Bunnies and mooses and groupies, Oh my!!! The Wilderness Lodge groupies thread. 4.0

[Muushka]

Hey Groupies,

Looks like busy times for the groupies...meets, trips, belated birthday wishes Loribell and RANGER STAN meets. JT -Please give him our best.

Muushka - I could get kicked out of the groupies for this but the wifey wanted to try a week at BWV and our waitlist came through. Instead of GREEN dates we will be staying at BWV, Nov 10-15

Kicked out! Joke, right?
All taken care ofb....hey, you weren't even there!
What happened? I put you in, but I wonder what happened to your dates?

Hey Muushka-

Can you add a day to our trip in December? We're leaving on the 11th now instead of the 10th! Since no one wanted to take us up on the offer of free lodging - we're spending the points on us! Booked our flights last night - going down AirTran and back on Jet Blue. Love being able to book one-ways without higher fares. We'll send some pics of the Grove Park Inn.

Looks like a bunch of us will be there around the same time in December - how cool to be able to meet some of you all! Granny - be careful, if we do meet up, Bob will talk your ear off about Ireland (thanks for your PM about your trip!). We're looking forward to being able to put faces to the screen names! Who's in charge of setting up the meet?

Getting ready to do our ADR's - so we feel like the time is getting closer. But, a few non-Disney trips in between to take. Eliza - you should be getting close to your Paris/Disney trip now - how excited are you!?

twokats-very exciting about booking your NE cruise. Prayers go out to your Mom that the treatments do their job - and she's doing well come cruise time. Also, my "condolences" that your tax season continues! We're working on the extensions now.

Almost "hump" day - have a good week everyone!

Leslie

You're in charge of all the activities! Can't wait to see what you have planned!

Muush-
Your Moose is gone!

I can see him. Can anyone else?

It's my 14th anniversary today. No special plans though. We went out about a week ago. Got to go when you can get a sitter! I told DH no gifts either. I'd rather save for more points! A girl has to have her priorities after all. Last year at this time we were having dinner at Narcoossee's. Now I'm off to reheat leftovers. I'm ok with that, but I do wish someone was bringing me this for dessert just like last year.

Happy 14th anniversary to you and your husband!!

 

[Granny]

We are at BWV in room 2129. It is very near the end of the hall, facing the canal/parking area. It is very quiet and we were hoping for something like that. The tennis cts. are very near though we cant see them from our room. I think we all immediately fell in love with the resort and it runs a close 2nd to our home. Not to worry, VWL is #1 in our hearts!

Jimmy...I meant to comment on this earlier. We too really like BWV and in fact made it our second home resort after our first stay. Strange how much we like it though it is very different from VWL. That was part of the appeal to us to mix up our vacation patterns a bit to keep the burnout factor down. Sounds like you got a great room. Hope your week continues to go well.

Looks like a bunch of us will be there around the same time in December - how cool to be able to meet some of you all! Granny - be careful, if we do meet up, Bob will talk your ear off about Ireland (thanks for your PM about your trip!). We're looking forward to being able to put faces to the screen names! Who's in charge of setting up the meet?

Leslie...I'm always willing to talk about Ireland! We have a lot of time on the meet planning...for me it will be all about what time our flight leaves on 12/5.

Mom got really sick last night, but we made it to chemo and she was able to take it. She did better than she did a couple of weeks ago. We also saw her surgeon and he is going to talk to her oncologist about some new developments. Keep fingers crossed that she gets her strength back in time for the cruise, although she is really looking forward and already planning her wardrobe!!

Kathy...continued prayers for your mother and your family. Here's some MOOSE DUST coming your way for the cruise.

I can see him. Can anyone else?

I can see your VWL Moose, Muush! No problem!

 

[Dizny Dad]

horselover & anniversaryguy - Happy 14th!

 

[Dizny Dad]

I returned home from work yesterday to find DiznyDi with her feet 6" off of the ground - she was doing the Single digit Dance! Guess I better start planning for this trip.

 

[Brian Noble]

Okay, I'm an "interloper", not an owner, but our first VWL stay is coming up this July. We're at VWL from 7/23-30/10, and now that my semester is over, I'm *really* looking forward to the wilting heat, stifling humidity, and maddening crowds! () We've always been at OKW in the past, and while I'll miss parking right outside my door, we're very excited for the Lodge.

 

[eliza61]

Time for my groupie therapy. Dh is still on refinery high alert. The old guy is an environmental engineer. BP must really be having a hard time with this leak because their picking the brains from the competition. Anyway he's hanging out on an oil barge for 7 day on/2 off rotations. basically trying to figure out how to seperate oil from water. I did try and tease him about how the salad dressing commercials on tv make it look so easy. Needless to say right now, it feel a little flat.

Getting ready to do our ADR's - so we feel like the time is getting closer. But, a few non-Disney trips in between to take. Eliza - you should be getting close to your Paris/Disney trip now - how excited are you!?


Leslie

Hey HD!! 19 days to go. My counter thingy is wrong. I'll have 2 days free because the old guy is dropping the kids off in Lisbon to visit his relatives. 2 solo days in Paris with an empty credit card. I can officially die a happy women.

It's my 14th anniversary today. No special plans though. We went out about a week ago. Got to go when you can get a sitter! I told DH no gifts either. I'd rather save for more points! A girl has to have her priorities after all. Last year at this time we were having dinner at Narcoossee's. Now I'm off to reheat leftovers. I'm ok with that, but I do wish someone was bringing me this for dessert just like last year.

Happy Anniversay!!

Mom got really sick last night, but we made it to chemo and she was able to take it. She did better than she did a couple of weeks ago. We also saw her surgeon and he is going to talk to her oncologist about some new developments. Keep fingers crossed that she gets her strength back in time for the cruise, although she is really looking forward and already planning her wardrobe!!
This year I had a record amount of extensions, of course almost all of them are my really complex clients!

Telll mom we send our hugs, love and pixie dust.

I returned home from work yesterday to find DiznyDi with her feet 6" off of the ground - she was doing the Single digit Dance! Guess I better start planning for this trip.

what better dance to do!

 

[jimmytammy]

Okay, I'm an "interloper", not an owner, but our first VWL stay is coming up this July. We're at VWL from 7/23-30/10, and now that my semester is over, I'm *really* looking forward to the wilting heat, stifling humidity, and maddening crowds! () We've always been at OKW in the past, and while I'll miss parking right outside my door, we're very excited for the Lodge.

Brian

You are more than welcome to hang out here with us. You dont have to own, you only have to love the Lodge

Hope you have a great trip and maybe you will have a reverse pattern of weather. Its doggone hot here now and really shouldnt be, even the natives are complaining its too hot for this time of yr. So maybe, just maybe, you will get opposite of what it should be.

 

[Granny]

Okay, I'm an "interloper", not an owner, but our first VWL stay is coming up this July. We're at VWL from 7/23-30/10, and now that my semester is over, I'm *really* looking forward to the wilting heat, stifling humidity, and maddening crowds! () We've always been at OKW in the past, and while I'll miss parking right outside my door, we're very excited for the Lodge.

As Jimmy said, there are no interlopers on this thread unless someone comes here to badmouth VWL. You are more than welcome here.

Until last week, virtually every WDW trip my family has made has been in June-July-August. Yes the heat is significant and the crowds are substantial. But there is a flip side to that as well.

First of all, you'll be staying at VWL. For whatever reason, it just seems cooler there like a mountain retreat. Just mind games but the darker, cooler theming works very well for us in the summer.

Also, during the summer the park hours are long and all attractions are open. Refurbishments are done in the winter months so you have a full complement of choices and plenty of time to enjoy them.

If you understand going in that it will be hot and crowded you will find that you are still able to see the attractions you want to see with judicious use of Fast Passes and Extra Magic Hours. Also, we tend to find things to slow down and cool off with air conditioned attractions during the afternoon such as Ellen's Universe of Energy, Hall of Presidents, Great Movie Ride and boat rides in Norway and Mexico.

I'm sure you'll enjoy VWL, though as you know the rooms are not the size of the OKW ones. Take advantage of the Lodges unique amenities and ambience. And drink plenty of water! Enjoy.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've done July before, and I've done P-Week (better weather, worse crowds.) It's all good! I'm also hoping that the "mountain breezes" will help cool us off.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

I waited too long to comment on the posts I missed and now I have a few hundred comments to make.

cheer4bison--I agree that it’s awesome to hear reports from those who are there and even better when they get to meet up! Congrats on booking that awesome trip. I think I would like a day before a cruise and then the extra days after it.

Granny--Glad you had a great trip. I definitely think you've picked the nicest people on the DIS to hang out with and so glad it worked out to have a mini-meet. Sorry you were sick while you were there.

We enjoyed our stay at AKL too (Jambo house) and walked over to Kidani to look around. It is beautiful and I hope they do add a CS over there. Really doesn't make sense why they didn't plan for one.

And wonderful that you made time for 3 trips over to visit the lodge. We always do the same when we stay other places.

Yay for booking December back at Jambo House!

disneyj914--Have a great trip! Enjoy Artist Point! I haven’t had the salmon in a couple of years there, but I would ask the server how it is prepared and I think Granny gave it the

Dizny Dad--You are the man! I like a man with a plan (especially one that is making the trip more special for his wife!) And I'm happy to have one of those for my very own too!

Muushka--Happy to hear you got another guitar hero guitar so you don’t have to fight for your share of time to play. Much more fun with 2 player.

DaveH--Sounds heavenly! Happy packing!

Maria--Enjoy the rest of your VB time. Sounds wonderful

jimmytammy--So appreciate your checking in and filling us in. How nice to get to see Ranger Stan and Carolyn. I hope they are enjoying retirement together.

Sorry to hear the heat is a problem. I am hoping it won’t be too hot for my dad to enjoy our trip starting May 16. We will be taking it slow and not spending too much time in the park so we’ll just have to deal with it.

Hope you get to meet up with tea pot (and hope tea pot and Mr. tea pot are having lots of fun!)

wildernessDad--Hope your December planning is helping you get through May. Nice to hear you added an extra day!

DisneyNutzy--You could never get kicked out of the groupies for putting your wife first. I think that is in the groupie handbook. We can’t have our love for the lodge causing family trouble!

Happydinks--Have fun making those ADRs! Great to see you get to use those points on yourself. People turning down free DVC lodging is a mystery to me.

horselover--Happy Anniversary!

twokats--Best wishes & prayers to your mom to feel better and get through all these treatments. I am glad she has the cruise to be planning for.

Brian Noble--Welcome to the groupie thread! We are not owners at WL either but stay there when we can. We own at SSR and BLT but have probably stayed at OKW more than anywhere. We always enjoyed those big villas when we had our 4 teenage sons with us. Yes we do sometimes miss having the car right outside the door when we stay at the lodge but that is the only negative we have found for our family.

eliza--I have been wondering about you. I was about to post and noticed you posted while I was typing out my comments. Hang in there girl and keep dreaming about Paris with that credit card!

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Oh and I forgot 2 very important things!

kat4Disney--love the photos I want to be an awesome photographer like you when I grow up!

DDad & DiznyDi-- Doing the single digit dance with you!

 

[twokats]

Okay, I'm an "interloper", not an owner, but our first VWL stay is coming up this July. We're at VWL from 7/23-30/10, and now that my semester is over, I'm *really* looking forward to the wilting heat, stifling humidity, and maddening crowds! () We've always been at OKW in the past, and while I'll miss parking right outside my door, we're very excited for the Lodge.

We do not own at the lodge either (SSR), but we have stayed in the lodge and the villas for more than half our trips. We have also been a lot in late June or early July. The weather is always comparable to what we have here in Texas, so it does not bother us.

twokats--Best wishes & prayers to your mom to feel better and get through all these treatments. I am glad she has the cruise to be planning for.

To all that have prayed and sent pixie dust to Mom. . . thanks, it is working. She had an easy day yesterday @ chemo and had a really good night.
I told her yesterday we were booked for the cruise and her face lit up!!
Thanks again for past and future prayers.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I've done July before, and I've done P-Week (better weather, worse crowds.) It's all good! I'm also hoping that the "mountain breezes" will help cool us off.

My first visit to the lodge was last year, and I am a confessed CONVERT!!! No, I don't own, but profess loudly my love for the lodge. Too bad I can't change my username to BWV-VWL Dreamin!!!

 

[horselover]

Okay, I'm an "interloper", not an owner, but our first VWL stay is coming up this July. We're at VWL from 7/23-30/10, and now that my semester is over, I'm *really* looking forward to the wilting heat, stifling humidity, and maddening crowds! () We've always been at OKW in the past, and while I'll miss parking right outside my door, we're very excited for the Lodge.

Welcome Brian! Love your list of all the things you're looking forward to on your trip! Hope you have a wonderful trip.

To all that have prayed and sent pixie dust to Mom. . . thanks, it is working. She had an easy day yesterday @ chemo and had a really good night.
I told her yesterday we were booked for the cruise and her face lit up!!
Thanks again for past and future prayers.

Glad to hear your mom is doing better. Continued prayers coming her way!

Eliza - hugs & good thoughts going out to you & your DH too! That must be so stressful.

DiznyDi & Dad - it won't be long now!!

Thanks to all for all the anniversary wishes! I've said it before, but I'll say it again - Groupies are the best!

 

[Inkmahm]

Sounds like you're having a great time!!! I'll be down there next week and was planning on getting the salmon....how is it being prepared now?

Sorry, I missed this question originally when reading the thread.

The "old" way was with a berry sauce of some kind. Now it is made with something that is supposed to be more oriental style. It was okay, but no where near as good as the old recipe.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Sorry, I missed this question originally when reading the thread.

The "old" way was with a berry sauce of some kind. Now it is made with something that is supposed to be more oriental style. It was okay, but no where near as good as the old recipe.

ooh thanks for this detail. That does sound like it makes a difference & I'll have to think about if I want to try that. It's been a few years since I had it and it definitely had some kind of a berry sauce.

Oh and Brian Noble, I am curious if you are bnoble who is an expert with Tour Guide Mike? I have used that service every trip since I discovered him a few years ago. I don't frequent that forum (and mostly lurked) but I do know that guy has a wealth of WDW knowledge and posted frequently helping people with their Disney trips.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm also hoping that the "mountain breezes" will help cool us off.

I swear this imagery really works Brian !
Glad to see ya over here on the "dark" side (to those who don't know what my pun is, I "know" Brian from the Orlando/off site boards).
Hope you really enjoy your stay at VWL Brian

Horselover....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!!

Still in VB....our final night...then leave for home tomorrow....long drive back to PA .....

Maria

 

[Muushka]

Okay, I'm an "interloper", not an owner, but our first VWL stay is coming up this July. We're at VWL from 7/23-30/10, and now that my semester is over, I'm *really* looking forward to the wilting heat, stifling humidity, and maddening crowds! () We've always been at OKW in the past, and while I'll miss parking right outside my door, we're very excited for the Lodge.

Hi Brian I have talked with you about Bonnet Creek. Welcome to the VWL Groupies. As was mentioned by our Granny, WL just feels cooler in the summer months. All that green! Let us know how you enjoy it.

Dory, you are so cute keeping track of all of us!

twokats, I'm glad your mom is doing better.

 

[Brian Noble]

Brian Noble, I am curious if you are bnoble who is an expert with Tour Guide Mike

I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but that is my username at TGM.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oh and I forgot 2 very important things!

kat4Disney--love the photos I want to be an awesome photographer like you when I grow up!

Thanks Dory!

twokats - glad to hear that you're mother is feeling better and has the cruise to look forward to.