is so peaceful. Five essentially grown people (your 9 yo is growing up too) in a hotel room does NOT sound like fun.

 

[auprincess]

We love the WL. It is the only deluxe we have stayed in (Poly in April, can't wait), so I don't know if it offers more privacy, but I wouldn't think so. We are also a family of 5, so we aren't staying there this time b/c the only rooms that would accomodate us is Club Level Room or 2 bedroom villa (actually, my youngest is under 3, so we could stay in a regular room, but they were pretty small for us when we just had 4).

 

[Goofy4]

WL does offer "suites", but they are few in number and probably pricey (and I don't know anything about them).

How about the Family Suites at All-Star Music or Art of Animation? They would give you the separate bedroom and an extra bathroom.

 

[Lynne M]

I think the OP is talking about the junior suites at WL. They have two rooms; a living room/kitchenette and a bedroom with 2 queen beds. There's a sofa bed in the living room. In your situation, not a lot of privacy, as one of the kids would likely be sleeping in the bedroom with you and your husband. Also, these suites are club level, so you get the amenities of CL as well.

Another alternative would be a 1 or 2 bedroom villa at VWL, the attached DVC resort. Note that you will only be able to get a 1 bedroom villa if you rent from a DVC owner; occupancy is limited to 4 persons plus one under the age of 3 on a cash reservation.

The 1 bedroom villa is 200 sq ft larger than the WL junior suite, and you'll also have a king bed in the master bedroom, a full kitchen and washer/dryer. But, one less bed - there's just a king bed and sofa bed, so someone will be sleeping on the floor.

The optimal (but priciest) choice, IMO, would be a two-bedroom villa. Everyone gets their own bed, and there's plenty of privacy to be had.

 

[DopeyDonald]

Note that you will only be able to get a 1 bedroom villa if you rent from a DVC owner; occupancy is limited to 4 persons plus one under the age of 3 on a cash reservation.

Is this really true, can you book a 1 bedroom villa for 5 by renting from a DVC owner? Can you get ME and everything this way.

We are desperate to stay at the villas again, but cannot afford the suite or the 2 bedroom. PLEASE....PLEASE.....PLEASE tell me someone has done this and it is legal. You would make me the happiest person on earth!

 

[Lynne M]

Is this really true, can you book a 1 bedroom villa for 5 by renting from a DVC owner? Can you get ME and everything this way.

We are desperate to stay at the villas again, but cannot afford the suite or the 2 bedroom. PLEASE....PLEASE.....PLEASE tell me someone has done this and it is legal. You would make me the happiest person on earth!

The official occupancy for VWL, BWV, BCV, SSR and some AKV1BDRs is 4 persons plus 1 under the age of 3, but Member Services has for some time now been allowing 5 in those villas. I won't make promises, because that is of course subject to change, but yes, right now you can book it that way.

BLT, OKW and some AKV 1 bedroom villas officially sleep 5 + 1 under 3 (there's an additional sleeper chair in the living room), so no worries there.