Hey y'all. DH and I are staying at VWL for the first time this January. I'm very excited. We have a studio at Boulder Ridge but are waitlisted for Copper Creek. I need to learn about the differences and about the lodge as a whole. Guess I have some reading to do!
Welcome,
MapleGirl! Lots of great things to say about VWL (aka BRV), Copper Creek, and the Lodge as a whole. Here are a few things off the top of my head, though it's far from a complete list.
Copper Creek
This is DVC's newest resort, and it's a combo of both the new suites in the main Lodge (which include the entirety of the south wing, or the area over the check-in desk extending down that side to the end nearest the lake) and the 26 cabins that now exist along the lake's shore. The main differences in the rooms are a) they're newer, b) the floor plan (the CC rooms are a little more shotgun style), and c) CC has 3BR grand villas which VWL does not. As these rooms exist in the main Lodge, that means a little closer access to the lobby, the main pool, the restaurants, and the boat dock. As with everyone at the Wilderness Lodge, you'll have access to both pools, the old main pool (renamed Copper Creek, too) and the new Boulder Ridge pool. In fact, in terms of amenities, there is no difference between staying at Copper Creek or at VWL. Your views there would be overlooking the main pool or partial lake views and the new pool on the other side, unless you're in a room near the front desk.
VWL
Our home away from home. The rooms are a bit more spacious, at least they seem to be, and they sleep 5 whereas the new Copper Creek rooms do not. Being that the rooms in the VWL building are a bit farther away from the main Lodge, that means to get to a restaurant (outside of Geyser Point), you have a bit farther to walk. Still, it's not a long walk; we're talking an extra couple of minutes or so at best. The bus stop sits between the two buildings, so it's equidistant. The new BRV pool is actually closer. Your views there will be either lake on the east side or trees on the more western side. I particularly enjoy the walk between the two buildings along the timbered walkway with the lanterns flickering and crickets chirping. I think a room there will be slightly less hectic since it won't involve having to go into the main lobby to access your room.
For either resort, the Lodge is a marvelous place. There is plenty of grandeur and beauty; the music is quite majestic; the architecture is inspiring. Even the new cabins are lovely, even if they did displace a lot of trees thus removing some of the wilderness feel. If you follow the cement path that leads to the cabins on the south side (parallel to the VWL building), you'll finally reach a sandy nature trail, at least what's left of it. Or you can take the paved bike path to Ft Wilderness--about a mile one way. Bike and boat rentals are available, or you can just walk. We always walk when we go to FW to eat at Trail's End, and we usually see wildlife along the way. There is something in the air at WL that surpasses our experience at any other resort. I think you will feel that way, as well, after your stay there.
Again, welcome, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. Here's a link to the main WL resort which might also help you:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...villas-and-cabins-information-thread.3372315/