VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

[sleepydog25]

Question: What is your favourite thing to do at the Lodge?

Like Twink, it's to walk down the covered walkway, at night, listening to the music, the crickets, the general hum of activity. Between those things and the smells unique to the Lodge (mostly that first step into the VWL lobby), I feel transported.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I love this one. For me it's a three way tie between:

• Walking down the covered walkway, particularly at night
• Walking out to the boat dock
• Sitting at one of the many quiet fireplaces (the red leather chairs are a favorite)

Giving a nod to Swimming in and relaxing at the Hidden Springs / bubble pool (now gone) which would have been near the top of this list.

I'll never forget the one time my DL and I were walking on the walkway and we saw an armadillo along the walkway! We were so excited.

Question: What is your Favorite Show at WDW?

Mine is Festival of the Lion King.

Love it too. I get mushy and cry when they do Circle of Life lol
Do the Voices of Liberty count as a show? If so that would be my favorite. Then FOTLK

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Love it too. I get mushy and cry when they do Circle of Life lol

I still vividly remember the movie theater and place I was sitting when I saw a preview for Lion King. It had to be the first preview they released and there was very little other than Rafiki raising Simba up while the of the Circle of Life music was playing. It wowed me then as it does now!

Do the Voices of Liberty count as a show? If so that would be my favorite.

They are in the times guide so I say yes!

 

[bluecastle]

Epcot Must Do: Spaceship Earth, honorable mention: Soarin'

Favorite show: FotLK, honorable mention: live music that we encounter without planning

Favorite things to do at WL: taking pictures, especially when it's decorated for Christmas; getting a drink and hanging out in the lobby listening to the music and the echoes that are unique to the lobby, and watching the people come and go. (but it needs to be late in the evening); the covered walkway with the crickets (not too crazy about the occasional bat though); hanging out on my balcony, especially when it rains. So many favorites!!
Will wait until more people answer to pose another question.

 

[TCRAIG]

Congratulations Tom and Cindy - being Grand Parents is the Best Job in the World!

 

[DVC Jen]

Do the Voices of Liberty count as a show? If so that would be my favorite.

I agree. I don't really have a favorite "show" but I do really enjoy Voices of Liberty.

 

[DVC Jen]

(not too crazy about the occasional bat though); hanging out on my balcony, especially when it rains.

BATS?????

That is one thing I have never seen at WDW. Snakes - yes and those were bad enough. Both snakes and bats and I would be completely freaked out. I know - I know... nature and all that. Still freaks me out.

 

[Corinne]

Either of the vodka slushes at the stand in France!
DITTO

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

BATS?????

That is one thing I have never seen at WDW. Snakes - yes and those were bad enough. Both snakes and bats and I would be completely freaked out. I know - I know... nature and all that. Still freaks me out.

Bats eat mosquitos. I love bats.

I did somehow have one scare out of it's resting place during the day a few weeks ago and somehow it managed to fly into me - one of many objects and I was 30 feet or so away from where it flew out! Strange luck. It bounced off and quickly continued on its way. Still can't believe the odds of that one happening. I do prefer them a little further away!

 

[bluecastle]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?
Mine used to be the Polynesian, but I haven't stayed there in so long I am not sure if it would still be. My daughter and I had a great time at POFQ so maybe that's my 2nd favorite. As beautiful as BWV was, we were so far away from everything it kind of diminished the experience for me. Looking forward to your responses!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?
Mine used to be the Polynesian, but I haven't stayed there in so long I am not sure if it would still be. My daughter and I had a great time at POFQ so maybe that's my 2nd favorite. As beautiful as BWV was, we were so far away from everything it kind of diminished the experience for me. Looking forward to your responses!

My second favorite is Boardwalk. Love the location as far as it's proximity to Epcot and HS. So nice being able to walk or talk a short boat ride. Especially since we spend most of our time at Epcot. Also close to Beaches and Cream. We could eat there every day lol. Also being from the east coast I love the theme since it reminds me of the shore.

 

[DVC Jen]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?

This is a tough one. Gosh.. I don't know. There are a few that I like on pretty much the same level. If I had to pick one - I would say BWV. We stayed there for the first time last year - in a BW view one bedroom. It was really nice! BLT is a close second - or would that be third?

We also spent a few nights at POR and really enjoyed it as well. I would say it is our favorite moderate resort.

 

[Starwind]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?

AKL. We stayed there for the first time this past December and loved it. We had a standard view room on the fourth floor that had a "partial savanna view" (i.e. partially obstructed view of the savanna) and it was a great location and view. One morning we spent about twenty minutes watching giraffes from our balcony

While there we did the Wanyama Safari which I HIGHLY recommend. It combines a small group guided vehicle tour of the Lodge's four safari lands with a family-style group meal at Jiko (menu chosen by Disney). You do not have to be a guest at AKL. Price when we did it was $209 per person. It was AMAZING, especially the tour portion.

After AKL our next favourite would probably be Poly.

 

[Granny]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?

We own at BWV as well as VWL, and I would have to say BWV is still our second favorite resort. The location is great, and the Standard View villas are such a bargain!

A close third for us would be BLT. Again, location is great and the views of Bay Lake are wonderful.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?

I suppose BCV because of SAB. The chocolate carousel that’s a Christmas standard is very special too!

 

[sleepydog25]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?
Mine used to be the Polynesian, but I haven't stayed there in so long I am not sure if it would still be. My daughter and I had a great time at POFQ so maybe that's my 2nd favorite. As beautiful as BWV was, we were so far away from everything it kind of diminished the experience for me. Looking forward to your responses!

Easy. HHI. It's a totally different experience there, and the vibe is marvelous. You didn't ask, but VGC and BLT would be close thirds.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm obligated to say Animal Kingdom Villas as second to Wilderness Lodge, but let's face it, it's a tie as it's my home resort.

So, as my second favorite I'll go with Boardwalk Villas. Great memories from there and an easy walk to EPCOT. Let's not forget they have the wonderful boat horns too. Something about that signal and the feeling that there are families headed off to enjoy a Disney park makes me so happy.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I'm obliged to say Animal Kingdom Villas as second to Wilderness Lodge, but let's face it, it's a tie as it's my home resort.

So, as my second favorite I'll go with Boardwalk Villas. Great memories from there and an easy walk to EPCOT. Let's not forget they have the wonderful boat horns too. Something about that signal and the feeling that there are families headed off to enjoy a Disney park makes me so happy.

AKV is beautiful. Sadly the transportation problem we had while we were there left a sour taste in our mouth. Sometimes we had to wait 45 minutes for a bus. I also wish we had requested a room that wasn't so far away from everything. My poor MIL was like 80 and it was hard for her to do all the walking just to get to the bus stop. Having said that though they had THE most beautiful room and the bathroom was awesome!!! It is a great resort.

Staying at BWV on our next trip but we won't have a boardwalk view this time so we will miss being able to hear the boats.

 

[twinklebug]

AKV is beautiful. Sadly the transportation problem we had while we were there left a sour taste in our mouth. Sometimes we had to wait 45 minutes for a bus. I also wish we had requested a room that wasn't so far away from everything. My poor MIL was like 80 and it was hard for her to do all the walking just to get to the bus stop. Having said that though they had THE most beautiful room and the bathroom was awesome!!! It is a great resort.

Staying at BWV on our next trip but we won't have a boardwalk view this time so we will miss being able to hear the boats.

If you have a preferred room at BWV, you can request a green/common room view. It's the lawn area opposite of the boat dock. I've been fortunate to get this area every time we request it, and aside from the boats and the occasional family yelling as they pass by, it's very quiet and close to the lobby. Bonus points go to the music that floats up to the balcony.

 

[twokats]

Question: What is your second favorite resort after the WL, and why?

My second favorite is also one of my home resorts - Animal Kingdom Lodge! It has such a good feel to it and it is also relaxing to sit in front of the fireplace like it is at WL.