I "liked" this post, and if I could, I'd give it a Mega Like with bells, whistles, and fireworks (the part about FL not the part about the nor'easter). While our situation isn't as bad as those in your neck of the woods, getting 6" of snow in Virginia in March is simply disgusting. Thoughts of sun and warmth heading your way!
Hahahaha! "One of the greatest mysteries of the 21st century." I think I've said this here before, but I am just so relieved to not have to hide my confusion and disappointment about the pool and backstory (which I'm totally going to look into further, this time with a sense of humor).
Thanks for joining in! The quiet pool was beloved by most. It was smallish and had no awesome water feature which meant that it was rarely crowded. What it did possess was character, highlighted by numerous places where the water literally bubbled up--when my daughter was younger, she loved playing in those bubbles! Moreover, there were trees around much of the pool which lent a bit of shade to some spots during the heat of the Florida summer days. Finally, it had a small hot tub, with a fake boulder next to it where the hot tub jet switch was located. That rock and the smaller fakes ones behind it sort of set it apart from the pool, though you could view the entire pool from that spot. Generally speaking, the hidden pool had two types of people: 1) families with small children who liked that the children could be enthused with simply bubbles and were easily watched since it was a smaller pool and 2) couples without kids who could enjoy a pool with much less of the noise factor associated with the main pool. It was a well-loved and will be missed for years to come. To me, the newer pool is too sterile--not enough nature to be "wilderness" and not whimsical enough to pull off the whole mining company theme. While parts of the new build at the Lodge was well-done, obviously things were not fully thought through--Geyser Point's continuing identity crisis; the whole Barrier Reef--wait, I mean Balderdash--no, Boulder Ridge backstory and design; and the poor retooling of the RF menu.
I saw some most recently in Glacier NP and Jasper NP last year... you can also see why I like the WL theme! I stayed at BRV twice on rented points and finally joined DVC recently with a CCV add-on
You must be so excited!!!! Had to to get in one more storm for you.
@Seth Pardon I echo what Granny says. He nails the choices, and I agree that requesting a higher floor on the lake side is the way to go. Though the top floor rooms (Floor 5) have the dormer look, when we stayed there a couple of years ago, we didn't mind at all. Sure, you have to stand up to get the full view, but we don't spend hours upon hours on the balcony. Further, most of the ceilings in those rooms are vaulted which makes the space seem much larger. We've also done the ground floor room and, while it was fine, we didn't enjoy it as much as the rooms on higher floors regardless of the side. Good luck!Seth...welcome, and glad you stopped by.
I'd say that the view of the pool (and Bay Lake) is better on the higher floors. However, there are sections of VWL where the highest floor has the enclosed balconies (not the see-through fence type). Some people do not like that as it means it is not much of a view if you are sitting on the balcony...you have to stand on them to see the view. They don't bother us, but I know some people like to avoid them for that reason. I think if you request lake side (odd number rooms) upper floor you will get something you like. Though if you really want to look at the pool more than Bay Lake, you need to also request "close to the elevators". Now you are into three separate requests (lake side/upper floor/near elevators) and if they can't fill all three they sometimes give you whatever they like. @KAT4DISNEY is our resident Groupie who holds the record for most stays at VWL requesting the lake side and getting the bus side!
I'm sure you'll have an amazing trip. WL is a great resort, but we really enjoy that little walk from the lobby to VWL via the covered walkway. The music plays and the crickets chirp and it is very relaxing. Enjoy your planning!
The Hidden Springs pool picture that Granny included made me verklempt. Sigh. I actually lived in Alaska for four years, so glaciers were a common sight. They are majestic in their own right, and they're amazing to get up close to if you're able.Thanks! The old pool and the bubbles sound amazing! I love those Disney imagineering details, which have sadly seem to swung more in the generic direction lately. I've also read that a lot of trees were cut down when they put up the cabins.
I actually don't live near glaciers, but ever since I saw some in Alaska, I love them
So guess what I'm doing in a little over a month? Spending a night at CCV! Shall we guess what view I'll get there?
So guess what I'm doing in a little over a month? Spending a night at CCV! Shall we guess what view I'll get there?
Seth...welcome, and glad you stopped by.
I'd say that the view of the pool (and Bay Lake) is better on the higher floors. However, there are sections of VWL where the highest floor has the enclosed balconies (not the see-through fence type). Some people do not like that as it means it is not much of a view if you are sitting on the balcony...you have to stand on them to see the view. They don't bother us, but I know some people like to avoid them for that reason. I think if you request lake side (odd number rooms) upper floor you will get something you like. Though if you really want to look at the pool more than Bay Lake, you need to also request "close to the elevators". Now you are into three separate requests (lake side/upper floor/near elevators) and if they can't fill all three they sometimes give you whatever they like. @KAT4DISNEY is our resident Groupie who holds the record for most stays at VWL requesting the lake side and getting the bus side!
I'm sure you'll have an amazing trip. WL is a great resort, but we really enjoy that little walk from the lobby to VWL via the covered walkway. The music plays and the crickets chirp and it is very relaxing. Enjoy your planning!
