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

[Dizny Dad]

I feel guilty about this, . . . . I decided to call MS today and make my VWL studio reservation from 12/6 - 12/12 when it will most probably be from 12/8 - 12/12. . . . .

Ref: Walking a Reservation thread now active . . .

Isn't it sad that we have to play this game. Once a loop hole is discovered in anything, it becomes the norm . . . .

Humans will always find a way; our government programs are typical of this stuff. We always set things up in the ideal and discount the basic drive of all to get ahead.

WildernessDad - I have no intent to FLAME you; we all feel guilty when doing this stuff when we need to compete for our reservations. By the way, let us know if you guys get any pictures of Plutonians (planet or not)!

 

[wildernessDad]

I liked it when we could call 11 months from the check out date and do day by day calling if it was felt to be necessary.

I might use the two extra days if I can find a work around to my school schedule. If that is the case, then I won't feel bad, as I called on the 6th and arrived on the 6th.

I don't think you are flaming me. I do think it's sad that people are basically forced to do these things because of rule changes. If DVC ups the points requirement for December, it may tend to reduce demand for December except for VWL. The latter is just my opinion, of course.

 

[wildernessDad]

Basically a nonlinear system is a system which is not linear. That's a cute answer, I know, but it's true!

 

[Granny]

I liked it when we could call 11 months from the check out date and do day by day calling if it was felt to be necessary.

I might use the two extra days if I can find a work around to my school schedule. If that is the case, then I won't feel bad, as I called on the 6th and arrived on the 6th.

I don't think you are flaming me. I do think it's sad that people are basically forced to do these things because of rule changes. If DVC ups the points requirement for December, it may tend to reduce demand for December except for VWL. The latter is just my opinion, of course.

I agree, I thought the day by day was a much fairer system since at least that didn't require booking days that are not intended to ever be used.

Oh well, this thread is supposed to be our happy place, right? So no more of my negative comments. We have about 5 inches of snow overnight (I know that's nothing for many of you) and the streets are really icy. So not having to go to work was a good thing today!!

 

[eliza61]

Ok, I'm am so lost (which is not exactly a new experience for me. LOL)
What exactly is walking. I'm not a real pickey person when I make reservations and I swear in the 10 years I've owned I've never had to waitlist once. I don't go during the holidays so it's never been an issue.

So what is "Walking"?

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Just wanted to say that I have been enojoying hearing about everyone's occupations. What a bunch of talented and smart people we have!

 

[wildernessDad]

Ok, I'm am so lost (which is not exactly a new experience for me. LOL)
What exactly is walking. I'm not a real pickey person when I make reservations and I swear in the 10 years I've owned I've never had to waitlist once. I don't go during the holidays so it's never been an issue.

So what is "Walking"?

Walking is when you make the reservation for an arrival date before you actually plan to arrive and then call each successive day after you make the reservation and add an additional day to the end and take off a day to the start of your vacation until you creep into the actual days you want.

In my case, I called on the 6th, yesterday, and made a reservation for 12/6 - 12/12 and will probably call and nix the first two nights, making it a vacation from 12/8 - 12/12. If I had called on the 8th, tomorrow, then perhaps some days would not have been available. After reading the thread on walking, I called yesterday. Last year, there was no issue, I think because of the bad economy. Now people are reporting problems with calling exactly at 11 months from check in date. However, perhaps I was being overly cautious, because I did not see where people had a problem with VWL reservations. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Granny]

Ok, I'm am so lost (which is not exactly a new experience for me. LOL)
What exactly is walking. I'm not a real pickey person when I make reservations and I swear in the 10 years I've owned I've never had to waitlist once. I don't go during the holidays so it's never been an issue.

So what is "Walking"?

WD gave you a good explanation. Since you haven't tried to book during busy DVC times you wouldn't need to worry about this. But if you want to book VWL in December, for example, it's almost a requirement now.

I've been waitlisted 4 times in my DVC experience. I'm batting 0 for 4. On the other hand, I don't call often to check up on that which seems to dramatically improve the odds. I think the DVC waitlist system is really poorly run from my experience. And the booking system is going to go on-line in the near future? I don't think that will go as well as we might hope.

 

[Happydinks]

I'm a Polymer Chemist. I pretty much say I get paid to make a lot of mistakes. I'm toying with the idea of going back to school for baking. It's my passion and I have these delusions of granduer of opening a little french bakery.

Based on your occupation (I never would have guessed this!) - having a passion for baking makes sense! Baking is a science, which falls right in line with your current work. Being a FoodTV/Bon Appetit addict and a "Julie and Julia" fan, I understand where you're coming from! During my period of unemployment, I actually toyed with the idea of starting a cupcake/cheesecake business (I used to sell cheesecakes to a caterer) - but just never had the guts to follow through.

Granny - that was an awesome present you received from your girls! That must have been a wonderful evening.

It is fascinating to read about what occupies everyone's time outside of Disney . Bob is the VP/General Manager of an oil company (which has just diversified by purchasing two septic/port-a-potty businesses), same one for the last 22 years (31 years total in the oil business). Not seeing too much of him these days with the horrible cold weather. Me - after 20 years in the corporate world, with much of it managing call centers/operation centers - I became a legal assistant for a sole proprietor (for 7 years) - and am now working part time for a CPA and another accountant doing "whatever" - learning payroll, tax reporting, admin stuff - and soon - will be doing simple tax returns (I think) for some of the clients. It's something new and challenging - and good for this time in life.

We just booked our trip for this December (2nd - 10th) - and didnt' have any issues with the booking except - when we tried to book on January 2nd we couldn't because they would only book seven days total - or something like that - so we just called the next day and booked the whole trip. Granny, I agree about the waitlist thing - we've never gotten anything - even with bugging them.

 

[tea pot]

Looking at the responses to this, I see that Groupies are way smart beyond their choice of favorite resorts!!

I was Just thinking something like that....

A Nurse here 30 yr + first 12 yrs in acute care ICU, CCU, Oncology then worked in geriatrics earned my RNC certification and then my NHA Nursing Home Administrator Licensed and ran a140 bed 150 employees extended care facility 10 +yrs then just a couple yrs ago said good by to the stress and became a certified Parish Nurse. Now I volunteer about 3 days a week. It's a sort of the visiting nurse meets the church lady I also volunteer as school nurse at our local church school. I Love it.

and Looks like I should get busy and make my Dec reservations to 2010

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

I have been a stay at home mom for 21 years. I got a college degree before my first son was born. Work part-time at home for my husband's business. I'm pretty much a kept woman too DiznyDi. I did have to work quite a bit this fall but the boss hasn't noticed yet that I haven't gone back to work since Christmas.

 

[TammyNC]

Reading posts about jobs and job searches led me too wonder what everyone does for a living. I think we may have done this same thing a few threads back, but with all the new groupies since that time, it would be interesting to see, and refresh our memories also. And with job searches, it could open a door for someone searching.

So here goes...I am a building contractor/carpenter. My dad and I have been in business together for at least 12 yrs. He has been at it since 1956, same business. We primarily do residential construction, remodels/additions but do some commercial work as well. My passion is woodworking and especially fond of cabinetmaking.

I enjoyed reading back and learning a little about you all. I have got to get in the habit of visiting the thread more often so I can stay caught up.

I am a stay-at-home/homeschool mom to dd & ds. Not the most exciting job but one that I'm thankful to have!!

 

[cheer4bison]

Hi Groupies,

I am blessed to be able to work with America's youth. I am a high school teacher (which guarantees that some days I feel more blessed than others. ) Seriously though, I enjoy this age group so much. They are smart, kind, and usually enthusiastic. I teach in the science (AP psychology and biology) and history (history of American science and medicine) departments. I also do college counseling work, helping our seniors find colleges that are a good fit for them.

I have been teaching for ten years. I switched over to teaching when I had my son. Teaching provides an agreeable schedule for parenting, especially when your child attends the same independent school where you teach.

Before teaching, I got my Ph.D. in history and did research and writing in that area.

It's so fascinating to hear more about the professional paths of the amazing VWL groupies! Thanks for asking the question, Jimmy!

Sending pixie dust to my sister and her family. They leave in just a few short hours on a drive south to our beloved lodge. They live in Pennsylvania, so they will be pulling up at 901 Timberline Drive some time tomorrow afternoon. Wish I were going with them...

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Hey Groupies,

Muushka- We have cancelled the February trip to HHI. We were going to visit my MIL who was planning to spend part of the winter in nearby Savannah, GA but changed her plans and is currently in New Orleans.

I decided to use those points in a few weeks for my annual softball tournament trip to the Wide World (ESPN now?) of Sports. You can add me to the trip list for 1/20-25 SSR. We are also arriving a day early for our April trip and staying one night at Boardwalk 4/3, before moving to BLT which you already have on the list.

I am a Sergeant with the NYPD. Mulling my retirement date in July 2011 when I will have 25 years completed. Can't believe it has been that long. Seems like yesterday I was in the Academy and my METS were winning the World Series. Never would have thought I could go my entire career without them winning another one. Have I mentioned it is no fun being a Met fan in a Yankee town...

 

[Muushka]

Hi all

I am so glad I checked this thread. I forgot to call for our Dec reservations!

Called Mr Muush, got our DVC number and got our 1 BR for 12/5 thru 12/11. I can't put in dates for anyone now on the front page (this keyboard is the pits), but I see HD will be there when we are (woohoo!) and I am sure others. I feel a 2nd annual Moose Meet coming on!!!!

We were supposed to go tubing today, but my hostess was kind of sore and backed out. Oh well, I can't get hurt sitting here in the lobby next to the fireplace typing!

 

[eliza61]

Good to hear from you Muush. Stay safe and warm.

 

[tea pot]

Oh Muushka
I just booked our Dec 2010 trip today! 5-12 in a 1 BR At VWL
Groupie Meet here we come

 

[tea pot]

Hi Groupies,

It's so fascinating to hear more about the professional paths of the amazing VWL groupies! Thanks for asking the question, Jimmy!
.

DITTO
cheer
Pixie Dust coming your sister's way

I am a stay-at-home/homeschool mom to dd & ds. Not the most exciting job but one that I'm thankful to have!!

Well Tammy I don't know about exciting but after meeting your children or should I say teenagers at the groupie meet all I can say is that you did an Amazing Job!!

 

[cheer4bison]

DITTO
cheer
Pixie Dust coming your sister's way

Thanks Teapot! I will convey your pixiedust my sister's way. They left at 4:30, so they're probably already in Maryland. I will text my nephew along the way for updates. I may not be going along, but that doesn't mean they won't be hearing from me.


Well Tammy I don't know about exciting but after meeting your children or should I say teenagers at the groupie meet all I can say is that you did an Amazing Job!!

Ditto, Teapot! I have met the JimmyTammy kids at a meet awhile back and would agree wholeheartedly with your assessment.

 

[horselover]

Ditto, Teapot! I have met the JimmyTammy kids at a meet awhile back and would agree wholeheartedly with your assessment.

I'll 3rd that! Absolutely lovely children.

Congrats to those that booked Christmas ressies! Don't know when we'll be able to get back their again for a Christmas trip. It's getting harder to pull the boys out now that there getting older & the school work is getting harder. Some day.